Norwegian Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean
+ Global JourneysCompare the ships, onboard inclusions, pricing, shore excursions and popularity of cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, to see which is the better fit for your next journey.
We asked NCL why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
No schedules. No stipulations. Just award-winning entertainment and diverse dining options from the only cruise line built for versatile vacationing. NCL's award-winning ships are designed for you to enjoy as you choose while cruising to beautiful destinations around the world. Add a wide range of superb dining options and spectacular entertainment and you'll experience your best holiday ever.
Total No. Cruises
Departures
Avg. cruise length
Avg. price per day (by cabin type)
No. of Ships
All-Inclusive level
Onboard currencyCouples, solo travellers and families; freestyle cruisers who like to holiday on their own schedule.
Freestyle Cruising with no fixed dining times, award-winning entertainment and top-deck innovation including racetracks at sea.
No.
Guests need to pay for shore excursions, WiFi, specialty dining, spa and salon services, selected onboard activities, some entertainment and certain beverages and services.
Gratuities are included for Australian and New Zealand passengers. They are not included for North American passengers.
No.
Yes, charges apply or is included in NCL’s Free At Sea™ package.
No. Latitudes Rewards only.
Yes. NCL are a popular family option with family-friendly accommodation, comprehensive youth programs and family-friendly amenities.
Sports court games, outdoor pools and hot tubs, select onboard presentations, the ropes course and ziplining.
Yes, except on Pride of America.
Specialty onboard seminars, go-kart sessions, laser tag, video arcade games and bowling incur additional charges.
Yes. Specialty restaurants are available and charges apply. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add premium beverages, specialty dining, shore excursion credit and Wi-Fi.
Yes. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add specialty dining.
No.
No.
Yes. Upgrade to NCL’s Free At Sea™ to add premium beverages, specialty dining, shore excursion credit and Wi-Fi.
Yes. Complimentary 24/7 room service is available; charges apply for alcohol orders.
Yes. Spa and salon services are available for an additional charge.
Yes.
Yes. Charges apply.
Yes. Charges apply.
No.
Yes. Charges apply.
We asked Royal Caribbean why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
Royal Caribbean International is known for driving innovation at sea and has continuously redefined cruise holidays since its launch in 1969. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel and pushes the envelope of what is possible on a cruise ship. Onboard, the global cruise line has debuted countless industry 'firsts' – such as rock climbing, ice skating and surfing at sea – to capture the imagination of families and adventurous holiday-makers alike. Throughout, guests sail on exciting itineraries to some of the world’s most-popular read more destinations and enjoy Royal Caribbean’s friendly and engaging service.
Total No. CruisesDeparturesAvg. cruise lengthAvg. price per day (by cabin type)No. of ShipsAll-Inclusive levelOnboard currencyFamilies and couples, including semi-retired and retired travellers.
Entertainment-packed ships, state-of-the-art onboard experiences and thrills.
No.
Budget for alcoholic beverages, WiFi, specialty dining, shore excursions and selected onboard activities or experiences.
Yes for Australian and New Zealand guests only.
No.
Yes. Charges apply.
Yes. Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Azamara offer reciprocal benefits to members enrolled in their loyalty programs.
Yes. Royal Caribbean is a genuinely family-friendly cruise line with comprehensive children’s programs and facilities for families, including accommodation for large groups.
Sports courts, rock-climbing walls, waterslides, surf riders, language, dance and craft classes, select onboard thrills, skydiving simulators, observation capsules and on some ships - games spaces and ice-skating rinks. Activities vary by ship.
Yes.
Specialty onboard seminars may incur a charge. Video arcade games incur a fee, and some onboard thrills may offer only one complimentary use. Some themed dinners and in-suite movies also cost extra.
Yes. Specialty restaurants are available; charges apply and the range may differ between ships.
Yes.
Basic non-alcoholic drinks are included for free in your cruise fare, but specialty non-alcoholic beverages like soda, mocktails, and premium coffee cost extra unless you buy a drink package.
No. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased.
Yes. Packages are available for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
Yes. A convenience charge applies to each order except continental breakfast items. Grand Suites and higher categories do not pay the convenience fee.
Yes. Spa and salon services are available and charges apply.
Yes.
Yes. Group fitness classes are complimentary, although selected special training classes may incur additional charges.
Yes. Charges apply.
No.
Yes. Charges apply.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Royal Caribbean are both contemporary cruise lines with large ships, plenty of dining and entertainment, and itineraries around the world. Royal Caribbean generally pushes further with big-ticket attractions and family facilities, while NCL’s Freestyle Cruising delivers a more casual experience with no set dining times and plenty of flexibility. With so much variation between ships, your choice may ultimately come down to the specific vessel rather than the cruise line.
Both fleets range from more traditional ships to large resort-style vessels packed with activities. Royal Caribbean’s newer ships are particularly focused on the ‘wow factor’, with attractions such as surf simulators, waterparks, bumper cars, the North Star observation capsule and neighbourhood-style precincts. NCL also offers plenty of innovation, including The Waterfront, racetracks on selected ships and newer attractions such as the Aqua Slidecoaster. Accommodation ranges from inside cabins through to large suites on both lines, although NCL’s The Haven is a particular standout, offering an exclusive enclave with its own suites and facilities.
Both are excellent family cruise lines, but Royal Caribbean goes further with dedicated family facilities and activities. Its Adventure Ocean program caters for children and teens, while newer ships add extensive waterparks, splash zones, climbing walls, surf simulators and family accommodation. NCL also has children’s programs, family-friendly cabins and plenty to keep everyone entertained, but if you’re travelling with kids and want the biggest possible range of dedicated family attractions, we’d give Royal the edge.
There’s plenty for couples on both lines, whether you want action or relaxation. Royal offers adults-only spaces such as the Solarium alongside a huge range of entertainment and activities, while NCL’s Freestyle approach makes it particularly easy to dine when and where you like, enjoy The Waterfront or retreat to more exclusive areas such as The Haven. Both have busy nightlife, live entertainment and specialty dining, so this is another area where the individual ship is likely to matter more than the brand.
This is one area where NCL has a clear point of difference. Norwegian pioneered the Studio concept and now offers Solo Balcony, Oceanview, Inside and Studio accommodation across its fleet, priced specifically for one guest. Dedicated Studio guests on selected ships also have access to a private Studio Lounge where they can meet other solo travellers. Royal Caribbean has limited single-occupancy cabins on selected Quantum and Oasis Class ships, but the choice is considerably smaller, so NCL generally offers more flexibility for travellers cruising alone.
Base fares and inclusions are broadly similar, with drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and shore excursions generally costing extra on both lines. Royal regularly runs discounted fares and onboard credit promotions, while Australian and New Zealand guests can upgrade to NCL’s Free at Sea package for a daily charge, currently adding premium beverages, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits. The better value will depend on the ship, sailing and extras you’ll actually use, so it’s worth comparing the total holiday cost rather than the headline fare.
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