RollerCoasterLover Posted December 15, 2011 #1 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Hi all! I am new to NCL. I have sailed before, all with Carnival. I am just wondering what the major differences are between the cruise lines and what things are "must-dos" and "must-sees". I am sailing on the Jewel in Oct 2012. Thanks in advance!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
che5904 Posted December 15, 2011 #2 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Not much different The main difference is NCL's freestyle dining. Which works exactly the same as land restaurants. Show up when the restaurant is open and get seated with the number in your party. The Jewel offers 18 dining venues to choose from. (19 if Moderno has been put in yet). http://www2.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Dining_Flyer_062211.pdf The jewel is a larger ship than the Sensation. The cabins are slightly smaller, but do offer lots of storage IMO. The Jewel is a newer ship than the Sensation NCL has no formal nights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philly Steve Posted December 15, 2011 #3 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Don't know the Carnival policy as we haven't cruised the line in some time but two years ago with NCL we were able pick our debarkation time and remain in our cabin until called. It was nice not having to lug our carry on bags to a common area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
che5904 Posted December 15, 2011 #4 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Don't know the Carnival policy as we haven't cruised the line in some time but two years ago with NCL we were able pick our debarkation time and remain in our cabin until called. It was nice not having to lug our carry on bags to a common area. You don't even have to pick a disembarkation time with NCL if you want to carry your own bags off. You can choose "easy walkoff". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mizLORInj Posted December 15, 2011 #5 Share Posted December 15, 2011 They're very similar except for the fixed dining times. Jewel has lots of various restaurant venues to choose from in addition to their no-fee dining rooms. The cabins on NCL are smaller but the bathrooms are a funky 3 part room that takes up more space than a Carnival bathroom. No amenities basket on NCL. No outside movie screen. Just check out the whole ship bow to stern on each deck. That's what we do when we board. This way we don't miss anything. Spinnaker Lounge is my favorite place on the Jewel and Gem. Have fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willysgrandma Posted December 15, 2011 #6 Share Posted December 15, 2011 You also don't have to dress up on NCL if you don't want to, which is a feature we love. On the "dress up nights", if you don't care to dress up, one restaurant is designated for dress up, one for dress down. You can take a lot less clothes with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
che5904 Posted December 15, 2011 #7 Share Posted December 15, 2011 You also don't have to dress up on NCL if you don't want to, which is a feature we love. On the "dress up nights", if you don't care to dress up, one restaurant is designated for dress up, one for dress down. You can take a lot less clothes with you! I wouldn't really say designated for dress up, as much as less casual. Why I correct that is the one considered "more formal" still allows jeans just not shorts. Jeans are a far way from "dress up" in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willysgrandma Posted December 15, 2011 #8 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Trying to accurately state the policy is like splitting hairs. You will see people in formal clothes that will go to the designated restaurant on that night, and then people like me in jeans at the other. One is dressed up, one is dressed casually. I wouldn't really say designated for dress up, as much as less casual. Why I correct that is the one considered "more formal" still allows jeans just not shorts. Jeans are a far way from "dress up" in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
che5904 Posted December 15, 2011 #9 Share Posted December 15, 2011 ---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
par383 Posted December 19, 2011 #10 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Someone asked the same question earlier. I just posted a response. Here's a shortcut. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=31668080#post31668080 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaver1975 Posted December 19, 2011 #11 Share Posted December 19, 2011 The Jewel offers 18 dining venues to choose from. (19 if Moderno has been put in yet). No increase in the number of dining venues because Moderno will be replacing the existing Tex/Mex restaurant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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