We Gave NCL a Shot....

Ok, so I'll never get those 10 minutes back. We're booked on the Getaway next year, which is why I was so interested in what was wrong in the OP's opinion, ugh.

We did book an AFT large balcony (whew) but I have seen the pictures of the Pool deck and OH MY lawd that is crowded. Good thing there is still time, I'll be doing my homework for sure between now and then.

We sailed NCL Breakaway in May and determined that we screwed up. Not that it was a bad ship, not that there was anything wrong with the layout or crew. It was us, we were not ready to "embrace" the Freestyle style. Had we had some prior knowledge we would have pre-booked all our premium dining rather than wait to board the ship and find out that the only times life for most of the venues was 9:30. We never did dine in the MDR, instead we chose to eat in the buffet, which we found a fantastic option. The other downside, for us, was cruising out of NYC, NEVER AGAIN, unless the unbeatable deal pops up. Even though we sailed on a Sunday it was nuts both in vehicular and human traffic.

After sailing aboard Getaway for the last 7 days I can say with confidence...NEVER again.

 

I will remain Loyal to Royal!!

 

Feel free to ask any questions you might have regarding differences between the two lines.

Hey OP congrats on having a life outside cruise critic. sorry so many folks seem to think you need to respond to a thread you start within a certain time frame.

We've been mulling over an NCL cruise out of Houston as things seem to have improved since our last experience over 7 years ago - your post gave me pause.

When you have a chance, and if you are not too PO'd for being lambasted for not meeting the posting frequency of others, I would appreciate learning more about your perspective and observations.

Thank you.

Hey OP congrats on having a life outside cruise critic. sorry so many folks seem to think you need to respond to a thread you start within a certain time frame.

 

We've been mulling over an NCL cruise out of Houston as things seem to have improved since our last experience over 7 years ago - your post gave me pause.

 

When you have a chance, and if you are not too PO'd for being lambasted for not meeting the posting frequency of others, I would appreciate learning more about your perspective and observations.

 

Thank you.

So you don't think that it's a bit odd that a poster that puts up a post ending with "Feel free to ask any questions you might have regarding differences between the two lines", then doesn't answer any questions after 4 days?

So you don't think that it's a bit odd that a poster that puts up a post ending with "Feel free to ask any questions you might have regarding differences between the two lines", then doesn't answer any questions after 4 days?

It is odd..many people on here just post to whine & complain...when I toured the the MSC Divina I met with some other cruise agents and when I mentioned Cruise Critic at the lunch table, several agents started rolling their eyes..when I asked what was the problem, they said that there are too many "complainers & rude & nasty people on there"...it has gotten much worse the last year or so, I agree on that.....some posters need to respect other's opinions even if they disagree on what is said.. I disagreed & sighted many people, both friends & customers I booked on the Getaway that LOVED this ship, and got bashed for it- called a liar, exaggerator , it can't be true anybody liked the Getaway more than RCI, etc...show some respect & don't bash so quickly...I go on here less & less..too bad, I love CC....

Still waiting for the Op to explain themselves. We have been using NCL now for about 5 years with one RCL cruise about two years ago and have really grown to like NCL. Our last cruise out of Galveston on RCL was a real bust. (Several reasons such as, food, overall treatment of our D+ status and several other reasons as well. We were really shocked at how badly our beloved RCL had fallen.) We will continue to sail NCL until they shoot them selves in the foot and chase us off as RCL has been doing now for several years. :rolleyes:

So you don't think that it's a bit odd that a poster that puts up a post ending with "Feel free to ask any questions you might have regarding differences between the two lines", then doesn't answer any questions after 4 days?

No. If he answered in a week it would still be faster than the RCCL and NCL complaint system.

So you don't think that it's a bit odd that a poster that puts up a post ending with "Feel free to ask any questions you might have regarding differences between the two lines", then doesn't answer any questions after 4 days?

Especially since the OP has logged in since then, but apparently has avoided coming back to this thread.

Last March I was on the Epic. There are reasonable pros and cons with NCL just as there is with RCI.

I did like being able to order pub food in the pub. This was my fav place to eat.

Loved Cirque but BMG was just ok.

Loved eating at the Sushi Bar. Thought the buffet was just ok. Never went to any MDR's

Ice bar is a waste of time and money.

The "white party" was great. It's a great theme and I hardly saw anyone not dressed in white.

Casino has an actual poker table. You won't believe how much of big thing this is for me.

The staff was very friendly and easy to chat with. Although one server was talking rude to me, the bar manager saw this and quickly spoke to her and then apologized to me. Which was cool and surprising, as I has sluffed it off.

My real only complaint was the room layout. First we had a mini suite, which is basically a balcony On RCI. But the layout was terrible.

Overall, a really good time. BUT, lol, I was missing the Allure the entire time! Fortunately, the complimentary UBP helped me through my time of need!

I booked a 2br family suite on Epic in October....it was a fair bit cheaper than the same intinerary and the waterslides etc were appealing to the kids...not sure what a concierge does, but that was thrown in and a pool for suite guests...I did notice that the balcony was only just big enough for two chairs...

However the Epic cruise was cancelled in March due to extended dry dock so now we are booked on Allure with a massive balcony so I guess I won't be able to say whether the Epic was better or not...

I see OP never came back. This wasn't their only dramatic, info-free posting on the topic. It wasn't even the only thread they created (I think some got deleted).

The kids pool is set up weird and has a split area down the middle, its deep enough for kids or adults to cool in, one day we saw them kick a lady who was holding her 3-6 month old baby out of the kids pool and told her she had to keep the child in the splash area, WHAT!!! Why is it the kids pool if she cant hold the baby in there.

If the child is not potty trained then regulations require that she not be in the pool. No diapers, swim diapers, etc. It's good they were enforcing this, as the health of the other children is at stake.

If the child is not potty trained then regulations require that she not be in the pool. No diapers, swim diapers, etc. It's good they were enforcing this, as the health of the other children is at stake.

This. Clearly breaking rules. They have a splash pool for infants.

Everyone here is either all stirred up against the new NCL ships or they are for them and the cruise line. I'm not partial to any one cruise line but I will say that every ship and cruise line can be different from the others. Some have bad features and some good. For instance, regarding the balconies. I've been on the Breakaway twice not and I look at the balcony as one where you do not have to entertain people you do not want to. That's why they have 10-15 bars and lounges. Yes the balcony is smaller than what I have been used to on other ships but it's not a deal breaker. I took the Breakaway the first time to Bermuda on a seven day and this past Feb. took her on a ten day caribbean cruise. I have been on eighteen cruises and have been on Celebrity, NCL, RCL, Princes. I'm booked to go on the Regal Princes in Oct. (Two months from now) and on the Royal Princes in Jan. 2016 for a ten day. Did I consider the balcony? Not at all. The cruise line and the overall ship and the destinations and originating port, yes. I'm not partial to Princes though they are a good cruise line but I looked to see what the cruise had to offer me. Let's get back to the Breakaway. NY hot dog stands, and massive outdoor water park for the kids, and some adults. A restaurant lined boardwalk and fireworks at sea. Want entertainment they have it on this ship. Every cruise I have been on in the past when you see the last theater show than what do you do? Fats Cats an amazing Jazz and Blues bar and than there is the huge casino and Headliners having the Comedy Club and Dueling Pianos. Lets not forget the center atrium lounge with the performers Fire and Ice. They were just terrific and I looked forward every night and till late at night to see them perform. Have the munchies and its really late than there is O'Sheehans which has some good finger food and soups and sandwiches. Breakaway has a beautiful Manhattan room with a band and a dance floor where entertainers sometimes perform. The main theater was very large and very comfortable with good entertainment. Cirque Dreams is a great way to go for entertainment and dinner. Let's not forget there is at least ten dinning options that were all good. On our ten day we had the Specialty dining package and liked and loved all the restaurants we went to. I'm going to stop here but let's not all quibble about the small things. Cruises are wonderful and we have so many options in ships and cruise lines and we should keep out options open as well as our minds.:cool:

Everyone here is either all stirred up against the new NCL ships or they are for them and the cruise line. I'm not partial to any one cruise line but I will say that every ship and cruise line can be different from the others. Some have bad features and some good. For instance, regarding the balconies. I've been on the Breakaway twice not and I look at the balcony as one where you do not have to entertain people you do not want to. That's why they have 10-15 bars and lounges. Yes the balcony is smaller than what I have been used to on other ships but it's not a deal breaker. I took the Breakaway the first time to Bermuda on a seven day and this past Feb. took her on a ten day caribbean cruise. I have been on eighteen cruises and have been on Celebrity, NCL, RCL, Princes. I'm booked to go on the Regal Princes in Oct. (Two months from now) and on the Royal Princes in Jan. 2016 for a ten day. Did I consider the balcony? Not at all. The cruise line and the overall ship and the destinations and originating port, yes. I'm not partial to Princes though they are a good cruise line but I looked to see what the cruise had to offer me. Let's get back to the Breakaway. NY hot dog stands, and massive outdoor water park for the kids, and some adults. A restaurant lined boardwalk and fireworks at sea. Want entertainment they have it on this ship. Every cruise I have been on in the past when you see the last theater show than what do you do? Fats Cats an amazing Jazz and Blues bar and than there is the huge casino and Headliners having the Comedy Club and Dueling Pianos. Lets not forget the center atrium lounge with the performers Fire and Ice. They were just terrific and I looked forward every night and till late at night to see them perform. Have the munchies and its really late than there is O'Sheehans which has some good finger food and soups and sandwiches. Breakaway has a beautiful Manhattan room with a band and a dance floor where entertainers sometimes perform. The main theater was very large and very comfortable with good entertainment. Cirque Dreams is a great way to go for entertainment and dinner. Let's not forget there is at least ten dinning options that were all good. On our ten day we had the Specialty dining package and liked and loved all the restaurants we went to. I'm going to stop here but let's not all quibble about the small things. Cruises are wonderful and we have so many options in ships and cruise lines and we should keep out options open as well as our minds.:cool:

Well said..I guess you would go back on NCL anytime, right? Sounds like there was always something to do, like many of my friends & customers said..I don't cruise for balconies, although I always get one & am always on it...entertainment, dining, ports of call, THE SHIP overall much more important IMO....