We jumped ship to NCL!! How did they do??

[DnA2010]

Nice report, thanks! we are heading out to Alaska on Holland America in 2 weeks so will try to report back also

 

[Pens Fan]

Nice report, thanks! we are heading out to Alaska on Holland America in 2 weeks so will try to report back also

Holland America really surprised us. I've always considered them the "old people ship" - a terrible stereotype, I know. As I mentioned, we spent a lot of time down in Canada Place checking out the ships. There were Holland Ships there two different days, plus we saw others in the ports we visited. The mix of passengers we observed was really no different than what we experienced on NCL. There probably won't be as many children as on Disney, naturally, but we saw all ages, families, young couples and retirees. The thing that impressed us the most was the condition of the ships. They are beautiful and so well maintained. The only ships that compared (from the outside, anyway) were the Wonder and the World (a ship for the mega rich where they buy their cabin and sail around the world, getting off and on whenever they want). Holland's ships were beautiful. I plan on checking them out. I will look forward to your report!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I'm with you. I've been wanting to try NCL for a long time, but as long as my son was able to go to the teen club, we stuck with Disney. It's funny - he did not enjoy the clubs on Disney at all until he was old enough for Vibe. Then he loved them (about the time I started pushing for NCL). Go figure.

Now that the kid's clubs are no longer a factor, I feel kind of free. I know that's pretty cheesy, but it's how I feel. Travel is a huge part of our life. We take more land based trips, but we really love cruising. Knowing we don't "have" to stick with Disney to have a great cruise experience has been very liberating. I've read a lot of great threads on the Disboards about others that have tried different lines, but until you do it yourself you don't really know. NCL is awesome. We sailed on one of their oldest, smallest ships and it was amazing. All three of us can't wait for more NCL time.

I just think it is great that your 19YO son is still wanting to vacation with you! That is our goal too. Sure it is a little limiting to have to take vacations that your kids will like too, but it is so worth it when it means your kids still want to vacation with you, even though they aren't "kids" any more. So it is worth the trade-off.

Sounds like you have found great ways to find vacations that have something for everyone, and it is great how well you get along with each other!

 

[DnA2010]

Holland America really surprised us. I've always considered them the "old people ship" - a terrible stereotype, I know. As I mentioned, we spent a lot of time down in Canada Place checking out the ships. There were Holland Ships there two different days, plus we saw others in the ports we visited. The mix of passengers we observed was really no different than what we experienced on NCL. There probably won't be as many children as on Disney, naturally, but we saw all ages, families, young couples and retirees. The thing that impressed us the most was the condition of the ships. They are beautiful and so well maintained. The only ships that compared (from the outside, anyway) were the Wonder and the World (a ship for the mega rich where they buy their cabin and sail around the world, getting off and on whenever they want). Holland's ships were beautiful. I plan on checking them out. I will look forward to your report!

Well that's nice to hear! we picked Holland for 2 reasons- they sail round trip out of Vancouver through Glacier Bay, and for price- our party includes my family (DH, DD13 and DD 11 months) and my sister and her family (her DH, and DS 11 months) and my mom who is 67- I was nervous of it being the "seniors" line but the more I read, the less I am worrying about that. The price for the 7 day return Vancouver was much less (like close to half) than DCL, and I think the other lines too- price was important as my mom is paying for this trip for us all and I wanted to keep the cost down for her.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wonderful review! Thoroughly enjoyed the read! Sounds amazing to me!

I've sailed Getaway with just the hubby (had a BLAST!) and Escape b2b for my younger son's graduation cruise in May 2016 (also tons of fun!). I really enjoy NCL. Really. Can't speak to the kids clubs either. When we took our sons they were both over 18. But, the thing they loved was that we could sign a waiver so they could be served beer & wine in the bars. My youngest stayed out late dancing virtually every night. He had a ball! Also, the For the Record show (John Hughes tribute musical production) is probably my favorite stage production I've ever seen on any ship. Period. I adored it. We went to see it like 3 times over the 2 weeks we were onboard. My younger son LOVED that show! He went to every performance of the show (2 a night on the nights it was done) over the 2 weeks. Also, because he was always out late he befriended most of the cast from the show. Imagine my shock when a few of them randomly walked by and greeted my kid by name. I totally did a double-take! "Was that....?????" "Yeah, Mom. That's ..." and he'd tell us their names. It was trippy.

Service. Food. Bars. Activities. OMG! Older son & I decided one day we'd do the ropes course American Ninja Warrior style - as fast as we could go! Sooooooo fun! No fear! Just GO! I kid you not, I did a run-n-jump off the zip line that curves out over the side of the ship! Walk the plank, get all the way out, then let go of your tether with arms straight out. Such a RUSH!

I can't say enough good things about our NCL experiences. Itching to try Haven class! Have a feeling I'll be ruined forever! LOL!

 

[iivye]

Great review. We also did 5 Disney cruises before doing NCL Pearl to Alaska this past June. We stayed in a mini-suite and overall I would definitely cruise with NCL again. Your comparisons were almost exactly our experiences. We are currently looking at a Baltic cruise on NCL because the Disney one is so expensive. Disney is still my favorite but I see us doing a lot more NCL or RCL cruises in the future.

 

[hanscarlet]

Awesome, awesome review! Thank you for taking the time to write all this detail down! Like PP, we mostly sail for Disney because of the clubs and my ODD is on the autism spectrum but as she gets older and if the staff to kid ratio is better on other ships (as we're reading) then we may have to try something new. I am secretly hoping for a really cheap cruise to spring up out of NYC or Baltimore for Jan or Feb 2018.

 

[monica9]

I am a huge Disney geek and can vacation at Disney world every year for the rest of my life. But I have no desire to go on one of their cruises. For me Disney world is all about the rides, the resorts, the monorail, fireworks, parks etc. meeting characters and a few Disney shows isn't enough to get me on their ship. I like the option of a casino on the other ships. We've sailed one royal Caribbean, 3 NCL's and will be going on the newest carnival ship June 2018. Can't wait! We love cruises probably are not in the near future.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for the report. I had considered the Breakaway out of NYC because the cost of a subway ride (which actually isn't a factor for me as I get mine paid for via pre-tax payroll deductions) vs. a plane ride makes it tempting, but I had some serious concerns about the size and busy-ness of that ship, especially when reading on cruise critic how people who already had a private area in the Haven were taking great pride in buying up the Vibe (adult "beach club" on board) wristbands so that the Haven deck seemed even more private.

But for me the clincher was when my principal said that they liked to do that (or Anthem - thus sealing its fate for me as well) on breaks. I do NOT want to be on a ship with her when I'm supposed to be having a vacation. Because I don't care how big the ship is, I would not be able to escape. (And with my luck our cabins would be next to each other as I refuse to cruise in a coffin - aka their solo cabins.)

 

[RedSox68]

Absolutely wonderful reviews of everything. You did a good job touching upon every area. When we went to Alaska, we chose HAL and loved their service and food. Just a wonderful experience all around.

After 10 Disney cruises, I can honestly say that we have found great service and food (sometimes better) and decor and staterooms on many other lines. We did the NCL Breakaway to Bermuda last year. And while it was the biggest ship we've ever been on and were worried about crowds, we had no problems anyway with people, including getting on and off. We had problems at the buffet with rude people cutting and going in the wrong direction, but that wasn't the ship's fault

Their food was outstanding and (sorry to say) better than Disney's. Their buffet was loaded every night with every kind of food and type you can imagine. We never lacked for variety or amount. They had a much better dessert selection and their dining room was huge and encompassed more than one sitting area throughout.

So glad you had a good time.

 

[Pens Fan]

Itching to try Haven class! Have a feeling I'll be ruined forever! LOL!

Warning! Warning! Once you go suite - you never go back!

It's funny, we never even considered sailing concierge on Disney - way too much money for our budget and we never thought it was necessary. But I have to admit, we loved the NCL suite life. They really spoiled us. One trick that I learned when booking our upcoming NCL Gem cruise is that the Jewel class of ships has both Haven and non-Haven suites. If you book a non-Haven suite you still get all of the suite perks, but you do not have access to the actual Haven courtyard. That class of ships does not have a Haven restaurant and they just use one of the specialty restaurants for suite-only breakfast and lunch just as they do on the Sun. So you still have access to that perk as well. We booked another Aft Penthouse (non-Haven) Suite on the Gem and saved a lot of money by forgoing the Haven courtyard access. It is only one (large) room, rather than a separate bedroom and living room, but our son won't be with us so it won't matter.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your cruises on the Getaway and Escape. I'd love to try one of the big boys someday. They look like so much fun! I was really tempted to book the Baltics on the Breakaway for next summer, but DH isn't too keen on the idea. He really wants to take the one that goes all the way through the Norwegian fjords and then up to the Northern Cape. Right now the Jade is sailing that itinerary, and I admit that it looks pretty amazing. We will have to see.

 

[TestingH2O]

here was no funnel vision type screen for watching movies. While we have never actually sat and watched an entire movie at the pool on Disney, I did miss it on the Sun.

Well, due to environmental regulations, DCL can't show movies in Alaska any way. So, at least you don't have to think about having missed that on this cruise.

Thanks for the comparison. I think you did a great job of talking about strengths and weaknesses. There is something appealing about a suite experience for the same price as DCL standard fare. With a character crazy kid though, I doubt we will move very soon.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Warning! Warning! Once you go suite - you never go back!

It's funny, we never even considered sailing concierge on Disney - way too much money for our budget and we never thought it was necessary. But I have to admit, we loved the NCL suite life.

There is something appealing about a suite experience for the same price as DCL standard fare.

That's another thing we can thank DCL for. If we had never cruised DCL, I'll bet the suite prices would seem like a bridge too far compared to the regular NCL prices, but when you can remind yourself that a suite on NCL costs what you are used to paying on DCL, it suddenly sounds reasonable!

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the report. I had considered the Breakaway out of NYC because the cost of a subway ride (which actually isn't a factor for me as I get mine paid for via pre-tax payroll deductions) vs. a plane ride makes it tempting, but I had some serious concerns about the size and busy-ness of that ship, especially when reading on cruise critic how people who already had a private area in the Haven were taking great pride in buying up the Vibe (adult "beach club" on board) wristbands so that the Haven deck seemed even more private.

But for me the clincher was when my principal said that they liked to do that (or Anthem - thus sealing its fate for me as well) on breaks. I do NOT want to be on a ship with her when I'm supposed to be having a vacation. Because I don't care how big the ship is, I would not be able to escape. (And with my luck our cabins would be next to each other as I refuse to cruise in a coffin - aka their solo cabins.)

Ask her about her vacation plans to make sure you don't book the same cruise.

I've seen the Breakaway docked in NYC once. Beautiful ship.

 

[Dug720]

Ask her about her vacation plans to make sure you don't book the same cruise.

I've seen the Breakaway docked in NYC once. Beautiful ship.

I'd rather not. She made it pretty clear when discussing cruising that her go-tos are the Breakaway or the Anthem. And given that we're on the same schedule for school breaks... Pretty much a guarantee there. Which is fine because they look too big, busy, and crowded for me. I don't need/want a zillion slides and a ropes course. And I definitely don't need a silly giraffe (on Anthem). LOL.

 

[mevelandry]

By the way... I am very intrigued by the description of the suite... Is there any chance we might see pictures?

 

[mevelandry]

I'd rather not. She made it pretty clear when discussing cruising that her go-tos are the Breakaway or the Anthem. And given that we're on the same schedule for school breaks... Pretty much a guarantee there. Which is fine because they look too big, busy, and crowded for me. I don't need/want a zillion slides and a ropes course. And I definitely don't need a silly giraffe (on Anthem). LOL.

I like the Giraffe. She's cute.

But not kidding, the Anthem got me with the solarium (pictures).

 

[Dug720]

I like the Giraffe. She's cute.

But not kidding, the Anthem got me with the solarium (pictures).

You should check out Eden on the upcoming Celebrity Edge! Makes me laugh at the solariums on RCCL's ships.

 

[Pens Fan]

By the way... I am very intrigued by the description of the suite... Is there any chance we might see pictures?

I'm terrible. Really. I took almost 4000 pictures on this trip, but I don't think I took any of the cabin!

However, here is YouTube video of the cabin right below ours that I found on CC. It's identical with a couple of exceptions. They have the new couch vs. torture couch and our balcony furniture was different. We had these wonderful cushiony loungers that were absolutely sleep inducing. Though they did get pretty soggy after it drizzled one day, so I'm guessing they are changing them out to the ones you see in the video as they refresh the cabins.

Other than those things, that's what our cabin (9276) looked like. It's weird, though. On NCL's website they now classify 9276 as a disabled cabin (it wasn't classified that way when we booked it). It's definitely not a disabled cabin, as you can see in the video.

 

[Dug720]

They have the new couch vs. torture couch and our balcony furniture was different. We had these wonderful cushiony loungers that were absolutely sleep inducing. Though they did get pretty soggy after it drizzled one day, so I'm guessing they are changing them out to the ones you see in the video as they refresh the cabins.

Ok, I HAVE to know... Torture couch????