Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    I have not cruised with Carnival, but I have been on 2 different 
    ships with NCL.  Alot depends on what you're looking for.  To
    me 2 days at sea get really boring and NCL's island is very nice.
    It's large enough that you don't feel crowded but there are
    activities going on all the time.  There are boats and other
    water sports equipment to rent, there's snorkeling and ample
    beach space.
    You're right, NCL is known for their quality.  Food is excellent
    and everything is run very smoothly.  I'm looking forward to
    another cruise and I'll probably go with NCL.  Having your air
    fare taken care of is also another major plus.

    My wife and I have been on an NCL ship and liked it very much.  I think
    that your best bet is on NCL.  The private island is great!
    
    If I had my choice I would go NCL.
    
    Ken Clifton
    WKO

    
    	I have been on NCL three times in the past 7 years and they 
    	definitely get my vote too.  The people, service, food, etc.
    	are great!!  Being at sea can be relaxing, but the island is
    	a great place to unwind.
    
    	Ed

    I've never sailed with Carnival, but I've sailed with NCL twice
    (once on the Norway, and just recently the Seaward).  
    
    I sailed on NCL's Seward July 7-14 of this year and had a BLAST!
    It was an absolutely beautiful ship, the food was excellent,
    great entertainment, and just an all around good time.  The rooms
    were very large and comfortable, all decorated in pretty pastel
    colors.
    
    You'll LOVE the private island too -- beautiful swimming there.
    
    It was a mixed age crowd (from infants to honeymooners to senior
    citizens).  The ship has constant activities to keep you busy,
    or you can just lounge by the pool and soak up the rays (like
    I did!!).
    
    If you want any more info. on the Seaward (any particular questions)
    send me mail. SWSEIS::WHALEN
    
    So my vote is definitely for NCL!
    
    Linda

    I sailed on NCL once (Skyward) and while I wasn't on a honeymoon, there
    were MANY honeymooners on the ship.  Literally, I belive there were
    more than 100 newlywed couples out of ~700 passengers.
    
    NCL is NOT the "high-end" of cruise travel, but is "upper middle
    class", probably a notch above Carnival in the food & service area
    (IMHO).  They do a GREAT job of on-board activities/entertainment (the
    shipboard olympics were a load of fun...I still have my Gold Medal). 
    Generally a young crowd (probably a LITTLE older than Carnival), I
    think the Seaward would make a great choice.  BTW, is the Seaward still
    doing the Cozumel, Gr. Cayman, itinerary?

My husband and I cruised the NCL Seaward just a few weeks after its maiden
voyage.  It was a great ship.  The food was excellent, and the cabin was
clean and nicely decorated.  We had a lower-level outside cabin (with a port-
hole) but didn't feel cramped.  NCL's entertainment is top-notch too.  I think
we saw "A Chorus Line" while on board.  They use a professional traveling 
theater company out of Miami, so whatever the show is, it will be very good.

Take the Tulum excursion, if it is still offered.  We had a great time at the
Mayan ruins and then got to snorkel a lagoon at Xel-ha (pronounced Shell-ha).

The shopping on this tour was good.  I bought a hand-carved onyx chess set
for about $10!

My vote is definitely for the Seaward.  Send mail to GLDOA::Sheets if you need
any additional input.

    one vote for carnival.  Which itinarary is it going to be on, east or
    west caribbean?
    
    bob
    

    
    Re: .8:  Why do you vote Carnival?  Just curious.  The cruise will be
    on the Western Caribbean route.
    
    Well, we decided to go with NCL for a number of reasons (actually
    changed our reservation from Carnival to NCL).  The first thing that
    we didn't like about Carnival was the way they handled the post-cruise
    package.  (We planned to go to Disney World for 3 or 4 days.)  They
    arrange for *rental car transportation* from Miami to Orlando, and
    accommodations at hotels outside the park.  We didn't like the idea of
    driving 4 plus hours through central Florida (IMO = wasting a half-day
    plus when time is precious, and not much to see along the Florida
    turnpike).  NCL arranges for the air shuttle from Miami to Orlando and
    also offers accommodations inside Disney Village.  (The air shuttle was
    really the deciding factor.)
    
    NCL is offering a "honeymoon special" which is full-fare for one, half
    price for the other.  Over all, it just seemed like a better deal for
    us this time around.  
    
    Thanks for the opinions.
    
    Mary

    Hi,
    
    Just FYI for anyone else who is interested, I would vote for Carnival 
    too.  I've been on NCL's NORWAY and found the crowd to be pretty much 
    older and very subdued.  If you're more interested in FUN, FUN, FUN
    than the quality of food (which is still good) etc. Carnival is
    definatly the way to go.  Its a much better cruise for singles, too I
    think.  I don't think any other cruise lines have the crazy activities
    that Carnival does such as the Male Nightgown Competition.  I cruised
    the HOLIDAY and had a blast.
    

    For anyone considering the Ecstasy in the future here is some
    information I heard on my just completed cruise on the Sovereign of
    the Seas, 7 Dec to 14 Dec. I have never sailed on Carnival so I cannot
    compare. I have sailed on the Norway, it is true it's crowd will be
    older even though there are young people also. We liked the Norway.
    I am 42, my wife and I hit the disco usually every night.
    
    At our table one single divorced women was a travel agent. She has
    older children, 14 and 17 and cruises a lot. Her favorite is
    definitely RCCL. She sails Carnival usually once a summer when she
    takes here children along, they DEMAND Carnival because there are
    more younger people. ONe specific comment she had was that the
    food and service on Carnival was not as good as RCCL or others. BUT,
    she said her last cruise was on the Ecstasy and the food and service
    on that ship was much better than any other Carnival ship, about the
    same as RCCL. Her children really like Carnival and she enjoyed the
    cruise on the Ecstasy herself also. If you are considering Carnival
    and the internary for Ecstasy is ok for you then you may want to
    go on it versus other Carnival ships ??
    
    I've been on 7 cruises, 1 on Norway (NCL), 1 Song of America (RCCL),
    2 on Sovereign of Seas (RCCL), 2 on Regency Cruise lines (got good
    deals, Star and Sea), and 1 on Disney cruise (Premier cruise lines)
    on Royale which I believe they got rid of. We had a good time on all
    7 cruises.
    		
    		Harold