What sets Norwegian apart from the rest?

[NH Cruisers]

The difference is in the selection of specialty dinning to me.

 

The suite experience with the availiability of the consierge and buttler too. I feel NCL does a great job doing what they do.

 

I cruise because I want to vacation on a ship out to sea. On NCL (ships I sailed) you know your on the ocean, plenty of areas to see out.

 

Officers and staff seem to want to know the passengers.

 

I have absolutly no problems with any other line I have sailed, but NCL has earned my continued loyalty.

Edited October 22, 2014 by NH Cruisers

[sparks1093]

On a typical cruise one spends about 12 hours (more or less) in the MDR for dinner. I cannot imagine anything happening in that 12 hours that would ruin the rest of the cruise for me. Our last cruise we found the staff in the MDR to be professionally aloof. They weren't all smiley and chatty but they performed their jobs well.

[zonap]

For us, it's all about the suite perks. The crew, especially at the specialty restaurants and for suite passengers, are warm, friendly and go above-and-beyond on a frequent and regular basis.

 

The prices, itinerary and ships are nice too, but being in a suite and having a vacation with those perks really make it a great vacation for our family - and something we really look forward to after saving up for months. :)

[declansdad]

On all of my NCL cruises, I have never had anyone "pushing" specialty restaurants. I truly don't think they care where I eat, with whom or when. It is one of the things I love about sailing with NCL. As a solo cruiser, I love the flexibility of dining, activities, entertainment.

 

But ... I admit I am a NCL cheerleader; they treat me right!!

:D

 

 

On the Dawn, there were numerous announcements throughout the day about the specialty restaurants encouraging you to make reservations.

[declansdad]

RCI is on the verge of going all "my time dining". Also heard rumors that HAL might be moving that direction too. Those who genuinely like traditional dining will lose out.

 

To OP's question I think it's the suite experience.

 

 

We found it interesting that on our cruise in July, NCL had started allowing for reservations in the MDRs. It wasn't well known and caused huge issues at the check-in desks.

[Aquahound]

On the Dawn, there were numerous announcements throughout the day about the specialty restaurants encouraging you to make reservations.

 

Also on the Dawn...we were badgered relentlessly during lunch in the buffet on embarkation day.

[swedish weave]

We found it interesting that on our cruise in July, NCL had started allowing for reservations in the MDRs. It wasn't well known and caused huge issues at the check-in desks.

 

NCL has been taking reservations for groups for some time, now. However, they have been restricting the times reservations can be made to minimize the impact at the busiest times. Has this changed recently ?

[swedish weave]

Also on the Dawn...we were badgered relentlessly during lunch in the buffet on embarkation day.

 

That sounds bad !!! How many times did they approach you ?

[American Bear]

Just wondering what makes Norwegian what it is, and why it is more awesome than any other cruiseline :)

 

Thanks for your thoughts, but we disagree!

We're (with over 20 plus years of cruising)

RCL Plat+,

Carn. Gold,

NCL Gold,

MSC Gold (almost) !

NCL improved in the middle 2000's, and has some strong points like a lot specialty Restaurant choices, flexible dining in the MDR, and one of our favorite ships in the Pearl, but we still rank NCL 'last' of the 4 cruise lines listed!:(

That being said, we will still cruise NCL when the ship/price/itinerary attract us!

[Aquahound]

That sounds bad !!! How many times did they approach you ?

 

It was about once every 5 minutes so at best guess, I'd say 5 or 6 times during our lunch. They were the specialty restaurant waiters carrying menus, soliciting for reservations. One guy even approached twice.

[swedish weave]

It was about once every 5 minutes so at best guess, I'd say 5 or 6 times during our lunch. They were the specialty restaurant waiters carrying menus, soliciting for reservations. One guy even approached twice.

 

I have not experienced that on my NCL cruises, but if you are sensitive to that type of activity, perhaps another cruise line would be more suitable for you.

[sjnyc323]

I have not experienced that on my NCL cruises, but if you are sensitive to that type of activity, perhaps another cruise line would be more suitable for you.

 

 

I have no problem with the staff coming over and asking if I would like to make a reservation for the specialty restaurant. All you have to do is say no thank you. You are not obligated. On all the cruise lines I sailed they all were selling something or other

Edited October 22, 2014 by sjnyc323

[swedish weave]

I have no problem with the staff coming over and asking if I would like to make a reservation for the specialty restaurant. All you have to do is say no thank you. You are not obligated. On all the cruise lines I sailed they all were selling something or other

 

It doesn't bother me either, but some people do not accept certain things about a particular cruise line, so they should move on and seek a line that makes them happy.

 

After all, cruising is all about enjoying your time on the ships, and I have enjoyed all of the cruises I have taken on various lines. There are some I probably will not return to, but I don't see any benefit to disparaging them.

[wvfrogg]

Also on the Dawn...we were badgered relentlessly during lunch in the buffet on embarkation day.

 

On the Dawn, I didn't have lunch in the buffet on embarkation day, so I must have missed the opportunity to be badgered. I know they had a table set up outside the buffet where you could look at the menus and make reservations if you wanted to do so, but I don't remember anyone coming up to me about them. They may have said something as I walked past them, such as would you like to see the menus, but I don't even remember them doing that.

 

Guess different cruises, even on the same ship, each have their own hawking and personalities. Or perhaps I just didn't pay any attention to them as I wasn't interested. I usually eat at a couple of the specialty restaurants each cruise, but truly don't remember anyone ever trying to get me to do so. It was always my idea.

 

;)

[ClarkBHM]

Just wondering what makes Norwegian what it is, and why it is more awesome than any other cruiseline :)

 

I've enjoyed the "make your own drinks" night at the bar, and the "make your own change" night at the casino. Really makes a difference that the other lines can't match...

Edited October 22, 2014 by ClarkBHM

[declansdad]

NCL has been taking reservations for groups for some time, now. However, they have been restricting the times reservations can be made to minimize the impact at the busiest times. Has this changed recently ?

 

 

We had no problem making reservations for any time, both before and during the cruise.

[Valchie]

I've enjoyed the "make your own drinks" night at the bar, Really makes a difference that the other lines can't match...

 

Tell me more about this...I've not heard of this before...thanks in advance. I'm sailing the Getaway on 11/29...is this something offered on all ships? I LOVE the drinking events :cool:

[ScrappinCSI]

We are all lucky to have so many choices in cruise lines. Some folks wander through all the lines, some find the need to be loyal and find a home. That's us. We tried Royal as it was recommended by every cruiser we knew. We hated it and will never go back. The only thing more rude than the staff were the passengers. Food after 10pm impossible to find. We tried Carnival and find their food to be the best of all the lines we tried. Melting cake, actual shrimp cocktail, best of all afternoon tea time. But we thought on a Caribbean cruise we might hear Caribbean music or maybe Jimmy Buffet. Instead, even during morning hours, it was roaring rap music and a giant video screen with close ups of gyrating buttocks. We found no peace on deck. NCL has won us with the little things. A crew that is genuinely happy and displays it towards us. Cold towels at port reentry. Music that fits the local and is not centered toward only one demographic. The freedom of casual dining in non buffet venues. Decent enough food available at all hours. Specialty food venues.

[declansdad]

We are all lucky to have so many choices in cruise lines. Some folks wander through all the lines, some find the need to be loyal and find a home. That's us. We tried Royal as it was recommended by every cruiser we knew. We hated it and will never go back. The only thing more rude than the staff were the passengers. Food after 10pm impossible to find. We tried Carnival and find their food to be the best of all the lines we tried. Melting cake, actual shrimp cocktail, best of all afternoon tea time. But we thought on a Caribbean cruise we might hear Caribbean music or maybe Jimmy Buffet. Instead, even during morning hours, it was roaring rap music and a giant video screen with close ups of gyrating buttocks. We found no peace on deck. NCL has won us with the little things. A crew that is genuinely happy and displays it towards us. Cold towels at port reentry. Music that fits the local and is not centered toward only one demographic. The freedom of casual dining in non buffet venues. Decent enough food available at all hours. Specialty food venues.

 

 

We certainly weren't on the same cruise.

 

Some crew members were happy, others were not even friendly.

 

Decent food would be the best recommendation.

Edited October 23, 2014 by declansdad

[Oppalopa]

I LOVE YOUR THINK Poster I wish it was on every thread.

[Barb Nahoumi]

One MDR is always open for lunch on embarkation day. This is so much easier for incoming passengers, who do not need to lug carry-ons to the buffet.

 

The menu is limited, but there is no jockeying for tables and you're waited on. This is the best way to start a cruise.

[sheeshshe]

Thanks for your thoughts, but we disagree!

We're (with over 20 plus years of cruising)

RCL Plat+,

Carn. Gold,

NCL Gold,

MSC Gold (almost) !

NCL improved in the middle 2000's, and has some strong points like a lot specialty Restaurant choices, flexible dining in the MDR, and one of our favorite ships in the Pearl, but we still rank NCL 'last' of the 4 cruise lines listed!:(

That being said, we will still cruise NCL when the ship/price/itinerary attract us!

 

It was more like, why is it the most awesome cruise line for YOU. I know I worded it funny, it didn't come out how I wanted it to. that said, I've never cruised norwegian, and I've heard differing opinions while reading online reviews, so I really wanted to hear more first hand experiences and what they really like about norwegian.