If you’re contemplating a cruise with Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line, you’re in for an exciting adventure aboard some of the largest ships in the world, designed for active travelers.
Both cruise lines cater to a diverse audience—couples, families, and seniors alike—with a range of engaging activities and stunning attractions. Their vessels are particularly favored for Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries.
Let’s explore how Norwegian Cruise Line compares to Royal Caribbean, highlighting their similarities and differences to help you choose the cruise that best suits your preferences.
Ship Size
Both Norwegian and Royal Caribbean feature a variety of megaships, essentially floating resorts filled with amenities like casinos, pools, live shows, exquisite spas, bustling dance clubs, and numerous bars.
While Royal Caribbean has several smaller vessels with capacities under 2,250 passengers, most of its ships host between 3,000 to 4,000 guests. The five largest—led by Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas—are the largest cruise ships globally, accommodating over 5,400 passengers. Some of these ships are designed with neighborhood layouts, including a Boardwalk inspired by Coney Island, featuring high-diving shows and a carousel, as well as a serene Central Park area filled with thousands of live plants.
Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean ships, explained
Norwegian Cruise Line ships vary in size, accommodating between approximately 1,900 to over 4,100 guests. While not competing solely in ship sizes, Norwegian offers an array of thrilling onboard experiences, including multi-level go-kart tracks that add an adrenaline rush to the cruise experience.
Related: The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained
Accommodations
Both cruise lines offer a wide selection of accommodation options. Norwegian stands out for its innovative and creative designs.
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Among its latest ships, Norwegian boasts The Haven, an exclusive suite area featuring a private restaurant, sun deck, pool, and lounge – essentially a boutique hotel high above the deck. Guests in The Haven enjoy private, elegant accommodations while still having the freedom to indulge in all the engaging activities on the ship.
Norwegian also caters to solo travelers: The Studios offer uniquely designed inside cabins at single occupancy rates, a rarity in the cruise industry. These cabins provide access to a shared lounge, offering solo travelers a place to mingle.
Family cabins are conveniently located near children’s facilities, while spa-themed cabins are situated close to the spa area.
Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Norwegian Cruise Line ships
Royal Caribbean focuses on catering to every type of traveler with the most varied range of cabin categories in the industry. From compact and budget-friendly inside cabins with virtual balconies to loft suites spanning two levels, the options are abundant.
Some suites overlook high-diving shows or the Royal Promenade, Boardwalk, or Central Park neighborhoods of the ship, enhancing the experience. Additionally, Royal is now providing suite guests access to private lounges, restaurants, and sun decks on their latest ships to match Norwegian’s offering.
Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Royal Caribbean ships
Dining Options
When comparing dining options, both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian offer a plethora of specialty restaurants that could potentially overshadow their complimentary venues. To some, these dining upgrades might feel like an added expense, but for food enthusiasts, the culinary enhancements are well worth it.
Norwegian pioneered the “Freestyle Cruising” concept, designed to break away from traditional dining norms, such as set dining times and formal dress codes, allowing guests to eat whenever and wherever they like. However, reservations are often still necessary.
Norwegian excels in variety, with ships like the Norwegian Viva featuring over two dozen dining options. Guests can choose complimentary meals in smaller dining rooms or buffets, or treat themselves to specialty cuisines like steak, Brazilian, French, or Asian dishes. Outdoor dining opportunities are particularly emphasized.
Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, hones in on its Windjammer Marketplace (buffet) and main dining rooms, offering both assigned seating or flexible dining options. Noteworthy fee-based choices include Jamie’s Italian with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and the acclaimed Chef’s Table, a multi-course dining experience featuring chef commentary.
Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining
Kids Activities
Both lines understand the importance of keeping young passengers entertained, allowing parents some well-deserved relaxation time. Children can partake in camp-style programs led by youth counselors, focusing on age-appropriate activities such as arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, science experiments, and movie nights. There are dedicated clubs for tweens and teens as well.
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean program caters to ages 3-12, incorporating educational elements and opportunities for kids to become certified adventure scientists. Specialized programs are also available for older kids (ages 13-17) and even for infants and toddlers.
Norwegian’s Splash Academy (for kids aged 5-12) promotes creative play, including a Circus School, while Entourage (for ages 13-17) offers teenage guests a place to engage in games, sports, and social events in a trendy club environment.
Related: 5 best cruise lines for families
Onboard Attractions
Both Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have crafted their ships into dynamic floating playgrounds, brimming with thrilling indoor and outdoor adventures for all ages. While Royal Caribbean excels in pushing boundaries, Norwegian continues to impress.
Royal Caribbean ships are equipped with rock climbing walls and FlowRider simulators for surfing and boogie boarding. The fleet boasts a plethora of options, from ice skating rinks and carousels to zip lines and minigolf, providing endless entertainment. High thrill choices include Ultimate Abyss, a 10-story slide, an amusement park-like mechanical arm that offers breathtaking views from above the ship, and many more attractions found on its larger vessels.
Norwegian’s standout feature on its newer ships is the multi-story go-kart racetrack, an exhilarating treat for guests. Additionally, some ships feature the Galaxy Pavilion with virtual reality experiences and exciting gaming challenges.
Norwegian ships also feature Aqua Parks complete with racing slides, full-size basketball courts, escape rooms, laser tag arenas, minigolf, bowling, and ropes courses. The line’s latest ships in the Prima Class also offer impressive 10-story freefall slides, dubbed the fastest at sea.
Related: The craziest attractions you’ll find on a cruise ship
Entertainment
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are keen competitors in securing Broadway shows for their onboard entertainment. Both lines bring in talent from Broadway, London’s West End, and across the globe, producing condensed versions of popular performances for guests to enjoy.
Royal Caribbean showcases hits like “Grease,” “Hairspray,” and “CATS” on its larger vessels, while Norwegian’s lineup features shows such as “Beetlejuice,” “Six,” and “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” alongside the lively pub experience of “The Choir of Man.”
Entertainment doesn’t stop at live shows. Select Royal Caribbean ships host outdoor performances featuring acrobats and high divers in stunning AquaTheaters, and ice skating performances at Studio B, showcasing professional skaters. Guests also enjoy high-tech shows, live music, and late-night dance parties.
Norwegian offers additional specialty productions, many of which are adults-only and themed around wine or prohibition cocktails, complete with accompanying libations. Comedy acts also feature prominently, with Prima Class ships boasting improv clubs, while themed parties attract a lively late-night crowd. Signature venues such as the Skyy Ice Bar, where guests don parkas to sip vodka, and select ships’ Cavern Clubs featuring Beatles cover bands add a unique flavor to the nighttime experience.
Both cruise lines present a myriad of games and contests, with Norwegian offering floating versions of popular TV shows like “Deal or No Deal” and “Press Your Luck.”
Related: Which cruise ship activities should you book ahead of time?
Demographics
Norwegian promotes a “Freestyle Cruising” approach that appeals to a modern audience, fostering a relaxed atmosphere on board. Attire is casual, allowing guests to dress up for elegant evenings or stay comfy in more relaxed dining spots.
On U.S. cruises, the demographic skews largely North American, encompassing guests of all ages, including families, young adults, and seniors, who enjoy socializing in the club or trying their luck at Norwegian’s acclaimed casinos.
Royal Caribbean attracts a diverse mix of international travelers and North American guests, encompassing couples, families, and individuals from various backgrounds. While its guests also enjoy nightlife, Royal’s offerings tend to appeal to those seeking a more sophisticated cruising experience, attributable in part to the abundance of upscale suites available for booking.
Related: Which cruise brand is right for you? A guide to the most popular lines
Cruise Itineraries
Both Norwegian and Royal Caribbean predominantly operate in North America, but they also offer cruises to destinations worldwide.
Notably, Norwegian operates the U.S.-flagged Pride of America, the only cruise ship sailing year-round in Hawaii. Norwegian emphasizes the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, New England and Canada, the Mexican Riviera, and Bermuda, while also offering affordable Mediterranean sailings and routes to Northern Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and South America.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship
Similarly, Royal Caribbean prioritizes North American itineraries, including the Caribbean, Bahamas (especially the line’s exclusive island, Perfect Day at CocoCay), Alaska, Canada, and New England, while maintaining routes to multiple regions in Europe and further locales in Australia, New Zealand, China, and Singapore.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship
Final Thoughts
Both cruise lines are excellent choices for beginners. Opt for Royal Caribbean if you desire a classic, upscale cruise experience. Choose Norwegian for a more contemporary and relaxed cruising atmosphere.
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