NCL Crown?

Question

Planning a family cruise in July on The Crown out of NY to Bermuda...5 adults, kids 19, 18, 15, 5 & 3. Anyone been on this ship? Reading lots of mixed reviews on freestyle cruising & NCl, and since we are limited to the 1st 2 weeks in July for travel, this is the best deal we have found so far....

Answer 1

NCL usually gets mixed reviews. People either love the Freestyle concept or hate it. On another level, in my experience, NCL tends to have the spottier service, and inconsistent quality.

I don't recommend it for my clients unless they request it or there are no other options. If you contact me, I can help you look for alternatives and find the best option.

Answer 2

what is the best deal that you've found?

Answer 3

Have you booked it yet?  Cause with NCL you definitely get what you pay for.  I signed up for Royal Caribbean's mailing list and they mail me deals all the time.  I'm also on Carnivals.  For kids in that age, I definitely think Carnival is the best deal.  They have the kids club for the 3 and 5 yr old.  Lots of teen activities for the 19, 18, and 15 yr old.

It can't be much more expensive than NCL and some advantages you will have are 1- better programs for the kids so they wont be underfood 2- decent food 3- decent service 4- the largest cabins in the industry (incidentally, NCL's are the smallest.

I took an NCL cruise once.  The food was terrible.  You had early or late dinner but late dinner (which I had) ended too late for you to see the entertainment.  Unlike other lines they didn't do 2 shows.  Since then they upgraded to Freestyle dining and the major complaint is that you have to wait for a table just like at a restaurant and you don't get the service from a waiter who begins to know you and give suggestions.  They don't give as good of service since the tips are pooled and split evenly.  The staff was outrageously rude.  At least 10 other people on the ship had conversations with me (usually as we were tendering in at ports) about how other cruiselines were 10 times better.

There are certainly better cruiselines than RC and Carnival, but they are the best for the prices.

Do you have AAA?  If you have AAA they have travel agents that can help you find a better deal.  I booked my last one through them.  The mailing list give you the lowest price deals.  The prices change every week based on how many people are booking it at the moment.  At AAA you don't have to pay for the service either--it is free with your membership.

Definitely go sign up for their mailing list though.  It's worth it.