Long time Celebrity cruisers -first time NCL - will we be disappointed?

[mjkacmom]

40 minutes ago, XuGator said:

I don't think Celebrity "spreads the cost" across the entire passenger base. Where did you come up with that?

 

I never wait in line ever on Celebrity even when showing up 1 minute before the show, there are seats always available somewhere. Granted most of their S class ships are around 3K passengers and the Encore is 4K+. Maybe its the size of the ship that will take getting used to.

On NCL’s smaller ships you can show up a minute before the shows start and get a seat. This is a mega ship issue, not an NCL issue.

[GettotheSun]

21 minutes ago, XuGator said:

I appreciate your response two wheels but you kind of proved my point. Just like I dont want to be charged for toilet paper, I dont want to be charged sales tax on drinks in a US port when I have the drink package.

I can assure you, you are charged for the toilet paper.  It is just not an itemized cost.  

[PTC DAWG]

I have found the taxes in port on NCL to be trivial....twice out of Miami I wasn’t charged a thing...

 

One thing I did not mention earlier, the way Celebrity handles towels on deck is superior, towels are out in the morning, if you want more, just get more off the towel cart...no attendant, no showing of seapass etc...

 

 

Edited December 13, 2019 by PTC DAWG

[draxnair101]

4 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I have found the taxes in port on NCL to be trivial....twice out of Miami I wasn’t charged a thing...

 

One thing I did not mention earlier, the way Celebrity handles towels on deck is superior, towels are out in the morning, if you want more, just get more off the towel cart...no attendant, no showing of seapass etc...

 

 

I always do the beverage package so I've never been hit by any taxes while in a US port nor have we heard from other guests on board (cruisecritic members) that Didnt have the beverage package that they were charged tax... Maybe that was an old policy that has been discontinued?

[trummy]

3 minutes ago, draxnair101 said:

I always do the beverage package so I've never been hit by any taxes while in a US port nor have we heard from other guests on board (cruisecritic members) that Didnt have the beverage package that they were charged tax... Maybe that was an old policy that has been discontinued?

Me neither. I have never had to pay extra for an adult only section either. NCL may start out more cost effective, but it seems to have more nickle and diming than other lines I have sailed.

[draxnair101]

13 minutes ago, trummy said:

Me neither. I have never had to pay extra for an adult only section either. NCL may start out more cost effective, but it seems to have more nickle and diming than other lines I have sailed.

That might be just relative; from my experience I enjoy the all inclusive aspects of the Haven (plus a bev package) and not have to worry about incidentals. If you want to cruise on a budget with NCL you can; if you want all inclusive that is basically available as well

[Two Wheels Only]

11 minutes ago, draxnair101 said:

I always do the beverage package so I've never been hit by any taxes while in a US port nor have we heard from other guests on board (cruisecritic members) that Didnt have the beverage package that they were charged tax... Maybe that was an old policy that has been discontinued?

 

You won't always get a receipt just as you won't always be "charged" if having a drink before the ship embarks. Sometimes, things will just get "rung up" later when the ship is far enough away from port. 

 

Here's a receipt that someone posted from early last year....(some things have changed)

 

 

The guest (not me) was staying in the Haven H6

The guest had the UBP (as it was called then) as a promo.

The guest paid the service charge on the UBP (20%) when paying for the cruise.

 

Once on the ship, the 2 drinks totaled $23.90 (that was covered by the UBP)

The service charge on those drinks was $4.78 (all drink service charges are covered by the UBP service charge as long as each drink is $15 or less).

The Florida tax (8%) is charged on the $23.90. 

The guest paid $1.91 total from their on-board account.

[mjkacmom]

21 minutes ago, draxnair101 said:

I always do the beverage package so I've never been hit by any taxes while in a US port nor have we heard from other guests on board (cruisecritic members) that Didnt have the beverage package that they were charged tax... Maybe that was an old policy that has been discontinued?

It is charged in NYC even with the package, I had to sign for drinks until we got further it, just a couple of bucks.

[FLAHAM]

As a solo traveler for the most part, the Studio cabins on NCL's largest ships are just as important to me as the Haven experience might be to someone else.  In my opinion, they are outstanding and I have not seen their equal on other lines.

[lhsail]

Back to the real reason you inquired. We have about 20 cruises on Celebrity and about 10 on NCL, one of which we just returned from. We have been on the Equinox three times in the past three years and the NCL Epic twice in the past 4 1/2 years. The Epic is the only large NCL ship we have been on and, although she has her faithful, she is known for having design quirks. Definitely the least favorite ship we’ve been on. 
 

NCL by far wins for entertainment. The need to reserve for the big production shows is a bit of a pain, but I think you’ll find them of a much higher caliber than anything you’ve seen on a ship. 
 

In our opinion that’s where NCL’s advantage stops. Celebrity wins hands down in food, service and, especially if you’re a wine drinker, in the quality and selection of what comes with the drink package. On our recent cruise they were pushing you to make reservations in the main dining room every night. That is not my definition of Freestyle cruising and we’ve never had an issue with getting seated in Celebrity. We had dinners this time on the Epic in the main dining that were basically inedible. Had good food in the specialty restaurants. 
 

Someone mentioned the pool towel issue. I don’t like having to have a pool towel logged out to me with the threat that I’ll be charged $25 if I don’t bring it back. I’m an adult, I can be trusted with a pool towel. 
 

You’re doing the right thing to gain as much understanding of NCL as you can up front. I sincerely hope since you’re going on one of the new ships you’ll be totally impressed. We went into our most recent NCL cruise knowing what we were buying, but the itinerary was phenomenal and the price was very good. We didn’t let the issues ruin our trip and we met some nice people. However, we are most likely done with NCL. 

[maggieq]

5 hours ago, XuGator said:

We are excited for our first cruise with NCL and have almost strictly sailed with Celebrity.  We really like Celebrity and I am starting to notice some little things that is making me second guess our decision. The first one is  - why in the world is bottled water not included in the beverage package? That seems like it should be a pillar of the beverage package and is a little ridiculous that it is not included. Secondly - after reading some other posts - it sounds like any and all drinks we order while in a US port are subjected to sales tax. Granted it probably will not amount to much but Celebrity never charges this type of tax for any of their drink packages regardless of local tax laws. I assume they just eat the cost. Finally, the idea of having to make reservations for theater shows seems a little bizarre. Why cant it just be first come, first serve like the other lines do it?  I am hoping others who have sailed both Celebrity and NCL might be able to provide some more insight on the 2 lines. Are there other little details such as the ones above that are going to stand out? I am hoping we didnt make a mistake.

we are long time RCCL cruisers with 5 cruises on Celebrity.  Just off the 11/30 summit.   We cruised in the maiden voyage of the Encore.  One of my greatest disappointments was the “no bottled water” included in the drink package.  No, I don’t want to have to fill a cup with water to bring back to the cabin or go to the gym.  I can stay up and drink expensive drinks until bars closed but I can’t get a bottle of water?  Didn’t make sense to me at all. When you look at what they are charging in comparison to their competitors for the package it doesn’t make sense.  What we loved was the ship although we were not at capacity.  Barely any smell of smoke.  Main dining rooms were great.  Entertainment was better than celebrity offerings. 

[Love my butler]

Just be sure to pack a lot of extra nickels and dimes and you won't be disappointed.  NCL finds a way to charge you for just about everything.

[Caroldoll]

6 hours ago, XuGator said:

I appreciate your response two wheels but you kind of proved my point. Just like I dont want to be charged for toilet paper, I dont want to be charged sales tax on drinks in a US port when I have the drink package.

 

6 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Either way, you DO pay for those things. It's just a matter of whether you see the specific charge or you don't.

 

On Celebrity, the guy having 20 drinks before leaving port doesn't see an extra charge. A woman having 1 drink before leaving port doesn't see an extra charge. Both guests fill the tax void equally.

 

On NCL, the guy fills the void more than the woman.

 

Both NCL and Celebrity will fill that void. They just do it differently.

Cant you buy a drink package in advance and avoid the tax.  At one time we quit sailing on Celebrity because they charged $3.50 a bottle for water.  They have stopped that now.  We are always in the top suite and hate nickle and dime tricks.  This time on Norwegian we are in the largest Owners Suite in the Haven.  Not expecting all the dings.  We will see what happens.

[lhsail]

23 minutes ago, Caroldoll said:

 

Cant you buy a drink package in advance and avoid the tax.  At one time we quit sailing on Celebrity because they charged $3.50 a bottle for water.  They have stopped that now.  We are always in the top suite and hate nickle and dime tricks.  This time on Norwegian we are in the largest Owners Suite in the Haven.  Not expecting all the dings.  We will see what happens.

Not all of us can afford to sail in the top level suites. Some ports require the cruise 

lines to charge taxes on drinks sold while at port.  Some lines absorb that as an expense. Some lines charge it directly to the customer. It all depends on how the cruise line chooses to handle it. 

[Two Wheels Only]

37 minutes ago, Caroldoll said:

Cant you buy a drink package in advance and avoid the tax. 

 

The package doesn't cover the state tax. You might not see any tax charged at all. You might get a  receipt showing the tax charged to your account (see post #32).

 

39 minutes ago, Caroldoll said:

This time on Norwegian we are in the largest Owners Suite in the Haven.  Not expecting all the dings.  We will see what happens.

 

Certain things are "hidden" from you but you still pay/paid for them. Being a Haven guest may mean that your higher cost is used to cover things but it's still your money. 

[paulajj]

I find the entertainment On NCL to be a lot better than Celebrity.  Including the night life.
 

Everything else is a bit better on Celebrity. But, I have a NCL booked next because it included all the perks and airfare. So sometimes money wins 🤷🏼‍♀️

[2+2]

My last two cruise have been on Norwegian Bliss, and Celebrity Equinox in that order. I enjoyed both.  Both were the first time I ever had an unlimited drink package. I liked Norwegians drink package better. I was able to get two drinks at a time to bring back to the balcony as compared to making two trips on Celebrity. On Celebrity,  I had to pay around three dollars per drink extra to get the drinks we wanted on most occasions. I did not run into that on Norwegian. On Celebrity,  the first day I was bombarded relentlessly by crew members to upgrade my drink package and buy speciality dinning. They were like street hawkers. 

    Celebrity may have had the edge on dinning service,  as I was Aqua class and ate at Blu every day.  But actually I preferred the multiple speciality restaurants on Norwegian and going to the pub food at the Local. I never went to the buffet  on either, although the Bliss had a small buffet set up on the observation deck that I snacked at.

   Norwegian had the best cruise director and more overall energy on board. Both were equal on cleanliness. I  felt the crew on Norwegian was happier.

   Even though I had to pay for a Latte everyday on Norwegian,  at least it was a comforting Starbucks. I had a heck of a time communicating with the Celebrity Baristas. Most of the times, I did not get what I asked for. But it was free/included. It also had long lines.

    The rooms were equally nice. Norwegian had a bigger bathroom. But Celebrity had balcony chairs that laid back.

    My next cruise is Norwegian. 

[Sand and Seas]

For those concerned with the smoke in the NCL casinos, try Bliss or the Encore (and I think Joy?).

They have enclosed the smoking area in a glassed in room.  It worked very well on the Bliss.  The majority of the casino is smoke-free and we were not bothered by any smoke from the enclosed smoking portion.

[Edinburghgirl1]

NCL  has the best entertainment no doubt about that but for food and service Celebrity wins hands down. Celebrity is classier and seems to attract a more refined type of passenger. The main thing I don’t like about NCL is lack of dress code. Been on the Breakaway and Getaway and didn’t like the raucous behaviour round the pool areas. Trying a smaller ship the Jade in February sailing from Hong Kong so will see how that compares but in my opinion Celebrity is  by far a superior cruise line with a price tag to match suppose you get what you pay for. 

[4774Papa]

15 hours ago, XuGator said:

We are excited for our first cruise with NCL and have almost strictly sailed with Celebrity.  We really like Celebrity and I am starting to notice some little things that is making me second guess our decision. The first one is  - why in the world is bottled water not included in the beverage package? That seems like it should be a pillar of the beverage package and is a little ridiculous that it is not included. Secondly - after reading some other posts - it sounds like any and all drinks we order while in a US port are subjected to sales tax. Granted it probably will not amount to much but Celebrity never charges this type of tax for any of their drink packages regardless of local tax laws. I assume they just eat the cost. Finally, the idea of having to make reservations for theater shows seems a little bizarre. Why cant it just be first come, first serve like the other lines do it?  I am hoping others who have sailed both Celebrity and NCL might be able to provide some more insight on the 2 lines. Are there other little details such as the ones above that are going to stand out? I am hoping we didnt make a mistake.

We have cruised 11 times on Celebrity (our favorite), 7 on NCL and 2 on Royal Caribbean.

 

Celebrity clearly wins on dining and service.  Also, it doesn't nickel and dine as much as NCL.  Royal C. is our second favorite, since it has the best entertainment.

 

NCL does have excellent entertainment.

 

We don't care for or need perks and hate the price bundling of perks with the regular fare.  NCL is the worst in this area.  Most Celebrity or Royal C cruises we can pick the lower price without the perks.

 

Also, NCL's beverage package doesn't include a good cabernet wine, which is our favorite.  Further, NCL tacks on a ridiculous 20% gratuity based on an inflated daily value for the perk ($99 per day).  When we do go on NCL, we never pick the beverage package, since we can bring our own wine, pay the $15 corkage and spend less on alcohol than JUST the gratuity.

 

We pick our cruises based more on itinerary and price, not the ship.  However, we love the Celebrity ship layout and design.  The ship seem to maximize passengers being able to view the ocean.  For example, just having the sunset bar outside the buffet in all Celebrity ships, while several NCL ships don't have this key feature.

 

NCL does have several specialty restaurants, that once had very reasonable prices.  NOT anymore, NCL has seriously bumped up those price.  We rarely dine in Celebrity's specialty restaurants, since the MDR food is so good.  The NCL MDR food varies by ship.  The best we  had was on the Sun.  Don't ask us about the Star.  The Star and Epic are our least favorite NCL ships.  The ship designs for both are terrible.

[Georgia_Peaches]

We have been long-time Celebrity loyalists until 2016 when we gave NCL a try because we were looking for a budget-friendly cruise as we were footing the bill for 3 cabins (6 adults).  NCL was offering the usual perks and the drinks package alone (despite the added gratuity, something Celebrity hadn't caught on to at the time) was enough to convince us to give them a try.  We sailed the Epic in a standard balcony room. Epic was a one and done for us but we had a good time despite a few quirks.

 

On Celebrity we only sail in suites so when we were on the Epic, I missed being in a suite.  My DH remarked that we should try NCL again when we don't have the "kids" and book a suite...which we did a while later on Breakaway.  Needless to say, the suite experience on NCL can't compare to that on Celebrity in terms of amenities.

 

Your comparison points between the two are spot on.  We adjusted by bringing our own water bottle for water throughout the day.  I thought I'd miss water being included in the package, but I didn't.  Taxes on drinks while in port, I didn't know this until after the fact.  Bad practice IMO.

Theater reservations, and specialty dining for that matter, was foreign to us as well.  We adjusted and now we know better and plan as much of it ahead as we can.

 

We just completed an ABC island trip on Celebrity Silhouette over Thanksgiving.  We were in a Royal Suite.  We had one of the best vacation experiences ever.  And they did treat us like royalty.  But I did miss the Haven and most of all, NCL's thermal suite.  Celebrity's Persian Gardens can't compare.

 

We are on the Escape in February.  I am looking forward to it immensely.  I guess the bottom line is that there are things to love and enjoy about both cruise lines.  Go in with an open mind.  It's not Celebrity...NCL is different.  But different isn't necessarily bad.

 

A few things come to mind that NCL does that Celebrity does not:

1.  Open up a MDR on embarkation day for lunch...on Celebrity you have to be either suite or concierge class for this. 

2.  Offer a wide range of evening entertainment options and venues...comedy, dueling pianos (on the larger ships), clubs with live music.

3.  Offer a wide range of specialty dining options 

 

If you find that NCL isn't for you, then at least you will know this from experience and will have had a cruise to enjoy while figuring it out!

 

Edited December 14, 2019 by Georgia_Peaches

[Sweetnspicy]

What would be most disappointing for you? Think of those questions and then search out the answers. 
 

I am only able to cruise once a year with my limited Vacation  time so any time on a ship is a great time for me! Don’t let the reviews get to you. Everything or anywhere  have ever been has the usual “terrible, never doing that again” reviews because people love to complain. If you are constantly searching for the bad in everything then that’s all you will see. I hope you have a wonderful cruise with ton of lasting memories.

[scubamargie]

Yes, I think you will be disappointed. We love Celebrity, especially the Summit, and try to book Celebrity whenever possible. That said, we are sailing on the NCL Escape this fall to the Baltics mainly because they are just soooo much cheaper than a Celebrity cruise to that part of the world. The difference in price will be partly paid in upcharges on NCL, but we are careful to always ask if there's an additional fee, and to lower our expectations. I don't expect the same service or ammenities on NCL and I know that is reflected in the price of the cruise. If you got a good deal on the cruise then just enjoy the savings, try to avoid the upcharges and don't be offended at their stingyness. Otherwise, just go with Celebrity and know that you get what you pay for -- and that you really will be treated like a celebrity. 

[graphicguy]

Everyone has their preferences and expectations.  I know I have mine.  I have been sailing NCL a lot lately as they offer a really good product at usually really good prices, when comparing “like-for-like”.

 

That said, I’ve only taken one Celebrity Cruise on the Solstice.  Food was similar to NCL (both MDR and Specialty).  But, entertainment is where NCL really shines.  I find it the best at sea, and not by a little.

 

I remember thinking the best entertainment on the Solstice was the glass blowing exhibit.  Watching people blow glass (admittedly, quite well and made some pretty art) is not my idea of high level entertainment.  I did like the little grassy area.

 

Didn’t find the service any better than what I experienced on NCL ships.

 

Plus, I paid more on Celebrity expecting better....well...everything.  That never happened.  Live and learn.  I had fun because I was with my GF and it was something of an anniversary for us.

 

Aside from that, we’ve not sailed Celebrity since.  I’m sure there are those who find the “vibe” of Celebrity more to their liking.  We just didn’t.

[NutsAboutGolf]

It's impossible to quantify as it varies by room types, upgrade options, by ship, etc.  Since it appears the OP is worried, I would highly recommend using the money they "saved" by booking the presumably cheaper NCL cruise to buy some upgrades.  The Encore has lots of specialty restaurants, why not buy the dining package for the majority of the nights.  Spoil yourself and make sure you have fun!