Norwegian Vs any other line?

[AFAMILY]

I've never waited till 9 nor have I waited more than 5 minutes

 

Same with us. We never waited more than a couple of mintes for a table in the main dining rooms at peak or off-peak times. That goes for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

Same with the specialty restaurants. We always show up a few minutes before our reservation and have never had to wait.

 

Happy Cruising! :)

[mbisson]

Same with us. We never waited more than a couple of mintes for a table in the main dining rooms at peak or off-peak times. That goes for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

 

On our last cruise we walked by a main dining room at about 7pm one night, and there was a large line. We went to the bar for a drink and came back about half an hour later and walked right in.

 

To me, that wasn't a wait, that was just working with the system. :D

[AFAMILY]

On our last cruise we walked by a main dining room at about 7pm one night, and there was a large line. We went to the bar for a drink and came back about half an hour later and walked right in.

 

To me, that wasn't a wait, that was just working with the system. :D

 

Right.

 

And, if you don't mind sharing a table, you will certainly be seated immediately. We prefer a private table, but again, maybe we wait a couple of minutes at best.

 

I'm actually never hungry while onboard except when I first wake up in the morning. If it's a sea day, I eat more than I should be eating, so even I had to wait a few extra minutes, it's not like I'll be wasting away. :D

 

Happy Cruising! :)

[moonlitmagik]

yeah and i can stand to lose a few pounds!!

 

oh btw everybody....one word....BOOKED. :D my TA recommends I get a passport even though it's not a requirement... what do y'all think? I don't plan on getting so sick or injured they have to airlift me off the island or ship (unless I get stung a bazillion times by jellyfishes) and I *REALLY* don't feel like giving the government any more of my money this year lol

[newmexicoNita]

I've read reviews on Norwegian, some good, mostly bad. I don't know if those bad reviews are trying to tell me something (like run away and find another cruise line). But my hubs and I want to take a cruise preferably not to mexico and the best affordable price we could find (since we live on the west coast and airfare is astronomical) was a norwegian 4 day bahamas on the norwegian sky.

 

I want to know how norwegian is over all, is the food good, are the staff friendly, did they start buffing the decks mid cruise, etc. I am asking for advice, because while I saw travel channel reviews on Carnival (samantha brown's ultimate whatever show) and their uber buffets, their deposit structure is RIDICULOUS. for a 4 night cruise they want a 300 dollar deposit, that's half of the total price it seems like to me. Same with a 7 day caribbean, they want a 500 dollar deposit and that works out to be half of the total cost, where as norwegian, RCL, et al only rquire a 200 dollar deposit.

 

Help me out, i am new to cruising and I don't want to make a mistake on choosing my first (and probably only) cruise.

well I haven't read the responses so I can just give you mine; I hope this will not be your only cruise, but if it is you will remember it fondly. A fist cruise is usually the best cruise you will take, it is like the first cruise, the first baby, etc. nothing will compare.

 

That being said, forget the negatives: I have always thought NCL get a bad rap and I do not know why: maybe it has to do with expectations or mis-understanding, I don't know. We have cruised all the mass marketed lines and I am a TA. so far, with several years under my belt I have had a couple of clients not happy, but overall all my clients who have sailed NCL have re-booked. We have rarely found anything major to complain about.

 

You ask about the staff and the food: I can not imagine any line with a friendlier crew than NCL and I have cruised all mass marketed lines. Food is subjective, we have never been disappointed: does this mean the food is superior to other lines? Absolutely NO, in fact some lines do have better food, but overall almost anything you could want you will find on the Sky.

 

NCL has good entertainment, nice casinos and on board activities. As for the deposit, this can vary from line to line, don't let that influence you and don't let something you say on the travel channel sway you. Like everything, this is an opinion only: sometimes swayed by advertising.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

We just off the Sky yesterday -- our first NCL cruise. We decided you get what you pay for. While we had fun -- the service, food, entertainment, and ship were definitely below RCCL, DCL, and Celebrity (which doesn't count because it's in a different class).

 

If you've never been on another cruise, you will love it!! There was nothing seriously bad -- but it was just not as good as the other cruiselines.

 

But, we're going again in 3 weeks, and looking forward to it! A bad day on a cruise is still better than a good day at work!! :)

not trying to pick your opinion apart, but how many 3 and 4 day cruises have you taken? I only ask, because we have yet to take a cruise less than 7 days that can be compared to longer crusies. Yes, DCL is in a class of its own, but you and I know you spent at least a third if not half more for it. Celebrity does not do 4 day cruises so you are not being fare to compare them: one of the least positive cruises we have have done was a 5 dayer on Celebrity and the next worst was a 4 day cruise on RCI> In comparing cruises we have to compare like ships, itineraries and cruise length to get a true overall view.

 

Nita

 

Debsatsea: you are 100% wrong: not all RCI ships offer wine packages: we have cruised them 3 times. only 1 had a wine package and as for the casino, are you talking about the tables? If so, NCL does have $3.00 tables from time to time and $5 tables most of the time...Fair comparisons are one thing, wrong information is another.

[RhondaC]

not trying to pick your opinion apart, but how many 3 and 4 day cruises have you taken? I only ask, because we have yet to take a cruise less than 7 days that can be compared to longer crusies. Yes, DCL is in a class of its own, but you and I know you spent at least a third if not half more for it. Celebrity does not do 4 day cruises so you are not being fare to compare them: one of the least positive cruises we have have done was a 5 dayer on Celebrity and the next worst was a 4 day cruise on RCI> In comparing cruises we have to compare like ships, itineraries and cruise length to get a true overall view.

 

Nita

 

Did you look at my signature? :) We've been on MANY 3 and 4-day cruises -- with RCCL and DCL. The Sky does not even come close to the amenities, food, service, and entertainment that we find on the RCCL Majesty of the Seas or the Disney Wonder. But, we understand that you get what you pay for. The Sky was much cheaper, so we didn't expect as much. Like I said, we had a good time and we're going again. I was just giving my opinion, in comparing it with other cruiselines. :)

[DocJohnB]

Because questions such as this are so subjective, I am not certain a person can make any kind valid decision based on the responses. However: :D

 

Having never sailed on Princess, I stayed out of that fray.

 

I have however sailed at least twice on Celebrity, Holland America, Carnival, Costa, NCL and RCI and therefore feel I am as qualified as most to make observations. I will list in the order of my preference

 

I want to know how norwegian is over all

 

Celebrity

RCI

HAL

Carnival

NCL

Costa

 

is the food good

No really bad food, ever.

 

Celebrity

HAL

RCI

Carnival

Costa

NCL

 

are the staff friendly

RCI

The rest (and this means they are all good, RCI just a little better)

 

did they start buffing the decks mid cruise

Not quite sure what you mean here. However, I have noticed on all cruise that the cleaning staff is perpetually in motion.

 

I will add a couple of other areas.

 

Staff service (waitstaff, housekeeping, barstaff)

 

Celebrity

RCI

HAL

Costa

NCL

Carnival

 

Entertainment

NCL

Carnival

RCI

Celebrity

Costa

HAL

 

Value . . . . . value received for money spent

Celebrity

RCI

HAL

NCL

Carnival

Costa

 

 

I will admit that NCL has some of (if not) the lowest prices within the industry. These low prices definitely factor into the overall value equation, but are only a part of it. However, sometimes you pay for the "cheap". IMO, that is the case with NCL and even with Carnival and Costa. A year ago I wrote a review of the Dawn. In it I wrote: The cost - it was fairly cheap. I feel I got exactly what I paid for, so I am not disappointed.

 

To the OP:

 

Having said all that, if you believe that the Bahamas on the Sky is truly the most affordable for you . . . . go for it. You should have a great time.

 

But I do have to ask you this. What difference does it make (IF YOU ARE INDEED COMMITTED TO A CRUISE) on the deposit. You are going to pay X amount of dollars no matter if you deposit $150 or $500.

[newmexicoNita]

hi, ive done royal caribean and NCL, RCI were the best by far..Ncl seemed cheaper but by the time you added all the extra's onboard THEY WEREN'T!! some examples were. RCI offered a wine package for the week,their minimum bet at casino was $1, NCL offer no wine package and the minimum bet was $10, i could go on but i wont , its your choice..

 

Well what about the RCI ships that are now charging $14.95 in the main dining room for steak, not all steaks, but a 10 oz steak? I don't think any other line has tried this?

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Did you look at my signature? :) We've been on MANY 3 and 4-day cruises -- with RCCL and DCL. The Sky does not even come close to the amenities, food, service, and entertainment that we find on the RCCL Majesty of the Seas or the Disney Wonder. But, we understand that you get what you pay for. The Sky was much cheaper, so we didn't expect as much. Like I said, we had a good time and we're going again. I was just giving my opinion, in comparing it with other cruiselines. :)

 

yes, I did look at your sign but didn't see the reference to 3 and 4 dayers. As I said I wasn't trying to pick your posting apart, just asking a question. Like food, cruising period is very subjective, probably the worst two cruises we have been on, certainly one of them was on the Majesty of the Sea. Part of this was weather related, the other had to do with service, cabin sizes etc. others love the ship. When I see someone post "in my opinion" I realize that is exactly what it is; their opinion, when I see someone post something as fact, it is normally still their opinion.

 

NIta

[newmexicoNita]

Because questions such as this are so subjective, I am not certain a person can make any kind valid decision based on the responses. However: :D

 

Having never sailed on Princess, I stayed out of that fray.

 

I have however sailed at least twice on Celebrity, Holland America, Carnival, Costa, NCL and RCI and therefore feel I am as qualified as most to make observations. I will list in the order of my preference

 

 

 

Celebrity

RCI

HAL

Carnival

NCL

Costa

 

No really bad food, ever.

 

Celebrity

HAL

RCI

Carnival

Costa

NCL

 

 

RCI

The rest (and this means they are all good, RCI just a little better)

 

Not quite sure what you mean here. However, I have noticed on all cruise that the cleaning staff is perpetually in motion.

 

I will add a couple of other areas.

 

Staff service (waitstaff, housekeeping, barstaff)

 

Celebrity

RCI

HAL

Costa

NCL

Carnival

 

Entertainment

NCL

Carnival

RCI

Celebrity

Costa

HAL

 

Value . . . . . value received for money spent

Celebrity

RCI

HAL

NCL

Carnival

Costa

 

 

I will admit that NCL has some of (if not) the lowest prices within the industry. These low prices definitely factor into the overall value equation, but are only a part of it. However, sometimes you pay for the "cheap". IMO, that is the case with NCL and even with Carnival and Costa. A year ago I wrote a review of the Dawn. In it I wrote: The cost - it was fairly cheap. I feel I got exactly what I paid for, so I am not disappointed.

 

To the OP:

 

Having said all that, if you believe that the Bahamas on the Sky is truly the most affordable for you . . . . go for it. You should have a great time.

 

But I do have to ask you this. What difference does it make (IF YOU ARE INDEED COMMITTED TO A CRUISE) on the deposit. You are going to pay X amount of dollars no matter if you deposit $150 or $500.

You have given a very fair comparison as you see it. I wish we could see more breakdown their comparisons, rather than simply, line XXXX is much better, hands down, or don't cruise yyy, you will be sorry...

 

Nita

[nerd-guy]

Hi, I have only sailed twice on NCL, but both times have been top notch. We sailed on Celebrity once, and it was very much the same - excellent. Our 13 day Jade Med. cruise this summer could have hardly been improved upon. The NCL staff went out of their way to make us happy, and we were in a mere Outside Obstructed View cabin.

Now, does this mean that every little thing was perfect? No, but so much of it was excellent that we can overlook the occasional stumble. Also, adding in the NCL credit card program, it makes NCL cruising a super value.

 

Race you to the buffet line, Howard

[moonlitmagik]

Howard;

 

I won't race you to the buffet line, but I *will* race you to the pool! :D

 

I've booked it since yesterday and I'm getting kind of jittery, lol. That's ok I work 6 months out of a year and I work hard for my money so I'm going to spend it WELL this year (instead of on stupid stuff like last year).

 

I am very cheap, I don't like the notion of having to come up with 50% of the cost of the cruise in order to hold it. I'd rather slap down the 200 bucks and pay it off 200 dollars a week at a time. As it is this cruise is only costing me 800 in a superior interior cabin which I hear are the same size as either a balcony or ocean view but without the windows.

[dropanchor]

Howard;

 

As it is this cruise is only costing me 800 in a superior interior cabin which I hear are the same size as either a balcony or ocean view but without the windows.

 

DEEPLY concened for you now Moon,:( please do a little more checking, much I would like to say but I am not sure I should in the forum but PLEASE either check your agent OR ANOTHER

Bruce

[DocJohnB]

As it is this cruise is only costing me 800 in a superior interior cabin which I hear are the same size as either a balcony or ocean view but without the windows.

moonlitmagik

 

I am hoping that the $800 is the total price for you and your husband and includes port charges, etc. and is not the per person charge.

[terrymtex01]

It's just like trying to eat out here at 7:30 p.m. Sometimes there is a wait. If you want to eat at peak times, expect to wait. Same as on land.

 

Donna.. this may be why it doesn't bother you or I if we have to wait a few mins for dinner on a cruise. I never thought of it before, but it is the same thing as we experience here in Dallas. We live actually in Frisco, and I do not care how many restaurants they open here, every night of the week if you dine between 7pm and 9pm you are going to wait.. even in the sucky restaurants. I know it is the same thing for Dallas, Plano, etc. Maybe that is why we are so patient about having to wait a few mins... because we are so used to it.

[trock]

I've read reviews on Norwegian, some good, mostly bad. I don't know if those bad reviews are trying to tell me something (like run away and find another cruise line). But my hubs and I want to take a cruise preferably not to mexico and the best affordable price we could find (since we live on the west coast and airfare is astronomical) was a norwegian 4 day bahamas on the norwegian sky.

 

I want to know how norwegian is over all, is the food good, are the staff friendly, did they start buffing the decks mid cruise, etc. I am asking for advice, because while I saw travel channel reviews on Carnival (samantha brown's ultimate whatever show) and their uber buffets, their deposit structure is RIDICULOUS. for a 4 night cruise they want a 300 dollar deposit, that's half of the total price it seems like to me. Same with a 7 day caribbean, they want a 500 dollar deposit and that works out to be half of the total cost, where as norwegian, RCL, et al only rquire a 200 dollar deposit.

 

Help me out, i am new to cruising and I don't want to make a mistake on choosing my first (and probably only) cruise.

 

 

HI OP

 

I have cruised Celebrity, NCL and Carnival-

 

Food is a matter of opinion.. really none of it is ever inedible!

These are my opinions and observances...

Carnival and Celebrity had the better food.. Celebrity had better service -but is more expensive- NCL was the most affordable "on paper" but-

If you want better food you have a choice of several supper clubs at about $20 pp.. Their photo prices are much much higher than the other two cruiselines, if you are a fan of the casino- their minimum bets were ridiculous ($10 and then $25)

 

The ships I have been on for NCL have been beautiful.. Really the Dawn is one of my favorites- very art deco

 

Carnival and NCL have superior bedding (comfort)

NCL cabins have coffee machines

NCL Bathrooms are the smallest I have ever experienced-as are the balconys

The NCL Ships (Dawn/Spirit) were extremely clean and always saw crew cleaning..

 

So ... Some things are a trade off for another.. You can not go wrong in my opinion.. Its a good value for the money.. and yes I think they are more affordable than Carnival

 

Also you asked about deposits.. Look into Group Cruise.. look here on CC and with Travel Agents.. Usually the deposit is $25 and then you have some time to come up with the balance.. and there are usually perks included with a group cruise

Enjoy!

:)

[moonlitmagik]

Yeah I checked for a group cruise, their groups weren't until june with my TA so I paid the deposit and booked yesterday on NCL. I hear carnival is more for teenagers, I've read horrible things about RCI so I figure what the heck.

 

A bad cruise is still better than a bad day at work any day in my opinion. I just hope that with my height and weight that I don't get stuck in the bathroom or worse yet, stuck ON the bathroom if you know what I mean.

[moonlitmagik]

yes that is total charge, not per person! per person it's like 280 plus taxes port charges etc.

[trock]

Yeah I checked for a group cruise, their groups weren't until june with my TA so I paid the deposit and booked yesterday on NCL. I hear carnival is more for teenagers, I've read horrible things about RCI so I figure what the heck.

 

A bad cruise is still better than a bad day at work any day in my opinion. I just hope that with my height and weight that I don't get stuck in the bathroom or worse yet, stuck ON the bathroom if you know what I mean.

 

 

Well I have to be honest.. I am just about 5' 4" and the "water closet" was tight.. My husband is almost 6' and its not that it's not wide enough, although they really arent but when sitting your knees will be hitting the wall...

 

Photo: http://family.webshots.com/photo/1375514694046439527gggWNv?vhost=family

[moonlitmagik]

my husband is 6'3, and i'm worried about it being wide enough, i'm 5'8 and rather... shall we say "pleasingly plump" as my grandmother so eloquently put it in my formative years.

 

Then again I hear all of the bathrooms are small no matter where you go. What's not going to be funny however, is my getting stuck either on the water pail itself (since it is a water closet yknow) or stuck in the SHOWER. They really need to make them an inch or so bigger for us bigger people.

[newmexicoNita]

HI OP

 

I have cruised Celebrity, NCL and Carnival-

 

Food is a matter of opinion.. really none of it is ever inedible!

These are my opinions and observances...

Carnival and Celebrity had the better food.. Celebrity had better service -but is more expensive- NCL was the most affordable "on paper" but-

If you want better food you have a choice of several supper clubs at about $20 pp.. Their photo prices are much much higher than the other two cruiselines, if you are a fan of the casino- their minimum bets were ridiculous ($10 and then $25)

 

The ships I have been on for NCL have been beautiful.. Really the Dawn is one of my favorites- very art deco

 

Carnival and NCL have superior bedding (comfort)

NCL cabins have coffee machines

NCL Bathrooms are the smallest I have ever experienced-as are the balconys

The NCL Ships (Dawn/Spirit) were extremely clean and always saw crew cleaning..

 

So ... Some things are a trade off for another.. You can not go wrong in my opinion.. Its a good value for the money.. and yes I think they are more affordable than Carnival

 

Also you asked about deposits.. Look into Group Cruise.. look here on CC and with Travel Agents.. Usually the deposit is $25 and then you have some time to come up with the balance.. and there are usually perks included with a group cruise

Enjoy!

:)

wow, I am shocked at what you said about the bathrooms. I don't know about the Spirit, but would guess you may be right as the ship was not built for western sailings, but the rest of NCLs ships have better bathroom than most lines we have cruised. They certainly are as big or bigger than Celebrity or at least we found them bigger.

 

Nita

[ce2000]

I suggest that you book the NCL cruise. It sounds like price is a big factor to you. You will get more than your monies worth, and I believe that you will become addicted to cruising like I have. Like some of the others have stated, NCL is my least favorite cruiseline, but it is not a bad cruiseline. I just find the onboard activities and food much better on the other lines that I have been on.

[TexasHorseLady]

I've read reviews on Norwegian, some good, mostly bad. I don't know if those bad reviews are trying to tell me something (like run away and find another cruise line). But my hubs and I want to take a cruise preferably not to mexico and the best affordable price we could find (since we live on the west coast and airfare is astronomical) was a norwegian 4 day bahamas on the norwegian sky.

 

I want to know how norwegian is over all, is the food good, are the staff friendly, did they start buffing the decks mid cruise, etc. I am asking for advice, because while I saw travel channel reviews on Carnival (samantha brown's ultimate whatever show) and their uber buffets, their deposit structure is RIDICULOUS. for a 4 night cruise they want a 300 dollar deposit, that's half of the total price it seems like to me. Same with a 7 day caribbean, they want a 500 dollar deposit and that works out to be half of the total cost, where as norwegian, RCL, et al only rquire a 200 dollar deposit.

 

Help me out, i am new to cruising and I don't want to make a mistake on choosing my first (and probably only) cruise.

 

 

I sailed on the Pride of Aloha a few years ago. I guess that became the Sky. So I can tell you about the ship, and about the service...or at least how it was when I was on the ship.

I suspect we had a different type of crew than what you might get, because we were sailing around the Hawaiian Islands and our entire crew was 1) brand new, and 2) mostly made up of a group of American 20-somethings who sometimes acted bored or distracted. There was a lot of whispering and giggling among themselves, like high school kids...and getting their attention was sometimes difficult. If we wanted more iced tea with dinner it had to wait until they finished the story or joke or whatever they were doing with their crew-mates. Some of the reports of bad service might have come from that early crew going through their growing pains. They weren't rude or unpleasant. They just seemed undertrained and not very schooled in customer service skills or professional behavior. I have heard that NCL was aware of these early crew problems and has taken steps to make things better. You most likely won't see any of that sort of thing - but it might explain where some of the bad press came from.

The ship was perfectly nice, clean and in good shape. Our balcony cabin was nicely laid out, tastefully decorated, and very roomy. The food in the main dining room was good, and the food in the Italian specialty restaurant (forgot the name) was excellent.

Excursions were interesting and well run. I didn't think prices were unreasonable for anything.

We usually sail with Regent, a very elegant 6 star cruiseline. So going into this cruise we knew it wasn't going to compare to what we were used to. But we were actually pleasantly surprised. I had read all the bad reviews, too, but the whole experience was much better than what I had heard, despite the newbie crew. And considering the price, I would say it's a very good value.

Go for it and have fun. Let us know all about it when you get back!

[moonlitmagik]

well i booked it yesterday (I thought I mentioned that, I dunno I've been sick lately with the flu so I'm lucky I remembered my meeting with my TA) and it is very reasonably priced. It's not so much the price that bothers me, it's the DEPOSIT structures of some of the other lines, i think it's rediculous to have to pay say 500 to hold a 6 day cruise, but then again I'm CHEAP. Did I say I was cheap?

 

I just hope I don't get stuck in the bathroom and have to have my DH pull me out or worse yet call for help.. i would be so embarassed!