Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are two of the biggest names in the cruise industry. However, they offer different experiences that might not appeal to every traveler. And after sailing on both cruise lines, I can admit there are things to appreciate about each.
Norwegian, for example, bundles popular add-ons — like its drink package, Wi-Fi minutes, and specialty dining — into its reasonably priced "Free at Sea" package. On Royal Caribbean, those same perks can cost cruisers hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars extra.
Similarly, Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising concept means that there's a more relaxed onboard atmosphere, with flexible dining times and no formal nights or strict dress codes.
At the end of the day, both cruise lines offer solid, mainstream experiences. The best choice ultimately depends on what you're looking for and prioritizing, whether that's a mega-ship packed with amenities from bow to stern, affordable add-ons, or a specific itinerary. Still, I find myself more drawn to Royal Caribbean for a few reasons.
Jaw-dropping entertainment
Other than Disney, no cruise line competes with Royal Caribbean when it comes to entertainment. From Broadway-caliber productions to ice skating shows and high-diving AquaTheater performances, Royal Caribbean consistently delivers high-quality entertainment.
Generally speaking, I was disappointed by the entertainment aboard NCL Aqua, the cruise line's newest ship. The performances weren't terrible, but they were a far cry from the offerings on newer Royal ships, including "The Wizard of Oz" on Icon of the Seas.
"Revolution: A Celebration of Prince" felt more like the concert of a tribute band than a standard production show, and "Elements: The World Expanded" heavily relied on multi-sensory components.
Compared to Royal Caribbean’s large-scale, immersive productions, Norwegian Cruise Line’s shows felt more like an afterthought. The one true exception was the rock n' roll performance at Syd Norman’s Pour House, which delivered strong vocals and an intimate atmosphere unlike anything I've ever seen on a Royal ship.
Read more: 7 things I loved and hated about my first Norwegian cruise
CocoCay vs. Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian is making great strides with its offering at its private island in The Bahamas, but it still does not come close to the award-winning formula Royal Caribbean developed at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
CocoCay offers something for everyone, from budget-conscious travelers who want to take advantage of the complimentary beaches and pool to adults seeking a lively party atmosphere. Thrill-seekers can spend the day at the massive waterpark, while those looking to splurge can relax in an overwater cabana.
For the most part, it's not hard to have a perfect day — unless the weather decides not to cooperate, but Royal Caribbean can't do anything about that!
Many of the features that Norwegian is adding during Great Stirrup Cay's $150 million renovation are coming straight from Royal Caribbean's successful playbook, including the brand-new pier, 28,000 square-foot heated pool, adults-only area, kids' splash pad, and waterpark.
There's no denying that Norwegian is closing the gap, but Perfect Day at CocoCay remains the gold standard for private island experiences in The Bahamas.
Read more: Cruise line spends $150 million to make its private island even better
Late-night food options
Cruise ship pizza is far from the reliably perfect, greasy slices found in New York. However, it satisfies hundreds of thousands of passengers annually, from children who need an afternoon snack to adults who need a late-night bite to soak up their alcoholic beverages.
While Sorrento's is at the bottom of my cruise ship pizza list, I appreciate the ability to grab a slice or two before returning to my cabin at night.
Something that shocked me aboard Norwegian Aqua is that there aren't any grab-and-go late-night options; everything must be ordered from The Local (or O'Sheehan's on older vessels).
Not only that, but finding a seat can be a challenge. During my cruise, I went to The Local and was handed a pager that would buzz when a table became available, making late-night snacking more of an inconvenient ordeal.
Included adult-only deck
As someone in their mid-20s and childless by choice, it's nice to have a dedicated spot to relax away from families while on vacation. Enter Royal Caribbean's Solarium (or The Hideaway on Icon Class vessels). This adult-only haven is one of my favorite areas on any cruise ship, from Vision to Icon of the Seas.
Although Norwegian ships also have an adult-only deck, access on their newer vessels is limited to those who pay, which makes the overall experience feel less inclusive. Pricing for the Vibe Beach Club varies, but it's not uncommon to see passes for as much as $249 per person for a 7-night cruise. Spice H2O, the included adults-only deck, is not available fleet-wide.
Comparatively, Royal Caribbean’s Solarium (or The Hideaway) is included in the standard cruise fare on every ship. For families with kids, that might not be a big deal. However, for cruisers like me, having to budget an extra $200+ per person for unlimited access to the adult-only area is frustrating, like Norwegian is just trying to find ways to "nickel-and-dime" passengers.
Loyalty program rewards
Everyone wants to feel like their loyalty matters. At the end of the day, you could just as easily decide to take your money and business elsewhere!
When it comes to loyalty programs, Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society and Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards each have their perks, but there's a clear winner: Royal Caribbean.
While you shouldn't expect any life-changing perks on your first, second, third, or even fourth cruise, by the time you reach 80 cruise points with Royal Caribbean, you can expect benefits like complimentary daily drinks, one free day of Wi-Fi, a free professional photograph, lounge access, and more.
Read more: I Have Sailed on 5 Cruise Lines—These Cruise Loyalty Programs Have the Best Savings and Perks
In comparison, Norwegian's Platinum status rewards passengers with one free bag of laundry, one specialty meal for two (on sailings 5+ nights), and a 45% discount on the cruise line's drink package.
When you compare the cost-per-day value, Royal Caribbean’s rewards feel far more substantial. For example, the Diamond drink vouchers can save you upwards of $56 per day. This amounts to over $390 on a weeklong voyage.
Moreover, although both cruise lines have a reciprocal status matching program for other cruise lines under the parental umbrella, Royal Caribbean's is more useful.
Whereas Norwegian cruisers can enjoy reciprocal status on Oceania and Regent cruises, Royal Caribbean can match their status to Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
Oceania and Regent are luxury lines, often charging double or triple what a standard Norwegian cruise costs. While Silversea is also a luxury line, Celebrity, though slightly more upscale than Royal Caribbean, is still a more mainstream product.
Complimentary attractions
Many of NCL's top-rated attractions aren't included in your cruise fare. Tee Time mini-golf on Norwegian Aqua, for example, costs $5 per person, whereas the standard miniature golf courses on Royal's ships are included. Similarly, the go-kart track on Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Joy, Prima, and Viva costs $15 per person.
While there are attractions on Royal ships that aren't included, you can do most things for free. From the rock climbing wall to the ice skating rink, the FlowRider surf simulator, laser tag, and the zip line, you can experience most onboard thrills without shelling out extra money.
Some amenities aren't always free, though. For instance, the North Star Observation Capsule and iFly skydiving simulator on Quantum Class ships are only included when in port.
Similarly, the complimentary FlowRider sessions are more limited and do not include the same expert instruction as the group and private classes. Even still, Royal Caribbean has more complimentary attractions than Norwegian.
Crowd management
Finally, Royal Caribbean does a better job at crowd management than Norwegian. NCL prides itself on its "Freestyle Cruising" concept, and although I can see why many may like not being beholden to strict dining times or reservations, I found that it led to more crowded venues.
For example, on Royal Caribbean ships, you need reservations for many of the popular shows, including high-diving spectaculars, Broadway-caliber productions, and more. This means that, if you have a reservation, you don't have to worry about arriving early for a seat — unless you’re aiming for the front row.
Comparatively, shows filled up quickly on NCL Aqua, and arriving any later than 45 minutes beforehand often left us standing for the entire duration of the performance.
The same held true at the Indulge Food Hall during lunchtime. While finding a seat in complimentary venues can be challenging on any cruise line, it was especially frustrating on Norwegian since we had to be seated at a table to order from the various food stalls.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
