alsob55

we are a couple in our 60's looking for a recent cruiser on N C L either (dawn or crown) to give us a review.
thanks in advance

pat

You might check out www.cruisereviews.com

bunman

Don't take NCL. Try a different ship. You wont like the service or the food. ANd if you are on a budget, this ship will try and make you pay to ewat in a batetr restaurant. (they have service charges to eat at their Freestule Cruising restaurants) Not worth it. Plus a loud cruise ship. Rude staff, and I just say don't do it! Try Carnival, or Royal Caribibean.

smbruner

I agree - DO NOT go NCL - it is the worst! Princess or Celebrity are much better lines. You won't regret traveling with Princess or Celebrity. Also, a tip - make sure you do not have your room below the pool deck, theater or gym. Will help you get a good nights sleep!

kaleighsgram

Try HAL or Celebrity. I've only taken one cruise on NCL. It was so bad, we never went back!!!!

BudgetQueen

I am just off the Spirit and was on the Dawn in Nov. I had a great time on both and don't agree with all the negative posts. Food was good and frankly, all the lines have come down a notch.

traveller333

I have not cruised on the Dawn or Crown but have cruised on the NCL Sun and NCL Wind. The staff was quite nice and the casino staff was one of the friendliest at sea. With this said though, it is at best just an OK cruise line and works for those on a very tight budget who want the cheapest "get onboard" price. This is probably their "niche market". There were lots of lines,waiting time and disorganization IMO. The food was OK, nothing great or close to gourmet but certainly not awful. No one went hungry.

Comparing the cruiseline to motel chains, I would compare it to a Motel 6. If the itinerary is what you want and as long as you don't set your sights too high, you should be fine. I've been on most every cruise line that sails over the years and have found that you clearly get what you pay for in that industry. If your hotel taste runs more in line with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt type properties than you may want to try Princess, HAL or Celebrity. If your hotel taste is more in line with 4 Seasons, Ritz Carlton type properties than you'd want to look at a luxury cruiseline such as Regent (formerly Radisson), Silversea or Seabourn. It's difficult to criticize NCL as they do have a loyal following. It's just not for me. I'd rather pay more upfront (even if it means going on fewer cruises) and have a very memorable experience. Some people only care about the ports and couldn't care less about the ship experience.

Good luck making the choice that is best for you.

rananda

I went on a Western Carribean Cruise aboard the NCL Dream last year..
I would not recommend NCL to anyone!
We had a much better time with Carnival. Staff did not seem happy to be there. No matter how polite I was or how many times I would say hello with a smile, I never got a positive response (with the exception of our room steward).. Also - the food was not good... Buffet was just plain awful and I'm not very picky..
We are doing Alaska next year and are staying away from NCL!

Suerich68

I would like to recommend HAL. We've gone with them twice and it seems to cater to an older demographic.

Food & service were excellent both times. We were very comfortable in a large suite but the cabins are very nice sized too.

cop513

I've sailed NCL three times - the last being the NCL Sky on July 29, 2001 for an Alaska (free-style) cruise and enjoyed every one of the cruises. I thought that the only negative comments were coming from their Hawaii "Pride" cruise ships because of the American staff. I'm hoping that's the case and that the service on "all" their ships hasn't deteriorated.

jacketwatch

Actually on cruisecritic the lowest rated ships on NCL are the Pride of Aloha and the Pride of America. The others are better and their overall rating has improved agreat deal from the last time I checked though they are still a notch below X, RCCL, Princess and CCL.