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
Royal Caribbean
VS
Cruise Line B
Norwegian Cruise Line
🚢
Royal Caribbean
★★★★☆ 4.40
vs
🏆 Norwegian Cruise Line wins
4
:
6
🚢
Norwegian Cruise Line
★★★★☆ 4.20
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida, USA | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Fleet Size | 28 ships Winner | 19 ships |
| Passengers Per Year | 6,500,000+ | 2,800,000+ |
| Starting Price | $449 | $399 Winner |
| Our Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.40 Winner | ★★★★☆ 4.20 |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Open seating + traditional dining | Freestyle — no fixed dining times or tables |
| Specialty Restaurants | Up to 20 per ship (Chops Grille, Giovanni's, Izumi, 150 Central Park) | 10-15 per ship (Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Teppanyaki, Onda by Scarpetta) |
| Drinks Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dress Code | Smart casual; 1-2 formal nights | Smart casual; no formal nights |
| Entertainment | Broadway musicals, ice skating, AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator | Broadway shows (Six, Jersey Boys), Cirque-style productions, casino |
| Kids Club | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adult-Only Areas | ❌ | ❌ |
| Casino | ✅ | ✅ |
| Spa & Wellness | ❌ | ❌ |
| Fitness Center | ❌ | ✅ Winner |
| WiFi (included) | ❌ | ❌ |
| WiFi Cost | From $19.99/day | From $14.99/day for unlimited streaming |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Regions Served | Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Bahamas, Asia, Australia/NZ, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, Panama Canal | Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mediterranean, Alaska, Hawaii, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia/NZ, South America |
| Countries Visited | 80+ | 60+ |
| Home Ports | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Cape Liberty, Tampa, Seattle, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Singapore, Sydney | Miami, New York, Port Canaveral, Tampa, New Orleans, Seattle, Honolulu, Boston, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Reykjavik |
| Shortest Cruise | 3 nights | 3 nights |
| Longest Cruise | 12 nights (up to 19 on select sailings) | 24 nights |
| World Cruise | ❌ | ❌ |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Cabin From | $449 | $399 Winner |
| Balcony Cabin From | $899 | $799 Winner |
| Suite From | $2,499 | $2,199 Winner |
| All-Inclusive? | ❌ | ❌ |
| Gratuities Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Flights Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund 90+ days; sliding scale after | Full refund 121+ days |
| Loyalty Program | Crown & Anchor Society | Latitudes Rewards |
| Feature | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Adventure-seekers, families, first-time cruisers | Freestyle dining lovers, solo travelers, flexible schedules |
| Solo Traveler Cabins | ❌ | ❌ |
| Family Friendly | Winner | |
| Luxury Level | ||
| Adventure Level | Winner | |
| Average Age | 35-55 | 40-60 |
| Accessible Cabins | ❌ | ✅ Winner |
| Pet Policy | Service animals only | Service animals only |
| Smoking Policy | Designated outdoor areas | Designated outdoor areas + casino |
🏆 Our Verdict
4 – 6Norwegian 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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