Jumping Ship: Celebrity to NCL

[graphicguy]

15 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've mostly experienced that when NCL has assigned a PCC to me and they are having a slow day.  After not answering a few times, they generally lose interest and go away.

Interesting.....I would do mock bookings and get NCL PCC calls.  Mostly, like you, I'd ignore them.  One time, I picked up the call.  Had a nice chat with the PCC lady.  Told her I was doing a bunch of mock bookings and usually book through my TA.  But, if I was ever looking to change to a PCC, I would store her number.  She was appreciative.

 

Now, when doing mock bookings, I no longer get any follow up phone calls.

 

I'm sure it's an NCL PCC policy to follow up on EVERY mock booking.  That's just sales 101!

[olemissreb]

13 hours ago, Mississippian said:

I do indeed! I gave up blogging, but ought to start back.

Well then Hotty Toddy! And let's hope the Rebs play well on Saturday!

[chewsifer1220]

21 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Funny you mention solo cruises.  Just saw this on the NCL site...

 

"Traveling Solo? We are more than doubling the capacity of solo accommodations across our fleet. Beginning January 2024, there will be Solo Inside , Solo Oceanview and Solo Balcony staterooms with solo traveler pricing that is less than a traditional double occupancy room."

 

I saw that as well. Apparently it's very ship dependent. The newer ships may have additional solo cabins that the non-refurbished older ships may not or may not have. This may or may not be the case as this is what I have garnered from my reading so don't take it as fact. 

3 hours ago, PaperSniper4 said:

We sail on Celebrity and NCL quite a bit. We are about your age. The nearest cabin type to the Celeb Concierge cabins is the "Club Balcony Suite" cabins on NCL, IMO and based on our experience on the NCL Breakaway for the last few years. Balconies in general on NCL are much, much smaller. However, the cabins are nice on both. The "perks" packages between Celeb and NCL are vastly different. Celeb's includes much more and has always included gratuities on those beverage, etc, packages. Often the price for NCL does NOT include the grats on the specialty meals  and beverage packages - and those can be very expensive. And of course NCL's daily "cabin etc" gratuities are the highest in the industry. Cabin service and similar items usually cost more on NCL also, although I suspect Celeb will also offer the "more for less" that all the cruise lines are offering now. It's hard for them not to do so when their ships are sailing near 100% capacity. Demographics are better on Celebrity IMO with less unruly young people and kids. But then I am an old curmudgeon!😁

 

Hope you enjoy NCL, I'm sure you will in spite of the differences between it and Celebrity. We sail NCL often because they sail from a port to which we can drive (NOLA). We would prefer Celebrity or Princess, but alas, only NCL and Carnival and RCI <fall only> sail from NOLA.

 

 Doug

 

 

I did a mock booking on Celebrity and NCL a few months ago. I did a Concierge Cabin on Celeb and Club Balcony Suite on NCL with a Caribbean itinerary. All in all the Celebrity cruise was about $1K more for a shorter cruise.  Not an insignificant amount of money. If I had my druthers I would have stuck to X for the ambiance due to being "higher end" (apparently I am also a curmudgeon LOL) but I just can't justify the price anymore and have a NCL cruise booked for next year. I will be able to compare the 2 myself then. 

 

And from my research the balconies on NCL are a lot smaller unless you buy a larger balcony.  As someone who utilizes the balcony a lot the larger balcony was a must have for me. 

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by chewsifer1220
Spelling and grammar fixes

[graphicguy]

Balconies on NCL are ship dependent, too.  Some are bigger than others.

 

I'll sail Celebrity if the fare is decent.  I'm an incessant cruise shopper.  Celebrity's (and Royal's) fares have gone up significantly.  

 

I don't shop for the cheapest fare, but best value.  So far, at least over the last year or so, that's been NCL.

Edited December 27, 2023 by graphicguy

[cruiseny4life]

59 minutes ago, chewsifer1220 said:

And from my research the balconies on NCL are a lot smaller unless you buy a larger balcony.  As someone who utilizes the balcony a lot the larger balcony was a must have for me. 

Getaway balconies are miniscule, even for someone in an entry-level Haven suite (about 54 sq. ft.). Joy's balconies are nearly twice the size for an entry-level Haven. And Prima balconies seem slightly larger than Joy's balconies, again for entry-level Haven. 

 

Now, the aft-facing Haven suite balconies on Getaway are marvelous! Favorite balconies I've been on!

[PaperSniper4]

21 hours ago, chewsifer1220 said:

 

...............

I did a mock booking on Celebrity and NCL a few months ago. I did a Concierge Cabin on Celeb and Club Balcony Suite on NCL with a Caribbean itinerary. All in all the Celebrity cruise was about $1K more for a shorter cruise.  Not an insignificant amount of money. If I had my druthers I would have stuck to X for the ambiance due to being "higher end" (apparently I am also a curmudgeon LOL) but I just can't justify the price anymore and have a NCL cruise booked for next year. I will be able to compare the 2 myself then. 

.....

 

When I compared the Celeb Concierge cabins to the MA cabins on NCL it was for size and amenities, not price.  Yeah, Celebrity generally costs more than NCL, but there are a lot of exceptions. Gotta watch those sales!😎 Yeah, the size of the balconies on NCL, at least on the ship's we've sailed (Spirit, Star, Dawn, Jewel, Breakaway) are tiny compared to Celebrity and others. It's a big deal for us for sure, but not enough for us to switch over to Carnival. We used to sail Carnival often (remember we sail from NOLA a lot), but Carnival's demographics just don't mesh with us anymore. Too loud, too busy, too rude in our experience. We like Carnival's ships just fine, and the cabins are some of the best out there. But every cruise line has things we like and don't like; thank goodness we still have a choice!

 

 Doug

[olemissreb]

On 12/26/2023 at 8:50 PM, Mississippian said:

I do indeed! I gave up blogging, but ought to start back.

HOTTY TODDY! Peach Bowl Champs! What a great game!

[Nola26]

I am just off the Celebrity Summit and have 10+ cruises on NCL. I would rate NCL as a better cruise experience, but would sail either again.

 

NCL crushes on entertainment. Shows are much better, quality of bands and roaming entertainment is better.

 

NCL Crew is friendlier and seem happier, creating a better cruise environment. I think the best crew + officers I've experienced was actually on the HAL Eurodam earlier this year.

 

NCL has more complimentary options so MDR isn't your only "free" meal option. I prefer breakfast at The Local rather than buffet, Celebrity didn't have that option. Asian restaurant is a nice option for dinner or even a lighter meal.

 

Celebrity has a better range and accessibility for complimentary beverages. NCL is solely in buffet, Celebrity had them in the pool areas (outdoor and Solarium)

 

NCL MDR menus and food quality is better. I also like having several MDRs to choose from, they have different ambiance/feels so seems like dining in different places. We were big fans of the Manhattan room and the nightly entertainment that was often presented there, the dance floor would actually be used by cute kids and ballroom dancing couples alike. Not sure NCL still brings in the entertainment for that venue.

 

Casino offers - I sail as a casino guest. NCL's is the only line I've seen charge an Admin Fee, making their cruises more expensive (others are just tax and port fees). Celebrity also offers me a better level room (Oceanview/Verandah), NCL Inside.

 

Celebrity casinos are nonsmoking, big win vs. NCL.

 

Celebrity buffet may have an edge, but theme nights on NCL keeps it close.

 

Cabins are more luxurious and fresher on Celebrity. Summitt compares best to Dawn and Jewel class ships. NCL has not done a complete teardown and redo of those cabins so the old wooden built ins are still there giving a traditional or dated look. ESPN and ESPN on live TV for sports fans, don't recall having those inside the cabin on NCL.

 

Solarium on Celebrity crushes NCL H20 adult area which may have hot tubs but no pool but may have a water feature. NCL also doesn't offer an indoor pool area (except Haven).

 

I've been on the Summit and Dawn at holiday time, NCL again crushed it with holiday decor and theming. 

 

Shopping Summitt was thin on items/inventory. NCL never seems to be short on options to take even more money out of your pocket via shopping, sales, etc.

 

NCL maintenance and cleaning. Overall I think NCL has a better handle on exterior maintenance and interior cleaning. I am not suggesting that Celebrity ships are dirty, but I've seen rust on those ships more readily than I've noticed on NCL. On Celebrity things like the elevators show wear, scratches, etc. on the Summitt and I've seen less of that on similar NCL ships.

 

Free at Sea - most people focus on the drink package which we never take. We would not consume enough beverages to cover the taxes/tips on that program. We always take the Specialty dining, Shore Excursions and Internet. We tend to book excursions via the cruise line so this is real savings. Please note the $50 is a max per port for the 1st traveler on the reservation. You don't get $50 twice buy doing two excursions in a port. We've sailed enough with NCL that sprinkling in specialty dining is a nice way to change things up for a couple of nights. Internet package isn't something I typically purchase so the small onboard package is a nice treat. I use my phone when we are in port via a flat rate from my service provider so once I'm back on ship I'm not too stressed about having internet service.

 

Airfare - we've taken this Free at Sea perk several times as now we're sailing NCL in Europe. Had nonstop on United to Barcelona and one connection to Athens. Third time coming later this year. Booked my own airfare for Celebrity cruise, found good rate/timing vs what Celebrity quoted online.

 

Seapass - for NCL I recall getting the card via a stop in the terminal. On Celebrity it is waiting for you on your cabin door, easy and speeds embarkation.

Edited January 2 by Nola26

[Sailing12Away]

I actually hate the keycard waiting taped on your cabin door that both RCC and Celebrity do. For me my trip doesn't start until I have the keycard in hand, so it's odd to have to go to the muster station and constantly pull up their app to check in for things instead of just quickly scanning a card.

 

If you're traveling with others who are arriving separately from you, also makes it a challenge for them to get their card. My MIL was sharing a cabin with her cousin who arrived separately and there was no way for us to retape the broken envelope up on the door so she could get her card. We had to keep texting with her to see where we were at and where she was at so we could meet up when she arrived so she could get access to her room.

[The Traveling Man]

4 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

I actually hate the keycard waiting taped on your cabin door that both RCC and Celebrity do. For me my trip doesn't start until I have the keycard in hand, so it's odd to have to go to the muster station and constantly pull up their app to check in for things instead of just quickly scanning a card.

 

If you're traveling with others who are arriving separately from you, also makes it a challenge for them to get their card. My MIL was sharing a cabin with her cousin who arrived separately and there was no way for us to retape the broken envelope up on the door so she could get her card. We had to keep texting with her to see where we were at and where she was at so we could meet up when she arrived so she could get access to her room.

I agree, plus it seems to me that leaving the key cards outside the door is a safety and security issue.  If some nefarious soul wanted to do so, they could enter your room before you arrive and do who knows what in your room.

[The Traveling Man]

13 hours ago, Nola26 said:

I am just off the Celebrity Summit and have 10+ cruises on NCL. I would rate NCL as a better cruise experience, but would sail either again.

 

NCL crushes on entertainment. Shows are much better, quality of bands and roaming entertainment is better.

 

NCL Crew is friendlier and seem happier, creating a better cruise environment. I think the best crew + officers I've experienced was actually on the HAL Eurodam earlier this year.

 

NCL has more complimentary options so MDR isn't your only "free" meal option. I prefer breakfast at The Local rather than buffet, Celebrity didn't have that option. Asian restaurant is a nice option for dinner or even a lighter meal.

 

Celebrity has a better range and accessibility for complimentary beverages. NCL is solely in buffet, Celebrity had them in the pool areas (outdoor and Solarium)

 

NCL MDR menus and food quality is better. I also like having several MDRs to choose from, they have different ambiance/feels so seems like dining in different places. We were big fans of the Manhattan room and the nightly entertainment that was often presented there, the dance floor would actually be used by cute kids and ballroom dancing couples alike. Not sure NCL still brings in the entertainment for that venue.

 

Casino offers - I sail as a casino guest. NCL's is the only line I've seen charge an Admin Fee, making their cruises more expensive (others are just tax and port fees). Celebrity also offers me a better level room (Oceanview/Verandah), NCL Inside.

 

Celebrity casinos are nonsmoking, big win vs. NCL.

 

Celebrity buffet may have an edge, but theme nights on NCL keeps it close.

 

Cabins are more luxurious and fresher on Celebrity. Summitt compares best to Dawn and Jewel class ships. NCL has not done a complete teardown and redo of those cabins so the old wooden built ins are still there giving a traditional or dated look. ESPN and ESPN on live TV for sports fans, don't recall having those inside the cabin on NCL.

 

Solarium on Celebrity crushes NCL H20 adult area which may have hot tubs but no pool but may have a water feature. NCL also doesn't offer an indoor pool area (except Haven).

 

I've been on the Summit and Dawn at holiday time, NCL again crushed it with holiday decor and theming. 

 

Shopping Summitt was thin on items/inventory. NCL never seems to be short on options to take even more money out of your pocket via shopping, sales, etc.

 

NCL maintenance and cleaning. Overall I think NCL has a better handle on exterior maintenance and interior cleaning. I am not suggesting that Celebrity ships are dirty, but I've seen rust on those ships more readily than I've noticed on NCL. On Celebrity things like the elevators show wear, scratches, etc. on the Summitt and I've seen less of that on similar NCL ships.

 

Free at Sea - most people focus on the drink package which we never take. We would not consume enough beverages to cover the taxes/tips on that program. We always take the Specialty dining, Shore Excursions and Internet. We tend to book excursions via the cruise line so this is real savings. Please note the $50 is a max per port for the 1st traveler on the reservation. You don't get $50 twice buy doing two excursions in a port. We've sailed enough with NCL that sprinkling in specialty dining is a nice way to change things up for a couple of nights. Internet package isn't something I typically purchase so the small onboard package is a nice treat. I use my phone when we are in port via a flat rate from my service provider so once I'm back on ship I'm not too stressed about having internet service.

 

Airfare - we've taken this Free at Sea perk several times as now we're sailing NCL in Europe. Had nonstop on United to Barcelona and one connection to Athens. Third time coming later this year. Booked my own airfare for Celebrity cruise, found good rate/timing vs what Celebrity quoted online.

 

Seapass - for NCL I recall getting the card via a stop in the terminal. On Celebrity it is waiting for you on your cabin door, easy and speeds embarkation.

I agree with much of what you say.  We have been on more than three dozen NCL cruises, covering all but a couple of their ships.  We only have three cruises on X, all on Edge class ships.  I'm not sure how things shake out on other X ships, but the Edge class ships are a cut above.  NCL may have more specialty restaurants, but the Edge ships have four MDRs, each with a different theme and slightly different menus.  There also are several other dining venues on the pool deck which add variety to the standard buffet fare.  The theatre on Edge ships is state of the art.  NCL may have won the entertainment comparison hands down a few years ago, but currently the offerings on X, especially those in the Edge class theatres, are outstanding.