If you’re considering a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line or Carnival Cruise Line, you’re looking at two big-ship brands offering lots of onboard activities and attractions at an affordable price.
The two highly popular cruise lines operate fleets of megaships with facilities you would expect to find at a resort, such as casinos, pools, restaurants, live entertainment, fancy spas and lots of bars.
Both lines offer something for everyone. Couples, seniors, solo travelers and families with kids come on board for a lively roster of activities and some “wow” attractions. Both lines focus much of their attention on fun-in-the-sun itineraries in the Bahamas and Caribbean, sailing from U.S. ports. Norwegian also has the only ship that sails year-round in the Hawaiian Islands.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Let’s compare Norwegian vs. Carnival to see what they have in common, and what they don’t, to help you find the cruise that’s right for you.
Size of ships
Norwegian Cruise Line‘s 19 ships carry from just over 1,900 passengers (small by megaship standards) to around 4,200 passengers. The line is not trying to win the size war (Royal Caribbean, for instance, has ships that top 6,000 passengers) but has plenty of excitement on board. For example, some of the latest Norwegian ships are topped by multilevel go-kart racetracks, ropes courses and laser tag arenas.
Carnival Cruise Line‘s larger fleet has several 2,100-passenger ships, though most Carnival ships carry 3,000 to 4,000 passengers. The latest ships — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee (debuting December 2023) — have a passenger capacity topping 5,200. Those ships are topped by real roller coasters, an industry first.
Mardi Gras also debuted in 2021 as the first ship in North America to operate on cleaner burning Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which reduces the ship’s output of carbon. Carnival Celebration and Jubilee, as well as Norwegian’s newest ships, Norwegian Prima and Viva, operate on LNG as well.
Related: Cruise ship classes explained: Norwegian Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Cabins and suites
Cabin choices abound on both cruise lines, but Norwegian is particularly innovative in this realm and, in some ways, Carnival is playing catch-up with its rival.
On the upper decks of several Norwegian ships is The Haven, akin to a boutique hotel located within the larger ship. Suite guests receive exclusive access to the gated complex, where they can escape the crowds elsewhere on the ship in their own private oasis with its own restaurant, lounge, pool and sundeck. The decor of the suites has a contemporary flair that matches the fancy surroundings. Haven passengers are, of course, free to roam the entire ship and enjoy all its attractions.
Another area where Norwegian gets particularly creative is in accommodations for travelers cruising solo. Studio cabins are designed for one, with mood lights and other features that make the inside accommodations seem more spacious than they are. The benefit here is single-occupancy pricing and a private lounge for socializing with other solo passengers.
Also on select ships are cabins specifically designed for families (near kids’ play areas). The fleet’s spa cabins are disappearing in 2024 to make room for more solo cabins.
Carnival tops Norwegian, and other competitors, with the largest standard cabins in the industry. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the line has taken a deep dive into suites on its latest ships, creating impressive accommodations with their own outdoor plunge pools, plus a private sundeck for suite guests.
Select ships have special Family Harbor cabins and suites that come with the benefit of a shared family lounge. Havana Suites are accommodations designed for sun-worshippers; these come with daytime access to a private pool area. Spa accommodations feature easy access to the spa and special amenities.
Related: Everything you wanted to know about cruise ship cabins and suites: Carnival | Norwegian
Food and drink
Carnival has long managed to have some of the tastiest food at sea, including extra-fee specialty dining venues. Favorites include JiJi’s for authentic Asian cuisine and the various steakhouses for a date-night splurge.
You don’t have to pay a cent extra for many of Carnival’s mouthwatering restaurants. Decadent poolside burgers by Food Network star Guy Fieri are a particular passenger favorite, but you can also find complimentary tacos and burritos, as well as crispy crust pizza.
The Carnival chefs are not afraid of titillating tastebuds with flavor; if you like Indian cuisine, request it from your dining room waiter and you are in for a treat. On select ships, Carnival offers barbecue by Guy Fieri (free for lunch, extra cost for dinner) and pairs it with beer brewed right on board. Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee tout New Orleans bistros by Emeril Lagasse.
Fun bars also abound. At Carnival’s Alchemy Bar, patrons fill out a prescription pad of their favorites, and bartenders “prescribe” a special concoction. On Mardi Gras, molecular drinks smoke and otherwise impress at The Fortune Teller bar, and Carnival Celebration features a menu of throwback drinks to celebrate the cruise line’s 50th anniversary.
Norwegian’s “Freestyle Cruising” dining concept skips giant main dining rooms with assigned tables and dining times in favor of multiple restaurants, where you can eat whenever you want. However, many of these eateries cost extra and require reservations. Foodies don’t mind paying for the upgrade in meals; look for dining packages to keep costs in check.
Norwegian is all about giving its guests choices, and its newest ships boast more than two dozen dining options. Free eats include smaller dining rooms, pubs with grub and buffets, while splurges include steak, Asian, French and Brazilian venues. NCL’s newest ships feature fan favorite Indulge Food Hall, with nearly a dozen food outlets serving a range of American and international dishes (most without an upcharge).
The line also shines when it comes to outdoor dining with views. Indoors, Skyy Ice Bars are a kitschy attraction for those who don’t mind bundling in a parka to enjoy vodka on ice.
Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining
Kids activities
Both cruise lines have well-established drop-off kids programming that takes place in dedicated play areas and cool hangout spaces. Youth counselors lead age-appropriate activities such as arts and crafts, movies, and sports, or let kids veg out with video games and movies. (In the meantime, grownups can get a break from parenting and enjoy the spa or a drink by the pool.)
Carnival’s Camp Ocean program caters to kids ages 2-11 (with an emphasis on marine-themed activities that are fun and educational), while Circle C and Club O2 are its cool clubs for tweens and teens, respectively. The line has partnered with Dr. Seuss to offer libraries of kids’ books, story times and parades with the author’s beloved characters, and a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, hosted by The Cat in The Hat, that’s fun for all ages. (Breakfast does incur a nominal fee.)
Norwegian’s Splash Academy keeps kids ages 5-12 happy with all the usual creative games and crafts, plus a Circus School. Teens ages 13-17 make friends at Entourage (on most ships), where they can play the latest video games, dance at evening parties or just chill out in comfy seating areas.
Related: 5 best cruise lines for families
Onboard attractions
Would you rather race on a go-kart track or push turbo for a faster ride on a roller coaster? Those are the top attractions on the newest five ships of Norwegian and the three newest ships of Carnival, respectively. These active floating playgrounds offer supercharged indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.
In addition to BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea on Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, Carnival has its WaterWorks water parks with exciting waterslides. Depending on the ship, you might also find outdoor ropes courses where you can walk a plank off the ship (while in a harness), an elevated recumbent bike you can pedal around a track, minigolf, Imax theaters and indoor trampoline parks.
Norwegian matches Carnival with a ropes course on select ships, complete with The Plank. It also goes hi-tech with its Galaxy Pavilion, full of virtual reality gaming and experiences. Look for Aqua Parks equipped with racing slides, full-size basketball courts, escape rooms, augmented reality laser tag, minigolf and bowling. The new 3,250-passenger Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva feature a first for the line — a pair of 10-story free-fall thrill slides.
Related: The wildest attractions you’ll find on a cruise ship
Entertainment
Both lines excel in entertainment, though they take different approaches.
Norwegian Cruise Line signs Broadway and West End shows for slightly shortened shipboard productions, creates its own shows and searches around the world for interesting acts. You can catch productions of such popular shows as “Beetlejuice” and “Six,” as well as the super-fun pub show “The Choir of Man” and Latin dance show “Burn the Floor.”
Adults can pay extra for shows themed around wine or prohibition cocktails; kids aren’t allowed because the fun comes with drinks. Comedy, improv and themed parties are all favorites of the late-night crowd.
Comedy is front and center in Carnival’s entertainment lineup. The cruise line’s Punchliner Comedy Clubs host more than 27,000 live performances a year, which makes Carnival the largest employer of comics in the world. It also wins the live music battle and puts together its own bands — whether jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, show band or classical.
You won’t find Broadway here, but Carnival does create its own high-tech shows called Playlist Productions. These feature singers and dancers and familiar tunes but are purposely limited to 35- to 45-minute performances.
Both lines offer a roster of games and contests tied to popular TV shows. Carnival has shipboard versions of “Deal or No Deal” and “Family Feud,” while Norwegian runs “Wheel of Fortune” and “The Price is Right” games (complete with prizes).
Both lines recruit performers from around the world and have their own Florida studios where the singers, dancers and musicians rehearse.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Who is on board?
Carnival strives to offer affordable and fun cruises for everyone. The family-friendly ships are casual and carefree; the crowd is mostly American, with both couples and families on board. Carnival cruisers stay up late to take advantage of the casinos, dance clubs and late-night themed parties.
Carnival fares are also among the lowest in the Bahamas and Caribbean, and the line sails from multiple U.S. home ports, making its cruises accessible to a vast pool of vacationers.
Norwegian’s “Freestyle Cruising” attracts all ages, from kids to seniors, who prefer the casual, less traditional onboard vibe. No one is forcing a dress code here; you can get dolled up for date night or stick with jeans for a casual dinner. On cruises from the U.S., the crowd is mostly from North America.
Norwegian’s prices are typically higher than Carnival’s cruise fares, but often include a list of pick-your-own value-added perks, such as free drinks, Wi-Fi or shore excursion credit as part of the line’s ongoing Free at Sea promotion.
When comparing prices on the two lines, it’s important to consider what is included and what is not.
Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Itineraries
Norwegian has the bulk of its ships in North America but also sails to destinations around the world. Carnival sticks closer to North America.
Carnival ships cruise the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Canada/New England, Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera from convenient drive-to ports along the U.S. coast. For instance, you can sail to Cabo from Long Beach or Cozumel from New Orleans.
The line also offers limited sailings in Europe. Plus, Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor offer seasonal and year-round cruises, respectively, from Sydney and Brisbane around Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Norwegian is the only cruise line with a ship — the American-flagged Pride of America — that is based in Hawaii year-round. Norwegian focuses much attention on the Caribbean and Bahamas, Alaska, New England and Canada, the Mexican Riviera and Bermuda. The line offers popular, affordable sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles. Other destinations include Northern Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and South America.
Related: Best destinations to visit on a cruise: Norwegian Cruise Line | Carnival Cruise Line
Bottom line: Carnival vs. Norwegian Cruise Line
As a first-time cruiser you can’t go wrong with either line. Pick Norwegian Cruise Line if you are looking for innovative onboard attractions and a contemporary take on casual cruising. Choose Carnival if you want great food and a “Fun Ship” experience in a casual environment at an affordable price.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
