Thread: Choosing a cruise

Planning our second cruise, our first was on Celebrity and we loved it but we have some reasons to look into NCL but have some questions regarding how it differs from Celebrity. We would be traveling on the Jewel or Gem (both leave from NYC within a day of each other same itinerary).

1. We don't smoke and don't enjoy being around smoke, Celebrity has no smoking in rooms or balconies, how bad is this on NCL (we book balcony)

2. Leaving from NYC on NCL vs leaving from Miami on Celebrity.......big differences?

3. Differences in quality of food between the two (we loved Celebrity food and how much you got for free).

4. We thought entertainment on Celebrity was bland, how does NCL compare.

5. Don't want a bunch of kids running around (we will be cruising in November) or drunk 20 somethings, will we have that on NCL that time of year. On our Celebrity cruise we fit in age wise with some of the passengers but also felt that there was a lack of night time people or fun people.

6. Service quality between the two, reading from forum that NCL is lacking in service in main dining rooms and we honestly don't want to pay a ton of money to be eating in specialty restaurants all the time.

I'm sure I'll have more questions!

Firstly we enjoy NCL, the freestyle cruising suits us. Main restaurants service we have found exceptionally, as with the choice of food never had a complaint. Smoking is allowed on the decks, and in a cigar room in one of the lounges, make sure you don't sit near that.

As far as the cabins are concerned, out budget does not stretch to balcony cabins etc, so cannot say about smoking on balconies.

We have travelled on six different cruise lines and apart from P&O which I thought was exceptional, NCL comes a close second. The Jewel class ships are amongst the most stable ship we have sailed in, rough seas stabilisers work brilliantly. Our last cruise we hit a tropical storm, apart for a couple of hours when we were tossed about in gigantic waves, the ship sailed perfect.

Never sailed on Celebrity, but have sailed form Miami and New York on NCL. As both lines uses the two ports, can't see what the comparison is, except Miami lines to get on ships have been horrendous.

Entertainment we have never faulted, obviously shows are held you don't wish to see. Lounges music is usual being played for dancing. Spinnaker Lounge, where we like to sit when its uncomfortable outside in the daytime, have bingo, dancing classes, etc, even a Catholic Mass on our last cruise. Entertainment continues there into the early hours of the morning.

NCL is either loved or hated, many people like to sit at the same table at a set time, we enjoy the freedom NCL offers.

Travelling in November should be virtually children free, but there is a Kid Club that seems to work very well.

Please any questions will be please to answer, but at the end of the day it is your own taste that count.

Been on one smaller ship of another line, much prefer the larger vessels, but as long as we board a ship, its cruising that counts and what we enjoy.

As Norman said, "NCL is either loved or hated, many people like to sit at the same table at a set time, we enjoy the freedom NCL offers."

That's very true - people either love them or hate them. But all of the cruise lines now offer some type of anytime or personal choice dining, so NCL is not the only one to allow more freedom for dining options.

Most cruise ships now offer one or two specialty restaurants, but, NCL newer ships have several specialty restaurants where they charge extra.

As for the food, this is subjective and everyone has their own opinion - what one person loves, another will hate. We've been on several NCL cruises including the Dawn and the Gem. And we've also been on several Celebrity cruises. In our opinion, there is no comparison - Celebrity is much better.

Entertainment-wise, I would say NCL has a slight edge.

As for the type of group, if you're traveling when school is out, you'll have more younger people and kids on NCL than on Celebrity. If you're traveling when school is in, the age group will normally be a little older, but Celebrity will still have an older crowd than NCL.

If you like Celebrity, you may also want to give Holland America and Princess a try. Personally, I feel these are overall better than NCL, but that's just my opinion. And as they say, opinions are like bellybuttons - everyone has one.

As for sailing out of NY/NJ, it will obviously take longer getting to warmer weather than if sailing out of Florida. Plus, you'll be spending some of that time sailing in the Atlantic, which can often produce more waves and subsequently can offer a rougher ride at times. If you want to do the Caribbean, then cruises out of NY/NJ will normally be around 9-nights, whereas ones out of Florida will be 7-nights.

But the good thing about cruising is in the variety of experiences out there from which to choose and there's something for everybody. The fun part is in trying them all to find the one/s that are best for you.

Pete

Celebrity's cabins are no smoking. I was just on Carnival which to me is above NCL and Iv noticed that dirty dishes stay on the tables 20 minutes or more (this was in the buffet). I think Celebrity, will have better service in subtle ways like this. I would consider Celebrity a step above the family cruises lines, NCL, RCL and Carnival service wise, and that you will find less children.

clr315:

I'm not sure how this will help you, but it may serve to illustrate how folks will give you more opinions than you may able to handle!

In my 15 cruises to date, I've never sailed with either Celebrity or Norwegian!

NCL's philosophy just doesn't match mine!

Celebrity seems to usually be more $$$$ than I want to spend. But, I'm bending on that!

I am very partial to Holland America, partially because I am in my mid-70s, and they are acknowledged to be especially capable of working with "old folks!"

I am also very partial to Princess and always investigate what they may be offering before closing out any particular time frame!

SWR