Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Royal Caribbean International (RCI) stand out as two of the most popular and well-known cruise lines, each catering to distinct demographics and offering unique advantages and amenities.
While NCL focuses on a more flexible “freestyle cruising” model ideal for laid-back travelers, Royal Caribbean is known for offering innovative and adventurous amenities in a family-friendly environment.
Both lines boast large fleets and extensive itineraries you can choose from, so there are plenty of options available. Read this guide to see which cruise line matches your unique cruising preferences.
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Company Comps
To help you understand how these two major cruise lines compare, here’s a quick overview of some of the relevant statistics and figures for NCL and RCI, and how they got to where they are today.
Overview of Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean
As mentioned, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean are among the world’s leading cruise lines, each with a unique history and influence on the industry.
Norwegian Cruise Line was founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison. Its headquarters are now in Miami, Florida, and it is part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., alongside Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
One of NCL’s most revolutionary contributions to the cruise industry was the introduction of “Freestyle Cruising,” which allows guests to enjoy flexible dining and entertainment options without adhering to a fixed schedule. This more relaxed style of cruising appeals to younger demographics and has played a large role in enhancing NCL’s appeal.
On the other hand, Royal Caribbean International was founded in 1968 as a joint effort by three Norwegian shipping companies. Today, it is also headquartered in Miami, Florida, and is a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group, the second-biggest cruise company in the world behind Carnival Corporation.
Today, Royal Caribbean operates the largest cruise ships in the world, including its Oasis-class and Icon-class vessels. The company focuses on appealing to wider demographics by offering innovative onboard amenities and layouts, making its cruises suitable for families, couples, and younger adventure seekers.
Fleet Size
Norwegian Cruise Line has a fleet of 19 cruise ships divided into six different classes, with each ship focused on providing guests with a sophisticated cruising experience. Currently, Norwegian Encore is the largest ship in the fleet, belonging to the cruise line’s Breakaway class. However, four even larger ships are planned to be introduced between 2025 and 2028 as part of the expansion of the Prima Plus class of vessels.
Royal Caribbean International has a larger fleet of 28 vessels, with Star of the Seas set to arrive in 2025 and take that total to 29. These 28 vessels include the largest cruise ships on the water today, such as Icon of the Seas.
The 28 cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean are divided into seven classes, with the record-breaking Icon class being the largest and the relatively small Vision class being the smallest.
Financials
While both cruise lines consistently rank amongst the most profitable, Royal Caribbean’s annual revenue is higher, with recent earnings close to the $10 billion mark. According to Royal Caribbean Group, that translates to a profit of $1.1 billion for the cruise line.
Meanwhile, Norwegian’s revenue hovers at roughly $6 billion per year, translating to a profit of $635 million for 2024.
Annual Passenger Volume
In recent years, Royal Caribbean has hosted over 7 million passengers across its various cruise ships, which represents nearly 20% of the worldwide cruise market by passengers.
Norwegian Cruise Line accommodates a smaller share of the cruise market, with the cruise line’s various ships hosting approximately 2.7 million passengers in 2023.
Given that Royal Caribbean International has a larger fleet and higher-capacity cruise ships, this disparity in passenger volumes is not overly surprising.
Style
Now that we’ve gone over some of the technical aspects, let’s examine how these cruise lines differ from an aesthetic perspective, starting with the décor and general atmosphere inside their various cruise ships.
While each ship in the fleet has its own unique design, Royal Caribbean tends to design its vessels to convey a family-friendly atmosphere with adventure in mind.
Newer ships, like the record-breaking Icon of the Seas, also have this same family-oriented interior. Aside from outfitting their ships with amenities that appeal to all ages, the ships encourage exploration, thanks to their unique “neighborhood” layout, where the ships are separated into distinct areas with their own themes.
Large open and themed promenades, like the Boardwalk or Central Park area, which blend outdoor greenery with New York City-style restaurants and cafés, mean Royal Caribbean International cruise ships offer an innovative style that is highly appealing to all demographics. Bright, contemporary furnishings are found throughout the shared spaces and private accommodations on Royal Caribbean ships.
Another common theme with Royal Caribbean ships is the focus on expansive, light-filled indoor spaces, which can be more exciting and awe-inspiring for those traveling with small children.
On the other hand, Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships tend to have a more modern and urban vibe, with an emphasis on passenger comfort and a sense of sophistication.
Luxury is always an overriding theme in the style of an NCL ship, which actually dates back to the company’s original vision of providing luxurious passenger experiences between California and Mexico.
Since the focus is on more upscale and refined décor and furnishings, Norwegian ships tend to have an adult look and feel. While families with kids are certainly welcome, and there are plenty of amenities that appeal to all ages, the style is more similar to an upscale resort than a family-oriented theme park, which is often the case with Royal Caribbean vessels.
Target Audience
Given these stylistic differences, it is unsurprising that Royal Caribbean cruising tends to appeal more to families, teens, and travelers looking for a more casual but action-packed experience.
In addition to the exciting interiors and adventure-themed activities, including ice skate rinks and performances, zip lines, rock-climbing walls, and waterparks, Royal Caribbean also offers family-friendly live performances, like Grease and Hairspray, which are both regular musical performances on Harmony of the Seas.
In contrast, NCL cruises usually appeal to smaller adult groups, solo travelers, couples looking to relax and indulge, and older cruisers.
The more sophisticated interior style of an NCL ship is often paired with a greater number of adult-only pools, lounge areas, and bars, as well as more options for sophisticated dining venues.
The Haven area on several NCL ships features a private pool, restaurant, and sun deck, which can be an excellent option for guests looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a more luxurious and quieter atmosphere.
Their ships also offer plenty of adult-oriented entertainment options, like live bands, comedy performances, and Broadway-style shows.
Pools and Swim Spas
Royal Caribbean pool options on their newest ships, like its Icon-class and Oasis-class ships, offer some of the best pool facilities of any cruise ship in the entire industry.
The ships are even characterized by their vast pool decks, where distinct themed areas cater to different ages and preferences. The main pool areas offer giant open pools, family-friendly splash pads, adult-only infinity pools, hot tubs, and more, and they tend to be a major attraction.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, even includes record-breaking water park features, like the Category 6 water park and its six full-sized water slides.
Beyond the family-friendly pools and water features, most Royal Caribbean vessels feature a Vitality Spa & Fitness Area, a luxury area with a separate area for kids and teens, so nobody feels left out.
Norwegian cruise ships also offer guests an array of pool types to enjoy, especially when traveling on the cruise line’s Prima-class ships, which offer a mix of traditional swimming pools with more unique water attractions.
This includes the brand-new Infinity Beach concept and Ocean Boulevard Zone, where infinity pools and hot tubs hang off the edge of the deck, providing users with stunning views. These areas are also outfitted with luxury loungers, a range of bars, and glass bridges that are ideal for photographs.
All Norwegian Cruise Line ships are also outfitted with a Mandara Spa, a full-service spa offering massages and other treatments, thermal suites with saunas and vitality pools, a hair styling salon, and various exclusive areas for relaxation.
Again, NCL’s focus on more adult-oriented spaces becomes evident when looking at these pool areas. With that said, their ships also feature splash areas, interactive water features, and water slides that appeal to children, but even the ships with the most options, like Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Prima, still have fewer than the largest Royal Caribbean ships.
Entertainment and Activities
Beyond the pools and water parks, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line outfit their cruise ships with various entertainment amenities.
As mentioned, Royal Caribbean’s focus tends to be on more family-oriented and adventure amenities. From Broadway-level shows to indoor skydiving simulators, like RipCord by iFly, the FlowRider Surf Simulator, elevated rock climbing walls, the 150-foot Ultimate Abyss slide, and the unique North Star Observation Capsule that offers 360° views from 300 feet above the water, Royal Caribbean is constantly innovating and adding new and exciting features to their ships.
As you would expect, they also offer a wide range of onboard activities that are specifically designed for families with young children, like mini putt courses, themed jungle gyms, arcades, youth dance studios, and live performances for kids, like Once Upon a Time King or the various ice shows held at the skating rink.
In addition, Royal Caribbean ships host an award-winning kids program called Adventure Ocean, which offers several age groups. Every Royal Caribbean ship also has a dedicated teen venue where teenagers can enjoy themed parties and group socials.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s entertainment options are also impressive, with several venues on each ship hosting live music, comedy shows, and several well-known exclusive performances, like Kinky Boots.
Norwegian cruise ships also tend to focus on creating a lively nightlife, which they achieve by offering numerous venues for dancing and socializing, like Bliss Lounge and Glow Party, where passengers enjoy dancing and listening to live music and DJ performances. The Freestyle Experience onboard NCL ships allows guests to enjoy more casual access to these venues and events.
Most Norwegian ships also include a casino, ropes course, and the NCL ThrillPlex Activity Zone, a unique area with laser tag, ropes courses, a multi-sport court, and even a go-karting course on certain ships, including Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Viva.
While there is no shortage of things to do on the ships of either cruise line, there tends to be a wider range of activities available onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
So, if you are looking for an action-packed cruise above all else, you might want to consider traveling on one of Royal Caribbean’s newer ships rather than booking with NCL.
Dining
While both cruise lines offer a mix of included dining areas and specialty dining establishments, they have a slightly different take on dining. To make it easier, here’s a basic overview of typical dining options on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruise ships.
Royal Caribbean Dining
All Royal Caribbean ships feature a venue called the Main Dining Room, which is a central dining area that offers multi-course meals for breakfast and dinner, as well as lunch on sea days. With a rotating menu, this included dining venue tends to be where guests will enjoy the majority of their meals.
Unlike other cruise lines, including NCL, this main dining room tends to be a more formal experience than a typical included area. It has assigned seating and enforced dining times unless passengers choose to use My Time Dining, which allows them to book meals at their preferred times.
Beyond this main room, every Royal Caribbean ship features a casual, buffet-style establishment called Windjammer Café and a casual pizza and pasta restaurant called Sorrento’s Pizza.
Non-included specialty dining options can also be found throughout Royal Caribbean ships, with popular establishments including Chops Grille Steakhouse, Izumi Sushi, Jamie’s Italian, and casual spots like the Ice Cream Parlor and Johnny Rockets.
The newer ships, like Icon of the Seas, feature even more innovative dining options, such as the AquaDome Market, the cruise line’s first food hall.
Norwegian Dining Options
Norwegian also pioneered “freestyle dining,” which allows guests to dine wherever and whenever they want without worrying about a set schedule. Most ships feature 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 also offers specialty restaurants, including Cagney’s Steakhouse, Los Lobos Mexican, Food Republic Teppanyaki, and other great dining options that can be booked at the guest’s convenience thanks to the freestyle dining model.
While NCL ships avoid fixed dining times and pre-assigned seating, you will typically find far more dining options on a Royal Caribbean ship than on one of Norwegian’s.
Accommodations
Accommodations aboard either cruise line can also fit just about any budget and preference, but Royal Caribbean tends to offer a wider variety, especially for young families.
For its standard cabins, Royal Caribbean even offers interior rooms with virtual balconies, which provide realistic ocean views on a digital screen.
Some of its themed neighborhoods on larger ships also mean its rooms can offer interior-facing balconies and views, like its Boardwalk View Staterooms found on Icon class and Oasis-class vessels.
Read Also: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks – Is It Worth Upgrading?
However, Royal Caribbean truly stands out for its themed luxury suites, like the Ultimate Family Suite found on Icon-class and Oasis-class ships. These multi-level staterooms feature slides, dedicated kid spaces, multiple bedrooms, and more.
Plus, Sky Loft Suites and Owner’s Suites feature large private balconies, more premium furniture, and a luxury bathroom complete with a whirlpool and rain shower.
When booking, it is also worth noting that different types of rooms come with different perks. For example, all suites include complimentary Wi-Fi and bathrobes, while the premium options also provide guests access to private lounges and included drinks packages.
As for Norwegian Cruise Line accommodations, standard cabins tend to be relatively minimal but still feature the modern and functional amenities that make NCL a popular option for travelers concerned with luxury and relaxation.
For those with a bigger budget, the luxury suites found in The Haven, NCL’s private area, feature exclusive amenities for suite guests, like pools, sun decks, and even private restaurants.
Another unique feature of the NCL cruising experience is the option to book Studio Staterooms for Solo Travelers, which are small but private cabins designed for a single passenger.
NCL is increasingly focusing on this, as solo passengers are seen as a growing demographic that has been underserved by the industry.
Itineraries and Destinations
Both cruise lines offer extensive itineraries throughout the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Alaska, and even Australia.
In fact, Royal Caribbean even offered a world cruise on Serenade of the Seas called The Ultimate World Cruise. It lasted 274 days and visited over 60 countries and 11 world wonders!
For Royal Caribbean, most of the cruise line’s most popular destinations can be found in the Caribbean, which is unsurprising given their name. The Bahamas, Cozumel, Curacao, Bermuda, and the U.S. Eastern Seaboard are the most popular destinations and routes.
They even offer stops at exclusive destinations, with Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas being the cruise line’s most well-known. This privately owned island features a two-sided cruise ship dock, pristine beaches, and Thrill Water Park, which can only be accessed by Royal Caribbean guests.
Norwegian Cruise Line also offers unique itineraries and destinations, including cruises that sail along the coastlines of South America, Africa, and throughout the British Isles.
Like Royal Caribbean, NCL also has an exclusive destination in the Bahamas called Great Stirrup Cay. This privately owned island can only be accessed by Norwegian guests. It provides white sand beaches, snorkeling, restaurants, and a massive zipline course that covers the entire island.
Pricing and Loyalty Programs
As you would expect, pricing tends to vary depending on the voyage duration, the itinerary, the specific cruise ship you are traveling on, and the type of accommodations you have booked.
With that said, Royal Caribbean fares for a 3-day Caribbean cruise with a basic cabin start at just $400 to $600 per person. For NCL, similar cruises tend to be slightly more expensive, with most guests finding prices ranging from $450 to $700.
For more high-end suites and longer itineraries, NCL’s Haven suites can be as much as $8,000 for a 7-night voyage. This may sound like a lot, but Royal Caribbean offers more expensive options, with stays in their Ultimate Family Suites costing over $20,000 for a full week.
Both Norwegian and Royal Caribbean offer their own loyalty programs to reward repeat bookings. For Royal Caribbean, the Crown & Anchor Society allows repeat guests to earn points that can be used to make purchases on the ship and on land. The more points earned, the higher the member’s rank, opening up new perks like complimentary drinks and room upgrades.
Norwegian offers a similar program called Latitudes Rewards, which provides participants with various loyalty perks, like onboard credit for specialty restaurants, discounts on future bookings, and lower-cost room upgrades.
Will it Be NCL or Royal Caribbean For You?
As we have explored, both Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line have areas where they excel, which helps explain why they are two of the most popular cruise companies in the industry.
Worth Reading: Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Cruise Line – Which One Does it Better?
Where Royal Caribbean cruise ships tend to appeal to families and thrill-seeking groups looking to enjoy numerous onboard attractions, NCL ships usually have a vibe that blends luxury with flexibility. Their ships appeal to those who prefer a flexible and casual environment that still makes it easy to indulge.
