Princess cruiser trying Norwegian for first time

[canada1867]

Have sailed on Princess a dozen times and we are booking our first NCL cruise. To those of you that have sailed both, what are the subtle or not so subtle differences between the two experiences?

[drevil0208]

The average age is much lower on NCL and the entertainment is more geared to that demographic.

 

 

 

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[csopi]

I sailed on the Regal Princess last year and the NCL Getaway this March.

Had an absolutely wonderful time on both, but there are subtle differences.

 

The ship:

For me the Regal is a nicer ship more elegant and better layout for pool space than the Getaway. The Getaway does however have the Waterfront which is a brilliant idea and my favourite place on the ship

 

Dinning:

The food in the MDR were about equivalent on both ships both good with the show and music in the main dinning room Tropicana on the Getaway getting the edge and the fact that the two other dinning rooms were open for breakfast and lunch every day and on the Regal if I remember right only on sea days.

The 3 specialty restaurants I went to on both ships were all great and I would go back to any.

The buffet on the Regal was much better than the Getaway, both food and layout wise.

 

Entertainment:

It was good on both ships but I would give the nod to the Regal overall although the best show for me was Burn the Floor on the Getaway.

The comedians were way funnier on the Regal.

 

Service:

Excellent on both ships, they seemed to be a little more reserved on the Regal.

 

Shore excursions:

Very similar and probably go to the same places, although NCL does seem to be a little bit more expensive about 10 to 20%. Best to book things on your own and not with the cruise line.

 

Atmosphere:

I preferred the Getaway, more mixed crowd, average age probably about 10 years or more younger.

People were more laid back and in a party mood.

No need to dress up for anything if you don't want to, loved the fact that you could go to the MDR in a nice pair of shorts. It was good to be able to leave your suit at home.

 

Overall value:

The Getaway was about $300 cheaper per person even with the inclusion of the UBP and SDP, if you enjoy having a drink or 2, definitely NCL is the way to go.

 

I have sailed a few times with Princess and enjoyed each one of them, but as long as NCL keeps offering these additional perks I will stick with them, I have already booked for next year on the Getaway again.

 

Hope this helps.

[big al]

Have sailed on Princess a dozen times and we are booking our first NCL cruise. To those of you that have sailed both, what are the subtle or not so subtle differences between the two experiences?

 

Average age on Princess is much higher than NCL..in fact, we were on the Regal twice the last 2 years..we are mid 60's and were 15 years younger than the average passengers..:cool:..dining options on Regal were a joke both for specialty & MDR..we had 60 minute waits for dinner and food was mediocre at best IMO..Crown Grill was good, but Cagney's is better..also LOVE Teppanyaki ( Japanese hibachi), Le Bistro ( French) & O'Sheehan's 24 hour Irish Sports bar with free food...there are 22-24 restaurants on the Getaway/ Escape..4-5 on the Regal..Alfredo's is wonderful on the Regal & free..entertainment was terrible on the Regal, and I HATE theaters that don't have beverage cup holders to put your drink in while you sit- that's right..NO cup holders, so if you come in with a drink, or want to order one, there is no place to put it :mad:...

 

The Waterfront on NCL is the best concept on the 7 seas IMO...wonderful outdoor connection to the sea..nothing like that on Princess..now MSC & Carnival are following that lead on future ships..bars, restaurants, all outside over looking the Caribbean..fantastic!..nice 36 inch Samsung flat screen on the Regal with free HBO & Showtime, but I don't cruise to watch movies..both have nice cabins with bigger bathrooms than most...plus, the FREE drinks package on NCL is unbeatable, unless you don't drink ( BTW, sodas are included)..

 

I found the feeling on Princess much more toned down..everything shuts down by 10 - 10:30 pm..pretty ship, but so are the newer NCL ships and IMO they have many more options for dining & entertainment..if you like action & many options, NCL is better..if you like a more mature, reserved atmosphere, you might like Princess...I am both a cruise agent & avid cruiser ( 35 cruises on NCL, Princess, RCI, HAL, Disney, Celebrity, & Carnival) , so we have done many different cruise lines & ships...

 

Big Al

[NMLady]

Have sailed on Princess a dozen times and we are booking our first NCL cruise. To those of you that have sailed both, what are the subtle or not so subtle differences between the two experiences?

 

No formal nights on NCL.

 

No traditional assigned dining option on NCL.

 

Which NCL ship? That also makes a difference.

[victory2020]

I would love comparison between Princess & the Sky.

[luv2gonow]

I love NCL and will be trying Princess for the 1st time. Sailing Majestic very soon:-)From what I have heard though the Majestic might not be a fair 1st assessment for Princess being changes

because of Chinese market. I am sure it will be awesome though!

 

 

My favorite thing about NCL is the many dining options. The fact that it is more casual. I am fretting right now about bringing dressier clothes for this Princess cruise a little. Also being Spring it will be cooler so no sundresses.

Happy planning

Kerri

[canada1867]

Thank you all for your observations.

 

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[oceanfun77]

I went on 2 cruises (one the Golden Princess to Alaska, another NCL Breakaway to Bermuda). I thought Princess was the way bigger ship, had the better shows and performances (a different show each day!!), had better cruise directors and cruise staff, and also had a better theatre and lobby stage, as well as better dinners (we had lobsters one night!), and more eateries (you could get free pastries where the stag lobby was whereas you had to buy it in the Bake Shop on NCL). Princess also had an impromptu sushi lunch spread near the pool one day that wasn't written on any dailies schedule.

 

However, NCL has more built-in playgrounds (waterslides, ropes course, rock climbing, a child's pool space, a basketball court, and a jogging space), better arranged space in the rooms, no formal dining, and more freedom on your dining times I think.

[pmd98052]

We're mid forties with two kids 9 and 11. We cruise most often on Princess and NCL. NCL Bermuda cruise coming up this month and a Princess Mexico cruise coming up for Thanksgiving. Both lines are great.

 

Like Princess outdoor movie screen w/popcorn, milk and cookies! Food slightly better on Princess, buffet slightly better on NCL.

 

Shows/Entertainment a bit better on NCL in our experience but it varies a lot.

 

We sail on whoever has the best deal across all lines but NCL and Princess are the two we end up on the most due to west coast locations etc.

[bigsky]

Have sailed on Princess a dozen times and we are booking our first NCL cruise. To those of you that have sailed both, what are the subtle or not so subtle differences between the two experiences?

 

Completely depends on which ships you're comparing. Been on a few Princess. Found them to have a much older crowd than we're used to. But just went on the Dawn, and many older ones on that one as well. The Dawn didn't compare at all to Princess.

[Mike_DeA]

I'll add a different spin to it. Princess is my number 1, but NCL is great too for all the reasons mentioned above.

 

For casino players there are some significant difference in the games offered.

 

Princess offers Fun 21/Spanish 21 and Baccarat, NCL does not (from my experience).

 

Texas Holdem poker on Princess is played on PokerPro automated tables with a max rake of $8. NLC has live poker, but the rake is an absurd 10% up to $25. NCL does run poker tournaments, while Princess no longer does.

[Boatingmom]

I sail both but Princess has nicer more comfortable furniture.

 

 

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