Carnival cruiser does NCL

[kittycrusin08]

We really have enjoyed our Carnival cruises but NCL really seems to go the extra mile. We cruised the NCL Dawn last December on an 11 day Southern Carr. cruise and had an absolutely great time. Possibly it was the many friends we made on the roll call or the exciting new ports but NCL staff, entertainment, and music seemed more vibrant and not just the "same old Carnival scene" offered on our last Carnival cruise. We are going on the Carnival Dream this year and I know we will have a good time because we are sailing with family. I enoy cruising no matter what ship I am on. I do not feel a certain loyalty to one line or the other but Carnival could learn from all the little touches provided by NCL: Live bands on the Lido deck, great shows, interesting dining, exciting ports, 11 day cruises, water & wet towels upon reboarding when you come back from excursions, sponsored meet & mingle with refreshments provided free, officers attending and answering questions at meet & mingle, and future cruise certificates, which can be used as your deposit for the next cruise. Carnival provides some of these services but they are limited. ;)

[PCHENG]

I will be doing my first NCL cruise on the Dawn in December. However, I really don't see myself doing NCL regularly as there's usually a sunstantial price markup. I booked the December cruise using the kids sail free promo, and even then my balcony cabin still costs about $200.00 more than the Legend, wich sails out on the same date and has largely similar itenary. If I book without the promo, I will be looking at a price difference of $500.00, which is no chump change.

 

So while I am sure I will enjoy my NCL cruise, CCL will still remain my line of choice for the foreseeable future.

[mizLORInj]

Glad I tried out NCL too. And I keep going back. . .

[VickiD59]

Yes Bermuda, but not Caribbean.

Right, it's not the Caribbean.. but it does have aqua waters and palm trees... close enough for me ;)

[Georgiagolfer]

Right, it's not the Caribbean.. but it does have aqua waters and palm trees... close enough for me ;)

 

LOL, OK you've got me there.:D Only problem for us is we don't care to cruise and stay in a Port for 3 days, but I understand some do and that's OK.

[glorialagos]

LOL, OK you've got me there.:D Only problem for us is we don't care to cruise and stay in a Port for 3 days, but I understand some do and that's OK.

 

I have thought this for years but we have booked the Breakaway for June to Bermuda. Decided to give it a try. I am hoping we will like it - and pretty sure we will. I'll report back and let you know!

[Crusin Hogs]

After 19 cruises on Carnival will be doing our first NCL early next year. Thanks for the review.

 

After 5 cruises on Carnival , We are booked on Princess , balcony same price as Carnival !

[skywalkr2]

I would love to try another Cruise line. Only 2 things stopping me:

 

1. When I cruise (holidays) it seems that only Carnival is anywhere near affordable. I have yet to find any other line that is affordable (for me).

2. Carnival VIP program has me wanting to get to platinum some day... these programs always suck me in.

[JS0219]

LOL, OK you've got me there.:D Only problem for us is we don't care to cruise and stay in a Port for 3 days, but I understand some do and that's OK.

We've done the Bermuda itinerary twice on NCL and have loved it! You get to spend so much time exploring the island, beaches, shopping, etc - and never feel rushed. Its sort of like staying in a resort for 3 days - going back to the ship whenever you want, for meals and sleeping. They have bus/high speed ferry passes reasonably priced that you can purchase for the time you are there and go all over the place, pickups are right near the dock.

I posted earlier how much we enjoy NCL and did not like our recent Carnival cruise - I think on a different post, and was met with opposition - food is better, ships are nicer, service is better, although I do wish there were more varied itineraries out of the northeast.

[Quincella]

I've never taken a cruise I didn't love. Not even close. But I have to say that for me, NCL has.....I don't know...SOMETHING that keeps drawing me back!

 

My last cruise was on Carnival (Freedom) and we had a great time, but I didn't get off the ship just dying to get back on. I was, however, dying for another cruise, so I booked the NCL Epic (again!) for early next year. :D

 

My husband has pretty much only ever sailed Carnival, so I'm excited for him to have a new experience! And the Epic? Seriously in it's own class. He's gonna flip out!!!!

[halos]

I've never taken a cruise I didn't love. Not even close. But I have to say that for me, NCL has.....I don't know...SOMETHING that keeps drawing me back!

 

!

That is EXACTLY my feeling as well!

[ibcnusoon]

We did Carnival last year and this year. Next year we have 2 NCL cruises booked (no Carnival). We booked the NCL cruises based on price, we got an excellent rate on our 9-night Easter cruise from New York City (NO AIRFARE :D) whereas Carnival does not have anything comparable.

 

Then NCL announced the new Breakaway. Since NYC hasn't seen a new ship in a long long time I was super excited to book a cruise on a ship that will be about 6 months old. Again, I got a great rate, and again (NO AIRFARE :D)

[ibcnusoon]

I would love to try another Cruise line. Only 2 things stopping me:

 

1. When I cruise (holidays) it seems that only Carnival is anywhere near affordable. I have yet to find any other line that is affordable (for me).

 

You should try looking around online for a TA with a great rate. I was browsing cruises for Easter 2013 when I happened upon a "group rate" that was half the price as NCL online - unbelievable. I booked 3 cabins right away for family and friends. That is one thing you WON'T find online at a reputable TA, a lower price on a Carnival ship - but there are bargains available on NCL!

[Georgiagolfer]

I have thought this for years but we have booked the Breakaway for June to Bermuda. Decided to give it a try. I am hoping we will like it - and pretty sure we will. I'll report back and let you know!

 

Please do, can't wait for the review.

[Georgiagolfer]

We've done the Bermuda itinerary twice on NCL and have loved it! You get to spend so much time exploring the island, beaches, shopping, etc - and never feel rushed. Its sort of like staying in a resort for 3 days - going back to the ship whenever you want, for meals and sleeping. They have bus/high speed ferry passes reasonably priced that you can purchase for the time you are there and go all over the place, pickups are right near the dock.

I posted earlier how much we enjoy NCL and did not like our recent Carnival cruise - I think on a different post, and was met with opposition - food is better, ships are nicer, service is better, although I do wish there were more varied itineraries out of the northeast.

 

My only concern is what happens on the ship while docked for 2-3 days? Do they still have shows/entertainment, is the casino open/closed, etc.?

[emcelh]

My only concern is what happens on the ship while docked for 2-3 days? Do they still have shows/entertainment, is the casino open/closed, etc.?

 

 

There are shows but the shops are closed as well as the casino, since there is no legal gambling in Bermuda.

 

I agree that NCL doesn't have the number of choices of itineraries as Carnival (or Royal Caribbean for that matter). They have a much smaller fleet though and, since they cover Alaska and Europe during the summer, there isn't much left for Caribbean cruises.

[Georgiagolfer]

There are shows but the shops are closed as well as the casino, since there is no legal gambling in Bermuda.

 

I agree that NCL doesn't have the number of choices of itineraries as Carnival (or Royal Caribbean for that matter). They have a much smaller fleet though and, since they cover Alaska and Europe during the summer, there isn't much left for Caribbean cruises.

 

Thanks, this convinced me not to do Bermuda.

[fergusonvt]

My only concern is what happens on the ship while docked for 2-3 days? Do they still have shows/entertainment, is the casino open/closed, etc.?

 

I don't believe that any casinos can remain open while docked in Bermuda.

 

Sent from my LePanII using Tapatalk 2

[LoraJ]

Thanks, this convinced me not to do Bermuda.

 

My husband loves the casino and we did Bermuda on HAL last year and he survived. ;) I would go back to Bermuda again in a heartbeat. Gorgeous island!

 

 

Most of my cruises have been on Carnival and every time I have booked another cruise since my last one, I look at Carnival first. We have found NCL more appealing lately because my husband does not enjoy sharing tables with strangers and they do have more tables and options for couples at meal times. We have only done two one-night cruises with them but are booked on the Epic next month. I like the different choices in where to eat each night plus the suite perks are a lot better than Carnival's.

[popsec]

My only concern is what happens on the ship while docked for 2-3 days? Do they still have shows/entertainment, is the casino open/closed, etc.?

 

I saved alot of money on the Bermuda cruise with the casino being closed so much ;)

[Georgiagolfer]

My husband loves the casino and we did Bermuda on HAL last year and he survived. ;) I would go back to Bermuda again in a heartbeat. Gorgeous island!

 

 

Most of my cruises have been on Carnival and every time I have booked another cruise since my last one, I look at Carnival first. We have found NCL more appealing lately because my husband does not enjoy sharing tables with strangers and they do have more tables and options for couples at meal times. We have only done two one-night cruises with them but are booked on the Epic next month. I like the different choices in where to eat each night plus the suite perks are a lot better than Carnival's.

 

Just got off the phone with a PCC with NCL. As you can see we are booked on Epic for January. 1st NCL cruise and DW is out and doesn't know yet. Have you booked any shows or dinners? He said we can book Blue Man Group, Cirque Dinner, or any specialty restaurants 45 days prior to the cruise.

 

Looking forward to a review when you return.

[Georgiagolfer]

I saved alot of money on the Bermuda cruise with the casino being closed so much ;)

 

I'm sure, but not as much fun and entertaining.:D

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Just got off the phone with a PCC with NCL. As you can see we are booked on Epic for January. 1st NCL cruise and DW is out and doesn't know yet. Have you booked any shows or dinners? He said we can book Blue Man Group, Cirque Dinner, or any specialty restaurants 45 days prior to the cruise.

 

Looking forward to a review when you return.

 

When you book the specialty restaurants be advised that you are charged immediately.

 

We waited until we boarded to make reservations and had no problems at all.

 

Bill

[My6Dogs]

I've been toying with the idea of an NCL cruise, just to try something different...

 

After reading this thread, I think I will start looking more seriously!

 

We've had great cruises with CCL, but I think I want to try something different.

 

How does the pool areas on NCL compare with CCL?

How do the balcony cabins compare? We can't live without our balcony!

 

Mike

[Stevie17]

I absolutely love NCL...have sailed with them many times. We've chosen the Breeze for our Christmas cruise this year simply because the ship intrigues us, but if it's a toss up, I will always sail with NCL.