Possible New cruiser on Norwegian....Coming from Carnival

I need any information you can give me about Norwegian! We LOVE crusing and Always Cruise Carnival...We are looking into new cruise lines now( Nothing wrong with Carnival we love it just want to try another line) I am a little nervouse because we know Nothing about this line.

We are looking into the getaway.

ANy info is welcome...anything about the Norwegian...Anything about the Getaway...Any comparisons between Norwegian and Carnival..Good and Bad!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never been on the Getaway, we do like NCL. You will get many different points of view. So I would say just do it and see for yourself, that's the only way to find out... I don't think you will find any problems with NCL.:cool:

I need any information you can give me about Norwegian! We LOVE crusing and Always Cruise Carnival...We are looking into new cruise lines now( Nothing wrong with Carnival we love it just want to try another line) I am a little nervouse because we know Nothing about this line.

We are looking into the getaway.

ANy info is welcome...anything about the Norwegian...Anything about the Getaway...Any comparisons between Norwegian and Carnival..Good and Bad!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Read ship reviews and use CC search engine for info on a more direct issue question.

I did one cruise on Carnival years ago and hated it, been cruising with NCL ever since. I found that the ships are nicer, food better w/ more options, friendlier staff, and better class of people overall. No offense to anyone who cruises Carnival.

People here are very helpful, but a question that wants "any info about NCL" can cover page and pages and pages. Cabins, ship size,ship stuff, ports, prices, food, options, tours, activities, policies, FAQs, drinks, shows, etc.

I would suggest scrolling down through the posts and get a feel of things, they ask some specific questions.

Folks really are helpful, when they know what to help with.

We found the food on the Gem to be a little better than what we had on the Pride. The entertainment is a step up on NCL. We found the staff friendly and responsive on both lines. We prefer NCL but would sail with CCL again especially if there were a big difference in price and as always our goal is to sail all of the mainstream lines once.

Never been on the Getaway, we do like NCL. You will get many different points of view. So I would say just do it and see for yourself, that's the only way to find out... I don't think you will find any problems with NCL.:cool:

My wife and I have done over 25 cruises on many lines. We have done 9 Carnival cruises including the newest the Dream and the Breeze. We left Carnival because of the entertainment policy. On the last cruise on the Breeze, two nights of Hazbro the game show was too much. We then went on the Ncl Epic and love it. the Choice of entertainment is what we love. We also have done the Ncl Star, Getaway and Breakaway in the last 18 months. Its the entertainment that we love. The only thing I miss from Carnival is the Guy burgers. But since I am trying to loose weight(ha ha) its the entertainment we love on NCL. If the main show on the big ships is not to our liking we know one of the smaller venues will have something we love, from comedians, to Second City to Magicians to Grammer winners its the entertainment we love.

Steve from Illinois

Hi i have swtiched but not sailed yet. the things i have figured out so far tht affect me are.

if you bring wine aboard with you there is a $15 corkage fee per bottle --- Carnival one bottle allowed to bring each and no corkage fee

If we pre order bottles for our room ie. Vodka and Kaluha carnival cost way cheaper than NCL each of the above bottles $35 more expensive each on NCL.

Drink packages about the same price liquor, wine or soda on both cruise lines

There is a noticable difference in suite perks (anything above mini suites),

carnival has a few perks NCL suites have quite a few more perks.

The pricing .. with all the research i have done, comparing pricing last year to this year ,, same cruise approx. same dates etc. The cruise i cancalled with Carnival to Bermuda all the balconies are sold out for next year. The cost was higher than what i wanted to pay for a balcony. I am now booked with NCL, with a balcony, at this point of time i am paying less than Carnival sold thiers for (remember they are sold out for next year) and i am still paying less for a balcony than Carnival. From the research i have done (I am attached to a site that monitors fares and i can go back to a history to see fares) I suspect i will be seeing a nice drop of fare and maybe some OBC on top if that by the time we sail next year.

Room rate structure is a bit different than Carnival but t something i can live with

OH i was given one person in customer service to work with right from the start. I did not have to go begging fior a contact to have a PPV.

they have a certificate you can buy on board so you can book a future cruise on a later date (4 years), you don't have to book on board to get OBC from that certificate (i believe).

Carnival gives share holders OBC from everything i have read so far NCL shareholders get nothing.

I am giving NCL a chance, I like small ships so i will be trying thiers. I will not be trying the EPIC or thier other monster ships as they hold more people than the little village i live in.

Same exact thing for me. I have enjoyed my Carnival cruises very much, but now looking for something new. I'm coming back to NCL after 33 years!

As another person just posted above, it's the entertainment on Carnival that's changed and a bit boring now, and entertainment is important to me on a cruise. I will still continue to cruise with Carnival here and there but will add other lines into the mix as well.

I am looking forward to my Getaway cruise next Spring. Their entertainment options look great, and I like that they have a large variety of dining venues as well. We don't go crazy in spending extra money in the alternative dining venues, but we will definitely try one or two of them. I do, however, NCL pizza (which a lot of posters say isn't very good) is $5 vs. free on Carnival, but NCL will delivery to your cabin or table).

By researching thus far, I've noticed some similarities and some differences.

For example, if you've enjoyed the Serenity deck on Carnival (for free), you would have to pay $20 fee on NCL's version of it, which really surprised me. In comparing the similar areas between the two lines, NCL's version of this has a pool and not just the hot tubs.

I also liked on Carnival the self serve laundry area. It allows us to pack lighter and also have much less laundry to do when we get home and unpack. Unfortunately, NCL doesn't have that, which I will miss.

Just keep reading up on NCL topics and ask away!

I have never sailed Carnival so can't help in that department.

We were "loyal to Royal" until we decided to sail on the Gem on a whim. We booked a suite and that was it for us!

After the Gem, we booked a suite on the Freedom of the Seas and it didn't even compare to NCL.

We have sailed the Gem and Breakaway in suites and by far it was the best vacations we have ever had.

NCL's suite amenities are absolutely amazing and something you will not find anywhere else. We are sailing the Gem again next March and can't wait.

Same exact thing for me. I have enjoyed my Carnival cruises very much, but now looking for something new. I'm coming back to NCL after 33 years!

 

As another person just posted above, it's the entertainment on Carnival that's changed and a bit boring now, and entertainment is important to me on a cruise. I will still continue to cruise with Carnival here and there but will add other lines into the mix as well.

 

I am looking forward to my Getaway cruise next Spring. Their entertainment options look great, and I like that they have a large variety of dining venues as well. We don't go crazy in spending extra money in the alternative dining venues, but we will definitely try one or two of them. I do, however, NCL pizza (which a lot of posters say isn't very good) is $5 vs. free on Carnival, but NCL will delivery to your cabin or table).

 

By researching thus far, I've noticed some similarities and some differences.

 

For example, if you've enjoyed the Serenity deck on Carnival (for free), you would have to pay $20 fee on NCL's version of it, which really surprised me. In comparing the similar areas between the two lines, NCL's version of this has a pool and not just the hot tubs.

 

I also liked on Carnival the self serve laundry area. It allows us to pack lighter and also have much less laundry to do when we get home and unpack. Unfortunately, NCL doesn't have that, which I will miss.

 

Just keep reading up on NCL topics and ask away!

Just got off the NCL Epic they have pizza at the buffet for free. Carnival

Changed their Pizza a couple of years ago and I don't like their new recipe.

Anyways I'm from Chicago no one does pizza like Chicagi

I need any information you can give me about Norwegian! We LOVE crusing and Always Cruise Carnival...We are looking into new cruise lines now( Nothing wrong with Carnival we love it just want to try another line) I am a little nervouse because we know Nothing about this line.

We are looking into the getaway.

ANy info is welcome...anything about the Norwegian...Anything about the Getaway...Any comparisons between Norwegian and Carnival..Good and Bad!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I prefer the food and entertainment on NCL. I prefer the atmosphere a little more on Carnival as NCL is VERY laid back. I didn't think there was enough to do late night on NCL but Carnival always had one or 2 options.

We cruise both, and love both! It's great having two lines to choose from, and we just go with whichever ship comes in cheaper or has the itinerary that we are looking for.

We like the flexibility of dining options on NCL, and we do your time dining on Carnival. The entertainment on NCL is also WAY better. Similar to how it used to be on Carnival many years ago.

We haven't been on the Getaway yet, but are looking at the Breakaway for spring break.

DH and I have been on 17 Carnival cruises, 4 NCL (47 nights) and 3 Princess. We have one Carnival and one NCL booked for next year. The Carnival have been chosen mostly for convenience and price, the NCL have been for itinerary. We do not care for entertainment so I cannot speak to the difference. Generally we like the food better on Carnival although we love Le Bistro on NCL and find it well worth the extra price. Had the best room steward of any of our cruises on NCL but have never been impressed with the dining staff. We find the staff friendlier and better trained on Carnival. We really like Carnival room service, especially breakfast because we can get coffee and salmon delivered, on NCL no salmon. Since we are Platinum the free laundry on Carnival is great, we send it at the end of the week and go home with clean clothes. On NCL you get a discount on laundry. Carnival rooms seem bigger but NCL storage seems to be better thought out. We like the bathrooms on NCL better but, on our last NCL we had a mini-suite with a tub which we thought was going to be great, however getting in and out was difficult and required a "spotter" (slippery floors and very high tub) so we won't get a tub again. Carnival no longer has the future cruise program, NCL sells future cruise certificates which we have gotten great benefit from. We are very happy with the pre-cruise service we have receive from both lines, I have guys I deal with and they are great to me. All things being equal we would choose Carnival but will continue to cruise on NCL for specific cruises and be willing to try other lines for the right price and itinerary.

(I am attached to a site that monitors fares and i can go back to a history to see fares)

I didn't know that was possible, I've been doing all the leg work myself for each of my cruises. What is the name of the site?

To the OP, having done my last 3 cruises with Carnival (which I love), it does get repetitive, that is why we booked with NCL for our upcoming cruise. Having sailed both NCL and Carnival... there is a lot more the same than there is differences. I think more of subtle differences, but none that make one cruiseline better than the other (IMO). I love the food on both ships, prefer the desserts on Carnival. Carnival has the edge with larger rooms. Yes, you can take as many bottles of wine/champagne with you on NCL but a corkage fee of $15. for 750mL and $30 for the 1.5L bottles. Despite the majority, I love the dancing waiters at Carnival, which is not on NCL.

I need any information you can give me about Norwegian! We LOVE crusing and Always Cruise Carnival...We are looking into new cruise lines now( Nothing wrong with Carnival we love it just want to try another line) I am a little nervouse because we know Nothing about this line.

We are looking into the getaway.

ANy info is welcome...anything about the Norwegian...Anything about the Getaway...Any comparisons between Norwegian and Carnival..Good and Bad!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't help you with the Getaway but I have sailed NCL 3x including the Epic and have sailed CCL 6x. IMHO on NCL you will find better entertainment, smaller rooms (unless you have a suite), similar service, similar MDR food, better buffet food, worse desserts, freestyle similar to anytime only you have more restaurants, included and for fee, to choose from, and everything else pretty similar. Enjoy your cruise.

Just got off the NCL Epic they have pizza at the buffet for free. Carnival

Changed their Pizza a couple of years ago and I don't like their new recipe.

Anyways I'm from Chicago no one does pizza like Chicagi

????I've never paid for pizza on either NCL or CCL????

I have been on several cruises with Carnival and just one with NCL on the Pride of America which has its own issues being registered in the U.S. I purchased a voucher on that cruise which I need to use by February 2015, so I will be sailing on the Epic.

What I like about Carnival is having a set time to dine each evening with the same wait staff & table, which doesn't seem to be available with NCL. I like the layout of the Carnival ships and the size of the staterooms which I believe are 185 square feet minimum. I used to like the production shows on Carnival, but they just aren't the same anymore. I found the last cruise earlier this month to be just plain dead in the afternoon, and barely kicking after dinner.

I'm looking forward to NCL because of the solo option of the studios. I liked the wider variety of no-extra-charge dining venues on the Pride & the coffee makers in the rooms. I did not like the spray bottles of hand sanitizer that the crew insisted on spraying each person with before they went to the buffet.

I guess each line has their own pro's and cons, but cruises are always great!

Since we are Platinum the free laundry on Carnival is great, we send it at the end of the week and go home with clean clothes. On NCL you get a discount on laundry.

NCL Platinum passengers get free laundry too

People can also become Platinum quicker on NCL than CCL

We love NCL for the freestyle concept, and because the suite life on NCL is pretty sweet! :)

Many will tell you that Carnival and NCL are more alike than not. I really don't see it that way.

I'll take out my pom poms and tell you I have always had fabulous cruises with NCL and always planning my next NCL cruise.

No so with Carnival. The first cruise it just wasn't fun but because of a family problem I thought we were so concerned about our situation that we didn't relax and get into cruise mode.

The second Carnival cruise was booked because it was the ship we could book and still work with everyone's schedule. Had hopes that we would have a great time and put my past experience behind me. By day 2 I was counting the days, hours and minutes until I was off that ship. All around me were happy people, but not me. It was my SIL first cruise and he loved it.

I think NCL is a step up, has better service, better entertainment, much nicer staff, better food, more choices and in general takes better care of their passengers. The NCL décor is so much nicer and IMO NLC ships are better maintained.

To me a Carnival ship is just a floating boombox with dancing waiters.

So now you think I'm a Carnival hater when really I'm not. I'm a person who knows what I like and do not like. On both of my Carnival cruises I saw many, many people who were very happy. It's good for people to be happy and if it's with Carnival that's great.

After 12 ccl cruises and one with rccl we tried ncl and love love love it. My goodness if you ever get a suite with ncl it rocks!! A little perk with ncl starting on second cruise you get little perks like discount in gift shop. Then comes discounts on photo's. Only had a balcony room and suite 3x. The balcony cabin was smaller than carnival but was not a big deal.

For us we liked the dinning better on ncl.

My hubby & I cruised Getaway 7/12 and LOVED it! It was our second cruise (both with NCL) our first being on Star several years ago when it was in Alaska. So about Getaway from my personal experience/tastes...

Food-I'm not much of a buffet person but my experiences with it were ok. We only ate in the Tropicana MDR once and while the food was good it was loud. I'm not an old fuddy dud or anything but we were seated near the stage/dance floor and had a hard time hearing our friends across the table. For MDR I preferred Savor. We also had some great meals in Flamingo on the upper pool deck. Moderno ($20pp) was awesome and well worth the extra cost. Ocean Blue was wonderful but I'm not sure I would do it again. $50pp was just a little too pricey but we were celebrating our anniversary so we splurged. I'm not saying it isn't worth it but there are plenty of other free or less pricey options aboard. We ate at Le Bistro on the Star and loved it.

Entertainment- LOVED Howl at the Moon shows. They were a fun way to wrap up a day. We also enjoyed illusionarium (the story line is a little silly but we understand it is geared to be able to keep a kids attention too). The fireworks were fun and the glow party was a blast. Hit up a dollar store for some glow bracelets before you leave! On board game shows were very funny. Bingo was a little rich for my blood and I don't care about the casino at all.

Bars- I really enjoyed Sugarcane the mojito bar...do a tasting. I was a little put off by the $15 price tag initially but found it to be a great value after "winning" 4 full sized drinks between 3 of us for answering trivia at the end. LOL The ice bar was disappointing to me. I'm a chef, I can go into a walk in freezer anytime. I was expecting an ice room not a walk in with ice carvings in it. The drinks were good and we got fun pictures but I would not do it again.

We found staff to be generally friendly. I have read reviews of people saying the staff is rude and doesn't greet you etc. We just didn't see it. I did have one lady at the buffet snip at me for using the butter tongs to pick up something else but hey whatever...and one of the photographers was a bit gruff but once again I was not going to let that ruin my vacation! Don't sweat the small stuff right?

Ports- In St Marteen we grabbed a cab making sure to hit the points we were most interested in. Maho beach for the planes, Sarafina's for French pastries & Orient beach. Have a guavacolada! YUM

In St Thomas we took an independant tour with http://godfreytoursvi.com/

and we really enjoyed it.

In Nassau we just walked to junkanoo beach. Not the best beach but free. Get some conch fritters and on your way back to the ship grab some conch salad from the boat selling conch shells and starfish. It is by far the most authentic food experience I've ever had. Right down to food being cleaned directly in the ocean! But boy was it good.

All in all if you go to have a nice time I am quite sure that you will. Enjoy!

We have sailed on both NCL, and CCL. I have not sailed on any of NCL's mega ships, but would like to just to experience it.

I found the NCL's ships easier to navigate than CCL, the staff on both lines are very good (with a few exceptions), the food is very similar as well (with a few exceptions). But, you get far more choices on NCL than you will on CCL.

The rooms a slightly larger on CCL, but nothing that I couldn't make due with on NCL.

The biggest difference is freestyle dining. NCL started it, they have perfected it, and all other lines are trying to copy it (with some success). But this concept runs throughout every ship, not just dining. It's a much more relaxed feel to their ships, in practically every area. If you prefer fixed table mates and dining times, you may have a problem. One thing that we love to do though, is ask to be seated with other groups. This is a great way to meet fellow cruisers.

I don't miss the singing waiters, but I would miss the NCL crew that meets you at the dock with cold water and towels as you get back onto the ship at every port. Plus they dance for you!

Hope this helps.:D

Just got off the NCL Epic they have pizza at the buffet for free. Carnival

Changed their Pizza a couple of years ago and I don't like their new recipe.

Anyways I'm from Chicago no one does pizza like Chicagi

I agree..older type (which was not as thin crusted) was better.

I guess the point I was making about the pizza comparison is that Carnival pizza is offered at no charge at their 24 hour pizza counter (so if you get a pizza craving at 2 AM, just go to pizza counter!) and it is made to order (and available by slice too). But I saw that on Getaway, you can get pizza delivery at your cabin or table for $5. Good to know it is also available at buffet.