Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Carnival Cruise Line: Battle of the big-ship brands
If you're considering a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line or Carnival Cruise Line, you're looking at two big-ship brands offering lots of onboard activities and attractions at an affordable price.
The two highly popular cruise lines operate fleets of megaships with facilities you would expect to find at a resort, such as casinos, pools, restaurants, live entertainment, fancy spas and lots of bars.
Both lines offer something for everyone. Couples, seniors, solo travelers and families with kids come on board for a lively roster of activities and "wow" attractions. Both lines focus much of their attention on fun-in-the-sun itineraries in the Bahamas and Caribbean, sailing from U.S. ports; Norwegian also has the only ship that sails year-round in the Hawaiian Islands.
Let's compare Norwegian versus Carnival to see what they have in common — and what they don't — to help you find the cruise that's right for you.
Size of ships
Norwegian Cruise Line's 20 ships range in size substantially, with the smallest carrying just over 1,900 passengers (small by megaship standards) to the largest holding around 4,200 passengers. The line is not trying to win the size war (Royal Caribbean, for instance, has ships that top out at 7,600 passengers when full), but they still offer plenty of excitement on board.
For example, some of the latest Norwegian ships are decked out with innovative waterslides, including an aquatic roller coaster that debuted on Norwegian Aqua, as well as multilevel go-kart racetracks, ropes courses and laser tag arenas.
Carnival Cruise Line's larger fleet has several 2,100-passenger ships, though most Carnival ships carry 3,000 to 4,000 passengers. The latest ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee — have a passenger capacity that tops out at 6,500-6,631 guests. Those ships are distinguished for having real roller coasters, an industry first.
Mardi Gras also debuted in 2021 as the first ship in North America to operate on cleaner-burning liquified natural gas (LNG), which reduces the ship's output of carbon versus traditional fuels. Carnival Celebration and Jubilee, as well as Norwegian's newest ships, Norwegian Prima and Viva, operate on LNG as well. Norwegian Aqua marks a new direction for the line, however, using low-sulfur marine oil gas in combination with hydrogen fuel cells.
Related: Cruise ship classes explained: Norwegian Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line
Cabins and suites
Cabin choices abound on both cruise lines, but Norwegian is particularly innovative in this realm — and, in some ways, Carnival is playing catch-up with its rival.
On the upper decks of several Norwegian ships is The Haven, akin to a boutique hotel located within the larger ship.
Suite guests receive exclusive access to the complex, where they can escape the crowds elsewhere on the ship in their own private oasis with its own restaurant, lounge, pool and sundeck. The suites' decor has a contemporary flair that matches the fancy surroundings. Haven passengers are, of course, free to roam the entire ship and enjoy all its attractions.
Another area where Norwegian gets particularly creative is in accommodations for travelers cruising solo. Studio cabins are designed for one passenger, with mood lights and other features that make the interior accommodations seem more spacious than they are. The benefit here is being able to take advantage of lower single-occupancy pricing and a private lounge for socializing with other solo passengers. Also on select ships are cabins specifically designed for families (near kids' play areas).
Carnival tops Norwegian and other competitors with some of the largest standard cabins in the industry. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the line has taken a deep dive into suites on its latest ships, creating impressive accommodations with their own outdoor plunge pools, plus a private sundeck for suite guests.
Select ships have special Family Harbor cabins and suites that come with the benefit of a shared family lounge. The Havana Suites are accommodations designed for sun-worshippers that come with daytime access to a private pool area. Similarly, spa accommodations feature easy access to the spa and special amenities.
Related: Everything you wanted to know about cruise ship cabins and suites: Carnival | Norwegian
Food and drink
Carnival has long managed to offer some of the tastiest food at sea, including extra-fee specialty dining venues. Favorites include JiJi's for authentic Asian cuisine and the various steakhouses for a date-night splurge.
You don't have to pay a cent extra for many of Carnival's mouthwatering restaurants, though. Juicy poolside burgers by Food Network star Guy Fieri are a particular passenger favorite, but you can also find complimentary tacos, burritos and pizza around the ship.
On select ships, Carnival offers barbecue by Guy Fieri (free for lunch, extra cost for dinner) and pairs it with beer brewed right on board. Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee also tout New Orleans-inspired bistros by Emeril Lagasse.
Fun bars also abound. At Carnival's Alchemy Bar, patrons fill out a prescription pad of their favorite drinks and bartenders "prescribe" a special concoction. On Mardi Gras, molecular gastronomy-style cocktails impress at The Fortune Teller bar, and Carnival Celebration features a menu of throwback drinks to celebrate the cruise line's 50th anniversary.
Norwegian's "Freestyle Cruising" dining concept skips giant main dining rooms with assigned tables and dining times in favor of multiple restaurants, where you can eat whenever you want. However, many of these eateries cost extra and require reservations. Most foodies won't mind paying for the upgrade in meals thanks to the variety and quality; look for dining packages to keep costs in check.
Norwegian is all about giving its guests choices, and its newest ships boast more than two dozen dining options. Free eats include smaller dining rooms and pubs with simple grub and buffets, while upsells include steakhouse, Asian, French and Brazilian venues.
The line's newest ships feature fan favorite Indulge Food Hall, with nearly a dozen food outlets serving a range of American and international dishes (most without an upcharge). On Norwegian Aqua, the food hall includes a new station called Planterie, which serves plant-based bowls and healthier bites. A favorite from the Prima class for mouthwatering seafood, Palomar, is also being added to more ships. Skyy Ice Bars on select ships also make for a kitschy attraction for those who don't mind bundling in a parka to enjoy vodka on ice.
Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining
Kids activities
Both cruise lines have well-established drop-off kids programming that takes place in dedicated play areas and cool hangout spaces. Youth counselors lead age-appropriate activities such as arts and crafts, movies and sports, or let kids veg out with video games and movies. (In the meantime, grown-ups can get a break from parenting and enjoy the spa or a drink by the pool.)
Carnival's Camp Ocean program caters to kids ages 2-11 (with an emphasis on marine-themed activities that are fun and educational), while Circle C and Club O2 are its cool clubs for tweens and teens, respectively. The line has partnered with Dr. Seuss to offer libraries of kids' books, story times and parades with the author's beloved characters, and a "Green Eggs and Ham" breakfast hosted by The Cat in the Hat that's fun for all ages. (Breakfast does incur a nominal fee.)
Norwegian's Splash Academy keeps kids ages 3-12 happy with all the usual creative games and crafts, plus a Circus School. Teens ages 13-17 can make friends at Entourage (on most ships), where they can play the latest video games, dance at evening parties or just chill out in comfy seating areas.
Those with babies and younger toddlers ultimately will find more options on Carnival, which offers babysitting for ages 6 months through 11 years old as well as designated play hours at Camp Ocean for those under 2. Norwegian does not offer childcare services for those younger than three; instead, group sitting is available during select times for ages 3-12.
Related: 5 best cruise lines for families
Onboard attractions
Would you rather splash your way down the tubes of a waterslide-roller coaster, or feel the wind on your face as you race along a roller coaster while savoring the best views onboard? Those are the top attractions on the newest Norwegian and Carnival ships, respectively. These floating playgrounds offer supercharged indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.
The Aqua Slidecoaster debuted on Norwegian Aqua as the first hybrid waterslide-roller coaster at sea. It's the main attraction in a lineup of thrills that also includes a dry freefall slide and water park. (You'll find the freefall slide on Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, too.) Other recreational highlights across Norwegian include a ropes course on select ships, Aqua Parks equipped with racing slides, full-size basketball courts, escape rooms, casinos, augmented reality laser tag, minigolf and bowling.
On Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, you'll find Bolt, the first roller coaster at sea. The line continues to quench cruisers' thirst for adventure, thanks to its WaterWorks water parks with exciting waterslides. Depending on the ship, you might also find outdoor ropes courses where you can walk a plank off the ship (while in a harness), an elevated recumbent bike you can pedal around a track, minigolf, IMAX theaters and indoor trampoline parks.
Related: The wildest attractions you'll find on a cruise ship
Entertainment
Both lines excel in entertainment, though they take different approaches.
Norwegian Cruise Line signs Broadway and West End shows for slightly abridged shipboard productions, creates its own shows and searches around the world for interesting acts. You can catch productions of such popular shows as "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince" (Norwegian Aqua) and "Beetlejuice" (Norwegian Viva), as well as the super-fun pub show "The Choir of Man" and Latin dance show "Burn the Floor" on select ships.
Adults can pay extra for shows themed around wine or prohibition cocktails; kids aren't allowed because the fun comes with drinks. Comedy, improv and themed parties are all favorites of the late-night crowd.
Comedy is front and center in Carnival's entertainment lineup. The cruise line's Punchliner Comedy Clubs host more than 27,000 live performances a year, which makes Carnival the largest employer of comics in the world. It also wins the live music battle and puts together its own bands — whether jazz, rock 'n' roll, show band or classical.
You won't find Broadway here, but Carnival does create its own high-tech shows called Playlist Productions. These feature singers and dancers and familiar tunes, but are purposely limited to 35- to 45-minute performances.
Both lines offer a roster of games and contests tied to popular TV shows. Carnival has shipboard versions of "Deal or No Deal" and "Family Feud," while Norwegian runs "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Price is Right" games (complete with prizes).
Both lines recruit performers from around the world and have their own Florida studios where the singers, dancers and musicians rehearse.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Who is on board?
Carnival strives to offer affordable and fun cruises for everyone. The family-friendly ships are casual and carefree; the crowd is mostly American, with both couples and families on board. Carnival cruisers stay up late to take advantage of the casinos, dance clubs and late-night themed parties.
Carnival fares are also among the lowest in the Bahamas and Caribbean, and the line sails from multiple U.S. home ports, making its cruises accessible to a vast pool of vacationers.
Norwegian's "freestyle cruising" attracts all ages, from kids to seniors, who prefer the casual, less traditional onboard vibe. No one is forcing a dress code here; you can get dolled up for date night or stick with jeans for a casual dinner. On cruises from the U.S., the crowd is mostly from North America.
Norwegian's prices are typically higher than Carnival's cruise fares, but include "pick-your-own, value-added" perks such as free drinks, specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi or shore excursion credit as part of the line's More at Sea program.
When comparing prices on the two lines, it's important to consider what is included and what is not.
Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Itineraries
Norwegian has the bulk of its ships in North America but also sails to destinations around the world. Carnival sticks closer to North America.
Carnival ships cruise the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Canada, New England, Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera from convenient drive-to ports along the U.S. coast. For instance, you can sail to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico from Long Beach, or to Cozumel from New Orleans.The line also offers limited sailings in Europe.
Carnival Splendor sails year-round throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific from Sydney, while Carnival Luminosa offers seasonal itineraries throughout the region, departing from Sydney and Brisbane.
Norwegian is the only cruise line with a ship — the American-flagged Pride of America — that is based in Hawaii year-round. Norwegian focuses much of its attention on the Caribbean, Alaska, New England and Canada, the Mexican Riviera and Bermuda. The line offers popular, affordable sailings in the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles. Other destinations include Northern Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and South America.
Related: Best destinations to visit on a cruise: Norwegian Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line
Bottom line: Carnival vs. Norwegian Cruise Line
As a first-time cruiser you can't go wrong with either line. Pick Norwegian Cruise Line if you are looking for innovative onboard attractions and a contemporary take on casual cruising. Choose Carnival if you want great food and a "Fun Ship" experience in a casual environment at an affordable price.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
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