NCL Jade or RCCL Brilliance of the Sea

[RnD]

We are planning a Mediterranean cruise for January 2009. Both ships leave from the same port, do almost the same things, though Jade has an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt.

 

RCCL has "traditional dining," which we prefer, but NCL has that overnight.

 

Has anyone experienced both ships, and if so how would you compare the two?

[familyof4cruising]

How important is Eygpt?

 

It sounds like you prefer the traditional dining. Both ships are very nice. I can go both ways with the dining. We always have 8:00 dinner with traditional.

 

I think that the itinerary should be what helps you decide.

[cruzinaway]

We are planning a Mediterranean cruise for January 2009. Both ships leave from the same port, do almost the same things, though Jade has an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt.

 

RCCL has "traditional dining," which we prefer, but NCL has that overnight.

 

Has anyone experienced both ships, and if so how would you compare the two?

 

 

We sailed the Brilliance a few years back to the Mediterranean. It was probably the nicest cruise I've ever been on. While we loved RCCL, we decided to go with NCL this time to give freestyle dining/cruising a try. We're booked on the Gem in May. I'm really looking forward to eating in the different restaurants versus the "same time, table, tablemates" routine with RCCL.

 

I guess it all depends if the overnight in Egypt is something you feel strongly about. If so, give NCL a try! You may get hooked on freestyle cruising and never want to go back! :)

[ladybug M]

We are planning a Mediterranean cruise for January 2009. Both ships leave from the same port, do almost the same things, though Jade has an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt.

 

RCCL has "traditional dining," which we prefer, but NCL has that overnight.

 

Has anyone experienced both ships, and if so how would you compare the two?

Way back the traditional dining was a problem with my second husband- he had diabetes and the first sitting threw off his body. The NCL has a anytime time experience-however if you do not figure out how other people eat the dinners can have a waiting time problem- suggestion when aboard find the posted food listing s. PS went to Egypt but only day trips -the time of year was Muslin holiday however barge on the Nile was good local food