I'm retired and my daughter is a very hard-working, underpaid school teacher who has always wanted to go on a cruise. Since she is the sole support of her family (her husband is handicapped and can't get any supplemental income...not even SSD.) So I am taking her on a cruise this December. She is very, very excited and I want this trip to be as perfect for her as possible.

Since I have been on Carnival's Ecstasy and it was a fabulous cruise, I thought I would book with them again so I did for five days. Then a few days later, they had this great deal on a Norwegian Dream 7-day cruise for about $50 more and I couldn't pass it up.

Therefore I currently have reservations booked on both cruises and I have to decide which one I am going to take. My daughter is thrilled about the 7 day part, but I've been reading about Norwegian and am starting to worry about the food and service on it.

I'm really torn. We are both looking forward to the great food so want to know if anyone has been on both and can they compare them for me.

Thanks so much.

I'd go with Carnival, but does it have to be 5 nights only? Not enough. Keep in mind it is only 4 full days. Do more research and see if you can find a good deal on 7-night Carnival. I haven't sailed Norwegian but I read about them too. Remember: you get what you pay for.

I hate to throw another fly into the ointment, but I think that Holland America sounds more like an experience for two women in the age categories I'm guessing at. The food is wonderful, as are the accommodations. If you find a good t/a, you can get some very good deals on 7 day cruises, often for under $900 apiece for a balcony cabin.

I agree that 5 days is not enough. We've done both 7 and 10 days on HAL & loved them both. We have a 7 day cruise booked to Mexico in December.

Whatever you decide, I hope you both have a great trip.

The NCL DREAM has a big fan club..its not a mega ship like the Carnival...Every ship has it's pluses and minuses... I definetely would go for the 7 day cruise, because you really need those other two days...one day is traveling and getting to the ship.. and on te other end..you will be debarking on the end... and on Carnival only have three full days.

I personally prefer Norwegian over Carnival, mainly for the free-style cruising, but I wouldn't tecommend the Dream. Was on her last year for an Alaskan cruise and was very disappointed. I'm not sure what the cut off times are for getting a full refund of your deposits, but I suggest you check that out too - you don't want to get penalized for cancelling.

Onthe other hand I would grab the Dream.. the Dream is a special ship..smaller than Carnival and has a big fan club..it is in it;s last y ear or last few years in the NCL

Definitely choose a 7 night cruise on either of these....or keep looking at other options. Don't do a 5 day cruise.

Sorry, but my personal experience on the dream was not positive. I came down with norovirus and was quarantined along with several hundred other passengers.

I generally prefer smaller ships but IMO Dream has not been kept up.

That being said, you enjoyed Ecstasy which is one of Carnival's oldest. I do not care for that ship, personally but admit I am particular about cruise ship, having cruised on many.

Some of the best values of the year are in early December and I would strongly suggest you keep looking, and find a newer ship.

I do not consider either line to have "great" food but I would give Carnival the edge over NCL in this regard, as well as cabin size.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise!

Turquoise, What ships are you considering (or did I miss that in the posts)? I think you would be better off taking Carnival. I think that they have come a long way with improving the food on their ships. I've used both these lines. We will be on the Carnival Freedom in Europe this spring. I will never sail on Norwegian again. The food was not up to par and the service worse.

I meant to add (as someone has already pointed out)that you need to check into cancelling one of these trips as you can be penalized for waiting too long.