Norwegian Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean Cruise Comparison

If you're considering a cruise vacation, you're likely weighing the options between Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Norwegian Cruise Line has a more relaxed, freestyle approach to cruising, with no set dining times and a variety of onboard activities.

Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, offers a more traditional cruise experience with a focus on entertainment and amenities. Their ships are often larger and more modern than Norwegian's, with a wider range of dining options and activities.

One key difference between the two lines is their pricing. Norwegian Cruise Line tends to be more budget-friendly, with prices starting at around $500 per person for a 7-night cruise. Royal Caribbean, however, can be more expensive, with prices starting at around $700 per person for a similar itinerary.

When comparing Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, one key difference is the size of their ships. Norwegian Cruise Line has a fleet of 17 ships, with the largest being the Norwegian Encore, which can accommodate over 4,000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, has a much larger fleet of 26 ships, with the largest being the Symphony of the Seas, which can accommodate over 6,600 passengers. This means that if you're looking for a more intimate cruise experience, Norwegian might be the better choice.

In terms of dining options, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a more laid-back, freestyle dining experience, with up to 20 different restaurants on board, including specialty venues like Cagney's Steakhouse and La Cucina.

Royal Caribbean operates megaships that can carry up to 5,400 passengers, with its five biggest ships being the world's largest cruise ships.

Their ships are so massive that they're designed in a neighborhood layout, featuring areas like a Boardwalk neighborhood with a high-diving show, a carousel, and a hot dog stand.

Some Royal Caribbean ships are even set up like a leafy Central Park, complete with thousands of live plants.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships, on the other hand, range in size from about 1,900 passengers to over 4,100 passengers, with a focus on offering excitement on board rather than competing in size.

Their latest ships feature multilevel go-kart racetracks that add a fun twist to the cruise experience.

In contrast, Royal Caribbean's ships are often much larger, with many carrying between 3,000 to 4,000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean has a significantly larger fleet size than Norwegian Cruise Line, with 28 ships compared to Norwegian's 19.

Their largest vessels can accommodate over 7,000 guests, whereas many of Norwegian's ships can fit more than 4,000 guests.

Royal Caribbean's newest ships, Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, are among the largest in the world, showcasing the brand's commitment to innovation and luxury.

Both cruise lines are set to release many more ships in the future, signaling a continued success for both brands.

The sheer size of Royal Caribbean's fleet allows them to offer a wider range of itineraries and experiences to their passengers.

Royal Caribbean is a solid choice for investors looking to launch their investments. Its greater capacity to add ships will likely increase its market share.

Royal Caribbean's debt level is higher than some of its competitors, but its ability to generate more profit should help pay off more debt. This should ultimately lead to higher returns for shareholders.

Royal Caribbean's stock is more expensive when measured by P/S ratios, but its potential for growth makes it a worthwhile investment.

Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer a wide variety of stateroom options to suit every traveler's needs and desires.

Staterooms onboard Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean feature bunk bed systems to accommodate more than two people in a cabin, making them perfect for families or groups of friends.

Whether you're looking for an affordable inside cabin or a luxurious suite, there's a plethora of stateroom and cabin categories to choose from on both cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean's Promenade View Rooms offer a unique cruise experience at an affordable price, with a window looking out onto the Promenade or Central Park.

For those looking to splurge, Norwegian Cruise Line's 'The Haven' is a luxury 'ship-within-a-ship' concept that includes exclusive areas like a lounge, bar, pool area, and restaurant.

Staying in The Haven is often quite expensive, but comes with perks that can't be experienced any other way onboard Norwegian Cruise Line.

If you're interested in staying in The Haven, be sure to filter which ships have these stateroom categories onboard before booking a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line.

Royal Caribbean's Promenade View Rooms are often cheaper than an ocean view room, but offer a fun and unique stateroom experience.

Norwegian Cruise Line sails year-round in the Hawaiian Islands on the U.S.-flagged Pride of America, a unique offering among cruise lines.

The line focuses on destinations like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, New England and Canada, the Mexican Riviera, and Bermuda, offering a range of affordable sailings.

Royal Caribbean's emphasis on North America includes the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Canada, and New England, with a private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, offering an extravagant experience.

Both lines also sail in other regions, such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Singapore, providing a diverse range of itineraries.

If you're planning a cruise, you'll want to consider the itinerary of your ship. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean both offer extensive itineraries that take you to exciting destinations around the world.

Norwegian Cruise Line has a unique offering in the Hawaiian Islands, with their U.S.-flagged Pride of America sailing year-round. They also have a strong presence in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, and other popular regions.

Royal Caribbean focuses on North America, with a strong emphasis on the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Alaska. They also sail to other regions, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Singapore.

One of the highlights of a Royal Caribbean cruise is their private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is a must-visit destination in the Bahamas.

Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer a wide range of onboard activities, but they approach it in different ways.

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for debuting industry firsts, such as the Norwegian Speedway, a go-kart experience found on newer vessels like the Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore.

Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, focuses on expanding and enhancing its popular activities, creating ships that are designed to be visited multiple times to see and do everything onboard.

Newer ships from both cruise lines offer a wider breadth of activities due to ongoing innovation and technological advancements.

Guests looking to experience and do a lot onboard should consider a newer ship from either Norwegian Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean.

When you're on a cruise, you want to feel like you're on vacation, not stuck on a ship with nothing to do. Royal Caribbean's ships are big for a reason - they're built to host a whole bunch of amenities, including pools, live entertainment, spas, fitness centers, casinos, lounges, bars, clubs, shops and more.

Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer a wide range of amenities to keep you entertained and relaxed. But Royal Caribbean's sheer size and variety of options give it an edge in this department.

Royal Caribbean's ships are big for a reason - they're built to host a whole bunch of amenities.

From pools to live entertainment, you'll find something to suit every taste and interest.

Cruise loyalty programs are a great way to save money and enjoy exclusive perks on future cruises. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line both offer loyalty programs to their guests.

Royal Caribbean's loyalty program is called the 'Crown & Anchor Society', while Norwegian Cruise Line's is called 'Latitudes Rewards'. These programs reward guests with points for every cruise they take, which can be redeemed for benefits like discounts on drink packages and shore excursions.

Guests earn 1 point for every night they spend on a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, and this can increase to 2 points or more per night depending on the type of stateroom. For example, I earned 4 points per night in a Studio Stateroom on the Norwegian Encore.

Some benefits of various reward categories with Norwegian Cruise Line include exclusive cocktail parties, discounts at the duty-free shops onboard, and a free specialty dining meal for two. These perks can add up to a lot of savings and make your cruise experience even more enjoyable.

Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society rewards program is very similar to Norwegian Cruise Line's, with the more you cruise, the more rewards and perks you have access to. Certain stateroom categories like suites can earn guests more than one point per night of their cruise sailing onboard Royal Caribbean.

One of the features that sets Royal Caribbean's program apart is the complimentary drinks perk, where higher status travelers can earn free drinks for future cruising. For example, at certain tiers guests can enjoy 5+ free drinks a day, which can be a significant cost saving.

Once you've cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line and/or Royal Caribbean, you're automatically a member of their loyalty program. For every subsequent cruise, you'll earn points and work your way toward the next loyalty tier to achieve even more rewards for your next cruise vacation.

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its casual approach to cruising, doing away with assigned meal times and tables for guests. This means you can choose to have your fill at the buffet or sit down in a dining room whenever you'd like.

The Norwegian Encore, one of the cruise line's newer ships built in 2019, can hold a maximum of 3,998 guests. There are seven different room types on this ship, including several different types of suites, ocean view and interior rooms, and studio rooms for solo travelers.

You'll find a plethora of pools, fitness clubs, spas, bars, dance clubs, shops, and casinos aboard Norwegian ships. The activities available to you are going to depend on your ship, but the state-of-the-art Encore includes options like go-karting and waterslides, as well as a virtual reality gaming zone and live entertainment.

Norwegian has varying sizes of ships across its fleet, so you'll get to experience different activities, cabin types, and dining options depending on which ship you're aboard. The Norwegian Sun, for example, holds a maximum capacity of 1,936 guests, the least of any ships in Norwegian's fleet.

In terms of price and value, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line are quite similar. Both lines offer similar inclusions in their cruise fares, but you'll need to budget for extras like alcohol, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and shore excursions.

You may find that newer ships or those with more bells and whistles come with a higher price tag. Royal Caribbean often runs promotions with discounted fares or bonus onboard credit, while Norwegian's Free At Sea Offers add perks like drink packages or Wi-Fi.

Keep an eye out for these deals when deciding which cruise fare is the best value for you.

Royal Caribbean has more ships and can carry far more passengers, but its destinations are limited compared with Norwegian.

Both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have moved on from past issues and have seen a return of their customers.

Royal Caribbean owns three cruise lines, including its namesake, Celebrity, and Silversea, which together claim about 24% of the industry's revenue.

Norwegian operates its flagship cruise line and owns two smaller lines, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, generating 14% of the industry's revenue.

Royal Caribbean claimed a 107% load factor in the first quarter of 2024, while Norwegian's cabins were 105% occupied during the same period.

Deciding where to go and what kinds of activities you enjoy will help you choose the best cruise line for your situation.

Both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line offer similar inclusions in their cruise fares, such as meals, accommodations, and onboard activities.

However, Norwegian Cruise Line has a wider range of destinations, with over 450 options compared to Royal Caribbean's 300+.

Royal Caribbean has a larger fleet size, with 27 ships, compared to Norwegian's 19 ships.

In terms of cost, Norwegian Cruise Line offers more affordable options, with prices starting from $149 per person, while Royal Caribbean starts at $170 per person.

The maximum passenger count on Royal Caribbean ships can be up to 5,734, while Norwegian's largest ship can hold up to 4,266 passengers.

Royal Caribbean has a sporty and family-friendly vibe, while Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its casual and resort-like atmosphere.

Here's a quick comparison of the two cruise lines:

Ultimately, the best value provider will depend on your individual preferences and needs. Be sure to research and compare prices, amenities, and itineraries to find the best fit for you.

If you're looking for a more traditional cruise ship atmosphere, Royal Caribbean is a good choice.

Either of these cruise lines can be a great option for a first-time cruiser, but consider Norwegian if you prefer a more contemporary take on casual cruising.

In terms of cruise options, Royal Caribbean offers a slightly more upscale experience, while Norwegian provides a more relaxed atmosphere.