How'd you pick your cruise line?

Started on NCL with "free" cruise from land based casino. Loved..loved...loved it! Loved the freestyle concept and the total atmosphere of NCL. Reduced rates more "free" cruises and free drink card also help to keep us coming back again and again.

If you think you read this above, you did. But it is still true!:)

Two of the five have been because if the group we traveled with. We prefer RC but have gone on three CC. The last two were on CC and have been disappointing.

This time we wanted something different and chose the itinerary first. The only option for us outside of CC was NCL, which was good because I have wanted to try them.

I'm not the person you're replying to, but I am married and also chose NCL for my upcoming cruise mainly because of the solo cabins. I get mandatory time off work around Christmas and that happens to be the busiest time for my husband. And he also hates cruising. As for myself, I've only been on one and didn't have the greatest experience either, but I'm going to give it another shot. It at least sounds better than sitting at home alone for a week in the middle of the winter.

Good for you! I was on a Breakaway cruise and met many solo cruisers that were not 'single'. IMHO it is not really an issue; everyone was welcomed.

Happy and safe cruising. :)

The two main criterion for cruise line selection are

Price

Itinerary

Reputation of the cruise line is another (reading reviews helps)

Activities onboard, as well

Our first cruise was with NCL because my Daughter organized a family group for the tour.

We have done three NCL cruises. We found NCL's itineraries to be less than we desired, since at that time NCL did not cruise to South America, the Black Sea, Asia, Australia/NZ, and the British Isles.

Celebrity had all those cruises, and we have done seven cruises now with them. We still like NCL, but prefer Celebrity. Interesting, now NCL has gone back to South America, and the British Isles.

After cruising with RCI and ccl a couple of times I came to NCL because of the studio cabins on the EPIC in 2010.since then a combination of future cruise rewards and great deals from casinos at sea has kept me loyal.as long as NCL keeps adding studios in dry-dock, like the POA and having them on the new builds,I am a customer.they have treated me very well on my 6 trips with them since 2010.I know other cruise lines have started to add studios but not to the extent or in the numbers as NCL.I look forward to a day all cruise lines cater to solos as well as norwegian cruise lines does now!till then bring on the new ships!

Good for you! I was on a Breakaway cruise and met many solo cruisers that were not 'single'. IMHO it is not really an issue; everyone was welcomed.

 

Happy and safe cruising. :)

Thanks! I am sure it will be fine. I am pretty easy to please after the temperatures are below freezing for a few months - give me a chair in the sun and I'm happy! :)

Obviously most people are on this NCL message board because you sail with or have an upcoming cruise with NCL. Just curious how everyone chose NCL.

 

Me, my DM paid for the family to go on our first cruise a few years ago on the Epic. I then did a quick 4 day cruise on Princess last Nov. and am going on the Dawn this Nov.

 

When I plan my next one, I may look around.

 

I'm just curious if most people on this board are die hard NCL travelers or do you flip flop/try other lines? And if you are a die hard, what has made you stick with NCL and have you tried other lines?

I cruised on Royal Caribbean by myself for my first cruise. We tried NCL for our Honeymoon cruise and have stuck with it since. They have good itineraries, fit our style and are reasonably priced.

We actually were looking at Royal cruises until a deal came up for the Getaway cruise we are taking in December.

Our first cruise was on the Norway. It was an employee of the year award from my work. That got us hooked on cruising. We did try a Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise.

But, the main reason we went back to NCL was the NCL Mastercard which (at the time) gave a 3% reward and I was able to use my card for all of my business travel. We racked up enough points to take two free cruises a year. This lasted for quite a few years until I changed jobs. Now, the card only offers a 1% reward and we have to reach a higher level of spending to get a free cruise. (We are very close to that level).

The second reason is definitely freestyle. My wife and I truly enjoy having dinner on our own at a time of our choosing. We did not enjoy having assigned dining and having deal with groups of other passengers and how long it would take for the whole process. Fine dining is not a priority for us. We want to get to the shows and listen to the bands.

We have sailed a few more times on Carnival, but it was due to the itinerary. Carnival does offer "Your Time Dining", but it is not as smooth as NCL Freestyle.

We wish NCL would mix up itineraries and ships in the home ports. We prefer sailing out of NYC, but they keep the same ship and shows for a few years in a row.