Favorite ship in the NCL fleet and why?

What is your favorite ship in the NCL fleet, and why you like it? My hubby and I are seriously considering a cruise in November for our 10-year anniversary. We're looking at the Dawn to Western Carib out of Tampa.

I've seen a lot of pros/cons about the Dawn posted. What's great about some of the other ships in the fleet?

Any and all comments about the ships are appreciated as we prepare for this, our first-ever cruise!

Cat

What is your favorite ship in the NCL fleet, and why you like it? Cat

I like the Norwegian Spirit best. The main reason is its many public decks aft. You don't have to sit next to the very loud steel bands near the main pool to get some sun, or shade. You also don't have to book a very expensive suite two years in advance to enjoy the aft facing decks.

Those are my reasons why I choose the Spirit.

After cruising on the Epic we feel that we "need" the large Haven and the special suite-only restaurant.

Without a suite, the jewel-class ships are very good.

We have cruised on the Dawn but it was in 2006 so much has happened with her since. Spinnaker lounge is moved, not good.

It would be easier for me to say which is my least favorite as I rarely find a cruise ship, especially NCL ship I don't like, but the Sun is my favorite. The only downer, at all, is the buffet is set funny and gets very crowded, but the cabins are larger, we like the ship size better than the Jewel class and the crew is fantastic. I love Las Rambles for the tapas. Other ships do have a tapa bar, but Las Rambles is the best, plus we love the Italian restaurant..The Sun does not have Blue Lagoon, but they serve a very similar menu in the sports bar and the last couple of times we have been to Blue Lagoon, we haven't really been all that impressed..Maybe I am partial to the Sun cause it was the first ship designed for freestyle we experienced. Oh, we also love the little casino, not that we spend a lot of time in the casino but what time we do spend, we like the size and friendliness.

Epic is my favorite for sure. By a lot. It's beautiful. I love the layout, the dining, the decor, the entertainment, the staff, the water slides...nearly everything about it.

Prior to the Epic, the Spirit was my favorite. The rooms are small, but it's lovely. The decor and layour are different from any ship I've ever sailed, on any line. I really enjoyed her, and it has been 8 years since I sailed that ship!

The jewel-class ships are nice, too, but for me they are sort of vanilla, standard-fare cruise ships. Nothing unique about them, even though I love them. They could be any ship on any line, though, for me.

Epic is my favorite for sure. By a lot. It's beautiful. I love the layout, the dining, the decor, the entertainment, the staff, the water slides...nearly everything about it.

 

Prior to the Epic, the Spirit was my favorite. The rooms are small, but it's lovely. The decor and layour are different from any ship I've ever sailed, on any line. I really enjoyed her, and it has been 8 years since I sailed that ship!

 

The jewel-class ships are nice, too, but for me they are sort of vanilla, standard-fare cruise ships. Nothing unique about them, even though I love them. They could be any ship on any line, though, for me.

I agree with you about the Jewel class and yes, the Spirit. As for the Epic, we haven't cruised her, but from talking to a lot who have, it is a love/hate situation. Because she is so very different the rest of the fleet, you love her or think she is horrible..Very few seem to say, she is just ok..

The Dawn and her sister ship, The Star are my favorite thus far of the NCL fleet. I feel the ship layout is very user friendly. The ship is just the right size for our liking. Both ships had amazingly friendly crews. :)

What is your favorite ship in the NCL fleet, and why you like it? My hubby and I are seriously considering a cruise in November for our 10-year anniversary. We're looking at the Dawn to Western Carib out of Tampa.

I've only cruised 2 ships currently in the NCL fleet...the Dawn and the Sky. Truthfully, I like the Sky better than the Dawn. In fact, I'd say the Dawn is pretty much at the bottom of my favorites of all the ships I've sailed. While the atrium isn't nearly as ornate as Dawn, Sky has much better lounges, including the Outrigger Lounge at the top, front of the ship. I also like the outdoor seating for the Garden Cafe and the location of Le Bistro and Plantation Club.

Spirit.

I think the prettiest NCL ship I have sailed is definitely The Spirit.

I had my best NCL cruise on the Dawn (back when Hugo was HD)

I look forward to trying the Sun in 3 weeks especially since it's Nita's favorite and I trust her judgment ;)

I have sailed the Sky and the Star and loved those too. Each has their own special-ness :)

Pride of America - because of the itinerary! Four Hawaiian islands and only unpacking once. What could be better?

My favorite is the Jade. We've been on it three times with three different class rooms. We're considering a fourth. The last two cruises the Jade has been privileged to have the incomparable (no kidding) Gary Glading as its cruise director. Gary sets the standard for all cruise directors. The itineraries for the Jade have been fantastic.

Also like the Gem which is in the Jewel class.

Sun is my least favorite due to undersized and poor visibility in the Stardust Theater....maybe they've changed that, hope so.

We enjoyed the Epic for its entertainment and fabulous spa.

Dawn is okay but we really missed the Great Outdoors and the Spinnaker being on top with a great view for everyone. Very little seating in the Atrium like all the other NCL ships seem to have.

Had great cruises on all of them and would go back to any of them.

Pride of America - because of the itinerary! Four Hawaiian islands and only unpacking once. What could be better?

Our best cruise ever was on the Wind around the Hawaiian islands and to Fanning Island 2004. The Wind was very nice but not built for Freestyle Dining.

I think that some seadays should make the Hawaiian itinerary better.

For a first timer, the Spirit was a great ship. Easy to navigate and the aft kids area was our spot to hang out.

But the GEM is my favorite. The Haven area is peaceful and quiet and the perks are great. Even when we were in a balcony it was sufficient for my family of four. The Spinnaker Lounge is a great spot for sail away, it can get chilly going out of NYC.

I have been thinking of sailing the Dawn out of Boston, yet with the changes I will at stick with the GEM.

I love the Gem. She's just the right size, easy to navigate and has a great crew!

Epic because it is so innovative but gosh, I love the Sun too. Both totally different.

I love the Epic because of all it has to offer. Because of the smoke issue in the casino, if they prohibited smoking in the casino and on balconies, the ship would be just about perfect IMO. I'm not crazy about the curved walls, but can live with them. The sink/head issue is not of a concern to me.

So far I've only been on the Sky and the Dawn. I have 2 reviews in my signature.

My favorite is the Sky so far. Loved the Dawn as well but the Sky was very easy to navigate and seemed a bit more fun. Again, Dawn was great but the Sky was just a notch higher.

We do hope to try more NCL ships soon.

For now, we have only been on the Sky and the Epic......couldn't be more different!!

Loved the Sky because it was my first cruise and exceeded all my expectations! Great crew, good food and a party atmosphere!

Loved the Epic because she is JUST that......Epic!! But you really need a less port-intensive cruise than we did....Western Med....to fully appreciate all the Epic has to offer!

I love The Sun. My first ship to repeat. Will be on in March. Love my fave aft PH, small size, great crew, Great Outdoors. Il Adagio. Nice Sports Bar. Even best hull art.

Next, Jewel. Also, Great Outdoors. Nice Haven. Great Blue Lagoon.

Dawn, still nice... But least fave. Great Le Bistro. No Great Outdoors.

Would cruise any of them.

The one I am on!:D

Actually probably Sun because of a few special staterooms, but love the Jewell class restrooms over Sun's. My only real requirement is that there be a Great Outdoors....having breakfast and lunch outdoors is just about my favorite thing to do on a ship. So, Star is my least favorite...and probably won't ever go on Dawn due to the lack of TGO.

Any ship with a Bliss ultra lounge

It's usually the one I most recently was on, so that would be the Star at this time. But I loved the Pearl and Spirit. However, I can honestly say that the ship itself is never my favorite part of a cruise - I LOVE THE NCL CREW AND OFFICERS! Where ever they are, I am happy. I wish I could bring them home with me!

The Epic was BIG. I did not like the fact you often had to walked through the casino, which really did stink of smoke, no matter how hard they tried. The stateroom bathrooms were a bit to get used to. Great entertainment and nice pool deck with good slides

We liked the Jewel better. A bit smaller, which was nice. even though it was smaller it had more elevators/stairs which made getting around a bit easier.

So we are off to the Pearl next month.

The one I am on!:D

 

Actually probably Sun because of a few special staterooms, but love the Jewell class restrooms over Sun's. My only real requirement is that there be a Great Outdoors....having breakfast and lunch outdoors is just about my favorite thing to do on a ship. So, Star is my least favorite...and probably won't ever go on Dawn due to the lack of TGO.

Clay, as you can see in my post we are in agreement about TGO... That's why Dawn ranked last on my list.