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More kids on NCL than Cunard - as for P and O and NCL - it depends on the ship but again likely to be more on NCL ..... but it will depend on the itinerary and the dates also.

We've been with both NCL and P&O in the last few months, and find the differences minimal- indeed, by going with freedom dining on Ventura, there was little to distinguish them. NCL had a much lower starting price, onto which you add the gratuities.....Ventura had 4 dress up nights, but that was hardly a chore. NCL did have a silly selling of lottery tickets before the show, but we noticed that a large number of people bought them, so who are we to argue if it keeps the price down! Some have complained about the announcements on NCL, but on sea days they were at 10am, after the captain's announcements, and again at 4pm, and weren't in the cabin.....I'm thinking hard for other differences....the food was usually very good on both; speciality rests. which are well worth the surcharge were ex.,entertainment sometimes stunning, sometimes so-so....on both.The main difference we could see was the mixture of nationalities on NCL, which we enjoyed. Other than that....we give them both 4*.- Jo.

to give a balanced view, i have cruised: rcl, princess, msc and ncl whilst i cannot do a direct comparison with p&o and cunard i can offer general comments. ncl ships do not have formal nights, and dont have fixed dinning. the majority of people do smartner themselves in the evenings, men in trousers, shirts and smart polos, and women in a bit of glitz but not formal gowns. yes at peak times you may have to wait for a table in resturant ( or pre book) - no more than that queue that forms outside a fixed sitting meal time - but they do have an effecient paging system plenty of tables for couples, but cloe enough to engage in conversation with others if inclined or larger tables if you want to share. the food in the inclusive resturants is good, like any resturant there are good choices and poorer choices (individual taste). the self service resturant selection is very varied, but can be a bit of scrum at peak times. there is also a waiter service, limited no changing menu,open 24 hours resturant also. There is at one waiter service main resturant open every lunch time including port days. they do pool side bar b ques. room service is free available 24 hrs. free tea and coffee and iced water in all resturants. free ice cream available by pools. there is no need to use any extra charge resturant although they are very good ranging from italian to japnese to steak to tex mex. extra revenue oppertuntes all optional - prize bingo ( i guess no other cruise line does bingo), art auctions ( hmm does anyone ever buy the art), various sales of "tat", jewellary and cyrstal different offers each day, spa treatments (operated by the same firm as majority of cruise ships and expensive), shore excursions (over priced but well organised), alchol, agree not duty free prices but spirts good value when you consider they arent a 1/6 gill as in this country, coffee bar. lets not forget over priced photograph. in my experience there is no undue pressure to purchase any of the above. u are not allowed to take your own booze on board. the cabins are well equipped including tea/coffee making. bathrooms well designed with a large shower with glass siding door.... crew multi national and very friendly. i guess the amin difference is the lack of fixed dinning and formal nights...therefore the lack of regimentation and oppertunity to meet different people each evening. (now seems every cruise line is rushing to introduce anytime dinning) The ships ae designed around the concept of eating when you like. i would give them a try you maybe you will pleasantly surprised, you are holiday so relax, do things when you want to..

I would agree with Malcolm's resume' and add there is also a difference between NCL and P&O foodwise in the Main dining Rooms, P&O coming out on top. The other point I would make is Cunard and P&O still retain a more formal dining experience, NCL is 'Resort Casual' with a couple of 'Formal or Not' evenings thrown in, make of that what you will.

It’s good to try different cruise lines. Firstly let me say that Comparing Cunard and NCL is like comparing a Rolls Royce with a Ford. However NCL fares should be a lot lower than Cunard’s, so you can’t expect the same overall quality experience. I also found NCL’s free dining rooms to be mediocre at times with the speciality ones (with fees) being very good. In contrast I have found Royal Caribbean’s dining room food to be better than NCL’s, but NOT as good as Cunard’s Britannia grade. The new NCL ship are bright and modern and their ‘freestyle’ dining is the most flexible afloat. You have around a dozen dining venues to choose from each day and can eat when you like (subject to core hours and demand). I certainly enjoyed the ‘difference’.