Norwegian Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Comparison

If you’re considering a cruise with Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line, you’re looking for an active, large-cruise experience aboard some of the world’s largest cruise ships.
Both companies specialize in cruising for everyone – couples, seniors and families – with activities and amazing attractions to match. Their ships are very popular, especially on voyages to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
Let’s compare Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises to see what they do and don’t have in common so you can find the cruise that’s right for you.
Ship size
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean both operate mega-ships of varying sizes—all floating resorts come complete with onboard casinos, swimming pools, live entertainment, exquisite spas, lively dance clubs, and numerous bars.
While Royal Caribbean has a few ships with fewer than 2,250 passengers, most of its ships carry 3,000 to 4,000 passengers; its five largest cruise ships, led by Eutopia and Icon of the Seas ) is the world’s largest cruise ship, carrying more than 5,400 guests. In fact, some of the boats were so big that they were built with community layouts, including a boardwalk community modeled after Coney Island, featuring a high-diving show, a carousel and a hot dog stand. There’s also the tree-lined Central Park neighborhood, home to thousands of live plants.
Related: Royal Caribbean Cruises’ 7 Classes Explained
Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships range in size from about 1,900 passengers (a bit odd by mega-cruise standards) to more than 4,100 passengers. This series isn’t trying to win the size war, but it offers a lot of excitement on board. Latest Norwegian ship topped with multi-level kart track, adds Froome Go to the cruise ship experience.
RELATED: Norwegian Cruise Line’s 9 Class Ships Explained
Cabins and Suites
Both cruise lines proudly offer a wide range of accommodation options. Norwegian Air is particularly noteworthy in the areas of creativity and innovation.
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Perched atop the fleet’s newest ship, The Haven is a suite complex with a private dining room, sundeck, pool and lounge – essentially a stand-alone boutique hotel on top of the ship. Guests of The Haven can have the privacy they desire in an upscale, contemporary setting, but also have access to all the fun activities available elsewhere on the ship.
Norwegian also pays special attention to solo travelers. In the Studio, passengers traveling alone can book creatively designed interior cabins at single rates (a rarity on cruise ships). They have exclusive access to a shared lounge, so you can socialize with other solo travelers if you wish.
Elsewhere, family cabins are located close to children’s facilities and spa cabins are located near the spa.
Related: Everything you want to know about Norwegian Cruise Line cabins and suites
Royal Caribbean is committed to meeting the needs of all travelers with the largest selection of cabin types among cruise lines. The range ranges from compact and affordable interior cabins with virtual balconies (viewing the sea through LED screens) and singles on select ships to two-level penthouse suites.
Some suites offer views of the high diving show, while some full-size cabins face the Royal Promenade, the Boardwalk or the Central Park neighborhood on board. (You can use the ocean view to people-watch.) RMS, matching NCL, is offering private lounges, restaurants and sundecks for suite guests on its new ships.
RELATED: Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Cabins and Suites Guide: Everything You Want to Know
diet
When comparing Royal Caribbean’s restaurants to Norwegian’s dining options, both routes have many specialty restaurants with a fee that go above and beyond what they offer at complimentary locations. For some cruise lines, these restaurants may seem like a cash grab, but foodies don’t mind paying for upgraded meals.
A few years ago, Norwegian developed what it calls “freestyle cruising,” a model that attempts to subvert some cruise traditions, such as designated tables in the large main dining room and a formal evening dress code. Instead, passengers can dine when and where they want. However, in many cases, reservations are still required.
NCL is all about choice; large cruise ships like Norwegian Viva offer more than two dozen dining experiences. You can dine for free in the smaller restaurants or buffets, or indulge in steaks, French, Brazilian and Asian cuisine. Norwegian makes a point of offering outdoor dining options.
When it comes to the food included in your cruise fare, Royal Caribbean puts a lot of emphasis on its Windjammer Marketplace (buffet) and main dining room; in the latter, you can choose to assign a table or dine in whenever you want. The highlight of the paid options on select cruises is Jamie’s Italian, created by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Fans also rave about the series’ exquisite Chef’s Table experience, a multi-course feast where the chef comments on the dishes you’re tasting.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Ship Food and Dining
children’s activities
Knowing parents appreciate some downtime, both cruise lines have great plans to keep the kids entertained. You can get a massage at the spa, go to the casino, or do adult things knowing your kids are participating in a camp-like program with teen counselors leading age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and science experiments , games, etc. There are also fun clubs for tweens and teens.
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Seas program (for ages 3 to 12) offers educational activities that give children the opportunity to become certified adventure scientists. Special programs are also available for infants, toddlers and older children ages 13 to 17.
Norwegian’s Splash Academy (for children aged 5 to 12) offers creative play, including a circus school. Meanwhile, Entourage (for ages 13 to 17) keeps teenagers keen on games, sports and parties at trendy clubs.
Related: 5 Best Cruise Lines for Families
Attractions on board
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have both developed their newest cruise ships as active floating playgrounds with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. Royal Airways leads the way in pushing the envelope, but Norwegian also performs strongly.
All Royal Caribbean ships feature rock climbing walls and FlowRider simulators that allow passengers to ride and surf. The company offers a variety of activity options on its ships, including ice skating rinks, carousels, zip lines, mini golf courses, laser tag, escape rooms, waterslides, simulated skydiving facilities, a 10-minute arcade called “The Ultimate Abyss” Thrilling slides and amusement facilities. The bigger the boat, the more activities there are on board.
Norwegian’s highly regarded and most impressive attractions on its newest ships are the multi-level go-kart track that takes up part of the upper deck, and the virtual reality arcade called Galaxy Pavilion found on some ships.
The ship also offers a water park with exciting twin racing slides, a full-size basketball court, an escape room, laser tag, mini golf, darts, bowling and a ropes course. The line’s 3,250-passenger Prima-class ships have added a pair of 10-story free-fall thrill slides, billed as the fastest at sea.
Related: The 10 craziest attractions on a cruise ship
entertainment
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are locked in a battle over contracted Broadway shows produced onboard. Both cruise lines recruit talent from Broadway, London’s West End and around the world to rehearse at their own studios in Florida and have a large roster of performers on board. These shows are slightly shortened versions of what you see on land.
Royal Caribbean’s shows on its largest ships include popular shows like “Grease,” “Hairspray” and “Cats.” On board the Norwegian ship, you can catch popular Broadway shows like “Beetlejuice,” “Six” and “Summer: Donna Summer Musical,” as well as the super-fun bar show “The Choir of Man.”
But the entertainment options don’t stop there. Select Royal Caribbean ships feature performance spaces you might not find at sea. The company’s AquaTheaters stage outdoor performances by acrobats and high divers, while the Studio B rink hosts skating performances by professional skaters. High-tech shows, live music and all-night dancing are also popular pastimes on board.
The Norwegian offers, for an additional fee, adults-only performance pieces themed around wine or prohibition cocktails, with accompanying drinks. Comedy is part of the scene here – Prima Class ships even have improv clubs – and Norwegian’s themed parties are particularly popular with the late-night crowd. Fun bars include the Skyy Ice Bar, where you can sip ice-cold vodka while wearing a parka. Some ships have cave clubs, featuring a Beatles cover band and shaggy hairdos.
While both lines offer a large selection of games and competitions, Norwegian also offers floating, participatory versions of popular television game shows such as “Deal or No Deal” and “Press Your Luck.”
Related: What cruise activities should you book in advance?
Who’s on board?
Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruise design is more modern and less traditional, and the crowd on board is more inclined to embrace the carefree experience. The dress code is whatever you want – dress up for a date night, or dine casually at the bar.
On cruises departing from the United States, the crowds are primarily from North America and range in age from children to seniors. Some adults party late into the night at dance clubs or try their luck at Norway’s award-winning casinos.
Royal Caribbean’s guests include international and North American travelers, including couples, families and singles from all walks of life. There are night owls on Royal Airways too, but the crowd is more upscale than Norwegian. Part of the reason is that Royal Caribbean ships have a higher proportion of luxurious, expensive suites, which attract wealthy people to book them.
Related: Which cruise brand is best for you? Most popular route guides
journey
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have most of their ships based in North America, but they also sail ships around the world.
Norwegian is the only cruise line to operate the American-flagged Pride of America, sailing year-round in the Hawaiian Islands. Norwegian also has a strong focus on the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, New England and Canada, the Mexican Riviera and Bermuda. The line offers popular and affordable sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek islands. Other destinations include Northern Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South America.
Related: The 5 Best Destinations You Can Visit on a Norwegian Cruise Line
Likewise, Royal Caribbean has a strong focus on North America—the Caribbean, the Bahamas (including the company’s own luxury private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay), Alaska, Canada and New England, and the Mexican Riviera—but also on Sailing in several areas of Europe. Its ships also ply the waters of other parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, China and Singapore.
Related: The 5 Best Destinations You Can Visit on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
bottom line
Both cruise lines are great choices for first-time cruisers. If you’re looking for a traditional cruise atmosphere that’s a little more upscale, choose Royal Caribbean. If you’re looking for leisurely cruising with a modern twist, consider Norwegian Air.
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