My wife and I are ages 53 and 52. We are looking at cruises from New Orleans in Nov.<BR>We can't decide between the Norwegian Dream (NCL) or Granduer of the Seas (RCL). Has anyone cruised either or both of these ships and can you help. We like the NCL because they offer some ports we have never been to.<BR>

Walter - been on the Grandeur and loved it. I wouldn't sail NCL on a bet. They are very disorganized, service is rated average at best and the food is rated below average.

Go to Planetfeedback.com, and read the cruise section-a real eye-opener.<BR>I know you are limited in Galveston but try your best.

oops, I meant New Orleans

We were on the Rhapsody of the Seas out of Galveston last May and loved it. We were on the Grandeur in December and were disappointed. Neither the food nor the service were as good. Don't know anything about NCL's Dream..in fact I wasn't aware they were sailing out of NO. Have you considered the Conquest. Unlike some on this site, I've cruised with Carnival twice and enjoyed both cruises.

Hello Walter,<BR><BR>My wife and I did the repositioning cruise from U.S. to Europe on the Dream last year. Our thoughts:<BR><BR>1. Captain assigned was super.<BR>2. Entertainment and entertainment staff was best of any ship/cruise line that we have taken.<BR>3. Cabins and cabin staff were superior - room service spotty and nothing to write home about.<BR>4. Food quality average - service was well below average (this was before the ship went to freestyle.<BR><BR>Would I do another trip on the Dream? Yes, the good outweighed the bad.

NCL used to be a good product for the money. However, in 2000, they were bought out by Star Cruises and I have seen the quality of food and service go downhill...very fast!!! Their &quot;freestyle&quot; cruising is a joke as far as quality of food and service...both are terrible...the Dream itself is a nice ship...if you want the itinerary, pick the ship for the itinerary...if you want better food and service, I would probably go with RCCL. Yes, NCL is starting to sail out of New Orleans in the fall of 2003.

I don't understand the NCL bashing. I was on the SKY in March 2001 and had a great time. It was &quot;different&quot; than my cruises on RCCL and Celebrity but I enjoyed it. I haven't been on the dream so I would just look to see how the ship and prices compare to RCCL and pick the one that seems best.

We sailed on the Grandeur out of New Orleans last October and enjoyed it very much. It had been many years since we were on a cruise, and things have changed quite a bit. So I really can't compare to other ships. We are in your age group and a majority of the other cruisers were also. We found at least half of the passengers were from the New Orleans area. How I envy them being able to take advantage of last minute deals and not worrying about airfare. We really enjoyed the people at our dinner seating. Breakfast and lunch was open seating, so we sat with different people each meal. We met many very nice people. If you are booking your own air, you do not need to book ground transport with RCCL. There are cheaper ways to go. See my previous post on this subject at:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=31&amp;tid=34377657&amp;numresp onses=3&amp;start=0&amp;searchText=New+Orleans+<BR ><BR>You can email me if you have any questions.<BR><BR>[email protected]