NCL trying to one up the Aquaduck ?

[momof2minnies]

We were docked next to two other cruise lines-Carnival -2 ships and NCL Gem and all I can say is Disney is all class.The other ships were just very TACKY!!!!!!!!

My DD18 even commented on it and usually they don't notice much unless it pertains to them


Very sharp looking ships indeed!!!

Linda

 

[Ned Land]

Lets be honest folks. Water slides on a boat are more of a novelty than a true thrill. In today's age of 100 mph coasters with 400 foot drops, these are not exactly groundbreaking. The good news is it might lessen the crowds at the pools, but I just don't get too excited about it.

Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach is 12 stories and most indoor water parks have 4-5 story slides. From the picture, these look pretty tame.

For the person who said that the Norwegian Pearl had 10 "free" restaurants, where are they??? We were on that boat last June and only found like 3. The food was mediocre unless you paid a surcharge at the specialty places. Here is the link to their restaurant options. You may need to recount.

http://www2.ncl.com/cruise-ship/pearl/onboard/eat#tab_detail

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We're doing one of those crappy itineraries on the Magic - a very old ship.

A "fantastic family suite with a window on a 7 night for around $3000!" on a brand new ship is 40% less than what we paid. Heck, we could have gone on the new Fantasy - same category including air - for less than what we paid.

The NYC Magic cruisers really took a beating. This better be some great cruise!!

FYI..........The Magic is very far from being a old ship.......she is just middle aged now!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Lets be honest folks. Water slides on a boat are more of a novelty than a true thrill. In today's age of 100 mph coasters with 400 foot drops, these are not exactly groundbreaking. The good news is it might lessen the crowds at the pools, but I just don't get too excited about it.

Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach is 12 stories and most indoor water parks have 4-5 story slides. From the picture, these look pretty tame.

For the person who said that the Norwegian Pearl had 10 "free" restaurants, where are they??? We were on that boat last June and only found like 3. The food was mediocre unless you paid a surcharge at the specialty places. Here is the link to their restaurant options. You may need to recount.

http://www2.ncl.com/cruise-ship/pearl/onboard/eat#tab_detail

I totally agree!

 

[luv2sleep]

Sounds like a great feature for older children. I looked at these ships and a huge turnoff was that unless you pay for a much higher priced room you don't get a real bathroom. The toilet, shower and bathroom sink are positioned inside the room with no doors. Also not all rooms have bathtubs and if you want one you can't figure it out on the site and even the agents have no idea which ones have them.

 

[Raspberry Beret]

Sounds like a great feature for older children. I looked at these ships and a huge turnoff was that unless you pay for a much higher priced room you don't get a real bathroom. The toilet, shower and bathroom sink are positioned inside the room with no doors. Also not all rooms have bathtubs and if you want one you can't figure it out on the site and even the agents have no idea which ones have them.

The only NCL ship with that bathroom design is the Epic. I don't know how you saw it on other NCL ships. Because of all of the negative feedback on the bathroom design from Epic passengers, the new ships will have the traditional cruise ship cabin bathroom design.

 

[luv2sleep]

The only NCL ship with that bathroom design is the Epic. I don't know how you saw it on other NCL ships. Because of all of the negative feedback on the bathroom design from Epic passengers, the new ships will have the traditional cruise ship cabin bathroom design.

Thank you for that clarification. When I called NCL I was told that the Breakaway would have the same design. Good to hear they got rid of that open bathroom concept. That's great!

 

[NancyIL]

I totally agree. NCL doesn't need to "try" to outdo the AquaDuck....or the pool areas....and neither does Carnival. Both have much more space, WAY larger adult pool areas, in the aft, and more activities for all ages.


Not quite sure why the thread went off track about food?

But since it WAS mentioned, on our last NCL cruise, aboard the Pearl.....there are TEN places to eat that are included in the cost of the cruise and only five "upsell" restaurants...two of them cost $25 pp, one costs $20, one costs $15 and the last one costs $10.
How many options does DCL have?
Please....these "Everyone" vs DCL debates get old.........

Interesting that DCL fans complain about extra-fee restaurants on other cruise lines, but don't mind paying $20 pp for Palo or $75 pp for Remy on the Dream and Fantasy!

 

[Zandy595]

I don't know, I still think the AquaDuck is better. You travel around almost the whole top of the ship in a clear tube where you can see out over the ocean. NCL just has a bunch of everyday waterslides...

 

[jlwhitney]

I don't know, I still think the AquaDuck is better. You travel around almost the whole top of the ship in a clear tube where you can see out over the ocean. NCL just has a bunch of everyday waterslides...

Thats what I thought, and two are for sure body slides and alot people dont like body slides as much.

Its just tacky in my opinion, and looks cluttered.

 

[templed]

Yawn...

All gimmicks... it's what's inside that counts. I've sailed NCL... I've sailed Carnival... I've sailed Celebrity... I've sailed Royal Caribbean....

Each one has their gimmicks... even Disney. So, to me what really counts is the stuff that goes on inside the ship. Service... Food... etc.

The bells and whistles aren't what makes a cruise memorable (to me at least). If you can do the basics right, that's what makes an outstanding cruise and and outstanding cruise line.

 

[DisneyOHFan]

Egads that's ugly! Looks like a habitrail. At least the Aquaduck is clear and doesn't look like a giant pile of pool noodles on the deck.

OMG!!! I am having a crappy day and that made me laugh so hard. Thank you.

 

[surrealrain]

I think the plank sounds awesome and something I would love to do. The waterpark doesn't impress me much. That's something I can do on land.

 

[caitlinsdad]

Give me the magic or wonder anyday. I do not like these waterparks at sea, I want a calm relaxing cruise, not a day at the waterpark.

Fantasy and Dream are great ships, but I prefer the original ships more.

 

[mcd2745]

Looks pretty cool to me. I think most kids over the age of 8 or so would love those slides. It never ceases to amaze me how so many here on the DIS can only see things through their Mickey Goggles. I would definitely check this ship out, especially since it will sail from NYC full time. The room designs look very nice and modern as well. I've never sailed NCL before. Purely conceptually, I like the idea behind their "freestyle" cruising. I'm not one for all the rigid formalities of cruising in general. Although, I know there are a lot of mixed reviews with respect to how it actually works out. Like a PP said, at the end of the day, everything comes down to things like good service and quality food, etc.

 

[templed]

I took NCL Dawn out of NYC way back when they first starting sailing out of NYC full time.

It was a really good time... but I've since heard from people that have told me that they've really limited the number of "included" restaurants. Dawn had like 11 restaurants ... at the time that I sailed ... I think maybe 5 were "extra".... I've heard through friends that ... all but 3 are "extra" now...

Freestyle is a great concept... but... you have to be well organized. Reservations are hard to come by.

 

[KashasMom]

Yes, agree that Disney cruisers are over-the-top loyal. Who cares what it looks like, how does it function? By the time kids reach a certain age, you may need something a little more exciting than Mickey Mouse.

And what is better on almost every cruise line than DCL?? Itineraries!!!

 

[ilovetexas]

Yawn...

All gimmicks... it's what's inside that counts. I've sailed NCL... I've sailed Carnival... I've sailed Celebrity... I've sailed Royal Caribbean....

Each one has their gimmicks... even Disney. So, to me what really counts is the stuff that goes on inside the ship. Service... Food... etc.

The bells and whistles aren't what makes a cruise memorable (to me at least). If you can do the basics right, that's what makes an outstanding cruise and and outstanding cruise line.

Looks pretty cool to me. I think most kids over the age of 8 or so would love those slides. It never ceases to amaze me how so many here on the DIS can only see things through their Mickey Goggles. I would definitely check this ship out, especially since it will sail from NYC full time. The room designs look very nice and modern as well. I've never sailed NCL before. Purely conceptually, I like the idea behind their "freestyle" cruising. I'm not one for all the rigid formalities of cruising in general. Although, I know there are a lot of mixed reviews with respect to how it actually works out. Like a PP said, at the end of the day, everything comes down to things like good service and quality food, etc.

 

[NancyIL]

I loved the "Mickey Goggles" comment, too!

 

[Jessieknj]

Yes, agree that Disney cruisers are over-the-top loyal. Who cares what it looks like, how does it function? By the time kids reach a certain age, you may need something a little more exciting than Mickey Mouse.

And what is better on almost every cruise line than DCL?? Itineraries!!!

I couldn't agree more. While I love DCL, I also love NEW adventures and the "special" sailings on DCL are so over priced. I know they price it that way because they can sell it and I respect that but it's not worth the money to me.

Some of the water parks do stick out like a sore thumb but if my family has fun and the service is good then I can live with that.