What do you like about NCL?

[AZDCruiser]

I've previously been an RCCL fan...and still am - only been on one Carnival ship and it wasn't so great (the service, etc. was fine but the ship was soooo tacky and not many sea views)

 

I'm looking at some great deals with NCL and found we can use our Harrah's Total Rewards membership to get 20% off with NCL.

 

So, tell me what you like/love about NCL and how it differs from RCCL. I do like to have an "open" ship layout with plenty of sea views - is that available on NCL?

 

I'm looking at the Dawn out of Miami right now..anything great or not so great about this ship?

 

Thank you!

[BeachBumMama]

I can probably tell you that most of the replies will be concerning the freestyle dining. For some, like me, it becomes a deal breaker when comparing cruises that offer comparable prices and itinerary. Personally, I prefer it over traditional dining. However, that doesn't stop me from cruising other lines.

 

All the mass market lines will offer you a chance to have a great time. You won't find the ice rinks, flowrider, etc. that you'll find on RCCL, but you'll find other things. As for the Dawn, it's a great ship and if you look around you'll probably find lot's of recent reviews. I sailed her when she was first launched so its been quite a few years but I love the ship.

 

You should have no fear in trying NCL or the Dawn.:)

[Alzaman]

I like to do things on the fly. My work is very structured and exact so I like to "live a little". NCL gives you that its not just the dining options but the casual feel on board. I love the Formal or not cuz it gives you the best of both. To me NCL allows me to be on VACATION and not worry about it

[Wylie Coyote]

As already stated...the freestyle element attracted me......but not having to pack a tux for a formal nite(s) was also a big attraction.

 

I want to relax, not have to be something I am not at home....and cruise a line that has enjoyable ports.

 

I am looking forward to my cruise to Alaska in 2 weeks.

 

Never been on RCCL....so maybe I don't know what I am missing.

 

Happy Cruising!!! :D

[jkrislc]

I'm an RCI platinum member and even with the discounts on balcony cabins, we opted for NCL on our next cruise because my wife fell in love with the freestyle concept. Even though we had a table for two on our last RCI cruise, we still had to wait until 8:30 p.m. to have dinner even if we were hungry earlier. Further, not having a formal dress requirement is an added plus. What I really like, however, is that NCL doesn't force you out of your cabins on the last day of the cruise. I'd much rather wait in my cabin than in some crowded public space.

 

The downside is that the rooms are a bit smaller than RCI ships. Unless you go for a balcony cabin for instance, you wont have a seating area. Most RCI ships I've been on had a seating area with a small couch even in ocean view and inside cabins.

[FunInTheSun03]

AZDCruiser, If you don't mind me asking if you just have a regular Harrahs card you can use that to get 20% off? Do you know what that 20% is off of. The total price any advice would be great, we have a cruise booked but not fully paid for yet. Any money I can save would be great. Thanks.:)

[mbarnaby99]

I have been on both lines and had a great time on each. I do prefer Freestyle dining instead of assigned seating. Each line and ship have differences but none were bad to me, just different. I am partial to NCL because I have cruised with them more and because of Freestyle but if I found an RCCL cruise I liked, I would not hesitate to book it as I have done in the past. As another poster said, when on vacation, I don’t want things too structured. I think you will have a great time on NCL just as with RCCL.

[retired rascal]

we are older free spirits. we loved not having to do anything on anyone's schedule other than boarding, muster drill, and disembarking....and even the first and last are flexible. we loved spending two weeks on the pearl without ever ever having to get dressed up. we loved our minisuite and the balcony. we loved the spa. we loved the cleanliness of the ship. we loved changing our minds about eating times because we'd taken a nap or gone on a long excursion. lots of things. we went from club med direct to the cruise and there was more variety on the cruise.

[terrymtex01]

I am also a fan of RCCL and would not hesitate to book with them again. Honestly, what knocks other cruise lines out of the running for us is the perks we get from NCL's Casino's at Sea... The perks they give us makes it impossible for any other cruise line to beat the deal.

 

Now with that said, if we had a miserable time on board, I don't care how much money CAS saved us, we wouldn't travel with NCL. It is different that cruising with RCCL, at least to me it is, but it is great. RCCL came across to me as very grand and formal.. and I liked that, to be honest. Where NCL is much more relaxed and easy goiing. The staff and crew of NCL to me is top notch and with one or two minor issues, have been the best in the business. We loved the staff and crew of the RCCL cruise we were on too and, as with anywhere you go, had an issue or two. But I won't let anyone ruin our vacation, so you take that with a grain of salt and move on.

 

I do believe NCL's suite perks are the best in the business as far as the mainline cruise companies. The suite we had on the Sun was the best suite we have ever stayed in.

 

You will probably read where some people will say that you pay for more things on NCL than any other cruise line. But honestly, other than the daily service charge, I have never found one thing on NCL that we had to pay for that we didn't have to pay for with RCCL or Carnival. I have heard on Disney soda's are free.. but my god...LOL.. with all of those kids running around and no casino.... that would be hell on earth to me..LOL.. no offense meant to anyone with kids. But we have no kids and to be surrounded by hundreds would drive me insane.. LOL.

 

I really believe if you select an NCL cruise, you will come away from it saying it was different than RCCL, but you had a great time all the same.

[AZDCruiser]

Thank you!

We are not picky or nit-picky type people..any day on a cruise is better than a day at work! I just didn't like the Carnival ship that we had, but it was older too. Very neon and dark.

 

I wouldn't do Disney due to the Kids - if anyone takes offense, sorry - but we rather have more adults with us on vacation and Disney doesn't have a casino! I will have to tell my DH about the Casino at Sea perks!

 

The Harrah's card is the Total Rewards card...you sign up and Harrahs will keep track of your winnings, points, etc.. We get offers for Vegas, Tahoe, Reno, etc.. and found out in a magazine we could also get 20% NCL, not sure if it's the full cruise price or what, I would assume so as it reads "20% off cruise fare." The discount depends on your level. We are diamond, so we get 20%.

We are younger Cruisers - I'm 28, DH is 30 and lately on RCI we get stuck with younger diners..which would be fine, but we found they don't like talking with other people and it's awkward..whereas when sitting with the older cruisers, they will chat with you more. I would rather just have freestyle dining when we can eat whenever with whomever (or by ourselves) and not worry about chitchat.

[Sea Hound]

I like the fact that I get free hair conditioner in the suites!;)

 

Sea Hound:D <-- likes free hair conditioner even though he's going bald FAST!

[M&MCruisin]

Well I love NCL. I enjoyed my Pearl cruise tremendously. I like the casual atmospher and if I dont want to do formal night, Im not out of place as many dont. I will caution one thing...you said the decor was tacky on the ship you described. Well, many (not me) feel NCL has tacky decor because of the bold bright colors and the wild designs. I think of it as cheery and it makes me smile. For me, decor isnt a deal breaker, but i wanted to mention it since you felt that way on another line.

 

NCL is just different. I also love Princess (never been on RCCL, sorry). I love them both for different reasons. Its a totally different type of cruise experience so I dont compare the two, just enjoy both for what they are...different. I plan to try RCCL one day...I think we all try them all.

 

Now, what else do I love about NCL. The service on the Pearl was top notch, I never waited for a table like so many complain about. My room was great and the room steward was amazing. I accidently spilled black makeup on my floor and immediately went to get my room steward and they were so nice about it and we started working on cleaning it up right away. I loved the food in LaCucina and the food at Mambos. The Spa was amazing. The theralosopy pool and thermal beds were incredible...a must! Well, there are lots of things I liked. Hope you try them out!

[Ask4Jay]

AZDCruiser -

Freestyle Cruising and Eating

Chilled Soups

BoA Credit Card with Bonus Points of 3% to 4%.

[Leafpeeper]

We love cruising on different cruiselines each year because there are things we enjoy about every cruiseline we sail: NCL, Princess, RCCL, and Carnival.

 

There are lots of things we love on NCL. First of all, we can use our credit card points towards the cost of our cruises, which is nice when you are on a budget. Our favorite thing on NCL ships is the variety of restaurants: French, Italian, Mexican, American/Steak House, Japaense/Asian(our favorite) and a lovely main dining room. We enjoy dining in a quiet romantic setting like LeBistro some nights and other nights we like the casual family style dining of the Italian restaurant. Most of all, we like dining in a different place each night.

 

Another thing we enjoy on NCL Dawn and Star is the movie theater. I wish that NCL would have movies each night on the Atrium big screen on their new ships rather than using the space for photographs most nights. At least they do offer Sunday and Monday football. We miss having a movie cinema on the new ships.

 

Finally, what we love most on NCL is the entertainment most nights. The hypnotist act is one of the funniest things we've ever seen on a ship. I wish they had them on every cruise. NCL bands are the best on the high seas. We dance more on our NCL cruises than anywhere else.

 

One thing we missed on our last cruise was the horseracing--especially when there are multiple sea days. I don't know why so many cruiselines aren't offering it. Our last Princess cruise was packed in their main lounge for the horseraces. It's a great after 3pm on a returning sea day.

 

Finally, we discovered a wonderful spot late night or afternoons to hang out for a quiet cocktail or to read on the top aft deck behind the buffet on the new NCL ships. NCL Pearl has a wonderful bar back there with a flatscreen tv on each end that was perfect for DH to catch his sports scores while enjoying a nightcap under the stars. Best of all, there is sun and shade areas as well as smoking and nonsmoking areas to please everyone.

[*Luv2Cruz*]

We love cruising on different cruiselines each year because there are things we enjoy about every cruiseline we sail: NCL, Princess, RCCL, and Carnival.

 

There are lots of things we love on NCL. First of all, we can use our credit card points towards the cost of our cruises, which is nice when you are on a budget. Our favorite thing on NCL ships is the variety of restaurants: French, Italian, Mexican, American/Steak House, Japaense/Asian(our favorite) and a lovely main dining room. We enjoy dining in a quiet romantic setting like LeBistro some nights and other nights we like the casual family style dining of the Italian restaurant. Most of all, we like dining in a different place each night.

 

Another thing we enjoy on NCL Dawn and Star is the movie theater. I wish that NCL would have movies each night on the Atrium big screen on their new ships rather than using the space for photographs most nights. At least they do offer Sunday and Monday football. We miss having a movie cinema on the new ships.

 

Finally, what we love most on NCL is the entertainment most nights. The hypnotist act is one of the funniest things we've ever seen on a ship. I wish they had them on every cruise. NCL bands are the best on the high seas. We dance more on our NCL cruises than anywhere else.

 

One thing we missed on our last cruise was the horseracing--especially when there are multiple sea days. I don't know why so many cruiselines aren't offering it. Our last Princess cruise was packed in their main lounge for the horseraces. It's a great after 3pm on a returning sea day.

 

Finally, we discovered a wonderful spot late night or afternoons to hang out for a quiet cocktail or to read on the top aft deck behind the buffet on the new NCL ships. NCL Pearl has a wonderful bar back there with a flatscreen tv on each end that was perfect for DH to catch his sports scores while enjoying a nightcap under the stars. Best of all, there is sun and shade areas as well as smoking and nonsmoking areas to please everyone.

 

I agree with Mary and bring back the ponies!;)

[AZDCruiser]

Thanks again!

 

I've seen the pics of NCL and while I think they are very bright..the ship still looks open/airy and the decor is very Ikea/contemporary looking. To me, the Carnival ship we were on was just dark and garish...neon and lots of gold, etc.. There wasn't a lot of ocean views.