How does NCL Jewel class compare to Carnival?

[MrSnarkyPants]

Poop Cruise jokes aside...

 

I've cruised twice, once on the Conquest and once on the Magic.

 

NCL will be moving the Jewel to Houston next year to finally give the new cruise terminal there some business, and my wife and I are considering it for our anniversary.

 

I know what I'm going to get with Carnival and was reasonably happy with it, and having access to the Spa deck on the Magic was a big plus for us on our honeymoon. Between the thalasso pool and heated stone beds on the Spa deck and the Serenity area on the Magic, we probably missed checking out half of the Magic just because we kept going back to those areas.

 

What NCL would offer, from what I can tell, is a new-to-us set of ports and a lot of dining options. What I can't tell because all of the write-ups revolve around food is what the ship is like when you're not eating. What's the adults-only section of the ship like on the Jewel? Is there an equivalent to the spa deck on the Magic? (not to be confused with overpriced massages and skin treatments in the spa) What are the activities like on the sea days? How's the entertainment? If you don't book a high-end cabin, what amenities aren't available to you?

 

If you've been there and can help describe what NCL is like, I would appreciate your insight.

[GORDONCHICK]

NCL still has live bands at the pool, and around the ship, unlike Carnival. As far as activities, they are about the same.

[MrSnarkyPants]

It appears that the Epic is more in line with what the Magic has to offer.

 

While that would require a flight to Miami, it would also be a change in itinerary. New places are cool.

[mmbl]

NCL was WORST of all cruise lines we've been on - Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL. Hated NCL: poor service, chaos in dining. Rooms, terrible shows, kids not restricted from adult areas, maintenance issues....

 

 

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[SteveH2508]

NCL was WORST of all cruise lines we've been on - Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL. Hated NCL: poor service, chaos in dining. Rooms, terrible shows, kids not restricted from adult areas, maintenance issues....

 

 

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Things have changed quite a bit in the last 7 years since your last NCL cruise - just saying...

[Demonyte]

Things have changed quite a bit in the last 7 years since your last NCL cruise - just saying...

 

Also things on NCLA are and have been somewhat different from other NCL ships and crew.

[mmbl]

Things have changed quite a bit in the last 7 years since your last NCL cruise - just saying...

 

It couldn't have changed enough to make it worth paying any $$$ for. It was the worst of ALL our cruises, and you can see that we are not newbies. They would have to pay me to even think about a cruise on their line!

 

 

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[mpk218]

It couldn't have changed enough to make it worth paying any $$$ for. It was the worst of ALL our cruises, and you can see that we are not newbies. They would have to pay me to even think about a cruise on their line!

 

 

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I know exactly how you feel .. If I were in the middle of the Atlantic dog paddeling on my own and a Carnival cruise ship came by , I'd wave them off ..

Some fates are worse than death . Only difference between you and I is I tried Carny twice..

As fars as , if it were free I would pass ? I mean it with all my heart ;)

 

But really I think you left out ; And the ship sank . :p

[SteveH2508]

It couldn't have changed enough to make it worth paying any $$$ for. It was the worst of ALL our cruises, and you can see that we are not newbies. They would have to pay me to even think about a cruise on their line!

 

 

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Your loss then.

 

I just did a taster cruise on RCCL and I'm afraid to say that NCL can teach them a thing or two about service, organising MTD, entertainment and general atmosphere aboard ship.

 

I'm not saying I would never sail again with RCCL but they certainly would not be my first choice.

 

Different strokes for different folks....

[gatorsfam]

Poop Cruise jokes aside...

 

Wow - looks like you're post has attracted the brand cheerleaders... Sidestepping all of that....

 

I've cruised twice, once on the Conquest and once on the Magic.

 

NCL will be moving the Jewel to Houston next year to finally give the new cruise terminal there some business, and my wife and I are considering it for our anniversary.

 

I know what I'm going to get with Carnival and was reasonably happy with it, and having access to the Spa deck on the Magic was a big plus for us on our honeymoon. Between the thalasso pool and heated stone beds on the Spa deck and the Serenity area on the Magic, we probably missed checking out half of the Magic just because we kept going back to those areas.

 

What NCL would offer, from what I can tell, is a new-to-us set of ports and a lot of dining options. What I can't tell because all of the write-ups revolve around food is what the ship is like when you're not eating. What's the adults-only section of the ship like on the Jewel? Is there an equivalent to the spa deck on the Magic? (not to be confused with overpriced massages and skin treatments in the spa) What are the activities like on the sea days? How's the entertainment? If you don't book a high-end cabin, what amenities aren't available to you?

 

If you've been there and can help describe what NCL is like, I would appreciate your insight.

 

Go for it!

 

Among the differences you'll notice:

 

Dining on NCL is more laid back - no rushing to get to the MDR at 6pm, no crowd gathering before the doors open and the rush to get seated, but on the flip-side on NCL you'll have different wait staff each day pretty much no matter where you dine, and the staff won't sing and dance for you. I'd give Carnival a slight edge on the food quality though, but both do fine IMO.

 

I don't spend time in the spa and usually sail with our kids so I can't comment much on the adults only areas.

 

Plenty of activities on sea days - very comparable to Carnival - decent variety of things to see and do.

 

Entertainment is similar - I enjoyed the comedy club on Carnival, but I'd give the main shows the edge on NCL, so I guess it is a toss-up there ;)

 

Good luck!

[sdmike]

NCL was WORST of all cruise lines we've been on - Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL. Hated NCL: poor service, chaos in dining. Rooms, terrible shows, kids not restricted from adult areas, maintenance issues....

 

 

My inlaws said the same thing about their Pride of America cruise from several years ago, but loved their trip on the Epic and Jewel the last few years.

 

Things change

[luddite]

Cruising on a NCL ship will not be a step down from the Carny experience.

Written as I sip a Shiner Holiday Cheer.

[WaldosPepper]

NCL was WORST of all cruise lines we've been on - Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL. Hated NCL: poor service, chaos in dining. Rooms, terrible shows, kids not restricted from adult areas, maintenance issues....

 

 

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Can I ask what in the world would compel someone to reply, at two o'clock in the morning, to a thread that's been dead for four months, with a comment like this?

 

:confused: :rolleyes:

 

That being said, I see that your cruise was on NCLA in 2005, during a time when the America division was just starting, using an all-American crew (read: completely inexperienced staff). In case you're not aware, that was a completely different experience from any other NCL sailing. Oh, and by the way, the situation back then was truly awful - as you stated. Since then, there've been massive changes and improvements to the NCLA product - which explains why the POA sails full every week. ;)

 

Such a shame that you're missing out on all the great times we're having over here sailing Norwegian ships.

 

:)

[B6ConMe]

Cruising on a NCL ship will not be a step down from the Carny experience.

Written as I sip a Shiner Holiday Cheer.

 

What is a Shiner Holiday Cheer... I'm not much of a drinker...unless it's sweet... :p

Edited November 14, 2013 by B6ConMe

[luddite]

What is a Shiner Holiday Cheer... I'm not much of a drinker...unless it's sweet... :p

 

Beer.

from Texas.

Made with peaches and roasted pecans.

That part was directed at SDMike. I was trying to make him jealous.

 

I just made a batter for fried shrimp using some. Don't be jealous.

[B6ConMe]

Beer.

from Texas.

Made with peaches and roasted pecans.

That part was directed at SDMike. I was trying to make him jealous.

 

I just made a batter for fried shrimp using some. Don't be jealous.

 

Hmmm peaches, roasted pecans... and if you add Maple Syrup...yummmm

[funat55]

Beer.

from Texas.

Made with peaches and roasted pecans.

That part was directed at SDMike. I was trying to make him jealous.

 

I just made a batter for fried shrimp using some. Don't be jealous.

 

I don't even drink beer, but this sounds so good I want one right now.

[mizLORInj]

I had cruised Carnival and some others and decided that I wanted to cruise without having to waste time flying to a port. That got me to try NCL Gem on a cruise to nowhere. I have been back to NCL many times.

Why not give it a try and see for yourself?!?! :p I'm sure glad I formed my own opinion!

Edited November 14, 2013 by mizlorinj

[luddite]

I don't even drink beer, but this sounds so good I want one right now.

 

You'd drink beer if you got away from swill like BudLight and Coor's light.

Look for an Imperial Stout ot a molk stout. Try a Chimay Belgian Ale.

[mmbl]

Can I ask what in the world would compel someone to reply, at two o'clock in the morning, to a thread that's been dead for four months, with a comment like this?

 

:confused: :rolleyes:

 

That being said, I see that your cruise was on NCLA in 2005, during a time when the America division was just starting, using an all-American crew (read: completely inexperienced staff). In case you're not aware, that was a completely different experience from any other NCL sailing. Oh, and by the way, the situation back then was truly awful - as you stated. Since then, there've been massive changes and improvements to the NCLA product - which explains why the POA sails full every week. ;)

 

Such a shame that you're missing out on all the great times we're having over here sailing Norwegian ships.

 

:)

 

Maybe it wasn't 2 am where I was. Maybe I work night shifts? Maybe I couldn't sleep. Lots of reasons why someone might post at 2:00 am your time.

 

OMG- you NCL cruisers really get your panties in a bunch, don't you? Comment as you like as I won't see any additional comments. Lots of other things to do.

FTR: the OP requested info and opinions and I gave mine. Sorry if my disagreeing with you got you upset. Life is way too short to get upset about someone's opinion about a cruise line.

Now, try to have a good day. You never know which one is you last!

 

 

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[pe4all]

We "strayed" to NCL for our last cruise after 16 CCL's in a row. I really have never had a bad experience on any line - but we are very easy to please. We enjoyed the NCL Breakaway. Yes, there were crowds - but pretty much we have found that on almost every cruise we have been on, as we can only sail during school (teacher) vacations. We did enjoy the free-style dining - much more so than I thought we would. We also (for the first time on any cruise except Disney) paid for dining experiences. (Cagneys, Le Bistro, and La Cucina, and the Cirque show) We really enjoyed those, also! We are now "straying" to RCCL for this Christmas, and then back to NCL (Jewel) from NY during the summer- with a CCL cruise upcoming this Feb. I think the one thing I will miss on the Jewel is the Vibe Beach Club, which we loved on Breakaway. (even though I think there is an adults only area on Jewel) Go with an open mind - every line has great things to offer, and new things to experience.

[Warm Breezes]

Poop Cruise jokes aside...

 

I've cruised twice, once on the Conquest and once on the Magic.

 

NCL will be moving the Jewel to Houston next year to finally give the new cruise terminal there some business, and my wife and I are considering it for our anniversary.

 

I know what I'm going to get with Carnival and was reasonably happy with it, and having access to the Spa deck on the Magic was a big plus for us on our honeymoon. Between the thalasso pool and heated stone beds on the Spa deck and the Serenity area on the Magic, we probably missed checking out half of the Magic just because we kept going back to those areas.

 

What NCL would offer, from what I can tell, is a new-to-us set of ports and a lot of dining options. What I can't tell because all of the write-ups revolve around food is what the ship is like when you're not eating. What's the adults-only section of the ship like on the Jewel? Is there an equivalent to the spa deck on the Magic? (not to be confused with overpriced massages and skin treatments in the spa) What are the activities like on the sea days? How's the entertainment? If you don't book a high-end cabin, what amenities aren't available to you?

 

If you've been there and can help describe what NCL is like, I would appreciate your insight.

 

I just sailed CCL Freedom in August and NCL Jewel in October. It was our 2nd time on both ships. Both in balcony rooms. We had a 2nd connecting balcony room on Freedom for the kids. We had an adults only cruise on the Jewel. Here is my Subjective Comparison:

 

Rooms: NCL is smaller and bathroom more cramped. I enjoyed the chair that reclined on the balcony on CCL and definately missed it NCL.

 

Service: Very similar. The main difference I noticed was our room steward on CCL called us by name as soon as we met him and throughout our cruise when we saw him. Our NCL room steward never called us by name and never introduced himself to us....never the less our room was kept clean and he did his job well. NCL is the king of "Washy Washy"...you can't get into a restaurant with out getting your hands disinfected.

 

Entertainment: NCL wins hands down. While I found the entertainment on the Freedom to be the best we have seen on a CCL ship, NCL's production shows, comedians, magician, and piano player were just better.

 

Food: MDR has similar taste (when I found something I wanted on NCL), but for me CCL's MDR had more choices that appealed to me. DH said he preferred the food on CCL. NCL loses in the dessert department. There were only a couple of desserts that I liked, one being the brownie sundae served only at lunch at the Blue Lagoon. Loved the the Blue Lagoon on NCL. But I similarly loved the Fish & Chips and Deli on CCL. NCL has more choices when it comes to Specialty Restaurants. We loved Moderno and did not like Mama's (La Cacina). I personnally find a bitter taste to NCL's pasta sauces that doesn't appeal to me. We did not try the Steak House on CCL. Anytime was similar to Freesyle except with Freestyle you have the choice to go elegant or not on any day based on the restaurant you went to. Anytime the Elegant night had a higher dress code in all restuarants (except the buffet) with a lowering of the dress code in all restaurants on casual nights. We did not have a wait on either ship.

 

We did not see any adults only areas on the Jewel (except the casino and late night shows and clubs), but there were very few kids on our cruise. It was definately the oldest demographics we have ever sailed with.

 

Each cruise had it's positive and negatives. The basics were the same. On a cost basis CCL was about $30 less pp per day. NCL's itinerary included an embarkation port and 3 destination ports that were new to us as well as one of our favorite Caribbean ports in Cozumel so we were willing to pay the higher price for that cruise. CCL's itinerary had one new port for us, one we enjoyed before and one port that we ended up staying on the ship for....but it fit into our schedule for a vacation with the kids and was extremely inexpensive. We had a great time on both cruises and will likely sail both again in the future.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Warm Breezes

[GORDONCHICK]

NCL was WORST of all cruise lines we've been on - Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL. Hated NCL: poor service, chaos in dining. Rooms, terrible shows, kids not restricted from adult areas, maintenance issues....

 

 

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This wasn't our experience at all - & I've cruised all the lines you have (minus Disney plus a couple more). DH disliked Carnival the most (on Conquest) while my least favorite was the Grand Princess.

 

We will be sailing the Jewel over Christmas out of NOLA, and again over Thanksgiving 2014 out of Houston. We love the flow of NCL. A couple of things not in NCL's favor would be desserts and the cabins are slightly smaller.

[tdc2673]

It is really so subjective. In a week and a couple of days, I will be on my first NCL cruise on the Jewel. We are in a suite and I am very excited! With that said I have also been on RCL, CCL, and Celebrity. I have been in inside cabin (first cruise), suites, and balconies. My Celebrity cruise was to Hawaii. I loved the ports but the Celebrity cruise was my least favorite of all of the lines I have been on. I would certainly try Celebrity again, it was good just not as good of a fit for me as the other two lines. RCL and CCL are pretty similar to me. There are things I liked better about RCL and things I liked better on CCL. What I love about NCL so far is the suite perks are much better and less expensive. I really think it is all about attitude and what you are looking for.

[Rickeejb]

NCL was WORST of all cruise lines we've been on - Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL. Hated NCL: poor service, chaos in dining. Rooms, terrible shows, kids not restricted from adult areas, maintenance issues....

 

 

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Could not disagree more. I have been on every cruise line listed here and the only one I return to NCL. Are they perfect? No, but I can find as many or more problems with the other ships from other lines I have been on.

 

 

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