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It’s also worth noting that both lines feature adults-only sundecks on most of their vessels. The solo studio cabins are 100 square feet, designed for one guest, and have a solo traveler lounge and dedicated area. The line also offers some longer cruises to destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe.
Kids activities
Plus, each ship has a great range of speciality restaurants to choose between. The Lido deck offers relaxed activities like unique contests, and indoor options include trivia, bingo, dance classes, and ‘Hasbro, The Game Show’ for interactive family fun. Adults seeking tranquility can retreat to the Serenity Retreat, a child-free zone, or indulge in the onboard spa’s relaxing treatments. There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax?
Itineraries
There is less variation among Carnival’s fleet, which only just changed with the new Excel Class. NCL's Haven provides a private sanctuary in terms of luxury accommodations which can keep the adult traveler out of touch with the younger set, if they so choose. Located at the top of the ship, this pricier option is inaccessible to other cruisers and includes its own restaurant, private concierge service and 24-hour personal butler. Described as a ship within a ship, this aspect of cruising is unique to NCL when being compared to Carnival and Royal Caribbean. The Haven is an exclusive zone on NCL ships that’s designed for a bit more luxury. You’ll find high-end suites with private balconies, offering that extra touch of exclusivity.
Norwegian vs. Carnival: Demographics and Who is Onboard?
They both sail to a variety of ports around the world and offer destinations including Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, the U.S., and many more. So no matter which cruise line you choose, you’ll be able to select from a wide range of destinations and itineraries. Like onboard Norwegian, there are plenty of activities for adults to choose from, be it gambling in the casinos, a romantic dining experience, or a trip to the spa. They also have a wide selection of activities for kids, such as water slides, rope courses, and the Skyride. As the largest cruise line Carnival has a big advantage when it comes to departure ports.
Called 'freestyle' cruising, this specific niche in cruising types simply refers to providing the passengers with free reign over their choices on board the ship. It is designed to prioritize a passenger's comfort the most by giving them this independence. Norwegian’s fleet is generally spread across more international homeports and has less of a focus on smaller U.S. homeports than Carnival. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Norwegian has the bulk of its ships in North America but also sails to destinations around the world.
Carnival vs. Norwegian: Pool Deck Fun
However, if dance contests and mixology competitions aren’t your thing, the adult only Serenity area is perfect for relaxing. Royal Caribbean is again the most innovative when it comes to onboard entertainment. Main theater production shows on Oasis, Quantum, Freedom class ships are true Broadway musicals with elaborate sets. In recent years, Carnival has made an effort to differentiate some staterooms.
Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean comparison - Cruise Blog
Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean comparison.
Posted: Mon, 09 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
‘Be on Time!’: Cruisers Show Little Sympathy For NCL Passengers Who Missed Ship
The rise of the mega-ships has resulted in some negative consequences for entertainment. Ships with 4,000-6,000 passengers just cannot devote enough space to accommodate the audiences these shows attract. Whether seeking a basic bargain of a cabin or desiring all the trappings of luxury, each of these lines offers something a bit different.
The surprising reason Carnival expects your cruise ship to visit less ports
For those sick of being nickeled and dimed on a cruise ship, it offers a way to essentially make your cruise all-inclusive again. Norwegian shines with The Haven, an exclusive enclave of cabins on some ships, which includes butler and concierge service, as well as access to private amenities like a dedicated pool and restaurant. With Norwegian, all eateries allow you to dine whenever you'd like, but reservations are recommended. Norwegian, meanwhile, feels a bit like Las Vegas at sea, particularly on its newer ships, which house 678 Ocean Place.
However, this flexibility can sometimes lead to waits during peak dining times, similar to a regular restaurant on land. Each evening might bring a different set of servers, so they might not get familiar with your specific dining preferences. When it comes to size and diversity, Carnival Cruise Line takes the lead with a total of 25 ships.
Perhaps not the best reputation, unless you are truly looking for over-the-top festivities at sea. NCL has quite a young demographic onboard, but that’s young by cruise standards – the average age of guests onboard will be between 30 and 50. Carnival’s kids’ facilities are a little better than NCL’s, since you have different spaces for older and younger teens, and then children can enjoy interactions with characters from the world of Dr. Seuss. NCL is still good, and there’s plenty for kids to enjoy around the ship too, but Carnival edges this one. If you want to cruise with your whole family, both NCL and Carnival have great kids’ facilities to enjoy.
That being said, in my experience, the quality of the beef entrees has been better than on other lines. Newer ships have additional complimentary options such as Guy’s Pig and Anchor BBQ, and even a small buffet below deck in Ocean Plaza. Carnival calls its ships Fun Ships and they really do live up to the name. Whether out of the pool deck or somewhere below, there are always fun and lively activities going on.
For cruisers traveling solo, Norwegian Cruise Line has the best selection of studio cabins designed specifically for one guest. These solo cabins receive special perks for guests traveling alone, such as access to their own solo traveler lounge to mingle with other solo travelers. For stateroom accommodations, you won’t have any shortage of options when booking your vacation with either cruise line. From affordable inside cabins to luxurious suites, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line have staterooms to fit every cruiser’s budget. Generally speaking, Norwegian Cruise Line has more innovative stateroom accommodations while Carnival Cruise Line has a more basic approach to its cabins, with the exception of its newest Excel Class ships. However, guests can often find good deals on Norwegian’s cruise fares with their Free at Sea program.
Travelers are very different in terms of what they expect in a cruise experience. Then, again, rest and relaxation could be what floats your boat, so to speak. Or maybe it has been a few years since you've boarded a ship, due to the worldwide pandemic plaguing your travel plans. Deciding on a cruise line is more complicated than ever with so many options from which to choose.
Both cruise lines have a large fleet of ships, though Carnival’s is bigger. Now, I'm here to share my love of cruise ships and help you plan your perfect cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line stands out for its top-tier entertainment across various venues. Norwegian Cruise Line has been innovating its onboard activities, notably introducing go-kart tracks on the Norwegian Bliss, Joy, and Encore, and establishing permanent laser tag arenas on these ships.
Norwegian Cruise Line stated that building a newer, smaller cruise ship cultivates a more upscale experience onboard and provides more flexibility with itineraries. Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival are two very popular cruise lines, sailing to destinations all over the world and offering great food, service and entertainment. Norwegian's largest ship measures 1,094 feet long and 136 feet wide, with a gross tonnage of 1,69,145 tons. They also have smaller options that focus on more personalized experiences for passengers and a wider range of itineraries.
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