Thread: What's the difference between Princess and Norwegian?

Usually, I don't encourage people to go off onto other sites and read reviews...but this is different. I just bumped into this great review of a couple's recent cruise on Norwegian, who have previously cruised many times with Princess.

I thought you might want to read their very interesting comparison of the two cruise lines, as well as a really well written review.

Check it out here: This and that: October cruise

Hmmm. Seems from the differences the blogger noted, I would be much happier staying with Princess. But then I'm into traditional dining and have no desire to spend extra $ at the alternative dining rooms; and we like to go to the production shows so would like them to be decent.

Originally Posted by cruisin' chick

Hmmm. Seems from the differences the blogger noted, I would be much happier staying with Princess. But then I'm into traditional dining and have no desire to spend extra $ at the alternative dining rooms; and we like to go to the production shows so would like them to be decent.

I agree with you. I have no desire to try Norwegian. I wouldn't care for what I consider "sloppy" dining. I will stick with Princess, "where I belong".

Princess is still my favorite, but we love NCL. People think it's trendy to bash Norwegian as beneath them, but that's like saying everyone on Carnival is an obnoxious drunk. It's not true, but makes some people feel better to say it.

I have also cruised on both Princess and Norweigan and would have to agree with most the other posters.... stay with Princess. Although Princess was my very first cruise, it seemed very well organized for us unfamiliar with cruising. Norweigan was very disorganized and the staff didn't seem very friendly at all. We were excited to try the anytime dining, but it was a disaster. It seemed as if no one knew what they were suppose to be doing (staff). Entertainment left a lot to be desired. When returning to the ship from shore excursions, we found the staff that checks you in was very rude. One guy even pushed my 76 year old father because he didn't understand what the guy was saying and wasn't moving fast enough. Needless to say, I came unglued. I don't think I'll ever go on Norweigan again and although I like Princess, I have decided Royal Caribbean has been my favorite so far.

Bascially, the blogger seemed to say that a good cruise can be had on both Princess and NCL.

Her note on how disorganized the muster drill hit home with me.

We took quite a few cruises on NCL but it's been a while (SS Norway). It seemed to us anything that required mass organization was a problem -- muster drills, tenders, embarkation/disembakation etc. Probably the reason there were always so many very pushy people on the NCL ships we sailed ... total lack of organization.

I'd hoped this had changed because there were things we liked about NCL ... but guess not.

depends what you want out of your vacation.i loathe fixed dining IF IT'S SO BAD WHY IS EVERY OTHER LINE COPYING IT ?????

Originally Posted by smitty

depends what you want out of your vacation.i loathe fixed dining IF IT'S SO BAD WHY IS EVERY OTHER LINE COPYING IT ?????

Hear, hear. The structure of traditional dining is not my cup of tea.

I personally don't see the lack of organization. If you have people queing up for two set dining times things will appear quite organized. When you have 2,000 people left to make their own schedules it could appear to be unorganized. But, trust me things are quite organized to pull this off night after night.

As for "sloppy" dining, I saw some incredibly sloppy people on Carnival and RCI. Yes, I have also seen some very inappropriately dressed people on NCL ships. But, to call Freestyle dining "sloppy" dining is at best misinformed and at worst rude.

Someone said it is trendy to Bash NCL. I think this is because their are lot of proponents of traditional dining and many of these people are disappointed in their favorite lines for taking on some of the innovations that have come out on NCL.

But, to each his/her own.

PE

It really is a matter of taste; what one person loves, another will hate and vice versa.

Both traditional dining and anytime dining are available now on most ships, affording everyone an opportunity to do as they like.

We've been on several NCL cruises and while they are not our personal favorite, we have clients who absolutely love them.

I understand those who feel NCL seems a bit disorganized - at times that my sentiment also. I think alot of it may have to do with the pre-paid gratuities. If the staff know they are getting the gratuities, there's not as much incentive to provide exceptional service. While I don't have any major complaints and the service provided us is okay, I feel service on other cruise lines is more to our liking. But as I said, to each their own.

I will say that in my many years of personal experience, there really is no comparison between Princess and NCL; Princess provides nicer ships, better service, and much better food. Obviously, just my personal opinion.

Pete

Originally Posted by Planersedge

Hear, hear. The structure of traditional dining is not my cup of tea.

I personally don't see the lack of organization. If you have people queing up for two set dining times things will appear quite organized. When you have 2,000 people left to make their own schedules it could appear to be unorganized. But, trust me things are quite organized to pull this off night after night.

As for "sloppy" dining, I saw some incredibly sloppy people on Carnival and RCI. Yes, I have also seen some very inappropriately dressed people on NCL ships. But, to call Freestyle dining "sloppy" dining is at best misinformed and at worst rude.

Someone said it is trendy to Bash NCL. I think this is because their are lot of proponents of traditional dining and many of these people are disappointed in their favorite lines for taking on some of the innovations that have come out on NCL.

But, to each his/her own.

PE

PE,

Well said. My experience with NCL has been exemplary, memorable and "sloppy" and "disorganized" would be two terms I would not use to describe the experience.

I think NCL realizes its core audiences and does a great job catering to those specific set of needs. I also think the advances they are making in the cruise industry are tremendous; Freestyle, of course....but also real Solo cruise packages and suites. Its a potential game-changer and they're out in front.

To each their own always rings true...over and over again.


Cheers!