Norwegian Getaway vs. Carnival Dream ????

Thanks in advance!

My husband and I have only sailed Carnival. I'm not opposed to trying something new which has led me to my questions. We have friends scheduling a cruise on the Norwegian Getaway. Because I am not used to it, the Norwegian website doesn't seem as user friendly.

Can someone give me their honest opinion at the differences? Not service, I get that is so very subjective. I want to know more about things such as reservations & fees? I've read several reviews that keep mentioning making their reservations and lots of charges with Norwegian.

If someone has sailed both lines can I please have some honest opinions. I'm pretty low maintenance. We usually eat in the MDR each night and go to shows but we've never had to be specific with reservations.

Thanks for any responses!

Vicki

I sailed Escape and loved it. However, like on Spirit Airlines, you just have to know that the initial price you see online is only a fraction of what you're going to pay. Want to choose your room? Tack on a couple hundred more. Want the "free" beverage package or "free" specialty dining package? Tack on 18% gratuities per day for what the packages normally cost. Want room service on board? Fee. Want to pay to go to a specialty restaurant. Be prepared for ala cart pricing.

In the end, the costs are really about the same.

I think NCL's entertainment blows Carnival's away.

Vicki, you are in luck as not only have I been on both lines, I've been on both ships and quite recently.

NCL is a definite step up from Carnival.

The Carnival Dream was in sorry shape last time I sailed on her (about 1.5 years ago). She had a lot of broken - well everything from lamps in our suite to decor throughout the ship and even the tiles and grout in the spa thermal suite looked nasty. One of the funniest things on the Dream was the dining room which appeared to be decorated with these red plastic cups: https://www.amazon.com/New-Star-Foodservice-46403-Break-Resistant/dp/B009KB51F4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536613325&sr=8-1&keywords=red+plastic+glasses We also got to try Carnival's new American Table menus - and we were not fans so we mostly wound up eating at Chef's table or in the steakhouse after trying the American Table menus two evenings. A few months after we sailed on Dream, it was refurbished, so hopefully a lot of the problems were fixed. Entertainment ranged from comedians to high school caliber production shows. We did not find the dream to be our Dream cruise ship.

The Getaway is a mega ship and designed to be a direct competitor to the RCCL Oasis class ships. The Getaway is designed rather like a modern Las Vegas Casino Hotel in colors and sophisticated decor that reminds me of the Aria in Las Vegas. The casino is located at the heart of the ship with bars and restaurants scattered around on different levels. The cabins on the Getaway are a sophisticated palette of beige touched with a bright color such as turquoise. Just like on Carnival, the Getaway offers spa cabins at all levels and one of the best values of all on Getaway are The Haven Spa Suites which gets you entry to the Getaway's fabulous thermal suite - much larger and with more extensive rooms than anything on Carnival AND entry and use of The Haven restaurant, bar, pool, and lounging areas. It's like being in a ship within a ship and you also get a lot of amenities and advantages (something Carnival doesn't do) and butler and concierge service. Breakfast lunch and dinner are all served in The Haven Restaurant and the bar is always open. In addition to these things, these suites include a hydro jet tub in the bedroom and a huge bathroom with a double trough sink and huge walk in rainfall shower. There is also a coffee, tea and hot chocolate maker, room service is included free of charge, you get welcome aboard flowers, sparkling wine, DVD player, upgraded bathroom amenities, afternoon hors d'ouerves from your butler, a pillow menu from your butler, bathrobes and slippers, DVD menu - NCL goes out of its way to make your suite experience extra special.

If you are looking for a less expensive cabin, my suggestion would be you get a spa cabin in whatever category you can afford as that also includes entry to the thermal suite for 2. You won't get entry to The Haven, but you will have access to that spa thermal suite which is so very awesome!

NCL actually pioneered the specialty restaurants and the culture on NCL is to go to a different restaurant every night. So there are lots and lots of restaurants: Specialty. restaurants such as Wasabi (sushi), Moderno (churrascaria), Ocean Blue. (Seafood) Cagney's steak house, Le Bistro (French) , La Cucina (Italian), Shanghai's Noodle Bar, Teppanyaki (Hibachi) as well as included 2 MDR's Taste and Savor and the Tropicana Room (reservation - serves MDR menu but it's dinner and a show with music and dancing) and then there is the massive buffet and O'Sheehan's which is open 24x7. I highly recommend the French restaurant (Le Bistro) we typically book 2 nights there every cruise as it is really great and very romantic. Some of these restaurants offer both indoor and outdoor dining on The Waterfront - and during the day Ocean Blue offers great lobster rolls on The Waterfront at lunch. There is a bar out there as well. These specialty restaurants cost extra but with the restaurant package, it is significantly discounted. In addition, there is the Speigel tent which has a wonderful Cirque du Soleil dinner show (costs extra) and there are some great shows in the main theater such as Burn the Floor and Million Dollar Quartet. There is also comedy improve club and Howl at the Moon dueling pianos. There are a lot of bars onboard. Of special note is the Ice Bar - if you have never experienced an ice bar it is fun but be sure to bring some closed toe footwear as it really is ice cold in there! There are no formal nights on NCL but some dining venues require pants for men. I generally bring maxi dresses, sun dresses and a swimsuit and that's all I need. They also have a chef's table.

There is a lot to do onboard, from full scale waterslides, to bowling, rock wall climbing, mini golf, ropes course, really. there is so much that it is somewhat overwhelming. There are also some nice shops onboard, specialty coffee and pastry shop as well as liquor, jewelry, fashion and ship items. My husband and I prefer to book The Haven Spa Suite. We honestly spend most afternoons aboard in the peaceful spa thermal suite which overlooks the front of the ship or sitting around the uncrowded The Haven pool reading books and enjoying cocktails (mmmm cherry limeade!.) There are also afternoon shows such as Escape the Big Top and Wine Lovers: The Musical, various liquor and wine tastings and of course, you standard cruise games as well as Deal or No Deal.

There is also two special all-adults areas for sunbathing. One area requires a pass (Vibe). and one area is open for all adults: Spice H2O.

The biggest complaint about The Getaway is that the main pool is very crowded. For my husband and me, that is not an issue because we don't like to hang out by the main pool. But it might be an issue for you if that is what you like to do best. On the other hand you might enjoy Vibe or Spice H2O better. If you are in The Haven you have The Haven pool and it is generally very peaceful there. If you are in a spa cabin, then you have the Spa Thermal suite which includes heated tile loungers, padded loungers, sauna, sanarium, salt room, steam room, rain showers, whirlpool, thalisotherapy pool, water falls and hot tub as well as fruit water and tea. The dressing rooms for the spa also include rain showers. They are huge.

The important thing to know is that if you wish to experience the specialty restaurants and the Cirque show you must make your reservations online on the NCL website BEFORE your cruise - the sooner the better as these restaurants will be almost 100% sold out by the end of boarding day except for some goofy times like after 9pm.

Basically the NCL Getaway offers something for everyone and more than you can possibly do in one week. Do as much or as little as you want.

Here's what costs extra:

Specialty Dining

Room service (if you are not in a suite)

Tips in bars

If you are in a suite, tips for your butler and concierge.

shore excursions

kids character breakfasts

classes at the gym

spa services

use of the spa thermal suite

laundry

art auctions

photos

phone

internet

Cirque Dreams

Ice Bar

That's pretty much it. Most of these extra expenses can be avoided if you want to avoid them. It is always possible to only eat in the free dining venues. That's the great thing about NCL is that you can do your cruise your way.

Well the Carnival Dream is our favorite Carnival ship to date and the NCL Escape is our favorite NCL ship to date. We liked them both so much we have booked their sister ships in the future. We are sailing on NCL Getaway next month and Carnival Magic next May.

If I am splurging and getting the UBP and SDP that are offered on NCL as a promo I would choose them. Because even if these are promos the cost does end up being more with these perks. I won't pay for those perks on CCL because apples to apples if I were to purchase the perks on Carnival then NCL is cheaper. If I am looking for a low key cheaper vacation without the splurging I would chose CCL. Apples to apples without the perks Carnival is my lower cost choice...especially with the Casino Rates they give me. Next month is our 30th anniversary and DH and I are splurging on an Aft Balcony on NCL Getaway. May is a family vacation with the adult kids. Booking 2 rooms (Cove Balcony and Inside) so going for the less expensive Carnival option.

In comparison NCL has better production shows, CCL has better comedy. CCL rooms are bigger than NCL unless you go to the suites. MDR food is similar. NCL has a better buffet. Specialty dining spots (both included and not) are similar in quality but NCL has more choices when it comes to then for fee spots. IMHO NCL has more nightlife spots (especially on the bigger ships). You do not have to make reservations on NCL but it is recommended, especially on the bigger ships during prime sailing seasons. I don't find this to be an issue at all since I am a planner. Those who like to go with the flow sometimes have an issue with it. NCL charges extra for the same things that Carnival does. Getting the UBP package and SDP I find I usually only have my gratuities, a few T-Shirts and purchase of Cruise Next Certificate on my billing and I usually have enough OBC from my TA to cover the majority of that. When I sail on CCL I usually have my gratuities, a few T-Shirts, Casino Charges, and a handful of drinks on my billing. I usually pay it off with Carnival Gift Cards that I purchase at our local Meijer Store when they offer them at buy $50 get $5 in MPerks up to $500.

Have fun no matter which you choose.

Thanks so much for the updates! This was exactly the kind of info I was needing. :)