CCL Pride vs. NCL Gem

[MJShore]

I am posting this on both the CCL and NCL boards, regarding a Dec. 26/27 sailing. Both go to the same ports, however, the CCL's Pride is about 600 dollars cheaper for a balcony pp. and 200 for an inside stateroom. We would be getting a balcony and two inside staterooms. We have only sailed RCCL and Century in the past. Any advice?

[LemurCat]

I am posting this on both the CCL and NCL boards, regarding a Dec. 26/27 sailing. Both go to the same ports, however, the CCL's Pride is about 600 dollars cheaper for a balcony pp. and 200 for an inside stateroom. We would be getting a balcony and two inside staterooms. We have only sailed RCCL and Century in the past. Any advice?

 

I haven't sailed the Pride, but the Gem is a pretty exceptional ship. The insides are about the size of a standard CCL inside. The dining options were plentiful, with 2 or 3 extra-fee restaurants, but the quality of the MDR was below what I'd experienced on various CCL ships. The extra-fee restaurants were totally worth the price of admission though.

[green eyed lady]

Pride...We didn't like NCL at all :eek:

[yst347]

We sailed Gem last February (inside cabin) as well as Pride sister ships Spirit in April 08 (cat.11 suite) , Miracle in February 06 (balcony cabin), and Legend in January 05 (inside cabin).

 

Cabins: The NCL cabins are significantly smaller than Carnival. They were well designed however so we were very comfortable in both. Dressing for dinner proved to be a challenge as wife at the vanity made bathroom access impossible. The NCL shower has a sliding glass door that we both preferred over the curtain in the Carnival bathroom. I'd give the nod to Carnival because it was roomier but both cabins were well designed and appointed.

 

NCL

 

Carnival Legend

 

The ships themselves:

 

Dining: The food and service in the Carnival Main dining rooms were solidly higher quality than on NCL. The upcharge restaurants on NCL were superior to the MDR's on both but cost extra. On NCL La Cucina was fantastic and was frequently offered for just $5 as opposed to the standard $10. Cagney's on NCL and the Supper Club on Carnival are similarly priced and provide quite like experiences. The buffet on NCL was vastly superior to the Buffet on Carnival. On balance each line excells in some cuisine and falls short with others.

 

Casino:

 

If you are a high-roller you will probably prefer the casino on the Gem. I like to play BlackJack and Craps for a few hours each afternoon on a sea day. I know the odds favor the house but on NCL they are bandits. The only $5 BJ table on the Gem payed 6:5 for BJ and dealer hit soft seventeens. I don't like being abused so I didn't play. They got nada from me.

 

Shows:

 

We found the productions offered on each line to be too similar to say one was better than the other.

 

Sportsdeck:

 

The Gem has a full basketball court. I blows away anything we have sen on any Carnival ship. The gyms were well equiped on both lines. For us, nod to NCL.

 

What we loved most about the Gem was the aft buffet area. Our group gathered here each evening for dessert before retiring. It was really lovely to watch the lights from passing islands as we enjoyed conversation.

 

What we loved most about Spirit Class ships, the uncrowded deck plan made moving about the ship a breeze. We felt truely relaxed after sailing on these wonderful ships.

 

If you have any specific questions I will happily try to answer.