In case you’re contemplating a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line or Carnival Cruise Line, you are two big-ship manufacturers providing a lot of onboard actions and points of interest at an reasonably priced value.
The 2 extremely fashionable cruise strains function fleets of megaships with services you’ll anticipate finding at a resort, corresponding to casinos, swimming pools, eating places, reside leisure, fancy spas and many bars.
Each strains provide one thing for everybody. {Couples}, seniors, solo vacationers and households with youngsters come on board for a vigorous roster of actions and “wow” points of interest. Each strains 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 frequent — and what they do not — that can assist you discover the cruise that is best for you.
Measurement of ships
Norwegian Cruise Line‘s 20 ships vary in measurement considerably, with the smallest carrying simply over 1,900 passengers (small by megaship requirements) to the most important holding round 4,200 passengers. The road is just not making an attempt to win the scale conflict (Royal Caribbean, as an illustration, has ships that prime out at 7,600 passengers when full), however they nonetheless provide loads of pleasure on board.
For instance, a number 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 most recent ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee — have a passenger capability that tops out at 6,500-6,631 friends. These ships are distinguished for having actual curler coasters, an trade first.
Mardi Gras additionally debuted in 2021 as the primary ship in North America to function on cleaner-burning liquified pure gasoline (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 nicely. Norwegian Aqua marks a brand new course for the road, nevertheless, utilizing low-sulfur marine oil gasoline together with hydrogen gasoline cells.
Associated: Cruise ship lessons defined: Norwegian Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line
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Cabins and suites
Cabin decisions abound on each cruise strains, however Norwegian is especially revolutionary on this realm — and, in some methods, Carnival is taking part in catch-up with its rival.
On the higher decks of a number of Norwegian ships is The Haven, akin to a boutique resort positioned inside the bigger ship.
Suite friends obtain unique entry to the advanced, the place they’ll 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 flamboyant environment. Haven passengers are, in fact, free to roam the complete ship and luxuriate in all its points of interest.
One other 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 benefit from decrease single-occupancy pricing and a non-public lounge for socializing with different solo passengers. Additionally on choose ships are cabins particularly designed for households (close to youngsters’ play areas).
Carnival tops Norwegian and different rivals with a number of the largest normal cabins within the trade. 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 friends.
Choose ships have particular Household Harbor cabins and suites that include the advantage of a shared household lounge. The Havana Suites are lodging designed for sun-worshippers that include daytime entry to a non-public pool space. Equally, spa lodging characteristic easy accessibility to the spa and particular facilities.
Associated: Every part you needed to learn about cruise ship cabins and suites: Carnival | Norwegian
Food and drinks
Carnival has lengthy managed to supply a number of the tastiest meals at sea, together with extra-fee specialty eating venues. Favorites embody JiJi’s for genuine Asian delicacies and the assorted steakhouses for a date-night splurge.
You do not have to pay a cent additional for a lot of of Carnival’s mouthwatering eating places, although. Juicy poolside burgers by Meals Community star Man Fieri are a specific passenger favourite, however you may as well discover complimentary tacos, burritos and pizza across the ship.
On choose ships, Carnival provides barbecue by Man Fieri (free for lunch, additional price for dinner) and pairs it with beer brewed proper on board. Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee additionally tout New Orleans-inspired bistros by Emeril Lagasse.
Enjoyable 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 includes a menu of throwback drinks to have fun the cruise line’s fiftieth anniversary.
Norwegian’s “Freestyle Cruising” eating idea skips big essential eating rooms with assigned tables and eating occasions in favor of a number of eating places, the place you may eat everytime you need. Nevertheless, many of those eateries price additional and require reservations. Most foodies will not thoughts paying for the improve in meals because of the variability and high quality; search for eating packages to maintain prices in test.
Norwegian is all about giving its friends decisions, and its latest ships boast greater than two dozen eating choices. Free eats embody smaller eating rooms and pubs with easy grub and buffets, whereas upsells embody steakhouse, Asian, French and Brazilian venues.
The road’s latest ships characteristic fan favourite Indulge Meals Corridor, with almost a dozen meals shops serving a variety of American and worldwide dishes (most with out an upcharge). On Norwegian Aqua, the meals corridor features a new station referred to as Planterie, which serves plant-based bowls and more healthy bites. A favourite from the Prima class for mouthwatering seafood, Palomar, can also be being added to extra ships. Skyy Ice Bars on choose ships additionally make for a kitschy attraction for many who do not thoughts bundling in a parka to get pleasure from vodka on ice.
Associated: The last word information to cruise ship meals and eating
Youngsters actions
Each cruise strains have well-established drop-off youngsters programming that takes place in devoted play areas and funky hangout areas. Youth counselors lead age-appropriate actions corresponding to arts and crafts, motion pictures and sports activities, or let youngsters veg out with video video games and films. (Within 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 might be enjoyable and academic), whereas Circle C and Membership O2 are its cool golf equipment for tweens and youths, respectively. The road has partnered with Dr. Seuss to supply libraries of youngsters’ books, story occasions and parades with the creator’s beloved characters, and a “Inexperienced Eggs and Ham” breakfast hosted by The Cat within the Hat that is enjoyable for all ages. (Breakfast does incur a nominal charge.)
Norwegian’s Splash Academy retains youngsters ages 3-12 proud of all the standard artistic video games and crafts, plus a Circus College. Teenagers ages 13-17 could make mates at Entourage (on most ships), the place they’ll play the newest video video games, dance at night events or simply relax in cozy seating areas.
These with infants and youthful toddlers finally will discover extra choices on Carnival, which provides babysitting for ages 6 months by 11 years outdated in addition to designated play hours at Camp Ocean for these below 2. Norwegian doesn’t provide childcare companies for these youthful than three; as a substitute, group sitting is out there throughout choose occasions for ages 3-12.
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Onboard points of interest
Would you somewhat splash your means 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? These are the highest points of interest on the most recent Norwegian and Carnival ships, respectively. These floating playgrounds provide 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 is the principle attraction in a lineup of thrills that additionally features a dry freefall slide and water park. (You will discover the freefall slide on Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, too.) Different leisure highlights throughout Norwegian embody 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 may discover Bolt, the primary curler coaster at sea. The road continues to quench cruisers’ thirst for journey, because of its WaterWorks water parks with thrilling waterslides. Relying on the ship, you may also discover out of doors ropes programs the place you may stroll a plank off the ship (whereas in a harness), an elevated recumbent bike you may pedal round a monitor, minigolf, IMAX theaters and indoor trampoline parks.
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Leisure
Each strains excel in leisure, although they take completely different approaches.
Norwegian Cruise Line indicators Broadway and West Finish exhibits for barely abridged shipboard productions, creates its personal exhibits and searches world wide for attention-grabbing acts. You possibly can catch productions of such fashionable exhibits 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 Flooring” on choose ships.
Adults pays additional for exhibits 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 middle in Carnival’s leisure lineup. The cruise line’s Punchliner Comedy Golf equipment host greater than 27,000 reside performances a 12 months, which makes Carnival the most important employer of comics on the earth. 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 exhibits referred to as Playlist Productions. These characteristic singers and dancers and acquainted tunes, however are purposely restricted to 35- to 45-minute performances.
Each strains provide a roster of video games and contests tied to fashionable TV exhibits. Carnival has shipboard variations of “Deal or No Deal” and “Household Feud,” whereas Norwegian runs “Wheel of Fortune” and “The Value is Proper” video games (full with prizes).
Each strains recruit performers from world wide and have their very own Florida studios the place the singers, dancers and musicians rehearse.
Associated: The last word information to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Who’s on board?
Carnival strives to supply reasonably priced and enjoyable cruises for everybody. The family-friendly ships are informal and carefree; the gang is usually American, with each {couples} and households on board. Carnival cruisers keep up late to benefit from 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. house ports, making its cruises accessible to an unlimited pool of vacationers.
Norwegian’s “freestyle cruising” attracts all ages, from youngsters to seniors, preferring the informal, much less conventional onboard vibe. Nobody is forcing a costume code right here; you will get dolled up for date night time or persist with denims for an informal dinner. On cruises from the U.S., the gang is usually from North America.
Norwegian’s costs are sometimes greater than Carnival’s cruise fares, however embody “pick-your-own, value-added” perks corresponding to free drinks, specialty eating places, Wi-Fi or shore tour credit score as a part of the road’s Extra at Sea program.
When evaluating costs on the 2 strains, it is necessary to contemplate what’s included and what’s not.
Associated: The last word 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. As an illustration, you may sail to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico from Lengthy Seashore, or to Cozumel from New Orleans.The road additionally provides restricted sailings in Europe.
Carnival Splendor sails year-round all through Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific from Sydney, whereas Carnival Luminosa provides seasonal itineraries all through the area, departing from Sydney and Brisbane.
Norwegian is the one cruise line with a ship — the American-flagged Satisfaction of America — that’s based mostly 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 road provides fashionable, reasonably priced sailings within the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles. Different locations embody Northern Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and South America.
Associated: Greatest locations to go to on a cruise: Norwegian Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line
Backside line: Carnival vs. Norwegian Cruise Line
As a first-time cruiser you may’t go unsuitable with both line. Decide Norwegian Cruise Line in case you are searching for revolutionary onboard points of interest and a recent tackle informal cruising. Select Carnival in order for you nice meals and a “Enjoyable Ship” expertise in an off-the-cuff setting at an reasonably priced value.
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