Tell me Why I Should try NCL...2

[richardbc]

It seems that people either love NCL or hate them, not much in between.

Well we're going to give them a try, and posts of "cruises from hell" won't stop us [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] And here's why... We're trying it for something new.

Our first cruise on the Sea Princess was good (However their Passenger Relations Dept. SUCKED- only got action after writing the EVP Marketing) [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

We did tell Princess we were really looking forward to cruising again (Guess they assumed it would be with them) soooo...We followed that by 3 on RCI - 2 on the Radiance and last month on the Monarch (Actually cancelled a Princess trip)[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

But now it's time to try NCL (3 in a row on any line warrants a break) as they had a good itinerary on the Sun from Vancouver to LA. Will it be as "polished" as Princess? Probably not but I think we enjoy a bit more of a relaxed atmosphere anyways, maybe like RCI? The dining options are interesting and it's "fun" to be on a "New-to-us" ship.

Oh yeah, our next booking (Which we had booked before this one but that's another story) is the Star Apr 30, 2005 on an 8 day Mexican Riviera cruise. That itinerary looks great so if we enjoy the NCL and the Sun then we'll be Mexico bound next year!

richard

[marvholly]

You are going with a good attitude and will likly have a great time. I have not done Princess yet althought it is on my "try soon" list. I have done Celebrity, NCL and Carnival over the past 2 years. Personally, I find Celebrity stuffy and the shows poorer than Carnival & NCL.
Howerver,I have enjoyed all. Had the both the best and worst waiters ever and the worst cabin steward ever (10 cruises overall)in this time. And no it was not related to tipping. All were under traditional tipping.

Holly

M/S Boheme 11/69
Rhapsody 2/77?
Azure Sea 3/89
Panama Canal 11/90
Mexican Riviera 3/98
Carnival Triumph 12/99
Carnival Spirit 12/01
NCL Dream 11/17/02
Celebrity Mercury 6/1/03
carnival Victory 3/28/04

[mountainhouse]

It seems boards like this invite very detailed analysis. It can make it seem like there are HUGE differences between things. Couple that with the handful of people that have one of the few horrible experiences, and you really have to take it all with the proverbial grain of salt. Enjoy the cruise.

frankB

Pride of Aloha 7/18/04
Maasdam 6/60

[richardbc]

You both are right. I think each cruise line and ship/crew has it's strengths. Some are better in some areas, while not so good in others.

Who cares if the carpets are worn, I'm walking on them, not eating off them [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

I saw one post and , well, how can you complain about rough seas and sea-sickness and then complain about bad food [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] I'm sorry, but if I'm sick, no food is 5 Star [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]

Anyways happy cruising everyone!

richard

[newmexicoNita]

Every cruise line is geared to a certain group and all have possitives and negatives. You should love the Sun, at least we certainly did. I think it is my favorite shipe so far. As for comparing with Princess, I haven't cruised them and most likely will not. Reason, way to long to go into but it also has to do with customer service when I was a TA. Would I ever let one bad experience or even 2 influence me to this extent? For those of you who know how my mouth can flap, you know I wouldn't. I had about 8 or 9 bad expereinces. this soured me on Princess, though many of you love the line and I am sure for very good reasons. Life is an experience huh? NMNIta

Commodore 1984, Costa 1985, RCL 1987, Chandris 1989, NCL 1989, Commodore, 1991, NCL 1997, Carnival 1997, Carnival 1998,NCL 1998, NCL 1999, RCL 2000, RCL 2000, NCL 2002,NCL 2003, Celebrity 2003, NCL 2004

[Brad1185]

You should not try NCL, why ruin a perfectly good vacation, there is so much better out there.

[Cruise_More_Often]

RichardBC, we just got back from the Sun's LA to Vancouver trip, and we cannot say enough about NCL. We absolutely loved the ship, the service, the staff, the entertainment and the food. Freestyle is the way to go! The Sun is beautiful, lots of wood and not gaudy at all. We're already planning our next NCL cruise; in fact, may do the same trip again next spring. We had cruised with Holland America before but won't do that again until we're [I]much[/I] older.

[richardbc]

Nita,
You're right, life is an experience and as I said it's time to try something different. Is Freestyle for us? We won't know if we don't try it. We did come close with Personal Choice Dining on the Sea Princess-but that was only one restaurant.

Brad,
I'll let ya know if we have a perfectly good, or a lousy vacation. At least I won't be at work that week!

C_M_O,

Glad to hear you loved the ship, and the overall package! We're like you, HAL is still a few years away [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

richard