Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Royal Caribbean Worldwide (RCI) stand out as two of the most well-liked and well-known cruise traces, every catering to distinct demographics and providing distinctive benefits and facilities.
Whereas NCL focuses on a extra versatile “freestyle cruising” mannequin excellent for laid-back vacationers, Royal Caribbean is understood for providing progressive and adventurous facilities in a family-friendly setting.
Each traces boast massive fleets and intensive itineraries you’ll be able to select from, so there are many choices out there. Learn this information to see which cruise line matches your distinctive cruising preferences.
Firm Comps
That will help you perceive how these two main cruise traces examine, right here’s a fast overview of a few of the related statistics and figures for NCL and RCI, and the way they acquired to the place they’re immediately.
Overview of Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean
As talked about, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are among the many world’s main cruise traces, every with a singular historical past and affect on the business.
Norwegian Cruise Line was based in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison. Its headquarters are actually in Miami, Florida, and it’s a part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., alongside Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
One in all NCL’s most revolutionary contributions to the cruise business was the introduction of “Freestyle Cruising,” which permits friends to get pleasure from versatile eating and leisure choices with out adhering to a set schedule. This extra relaxed fashion of cruising appeals to youthful demographics and has performed a big position in enhancing NCL’s enchantment.
Alternatively, Royal Caribbean Worldwide was based in 1968 as a joint effort by three Norwegian transport firms. Immediately, additionally it is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and is a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group, the second-biggest cruise firm on this planet behind Carnival Company.
Immediately, Royal Caribbean operates the biggest cruise ships on this planet, together with its Oasis-class and Icon-class vessels. The corporate focuses on interesting to wider demographics by providing progressive onboard facilities and layouts, making its cruises appropriate for households, {couples}, and youthful journey seekers.
Fleet Dimension
Norwegian Cruise Line has a fleet of 19 cruise ships divided into six totally different courses, with every ship targeted on offering friends with a complicated cruising expertise. At present, Norwegian Encore is the biggest ship within the fleet, belonging to the cruise line’s Breakaway class. Nonetheless, 4 even bigger ships are deliberate to be launched between 2025 and 2028 as a part of the growth of the Prima Plus class of vessels.
Royal Caribbean Worldwide has a bigger fleet of 28 vessels, with Star of the Seas set to reach in 2025 and take that whole to 29. These 28 vessels embrace the biggest cruise ships on the water immediately, corresponding to Icon of the Seas.
The 28 cruise ships within the Royal Caribbean are divided into seven courses, with the record-breaking Icon class being the biggest and the comparatively small Imaginative and prescient class being the smallest.
Financials
Whereas each cruise traces persistently rank amongst probably the most worthwhile, Royal Caribbean’s annual income is increased, with latest earnings near the $10 billion mark. In accordance with Royal Caribbean Group, that interprets to a revenue of $1.1 billion for the cruise line.
In the meantime, Norwegian’s income hovers at roughly $6 billion per 12 months, translating to a revenue of $635 million for 2024.
Annual Passenger Quantity
Lately, Royal Caribbean has hosted over 7 million passengers throughout its varied cruise ships, which represents almost 20% of the worldwide cruise market by passengers.
Norwegian Cruise Line accommodates a smaller share of the cruise market, with the cruise line’s varied ships internet hosting roughly 2.7 million passengers in 2023.
On condition that Royal Caribbean Worldwide has a bigger fleet and higher-capacity cruise ships, this disparity in passenger volumes shouldn’t be overly shocking.
Fashion
Now that we’ve gone over a few of the technical features, let’s study how these cruise traces differ from an aesthetic perspective, beginning with the décor and normal environment inside their varied cruise ships.
Whereas every ship within the fleet has its personal distinctive design, Royal Caribbean tends to design its vessels to convey a family-friendly environment with journey in thoughts.
Newer ships, just like the record-breaking Icon of the Seas, even have this identical family-oriented inside. Other than outfitting their ships with facilities that enchantment to all ages, the ships encourage exploration, because of their distinctive “neighborhood” format, the place the ships are separated into distinct areas with their very own themes.
Massive open and themed promenades, just like the Boardwalk or Central Park space, which mix outside greenery with New York Metropolis-style eating places and cafés, imply Royal Caribbean Worldwide cruise ships supply an progressive fashion that’s extremely interesting to all demographics. Vivid, modern furnishings are discovered all through the shared areas and personal lodging on Royal Caribbean ships.
One other widespread theme with Royal Caribbean ships is the give attention to expansive, light-filled indoor areas, which may be extra thrilling and awe-inspiring for these touring with young children.
Alternatively, Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships are inclined to have a extra fashionable and concrete vibe, with an emphasis on passenger consolation and a way of sophistication.
Luxurious is at all times an overriding theme within the fashion of an NCL ship, which really dates again to the firm’s authentic imaginative and prescient of offering luxurious passenger experiences between California and Mexico.
Because the focus is on extra upscale and refined décor and furnishings, Norwegian ships are inclined to have an grownup feel and look. Whereas households with youngsters are definitely welcome, and there are many facilities that enchantment to all ages, the fashion is extra just like an upscale resort than a family-oriented theme park, which is commonly the case with Royal Caribbean vessels.
Goal Viewers
Given these stylistic variations, it’s unsurprising that Royal Caribbean cruising tends to enchantment extra to households, teenagers, and vacationers on the lookout for a extra informal however action-packed expertise.
Along with the thrilling interiors and adventure-themed actions, together with ice skate rinks and performances, zip traces, rock-climbing partitions, and waterparks, Royal Caribbean additionally affords family-friendly stay performances, like Grease and Hairspray, that are each common musical performances on Concord of the Seas.
In distinction, NCL cruises often enchantment to smaller grownup teams, solo vacationers, {couples} trying to chill out and indulge, and older cruisers.
The extra subtle inside fashion of an NCL ship is commonly paired with a higher variety of adult-only swimming pools, lounge areas, and bars, in addition to extra choices for classy eating venues.
The Haven space on a number of NCL ships encompasses a non-public pool, restaurant, and solar deck, which may be a superb possibility for friends trying to escape the crowds and luxuriate in a extra luxurious and quieter environment.
Their ships additionally supply loads of adult-oriented leisure choices, like stay bands, comedy performances, and Broadway-style reveals.
Swimming pools and Swim Spas
Royal Caribbean pool choices on their latest ships, like its Icon-class and Oasis-class ships, supply a few of the finest pool services of any cruise ship in your entire business.
The ships are even characterised by their huge pool decks, the place distinct themed areas cater to totally different ages and preferences. The primary pool areas supply large open swimming pools, family-friendly splash pads, adult-only infinity swimming pools, scorching tubs, and extra, and so they are usually a serious attraction.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, even consists of record-breaking water park options, just like the Class 6 water park and its six full-sized water slides.
Past the family-friendly swimming pools and water options, most Royal Caribbean vessels function a Vitality Spa & Health Space, a luxurious space with a separate space for teenagers and youths, so no one feels unnoticed.
Norwegian cruise ships additionally supply friends an array of pool varieties to get pleasure from, particularly when touring on the cruise line’s Prima-class ships, which provide a mixture of conventional swimming swimming pools with extra distinctive water points of interest.
This consists of the brand-new Infinity Seashore idea and Ocean Boulevard Zone, the place infinity swimming pools and scorching tubs grasp off the sting of the deck, offering customers with gorgeous views. These areas are additionally outfitted with luxurious loungers, a variety of bars, and glass bridges that are perfect for images.
All Norwegian Cruise Line ships are additionally outfitted with a Mandara Spa, a full-service spa providing massages and different remedies, thermal suites with saunas and vitality swimming pools, a hair styling salon, and varied unique areas for leisure.
Once more, NCL’s give attention to extra adult-oriented areas turns into evident when taking a look at these pool areas. With that stated, their ships additionally function splash areas, interactive water options, and water slides that enchantment to kids, however even the ships with probably the most choices, like Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Prima, nonetheless have fewer than the biggest Royal Caribbean ships.
Leisure and Actions
Past the swimming pools and water parks, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line outfit their cruise ships with varied leisure facilities.
As talked about, Royal Caribbean’s focus tends to be on extra family-oriented and journey facilities. From Broadway-level reveals to indoor skydiving simulators, like RipCord by iFly, the FlowRider Surf Simulator, elevated mountaineering partitions, the 150-foot Final Abyss slide, and the distinctive North Star Statement Capsule that gives 360° views from 300 ft above the water, Royal Caribbean is continually innovating and including new and thrilling options to their ships.
As you’d count on, additionally they supply a variety of onboard actions which might be particularly designed for households with younger kids, like mini putt programs, themed jungle gyms, arcades, youth dance studios, and stay performances for teenagers, like As soon as Upon a Time King or the assorted ice reveals held on the skating rink.
As well as, Royal Caribbean ships host an award-winning youngsters program referred to as Journey Ocean, which affords a number of age teams. Each Royal Caribbean ship additionally has a devoted teen venue the place youngsters can get pleasure from themed events and group socials.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s leisure choices are additionally spectacular, with a number of venues on every ship internet hosting stay music, comedy reveals, and a number of other well-known unique performances, like Kinky Boots.
Norwegian cruise ships additionally are inclined to give attention to making a full of life nightlife, which they obtain by providing quite a few venues for dancing and socializing, like Bliss Lounge and Glow Social gathering, the place passengers get pleasure from dancing and listening to stay music and DJ performances. The Freestyle Expertise onboard NCL ships permits friends to get pleasure from extra informal entry to those venues and occasions.
Most Norwegian ships additionally embrace a on line casino, ropes course, and the NCL ThrillPlex Exercise Zone, a singular space with laser tag, ropes programs, a multi-sport court docket, and even a go-karting course on sure ships, together with Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Pleasure, and Norwegian Viva.
Whereas there is no such thing as a scarcity of issues to do on the ships of both cruise line, there tends to be a wider vary of actions out there onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
So, in case you are on the lookout for an action-packed cruise above all else, you would possibly wish to contemplate touring on one in all Royal Caribbean’s newer ships relatively than reserving with NCL.
Eating
Whereas each cruise traces supply a mixture of included eating areas and specialty eating institutions, they’ve a barely totally different tackle eating. To make it simpler, right here’s a primary overview of typical eating choices on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruise ships.
Royal Caribbean Eating
All Royal Caribbean ships function a venue referred to as the Primary Eating Room, which is a central eating space that gives multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner, in addition to lunch on sea days. With a rotating menu, this included eating venue tends to be the place friends will get pleasure from the vast majority of their meals.
In contrast to different cruise traces, together with NCL, this fundamental eating room tends to be a extra formal expertise than a typical included space. It has assigned seating and enforced eating occasions except passengers select to make use of My Time Eating, which permits them to e book meals at their most popular occasions.
Past this fundamental room, each Royal Caribbean ship encompasses a informal, buffet-style institution referred to as Windjammer Café and an informal pizza and pasta restaurant referred to as Sorrento’s Pizza.
Non-included specialty eating choices may also be discovered all through Royal Caribbean ships, with in style institutions together with Chops Grille Steakhouse, Izumi Sushi, Jamie’s Italian, and informal spots just like the Ice Cream Parlor and Johnny Rockets.
The newer ships, like Icon of the Seas, function much more progressive eating choices, corresponding to the AquaDome Market, the cruise line’s first meals corridor.
Norwegian Eating Choices
Norwegian additionally pioneered “freestyle eating,” which permits friends to dine wherever and at any time when they need with out worrying a couple of set schedule. Most ships function Le Bistro, a French restaurant with an a la carte menu, and La Cucina, a family-style Tuscan-themed Italian restaurant.
Like Royal Caribbean, NCL additionally affords specialty eating places, together with Cagney’s Steakhouse, Los Lobos Mexican, Meals Republic Teppanyaki, and different nice eating choices that may be booked on the visitor’s comfort because of the freestyle eating mannequin.
Whereas NCL ships keep away from fastened eating occasions and pre-assigned seating, you’ll sometimes discover much more eating choices on a Royal Caribbean ship than on one in all Norwegian’s.
Lodging
Lodging aboard both cruise line also can match nearly any finances and choice, however Royal Caribbean tends to supply a greater diversity, particularly for younger households.
For its commonplace cabins, Royal Caribbean even affords inside rooms with digital balconies, which offer practical ocean views on a digital display.
A few of its themed neighborhoods on bigger ships additionally imply its rooms can supply interior-facing balconies and views, like its Boardwalk View Staterooms discovered on Icon class and Oasis-class vessels.
Learn Additionally: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks – Is It Price Upgrading?
Nonetheless, Royal Caribbean actually stands out for its themed luxurious suites, just like the Final Household Suite discovered on Icon-class and Oasis-class ships. These multi-level staterooms function slides, devoted child areas, a number of bedrooms, and extra.
Plus, Sky Loft Suites and Proprietor’s Suites function massive non-public balconies, extra premium furnishings, and a luxurious rest room full with a whirlpool and rain bathe.
When reserving, additionally it is value noting that various kinds of rooms include totally different perks. For instance, all suites embrace complimentary Wi-Fi and bathrobes, whereas the premium choices additionally present friends entry to personal lounges and included drinks packages.
As for Norwegian Cruise Line lodging, commonplace cabins are usually comparatively minimal however nonetheless function the trendy and useful facilities that make NCL a well-liked possibility for vacationers involved with luxurious and leisure.
For these with a much bigger finances, the luxurious suites present in The Haven, NCL’s non-public space, function unique facilities for suite friends, like swimming pools, solar decks, and even non-public eating places.
One other distinctive function of the NCL cruising expertise is the choice to e book Studio Staterooms for Solo Vacationers, that are small however non-public cabins designed for a single passenger.
NCL is more and more specializing in this, as solo passengers are seen as a rising demographic that has been underserved by the business.
Itineraries and Locations
Each cruise traces supply intensive itineraries all through the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Alaska, and even Australia.
In reality, Royal Caribbean even provided a world cruise on Serenade of the Seas referred to as The Final World Cruise. It lasted 274 days and visited over 60 international locations and 11 world wonders!
For Royal Caribbean, a lot of the cruise line’s hottest locations may be discovered within the Caribbean, which is unsurprising given their identify. The Bahamas, Cozumel, Curacao, Bermuda, and the U.S. Japanese Seaboard are the most well-liked locations and routes.
They even supply stops at unique locations, with Good Day at CocoCay within the Bahamas being the cruise line’s most well-known. This privately owned island encompasses a two-sided cruise ship dock, pristine seashores, and Thrill Water Park, which may solely be accessed by Royal Caribbean friends.
Norwegian Cruise Line additionally affords distinctive itineraries and locations, together with cruises that sail alongside the coastlines of South America, Africa, and all through the British Isles.
Like Royal Caribbean, NCL additionally has an unique vacation spot within the Bahamas referred to as Nice Stirrup Cay. This privately owned island can solely be accessed by Norwegian friends. It supplies white sand seashores, snorkeling, eating places, and a large zipline course that covers your entire island.
Pricing and Loyalty Packages
As you’d count on, pricing tends to fluctuate relying on the voyage length, the itinerary, the particular cruise ship you might be touring on, and the kind of lodging you’ve gotten booked.
With that stated, Royal Caribbean fares for a 3-day Caribbean cruise with a primary cabin begin at simply $400 to $600 per individual. For NCL, comparable cruises are usually barely costlier, with most friends discovering costs starting from $450 to $700.
For extra high-end suites and longer itineraries, NCL’s Haven suites may be as a lot as $8,000 for a 7-night voyage. This may increasingly sound like rather a lot, however Royal Caribbean affords costlier choices, with stays of their Final Household Suites costing over $20,000 for a full week.
Each Norwegian and Royal Caribbean supply their very own loyalty applications to reward repeat bookings. For Royal Caribbean, the Crown & Anchor Society permits repeat friends to earn factors that can be utilized to make purchases on the ship and on land. The extra factors earned, the upper the member’s rank, opening up new perks like complimentary drinks and room upgrades.
Norwegian affords the same program referred to as Latitudes Rewards, which supplies contributors with varied loyalty perks, like onboard credit score for specialty eating places, reductions on future bookings, and lower-cost room upgrades.
Will it Be NCL or Royal Caribbean For You?
As we’ve explored, each Royal Caribbean Worldwide and Norwegian Cruise Line have areas the place they excel, which helps clarify why they’re two of the most well-liked cruise firms within the business.
Price Studying: Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Cruise Line – Which One Does it Higher?
The place Royal Caribbean cruise ships are inclined to enchantment to households and thrill-seeking teams trying to get pleasure from quite a few onboard points of interest, NCL ships often have a vibe that blends luxurious with flexibility. Their ships enchantment to those that choose a versatile and informal setting that also makes it simple to indulge.
