Carnival Cruisers Headed for NCL. What do we need to know?

[justjen321]

Hi hi cruisers!

 

My husband, children and I are all long time Carnival cruisers, and hubby and I have just today booked our first cruise with NCL. We will be in NY visiting my daughter at college, and figured it was a great time to squeeze in a cruise! (Is there ever a bad time, really?)

 

Anyhow - I'm completely unfamiliar with NCL. We are booked on the Jewel, in a Penthouse Suite, on the Oct 24th sailing. Anything we need to know? What's different? What's the same?

 

It looks to me as if NCL has some pretty excellent perks for suite guests, which I am super excited about. Photos, anyone? :)

 

I'm going to be buried in Cruise Critic today, looking for all the info I can find. Boarding times, what Freestyle Cruising means, what the heck is Great Stirrup Cay, and where will the best massage be. :)

 

Thanks in advance for anyone with advice!

 

Jen

[anamarieus]

Hi! I have cruised on Carnival before too, and lets just say that NCL is 10 times better than Carnival. You can eat when you want, sit where you want, no dancing on tables, the ship is more subdued but absolutely beautiful! I loved going to the spa as it is exquisite! You can buy a day pass or a weekly pass. The stone warm loungers are to die for. If you dont want to pay, you can always go to the shower, steam and sauna (which I do on sailing day) for free all cruise long.

 

You will have a great time. I went on the Pearl and the food was fabulous. I really cannot compare it to the ship you went on, but Im sure it will be great.

 

Hi hi cruisers!

 

My husband, children and I are all long time Carnival cruisers, and hubby and I have just today booked our first cruise with NCL. We will be in NY visiting my daughter at college, and figured it was a great time to squeeze in a cruise! (Is there ever a bad time, really?)

 

Anyhow - I'm completely unfamiliar with NCL. We are booked on the Jewel, in a Penthouse Suite, on the Oct 24th sailing. Anything we need to know? What's different? What's the same?

 

It looks to me as if NCL has some pretty excellent perks for suite guests, which I am super excited about. Photos, anyone? :)

 

I'm going to be buried in Cruise Critic today, looking for all the info I can find. Boarding times, what Freestyle Cruising means, what the heck is Great Stirrup Cay, and where will the best massage be. :)

 

Thanks in advance for anyone with advice!

 

Jen

[justjen321]

Oh yay!

 

Spa? I must search out more info on this spa. We did the spa rooms on Dream in January and LOVED it. (Didn't care about the spa room, just the spa itself!)

 

Thank you for your reply. :) I'm always the one seeking out every scrap of info I can find, so I anxiously await replies. :)

[Salty The Sea Dog]

Hi hi cruisers!

 

My husband, children and I are all long time Carnival cruisers, and hubby and I have just today booked our first cruise with NCL. We will be in NY visiting my daughter at college, and figured it was a great time to squeeze in a cruise! (Is there ever a bad time, really?)

 

Anyhow - I'm completely unfamiliar with NCL. We are booked on the Jewel, in a Penthouse Suite, on the Oct 24th sailing. Anything we need to know? What's different? What's the same?

 

It looks to me as if NCL has some pretty excellent perks for suite guests, which I am super excited about. Photos, anyone? :)

 

I'm going to be buried in Cruise Critic today, looking for all the info I can find. Boarding times, what Freestyle Cruising means, what the heck is Great Stirrup Cay, and where will the best massage be. :)

 

Thanks in advance for anyone with advice!

 

Jen

 

I think you'll love freestyle dining, but hate the intentional NCL de-emphasis on shipboard activities with social hosts. You're in a suite so you won't have to suffer with NCL's tiny cabins down in "steerage."

 

Otherwise there is not much difference in the two cruise lines.

[Carolin]

from reading the boards, I've learned that there are main dining rooms that you do not have to pay for but everyone seems happy to spend a little extra for the pay restaurants. Also, if you choose to go to those, its to your advantage to book ahead of time.

 

I've seen people posting about the shows. You probably want to see what is being offered on your cruise. I thought I saw you can also book those as well.

 

Some lovely people here can give you more information I'm sure. Enjoy and have a great time.

[Tropicalgurl]

Hey justjen321

Welcome to NCL... I am a Carnival cruiser also (platinum). I cruised NCL in 1994 and did not like them. Last year we got a great deal in November on the Spirit for Thanksgiving. I said what the heck.

Dinning I love sitting with a group... (2nd seating)... Did not think I would like free-style...But loved it.... I am now a lover of NCL... My daughter in law and I would wait right before they closed the dining rooms and would eat then. We loved not being on a schedule.

One thing I do not like about NCL... no launderette....

Food is really 24/7...and everywhere... one bad thing ... The Spirit had food (hors d’oeuvres) served late night in the Casino... you did not have to leave to get something to eat... (bad... bad...).

I will be going on the EPIC for Thanksgiving...going solo... and did not have to pay double.... I am loving it!!!! Carnival is gonna have to step it up... Love the perks for platinum...getting my clothes washed for free and such... but getting a lower price being solo will definitely out weigh platinum perks...

Have a great time.

[dznymom]

I have 10 Carnival cruises behind me with none planned for the forseeable future and 6 NCL's with 3 more booked. I will be on the Jewel for the 4th time in November, and there is nothing about her that I don't like. I love Freestyle and the crew on the Jewel is the best at sea (IMHO of course). Sailing in a suite makes everything even better!

 

You should definitely consider the weekly SPA pass. The heated stone loungers with panaramic windows looking forward are out of this world!

 

Any specific questions, let us know.

[spacepotatoes]

from reading the boards, I've learned that there are main dining rooms that you do not have to pay for but everyone seems happy to spend a little extra for the pay restaurants. Also, if you choose to go to those, its to your advantage to book ahead of time.

 

I've seen people posting about the shows. You probably want to see what is being offered on your cruise. I thought I saw you can also book those as well.

 

Some lovely people here can give you more information I'm sure. Enjoy and have a great time.

 

Keep in mind that the only NCL ship for which you can book specialty restaurants and shows before you sail is the EPIC. For all others, you make restaurant reservations onboard and the shows don't require them at all.

 

I have not been on the Jewel (yet!) but if LeBistro on the Jewel is as good as Jefferson's Bistro on the Pride of America, I highly recommend it!

[debnjoe1438]

Hi hi cruisers!

 

My husband, children and I are all long time Carnival cruisers, and hubby and I have just today booked our first cruise with NCL. We will be in NY visiting my daughter at college, and figured it was a great time to squeeze in a cruise! (Is there ever a bad time, really?)

 

Anyhow - I'm completely unfamiliar with NCL. We are booked on the Jewel, in a Penthouse Suite, on the Oct 24th sailing. Anything we need to know? What's different? What's the same?

 

It looks to me as if NCL has some pretty excellent perks for suite guests, which I am super excited about. Photos, anyone? :)

 

I'm going to be buried in Cruise Critic today, looking for all the info I can find. Boarding times, what Freestyle Cruising means, what the heck is Great Stirrup Cay, and where will the best massage be. :)

 

Thanks in advance for anyone with advice!

 

Jen

 

What you need to Know--you will have an enjoyable time. If not, please call John O'Hara at 8888. The Jewel is a great ship with a wonderful crew. I wish they would have stayed in Miami.

[STARFISH*4]

Deb is absolutely right about the JEWEL...ENJOY~~

FREE~STYLE is the way to CRUISE....YOUR CHOICE...YOU CHOOSE when you go to dinner, with who and where and Resort Casual is WELCOME each and every night on your cruise!! No Mandatory Formal, its called Dress-Up or Not and again YOUR CHOICE:)

hope you have a WONDERFUL time....with one cruise on CCL that was enough for me:(

[minnesotalady]

Hi hi cruisers!

 

My husband, children and I are all long time Carnival cruisers, and hubby and I have just today booked our first cruise with NCL. We will be in NY visiting my daughter at college, and figured it was a great time to squeeze in a cruise! (Is there ever a bad time, really?)

 

Anyhow - I'm completely unfamiliar with NCL. We are booked on the Jewel, in a Penthouse Suite, on the Oct 24th sailing. Anything we need to know? What's different? What's the same?

 

It looks to me as if NCL has some pretty excellent perks for suite guests, which I am super excited about. Photos, anyone? :)

 

I'm going to be buried in Cruise Critic today, looking for all the info I can find. Boarding times, what Freestyle Cruising means, what the heck is Great Stirrup Cay, and where will the best massage be. :)

 

Thanks in advance for anyone with advice!

 

Jen

Jen we are doing the same thing. Always did Carnival, now going on NCL! Same type cabin. Please post when you get back.

 

Kathie

[justjen321]

I will, Kathie. :) I almost always review my cruises.

 

I'm uber excited about the suite perks. And to try a new line.

[Ms belp]

Keep in mind that the only NCL ship for which you can book specialty restaurants and shows before you sail is the EPIC. For all others, you make restaurant reservations onboard and the shows don't require them at all.

 

I have not been on the Jewel (yet!) but if LeBistro on the Jewel is as good as Jefferson's Bistro on the Pride of America, I highly recommend it!

 

I haven't been on Pride of America (next year) but the Jewel is my favorite, as is the Spirit. They are different but both beautiful with wonderful staff. You will have a great cruise.:)

 

GSC is NCL's private island. You tender over, sit on the beach, enjoy the scenery, shop for souvenirs, eat a buffet lunch, have a drink or two, explore the island. They have snorkel, etc if the weather cooperates. They have hammocks and picnic tables.

[Tangocherie]

JustJen321,

 

You lucky stiff, being in a penthouse suite:D I am so jealous! You will just love the Jewel. Best ship I have been on. The crew is GREAT. I'm sure the hotel director, John O'Hara, has a way to motivate his crew in such a way as they show guests the royal treatment. Enjoy the Jewel and all your suite perks.

[QandA]

seems to be alot of us CCL people jumping ship :)

[luddite]

seems to be alot of us CCL people jumping ship :)

 

Awww, they're just lookin' for a non-brawl cruise.

[mpk218]

I will, Kathie. :) I almost always review my cruises.

 

I'm uber excited about the suite perks. And to try a new line.

 

 

Justjen , the only thing I'd like to add is , when in a suite on NCL make sure you ask for ANYTHING you want . If it is on the ship and possible they will acomidate you. We sail in suites only on several (mainstream lines) and NCL is by far the best with suites.

(1) When you walk into the boarding terminal be sure to let the staff know you are in a suite and would like to know where the suite check in is.

(2) Make full use of your Butler , he's there to make your cruise special.

(3) Cagneys for breakfast and lunch for suite guest only ( that will explain itself ).

(4) Call the concierge for anything else.

 

Oh one last thing, dont worry about being out of the cabin at 8:00 AM and sitting in a "place"on the last day , you can relax until around 9:30 ish.. and still grab some food at the buffet.

Have a great time...;)

[alphakitty]

We've cruise Carnival several times and just completed our first NCL cruise on the Spirit. We loved it! :) The service was exemplory, the food was really good and lots of variety available. We ate one extra dinner at Cagney's and had great steaks! All other nights we ate in the main dining rooms, prefering Windows, but both have the same menu. The food was always good to great for us.

 

The shows were all wonderful, we really liked the couple Roberto and Donata, but the best was Jane L. Powell....if she is on when you are there, don't miss her.

 

I hope you'll be as happy with NCL as we were. :)

[InternetAgeTraveler]

We weren't in a suite, but you will find some comparisons in both of my reviews below. We like them both, and I am sure you will too. I also agree with others that even though they are extra, springing for a few nights in the specialty restaurants is worth it.

 

Carnival Conquest Review for July 2009

> Has a number of comparisons between Carnival and NCL throughout

 

NCL Pearl Review for May 2010

> Has the pros and cons as we saw them for the Pearl (a lot of similarities with the Jewel).

[amistad]

The perks are much better on NCL, VIP embarkation, priority tender tickets, breakfast in Cagney's or in your suite is a great way to start your day, goodies served in your suite in the afternoon, Butler service and much more. The penthouses on Carnival are nice and have great storage, but the perks on NCL are much better. NCL MDR food isn't great, but the specialty dining has a good variety. Carnival has the free sushi, but in the suites you have your own cappuccino machine. The Cirque Shows are really good on NCL and the beer, margarita, and martini tastings are fun. Great Stirrup Cay is NCL's version of Carnival's HMC, I have not been there, but have read that it is not as nice. NCL does have a much better Players Club program then Carnival if you are a gambler. Enjoy your cruise and enjoy your suite perks.

[boaterette]

Since you are sailing in a suite NCL will be great. If you really want to compare and contrast sail in a regular room. We have waited over an hour in line to get into the dining room at night. Ncl does not do pool games like carnival does. The regular rooms on Ncl are smaller than Carnival. If I were sailing in a suite I would choose Ncl though.

[sadiecat]

Cagney's for dinner is fantastic!!! We are in our first suite on our next cruise and can hardly wait. Do a search for butler and you will find all kinds of interesting posts. Can hardly wait to use Cagney's for breakfast and lunch. Welcome aboard to FREESTYLE!!!!:)

[Sea Born]

Jen we are doing the same thing. Always did Carnival, now going on NCL! Same type cabin. Please post when you get back.

 

Kathie

 

We have always done Carnival (1 HAL) and just returned from our first NCL cruise on the Sky. We did prefer the dining options better on NCL, except that we did NOT think the food was as good as Carnival. The cabins/bathrooms are definitely smaller too! Overall, it was a pretty good cruise, but we are still big fans of Carnival. We would definitely do NCL again, if the price was right. We did LOVE Great Stirrup Cay, which is NCL own private island, where we spent the whole day on the beach, it was great!

 

Sue

[justjen321]

@ Everyone!

 

Thank you for all your wonderful replies. :)

 

Now I'm gonna read the comparison reviews, search for butler, and just generally get stupid amounts of information.

 

We aren't 'jumping ship' per se, as our kids are big ole fans of Carnival, but we did feel like, after nine cruises, it was time to see what other lines were like. NCL fit our needs, as we are going to be in NYC to visit our daughter in college. :)

[flowerchild]

The biggest and best difference FREESTYLE dining...no set dining time! You don't have to rush to make your dinner time anymore. You can also sit with whoever YOU want, whether its just you and your spouse or your entire family. No need to dine with strangers anymore. AND lets not forget the dresscode! No need to bring all the shoes and fancy clothes, you can wear resort casual and skip the overpacking. A note about dining: I have noticed the size of the entrees on NCL are smaller than on Carnival, perhaps to encourage ordering multiple items and eliminate waste...not a problem if you want more of something or something else. I do find the food on Carnival to be better than NCL, both in the MDRs and the buffet.

 

The ships are more understated and the activities are more toned down. No belly flop or hairy legs contests. The staff is less in your face, they are more reserved, perhaps to give the pax more privacy. They are all very nice, just not overbearing.