My husband and I have been on 12 Carnival cruises. We always ask people about other cruise lines that they have been on. Most of the ones we've talked to who have taken Norwegian haven't had many good things to say about it. I would love to hear from some of you who enjoy Norwegian cruises. Please tell me why you like Norwegian. I just love to cruise and am willing to try any cruiseline at least once.
So far, knock on wood, I have not met a cruise line I didn't like. I like all of the ones I've tried and certain things more on one cruise line and some things less than another.
The things I liked about our NCL cruise was the fact that I got to eat at a different restaurant every night and try things I usually wouldn't try at home, either because it isn't nearby or I wouldn't be that brave without the backup plan to try something else if I didn't like it. I liked the shower with the sliding glass door. I liked the unique asian style of the Spirit. I loved the kids facilities, and the area on the buffet devoted strictly to kid type food.
We would frequently take the kids to eat dinner at the buffet around 6:00 p.m. then let them go to the kids club while d/h and I would enjoy a romantic dinner for two while they played and had fun.
There are also things I really dislike about NCL, but the good far outweighs the bad. I also like Carnival and RCCL. They're all a great value and I would never hesitate to cruise with any of them.
I love NCL because of the freestyle cruising. It eliminates all the reasons that I didn't think I'd like cruising to begin with. I don't have to sit at a table with strangers, I don't have to eat at assigned times, and I don't have to buy a formal gown to wear that I'd probably never wear again. For our lifestyle, it's a perfect fit.
I also enjoy the friendliness of the crew. We've seldom walked past a crew member in the hall without a smile and a "Good Morning", or a "how are you today". With only 4 cruises completed, we've yet to find a reason to switch to another line.
Our only problems on our NCL cruise were with the personnel. We had the "room steward from h*** and had a problem with our onboard credit that was finally straightened out (after 5 visits to the Purser's desk ).
This wouldn't stop us from cruising NCL again for the right itinerary and price.
We loved the "Freestyle Dining" options and especially being able to stay in our cabin until our number was called to disembark. It was so nice to not be "crammed" into some lounge until our number was called! We also liked not having to dress formally if we didn't feel like doing so. (We did, once, just for the formal picture.)
__________________
Fern
"A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour."
Carnival Inspiration 2002 Carnival Elation 2004
Grand Princess 2004 NCL Sun 2005
Sun Princess 2006 NCL Dream 2007
Caribbean Princess 2007 NCL Dawn 2008
Island Princess 2008 Island Princess 2009
Golden Princess 2009 Carnival Conquest 2010
Grand Princess 2010 Island Princess 2011
Grand Princess 2011 Carnival Magic 2012
Carnival Dream 2012 Island Princess 2013
Our reasons for cruising NCL? unlike Fern, we have usually had great cabin stewards, but that isn't our reason for cruising them: we love freestyle and love NCLs itineraries compared to most other linew. Another plus, after just sailing HAL we realize how high the Energy level is on NCL, both the cruisers and the crew. We like the firendly crew and the relaxed atmosphere. NMnita
Our reasons for cruising on Ncl are the freestyle dining & disembarkation.
Resort casual for dinner is perfect for us. We do not have to dress "to the nines," if we do not choose to. Formal night is optional, and I can wear a coctail dress rather than a gown.
We love freestyle disembarkation, where we can relax in our cabin, while waiting for our luggage tag color to be called. We don't like to be crowded into a public lounge with carry-ons.
The entertainment and other service is always very good on the Norwegian ships. Food is subjective, so I won't discuss it.
I did enjoy my Carnival cruise years ago, and would also sail with them again.
Our reasons for cruising NCL? unlike Fern, we have usually had great cabin stewards, but that isn't our reason for cruising them: we love freestyle and love NCLs itineraries compared to most other linew. Another plus, after just sailing HAL we realize how high the Energy level is on NCL, both the cruisers and the crew. We like the firendly crew and the relaxed atmosphere. NMnita
Just love that comment Nita about the EMERGY LEVEL..lol . Took a tour of the Amsterdam one day and found it suffocatingly stuffy..whereas NCL is light and brtight... does that make sense.. One of the great reasons for NCL is the Free Style Dining, second and best of all is that we are 30 to 45 minutes from the port. This maynot be important to some people but our experience going out of Miami twice was so horrendous I've sworn never to do it again.. I'd rather fly to Europe then get on a ship.. As for the food.. that is a whole another story, entertainment can be really good... I love some of the production numbers.. Parrot Pop says i hold grudges... I do.. and we went on the Carnival Fascination once..and the moment we got on board I had never been on a cruise ship where the wait staff poitned to us where to get water or a hot dog...not to mention there were no amenities in the cabin and I swear to you.. and this is the truth....that one night for supper we had to wait after everybody else was gone for almost an hour...so that the steaks that had been on the menu could be cut and cooked.. People tell me things have changed...but I hold grudges..lol..maybe one day.
THANKS to all of you for your comments. I am glad to hear some positive statements about Norwegian. I, too, love to cruise and would be very happy to take a cruise on Norwegian. I'm sure that I could find many positives about the cruiseline, also.
I love NCL because of the freestyle cruising. It eliminates all the reasons that I didn't think I'd like cruising to begin with. I don't have to sit at a table with strangers, I don't have to eat at assigned times, and I don't have to buy a formal gown to wear that I'd probably never wear again. For our lifestyle, it's a perfect fit.
I also enjoy the friendliness of the crew. We've seldom walked past a crew member in the hall without a smile and a "Good Morning", or a "how are you today". With only 4 cruises completed, we've yet to find a reason to switch to another line.
Ute_I just wanted to say, congratulations to Utah even if I wasn't rooting for them. I'm sorry, long story!!!!!
Thanks Nita! I was a little worried for a while. It's been such an up-and-down year that I haven't felt comfortable all year long. Now if the basketball team would just figure out how to play .
LIBRAGIRL
We sailed the Jewel last July in Italy and had a great time. So goog we will be sailing on the Star in September to the Mexican Riviera. We vacation with our friends and we found that we loved the freestyle approach to dining. Every meal was booked that first day. We also enjoyed the layout of the ship. Easy to maneuver.
Any cruise is better then sitting at work! I like the Freestyle dining on NCL. I don't want to make small talk with strangers and dine at a specific time. My wife and I have busy days and like the time vacation has to allow us to spend time alone. I like the Freestyle disembarktion and teh Latitudes benefits.
Hi Libra,
The price and free-style dining seem to be the main draws for NCL. I personally don't really care for NCL. I think for bargain cruises Carnival and Royal Caribbean are the two lines to check out first.
Lots of people like NCL for the free-sytle dining. People who don't care to get dressed also like NCL.
Pros:
Low Cost
Cons:
Unsophisticated clientele
Party Harty Types (people who wish they were 20)
For lower priced cruise lines, I much prefer Carnival or RCCL.
your views are opinions only and certainly not based on any facts: AS for cost, catagory, versus catagory and type of ship being similar, NCL isn't one bit less expensive than other mass marketed lines. Perhaps the exception would be HAL. Pricing depends on the ship, the itienery and the time of year; Unsophisticated? Many will take that as a total insult, yes, NCL does atract many from the mid part of our country, but that does not mean they lack sophistication: you obviously haven't sailed NCl much; Party Harty, what the heck? NCL is one line that attracts cruisers from all age groups and has been chosen the best cruise line for multi generations traveling together.
You had a bad experience on the Majesty, even though the air conditioning was only out for one day as well as the engine problems occuring on Friday only, it was enough to upset you. This is not a reason to blast the entire fleet. NMNita
One of the best reasons for me to cruise with NCL is that they aren´t as pushy about how much you can do on their ships as some other conpanies. Look in an RCCL-broschure, they only talk about all the things you can do on the ship. Cruising for me is more about doing nothing or as little as possible, at least when I´m on the ship!
Of course i don´t have to do everything on the ship if I should cruise with RCCL but the broschure gives a good idea on which people they want to attract and that´s not me!
I know that there are cruisecompanies with higher standard than NCL bur in my european view of it the big ones are NCL and RCCL and my opinion is that NCL is more for those who really know what they want. If you don´t know what you want and go to a travel agency in Sweden and ask for a cruise, they will sell you an RCCL-cruise! That´s a fact because most travel agencys in Sweden don´t sell NCL-cruises themself, to sell that they need to contact an specialist (mostly Swanson´s I guess).
I know what I want and that´s NCL! I also think that their itineraries are much better than RCCLs.
Another big advantage is NCLs broschures. Look in RCCLs, almost no prices at all. NCL have a lots of prices in the broschure. I know that the prices aren´t always correct since they changes all the time but at least they give a hint how much the cruise will cost.
Lots of people like NCL for the free-sytle dining. People who don't care to get dressed also like NCL.
Pros:
Low Cost
Cons:
Unsophisticated clientele
Party Harty Types (people who wish they were 20)
For lower priced cruise lines, I much prefer Carnival or RCCL.
Low cost? As far as I know NCL is a mainstream line with prices in line with the other mainstream lines.
Unsophisticated clientele? Ummmm??? What do you define as "unsophisticated"? We've cruised NCL and certainly don't consider ourselves "unsophisticated"! Oh wait, we live in Arkansas so we must be unsophisticated !
Party Hardy? Are you sure you're not confusing NCL with some other cruise line?
And, what nmnita said !
__________________
Fern
"A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour."
Carnival Inspiration 2002 Carnival Elation 2004
Grand Princess 2004 NCL Sun 2005
Sun Princess 2006 NCL Dream 2007
Caribbean Princess 2007 NCL Dawn 2008
Island Princess 2008 Island Princess 2009
Golden Princess 2009 Carnival Conquest 2010
Grand Princess 2010 Island Princess 2011
Grand Princess 2011 Carnival Magic 2012
Carnival Dream 2012 Island Princess 2013
Lots of people like NCL for the free-sytle dining. People who don't care to get dressed also like NCL.
Pros:
Low Cost
Cons:
Unsophisticated clientele
Party Harty Types (people who wish they were 20)
For lower priced cruise lines, I much prefer Carnival or RCCL.
I might be unsofistimicated, but at least I knows how to spell party hardy! And yes, I do wish I were 20 again.
Tim
__________________
As a child, a library card takes you to exotic, faraway places. When you're grown up, a credit card does it.
-- Sam Ewing (Readers Digest, Dec, 1997)
Go with Holland America, you can,t beat them for price you pay, and food and service the best of any line. We just got off on Jan. 6th and would go again in a minute with them, marvelous. Go for it.
Go with Holland America, you can,t beat them for price you pay, and food and service the best of any line. We just got off on Jan. 6th and would go again in a minute with them, marvelous. Go for it.
I am not certain what going with HAL has to do with this thread. Maybe you meant to respond to some other question. As for price, how many cruises have you been on? I too like HAL, but they are the most expensive of the mass marketed lines, they also are not suited to everyones needs. Those who want energy on their cruise, like lots of activities and want a relaxed astmosphere plus casual dress will not be happy with HAL. Those who like tradition, quiet times, a wonderful library and larger cabins but don't care about the busy life should do fine. NMnnita
I have taken 4 NCL cruises, 1 RCCL, 1 Celebrity and am booked on Princess in March and antoher NCL in July so... yes, I like NCL. I like the casual atmosphere, the friendly staff, the reasonable cost and shore excurtions. The food's good, Celebrity's better, but you get what you pay for.
THANKS to all of you for your advice and opinions. I hope to take a Norwegian Cruise some day. When I do, I will write a review and let all of you know what I think about Norwegian.
Connect with Facebook
Why do you like Norwegian Cruise Line?
8) 
). 
Just love that comment Nita about the EMERGY LEVEL..lol . Took a tour of the Amsterdam one day and found it suffocatingly stuffy..whereas NCL is light and brtight... does that make sense.. One of the great reasons for NCL is the Free Style Dining, second and best of all is that we are 30 to 45 minutes from the port. This maynot be important to some people but our experience going out of Miami twice was so horrendous I've sworn never to do it again.. I'd rather fly to Europe then get on a ship.. As for the food.. that is a whole another story, entertainment can be really good... I love some of the production numbers.. Parrot Pop says i hold grudges... I do.. and we went on the Carnival Fascination once..and the moment we got on board I had never been on a cruise ship where the wait staff poitned to us where to get water or a hot dog...not to mention there were no amenities in the cabin and I swear to you.. and this is the truth....that one night for supper we had to wait after everybody else was gone for almost an hour...so that the steaks that had been on the menu could be cut and cooked.. People tell me things have changed...but I hold grudges..lol..maybe one day.
.
Linear Mode
