NCL trying to one up the Aquaduck ?

[lark]

Don't care what it looks like -- fun is fun. I wish there were an alternative to the aquaduck to split the lines. Epic may be the ugliest ship ever created, but we're going to give it a try for the med next year.

I also wish DCL had more "upsell" restaurants. I view these as a positive, not a negative. Most lines that have them charge a pretty nominal amount -- usually a number just high enough for crowd control. DCL has two non-upcharge dinner options on its 4000 plus passenger vessels -- the dining room and a sit down at the buffet restaurant, which isn't even open every night. (Plus, I guess, the snack stands on the pool deck.)

That NCL has only 3 or 4 non-upsell restaurants means it still has one or two more than DCL. The other 10 or 11 or whatever seem irrelevant in a comparison, but they provide nice options. I wish Disney had more upsell options -- $20 given the price of a cruise is pretty nominal and it might make it easier to have pick of nights to do something special instead of having one restaurant that gets booked very very quickly and one that costs $75.

 

[MatthewsMommy]

I love the idea of all those waterslides. I haven't cruised DCL yet, and I am beyond excited for our Fantasy cruise next Feb... but we have cruised several other lines, including NCL (Dawn and Epic). DS had just turned 5 before our Epic cruise and he absolutely LOVED the waterslides. I do agree that the Disney ships are much more classic looking, but I don't really care what a ship looks like, it's the experience and memories you make that count. And everyone has their own preferences and tastes. I know DS would love the slides on the new NCL ship so we'll probably cruise that ship one day. When I asked DS what he liked most about that cruise, he said:
(1) slides (2) pools (3) kids' club (4) hanging out with Mom and Dad - hey, at least we rated . There was so much to do onboard, we could have skipped the ports.

 

[mickeyfan1]

my 2 cents about itineraries. There are only so many cruise ports in the world, and then not all of them have piers. So the ships have to go to the same places over and over and over. They sign contracts ensuring they will bring X number of passengers to the port ech year. Or they sign multi year contracts and get a break on parking fees. If you have ever been in St Thomas when there are ten or more large ships in port, it gets impossible to find a place to eat, or gt a cab, etc. And while a handful of passengers may love a port, if the majority do not, with the exception of my (gag) favorite, Nassau, the cruise lines will limit calls there. Places such as Glacier Bay in Alaska are costly, need to be reserved years in advance and there is a lot of competition for the few slots available. You have to look at it as air travel, not all airlines go to all airports, there just are not enough gates.

 

[ilovetexas]

Hey, I wonder if they listed these in order of preference....

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=189

 

[Shell54]

We're thinking of booking the Breakaway next summer just because it's a brand new ship and will cruise out of NY. We're easy

 

[justmestace]

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

*Sigh* Okay, here goes:

Included:
1) Topsiders
2) Sushi
3) Summer Palace
4) Sky High Bar & Grill
5) 24/7 Pizza
6) Indigo
7) Great Outdoors
8) Garden Cafe
9) Blue Lagoon
Oops...it's only 9 unless you count Room Service.

Pay:
1) Cagney's $25 pp
2) LaCucina $10 pp
3) LeBistro $20 pp
4) Lotus Garden $15 pp
5) Teppanyaki $25 pp

And the only point I was making is that most of the other cruise lines have FAR MORE dining options, and different selections, than Disney does....whether you pay extra or not.

 

[justmestace]

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.

After cruising on the Magic and Wonder 10 times, the first thing I said when I saw the artist's rendering of the Aqua Duck was "Ewww...that's UGLY!"

 

[justmestace]

Hey, I wonder if they listed these in order of preference....

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=189

Once again....doesn't matter, since they ARE still wearing those Mickey goggles.


No one will ever convince me that the teeny tiny puddles that DCL passes off as swimming pools are better than some of the other lines, where you can actually swim in their pools. Or the "beach pool" on the Carnival Magic....pull your chair right up into the sloping water edge...ahhhhhhhh

 

[ilovetexas]

Once again....doesn't matter, since they ARE still wearing those Mickey goggles.


No one will ever convince me that the teeny tiny puddles that DCL passes off as swimming pools are better than some of the other lines, where you can actually swim in their pools. Or the "beach pool" on the Carnival Magic....pull your chair right up into the sloping water edge...ahhhhhhhh

Shhhh.....you said Carnival. Do you think we can get a new smiley made for those Mickey goggles?

I don't really do pools on ships but if people want a pool deck, I can't imagine why they don't expect better out of DCL. Surely the imagineers can come up with something that affords more people the opportunity to swim, slide, or soak up the sun. I might have to try NCL just to slide the habitrail. And I'm dying to go to Bermuda so I think it would be a WIN!

 

[justmestace]

Shhhh.....you said Carnival. Do you think we can get a new smiley made for those Mickey goggles?

I don't really do pools on ships but if people want a pool deck, I can't imagine why they don't expect better out of DCL. Surely the imagineers can come up with something that affords more people the opportunity to swim, slide, or soak up the sun. I might have to try NCL just to slide the habitrail. And I'm dying to go to Bermuda so I think it would be a WIN!

This might work....or the one in my sig.... the best...eyes closed!

 

[Ned Land]

justmestace,

You crack me up.

Did you really think sushi was free on the Pearl? No way. Would anyone even eat “free” sushi? I would think that the quality would abysmal if it were free. Also, check out NCL's website as 24/7 pizza is $5.

I thought your original post said "restaurants". You are naming some places that only serve snacks. I’m surprised that you did not include your stateroom sink since you can get “free” water there.

I get your point about food options. However, I would be OK with just one or two restaurants if the food was great and the menu was extensive. I think this is what the pricier/smaller cruise lines do.

On the Pearl, we had one sit-down option for lunch (non-buffet). The menu was limited, and we grew very tired of it after 7 days but felt that the food was certainly higher quality than a buffet.

 

[lark]

Would anyone even eat “free” sushi?

There is free sushi on Dream, or was when we cruised.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

There is free sushi on Dream, or was when we cruised.

Gee.so did I...2 times, its was very good......and I am very healthy..

Oops.....maybe they were talking about free sushi on NCL...........hoo yes......there I would be very carefull, not that they would offer it.


AKK

 

[Kj55]

Have been on the Magic and the NCL Epic and am going on the Breakaway and the Dream in the next year. Both NCL and Disney are great. Both are fun. Each has pros and cons. Dont choose do both!!

 

[justmestace]

justmestace,

You crack me up.

Did you really think sushi was free on the Pearl? No way. Would anyone even eat “free” sushi? I would think that the quality would abysmal if it were free. Also, check out NCL's website as 24/7 pizza is $5.

I thought your original post said "restaurants". You are naming some places that only serve snacks. I’m surprised that you did not include your stateroom sink since you can get “free” water there.

I get your point about food options. However, I would be OK with just one or two restaurants if the food was great and the menu was extensive. I think this is what the pricier/smaller cruise lines do.

On the Pearl, we had one sit-down option for lunch (non-buffet). The menu was limited, and we grew very tired of it after 7 days but felt that the food was certainly higher quality than a buffet.

WHATEVER.....you're just nit-picking. And which sink would I choose? There were FOUR of them in our stateroom......

I'd say that NCL, the Pearl, anyway, had an advantage for the pre-teens, teens, and young adults....things that DCL doesn't offer. Like the rock climbing wall and the bowling alley. TONS more activities like trivia games and scavenger hunts.
We had 4 "kids" who were almost 18, and they were gone, busy all the time on NCL.....on Disney, they'd be bored out of their minds.

Each cruise line has something for everyone.

I think one of the things that bothers me the most is how Disney cruisers try to make everyone who sails on another line sound like second class citizens.....like Tonka's remark about eating sushi on NCL and not living to tell about it.....or how low class Carnival cruisers are....
SERIOUSLY??????????

I just remembered why I like to cruise on all different cruise lines, and not always just Disney......sometimes I need a break from all of that high society.

 

[NancyIL]

I think one of the things that bothers me the most is how Disney cruisers try to make everyone who sails on another line sound like second class citizens.....like Tonka's remark about eating sushi on NCL and not living to tell about it.....or how low class Carnival cruisers are....
SERIOUSLY??????????

I just remembered why I like to cruise on all different cruise lines, and not always just Disney......sometimes I need a break from all of that high society.

Touche!!

 

[templed]

WHATEVER.....you're just nit-picking. And which sink would I choose? There were FOUR of them in our stateroom......

I'd say that NCL, the Pearl, anyway, had an advantage for the pre-teens, teens, and young adults....things that DCL doesn't offer. Like the rock climbing wall and the bowling alley. TONS more activities like trivia games and scavenger hunts.
We had 4 "kids" who were almost 18, and they were gone, busy all the time on NCL.....on Disney, they'd be bored out of their minds.

Each cruise line has something for everyone.

I think one of the things that bothers me the most is how Disney cruisers try to make everyone who sails on another line sound like second class citizens.....like Tonka's remark about eating sushi on NCL and not living to tell about it.....or how low class Carnival cruisers are....
SERIOUSLY??????????

I just remembered why I like to cruise on all different cruise lines, and not always just Disney......sometimes I need a break from all of that high society.

I have and do sail on other lines. Would I sail on NCL again... probably not. Too many horror stories about having to beg for dinner reservations.

Carnival.... I thought their entertainment staff was horrible... but the cruise was a lot of fun.

Celebrity... I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Royal Caribbean... food was like a bad wedding... but the ship was a blast.


Considering that this is a board specifically tailored to Disney... and Disney Cruise line... I would expect no less loyalty from it's posters.

 

[justmestace]

Considering that this is a board specifically tailored to Disney... and Disney Cruise line... I would expect no less loyalty from it's posters.

But I would also expect people to be more tolerant, less judgemental, and not even start a thread that's just itching for a fight.

There have been far too many of them lately.

 

[sandgrace]

Thanks OP I think that I've found my cruise for next year, that ship looks like a lot of fun! We cruised on NCL about 6 years ago and we really enjoyed it. I really prefer the Freestyle dining over a set time every night and I thought that the food was really good...you do have to pay a fee for the nicer dining options just like on DCL, but there are many more choices to choose from.

Now NCL has Nickelodeon characters onboard which makes it another fun option for families with kids too...we'll always love Disney but sometimes a change is nice. We love cruising on new exciting ships so the Breakaway is our type of ship for sure!

 

[templed]

But I would also expect people to be more tolerant, less judgemental, and not even start a thread that's just itching for a fight.

There have been far too many of them lately.

I used to spend a lot of time on CC... it turned into a 24/7 whine and cheese party...

I rarely read / post there anymore...

(Maybe they've migrated?)