Carnival vs. Norwegian: Which is Better?

Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are two of the most recognizable cruise brands in the world. Carnival is known for its fun, “don’t-take-things-too-seriously” atmosphere, while NCL is proud to offer “Freestyle Cruising” where passengers are not restricted to set schedules or dining times.

But just because both lines are popular doesn’t mean they don’t have things that set them apart from each other. Here, we’re taking a look at everything from fleet size and demographics to food, activities, and value so you can decide for yourself which is better: Carnival or Norwegian Cruise Line.

Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line Fleets: A Breakdown

There are quite a few similarities between Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. In fact, they’re two of the most popular mainstream cruise lines in the world, alongside Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises. Both of their fleets span the spectrum of a major mainstream cruise brand, with older, smaller ships all the way up to some of the newest and largest ships at sea.

Both NCL and Carnival have what the industry calls mega-ships, which carry thousands of passengers each. They are also two of the lines where travelers can find the best cruise deals. If you have easy access to an NCL or Carnival homeport, it’s easy to take a very inexpensive weekend getaway or weeklong vacation with either brand.

If you’re wondering what exactly is included in the fare on each of these lines, check out these articles:

• What’s included on Carnival Cruise Line?
• What’s included on Norwegian Cruise Line?

How many ships does Carnival Cruise Line have?

At the time of writing, there are 29 ships in the Carnival fleet, with five more on the way through 2033. The line has two additional Excel class ships – Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale – on order, set to begin sailing in 2027 and 2028. There’s also a new class of ships, the Ace class, that will be delivered in 2029, 2031, and 2033. The first ship in that class will be called Carnival Destiny, in honor of the original Carnival Destiny (now called Carnival Sunshine), that debuted in 1996.

What are the smallest and largest Carnival cruise ships?

The smallest ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet is Carnival Paradise. Built in 1998, Carnival Paradise comes in at 71,925 gross tons and holds 2,124 guests. The largest Carnival cruise ship is a tie between its two newest ships: Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee. They both come in at a massive 183,521 gross tons and can hold 5,374 guests at double occupancy.

How many ships does Norwegian Cruise Line have?

There are currently 21 ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet across several classes. The newest and most innovative ships are the Prima-class vessels which introduced a completely new layout with an emphasis on outdoor spaces and the signature Ocean Boulevard promenade. Norwegian Aqua (2025) and Norwegian Luna (2026) are the next evolution of this class with the first-ever Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid waterslide and roller coaster. Norwegian Aura will debut in spring 2027. The line has plans to introduce another Prima-class ship in 2028 and four additional (and significantly larger) vessels debuting from 2030 to 2036.

Of note, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun will leave the fleet in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

What are the smallest and largest NCL ships?

Norwegian Encore, which is part of the Breakaway Plus class, is the largest ship in the NCL fleet. It comes in at 169,116 gross tons and can hold 3,998 guests based on double capacity. Interestingly, Norwegian Encore is not the largest ship based on capacity, though. The NCL ship that holds the most passengers, again based on double occupancy, is Norwegian Escape (4,266 guests).

The smallest ship currently in the fleet based on gross tonnage is Norwegian Spirit at 75,338 gross tons, but Norwegian Sun carries the fewest passengers (1,936 guests at double occupancy).

Who sails Carnival vs. Norwegian ships?

Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival are two of the most popular cruise lines for travelers of all ages — from families with young children all the way up to great-grandparents. Both cruise lines attract laid-back, casual passengers — but approach that style in different ways.

Upon boarding a ship from either line, you’ll quickly realize that they provide a “come-as-you-are” vibe. While it depends on the sailing (shorter cruises on most lines will always attract a rowdier crowd than longer voyages), Carnival tends to attract partiers while NCL emphasizes its Freestyle approach to cruising — no strict schedules, no set dining times — a vacation you can truly personalize.

When it comes to the ship itself, both are pretty similar in terms of interior design style and the atmosphere it creates. However, Carnival tends to lean a bit more playful, while NCL — especially with its latest Prima-class ships — is leaning more into a contemporary and refined feel in both their public spaces and staterooms. And speaking of accommodations, you’ll find everything from inexpensive interior cabins to elegant suites across both lines, so you’ll truly come across people from all different walks of life onboard.

Who has better food: Carnival or NCL?

Both Carnival and Norwegian include casual buffets and sit-down main dining rooms in their cruise fares. Beyond that are a variety of included casual quick-service venues as well as a lineup of extra-fee specialty restaurants, which mostly focus on specific cuisines. Here’s how these venues stack up side-by-side. Keep in mind that not every ship has every restaurant; the actual venues aboard each ship in a fleet do vary.

Steakhouses

• Carnival: Fahrenheit 555
• NCL: Cagney’s Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria

Asian Restaurants

• Carnival: JiJi Asian Kitchen, Mongolian Wok, Bonsai Sushi, and Chibang
• NCL: Teppanyaki/Hasuki, Sukhothai, and sushi bars (various names)

Mexican Restaurants

• Carnival: BlueIguana Cantina and Chibang
• NCL: Los Lobos

Italian Restaurants

• Carnival: Cucina del Capitano
• NCL: La Cucina or Onda by Scarpetta

Seafood Venues

• Carnival: Rudi’s Seagrill, Emeril’s Bistro, and Seafood Shack
• NCL: Ocean Blue, Palomar

Barbecue Joints

• Carnival: Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que and Guy’s Smokehouse | Brewhouse
• NCL: Q Texas Smokehouse

Pub/Casual

• Carnival: RedFrog Pub
• NCL: O’Sheehan’s or The Local Bar & Grill

Cafes

• Carnival: JavaBlue (and other names depending on the ship)
• NCL: Atrium Cafe, Starbucks

Unique (select ships)

• Carnival: Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken, Pizzeria del Capitano
• NCL: Food Republic, The Local Bar & Grill, O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Indulge Food Hall, Le Bistro

Both Carnival and NCL have a great variety of both specialty and included venues, with Carnival slightly edging out NCL in its sheer variety of casual included venues on most ships (newer NCL ships, though, have Indulge Food Hall which is an excellent included addition).

However, NCL does have a leg up when it comes to casual included options available around the clock, as The Local/O’Sheehan’s is a unique offering in that it’s a sit-down, table-service restaurant that’s literally open 24 hours a day. Norwegian Cruise Line also gains points for the Free at Sea program, as it bundles specialty dining credits into the cruise fare.

We understand that cruise dining can be quite subjective, but we think that NCL wins in this category — mainly due to the availability of a 24-hour table service restaurant and the Free at Sea specialty dining credits.

Bars on Carnival vs. Norwegian Cruise Line

Many cruisers would say that drinks are nearly as important as food on a cruise. In terms of what they offer, Carnival and NCL are closely matched. Both feature large numbers of bars across their ships; some that are more standard and some that have a distinctive theme.

Passengers are able to make good use of their unlimited drink package on a Norwegian cruise ship — from favorites like Sugarcane Mojito Bar and Maltings Beer & Whiskey Bar to the 24-hour The Local Bar & Grill or O’Sheehan’s. There are also newer additions to the lineup like the Metropolitan Bar and Belvedere Bar, as well as entertainment venues like Syd Norman’s Pour House and the Cavern Club serving up drinks alongside live performances. However, with a recent revamp of bar menus, the quality and variety of drinks are not what they used to be.

Carnival offers a number of different bars and lounges across its fleet, too, including favorites like the vintage pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bars, the Heroes Tribute Lounge sports bar, and the classic piano bar. Select ships have more unique bars, too, like the train station-themed Latitudes Bar on Carnival Celebration, the underwater/octopus themed Dr. Inks, Ph.D. bar on Carnival Jubilee, the RedFrog Pub & Brewery that brews its own beer on Carnival Vista, and the bubbles bar Frizzante on Carnival Venezia and Firenze. Carnival even has its own brand of ThirstyFrog beer, some of which is brewed right onboard the newest vessels.

Per-drink prices are comparable across the lines. However, the way they approach their standard alcoholic drink packages is quite different. NCL includes the unlimited open bar package in nearly all of its cruise fares through the Free at Sea program; guests just need to pay the gratuity on it upfront ($28.50 per person/day). Carnival offers the Cheers alcoholic/specialty drink package starting at $65 per person/day. This means that for most people, the package will be well worth it on NCL. You may need to do some math to determine if it’s worth it on Carnival. Though, drink package inclusions do differ by cruise line.

Winner: It depends. When it comes to actual bars and beverages, Carnival comes out on top for having more creative cocktails, many well-themed bars, and onboard brewing capability. However, NCL by far takes the lead when it comes to the drink package value, which essentially costs under $30 per day through Free at Sea vs. Carnival’s $65+ per day price tag.

Entertainment: Carnival vs. Norwegian Cruise Line

Top-Deck Attractions and Sports

The top-deck attractions you’ll find on Carnival and NCL can vary wildly depending on the ship you’re sailing. With that being said, there are some staples you can expect on all or almost all Carnival and NCL ships: waterslides (with many featuring an entire water park area), sports courts, a small putt-putt course, and an adventure trail or ropes course. Both lines also include, of course, swimming pools (nearly all ships have at least two or more) and a number of hot tubs.

Some Carnival ships add unique features like a roller coaster (the Excel-class ships) or a sky cycling attraction called the SkyRide (Vista-class ships). Some NCL ships feature additional thrills like the Aqua Slidecoaster on Norwegian Aqua and Luna or a go-kart track, found on five ships from the Breakaway Plus and Prima classes.

Indoors, you’ll find arcades on both lines, as well as a casino. Several NCL ships have a virtual reality complex called the Galaxy Pavilion with a variety of VR games and experiences. On Carnival, select vessels feature an IMAX theater, and Carnival Panorama even includes a SkyZone trampoline park.

Production Shows

Carnival’s theater production shows, which are called Playlist Productions, are original shows created just for the line. They’re fun and attention-grabbing, often with more of a focus on music rather than a narrative storyline. When they do have a storyline, the plots can be a bit difficult to follow. Popular Playlist Production shows include the 70s and 80s rock celebration Epic Rock, the movie soundtrack-centric Flick, and the high-tempo Broadway Beats show tunes production.

While Norwegian Cruise Line used to offer full-on Broadway productions aboard its ships, the line has phased out those shows. Now, NCL is offering more music-focused concert-style shows, song-and-dance shows focusing on a particular decade or genre, pub-style shows like the popular Choir of Man, and acrobatics-focused productions.

Activities and Nightlife

Both Carnival and NCL offer a similar variety of onboard activities — trivia, game shows, comedy shows, themed parties, live music, and beyond. Both are high-energy, too. Carnival is known for more of a “FUN” atmosphere, which stretches from daytime around the pool into nighttime parties and entertainment. NCL tends to draw fewer party crowds, but boasts excellent, high-energy nighttime dance parties that draw lots of guest participation.

Winner: It’s a tie. Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival offer a great variety of indoor and outdoor amenities and attractions, as well as similar entertainment programming and parties for their guests.

Carnival vs. NCL: Which is better for kids’ clubs and activities?

When it comes to organized kids club offerings, Carnival’s Camp Ocean and NCL’s Splash Academy/Entourage are alike in many ways. Both divide kids and teens into several age groups:

Carnival’s Camp Ocean

• Turtles: 6-23 months
• Penguins: 2-5 years
• Stingrays: 6-8 years
• Sharks: 9-11 years
• Circle C: 12-14 years
• Club O2: 15-17 years

Norwegian’s Kids’ Programs

• Guppies: 6 months-3 years, with a caregiver
• Turtles: 3-5 years
• Dolphins: 6-9 years
• Seals: 10-12 years
• Entourage: 13-17 years

Both lines have special dedicated areas for tweens and teens that are separate from the younger kids. Teens in the Entourage program can come and go as they please with fewer scheduled activities and more emphasis on just hanging out with video games, sports tournaments, competitions, and parties.

As well, both offer for-fee, late-night babysitting services for kids. Carnival’s program is called Night Owls and is open from 10 pm to 1 am for kids ages 6 months to 11 years old. NCL’s program is called the Late Night Fun Zone which takes place from 10:30 pm to 1:30 am for kids ages three to 12.

As far as the actual programming, both lines schedule similar age-appropriate activities. They might range from story time and arts and crafts for the youngest kids to dance parties, sports competitions, and video game tournaments for older ones. Of course, ships also have attractions and amenities for the whole family, too, such as mini-golf, waterslides, ropes courses, sports courts, table games, swimming pools, and movies on the big screen.

In addition, Carnival has a partnership with Dr. Seuss called Seuss at Sea, which includes a character parade, interactive storytime, and special Dr. Seuss-themed movies and activities. Some ships even feature a dedicated kids’ library called Dr. Seuss Bookville, filled with Dr. Seuss books, board games, puzzles, and toys.

Winner: Carnival. Both lines are pretty evenly-matched, with a good variety of kids and family programming and amenities. However, Carnival edges out NCL with its theming, Dr. Seuss partnership, and size of the kids’ spaces.

Cabins and Accommodations

Both lines cover a full range of accommodations for guests — from inside staterooms to expansive suites, but the designs between each line differs.

Norwegian is best known for two things when it comes to accommodations: its Studio staterooms for solo travelers and its Haven suites. Studio cabins are small but cleverly designed single-occupancy rooms that don’t charge a steep solo supplement. They come with access to a private Studio Lounge where solo travelers can meet up. On the opposite end, The Haven is Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship suite complex, featuring a private courtyard or sun deck, pool, restaurant, bar, and concierge service. Even when it comes to standard staterooms, newer ships in the fleet feature modern and roomy cabins that are a step above the competitors.

Carnival also offers a range of unique standout accommodations on many ships in its fleet. Special stateroom categories that include extra perks include the Havana cabins with access to the Havana pool area, Cloud 9 Spa staterooms with access to the spa’s thermal suite, and the Family Harbor accommodations with exclusive access to the Family Harbor Lounge.

Of course, it’s important to remember that both Carnival and Norwegian have a wide range of ship ages within their fleets. While both have been and are actively updating the older members of their fleets, some aspects of the interiors — including cabins — will naturally feel a bit more dated on older vessels.

Winner: Norwegian Cruise Line. While Carnival does offer a wide range of staterooms and newer ships do have notably well-designed accommodations, NCL gains major points for its very well thought-out newer cabins — especially when it comes to interior design — as well as its Haven ship-within-a-ship complex… something Carnival doesn’t even really offer.

Carnival vs. Norwegian: Pricing and Value

When it comes to base fare cruise pricing, Carnival tends to lean a bit less expensive than Norwegian. However, there are great deals to be had across both lines — especially when it comes to their smaller, older ships. In addition, both lines include pretty much the same things in their fares: accommodations, most entertainment and activities, and standard dining including the buffet, main dining room, and select other (mostly quick-casual) restaurants.

Where NCL differs greatly from Carnival in terms of value is its Free at Sea program. Included in nearly all cruise fares (guests just have to pay gratuities on the drink package and specialty dining if they choose to opt into those perks), Free at Sea essentially adds alcoholic and specialty drinks, limited specialty dining meals, shore excursion credits, and WiFi minutes into the cruise fare. None of those things are included in Carnival’s standard fare.

So, those who would already purchase a drink package and some specialty dining or shore excursions on a cruise will find that NCL’s all-in cost is often cheaper than Carnival’s once you add in all those extras.

However, Norwegian Cruise Line has faced criticism in recent years for its increased nickel-and-diming. The line has more upcharges than most other cruise lines for things like certain onboard attractions and extra entrees in the main dining room. So, it’s worth calculating your total expected spend to decide which is best for you.

Winner: Carnival. When it comes down to actual base fares, Carnival usually has the cheaper entry rates. Carnival also offers sailings from a variety of U.S. homeports, meaning many cruisers can avoid high airfare prices. This puts a cruise vacation in reach for many looking to travel on a budget. With that being said, Norwegian Cruise Line might be the better overall value. While the base fare may appear a bit higher than it is on comparable Carnival cruises, that fare includes quite a bit more for those who opt into Free at Sea.

Carnival vs. Norwegian: Itineraries and Private Destinations

Both Carnival and NCL operate cruises in a wide variety of destinations, but Carnival has a more notable emphasis on sailings out of the U.S. than Norwegian does. With that being said, you can find voyages on both lines in regions including the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, Canada/New England, the Mediterranean, Bermuda, and northern Europe. You can even find voyages with both lines in places including Australia, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal.

One of Norwegian Cruise Line’s standout offerings is its inter-island itineraries year-round in Hawaii. The line’s vessel Pride of America is the only major cruise ship registered in the United States, thus meaning it’s the only ship that can operate a sailing within the U.S. without touching a foreign port. Because of this, Pride of America is able to sail exclusively within Hawaii, offering seven-night voyages that include overnight stays in Maui and Kauai.

As far as private destination options, both Carnival and Norwegian have their own exclusive paradises in the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Carnival Private Destinations

Carnival has two private destinations, though both are shared with other brands within the Carnival Corporation fleet.

• RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: a private island in the Bahamas (exclusive to both Carnival and Holland America)
• Celebration Key: a private beach destination on Grand Bahama Island (also visited by Princess and AIDA ships)

Norwegian Cruise Destinations

Norwegian Cruise Line also has two private destinations, both of which are shared with other brands within the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings fleet.

• Great Stirrup Cay: a private island in the Bahamas (exclusive to both NCL and Oceania Cruises)
• Harvest Caye: a private resort-style destination in Belize (exclusive to NCL, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

Winner: NCL. Norwegian Cruise Line has a very well-rounded schedule of sailings around the world, with Pride of America gaining major points for being able to offer weeklong roundtrip Hawaii itineraries. Both lines have strong private destinations with some new offerings as well: Carnival’s new Celebration Key with its massive lagoon-style pool and NCL’s brand-new waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay.

Loyalty Programs

Carnival’s Carnival Rewards program and Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards program are both tiered loyalty programs that reward repeat cruisers with perks like priority boarding, free drink vouchers, free laundry service, and more.

NCL’s Latitudes program allows guests to earn points based on the number of nights sailed and the type of stateroom booked. If you book a standard cabin, you earn one point per night of the cruise. If you book a suite or into The Haven, you earn two points per night of the cruise. Carnival’s new loyalty program rewards points based on spend, much like an airline loyalty program. This means that NCL and Carnival’s loyalty programs are quite different in terms of how to reach status.

They are also different in terms of permanence. Once you reach status with NCL, it does not expire. However, status can expire with Carnival Rewards. You need to cruise or have another “eligible qualifying activity” at least once every three years in order to keep your points in Carnival’s program.

Neither cruise line does status matching, but NCL does allow reciprocal status with the other cruise lines in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings fleet (Oceania and Regent Seven Seas) as long as you request it.

Winner: Norwegian Cruise Line, primarily for its simpler points-earning structure that rewards based on nights spent on board and not spend. Plus, perks get really good in the higher tiers, including things like a behind-the-scenes ship tour, free specialty dinners, dinner with officers, and an exclusive Sail & Sustain Mixology Experience. Upon reaching Diamond, guests also receive a one-time free cabin upgrade, and upon reaching the highest tier, Ambassador, loyal passengers are awarded a free seven-day cruise!

Carnival vs. NCL: Which is right for you?

There’s no single cruise line that will be right for everyone. Your needs, demographic, and preferences all come into play when it comes to choosing a cruise line.

Both lines truly excel when it comes to included options, top-deck attractions, private destinations, and beverage programs. But NCL pulls ahead when it comes to specialty dining and accommodations — especially since it offers the luxurious Haven complex while Carnival doesn’t have anything directly comparable. NCL also comes out on top with an easier-to-understand and more rewarding loyalty program, and the value tied to Free at Sea is difficult to top for a mainstream cruise line. In contrast, Carnival offers cheaper overall prices, immersive kids’ clubs that don’t seem like an afterthought, and more sailings within driving distance for American travelers.

With all of that said, both lines are solid choices, especially on their newer ships. It all comes down to what you want out of a cruise vacation.

Choose Carnival if…

• You want the lowest base fare and to be able to drive to the homeport
• You want the the widest variety of casual, all-day included venues
• You’re sailing with kids and want immersive theming like Seuss at Sea
• You love creative, well-themed bars and beer brewed right onboard
• You’re after a fun, high-energy atmosphere from morning till night

Choose Norwegian if…

• You want a true suite experience with The Haven, NCL’s ship-within-a-ship complex
• You’re traveling solo and want a Studio cabin without a steep single supplement
• You want the best all-in value with Free at Sea, which adds a drink package & specialty dining
• You want a round-trip Hawaii cruise, which only Pride of America can offer
• You value NCL’s Freestyle approach to cruising and having more choices

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