Hmmm, Malcom, sounds like you're considering a cruise ? I haven't personally been on either, but I'd have to say Arcadia is likely the nicer of the two. I think that Bart has been on both though, he'd be the one to ask...

Eric, I hate to tell you, but Norwegian Wind was perhaps a bit disjointed even before the stretch... I was on her (just to visit, I was cruising on a different NCL ship, we docked next to her in a port and I asked if I could go have a look, this was before security was a real concern) when she was pretty much brand-new, and I didn't like the layout too much, however, the post-stretch layout looks rather crowded... And as you mentioned, some of the public rooms were not elarged despite the higher capacity... It is not a bad ship, but I wouldn't say it is as good as Arcadia...

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Originally posted by Grant:
It was joked for many years that NCL was an acronym for "No Cash Left" but since Star has banked rolled the line, it is now perhaps "No Class Left"!

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A former NCL employee told me that after Star took over, they renamed NCL - Nobody Cares Less. Another friend of mine who worked for NCL in Miami nicknamed NCHell - and said it really was like hell working there.

Although I have not sailed on N.DREAM, and have visited her as DREAMWARD. I was not impressed. Very ordinary ship and as others have stated, very disjointed. Since her stretch, the ship has become even more high-density with many more cabins, but not a whole lot of extra public space. There is basically not Lido Restaurant/Grill which is one of the huge downfalls of this ship.

I have sailed on ARCADIA as STAR PRINCESS and loved her! In fact, I was on her second cruise and thought she was fantastic. Her pool areas are still some of the very best afloat.

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Originally posted by cruiseny:
Hello,

Hmmm, Malcom, sounds like you're considering a cruise ?

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I'm always considering a cruise - but silly little details like 'lack of money' often get in my way!

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Malcom, I know what you mean ... Seriously, though, why these two ships in particular?

I have not been on an NCL ship but was on Arcadia this time last year. Arcadia is a very British ship and we all had a fantastic time on board. Our cabin was a four berth outside and was bigger than we had expected, bathroom was a good size and the shower was large enough to hold a decent size party, complete with a seat (don't though sit on the loo and flush at the same time)
I have heard some Americans complain that the food is geared towards the British palette, but it is a British ship. For us it was excellent and the service from all staff could not have been better, we also enjoyed the Indian night. You will have to book but there is no extra charge just first come first served as numbers are limited.
There was also a carnival night when the atrium was transformed into a carnival show ground with all money raised going to seafaring charities.
In my opinion you could not fail to have a great time on Arcadia, as a family we'd go back on her in a shot but can't as she is now 'adults only' so will have to wait and see what happens with the proposed re-branding!!!!!
I am sure there will be others who have experienced both but if we could only ever go on one ship we could do a lot worse than choose Arcadia, so go for it while you still can.

After we did the Alantic crossing to NY on Aurora last year we felt severe cost cutting in all departments was too evident and we were a little worried that this would have continued but all the remarks about the food must have got home as the food was as excellent as our first P&O adventure a few years ago on Oriana.

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Originally posted by Aussie1:
Nobody picked me up when I suggested that VICTORIA and NORWAY were the last 2 ships offering the English speaking market an ocean liner experience. What about Cunrad with the CARONIA and QE2 and SAGA with the SAGA ROSE? Still VICTORIA is a standout in any company and Cunard will certainly pick up many of her former passengers by positioning the attractive CARONIA at Southampton.

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You're right! We shouldn't rely on people to correct themselves ...

Ocean liners still in service for the English-speaking market: Caronia (Cunard), Norway (NCL), QE2 (Cunard), Saga Rose (SAGA), Topaz (Thomson), Victoria (P&O)...

Caronia was never employed in a real liner service, but she was designed with that in mind.

[ 05-16-2002: Message edited by: FlRick ]

I did have half an idea about cruising on one of these two ships, but it will probably not happen now.

I'd like to try P&O, however I'd like to try Freestyle too - I do not want to judge it, until I've tried it!

NCL prices do tend to be cheaper than P&O's, but I do agree that often get what you pay for. (But not always!)