Carnival vs NCL - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

tracy422 · 03-03-2010, 07:29 PM

We are looking at two trips. NCL Gem to Bermuda or Carnival Pride to Eastern Carribbean. Both late spring next year. I love the looks of the Gem but I love the islands on the Pride. I am also concerned about the cool weather in Bermuda in the spring. We perfer not to fly so both ports are drivable for us. NCL is out of NY but may be awful weather there too. The Pride is out of Baltimore. We have two families with young teens involved. Thanks for your advice.

kirkz · 03-04-2010, 10:01 AM

I have only cruised NCL and carnival. We went on the Gem out of NY+ to the Bahamas and had a great cruise. We went in Feb with bad weather in NY but by late the first day at sea weather was better and we had good weather by the time we reached Florida on the way to the Bahamas. We also sailed Carnival out of NY and enjoyed that trip too. I would choose my cruise by the ports of call and personally I would prefer the eastern carib to Bermuda as I enjoy going to several ports as opposed to one as I enjoy sightseeing and the excursions as well as the cruise itself. I am not familiar with the Pride, but the Gem as lots to do for teens including bowling and a big teen center. I'm sure you will enjoy either one as there is no such thing as a bad cruise, so have fun and let us know how it goes.

Cruise Planner · 03-04-2010, 01:14 PM

We live in the Northern Virginia area and we've been on both the Gem and the Pride, so I can honestly say it really is a matter of personal choice. The Gem is slightly bigger and newer, whereas the Pride is equally as nice. We enjoyed our cruises on both for different reasons. And we've been to Bermuda and to the Eastern Caribbean. Both are wonderful destinations depending on what you want to do. As for weather, early Spring could give you some cooler temperatures, especially on departure and return to your initial port. Bermuda weather is very similar to what you'll find equivalent to the North/South Carolina border area. Whereas the Eastern Caribbean will be a bit warmer, but take longer to get to.

Keep in mind that, like I always say, what one person loves, another will hate. So don't take recommendations as what may suit you the best.

Do your homework, take everything into consideration, but make a choice based on what you want, where you want to leave from, where you want to go, how much you want to spend, and what fits your lifestyle.

Some people look at the ship as the most important part of their cruise, whereas others consider the destination as the deciding factor on which cruise to take. And therein lies your task, but in the end, make it a choice based on what you want and not what others recommend.

Pete

uatlb · 06-16-2010, 08:35 PM

not a big fan of ncl only travel them when i have to go with carnival

canpass · 06-17-2010, 08:28 AM

I have only cruised on NCL so can’t really offer a valid comparison except to say I have enjoyed every NCL cruise I have been on, I am looking forward to my next two. I have never had a problem that was not solved to my satisfaction. Often it is our approach to the problem that determines how the cruise line responds. If we are kind and gentle with the staff we are more often likely to get an immediate response from them as opposed to be loud and over bearing. Sometimes we expect perfection in everything and that can never be achieved. I always send a follow up letter to the cruise line when I finish my cruise, my letters are always constructive telling them what I liked and what I didn’t like and what they can do to make things better. These letters are usually followed up with a phone call from the cruise line and often a welcome aboard gift on my next cruise.

sk8erguy1978 · 06-17-2010, 10:38 AM

I have never been on NCL and my Carnival cruise was so short I hardly remember it. I just wanted to say that what Pete said is exactly what you need to do.

Take advise from people, but do not pick your vacation on what they say. Most people are not very specific about why they dislike or like something.

We are trying NCL because - departure sailing location, departure date, length of cruise, price, ports of visit, and to sample the freestyle experience. Some people have said NCL is awesome we will love it, others say we will hate it - neither with a good reason why. We are not canceling, and we will make it one of the best cruises ever.

Why? Because, it gets a thumbs up on each of the criteria we needed. We did lots of research, found it and booked it.

Enjoy your trip and let us know what you decide!

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