Considering a switch from RCCL to NCL!

[RCIGUY]

We have a 24 hour hold on a cruise on the Jewel for 12/13/09. We've sailed NCL before, but a number of years ago (Norway,Windward,Norwegian Wind). Thoroughly enjoyed NCL then, but wondering how things have changed. What restaurants are no charge, and what are extra charge (on the Jewel). We're very laid back and easy going. Price difference is enormous (even as D+ on RCCL). Don't mind paying for specialty restaurants and drinks if we choose. Any thoughts, input ?!?!

[DAGVBSB]

I sailed RCCL last year for the first time and must say that I pefer NCL.

 

The 2 main restaurants, Blue Lagoon Dinner and the buffet are free on all NCL ships.

 

We did not go to the Specialty restaurant on teh Explorer of the Seas because it was twice as much of a surcharge than the Italian Restaurants on NCL. In fact, the surcharge restaurant on RCCL (Italian) was even higher than Cagney's Steakhouse on NCL.

 

I also found that NCL does a better job of moving crowds than RCCL.

 

After the cruise, I have found NCL does a better followup job than RCCL. I have received NO literature or even a thank you letter from RCCL. (and nothing on Crown and Anchor). NCL always sent a thank you for cruising letter, Lattitudes letters/information and general flyers about their ships/cruises. The more expensive line cannot afford mailings????

[RCIGUY]

Thanks for such a quick response. Like I said, thoroughly enjoyed NCL, but needed an update regarding current views.

 

If you book the Hawaiian cruise (IMHO), don't worry about cabin category if only for the view. We have done the same cruise three times (American Hawaii's Independence 2 times, RCCI Legend once) and found we spend more time on deck taking in the entire view then we did on our balcony. There is so much to see as you enter a port that a balcony cabin can't offer!

[dalgirl]

My first cruise was on RCCL and I loved it so much that I have cruised 5 more times - but they have all been with NCL. The price is better, the ships are very nice and well maintained, and the entertainment is top notch. I have sailed without eating at the specialty restaurants and with eating at several (depending on my current budget and sailing schedule). DH says the food is better on RCCL, and that may be so, but neither of us are really overy picky eaters, and it is not so different that we would choose RCCL over NCL because of it. The food is good on both and there is plenty. Along with the 2 sit down restaurants, Blue Lagoon (24 hr comfort food), and buffett, there is a hamburger/hotdog site above the pool areas and NCL even drags out a couple of grills to the pool area at lunch and serves up a cookout -- if you can't find something to eat at no extra charge, when you are in the mood to eat, not when you have been assigned, then you are too picky or going to eat at the wrong times and places. As for paying for the specialty restaurants - on our anniversary last year DH and I ate at Cagney's (steak), we had a delicious 4 course meal, top notch steaks, a free anniversary cake thrown in and delivered to our stateroom, and a bottle of Champagne for around $115 (we loved the version of "let me call you sweetheart" in 4 different accents, so we tipped extra, extra:)) That same meal would have been around $200- $250 at home. So it's not free, but it is comparatively cheap. I believe RCCL charges for many extras now also, including restaurants, so I say go NCL. But we would certainly cruise with RCCL if the itenary, price and time where right.

[RCIGUY]

I appreciate the positive responses. We have sailed RCCL and thoroughly enjoyed them, but find their current pricing to be out of line with the economic situation. I enjoy an honest response without negative comments. I think we may confirm our reservation!!!

[Leafpeeper]

We enjoy sailing on different cruiselines each year. I would never want to go to the same vacation spot every time we take a trip--so I also do not want to sail on the same line or same ship everytime we take a cruise.

 

What we love on NCL is the opportunity to dine in a different venue each night. Jewel will have 2 different main dining rooms (free anytime dining)--one large formal elegant and one smaller more casual. NCL has done an outstanding job decorating each specialty restaurant. We were disappointed on our Princess cruise because both anytime dining restaurants were decorated exactly alike--no imagination.

 

NCL specialty restaurants range from $10-$25pp. We enjoy the food and ambiance of NCL's Asian/Thai restaurant--steak terriyaki, tempura, hot&sour soup is great. We also enjoy the romantic quiet setting of LeBistro with its fantastic menu--beef tenderloin is yummy.

 

My DD says that NCL's tiramasu and chicken caesar salad are the best.

 

What I think you might enjoy about Jewel is the Great Outdoors bar & buffet on the aft of the ship. It is a great spot to enjoy a quiet afternoon or evening with a terrific view of the wake of the ship--perfect reading spot.

 

If you like slot machines without the smoke of a casino, you will enjoy the Bliss Lounge slots next to the bowling alley because it is a no smoking area.

 

Hope you enjoy many more cruises on many different cruiselines. We have future cruises booked on NCL, Carnival, RCCL, and Princess.

[michigan tim]

I've got zero brand loyalty, I'll take what I perceive as the best deal. I've sailed RCL twice and NCL twice (with two more booked). I like the laid back/Freestyle atmosphere on NCL, but I liked RCL's service better. I also think RCL's family/poolside programs have it all over NCLs, but my kids are now grown, so this is no longer an issue (at least until those grandbabies show up). All things being equal I'd probably go RCL, but for me, the price point makes NCL a no-brainer. IMO NCL and RCL ships are equal, and the Freestyle dining is a plus.

[terrymtex01]

I have to say we have found RCCL and NCL more alike than different. The two main differences of course would be Freestyle dining and the ships themselves. I know RCCL has their version of Freestyle dining, but NCL just seems to do it best. It is a good fit for us. As far as the ships, NCL ships are great, nice and beautiful, but RCCL ships just seem to have that little extra "finish" to them. Maybe a bit more of a look of luxury, for lack of a better way to put it. I can tell you the difference is so slight in the ships that it has been hard, after four years, for us to put our finger exactly on what the difference is.. 8-)

 

No matter what you decide, I hope you have a blast and if you choose NCL, please come back to the board and tell us all about it.

[cruzinnman]

I have cruised RCCL twice and NCL twice. In my experience, I have found NCL superior to RCCL, even in food. Still I enjoyed both tremendously. To be fair, I may not have gone on RCCL's best ships, which were Majesty of the Seas and Spendour of the Seas.

As for NCL, I have been on the SUN and Spirit. Will be going on the Pearl in the fall.

[cruzinnman]

I have cruised RCCL twice and NCL twice. In my experience, I have found NCL superior to RCCL, even in food. Still I enjoyed both tremendously. To be fair, I may not have gone on RCCL's best ships, which were Majesty of the Seas and Spendour of the Seas.

As for NCL, I have been on the SUN and Spirit. Will be going on the Pearl in the fall.

 

Meant to say those were the ships that I have been on, not that those were the best ships RCCL had.

[missjanet]

We choose to cruise by itinerary rather than cruise line, so we've been all over the place. We cruised on Explorer of the Seas, first RCCL cruise, last fall on a wonderful trip to Canada. I thought the food wasn't as good on the EOS as what I've had on NCL ships though. But I loved, loved, loved the Cafe Promenade where we spent every evening chatting & snacking with friends. We ate at Portobello's and had an amazing dinner there. Also loved their choice of wines in their wine packages for dinner.

 

We just booked a 2nd cruise on the Dawn, this time to Bermuda, and I'm looking forward to it. We liked their specialty restaurants the first time around, and I'm sure we'll like them again. Both lines give great service, IMHO, but I can't seem to find a better deal that what NCL delivers on just about any itinerary. Plus for the Bermuda cruise, you can't beat the amount of time spent in port.

 

Take that cruise on the Jewel, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. And knowing you got a great deal just makes the trip even better!