Anyone been on or considered the Norwegian Cruise Line

[momof2n2]

OMG!!! That is such a awesome price for a family of 8. Congrats!!! In fact it's the same price I'm paying for the Fantasy in September for my family of four. My kids are begging to go on the Wonder next Feb because their friend that they met on a previous cruise in going to be on it. Now I may have to switch to the Dream in September, but I'm going to go check out those NCl prices first... but geez I'm so close to being platinum it's hard to change. I have gotten some great prices on DCL, but it's always been last minute, and it has required my dh to rebid his vacation dates. I wish DCL would offer some discounts ahead of time like the other cruise lines.

Did you see I corrected it? Actually $5400. But still. For eight of us in balcony.

Maybe once you hit platinum try other lines? I'm barely silver.

Seriously. I'm a so psyched.
Check out these photos http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2014/01/13/photo-tour-norwegian-getaway/4356801/

 

[Ofinn]

I

Did you see I corrected it? Actually $5400. But still. For eight of us in balcony.

Maybe once you hit platinum try other lines? I'm barely silver.

Seriously. I'm a so psyched.
Check out these photos http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2014/01/13/photo-tour-norwegian-getaway/4356801/

The price in September for a mini suite would be 2600 for the four of plus we would get the free add on package. Ridiculously good deal. My concern about Norwegian is the kids clubs. On DCL kids can check themselves in and out at age 8 which my kids have always done. Now their in the Edge , and they come and go as they please. The age for the teen club on NCL is 13(most lines it's 12) so they would be in the 10-12 group. I think they can check themselves in and out, but they have some weird rules. I have read it three times and I still don't get it. My kids love the independence I give them on DCL, and I have always felt perfectly comfortable giving it to them. DCL has been like their second home the last 5 years. I'm not sure their going to like going back to the younger club, and I'm not sure how I'm going to feel turning them lose on a strange ship. My plan was always to try a different line when my youngest turned 12 so they could both get into the teen or tween club.

I don't think I'll try NCL it this year, but I'm seriously thinking about booking Alaska next August on NCL. I'm waiting for RCI and DCL to release their rates, but I don't think their going to beat 3,900 for a mini suite. Hopefully the rates come out before the NCL deals end on April 6 so I can compare. I really don't care what the kids think of the kids club on an Alaska cruise since it's all about seeing Alaska. Caribbean is a little different we have been to most of the ports so it's all about the ship.

 

[momof2n2]

I


The price in September for a mini suite would be 2600 for the four of plus we would get the free add on package. Ridiculously good deal. My concern about Norwegian is the kids clubs. On DCL kids can check themselves in and out at age 8 which my kids have always done. Now their in the Edge , and they come and go as they please. The age for the teen club on NCL is 13(most lines it's 12) so they would be in the 10-12 group. I think they can check themselves in and out, but they have some weird rules. I have read it three times and I still don't get it. My kids love the independence I give them on DCL, and I have always felt perfectly comfortable giving it to them. DCL has been like their second home the last 5 years. I'm not sure their going to like going back to the younger club, and I'm not sure how I'm going to feel turning them lose on a strange ship. My plan was always to try a different line when my youngest turned 12 so they could both get into the teen or tween club.

I don't think I'll try NCL it this year, but I'm seriously thinking about booking Alaska next August on NCL. I'm waiting for RCI and DCL to release their rates, but I don't think their going to beat 3,900 for a mini suite. Hopefully the rates come out before the NCL deals end on April 6 so I can compare. I really don't care what the kids think of the kids club on an Alaska cruise since it's all about seeing Alaska. Caribbean is a little different we have been to most of the ports so it's all about the ship.

Isn't it "funny" how other lines can charge so much less and still stay afloat?

We are super excited. My boys will be 13 & 15 when we go. So they will be in the same teen group, "Entourage."

Actually - for the ages my kids will be next spring, it was absolutely the perfect time for us to try NCL. My youngest two girls will be three and five (JUST before turning 6). I would never have let the three-year-old go to a club by yourself, but to have the almost six-year-old with her I will be more comfortable.

Then my middle two daughters will be 10 and 11. The 10-year-old will have just turned 10 the month before. Honestly, it just fit perfectly. And that was one of the reasons we did jump on it. If we even waited a few months it would get messed up.

We aren't DCL pros. We only have one cruise under our belts as a family. I think it is easier along that vein to jump after something new. My 10-year-old daughter and my 12-year-old son are still a little bummed about not checking out the fantasy. But we are going to spend a week in Kissimmee and do WDW so that softened the blow. ;-)

 

[havoc315]

Isn't it "funny" how other lines can charge so much less and still stay afloat?

We are super excited. My boys will be 13 & 15 when we go. So they will be in the same teen group, "Entourage."

Actually - for the ages my kids will be next spring, it was absolutely the perfect time for us to try NCL. My youngest two girls will be three and five (JUST before turning 6). I would never have let the three-year-old go to a club by yourself, but to have the almost six-year-old with her I will be more comfortable.

Then my middle two daughters will be 10 and 11. The 10-year-old will have just turned 10 the month before. Honestly, it just fit perfectly. And that was one of the reasons we did jump on it. If we even waited a few months it would get messed up.

We aren't DCL pros. We only have one cruise under our belts as a family. I think it is easier along that vein to jump after something new. My 10-year-old daughter and my 12-year-old son are still a little bummed about not checking out the fantasy. But we are going to spend a week in Kissimmee and do WDW so that softened the blow. ;-)

They charge less, and they give less for the money. We enjoyed NCL, but you definitely feel you are getting less. The biggest negative is the kids clubs. Their newer policies may the younger clubs totally unusable for us -- We would have spent half the cruise checking the kids in and out of the club (they were 7-9 at the time). As a result,on a 7 day cruise, we only used the kids clubs for a couple hours total. Then more recently in 7 days on the Fantasy -- we used the kids club every single day. The kids probably spent 25-35 hours in the clubs over 7 days, as opposed to 2-3 hours on NCL in total.

 

[havoc315]

I too wonder where this nickle and dime nonsense comes from when comparing cruise lines....what exactly is disney giving you for free that other cruises aren't? soda? You without a doubt in my mind pay the difference in other ships beverage package with disneys up charge anyway.

Absolutely nothing is nickle and dimes at all.

Kids clubs that run day and night. Where NCL hours are very limited.
First run Disney movies, in theater. Huge on-demand movies in cabin. (Other than a couple tv channels, you pay for everything on NCL)
Disney character meet & greets that nobody else can offer.
Far better and more attentive customer service.
Slightly better included dining. (The included restaurants on NCL are actually pretty poor)
If going to the Bahamas/Caribbean -- Castaway Cay is MUCH nicer than the NCL Island.
Adult only areas** I believe the brand new NCL ships have decent adult-only areas. But they are lacking on the slightly older NCL ships.
Larger rooms. On average, DCL rooms are slightly bigger, but feel much bigger. Inside and oceanview cabins are much bigger on DCL.
More included activities.

Subjectively, I like the entertainment options on DCL more than NCL.

 

[momof2n2]

They charge less, and they give less for the money. We enjoyed NCL, but you definitely feel you are getting less. The biggest negative is the kids clubs. Their newer policies may the younger clubs totally unusable for us -- We would have spent half the cruise checking the kids in and out of the club (they were 7-9 at the time). As a result,on a 7 day cruise, we only used the kids clubs for a couple hours total. Then more recently in 7 days on the Fantasy -- we used the kids club every single day. The kids probably spent 25-35 hours in the clubs over 7 days, as opposed to 2-3 hours on NCL in total.

Kids clubs that run day and night. Where NCL hours are very limited.
First run Disney movies, in theater. Huge on-demand movies in cabin. (Other than a couple tv channels, you pay for everything on NCL)
Disney character meet & greets that nobody else can offer.
Far better and more attentive customer service.
Slightly better included dining. (The included restaurants on NCL are actually pretty poor)
If going to the Bahamas/Caribbean -- Castaway Cay is MUCH nicer than the NCL Island.
Adult only areas** I believe the brand new NCL ships have decent adult-only areas. But they are lacking on the slightly older NCL ships.
Larger rooms. On average, DCL rooms are slightly bigger, but feel much bigger. Inside and oceanview cabins are much bigger on DCL.
More included activities.

Subjectively, I like the entertainment options on DCL more than NCL.

For sure it will remain to be seen how much we enjoy it. But a ropes course, five water slides, rock wall, and mini-golf probably won't feel like less to my kids.

We've only done a four-night DCL but my sons only spent about 4 hours in Edge & my three older girls only did about 3.5. I'm not even sure we'll use them much on NCL, but that the ages line up just right for us next year made it a good time to try it. DH & I spent all our time with at least some of our kids. We're not adult-only folks. Kids are cooler.

 

[havoc315]

For sure it will remain to be seen how much we enjoy it. But a ropes course, five water slides, rock wall, and mini-golf probably won't feel like less to my kids.

We've only done a four-night DCL but my sons only spent about 4 hours in Edge & my three older girls only did about 3.5. I'm not even sure we'll use them much on NCL, but that the ages line up just right for us next year made it a good time to try it. DH & I spent all our time with at least some of our kids. We're not adult-only folks. Kids are cooler.

Yes, there will be plenty for the kids -- especially the teens -- to do outside of the club. With this stuff, NCL may be a very very good fit for your family. I didn't do the newest NCL ships.. I was on the somewhat older Dawn, and the "middle-aged" Gem. The Breakaway/Getaway experience may be leagues different, especially with older kids.

I may go back to NCL when my kids are teens. We did enjoy getting the suite experience for the same price as a regular Disney cruise.

 

[momof2n2]

Yes, there will be plenty for the kids -- especially the teens -- to do outside of the club. With this stuff, NCL may be a very very good fit for your family. I didn't do the newest NCL ships.. I was on the somewhat older Dawn, and the "middle-aged" Gem. The Breakaway/Getaway experience may be leagues different, especially with older kids.

I may go back to NCL when my kids are teens. We did enjoy getting the suite experience for the same price as a regular Disney cruise.

Did you like the food?
ETA
I see you did mention that. We got free ultimate dining so hopefully the expanded options will deliver.

I do agree I'm concerned about night time entertainment choices. But NCL (with verandah & mini suited) was 2/3 the cost of inside staterooms, so we have to try it.

 

[bond24seven]

My family was looking into an Alaska cruise. We have only sailed with Disney on a few other cruises in the past, and loved it.. We have only booked a balcony room. When we were looking into booking a Disney cruise to Alaska with a balcony, The price was 7800.00 for 3 people. Norwegian came out with a special 3rd and 4th cruise for free in the same stateroom, so we booked May 30 2015 with them for only 3035.00 for a balcony stateroom and the free ultimate dining package. We also were able to book an eight night vacation at Walt Disney World in October staying at Caribbean Beach Resort with free dining for 4100.00.
So now for about the same money, we will get 2 vacations this year!!

 

[cbonebt]

I keep reading this thread and checking ncl website but the ny cruises are expensive. Mayb I am doing sumthing wrong?

 

[alldiz]

I keep reading this thread and checking ncl website but the ny cruises are expensive. Mayb I am doing sumthing wrong?

NY cruises are generally more

 

[havoc315]

Did you like the food?
ETA
I see you did mention that. We got free ultimate dining so hopefully the expanded options will deliver.

I do agree I'm concerned about night time entertainment choices. But NCL (with verandah & mini suited) was 2/3 the cost of inside staterooms, so we have to try it.

The "free ultimate dining" thing is newer... Though we did specialty restaurants. We all liked the french restaurant. We generally thought the steakhouse was way overrated. The hibachi is fine, if you like hibachi.
Honestly, I wasn't blown away by dining on DCL, but overall, I found the regular DCL restaurants on approximately the same level as the NCL specialty restaurants. Give or take. I thought the French on NCL was a bit better than the standard DCL dining.

 

[momof2n2]

The "free ultimate dining" thing is newer... Though we did specialty restaurants. We all liked the french restaurant. We generally thought the steakhouse was way overrated. The hibachi is fine, if you like hibachi.
Honestly, I wasn't blown away by dining on DCL, but overall, I found the regular DCL restaurants on approximately the same level as the NCL specialty restaurants. Give or take. I thought the French on NCL was a bit better than the standard DCL dining.

My only experiences are DCL and Princess. We are not foodies, but live trying new things and good service. We found DCL food very good and service very good-to-excellent.
On Princess I found the food and service excellent. I do think we are easy

 

[Tasmen]

Kids clubs that run day and night. Where NCL hours are very limited.

Maybe I missed something when I looked but what do you mean by very limited? I did see that after a certain time at night it is no longer free and you have to pay. Were you referring to that?

 

[havoc315]

Maybe I missed something when I looked but what do you mean by very limited? I did see that after a certain time at night it is no longer free and you have to pay. Were you referring to that?

Partially that. Also, as of my last cruise, the kids club was closed from 12-2 and from 5-7. So you had a long line of parents checking their kids out at 12, then a long line to check them back in at 2. Meaning, forget any of the adult-type activities from 11:45-2:30 for 4:45-7:30. Forget meals without the kids, etc.

 

[momof2n2]

Partially that. Also, as of my last cruise, the kids club was closed from 12-2 and from 5-7. So you had a long line of parents checking their kids out at 12, then a long line to check them back in at 2. Meaning, forget any of the adult-type activities from 11:45-2:30 for 4:45-7:30. Forget meals without the kids, etc.

Thank you for clarifying. That won't be a problem for us.

 

[Tasmen]

Partially that. Also, as of my last cruise, the kids club was closed from 12-2 and from 5-7. So you had a long line of parents checking their kids out at 12, then a long line to check them back in at 2. Meaning, forget any of the adult-type activities from 11:45-2:30 for 4:45-7:30. Forget meals without the kids, etc.

Ah yeah see that on their site now. Well that is inconvenient. Still excited for cruise, though.

 

[havoc315]

Ah yeah see that on their site now. Well that is inconvenient. Still excited for cruise, though.

It will still be a fantastic cruise, I'm sure. We definitely enjoyed our 2 NCL cruises. But the DCL vs. NCL kids club differences makes it a very different vacation for us. With our party's kids (2 families, with 3 kids between ages 8-10), the DCL kids clubs allows the adults to have lots of separate adult time, away from the kids. On a 7 night cruise, 2-3 dinners without the kids. A few nights at the bars without the kids. And on sea days, get to enjoy grown-up shipboard activities, as the kids always wanted to be in the club. They ate lunch there on most sea days. On NCL, we rarely used the kids clubs with the newer hours, so it was do everything together as a family, all the time. Not that I object to spending time with my kids of course!

 

[Tasmen]

It will still be a fantastic cruise, I'm sure. We definitely enjoyed our 2 NCL cruises. But the DCL vs. NCL kids club differences makes it a very different vacation for us. With our party's kids (2 families, with 3 kids between ages 8-10), the DCL kids clubs allows the adults to have lots of separate adult time, away from the kids. On a 7 night cruise, 2-3 dinners without the kids. A few nights at the bars without the kids. And on sea days, get to enjoy grown-up shipboard activities, as the kids always wanted to be in the club. They ate lunch there on most sea days. On NCL, we rarely used the kids clubs with the newer hours, so it was do everything together as a family, all the time. Not that I object to spending time with my kids of course!

I think we'll be eating a lot of late adult dinners We are going with a rather huge group (43 of us with at least 10 of those being kids). I imagine we'll be utilizing the late night club even with the cost associated with it.

 

[havoc315]

I think we'll be eating a lot of late adult dinners We are going with a rather huge group (43 of us with at least 10 of those being kids). I imagine we'll be utilizing the late night club even with the cost associated with it.

43??? That's a huge group. If I recall, the after-hours club isn't expensive. And the regular hours do go to 10:30.. So within the regular hours, you can have about 7:15-10:30 free.