Why choose NCL?

[ND Cruisers too]

Hi Everyone....we have cruised RCC before (4 cruises) and are looking to try something different. We were looking seriously at Carnival but not are considering NCL......so just a few questions for you....

What are your favorite things about NCL?

My husband has the idea that NCL is more for the older generation......any thoughts on that?

And just the few posts that I have read....people have talked about freestyle cruising...what exactly is that with NCL?

Thanks for all your advice!!!

[STARFISH*4]

Hi Everyone....we have cruised RCC before (4 cruises) and are looking to try something different. We were looking seriously at Carnival but not are considering NCL......so just a few questions for you....

What are your favorite things about NCL?

My husband has the idea that NCL is more for the older generation......any thoughts on that?

And just the few posts that I have read....people have talked about freestyle cruising...what exactly is that with NCL?

Thanks for all your advice!!!

 

FREESTYLE is why we cruise NCL--NO STRESS or PRESSURE to be Dressed a certain way, to eat at a certain time in a certain place with strangers!!

its MY CHOICE whether i want to DRESS UP or NOT, WHERE i want to EAT, WHEN i want to eat and with WHOM-Dressed in Casual Resort wear will get me into any of the venues and i just dont have to go eat at the buffet like other cruiselines.

 

OLDER GENERATION...what AGE would that be?...i DONT think so or get that reasoning!

[billet]

NCL's aim is to get you away from the structured cruise and offer you the opportunity to do what you want, when you want. They compete for the passengers who enjoy RCC or Carnival. Like those two lines they aim pretty much at the "pre boomers" for their normal cabins. For the baby boomers they offer their villas.

[Hikini]

We love NCL for their freestyle concept. We can go to the dining rooms during open hours, whenever we feel like it. Not at a time that has been appointed. We can be seated by ourselves or with others if we want to eat with strangers. (We prefer not to, thank you.) I don't like having assigned seating or assigned times. That's too restrictive. I'm not hungry at the same time every day, or there might be activities that we want to particpate in that would require us to eat a little earlier or later than our assigned time. This way we don't have to choose one or the other. We can have our cake and eat it too!

 

We love the laid back dress code. Much easier to pack. There is a formal night, if you choose. But the formal folks are dining right along with those who choose to remain casual and no one bats an eye.

 

On top of the freestyle concept, we love the crew on NCL. Super friendly, many times bending over backwards to make it a really fun time for everyone and to see that all of your needs/wants are taken care of.

 

As for the older crowd? You will see every age group. I truly cannot tell you which is more dominant. There are activities for young and old and everyone in-between. Lots of entertainment that will suit most tastes.

 

Have fun with whatever you choose!

[che5904]

There were all ages on both of cruises with NCL. If you want to know the cross section google "NCL white hot party" on youtube

[STARFISH*4]

There is a formal night, if you choose.

 

actually NCL calls it the DRESS UP or NOT night --just looking at my Freestyle Daily and on the front page it said

"Its the night to dress up or not......."

but NO formal nights on NCL cruises--its however YOU CHOOSE to dress

any night of the week~Cruise Casual

[cathep]

but NO formal nights on NCL cruises--its however YOU CHOOSE to dress

any night of the week~Cruise Casual

 

Is it cruise casual or more of a business casual? I'm confused, because I'm reading in other posts that people are being turned away in shorts. It appeals to me to wear shorts to dinner, but I can understand why khakis would be preferable to shorts.

[Sauer-kraut]

It all depends on the Maitre 'd and what is suggested. Bring a pair of pants (for men) if you plan on eating in the main dining rooms , one pair to wear every evening will do since you won't need them for any other time. Its no big deal, you won't be turned away in that situation. For ladies, skirt, capris, dress, or pants are all acceptable.

 

Just read your Freestyle Daily....it will let you know what to wear.

[Maryutah]

Destination also dictates the age of your passengers, regardless of the cruiseline - I would expect Carribean to cater to younger folks than Alaska. We had more of a moderate age group with very few smaller kids when we sailed the Med.

 

We are going on first NCL for the perfect itinerary for our wants/needs, but am looking forward to the no stress dinner time, and the casual wear vs the feeling i had to dress up on previous cruises.

 

After September 11th i'll be able to answer better how the transition to NCL went!!

[dasmonkey]

Destination also dictates the age of your passengers, regardless of the cruiseline - I would expect Carribean to cater to younger folks than Alaska. We had more of a moderate age group with very few smaller kids when we sailed the Med.

 

We are going on first NCL for the perfect itinerary for our wants/needs, but am looking forward to the no stress dinner time, and the casual wear vs the feeling i had to dress up on previous cruises.

 

After September 11th i'll be able to answer better how the transition to NCL went!!

 

Add length of cruise as well. I love people that say something like, "I went on one 14 day cruise on (fill in blank) cruise line in November and there was nothing but old people on there." Then their brilliant supposition is (fill in blank) cruise line is for old people.

 

Seriously, do you think a lot of 30 somethings are sailing on 2 week cruises during November?

 

Embarkation ports make a huge difference in the overall demographic as well.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Is it cruise casual or more of a business casual? I'm confused, because I'm reading in other posts that people are being turned away in shorts. It appeals to me to wear shorts to dinner, but I can understand why khakis would be preferable to shorts.

 

We have noticed people dressed in shorts, even real short ones, in the main diningrooms at dinnertime. However, most were in long pants or capris.

[npsh]

Hi Everyone....we have cruised RCC before (4 cruises) and are looking to try something different. We were looking seriously at Carnival but not are considering NCL......so just a few questions for you....

What are your favorite things about NCL?

My husband has the idea that NCL is more for the older generation......any thoughts on that?

And just the few posts that I have read....people have talked about freestyle cruising...what exactly is that with NCL?

Thanks for all your advice!!!

 

As mentioned, it’s the Freestyle cruise concept for those that enjoy a more casual atmosphere while on a cruise vacation. That is what sold me on NCL, we picked our own times for the dining venues and sat by ourselves as we like it that way and don’t want to sit with strangers making the usual conversation(where are you from, family, where do you work etc. etc.) tired of doing that and listening to uninteresting topics. No formal dressing with shirt and tie and I wore my Levi jeans with a t-shirt/oxford or polo shirt(s) most of the times in all the dining spots even on the “dress up or not” nights. I did that because NCL said I could while amongst those who wanted to dress in their finery.

NCL gave us more freedom than either Princess or Carnival which in turn was more relaxing for me personally. As for specific age group, on our NCL Dawn repo NYC-Southern Caribbean last October wasn't a haven for 60yr+ generation. It was a good mixture but I did notice very few young families toting their small kids and few teens/pre-teens. It was probably the time of year and length of cruise and destination

[AnitaVacation]

We've been on NCL, RCC and Carnival......honestly, I find little difference among them....

 

NCL does have it's 'freestyle' dining option, which is very nice....and now Carnival has added 'Anytime dining' ....

 

But....if you dont like your dining time, there are other options...buffet, room service, specialty restaurants....

 

You do not need to dress fancy on any of these ships, as long as you dont show up in your bathing suit, sweatpants or generally looking like a slob, you won't be denied service....(I wouldnt show up in jeans on formal night either)

 

There are some other differences to be noted....NCL's standard cabins are quite small, whereas Carnivals standard cabin is 185sf and most cabins have sofa's in them....

 

Carnival also allows each adult to bring on a bottle of wine and each person to carry on up to 12 non-alcoholic beverages (soda/water/juice)...which is a very nice option...

 

I have noticed that on NCL, there is usually a kickin' party going on poolside each evening, but when I was on RCC, it was like a ghosttown by 10pm :confused: can't comment on any wild parties on Carnival since the trip was to Canada and quite chilly...so we spent our evenings in the casino ;)

 

So....honestly....I go with whoever offers the best deal ;)

[ColinIllinois]

This wouldn't be applicable to you but I choose NCL for the great solo Studio's that allow me to travel on a great ship like the Epic without that damn singles supplement (penalty).

 

The Epic has fantastic entertainment and excellent dining choices and as many have already said I don't have to sit at dinner and listen to Fred and Bertha from Blackpool complain about anything and everything. :D

[Cubechick]

Is it cruise casual or more of a business casual? I'm confused, because I'm reading in other posts that people are being turned away in shorts. It appeals to me to wear shorts to dinner, but I can understand why khakis would be preferable to shorts.

 

One main dining room will be designated as "no shorts" the other MDR and the specialty restaurants (expect perhaps LeBistro?) allow shorts. It'll be listed in the Freestyle Daily. When people have been turned away, they've gone to the wrong restaurant.

 

ETA, NCL started allowing shorts in the diningrooms in the evening about a year, year and a half ago. Therefore reviews posted prior to that time would also indicate people being turned away for wearing shorts.

[ND Cruisers too]

Thanks for all the feedback....greatly appreciated. I know my husband would love the option of dress up or NOT!!!

[jakesnana]

One main dining room will be designated as "no shorts" the other MDR and the specialty restaurants (expect perhaps LeBistro?) allow shorts. It'll be listed in the Freestyle Daily. When people have been turned away, they've gone to the wrong restaurant.

 

ETA, NCL started allowing shorts in the diningrooms in the evening about a year, year and a half ago. Therefore reviews posted prior to that time would also indicate people being turned away for wearing shorts.

 

I was going to respond to this thread also. We were on the Pearl in November of last year, and I was able to wear shorts to the Indigo MDR (the less formal of the two MDR). It was nice, not having to get changed for dinner.

 

While we enjoyed our NCL cruise, we also enjoy Carnival. Therefore, our choice of ships will now be dictated by itinerary and price.

[Mimi Snow]

:D DH & I like enjoy the freestyle because we do not have to rush back or cut shore days short to get back to the ship to get ready for dinner, also if we feel like dressing up that's ok and if we don't feel like dressing up that is ok too. Life can be short try as many new things as possible!!

[new salt]

FREESTYLE, FREESTYLE, FREESTYLE and excellent live music throughout all music related venues. We sailed Jade earlier this year after Azamara twice(loved it) and will return to NCL late next year or early 2013 after Celebrity and Oceania in the next few months. We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise and only had a tiny number of small irritations that were driven into insignificance by the overall experience. Go for it!

[Dolphins]

NCL sails year round out of New York with numerous itineraries, no more flying for us.

 

Freestyle dining in 10 different venues at the time and place of our choice.

 

NCL's Platinum Latitude perks are the best in the industry.

[cruise pup]

NCL's Platinum Latitude perks are the best in the industry.

 

I have to disagree with you on that. Most of the cruise lines start offering some exceptional perks like free laundry, free internet, access to a memeber lounge with special coffees, cocktails and hor d'oeuvres and at a lower tier (10 cruises as opposed to NCL's 14).The only exceptional Platinum perk is the free dinner in Le Bistro but I would rather have RCCL's lounge privileges.

[dasmonkey]

I have to disagree with you on that. Most of the cruise lines start offering some exceptional perks like free laundry, free internet, access to a memeber lounge with special coffees, cocktails and hor d'oeuvres and at a lower tier (10 cruises as opposed to NCL's 14).The only exceptional Platinum perk is the free dinner in Le Bistro but I would rather have RCCL's lounge privileges.

 

Same deal with Captains Club on Celebrity. Free booze all week trumps one nights free dinner for two at Le Bistro! :D

[STARFISH*4]

Is it cruise casual or more of a business casual? I'm confused, because I'm reading in other posts that people are being turned away in shorts. It appeals to me to wear shorts to dinner, but I can understand why khakis would be preferable to shorts.

 

my experience has been shorts were allowed in both Le Bistro and the larger MDR on the Sun and on the Star.

 

but it says that shorts are not permitted in the Le Bistro or larger MDR

 

but if you read other peoples experiences its just gonna depend on the shorts issue--jeans are excepted everywhere (nice jeans--no holes or tears)