Is NCL more like Carnival or like Royal Caribbean?

[Tapi]

OP - you are aware that NCL still allows cigarette smoking on balconies?

 

Just thought I'd nip that particular hot topic in the bud (if it is important to you).

 

It's important. We were smoked out by neighbors on both sides when we sailed on the Carnival Dream, but we didn't have any problems on the Westerdam. While balcony smoking can be bothersome at times, we don't consider it to be a deal breaker. As long as there are properly designated areas for smokers, we are happy. It sucks when you walk around some ships that smell like an ashtray with old cigarettes because of poorly designated smoking areas or bad ventilation.

[NH Cruisers]

I disagree with this statement and consider all of the above as well as Princess' date=' Celebrity, HAL, Costa, and MSC to be mass market lines. There are far more similarities than differences. I've sailed all these except MSC and basically go for what I perceive as the best deal on the itinerary I want. All things being equal (which is never the case), I prefer Princess (10x or so?) then NCL (5x or so?) with RCL (5x or so?) a close third. I find NCL's production shows to be the finest at sea and the vibe a bit whimsical with signage on the promenade deck like, "Don't throw things overboard, we get complaints from the fish."[/quote']

I have sailed most of the mass market lines too, except MSC and Costa. I perfer NCL (3X) over the others, but I really do like them all. To me NCL is more RCCL (5X). The ships are not as packed tight as on the Carnival Dream (1X) I sailed on. The decor is nice on NCL.

Sailed Princess (3X), HAL (1X), Celebrity (1X)

I don't know what it is about Princess, the ships are beautiful, the service great, food is good, and going to Alaska twice great. But I just can't say I like it as much as NCL or RCCL. Who knows?

Edited June 10, 2014 by NH Cruisers

[littlelulu01]

We have sailed Carnival, Royal and NCL. Sometimes I wonder if it's the ship and region you are traveling to that makes a big difference in people's opinions.

 

Our first cruise was on Carnival. The ship was beautiful and our room was wonderful. We had a wrap around suite in the back of the ship and our kids had an aft balcony connecting. That said the experience was awful. Husband and both kids got norovirus, the loud blare of announcements, and the need to dress up for dinner and formal dinners in order to eat food that I would send back at any land restaurant. We could not wait to get off and my husband said that was it for cruises.

 

Second cruise was on Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas during Christmas with a large group of extended family. Food was better, and we ate at a specialty restaurant that was incredible. The main dining room, while better than Carnival was similar to the main dining experience on NCL. My husband resented being on vacation and needing to wear a suit and tie in the Caribbean while on vacation. He equated it to a three star dining experience that is dressed up in pomp and circumstance. We paid several thousand dollars more for this cruise than we did for the Carnival and were no more able to score pool chairs on this ship than we were on Carnival. His biggest gripe was the uncomfortable beds and bedding. Our cabin steward gave one flat pillow per person and would not give us an extra. He told us to go buy a pillow if we wanted one in one of the ports. We also noted the sales pitches around every corner and loudspeaker. Husband at this point swore off cruising altogether and thought it insanity that anyone would consent to cruising as a vacation form.

 

Enter NCL last summer aboard the Pearl to Alaska. I booked us a Haven two bedroom suite and it was the most relaxing vacation either of us had ever experienced. There was not even a remote comparison to the first two cruises. He would do this type of vacation every year. The food in Cagney's and the French restaurant surpassed anything we had on RCI or Carnival. Regular dining rooms and buffet had the same quality we experienced on RCI, including the masses in the buffet venues. The bonus was not needing to wear a suit and tie while on vacation and feeling just as welcome. Some people are dressed up, some not and both were just as welcome. We have found that Freestyle fits us.

 

The staff appeared much happier on NCL and were having fun. I would see them in port towns goofing off and doing the same things the tourists were doing, making me feel better about the long hours they work.

 

Now you might think I am comparing Apples to oranges but cost wise our Haven suite was less than our RCI vacation. Cost aside I loved the trip so much that I booked the same ship and same itinerary, same year, end of August last year and returned with my 18 year-old daughter and sailed with her in a guarantee inside cabin. She and I had just as much fun. We dressed up for most dinners, participated in all the activities we could and met new friends. We were treated just as well and had a blast. We even ate dinner with the officers. I thought the first time around that we were given special treatment for sailing in the Haven but we were treated equally well when we sailed in the least expensive cabin. Our beds were very comfortable, more so than my bed at home. I loved the crisp clean sheets and pillows.

 

We enjoyed it so much that we are now booked for a two week cruise on the Jade in the Mediterranean. To be honest I don't know if I would try another line unless the price was just too good to pass up or the itinerary was a must.

 

I hope you have fun whatever you choose, and realize everyone has their own opinions. Seems like many others like RCI better and perhaps you are among this group. Fun to try other lines to decide where you fit in most comfortably but not so much fun to spend your hard earned $ and vacation time on a trip that you don't enjoy. I think a five day sail on a inexpensive repositioning cruise may be a good test for a new line.

[rednose83]

I have a very limited RCL cruise experience (1 cruise) so grain of salt and all. But I would say it's like RCL minus the pretentious people.

[bingo3]

I Have sailed RCL 3 times and Carnival 2, and just sailed NCL Breakaway. I think all have a lot of similarities overall, just different shows, dining experiences, bells and whistles so to speak. I enjoyed all.

 

I did see more of an officer presence on NCL than I have ever seen on any other cruise and I saw more upper level staff in the dining room. My experience on RCL and Carnival was to see the Maitre'd occasionally walk around and ask how guests were (especially the last night when we used to hand out the envelopes!). On NCL, they were in there working every night, greeting people, clearing tables, etc. whatever was needed. I was impressed. If you enjoy RCL and Carnival, you will enjoy NCL.

[FireEater]

I too noticed more officer presence on NCL then any other line I have been on.

I was impressed that they stopped to chat with people and not just shook there head to acknowledge you when walking by.

[DMH15]

I cruised RCL once. Found it just so so. Not great. Not bad. Not too memorable. But if the situation arose I would try it again.

 

My first Carnival cruise we hated. We said never again. However, circumstances led us there again, and we were pleasantly surprised.

 

I have made NCL my cruise line of choice most recently. Lately I have chosen to cruise exclusively in suites, however, my prior NCL cruises not in suites were also wonderful. Is NCL perfect? No. I would love a smoke-free casino, as on celebrity, or even if you smoke free nights, as on RCL. But since that is not the case, I just visited the casino in the daytime. When it is less smoky. My mother loves bingo, but I have to say NCL's bingo is the worst.

 

I have also cruised celebrity and I enjoyed that very much.

 

You find all kinds of people on these boards, just as you find all kinds of people on ships... And in the world. Hope whatever decision you make you will be happy with and have a great vacation.

[HokiePoq]

I have been on RCI 8 times, going on my 8th Carnival in August and did NCL twice. There is no comparison....NCL, in my opinion, is bottom of the barrel! Don't waste your time.

 

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I don't see Legend of the Seas in your list, by far the worst run and nastiest ship we've ever sailed on. The TAP water in our cabin smelled like the sewer! When questioned, crew said don't drink it and chief engineer said to get water from the filtered machines in the buffet. I imagine the Diamond reception dulls the awful food we've had on both our RCCL cruises. RCCL has its good qualities like the solarium pool but there is no way NCL is "bottom of the barrel". I won't comment on Carnival as I've not sailed with them, just read all the comments of those who have. To each their own. Never had a bad cruise with NCL.

[barnacle_boy]

I imagine the Diamond reception dulls the awful food we've had on both our RCCL cruises.

 

 

I'm Diamond on RCI, and while the nightly, 3-hour period for free drinks is a fantastic perk (I wish NCL would create a higher tier with nightly free drinks), it doesn't really make much sense to book RCI solely for that reason. The hors d'oeuvres are pretty lame for the most part. Overcooked and dry as a bone "meat" kabobs and little bits of fried chicken were staples. Their bacon-wrapped scallops were delicious, but they only offer them the first and last night. The breakfast spread with cheeses and meats was surprisingly decent though.

 

 

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[sparks1093]

I Have sailed RCL 3 times and Carnival 2, and just sailed NCL Breakaway. I think all have a lot of similarities overall, just different shows, dining experiences, bells and whistles so to speak. I enjoyed all.

 

I did see more of an officer presence on NCL than I have ever seen on any other cruise and I saw more upper level staff in the dining room. My experience on RCL and Carnival was to see the Maitre'd occasionally walk around and ask how guests were (especially the last night when we used to hand out the envelopes!). On NCL, they were in there working every night, greeting people, clearing tables, etc. whatever was needed. I was impressed. If you enjoy RCL and Carnival, you will enjoy NCL.

 

I too noticed more officer presence on NCL then any other line I have been on.

I was impressed that they stopped to chat with people and not just shook there head to acknowledge you when walking by.

 

Agree that the officer presence is noticed- when we were in Nassau crew and senior staff (including the Hotel Director) were doing a line dance on the pier to welcome passengers back while the F&B Manager, Executive Housekeeper and Bar Manager handed out ice water, lemonade and ice cream to returning passengers as other staff handed out cold towels.