Are you planning on booking a cruise and comparing Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, to see which is best for you?

Since these are both popular well-loved cruise lines, this is a great question. While Royal Caribbean and Norwegian do have some similarities, there are some important differences to be aware of.

As someone who has cruise with both Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, I know first hand that both cruise lines have a lot to offer.

With that being said, here’s everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line.

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Why Cruisers Like Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is part of Royal Caribbean group, formally known as Royal Caribbean International. Royal Caribbean is a contemporary cruise line that is known for it’s innovation and for having the largest cruise ships at sea.

Here are the reasons why cruisers like Royal Caribbean:

Cruise Ship Design

If you’ve never cruised with Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean cruise ships are going to blow your mind!

Royal Caribbean has some of the most incredible and innovative cruise ships in the world. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships are the largest cruise ships at sea, at over 220,000 tons and more than 6,000 passengers.

These ships offer the most features and attractions. If you want a Royal Caribbean cruise ship with tons of activities, make sure you choose an Oasis Class ship.

Quantum Class ships also have amazing onboard attractions. Although they are a bit smaller in size at over 160,000 tons and more than 4,500 passengers, these are still popular and well loved cruise ships for families and kids.

Royal Caribbean’s older cruise ship designs are still great, but you won’t some of the bells and whistles that you will find on the large ships like the Oasis and Quantum Class.

If you enjoy a more traditional cruise ship and don’t need surfing pools, indoor skydiving and zip lines, older Royal Caribbean cruise ships are a great way to cruise for less.

It’s important to research to find the Royal Caribbean cruise ship and itinerary suits you best.

Private Island

When it comes to private islands owned by cruise lines, nobody does it better than Royal Caribbean.

The great thing about cruising to the Caribbean or Bahamas with Royal Caribbean, is that many itineraries stop at their private island, Perfect Day at Cococay.

Perfect Day at Cococay has an incredible water parks, which includes Daredevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America. You’ll also find beautiful beaches, large swimming pools, zip lining, a hot air balloon ride and many more activities.

The food on the island is very tasty and it’s included with the price of your cruise.

Royal Caribbean also has Labadee which is their other private island located in Haiti. In Labadee you’ll find gorgeous beaches, a roller coaster and a zip line.

Variety of Restaurants & Dining Options

Oasis of the Seas Sorrentos in Promenade

There are many dining options to choose from onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships. There’s a mix of restaurants are included and others which have an extra cost.

Some “free” casual dining options on Royal Caribbean include the Windjammer Marketplace (buffet), El Loco Fresh (mexican casual food), Sorrento’s Pizza, Cafe Promenade, and Central Park Cafe. For a nice down meal, the main dining room is a great included dining venue.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships also have a wide variety of specialty restaurants which have an additional charge. If you think you’d like to do more than a couple of nights at a specialty restaurant, consider purchasing the Ultimate Dining Package so you can try them all.

Family Friendly Environment

royal-caribbean-oasis-of-the-seas-lido-deck

Royal Caribbean cruise ships have a fun, family friendly environment. You’ll find food, dining options, activities and events which cater towards families with young kids, teenagers and young adults.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships attract families with kids of all ages. Many people love their Adventure Ocean kid’s club, which ranges from the nursery through 17 years of age.

Those who are cruising with a family, love to cruise with Royal Caribbean as it is the ultimate cruise line for family vacations.

Included Activities & Onboard Attractions

Royal Caribbean is known for having fun ships and some of the best onboard activities at sea. When you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise, there is never a dull moment.

The onboard attractions are family friendly, so it’s a great time for everyone. Here’s a list of activities onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships:

Activities Onboard Royal Caribbean:

Ice Skating
Laser Tag
Silent Disco
Rock Climbing
Water Slides
Escape Room (additional cost)
Splash Park
FlowRider Surf Simulator
Basketball Courts
Mini Golf
Zip Lining
Bumper Karts
The Ultimate Abyss (10 story dry slide)

One of the best parts about cruising with Royal Caribbean is that most of their cruise ship activities are free. This is especially important for families, as paying extra for activities can really add up and blow your cruise vacation budget.

Entertainment

If you want a cruise line where you are always going to be entertained, then Royal Caribbean is for you. Royal Caribbean is known for having some of the best entertainment at sea.

Since Royal Caribbean has some incredible big ships, there are multiple entertainment venues onboard. On select ships you’ll find aqua shows, musicals, ice skating shows at the ice rink, comedians and broadway style shows.

The great thing about Royal Caribbean ships is that there are a variety of different shows happening every evening. This means that there will always be plenty of options when it comes to entertainment, each and every night of your cruise vacation.

Kid’s Club

Royal Caribbean has one of the best youth programs in the cruise industry. If you’re cruising with kids, take advantage of Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbeans kid’s club.

The Adventure Ocean kid’s club is a supervised program where kids between that ages of 3 and 17 can make new friends, hang out and participate in activities. The kids and teenagers are separated by age group and have lots of fun things to do fo all ages!

As someone who grew up cruising, I know first hand how fun the kid’s club is on Royal Caribbean. As a kid, my parents could not get me out of the kid’s club, because it was such a good time!

On select Royal Caribbean cruise ships, there is a nursery for 6 to 36 month old children. Royal Caribbean is one of the only cruise lines that offers a nursery for young children.

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Why Cruisers like Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line, also known as NCL, has the reputation of being a fun, family friendly cruise line. Similarly to Royal Caribbean, Norwegian cruises has exciting attractions and beautiful ship designs.

Here are the reasons why cruisers like Norwegian Cruise Line:

Freestyle Cruising

Norwegian cruise line is most known for it’s relaxed “freestyle cruising” concept. You won’t find strict dress codes and formal nights on a Norwegian cruise ship.

While other cruise lines have embraced the concept of “open dining”, nobody does it better than Norwegian Cruise Line.

With freestyle cruising, cruise passengers can eat in different restaurants and dining rooms, on their own schedule. Although you can make reservations, there are no set dining times.

This creates a very laid back atmosphere and allows you enjoy your cruise at your own pace.

Free At Sea Perks

free at sea drinks on a Norwegian cruise beverage package

The Free at Sea promotion is one of the best benefits when cruising with Norwegian. This perks program, which has a free beverage package as an option, is a big reasons why people love cruising with Norwegian.

While the Free at Sea promotion changes at times throughout the year, overall the basics remain the same. With Free At Sea you can get a free beverage package, free specialty dining, free wifi (not unlimited), free shore excursion credits and discounts on 3rd and 4th passengers (on select sailings).

At times, you may even find a free air promotion. Always check with your travel agent or on the Norwegian website to find the best options for you and current free at sea promotions.

Video: Norwegian Free at Sea Perks Explained

Variety of Restaurants

For those who like cruise food, Norwegian has a nice variety of restaurants onboard their fleet. You’ll find 2-3 main dining room type restaurants, and all you can eat buffet and The Local or O’Sheehans (pub style restaurant).

When it comes to specialty restaurants, Norwegian has a lot to offer. Specialty restaurants do have an additional cost, however they are a significantly better culinary experience. You can also get free specialty dining as a perk with Norwegian’s Free at Sea promo.

On many Norwegian cruises you’ll find Teppanyaki, Cagney’s Steakhouse, OceanBlue (sea food) and La Cucina (Italian food). Depending on the cruise you are on, there can be many other specialty restaurants options as well.

Norwegian also has O’Sheehans and The Local, which are pub style restaurants that are open 24/7. Those who cruise with Norwegian, love these restaurants because the food is amazing and it’s open all the time.

Entertainment

Deal or no Deal game on Norwegian cruise

Norwegian cruise ships are known for having amazing entertainment. Compared to other cruise lines, you can see that Norwegian invests a lot of money into their theatre and production shows.

Inside the theatre onboard Norwegian cruise ships, the lighting, sound and set design are among the best at sea. Additionally, Norwegian has great entertainers, singers, live bands, magicians, comedians and illusionists.

On past cruises on the Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Joy, the entertainment has always been phenomenal.

When cruising with Norwegian, you will never get bored! In particular in the evening time, there are always a variety shows and musical performances happening around the ship.

Activities & Onboard Attractions

Whether you’re a young cruiser or an older cruiser, there are activities and attractions for everyone onboard a Norwegian cruise.

NCL is known for their fun activities and amazing attractions. The attractions onboard Norwegian are some of the best at sea.

Here’s a list of attractions onboard select Norwegian cruise ships.

Attractions Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line:

Laser tag
Go-karting
Race car simulator
Ropes courses
Mini golf
Virtual reality
Water slides
Escape rooms

*Certain activities onboard Norwegian cruises do have an extra charge.

On a sea day, there are poolside activities that are fun to watch or participate in. At the main pool, you can find belly flop competitions, scavenger hunts and the poolside olympics, which is an absolute blast!