If you are contemplating a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line or Carnival Cruise Line, you are two big-ship manufacturers providing numerous onboard actions and sights at an reasonably priced worth.
The two extremely widespread cruise traces function fleets of megaships with amenities you’ll anticipate finding at a resort, equivalent to casinos, swimming pools, eating places, reside leisure, fancy spas and plenty of bars.
Both traces supply one thing for everybody. Couples, seniors, solo vacationers and households with youngsters come on board for a energetic roster of actions and “wow” sights. Both traces focus a lot of their consideration on fun-in-the-sun itineraries within the Bahamas and Caribbean, crusing from U.S. ports; Norwegian additionally has the one ship that sails year-round within the Hawaiian Islands.
Let’s evaluate Norwegian versus Carnival to see what they’ve in widespread — and what they do not — that will help you discover the cruise that is right for you.
Size of ships
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 20 ships vary in dimension considerably, with the smallest carrying simply over 1,900 passengers (small by megaship requirements) to the biggest holding round 4,200 passengers. The line is not making an attempt to win the scale conflict (Royal Caribbean, for occasion, has ships that prime out at 7,600 passengers when full), however they nonetheless supply loads of pleasure on board.
For instance, a few of the newest Norwegian ships are decked out with revolutionary waterslides, together with an aquatic curler coaster that debuted on Norwegian Aqua, in addition to multilevel go-kart racetracks, ropes programs and laser tag arenas.
Carnival Cruise Line’s bigger fleet has a number of 2,100-passenger ships, although most Carnival ships carry 3,000 to 4,000 passengers. The newest ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee — have a passenger capability that tops out at 6,500-6,631 company. Those ships are distinguished for having actual curler coasters, an business first.
Mardi Gras additionally debuted in 2021 as the primary ship in North America to function on cleaner-burning liquified pure fuel (LNG), which reduces the ship’s output of carbon versus conventional fuels. Carnival Celebration and Jubilee, in addition to Norwegian’s latest ships, Norwegian Prima and Viva, function on LNG as effectively. Norwegian Aqua marks a brand new route for the road, nonetheless, utilizing low-sulfur marine oil fuel together with hydrogen gasoline cells.
Related: Cruise ship lessons defined: Norwegian Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line
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Cabins and suites
Cabin selections abound on each cruise traces, however Norwegian is significantly revolutionary on this realm — and, in some methods, Carnival is enjoying catch-up with its rival.
On the higher decks of a number of Norwegian ships is The Haven, akin to a boutique lodge positioned inside the bigger ship.
Suite company obtain unique entry to the advanced, the place they will escape the crowds elsewhere on the ship in their very own personal oasis with its personal restaurant, lounge, pool and sundeck. The suites’ decor has a recent aptitude that matches the flowery environment. Haven passengers are, in fact, free to roam your complete ship and revel in all its sights.
Another space the place Norwegian will get significantly artistic is in lodging for vacationers cruising solo. Studio cabins are designed for one passenger, with temper lights and different options that make the inside lodging appear extra spacious than they’re. The profit right here is having the ability to make the most of decrease single-occupancy pricing and a non-public lounge for socializing with different solo passengers. Also on choose ships are cabins particularly designed for households (close to youngsters’ play areas).
Carnival tops Norwegian and different opponents with a few of the largest customary cabins within the business. On the alternative finish of the spectrum, the road has taken a deep dive into suites on its newest ships, creating spectacular lodging with their very own out of doors plunge swimming pools, plus a non-public sundeck for suite company.
Select ships have particular Family Harbor cabins and suites that include the good thing about a shared household lounge. The Havana Suites are lodging designed for sun-worshippers that include daytime entry to a non-public pool space. Similarly, spa lodging function easy accessibility to the spa and particular facilities.
Related: Everything you wished to find out about cruise ship cabins and suites: Carnival | Norwegian
Food and drink
Carnival has lengthy managed to supply a few of the tastiest meals at sea, together with extra-fee specialty eating venues. Favorites embrace JiJi’s for genuine Asian delicacies and the assorted steakhouses for a date-night splurge.
You do not must pay a cent further for lots of Carnival’s mouthwatering eating places, although. Juicy poolside burgers by Food Network star Guy Fieri are a selected passenger favourite, however you too can discover complimentary tacos, burritos and pizza across the ship.
On choose ships, Carnival affords barbecue by Guy Fieri (free for lunch, further value for dinner) and pairs it with beer brewed right on board. Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee additionally tout New Orleans-inspired bistros by Emeril Lagasse.
Fun bars additionally abound. At Carnival’s Alchemy Bar, patrons fill out a prescription pad of their favourite drinks and bartenders “prescribe” a particular concoction. On Mardi Gras, molecular gastronomy-style cocktails impress at The Fortune Teller bar, and Carnival Celebration contains a menu of throwback drinks to have a good time the cruise line’s fiftieth anniversary.
Norwegian’s “Freestyle Cruising” eating idea skips big major eating rooms with assigned tables and eating occasions in favor of a number of eating places, the place you possibly can eat everytime you need. However, many of those eateries value further and require reservations. Most foodies will not thoughts paying for the improve in meals because of the variability and high quality; look for eating packages to maintain prices in verify.
Norwegian is all about giving its company selections, and its latest ships boast greater than two dozen eating choices. Free eats embrace smaller eating rooms and pubs with easy grub and buffets, whereas upsells embrace steakhouse, Asian, French and Brazilian venues.
The line’s latest ships function fan favourite Indulge Food Hall, with practically a dozen meals shops serving a spread of American and worldwide dishes (most with out an upcharge). On Norwegian Aqua, the meals corridor features a new station known as Planterie, which serves plant-based bowls and more healthy bites. A favourite from the Prima class for mouthwatering seafood, Palomar, is additionally being added to extra ships. Skyy Ice Bars on choose ships additionally make for a kitschy attraction for those that do not thoughts bundling in a parka to get pleasure from vodka on ice.
Related: The final information to cruise ship meals and eating
Kids actions
Both cruise traces have well-established drop-off youngsters programming that takes place in devoted play areas and funky hangout areas. Youth counselors lead age-appropriate actions equivalent to arts and crafts, films and sports activities, or let youngsters veg out with video video games and films. (In the meantime, grown-ups can get a break from parenting and benefit from the spa or a drink by the pool.)
Carnival’s Camp Ocean program caters to youngsters ages 2-11 (with an emphasis on marine-themed actions which can be enjoyable and academic), whereas Circle C and Club O2 are its cool golf equipment for tweens and youths, respectively. The line has partnered with Dr. Seuss to supply libraries of children’ books, story occasions and parades with the creator’s beloved characters, and a “Green Eggs and Ham” breakfast hosted by The Cat within the Hat that is enjoyable for all ages. (Breakfast does incur a nominal payment.)
Norwegian’s Splash Academy retains youngsters ages 3-12 pleased with all the same old artistic video games and crafts, plus a Circus School. Teens ages 13-17 could make buddies at Entourage (on most ships), the place they will play the newest video video games, dance at night events or simply sit back in cozy seating areas.
Those with infants and youthful toddlers in the end will discover extra choices on Carnival, which affords babysitting for ages 6 months via 11 years previous in addition to designated play hours at Camp Ocean for these beneath 2. Norwegian doesn’t supply childcare providers for these youthful than three; as a substitute, group sitting is obtainable throughout choose occasions for ages 3-12.
Related: 5 finest cruise traces for households
Onboard sights
Would you relatively splash your approach down the tubes of a waterslide-roller coaster, or really feel the wind in your face as you race alongside a curler coaster whereas savoring the perfect views onboard? Those are the highest sights on the latest Norwegian and Carnival ships, respectively. These floating playgrounds supply supercharged indoor and out of doors actions for all ages.
The Aqua Slidecoaster debuted on Norwegian Aqua as the primary hybrid waterslide-roller coaster at sea. It’s the principle attraction in a lineup of thrills that additionally features a dry freefall slide and water park. (You’ll discover the freefall slide on Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, too.) Other leisure highlights throughout Norwegian embrace a ropes course on choose ships, Aqua Parks geared up with racing slides, full-size basketball courts, escape rooms, casinos, augmented actuality laser tag, minigolf and bowling.
On Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, you will discover Bolt, the primary curler coaster at sea. The line continues to quench cruisers’ thirst for journey, because of its WaterWorks water parks with thrilling waterslides. Depending on the ship, you may also discover out of doors ropes programs the place you possibly can stroll a plank off the ship (whereas in a harness), an elevated recumbent bike you possibly can pedal round a observe, minigolf, IMAX theaters and indoor trampoline parks.
Related: The wildest sights you will discover on a cruise ship
Entertainment
Both traces excel in leisure, although they take totally different approaches.
Norwegian Cruise Line indicators Broadway and West End reveals for barely abridged shipboard productions, creates its personal reveals and searches world wide for fascinating acts. You can catch productions of such widespread reveals as “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” (Norwegian Aqua) and “Beetlejuice” (Norwegian Viva), in addition to the super-fun pub present “The Choir of Man” and Latin dance present “Burn the Floor” on choose ships.
Adults pays further for reveals themed round wine or prohibition cocktails; youngsters aren’t allowed as a result of the enjoyable comes with drinks. Comedy, improv and themed events are all favorites of the late-night crowd.
Comedy is entrance and heart in Carnival’s leisure lineup. The cruise line’s Punchliner Comedy Clubs host greater than 27,000 reside performances a yr, which makes Carnival the biggest employer of comics on this planet. It additionally wins the reside music battle and places collectively its personal bands — whether or not jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, present band or classical.
You will not discover Broadway right here, however Carnival does create its personal high-tech reveals known as Playlist Productions. These function singers and dancers and acquainted tunes, however are purposely restricted to 35- to 45-minute performances.
Both traces supply a roster of video games and contests tied to widespread TV reveals. Carnival has shipboard variations of “Deal or No Deal” and “Family Feud,” whereas Norwegian runs “Wheel of Fortune” and “The Price is Right” video games (full with prizes).
Both traces recruit performers from world wide and have their very own Florida studios the place the singers, dancers and musicians rehearse.
Related: The final information to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Who is on board?
Carnival strives to supply reasonably priced and enjoyable cruises for everybody. The family-friendly ships are informal and carefree; the gang is principally American, with each {couples} and households on board. Carnival cruisers keep up late to make the most of the casinos, dance golf equipment and late-night themed events.
Carnival fares are additionally among the many lowest within the Bahamas and Caribbean, and the road sails from a number of U.S. residence ports, making its cruises accessible to an enormous pool of vacationers.
Norwegian’s “freestyle cruising” attracts all ages, from youngsters to seniors, preferring the informal, much less conventional onboard vibe. No one is forcing a gown code right here; you will get dolled up for date evening or persist with denims for an informal dinner. On cruises from the U.S., the gang is principally from North America.
Norwegian’s costs are usually larger than Carnival’s cruise fares, however embrace “pick-your-own, value-added” perks equivalent to free drinks, specialty eating places, Wi-Fi or shore tour credit score as a part of the road’s More at Sea program.
When evaluating costs on the 2 traces, it is essential to contemplate what is included and what is not.
Related: The final information to Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Itineraries
Norwegian has the majority of its ships in North America but in addition sails to locations world wide. Carnival sticks nearer to North America.
Carnival ships cruise the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Canada, New England, Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera from handy drive-to ports alongside the U.S. coast. For occasion, you possibly can sail to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico from Long Beach, or to Cozumel from New Orleans.The line additionally affords restricted sailings in Europe.
Carnival Splendor sails year-round all through Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific from Sydney, whereas Carnival Luminosa affords seasonal itineraries all through the area, departing from Sydney and Brisbane.
Norwegian is the one cruise line with a ship — the American-flagged Pride of America — that is primarily based in Hawaii year-round. Norwegian focuses a lot of its consideration on the Caribbean, Alaska, New England and Canada, the Mexican Riviera and Bermuda. The line affords widespread, reasonably priced sailings within the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles. Other locations embrace Northern Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and South America.
Related: Best locations to go to on a cruise: Norwegian Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line
Bottom line: Carnival vs. Norwegian Cruise Line
As a first-time cruiser you possibly can’t go incorrect with both line. Pick Norwegian Cruise Line in case you are wanting for revolutionary onboard sights and a recent tackle informal cruising. Choose Carnival if you need nice meals and a “Fun Ship” expertise in an informal surroundings at an reasonably priced worth.
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