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The ships are also well-known for having unique things to do, including ice skating, FlowRider standing waves, huge multi-story slides, and tons more. If you want a ship with the most to do at sea, then Royal Caribbean is likely your choice. During the summer of 2025, NCL shows just three ships sailing from the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico to the area. On Norwegian cruises we’ve see very few people with high-status key cards and fewer people in general wearing lanyards that show off the status of their card. One thing to know is that cabins with this perk are more expensive than booking without. There are also gratuities required on items like the drink package, which means you will pay some money even though it’s “free.” Still, if you don’t like a ton of extra charges on the ship, then this offer could be for you.
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There are also options for specialty restaurants aboard these ships, though these come with an additional fee. Royal Caribbean offers a slightly more upscale experience than Norwegian, as well as higher-end options when it comes to suites and dining. Royal Caribbean allows guests to either choose an assigned dining time or to eat whenever they like — you’ll make your selection during the booking process.
Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: Your Head-to-Head Guide
If you just want to hang out by the pool or work on your tan, then you can — without worry about transportation or paying fees like in other ports. Its Icon-class ship is the largest cruise liner in the world (with a second, Star of the Seas, on the way), measuring more than 1,000 feet and 250,000 tons. Every cruise ship sails to international destinations, but some are definitely more global in nature. In that case, both Royal Caribbean and NCL can take you to destinations around the world.
Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation
Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island destinations, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize, are included on the ships’ itineraries. Royal Caribbean has some of the most elaborate pool decks in the cruising industry, but didn’t embrace the full waterpark concept until more recently. Now, the line’s newest ships offer more bells and whistles than a shoreside resort. NCL has 14 homeports on the North American mainland where ships depart seasonally to year-round.
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The smallest Royal Caribbean ship is Rhapsody of the Seas with a passenger capacity of 2,416 and crew member capacity of 765. The second smallest Royal Caribbean ship is Grandeur of the Seas, being able to hold 2,440 guests and 760 crew. Sifting through the numerous differences between cruise lines is no small feat, often making the cruise-selection process a difficult one.
Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: Dining Options
Norwegian offers two — Harvest Caye near Belize and Great Stirrup Cay in The Bahamas. Norwegian, despite having a smaller fleet, sails more ships to Alaska (five versus four). This ship is the only major cruise ship to be registered in the United States. That allows it to sail the Hawaiian Islands without having to visit a foreign country on the trip. So if you’ve ever wanted to tour this part of the world, NCL is your best best. For instance, many NCL ships (especially newer vessels) feature an outdoor promenade that sticks out from the ship on the lower decks, giving you a place to take in the sun and fresh air away from the pool deck.
Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean comparison - Royal Caribbean Blog
Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean comparison.
Posted: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Norwegian Sun's top deck mostly comprises sunning areas, with a single pool and whirlpools, as is typical for ships built more than two decades ago. Norwegian also offers four solo cabins on its Hawaii-based Pride of America. It's a look that carries over to a bevy of high-end eateries, including Nama, a new-for-Norwegian sushi restaurant with a design that is as sophisticated as the sushi it serves. Also striking is the look of a version of Le Bistro, Norwegian's signature French eatery, that can be found on both of these vessels. Both of the spaces are built around three massive crystal chandeliers costing nearly $100,000 that hang down to the floor — a showstopper of a design element.
On board you will find a number of unique things to do, including go-karts(!), laser tag, and even waterslides that will take you out over the edge of the ship. This means that you’ll get to experience different activities, cabin types and dining options depending on which ship you’re aboard. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry.
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Pay airfare for one guest, and you'll automatically lock-in roundtrip flights for two. Secure these savings online by choosing your nearest airport in step one of your cruise booking, and enjoy air-to-sea made easy. We'll coordinate your roundtrip flights, and transportation between the airport and cruise port. Dine, dance, laugh, and relax with onboard activities, premier entertainment, and unforgettable shore excursions.
Ports of call also include NCL’s private destinations, Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas and Harvest Caye, Belize. Our 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 vacation ever.
Tucked away in the middle of the ship, this "studio" zone is essentially a private escape for solos, with more solo cabins — 128 — than you'll find on any other ship at sea. For would-be Norwegian cruisers, Norwegian Sky's shorter sailings out of Miami serve as a sort of "test the line" opportunity. Their short time frame and low pricing mean you're not out a lot in time or money if you don't love it as much as you hoped. These shorter sailings cater heavily to first-time cruisers and Florida locals who can book on short notice and drive into the port for a quick escape. Notably, the entire back of each of these ships is dedicated to an upscale luxury zone for the fancy set called The Haven. In total, the cruise line currently offers sailings on 27 different ships and has multiple new ships coming online with Utopia of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are geared towards family-friendly fun and have various dedicated kid's programs and activities. However, the most elaborate facilities are always found aboard the line's largest and newest ships. Norwegian was the first to really elevate its sports decks, placing full-scale go-kart raceways in addition to ropes courses and laser tag arenas in outdoor spaces.
Norwegian Cruise Line has officially launched what will be its newest cruise ship in the Caribbean. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help.
Whether it’s Europe or Alaska, Australia or the Greek Isles, if you want to go there, these cruise ships can do it. While Norwegian has its “Free at Sea” offer (more on this below) that can save you money, in general you’ll find that prices on NCL ships are generally more expensive. For example, the cruise line’s drink package is priced at $109 per day, while Royal Caribbean’s varies, but starts around $70 per day.
At 78,309 tons, Norwegian Sun is less than half the size of the biggest Norwegian ships, and it holds just 1,878 passengers at double occupancy. (Compare that to more than 4,000 for Norwegian's biggest vessels.) Expect a far more intimate experience than what you'll find on most of the ships mentioned above. Dating to 2001, Norwegian Sun is one of Norwegian's oldest and smallest vessels, and it lacks many of the family-focused onboard attractions that are typical for the line's newer and bigger vessels. You won't find big waterparks, go-kart racing tracks or laser tag zones on this ship. The bigger Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss all have an 82-cabin solo complex, while two older ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — have solo areas with 59 cabins.
As mentioned, this is the largest cruise ships in the world, with a large focus on family cruising with lots for kids and teens to do. That includes a complete waterpark on the ship and special family “neighborhoods” on board. Returning from Europe following a summer season of Mediterranean and Greek Isles voyages, the ships’ new fall itineraries will offer guests more opportunities to island hop. They can enjoy crystal-clear waters and sunny skies throughout the Caribbean.
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