southsider

I'm not sure I like cruise lines dedicating more and more real estate to "exclusive" areas like NCL's Haven.  I'm all for suites, and we can actually afford the Haven, etc., so I don't want anybody to think I'm a grumbling passenger who is jealous of those who can afford nicer accommodations.  It's just that when those suites take up an entire section of the ship that is off limits to all other guests, it feels like the cruise vacation we all want to enjoy is just being split into classes of people.  Roping off sections of seats in the theater for Haven guests also contributes to the splitting of the classes feeling.  I understand my opinion is not going to be popular, because most people want to be made to feel special and have a personal butler and a private area for pools and dining.   But then, I begin to wonder why even be on a mega-size cruise ship?  Why not book a more elite smaller ship that caters to that type of cruiser?   We have booked suites in the past, but it was nice that they were in areas accessible to all cruisers.  We really have never had an experience where we wanted to be "away" from the general population.  We usually want to be right where most of the action is, and when we need privacy, our cabin suffices until we're ready to get out and enjoy the ship again.  I hope Carnival does not follow NCL's path in this, but of course, it certainly wouldn't stop me from cruising.  

We just got off an NCL ship (Epic) in Europe.  Without a doubt, its quality was far inferior to any of the three RCI ships we've been on.  Windjammer food was much better than Garden Cafe (the buffet on Epic).  The individual restaurants were great on Epic, though.  RCI had live musicians while Epic had canned music (but excellent singers/dancers).  We liked the Freestyle on NCL, especially being able to wear shorts in the Taste dining room.  We felt the workers on Epic were overworked and tired, so they didn't seem as friendly and fun as crew members we've met on RCI ships.  I've always heard that Epic isn't a normal example of an NCL ship (the awkward stateroom bathrooms, for example), so this opinion is maybe a bit of an unfair comparison.  Hands down, though, RCI ships offer the most beautiful ocean views from all public areas.  Epic was closed in and dark in its public areas.