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I appreciate that Royal Caribbean is always striving to improve on their fan favorites and offer their returning guests great consistency. For both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ships from the same classes can be very similar. For this reason I always recommend thoroughly researching different ships from each class before booking your cruise. When it comes to onboard activities it could be almost impossible to choose which of these two cruise lines is better than the other.
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Royal Caribbean has a wider array of choices; while you'll still have to shell out extra money for many of them, the line includes a bit more in its fares than Norwegian does. Newer Norwegian ships, however, have more options that are more comparable to the offerings Royal Caribbean has. The cruise line offers Broadway-style shows, ice skating shows, and even a diving show on select ships. Both cruise lines offer various drink options, including a la carte pricing, drink packages, and happy hour specials.
Celebrity Cruises
Ships, such as the newly launched Mardi Gras, offer a more diverse collection of dining options, entertainment and ports. The first roller coaster at sea, the Bolt, is an experience you will not find on other cruise lines. Because of the ship's sheer size, one can join in the fun or escape to a quieter venue for a more relaxing experience. Because these locations are private islands managed by the cruise lines, it means that travelers can only visit these destinations with the cruise lines.
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Norwegian is also known for its Freestyle Dining concept, which allows passengers to dine whenever and wherever they want, without needing reservations or set dining times. This is perfect for those who want more flexibility in their dining choices. There are countless cruise lines available when booking a cruise vacation. Onboard both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, I recommend taking a look at the ship’s daily itinerary for a list of nightlife activities being conducted each night of the cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line has many bars and uniquely themed lounges to explore as well.
Staterooms and Cabin Offerings
I have personally been able to experience the Solariums onboard the Liberty of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. Both these venues offer plenty of relaxation for those guests onboard who are 18 years and older. These areas can get quite busy during sea days, so make sure to visit early to find a spot to sit back and relax. One thing to know is that cabins with this perk are more expensive than booking without.
Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Five of these ships were built before 2000 and four more ships are on order to join the fleet. Any cruiser who enjoys nonstop entertainment, activities and an exciting environment. Royal Caribbean is often referred to as the cruise line for those who are young at heart. The Free at Sea promotion is one of the best benefits when cruising with Norwegian. This perks program, which has a free beverage package as an option, is a big reasons why people love cruising with Norwegian. Those who are cruising with a family, love to cruise with Royal Caribbean as it is the ultimate cruise line for family vacations.
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Both Carnival Cruise Line ( CCL) and Royal Caribbean allow smoking in parts of their casinos. Royal Caribbean does have small non-smoking casinos on its Oasis-class ships while its Celebrity Cruises ... For its part, NCL does have some connecting cabins that are ideal for families or other groups traveling together, but they aren't outfitted with splashy amenities.
Pools and top deck fun

One of the best parts about cruising with Royal Caribbean is that most of their cruise ship activities are free. This is especially important for families, as paying extra for activities can really add up and blow your cruise vacation budget. If you enjoy a more traditional cruise ship and don’t need surfing pools, indoor skydiving and zip lines, older Royal Caribbean cruise ships are a great way to cruise for less. If you want a Royal Caribbean cruise ship with tons of activities, make sure you choose an Oasis Class ship.
Free At Sea Offer
Royal Caribbean offers everything from inside cabins with virtual balconies to two-story loft suites. In addition to water shows, several Royal Caribbean ships feature ice shows. I have had the privilege of seeing a couple of these ice shows in person, and each time I was really impressed. The talent displayed at these shows is exceptional, and I highly recommend checking out at least one ice show performance while onboard if you have the opportunity with Royal Caribbean. In addition to the ice shows, guests are able to experience ice skating themselves while at sea! During specific times during cruise sailings, guests are able to tryout ice skating on the ice rink on Royal Caribbean ships that offer this amenity.
On top of the newest ships in the fleet is The Haven, a suite complex with a private restaurant, sundeck, pool and lounge — basically a separate boutique hotel on top of the ship. Guests in The Haven get privacy in upscale, contemporary surroundings when they want, but they also have access to all the fun activities elsewhere on board. Norwegian Cruise Line ships range in size from about 1,900 passengers (quaint by megaship standards) to more than 4,100 passengers. The line is not trying to win the size war, but it offers plenty of excitement on board.
Over the years, Norwegian has showcased several Broadway productions -- including "Legally Blonde," "Rock of Ages," "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and "Six" -- on select ships. Be sure to check what the specific ship you are planning to book is offering. Royal Caribbean also offers a range of stateroom options, including Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, and Suites.
These are levels of the cruise line’s loyalty program, which indicate how many days you’ve sailed with them. Anecdotally, we’ve found status to be flaunted much more on Royal Caribbean than on Norwegian. 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.
With modern design, upscale dining options, infinity pools, and more, the new ships focus on a more luxurious experience compared to Royal Caribbean — or even other ships in its fleet. Royal Caribbean has transformed CocoCay into much more than just a simple island where you sit and relax on the beach. Similar to Royal Caribbean’s ships, the company has gone “big” with its private island. Every cruise ship sails to international destinations, but some are definitely more global in nature.
Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. I have been able to visit Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay twice now, and I can confidently say this is a beautiful island. While Great Stirrup Cay may have much less to do onshore when compared to its neighbor, Perfect Day at CocoCay, it is still a great Bahamian destination. If you are looking for brand new, awe inspiring entertainment, then Royal Caribbean may be your choice. 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 big difference you’ll find with Norwegian and Royal Caribbean is NCL’s “Free at Sea” offer.
It is important to note that The Haven is not available onboard every Norwegian Cruise Line ship. If you are someone interested in staying in The Haven, I recommend filtering which ships have these stateroom categories onboard before booking a cruise with Norwegian. To experience the very best and greatest that a cruise line has to offer, the newest ships are typically the best choice. For example, to find the best onboard entertainment I would consider either an Oasis Class ship with Royal Caribbean or a Prima Class vessel with Norwegian Cruise Line.
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