Compare Cruise Lines Side by Side
Pick any two cruise lines below — see their ratings, fleet size, pricing tier, target audience, strengths, and a final verdict for which is the better fit for your trip.
Cruise Line A
Norwegian Cruise Line
VS
Cruise Line B
Royal Caribbean
🚢
Norwegian Cruise Line
★★★★☆ 4.20
vs
🏆 Norwegian Cruise Line wins
6
:
4
🚢
Royal Caribbean
★★★★☆ 4.40
| Feature | Norwegian Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1966 | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida, USA | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Fleet Size | 19 ships | 28 ships Winner |
| Passengers Per Year | 2,800,000+ | 6,500,000+ |
| Starting Price | $399 Winner | $449 |
| Our Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.20 | ★★★★☆ 4.40 Winner |
| Feature | Norwegian Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Freestyle — no fixed dining times or tables | Open seating + traditional dining |
| Specialty Restaurants | 10-15 per ship (Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Teppanyaki, Onda by Scarpetta) | Up to 20 per ship (Chops Grille, Giovanni's, Izumi, 150 Central Park) |
| Drinks Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dress Code | Smart casual; no formal nights | Smart casual; 1-2 formal nights |
| Entertainment | Broadway shows (Six, Jersey Boys), Cirque-style productions, casino | Broadway musicals, ice skating, AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator |
| Kids Club | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adult-Only Areas | ❌ | ❌ |
| Casino | ✅ | ✅ |
| Spa & Wellness | ❌ | ❌ |
| Fitness Center | ✅ Winner | ❌ |
| WiFi (included) | ❌ | ❌ |
| WiFi Cost | From $14.99/day for unlimited streaming | From $19.99/day |
| Feature | Norwegian Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Regions Served | Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mediterranean, Alaska, Hawaii, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia/NZ, South America | Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Bahamas, Asia, Australia/NZ, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, Panama Canal |
| Countries Visited | 60+ | 80+ |
| Home Ports | Miami, New York, Port Canaveral, Tampa, New Orleans, Seattle, Honolulu, Boston, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Reykjavik | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Cape Liberty, Tampa, Seattle, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Singapore, Sydney |
| Shortest Cruise | 3 nights | 3 nights |
| Longest Cruise | 24 nights | 12 nights (up to 19 on select sailings) |
| World Cruise | ❌ | ❌ |
| Feature | Norwegian Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Cabin From | $399 Winner | $449 |
| Balcony Cabin From | $799 Winner | $899 |
| Suite From | $2,199 Winner | $2,499 |
| All-Inclusive? | ❌ | ❌ |
| Gratuities Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Flights Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund 121+ days | Full refund 90+ days; sliding scale after |
| Loyalty Program | Latitudes Rewards | Crown & Anchor Society |
| Feature | Norwegian Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Freestyle dining lovers, solo travelers, flexible schedules | Adventure-seekers, families, first-time cruisers |
| Solo Traveler Cabins | ❌ | ❌ |
| Family Friendly | Winner | |
| Luxury Level | ||
| Adventure Level | Winner | |
| Average Age | 40-60 | 35-55 |
| Accessible Cabins | ✅ Winner | ❌ |
| Pet Policy | Service animals only | Service animals only |
| Smoking Policy | Designated outdoor areas + casino | Designated outdoor areas |
🏆 Our Verdict
6 – 4Norwegian Cruise Line takes the win, scoring 6 against 4 across 41 compared features. Especially strong for: Freestyle dining lovers, solo travelers, flexible schedules.
What we compare across
- Price ranges — Lead-in fares and what they actually include
- Ships — Size, age, capacity, recent refurbishments
- Target audience — Who each line is genuinely built for
- Destinations — Where each line sails strongest
- Dining — Main dining, specialty venues, buffet quality, included vs. paid
- Entertainment — Production shows, lounges, onboard activities
- Inclusions — What’s in the fare, what’s extra
- Suites & cabins — Premium category quality and value
- Family-friendliness — Kids’ clubs, family programming, multi-gen options
- Solo travelers — Solo cabins, single supplement policy, social events
- Loyalty program — Worth chasing or not
- Verdict — Which line wins, for which type of cruiser
How the comparison works
We score each line across the same 12 categories using the same yardstick. Built from passenger sentiment data, ship-by-ship reviews, our own sailings, and verifiable industry information. Updated quarterly. Spot something out of date? Email editorial@allcruisestravel.com.
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