Why NCL?

[dinkydee718]

I'm curious...Why do you book NCL instead of other cruise lines?

 

Though I like the cruise line, I don't have much to compare it to. Been on DCL a few times, but my kids were younger and it was a totally different cruise experience. I honestly booked my August cruise on NCL because it was around 2:00am and it was the only cruise line that let me do an online booking for six people into one cabin! lol

[1AL]

I'm curious...Why do you book NCL instead of other cruise lines?

 

Though I like the cruise line, I don't have much to compare it to. Been on DCL a few times, but my kids were younger and it was a totally different cruise experience. I honestly booked my August cruise on NCL because it was around 2:00am and it was the only cruise line that let me do an online booking for six people into one cabin! lol

 

Just make sure you do NOT book ANY NCL 10-day Caribbean cruise...they've been cancelling those cruises and leaving their customers high and dry! There are 2 threads going on right now on 2 separate 10-day cruise cancellations by NCL.

Edited July 10, 2018 by 1AL

[Scoreboard2017]

Ubp

[Linda the Book Lover]

The price, itinerary and we are Platinum so we enjoy the laundry benefits. That said, we are trying out MSC to see how they fare. If we like this line we will sail on her more often. It is hard to beat the YC benefits. Suite/Haven cabins are nice but when you match amenity to amenity YC gives you far more for far less.

 

We have sailed on Princess, RCCL, Carnival and one cruise line that is no longer (way back in the day). My DD and I still sail Carnival for 4-days out of LA area but that is about it.

[emory2001]

I'm interested in this thread too, as we might book our first NCL cruise for northern Europe in 2020. I've mostly sailed RCCL, plus once on Princess, and one coming up on Carnival. But I'm looking hard at NCL for the Europe cruise.

[cruisegal415]

We sailed on the Oceania Riviera for our Med cruise a few years ago and it was fabulous. I would definitely look into the Oceania for a Europe cruise.

[danddgrandma]

We went on the NCL Escape last year. Went on Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas this year. There were 3 adults, 1 teen & 1 kid for both cruises. Teen preferred NCL because of club for 18-20 year olds. 8 year old preferred the kids club on NCL. Both kids missed the water slides on the Oasis. 2 of us thought food was better on NCL. 3rd adult was on Keto diet & felt RC had better food for that, so preferred variety of food offerings. Finally, prices we found were pretty close & NCL gave us 2 drink packages free! So we booked NCL for next year.

 

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[adjensen]

We came over from Carnival, and those have been our only experiences. We love NCL because we usually get a pretty good deal, the food is better than Carnival (except for Guy's Burgers, really miss those!) the shows are much better on NCL, the near constant "Free at Sea" promotion that get the drinks and dining packages and we love Howl at the Moon. We've debated trying other lines, but have yet to find a deal that's comparable to what we find at the same time on Norwegian.

[danddgrandma]

Yes we loved Howl at the Moon too! We also agree that the deals on NCL are the best and the food appeals to us more. Just personal preferences.

 

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[AmyJA]

Why? Because I haven’t tried NCL yet. Tried Carnival, RCCL and DCL. A few different ship. I don’t care about loyalty, perks or status. Just want to try something different with my travel money. But am book on another NCL for next year.Of course on different ships.

[danddgrandma]

One more thing we liked about NCL. They have an app you can buy for your phone for around $20 per phone which allows you to make calls while on the ship so we did not need the wifi package to keep up with each other. Saves a lot & no need to purchase walkie talkies!

 

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[QueenOfZoom]

I started out on Carnival years ago, back in the 80s. Fast forward having five kids, being a stay at home mom, no traveling, etc etc. Two years ago the spouse started getting CAS certificates so we tried NCL. After three we did Carnival Pride out of Baltimore (live 40 minutes from the port). Even without CAS I'd stick with NCL. Food is definitely better, entertainment, service.

[Georgia_Peaches]

We only cruise NCL during the week of Thanksgiving because they offer more itineraries than our usual go to line, Celebrity. I will admit that the evening activities on last year's sailing on the Epic were far better than any offered on Celebrity. As others have mentioned, Howl at the Moon was a lot of fun. We did not enjoy the food very much at all which was ok because we didn't gain the usual and expected cruise weight. I've read that O'Sheehan's is good so we will give it a try this go round.

CM

[YVRBassElectric]

The CREW on NCL seem happier and are usually more helpful than the crew I encountered on my RCL (2011 & 2015) or Princess (2006).

 

My husband loves to find people to talk to & I usually like regular NCL passengers more than people who tell me they normally sail Celebrity or Princess.

 

I like freestyle dining, I don't eat at the same time at home, don't want to have to when I am on vacation. Some days a snack at the Pub is all we want for dinner, some nights its the 2 hour sit down dinner

[Maniacal Cruiser]

Just make sure you do NOT book ANY NCL 10-day Caribbean cruise...they've been cancelling those cruises and leaving their customers high and dry! There are 2 threads going on right now on 2 separate 10-day cruise cancellations by NCL.

 

 

Just make sure you do not give much credence to people who are only happy when they are whining.

[Maniacal Cruiser]

I started out on Carnival years ago, back in the 80s. Fast forward having five kids, being a stay at home mom, no traveling, etc etc. Two years ago the spouse started getting CAS certificates so we tried NCL. After three we did Carnival Pride out of Baltimore (live 40 minutes from the port). Even without CAS I'd stick with NCL. Food is definitely better, entertainment, service.

 

 

Late night food is FAAAAARRRRR better on NCL. CCL only has very greasy ½ cooked nasty pizza.

[Tatka]

I'm curious...Why do you book NCL instead of other cruise lines?

 

Though I like the cruise line, I don't have much to compare it to. Been on DCL a few times, but my kids were younger and it was a totally different cruise experience. I honestly booked my August cruise on NCL because it was around 2:00am and it was the only cruise line that let me do an online booking for six people into one cabin! lol

We sail with 8 lines (well minus Carnival now) based on itinerary, ship and price.

Variety works better for us.

[AmyJA]

We sail with 8 lines (well minus Carnival now) based on itinerary, ship and price.

Variety works better for us.

 

 

Nice to know that we are not the only ones......

[NancyW12]

NCL has the best prices for solo travelers.

[ElaineKeagy]

NCL has the best prices for solo travelers.

 

 

 

Have you checked out C&M?? On the Columbus, there 150 single cabins in 4 categories and I think their prices are better.

However, If you want a mega ship with 4-5K pax though, don’t bother. They are small, traditional cruiseline but interesting itineraries and works well for me.

 

That said, I’ve been very happy with all my NCL cruises but as I transition into Solo cruising, well that 100% single supplement is hard to swallow.

 

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[kathy884]

We're going because DH got a Casino discount -- booked a mini suite large balcony and got a discount equal to the price of an ocean view room for two. For something comparable on other lines, nothing else came close price wise. Private balcony space is a must for us and the bigger the balcony the better. My parents are coming along too, and having private balcony space that five can sit out on is soooo nice. They are getting one of these same rooms too and we were able to get a 10% discount for them. We also cruise with three (bringing along DS 22), so the freebie offer of third person in our room is a very nice perk too. The other perk we took was three specialty dining diners for two. We aren't drinkers. Please note too that the term mini suite is a misnomer. It is really just a balcony room that maybe is a little bigger with a little bigger bathroom. What we care about is the balcony that comes with it, which is quite nice. I am a price sensitive cruiser and like the NCL product.

 

Also, and I think I am in the minority, I really like it that you don't have to dress up on any of the nights to eat in a formal dining room or any of the specialty restaurants we will be hitting. I will be wearing jeans every night and love that. Unlike so many that love dressing up, that's the last thing in the world I want to do on vacation, even if it's only two nights.

[gkr283]

Freestyle dining. Casual experience. Late night chicken wings.

 

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[Brickwood]

We're giving NCL a try again after our first (and only) NCL cruise 10 years ago. The buffet on that cruise was horrible, didn't like the configuration of the pool area, but other food, particularly the specialty restaurant we tried was very good. We've been on a dozen other cruises, mostly RCCL or Princess with one Carnival thrown in. I prefer RCCL; DH prefers Princess; neither of us cared too much for Carnival. We book based on itinerary and cost and are interested to see what NCL is like this time.

[chloemonkey]

I'm curious...Why do you book NCL instead of other cruise lines?

 

Though I like the cruise line, I don't have much to compare it to. Been on DCL a few times, but my kids were younger and it was a totally different cruise experience. I honestly booked my August cruise on NCL because it was around 2:00am and it was the only cruise line that let me do an online booking for six people into one cabin! lol

 

We keep booking NCL due to CAS discounts....can't beat a stateroom that is going for around $30,000 that we pay around $10,000 or less for. Of course that is also due to the fact that we gamble a lot! But we are considering trying Celebrity as that is the ONE cruise line that we have not used. Oh and also have never tried Disney....NO casinos! So that is NOT gonna happen!

 

 

Also love the Haven that NCL offers....we are spoiled and would not even begin to know how to go and grab a lounge by the regular pool at this point. First World problems I know....but if you can do it? Why not? Other aspects of our love of NCL include the Freestyle Dining, personalities of staff.....we are just a part of the family at this point.

[Warm Breezes]

Not loyal to NCL, but my favorite cruise to date was last year on NCL Escape. As long as we enjoy their cruises and the price is right we wii continue to keep them as one of our options.

 

 

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