Choosing the perfect cruise experience can be an exciting yet daunting task. Two of the most prominent cruise lines in the industry are Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.
They offer a range of vessels, itineraries, and amenities that cater to passengers’ tastes and preferences.
We’re putting Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean in a head-to-head comparison.
Which one will come out on top? Let’s set sail and see!
About Norwegian Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Line has been operating since 1966. Originally established as the Norwegian Caribbean Line, it introduced the concept of Caribbean cruises from Florida. Over the years, it has become one of the world’s most popular cruise lines.
The cruise line has a fleet of modern ships and innovative cruise experiences. Their “Freestyle Cruising” creates a more relaxed and personalized cruise experience.
Like many cruise lines, they’re constantly innovating to entice guests to come aboard. Their onboard features and diverse itineraries make it a popular choice for anyone looking to set sail and make memories.
About Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean International, often called Royal Caribbean, is a cruise line known for its ships and incredible onboard experiences. Since launching in 1968, it’s become one of the world’s largest and most popular cruise operators.
Royal Caribbean has pushed the boundaries of cruise ship design. They’ve been responsible for introducing groundbreaking features like rock-climbing walls, ice skating rinks, and zip lines on their ships. The cruise line has a reputation for its experiences, activities, and entertainment options for all ages.
Today, Royal Caribbean operates a fleet of 26 ships that sail to destinations like the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and Asia. Their dedication to innovation, exceptional service, and adventure make it an excellent choice.
Head to Head: Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean
While they’re both incredible cruise lines, who will be victorious in our Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean showdown? We’ll put the two up against each other in some important categories. Let’s see who takes the crown.
Itineraries
Regarding cruise itineraries, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer similar destinations. They’re both heavily focused on North America and service the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Alaska. These are some of the most popular cruise destinations.
Both companies have private islands, which can be an incredible experience. However, Norwegian has an advantage over Royal Caribbean in their ship, Pride of America. This vessel sails around the Hawaiian Islands year-round. They’re the only cruise line in the country to offer such an experience.
Unfortunately, despite Pride of America, we’re declaring this category a tie. They’re both so close, and neither one has a significant advantage over the other. When it comes to itineraries, you can’t go wrong with either one.
Size of Ships
When comparing Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean, it’s not much of a fight regarding size and number of ships. Royal Caribbean has 26 ships, while Norwegian only has 16. However, both companies are growing and planning to add to their fleets.
Regarding size, it’s also not much of a competition. Currently, Allure of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s largest ship. It can accommodate 6,826 guests. However, they hope to start sailing their newest ship, Icon of the Seas, which can accommodate 7,600 passengers.
On the other hand, Norwegian can only accommodate just over 4,000 passengers on board. However, cramming more passengers doesn’t exactly make them better. If you’re looking to get away from people, it will be challenging on a cruise ship that’s practically a floating city. Because it’s not close, we will give this victory to Royal Caribbean.
Cabins and Suites
The comparison between Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean extends to the cabins and suites they offer. Royal’s larger ships tend to have a broader range of cabin options, including spacious suites with balconies. They also feature innovative cabin designs, such as virtual balconies for interior rooms, providing ocean views through high-definition screens.
On the other hand, Norwegian provides comfortable cabins and suites, including the Haven suites, which offer a luxurious and exclusive experience with added amenities and personalized service. Their ships also offer a variety of stateroom configurations suitable for families, solo travelers, and those looking for budget-friendly options.
Because we love the idea of a virtual balcony, we will also declare Royal Caribbean the winner in this category. You can save some cash by booking an interior room and still have a view. What’s not to love about that?
Onboard Activities
One key aspect to consider when comparing the two is the range of onboard activities. Royal Caribbean has a reputation for its extensive variety of onboard entertainment and activities, including skydiving, ice skating, and surf simulators. They offer plenty of family-friendly options and a vibrant nightlife scene.
On the other hand, Norwegian ships feature many activities, including water parks, go-kart racing, and innovative laser tag experiences. Both cruise lines also offer Broadway-style shows.
However, the overall atmosphere tends to be slightly more laid-back and casual on Norwegian ships than on Royal Caribbean. It’s not by much, but it’s noticeable.
Because Royal Caribbean has their surf simulator and skydiving, it’s hard not to pick them. You won’t find these two features on many ships, and these kinds of things cause passengers to return.
Food and Drinks
The battle between Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean also extends to food and drinks. Royal Caribbean is known for its diverse dining options, including specialty restaurants offering a variety of cuisines and culinary experiences. They partner with celebrated chefs, adding a gourmet touch to their onboard dining.
On the other hand, with its “Freestyle Cruising” concept, Norwegian offers flexibility in dining times and venues. They have various specialty dining options, such as Teppanyaki and Cagney’s Steakhouse.
They also feature complimentary dining venues with varied menus to cater to different tastes. Both cruise lines offer beverage packages tailored to your preferences, whether you enjoy fine wines, cocktails, or non-alcoholic beverages.
Again, it will mostly be a matter of preference regarding food and drinks. Neither one is greatly better than the other and so it wouldn’t be fair to declare a winner.
Who Wins: Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean
Overall, it’s a very close battle. Despite Royal Caribbean having larger ships and being a more popular brand, the two are neck and neck. Bigger isn’t always better, and they both offer a similar experience.
If we had to choose a winner, we’d likely pick Royal Caribbean. This is because they offer bigger and newer ships. They’re pushing the limits on what they offer and are one of the top names in the industry. However, you can’t go wrong with either cruise line.
HOT TIP
Royal Caribbean International won this round but make sure to read Head to Head: Carnival vs Royal Caribbean to find out if they’ll stay on top!
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