Returning To NCL After 12 Years

[14 Days or Longer]

We are sailing on the Sun after a 12 year absence. Our last cruise in 1997

was a 14 day South American on the Crown Odyssey.(we sailed on her under the old Royal Cruise Line in 1989). We had a wonderful time and our expectations were met(at that time there were lots of Pirate nights and mostly just bearable food) We had wonderfully rough seas and a great captain who enjoyed the rough seas as much as the passengers. We have decided to return in a big way. We sailing on the 33 day S.A. in November and are booked for a Panama Canal cruise in 2010. We know were getting great value

and what looks like a better experience than in 1997, My question is this ,we are trying to get a group together for the Panama Canal cruise. So far the group has mentioned lots of negative remarks about NCL. We try and point out the advantages and the relaxed life on board. (most of these people have been on Celebrity and HAL) so far to no avail. We did say we'd report back after our current cruise but they'd have to understand we are

itinerary focused. Does any one have any more convincing selling points?

[flowerchild]

Not having to get dressed up at all and having my meals when I want to are the biggest selling points for me. Nothing worse than having to get all gussied up for a dinner that I am not even hungry for...

 

I like NCL's prices and loyalty program. Thier choice of cabins is a great selling point, also. Thier selection of types of high end cabins is unique.

 

BUT if other cruiselines adopt Anytime dining (Princess and Carnival already are) and are price comparable, I will sail other lines. We find ourselves on NCL and Carnival mostly.

[jaja]

Not having to get dressed up at all and having my meals when I want to are the biggest selling points for me. Nothing worse than having to get all gussied up for a dinner that I am not even hungry for...

 

.

 

I TOTALLY agree....(and they have a very good casino program too-another selling point if a gambler!).

[uneamie]

For me it's the Freestyle as was mentioned but for my husband its the live dealer "Texas Holdem Poker" table in the casino. As far as we know, no other cruise lines have this.

[uneamie]

Ignore this...it posted twice

[Arwenmark]

I think you won't even recognize it as the same line you cruised 12 years ago.

[flowerchild]

I know for sure that Carnival has those poker machines, which my husband HATES. He is very much looking forward to the poker tournaments on our upcoming 13 day repo...wonder how many tourneys they'll have?

[flowerchild]

I think you won't even recognize it as the same line you cruised 12 years ago.

 

I agree! I noticed a big difference between my 2002 cruise on the Sun and our 2007 cruise on the Star...better dining, better options, more casual...

[Planer's Edge]

I know for sure that Carnival has those poker machines, which my husband HATES. He is very much looking forward to the poker tournaments on our upcoming 13 day repo...wonder how many tourneys they'll have?

 

On our last 14 day repo, there were 3 hold'em tournaments that I remember.

 

PE

[AFT_LOVER]

May I suggest you visit the Roll Call for the ship & date of sail. This way you are talking with fellow cruisers as the days count down to sialing. Then a Meet & Greet will be put together by a knowledgeable cruiser of NCL since they do not do what RCCL & Celebrity does with CC. Guess they by ads alot here. But it is a great party to meet everyone you have typed to & the Captain & Officers of the ship.

 

 

We are sailing on the Sun after a 12 year absence. Our last cruise in 1997

was a 14 day South American on the Crown Odyssey.(we sailed on her under the old Royal Cruise Line in 1989). We had a wonderful time and our expectations were met(at that time there were lots of Pirate nights and mostly just bearable food) We had wonderfully rough seas and a great captain who enjoyed the rough seas as much as the passengers. We have decided to return in a big way. We sailing on the 33 day S.A. in November and are booked for a Panama Canal cruise in 2010. We know were getting great value

and what looks like a better experience than in 1997, My question is this ,we are trying to get a group together for the Panama Canal cruise. So far the group has mentioned lots of negative remarks about NCL. We try and point out the advantages and the relaxed life on board. (most of these people have been on Celebrity and HAL) so far to no avail. We did say we'd report back after our current cruise but they'd have to understand we are

itinerary focused. Does any one have any more convincing selling points?

[blindrid]

My question is this ,we are trying to get a group together for the Panama Canal cruise. So far the group has mentioned lots of negative remarks about NCL. We try and point out the advantages and the relaxed life on board. (most of these people have been on Celebrity and HAL) so far to no avail. We did say we'd report back after our current cruise but they'd have to understand we are

itinerary focused. Does any one have any more convincing selling points?

 

I think Celebrity has a more upscale feel to it. I am not a fan of HAL - bit too sedate and boring for me.

 

I only do cruise lines that do some sort of freestyle, anytime, your way (or whatever) dining. I do not like to eat at the same time everyday as our schedule varies with the ship being in port and things like that. When I'm on a cruise, I want to follow my schedule, not someone elses.

 

We do not jean down for dinner. We typically go formal nights when suggested (no tuxes though as mine does not travel well - just dark suit) and slacks for me, DW does skirts and things like that. But that is the beauty, if one does not feel like it, they don't have to.

 

I do enjoy the entertainment on NCL more so than others and the ships typically have larger theatres for the venues - nothing more bothersome than having to get there super early just to get a seat like some other lines.

 

A casino is a casino - just as long as they have dice, I'm good.

 

I do enjoy the various bars and restaurants - it makes for a good change of pace for us.

 

Remember, if anyone wants to find negative remarks about any cruise line, you can do it very easily.