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Which NCL ships do you prefer, which do you avoid?

SempreMare

By SempreMare,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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SempreMare

SempreMare

Posted
Posted

Hello NCL Mavens 

I have 2 questions about the NCL ships with Haven listed below.  

I'd love to hear your opinion on this whether or not your reasons have anything to do with Haven, since I'm not sure how I'll book:

 

1) Which ships do you prefer & why? 

2) Which ships would you avoid or not prefer as much & why? 


--- Jewel class

Ship name, Date in service, Last Refurb
Gem, 2007, 2015
Jade, 2006, 2017
Pearl, 2006, 2017


--- Breakaway class

Epic, 2010, 2015
Breakaway, 2013, 2018
Getaway, 2014, 2019


--- Breakaway Plus class 

Escape, 2015, no refurb yet
Bliss, 2018, no refurb yet
Encore, 2019-11 inaugural voyage


Dates and ship class data above is from Wikipedia

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smplybcause

smplybcause

Posted
Posted

The jewel class doesn't have a haven enclave like the others. I can't see why Haven would be more than just the regular suites on those ships, but I'm obviously missing something! 

 

I've enjoyed all the away ships (non Haven cabin though). If I had to pick a fave I think I'd have to go with Bliss due to my asthma. Though I prefer the ropes course over the race track. 

 

Is there a reason you didn't include Joy on your list? 

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Starry Eyes

Starry Eyes

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Posted

I’d happily sail on any of them with my DH.

 

Epic has a different cabin bathroom arrangement, so I would be less apt to sail her with a friend or mom, etc.  

 

We usually sail in regular cabins, occasionally suites.  I take suite amenities into account when pricing/bidding for suites.

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Two Wheels Only

Two Wheels Only

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Posted (edited)

Epic is alone in the class, not a part of the Breakaway class.

 

Avoid - Ships older than Epic.

Kinda avoid - Epic...because it is too ugly even though the Epic Haven is arguably the best in the fleet. 

Prefer - Breakaway Plus class then Breakaway class. 

 

 

Edited by Two Wheels Only
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SempreMare

SempreMare

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1 hour ago, smplybcause said:

I've enjoyed all the away ships (non Haven cabin though). If I had to pick a fave I think I'd have to go with Bliss due to my asthma.

 

How is the Bliss better for your asthma?   

 

(I used to have it,.  Have not been bothered by it in many years till last Monday. Right before walking into the courthouse for jury duty,  I inhaled a truck's exhaust that just turned the corner.  That ick feeling only lasted a minute but  ::yikes::)

 

47 minutes ago, mugtech said:

Love the Jewel class ships, would sail on all the others except Star and Dawn.

 

Why do you like the Jewel class ships?

Why not the Star and Dawn? 

 

1 hour ago, ColeThornton said:

It might be easier if you say what YOU and your family are looking for and what YOU like.  I think you'll get more helpful answers that way.

 

I would much rather hear unfiltered feedback from NCL cruisers about your own preferences from experiencing the NCL ships first-hand,  vs saying I definitely want or like features X, Y, Z  given I have so little experience cruising.   

 

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Epic is alone in the class, not a part of the Breakaway class.

 

Avoid - Ships older than Epic.

Kinda avoid - Epic...because it is too ugly even though the Epic Haven is arguably the best in the fleet. 

Prefer - Breakaway Plus class then Breakaway class. 

 

Thanks @Two Wheels Only.   What features do you prefer , or take advantage of, on the Breakaway Plus class vs the Breakaway class? .... Or,  is it just the overall newness which is always fun to see? 

 

1 hour ago, sverigecruiser said:

I should pick any ship with the bigger Haven = with a Haven restaurant. So Epic or newer.

 

Thanks @sverigecruiser that's a good point to keep in mind.

 

1 hour ago, Starry Eyes said:

Epic has a different cabin bathroom arrangement, so I would be less apt to sail her with a friend or mom, etc.  

 

What about the bathroom cabin arrangement do you prefer @Starry Eyes? 

 

@smplybcause, you asked: >> Is there a reason you didn't include Joy on your list?

 

Only because I didn't see it on this list from the NCL website about Haven availability.

image.png

... though what I now see is the lists vary by types of stateroom.

Looks like other types of staterooms have been added as ships went into service.

Edited by SempreMare
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Two Wheels Only

Two Wheels Only

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Posted
11 minutes ago, SempreMare said:

What features do you prefer , or take advantage of, on the Breakaway Plus class vs the Breakaway class?

 

From a non-Haven perspective, the side balconies on the Breakaway class are tiny vs. the Breakaway Plus class which has side balconies that are useable. There are some good/great side balconies for both classes but the majority of side balconies on BA/GA are tiny (BA/GA has the advantage for aft-facing balconies, though)

 

For the Haven perspective, the BA Plus ships have larger/better appointed Haven complexes. On the newest ships, the Haven has the entire front-facing sundeck where BA/GA/Escape Haven only have a small corner of the front-facing sundeck (this may change over time). Plus, the 3 newest ships also have the 2 forward Observation Lounges (one for all, another for Haven guests). The 3 newest ships also have go-karts. There are also minor improvements such as deeper deck 17 side balconies on the 3 newest ships vs. Escape. The newer ships lose 2 Deluxe Owner's Suites and all 4 Owner's Suites so that is something to consider. 

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smplybcause

smplybcause

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21 minutes ago, SempreMare said:

How is the Bliss better for your asthma?   

 

(I used to have it,.  Have not been bothered by it in many years till last Monday. Right before walking into the courthouse for jury duty,  I inhaled a truck's exhaust that just turned the corner.  That ick feeling only lasted a minute but  ::yikes::)

 

It has the most restrictive smoking areas. The smoking area of the casino is enclosed so the smoke doesn't go into the other areas of 678 (this is also true on the Joy and everyone is assuming Encore is the same). The only outdoor smoking is a small section in Spice (I think there might be a Haven area too). I think Joy is like that too, but I'm not sure. There's also a small cigar lounge, but cigars only and enclosed (and personally cigar smoke is not as bad as a trigger). 

 

However with no spice encores outdoor smoking area is moving back to the waterfront. Which it was on getaway and basically made one side of waterfront one I didn't want to go to. Escape had a huge portion of spice as smoking as well as an area by the pools (that combined with the club being in the casino and my asthma was so bad by the time I got off escape I was on antibiotics and steroids for a week blech - though I did otherwise enjoy escape).

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mugtech

mugtech

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1 hour ago, SempreMare said:

Why do you like the Jewel class ships?

Why not the Star and Dawn? 

 

Been on the Gem 5 times, Jewel for 12 days, they are the right size, no reservations required.  Love the observation lounges, which have turned into cabins on Dawn and Star.  Never been on those ships for that reason.  Had great crew and service on the Gem and Jewel, great bar room entertainment.  Liked Pride of America better than the Breakaway, probably because Hawaii is much better than the Bahamas.

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Starry Eyes

Starry Eyes

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In answer to your above question, in many cabins Epic’s bathroom provide less privacy.  I am sure there are still posts describing and complaining about them somewhere.  But they are not an issue when I travel with my husband, though I understand some couples may feel differently.  Maybe I would I hubby or I were ill.  

 

If I were traveling with somebody else, a more private bathroom configuration would probably be better.  Even with hubby, I’d rather have the more traditional bathroom configuration found on every other ship,  but bathroom configuration does not stop us from booking Epic.  We are pretty flexible...it’s hard to have a bad cruise.

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PortFees45

PortFees45

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1 hour ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

Huh?  It's not even in service yet.

They're selling bookings for it, though. 

 

Oh I forgot to say which ships I prefer. Love the Gem, and while I don't love the 'Away class the design the Escape is so well-run that it's become my second favorite. She's NCL's "last good ship" before they jumped the shark with the Blech, the Joke, and the Encrap. 

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sverigecruiser

sverigecruiser

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6 minutes ago, PortFees45 said:

They're selling bookings for it, though. 

 

Oh I forgot to say which ships I prefer. Love the Gem, and while I don't love the 'Away class the design the Escape is so well-run that it's become my second favorite. She's NCL's "last good ship" before they jumped the shark with the Blech, the Joke, and the Encrap. 

 

I think that I know the reasons why you hate the Encore, from another thread, but maybe you can explain it here too for the OP.

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PortFees45

PortFees45

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2 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

I think that I know the reasons why you hate the Encore, from another thread, but maybe you can explain it here too for the OP.

4000+ pax smashed into a tiny postage stamp of public deck space. The formerly free public deck space on the forward decks eliminated because of the massive new pay-only Vibe. The formerly free adult-only Spice H20 public deck space aft eliminated for the stupid for-pay laser tag. The quiet, peaceful Waterfront likely ruined because of the massive overflow crowd from the tiny public pool/sun decks. No Howl at the Moon. 

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IrieBajan54

IrieBajan54

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Don't care for newer ships from Epic forward. Been on Epic and Breakaway mainly because it was cheap.

.......... Don't like reservations for evening shows

.......... Too much density

.......... No wrap around Promenade Deck

 

 

Prefer Jewel Class (Gem 5x, Jade 3x, Pearl 3x):

*** The Great Outdoors

*** Full wrap around Promenade Deck

*** Complimentary steam room

*** Not as crowded

*** No reservations needed for evening shows

 

 

 

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