NCL - Need help, new to cruise line

M

MsWitty1

Guest
Hi everyone. I love cruising but have never been on an NCL ship. I hate Carnival (personal choice), have loved Celebrity and Holland, but have not tried any other lines.

I am planning a cruise in March 2006 and wanted to see what everyone thought about NCL. I am 37 and would be traveling with a friend. Like shopping, sea days, and fun ports. How would you compare NCL to some of the other lines?

Is NCL geared more to families, older cruisers, or other?

Any thoughts would be appreciaged. I am also considering Princess.

Angie
 
D

Don Clark

Guest
I would say NCL is geared towards families more so that the other lines.
NCL has activities for all age groups, and on its newer ships has many restaurants and bars/lounges, one which should attract many at your age.
While Carnival parties all night long, and Celeberity closes down around 10 pm, NCL ships partying will slow down around 12 pm to 1 am.
Princess has Personal Choice and NCL has Freestyle Cruising dining, where you decide when and where you dine, all the others use Traditional Dining, where the cruise line determines when and where you eat.
Formal nights are optional on NCL, almost all the other lines you have to dress Formally to dine at the main restaurants. And dressing resort causal all the time is a home run for me.
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
NCL more closely resembles Carnival than HAL or Celebrity. If you hate carvial but love Celebrity and HAL, than NCL might not be the best choice for you - IMO.
 
M

MsWitty1

Guest
Thanks guys. Any other lines you would recommend?

I think in Carnival's case it is more the fact that it is a little too family oriented. I love kids, and spoil the ones in my family often, just like a nice balance between family and adult activity.

Angie
 
C

Cruizer

Guest
NCL is very family oriented. If you are looking for recommendations beyond Celebrity or HAL, how about Princess. Princess tends to attract cruisers a little closer to the cruisers on HAL and Celebrity.
 
M

mychkatsunami

Guest
Hi, returned from our 1st ever cruise in oct 23th, 2005 just during Wilma, very happy that we chose NCL
the captain made sure that we had nice sunny weather and calmed seas throughout even do we missed Belize and Roatan but discovered Veracruz..

My wife and I enjoyed it so much!!!
That we are booked on the NCL SPIRIT out of NY in Oct 2006

Freestyle...nothing compares to it...no need to bring your TUX or Evening Gawns and all the fake jewellery you are not there to empress but your there to enjoy and relax and get pampered.

This is truly the 1st time that i can remember not thinkink about work, not thinking about time, freestyle means you eat when you feel like eating

Chapeau to NCL CRUISES and their FREESTYLE
 
P

palmtree

Guest
The poster who said Carnival parties all nite long was never on the cruises I've been on. DH is a nite owl, rarely a big drinker but he'd cruise around looking for people awake at 2am - he often came back to the cabin to annoy us because he couldn't find company or even an open bar. It could be that we cruise at spring break (not college, elementary school!!!) and the ship is full of families.
 
B

bar_20

Guest
Unless you want to go on a ultra expensive cruise like Crystal or Raddison you have picked the best two. Both tend to have older travelers with fewer kids. If you like traditional meals then go with HAL and Celebrity. NCL cruises are cheaper but you have to put up with their constant pitching to releave you of your money. If that doesn't bother you and you want to give freestle meals a try then go with NCL. You also might want to consider Cunard.

Steve & Donalee
Sun 12/29
 
Top