Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Cruise Lines Compared: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian in 10 Different Areas

norwegian cruise vs carnival

For example, sail on Carnival and you’ll always find $5 tables (or $6 for blackjack). A cruise ship without a casino is like sitting poolside without a drink in your hand — it just doesn’t happen. For example, a quick search found a Carnival cruise departing Miami for seven days to the Eastern Caribbean in September. The price for an interior cabin (the lowest available) is $414 per person.

Food

Though Freestyle Cruising means there is no need to dress up for dinner, the white tablecloths and décor still give the experience an elegant feel. Some dining rooms may host a live band and dance floor, resulting in an enjoyable supper club vibe. Royal Caribbean has plenty of thrills that don’t involve getting wet. The Ultimate Abyss is the newest attraction on Symphony of the Seas, a slide twisting down for 10 decks of darkness. Every comedy show throughout the cruise will be completely different with both family-friendly and adult shows scheduled. Norwegian’s fleet is comprised of just 17 ships and is the youngest line in this comparison.

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That’s not to say they are exactly the same, but the mass-market lines like Norwegian and Carnival do share a lot in common. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. In general, Carnival Cruise Line tends to be slightly more affordable than Norwegian Cruise Line.

norwegian cruise vs carnival

NCL Food

In addition, we’ve been disappointed to find that the seating for most comedy shows and dueling piano performances consists of hard, wooden, straight-back chairs. Elsewhere onboard, passenger participation shows like Deal or No Deal can be found, along with dueling pianos and comedy. Norwegian has a nice mix of production shows, consisting of traditional singing and dancing, as well as Broadway musicals with a true storyline to follow. For an additional fee, passengers are served a set menu while being mesmerized with acrobatics and other circus-like acts.

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The cruise line’s oldest and smallest ships, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky, hold only 2,000 passengers. Those looking for a floating resort can sail on Norwegian Epic or Norwegian Escape, which can hold double the capacity at 4,000 passengers. Both Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line operate a large fleet of cruise ships. Although the cruise lines’ newest ships always receive the most attention and hype, you can also find smaller and older ships still sailing.

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Here, suites range from spacious to opulent three-bedroom villas, featuring unique bathroom designs with marble surfaces and double vanities, elevating the standard of luxury on the seas. While Carnival offers a range of longer cruises exceeding nine nights, these are less frequent compared to Norwegian Cruise Line’s offerings. The bulk of Carnival’s cruises are designed for shorter durations, typically lasting eight nights or fewer.

You’ll find popular fast-casual choices like Guy’s Burger Joint, created by Food Network’s Guy Fieri, available on 24 ships, and his Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse on 7 ships. For those who enjoy Mexican cuisine, BlueIguana Cantina on the lido deck offers delicious burritos, including a must-try breakfast option. Norwegian Cruise Line, known for its freestyle cruising experience, and Carnival, known for its friendly and laid-back approach, are quite similar ship fleets in many ways. Both ships prioritize providing fun-filled experiences to travelers at all times of their stay.

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For fitness enthusiasts, there are basketball courts, convertible for other sports, and well-equipped gyms with a variety of equipment and fitness classes. Those seeking relaxation can enjoy the casino, lounges with live music, hot tubs, and spas with treatments and thermal suites, some offering ocean views. Family Harbor rooms grant access to a lounge with complimentary breakfast, snacks, and family activities.

Prices Vary, But Some Cruises Include More than Others

Steak, seafood, Italian, Mexican can be found along with the interesting, imaginary, and very instagrammable venue, Wonderland. Onboard Breakaway, Epic, Escape and others, theater lovers can also choose to enjoy a meal while enjoying a show. Wine Lovers the Musical is held during the day, with Cirque-style shows in the evening. Other complimentary venues near the pools are the Wipeout Café offering burgers, hot dogs, and pizza, while healthier dishes served in the Solarium Bistro. Elsewhere on board, Carnival ships have well laid out buffets with themed-stations to go between rather than single entrances backed up with long lines. It’s a good way to ensure you will get to see a show that interests, but it results in a more scheduled, less-spontaneous vacation.

Carnival is known for its budget-friendly cruises, with plenty of options for those looking to save money on their vacation. Carnival Cruise Line is a great choice for those looking for a fun and festive atmosphere, while Norwegian Cruise Line offers a more refined experience. In addition to The Haven suites, Norwegian also offers a range of cabin options, from inside to balcony to suites, all with stylish and modern decor. The Haven suites come with exclusive access to a private pool, lounge, restaurant, and the use of a personal butler, as well as hot tubs and expansive private balconies.

Highlights on the Lido deck are Guy’s Burger Joint, with a selection of burgers and toppings to choose from. Laser tag is available on several ships, but Norwegian’s most original shipboard activity has been the installation of racetracks on the decks of Norwegian Bliss, Encore, and Joy. For the most part, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have done a great job of breaking up the crowds so that it never feels overly crowded on their mega-ships. While the quality of the comedy shows has been quite good, each show is not unique.

Norwegian Cruise Line appeals to broader demographics, which also includes families, couples, and seniors. However, Norwegian tends to attract more solo travelers and seasoned cruisers. This is because the cruise line has one of the best solo cruising experiences in the industry. Additionally, Norwegian Cruise Line offers some very exotic itineraries that appeal to seasoned cruisers.

Spa accommodations feature easy access to the spa and special amenities. Both cruise lines offer a wide range of destinations and itineraries, so it’s essential to consider the specific ports and excursions that interest you. In contrast, Carnival Cruise Line’s program is more relaxed and offers a broader range of activities for kids of all ages. It’s important to consider your family’s needs and preferences when choosing between the two cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are two of the most popular cruise lines in the world, offering a wide selection of activities for their passengers. While both cruise lines have a lot in common, they each have unique features and different activities.

Located 55 miles north of Nassau, this spot offers an ample amount of free venues, including five food and drink locations, and beautiful beaches with complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas. For an extra fee, the island is home to a hot air balloon ride, waterpark, zip line and private overwater cabanas. There has been a tremendous increase in the number of restaurants onboard cruise ships. Though many of them do require an additional fee, every ship has plenty of complimentary dining options to choose from.

If you want to cruise with your whole family, both NCL and Carnival have great kids’ facilities to enjoy. Whether it’s game shows, musical marvels, or hearty laughs, both NCL and Carnival provide all the entertainment you could need for your cruise holiday. There’s laser tag and VR gaming too, if you want to enjoy innovative tech-based games, along with the largest ropes course at sea when you’re feeling particularly active.

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