Anyone been on or considered the Norwegian Cruise Line

[momof2n2]

Bump

You needed to bump a 2 year old thread?

It’s actually three years old from when it was started and I have done NCL since then @EPCOTatNight.

We did Getaway May 2016 and have the Breakaway booked for 2019.

I can try to answer any questions you have and in my signature I have my trip report from that cruise.

We’ve stuck to land vacations 2017/2018, (and a mom-only cruise on Princess), but I can’t wait to hit the seas again on NCL.

 

[grantclaire]

Hi, we have done 8 Disney cruises and they all have been great but we are considering another line just due to cost. Kids are grown up so it would be just the 2 of us. One question is how is the smoking situation on NCL ? like to avoid smoke as much as possible. Thanks

 

[Pens Fan]

Hi, we have done 8 Disney cruises and they all have been great but we are considering another line just due to cost. Kids are grown up so it would be just the 2 of us. One question is how is the smoking situation on NCL ? like to avoid smoke as much as possible. Thanks

I am certainly no NCL expert, having on only been on one (the Sun), though we have two more booked. But I do read a lot on the NCL boards over on cruise critic and it seems the smoke issue varies by ship. On the Sun it was a complete nonissue unless you gamble. They allow smoking in the casino, but unless you went in there you were fine. We don't gamble and never once had a smoke issue the entire week.

The ships I've read the most complaints on are the Breakaway, Getaway, and (to a lesser extent) Escape. It seems the casinos are positioned on the ship in such a way that the smoke travels into other areas. But I've never seen too many complaints on the other ships, so I think those are the main ones where you might have an issue. I did read just last week that someone was onboard on of those (maybe the Escape?) and NCL had installed air cleaners in the ceiling and they were very pleased with how well they were working. The new ship, the Bliss, just set sail. I've been reading several of the live reviews currently underway and they have mentioned that the casino is now divided. The smoking section is completley enclosed and also has the air cleaners. The rest of the casino is smoke free, so hopefully the smoke issue has been addressed on this new build. It sounds as if NCL is getting the message regarding customer's aversion to smoke.

 

[cadien]

When we were on the Star, the only accessible way to get to the MDRs was walking past the casino, so you got the smoke. Ironic when you have to take the elevators because of an oxygen tank...

 

[grantclaire]

I am certainly no NCL expert, having on only been on one (the Sun), though we have two more booked. But I do read a lot on the NCL boards over on cruise critic and it seems the smoke issue varies by ship. On the Sun it was a complete nonissue unless you gamble. They allow smoking in the casino, but unless you went in there you were fine. We don't gamble and never once had a smoke issue the entire week.

The ships I've read the most complaints on are the Breakaway, Getaway, and (to a lesser extent) Escape. It seems the casinos are positioned on the ship in such a way that the smoke travels into other areas. But I've never seen too many complaints on the other ships, so I think those are the main ones where you might have an issue. I did read just last week that someone was onboard on of those (maybe the Escape?) and NCL had installed air cleaners in the ceiling and they were very pleased with how well they were working. The new ship, the Bliss, just set sail. I've been reading several of the live reviews currently underway and they have mentioned that the casino is now divided. The smoking section is completley enclosed and also has the air cleaners. The rest of the casino is smoke free, so hopefully the smoke issue has been addressed on this new build. It sounds as if NCL is getting the message regarding customer's aversion to smoke.

Thanks for the info!

 

[ludari]

I just booked my first NCL cruise this week for Jan 2019! I first checked DCL but then I compared a similar NCL cruise and I saved over $3K for the same amount of days. I really enjoy sailing on Disney and no other cruse lines I have been on come close to Disney's service and entertainment but I'm always open to explore other cruise lines at least until the new Disney ships arrive.

 

[yargrnhoj]

We've done two cruises on NCL (one to Hawaii and one on the Epic out of Miami). Here are some of the things we didn't like about NCL:

1) The bar service was poor. They had too few bartenders at the pool bars so there were long lines. In addition, since the bar was the only place you could fill your refillable soda mug, that added to the lines. And the bartenders didn't seem to like refilling sodas, probably because they didn't get a tip.

2) You have to schedule everything in advance. We wanted to go to a Second City show and it was sold out. They said you could wait in line and maybe get in. Didn't feel very 'freestyle'.

3) The Epic had the oddest bathrooms ever. The shower was transparent and open to the room so you had to pull the curtain across the sleeping area to take a shower. (This is apparently just an Epic issue)

4) Cirque show was a ticketed item that you had to reserve in advance.

5) They wouldn't let our 13-year-old daughter attend the Blue Man Group show by herself because it was a "PG-13" show. I explained I was her parent and I was giving 'guidance' that it was okay to attend (and explained to them she had seen it with us the night before) but they said a parent had to stay with her for the show. I disagreed because PG-13 means children 'under 13' not actually 13.

There were upcharges for a lot of things you get for free on Disney, but when the comparable Disney cruise that year was several thousand dollars more, I didn't find these other charges worth complaining about.

 

[jeepnjudy]

It’s actually three years old from when it was started and I have done NCL since then @EPCOTatNight.

We did Getaway May 2016 and have the Breakaway booked for 2019.

I can try to answer any questions you have and in my signature I have my trip report from that cruise.

We’ve stuck to land vacations 2017/2018, (and a mom-only cruise on Princess), but I can’t wait to hit the seas again on NCL.

Thank you for your post which lead me to your trip report. Although I will not be on the same ship, we are taking the NCL Pearl to those same ports over Christmas this year for our 1st non-Disney cruise. I loved all your pictures and all the information!

 

[Intr3pid]

Anyone taken the NCL Star to the Greek Isles in the summer? Sails out of Venice and visits Kotor, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, etc in about 7 days. We are taking the DCL Med cruise prior to this one, and we would like to check out the Greek Isles on the same trip next year.

Our primary concern is that we are a family with three kids, and want to avoid the booze, casinos, party crowd, etc. There aren't many cruise line options - and this NCL itinerary is one of the better ones. Would booking a certain class of cabin allow privacy or a better experience?

 

[momof2n2]

Thank you for your post which lead me to your trip report. Although I will not be on the same ship, we are taking the NCL Pearl to those same ports over Christmas this year for our 1st non-Disney cruise. I loved all your pictures and all the information!

Aw - thanks for looking!
We have extremely inflexible dates for next year so I had to choose the ship/port combo I did (Breakaway and Eastern ports), but I would have preferred the western ports again. I've been blessed to get to visit Little French Key in Honduras again this year (on a cruise with another mom friend) and I can not recommend it enough. It is expensive, but they have such great customer service.

I bet you love the Pearl. If you are on Cruise Critic, look for a poster named Mistugirly on the NCL boards. She travels NCL extensively and does reports that put mine to shame. She has been on just about every NCL ship and to just about every port they visit.

 

[Dug720]

Aw - thanks for looking!
We have extremely inflexible dates for next year so I had to choose the ship/port combo I did (Breakaway and Eastern ports), but I would have preferred the western ports again. I've been blessed to get to visit Little French Key in Honduras again this year (on a cruise with another mom friend) and I can not recommend it enough. It is expensive, but they have such great customer service.

I bet you love the Pearl. If you are on Cruise Critic, look for a poster named Mistugirly on the NCL boards. She travels NCL extensively and does reports that put mine to shame. She has been on just about every NCL ship and to just about every port they visit.

I am currently reading one of hers from a RCCL Jewel cruise. She is certainly extensive and it’s fun to read, but her style is a bit...blunt. I will read a section about a port day and be all “Well clearly she hated this” and yet she doesn’t. I’m still trying to figure the style out to be honest. (Also, she uses a fish-eye lens for ALL her pictures which throws my eye off. I personally don’t see the appeal of that lens, but it is at least consistent.)

 

[Dug720]

Anyone taken the NCL Star to the Greek Isles in the summer? Sails out of Venice and visits Kotor, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, etc in about 7 days. We are taking the DCL Med cruise prior to this one, and we would like to check out the Greek Isles on the same trip next year.

Our primary concern is that we are a family with three kids, and want to avoid the booze, casinos, party crowd, etc. There aren't many cruise line options - and this NCL itinerary is one of the better ones. Would booking a certain class of cabin allow privacy or a better experience?

Royal Caribbean usually has good itineraries that include Greece. I’m on the Jewel out of Rome going exclusively to Greece (I’ve been there, done that with Kotor) in a couple of months and will report back.

 

[abbiep]

We cruised Disney first and then NCL Pearl and then back to DCL. As soon as we walked on the NCL we all 3 looked at each other and said this isn't Disney is it. It was okay but definitely not Disney. We didn't like having to stand at the bar to get our soda mugs refilled. The services wasn't Disney Service. IT was little things but and I am not saying I wouldn't ever sail NCL again but there is definitely a difference.

 

[cadien]

Anyone taken the NCL Star to the Greek Isles in the summer? Sails out of Venice and visits Kotor, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, etc in about 7 days. We are taking the DCL Med cruise prior to this one, and we would like to check out the Greek Isles on the same trip next year.

Our primary concern is that we are a family with three kids, and want to avoid the booze, casinos, party crowd, etc. There aren't many cruise line options - and this NCL itinerary is one of the better ones. Would booking a certain class of cabin allow privacy or a better experience?

I've taken the Star, but not to Greece. As one of the older ships, it does not have a Haven. You can book the suites (we did) and get a butler and concierge, but there is no private sundeck, pool, etc. Unless you spring for the Garden Villa. There is a private restaurant for breakfast and lunch, but not for dinner and no private bar.

If your kids are interested in being in the clubs, that will get them away from any partying. There is just the one casino. You have to go out of your way to not walk by it, and the smoke gets into the hallway, but that's the only real issue with it. There aren't slot machines outside of the area or anything.

Party crowd really depends. Seven days is less likely to have it than 3 or 4. But it just becomes subjective and you really get a different mix of people on every cruise. They'll have live music and a bar around the main pool deck, but there's a quieter one. And the family area stays mellow.

 

[KashasMom]

Hi, we have done 8 Disney cruises and they all have been great but we are considering another line just due to cost. Kids are grown up so it would be just the 2 of us. One question is how is the smoking situation on NCL ? like to avoid smoke as much as possible. Thanks

The Bliss has an enclosed casino for smokers. Not sure about the rest of the ship. Will find out in August.

 

[jeepnjudy]

Thank you for the information.

Aw - thanks for looking!
We have extremely inflexible dates for next year so I had to choose the ship/port combo I did (Breakaway and Eastern ports), but I would have preferred the western ports again. I've been blessed to get to visit Little French Key in Honduras again this year (on a cruise with another mom friend) and I can not recommend it enough. It is expensive, but they have such great customer service.

I bet you love the Pearl. If you are on Cruise Critic, look for a poster named Mistugirly on the NCL boards. She travels NCL extensively and does reports that put mine to shame. She has been on just about every NCL ship and to just about every port they visit.

Thank you for the information...I will have to jump over there and take a look at her reports. I appreciate others feedback and experience!

 

[jeepnjudy]

We cruised Disney first and then NCL Pearl and then back to DCL. As soon as we walked on the NCL we all 3 looked at each other and said this isn't Disney is it. It was okay but definitely not Disney. We didn't like having to stand at the bar to get our soda mugs refilled. The services wasn't Disney Service. IT was little things but and I am not saying I wouldn't ever sail NCL again but there is definitely a difference.

What was your impression of the Pearl if I might ask? I do realize NCL is not Disney so we are not going into this cruise with that expectation. I think if we did, that would lead to disappointment. We are going in with an open mind and the "let's check out this cruise line and see what they have to offer". I have to admit we also chose this cruise because we were tiring of some of the Disney ports of stop and this cruise offered ports we had not yet been to except Cozumel.

 

[KashasMom]

There were upcharges for a lot of things you get for free on Disney, but when the comparable Disney cruise that year was several thousand dollars more, I didn't find these other charges worth complaining about.

Can you be more specific? It's been a while since I've been on NCL.

 

[KashasMom]

We cruised Disney first and then NCL Pearl and then back to DCL. As soon as we walked on the NCL we all 3 looked at each other and said this isn't Disney is it. It was okay but definitely not Disney. We didn't like having to stand at the bar to get our soda mugs refilled. The services wasn't Disney Service. IT was little things but and I am not saying I wouldn't ever sail NCL again but there is definitely a difference.[/QUOTE

The Pearl is an older ship. I think their newer ships are better overall than the older ones.

 

[Intr3pid]

Royal Caribbean usually has good itineraries that include Greece. I’m on the Jewel out of Rome going exclusively to Greece (I’ve been there, done that with Kotor) in a couple of months and will report back.

That would be my choice if I had done Kotor. RCL does have Rhapsody that follows a similar itinerary as the Star, so it's between these two.