Sunday, April 21, 2024

Royal Caribbean vs Norwegian Cruise Line for April 2024 Cruise Lines

norwegian cruise vs royal caribbean

Guests who book a Haven suite will enjoy a private courtyard with a pool, hot tub, sun deck, and a private restaurant and lounge. The suites feature a separate living area, a private balcony, and a butler service. The cruise line is also known for its nightlife options, including the Bliss Ultra Lounge, which features a giant LED screen and hosts nightly parties, and the Cavern Club. Norwegian Cruise Line also offers a variety of bars and lounges, including the Sugarcane Mojito Bar and the Skyline Bar, which feature panoramic “views” of different cities.

I tried the newest ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Here's how they compare - Cruise Blog

I tried the newest ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Here's how they compare.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:57:15 GMT [source]

Fleet size

From challenging your partner on the racetrack or taking a romantic stroll along The Waterfront to chilling out at the adults only Spice H2O – it’s up to you. Nightly entertainment and great dining options make a romantic evening easy and thoroughly enjoyable on NCL. You’ll get to enjoy Broadway style shows, comedic performances, and music and dance revues (as you will on RCI), but you’ll perhaps find a few more intimate venues as well. For a little more exclusivity and privacy, a suite in The Haven is a popular option. Norwegian offers accommodations for solo travelers, couples, and families. For honeymooners, Norwegian’s luxury The Haven suites are perfect for a romantic getaway.

Activities & Onboard Attractions

One big difference you’ll find with Norwegian and Royal Caribbean is NCL’s “Free at Sea” offer. Below, we cover some of the bigger differences between Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. This should give you a better idea of what you can expect on each cruise line and if it’s the right fit for you.

norwegian cruise vs royal caribbean

Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: Fleet Size, Age and Passenger Capacity

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay could be compared to a giant water park with massive slides, a helium balloon with a basket beneath it for rides, and the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay is more relaxed with beach activities and a zip line. Both islands have an area where guests can pay a premium to access exclusive spaces. In terms of diversions, both cruise lines have packed daily schedules filled with trivia, bingo, movie screenings, port talks, shopping opportunities and live music. Further amenities -- like fitness centers, for-fee arcades and nightclubs with DJ-spun music -- allow cruisers to make their own fun without a schedule. Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer extraordinary cruising experiences, each with unique offerings that cater to different tastes and budgets.

Fleet Size

Many of Royal Caribbean’s newer ships have dedicated solo traveler cabins that offer a more affordable option for solo travelers who don’t want to pay higher single supplement fees for traditional cabins. These cabins are smaller in size but include all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Dining Package includes access to several specialty restaurants for a set price.

Of course, choosing from these depends entirely on where you wish to go on your next cruising trip and who is offering options more suitable to your taste. Both cruise lines have grand ships operating in their fleets, and both offer a significant amount of ships to choose from. In fleet size, Royal Caribbean has more options, offering up to 29 best cruise ships to choose from, while Norwegian offers 19 best cruise ships to choose from in its fleet. There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax?

What activities do Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer for kids?

For this reason I always recommend thoroughly researching different ships from each class before booking your cruise. When it comes to onboard activities it could be almost impossible to choose which of these two cruise lines is better than the other. As always, it can simply be up to individual taste, style, and preferences of each cruise traveler. With each new ship Royal Caribbean is setting themselves apart by offering more and more for guests to do and see onboard.

The Norwegian 3-bedroom Villa offers the largest suite with over 6,000 sq. In cooler weather destinations, the Sea Plex offers a multitude of activities, from roller skating and bumper cars to pickleball and basketball. Their “Wonderland” restaurant, with its Alice in Wonderland theme, is a must-try.

Freestyle Cruising

Norwegian cruises offer all types of shows including Broadway hits, comedy, and dance. Norwegian is known for its “freestyle dining,” allowing passengers to choose from a selection of up to nine restaurants at any given time. With a range of cuisines plus the ability to have your meals whenever you want, Norwegian is a good cruise line for those who like more flexibility.

Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean comparison - Royal Caribbean Blog

Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean comparison.

Posted: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Unique to Royal Caribbean are the “virtual balcony” interior rooms that feature floor-to-ceiling HD screens showing real-time ocean views. In addition to kids clubs, there are often splash zones and kids pools onboard many of Norwegian Cruise Line ships and Royal Caribbean ships. In my personal experience, it does appear that there are usually more kids zones and areas onboard Royal Caribbean ships.

Royal Caribbean as a brand markets themselves as capable of providing an excellent cruise vacation for the whole family. I have had the privilege of cruising with both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines several times this year. Much of my cruising experience has been sailing onboard Norwegian Cruise Line, but I have also had some great experiences onboard Royal Caribbean ships. We already mentioned that Norwegian has done away with the traditional dining setups you’ll see on other cruise lines.

Elsewhere, family cabins are located near children's facilities, and spa cabins are positioned near the spa. But now, the cruise line is moving more toward luxury with its newest ship (more on this below), seeming to cede the “bigger and more activities” crown to its rival. Royal Caribbean does offer exclusive areas for high-end suite passengers, but The Haven is a step above. On Royal Caribbean, it’s around $24 (often with discounts for booking early). Norwegian Cruise Line is no slouch, but the fleet totals 19 ships — about two-thirds as many as Royal Caribbean. That said, NCL also has new ships scheduled annually to increase its fleet size in the years ahead.

The complimentary restaurants, ‘Taste’ and ‘Savor’ found onboard many of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships are a great dining option. These two restaurants offer a more intimate restaurant dining experience, rather than the large traditional main dining room found on many cruise lines. I prefer this method of dining when it comes to dinner on a cruise ship, and definitely recommend checking out these restaurants if they are available on your next Norwegian Cruise Line sailing.

This revolves around having no set dining times and therefore the flexibility to set one’s own schedule. Both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are extremely family-friendly but also cater well to couples, group vacations, and solo travelers. Neither of them offers adult-only cruises, but both have several areas onboard their ships that are adult-only when you’re looking to escape from the little ones. Norwegian has all-inclusive packages, but some specialty restaurants and drinks can cost extra.

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