Thinking about trying NCL

[canalwen]

We have cruised Carnival, Princess and RCL. We have never been on NCL and would like to try. We are thinking of starting small with the NCL SKY. Have read reviews and realize this is the smallest ship. That is okay with us.

We are wondering about the dining room and choices on NCL. Do they have tables for 2? My husband likes to try more than one starter, main dish, etc. Is this allowed on NCL? He has never had a problem on any other lines, but just wanted to check. Thanks in advance for any dining advice you can give us.

[zqvol]

We have cruised Carnival, Princess and RCL. We have never been on NCL and would like to try. We are thinking of starting small with the NCL SKY. Have read reviews and realize this is the smallest ship. That is okay with us.

We are wondering about the dining room and choices on NCL. Do they have tables for 2? My husband likes to try more than one starter, main dish, etc. Is this allowed on NCL? He has never had a problem on any other lines, but just wanted to check. Thanks in advance for any dining advice you can give us.

 

 

The beauty of Freestyle dining is that you eat when you want and with who you want. Tables for two are not a problem.

 

The only time there is a problem getting multiple dishes is in the specialty restaurants where you are limited to one main (you can always get the second main for an additional charge), but in the specialty restaurants the servings are so big that you want need the second main.

[canalwen]

Thanks for that info. Do you know if the menus for the dining rooms and specialty restaurants available online anywhere?

[spidybabe]

Thanks for that info. Do you know if the menus for the dining rooms and specialty restaurants available online anywhere?

 

Google. beyond ships

[mizLORInj]

I see you like variety in cruising as I do.

 

We just are back from a NCL cruise and my guy ordered multiple starters as his meal. It is no problem at all. This is in the "included" dining rooms.

 

[SuperMommy]

We just booked our 3rd (and 4th) cruise with NCL in a family group of 12. Between us all we have sailed Princess, HAL, RC, & Celebrity and we have been pretty pleased with NCL - especially the promotions they have going now. (Princess is still my personal favorite but that could be since it was our first). We too will be trying the Sky next fall. Our first cruise with NCL was on the Sky's twin, the Sun which we loved. Our second NCL was on the Star, which had better food and pool areas, but was a discombobulated mess of a overall layout to the ship. Better food in the main dining though.

We have never had a problem with ordering multiple aps or entrees if it suited us and once after my nephew got sick at breakfast before the main entrees arrived the nice server followed the family all the way to the other end of the ship with the breakfast made up on a room service tray. Above and beyond.

My bet is that you will find that you like many things. We also agree that the entertainment on NCL is far superior to Royal Caribbean (although to be fair it has been a number of years since we sailed RC). But the last time on a RC ship the shows were of less quality than a high school talent show.

You won't know until you try it but I think it's a safe bet if you've enjoyed cruising on other lines.

[Nola26]

I tried NCL for the first time on the Sky as a solo traveler at the end of November, weekend cruise. Really enjoy the ship, food and entertainment. My spa treatment (onboard special package) was excellent. I danced, played sports, casino games, etc.

 

I didn't use specialty restaurants and was happy with my meals. I had multiple appetizers i.e. soup and salad, but never needed or wanted an extra entrée. I ate in both dining rooms, buffet, pub and a sandwich from room service.

 

We couldn't stop at GSC due to rough seas, but I actually think the sea day made for a more relaxing short cruise.

 

I now have a family trip booked on the Getaway for August and am excited to share NCL with my family.

 

Good luck with your decision.

[Oldgoat61]

We have only cruised CCL, and NCL. There are more similarities than differences, with the exception of "freestyle cruising". You don't have to be concerned with where you eat, when you eat, or with who you eat. Nor do you have to worry about formal nights....they don't exist, but you have the option to dress up if you choose.

 

Freestyle cruising is just that, it doesn't apply to dining only, but the culture of the ship.

 

Hope this helps! :D

[canalwen]

Thank you all so much for your replies. We booked today and will be on the March 2nd sailing of the Sky. We are pretty excited about trying Norwegian. I am sure we will have a great time.

[GORDONCHICK]

We had been on X, Carnival, and Princess before trying Norwegian. Heard all kinds of stuff like it's the Motel 6 of cruising, but we are ones to make up our own minds. We're glad we did. We have occasionally strayed over itinerary, pricing or something silly like ice skating on a ship, but we always come back to Norwegian. Love the flexibility. All the other lines have just copied Norwegian with their flexible dining but Norwegians truly do it best!