I’ve been on over 50 cruises around the world with multiple cruise lines, including many on both Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival.
I actually grew up sailing almost exclusively on Royal Caribbean with my family, but as I got older, I branched out and started exploring other options, beginning with Carnival and Norwegian during high school and college.
My first Norwegian cruise was around the Hawaiian Islands onboard Pride of America, which remains one of the most unique itineraries offered by NCL. Around the same time, my husband and I took our first cruise (of many!) together on Carnival Fantasy during a college spring break trip.
In the years since, I’ve sailed on multiple Carnival cruises across North America and taken several Norwegian Cruise Line sailings around the world, many of which were destination-focused itineraries throughout Europe and Africa.
Sailing both brands at different stages of my life, from my teenage years to college to adulthood, has given me a well-rounded perspective. I’ve experienced everything from their oldest vessels to their newest classes, which has helped me understand how Norwegian Cruise Line vs Carnival truly compare.
With so many ships and itineraries available, it’s natural to wonder which line is the better fit. Here are my honest thoughts about Norwegian Cruise Line vs Carnival Cruise Line based on my firsthand experiences across both fleets.
Overall vibe: Norwegian is more low-key while Carnival is more party-focused
Carnival and Norwegian remain two of the most popular mainstream cruise lines for families and groups traveling together. However, one of the biggest differences between Norwegian Cruise Line vs Carnival is the onboard atmosphere.
Carnival is famously known as the “Fun Ship” brand, and that theme carries throughout the entire cruise. Sailaway parties are loud, events are more energetic, and the pool deck is always busy. Older Carnival ships especially tend to draw younger crowds, spring breakers, and groups looking for a lively, social environment.
On the other hand, Norwegian feels noticeably more relaxed and subdued. Their ships still offer plenty to do, but the pace is calmer and less chaotic, especially on their mid-size and older vessels.
Families will feel comfortable on both lines, but Norwegian’s older ships deliver a more subdued environment compared to Carnival’s older fleet, which naturally attracts partiers and people wanting an energetic vacation.
Itineraries: Norwegian wins for global variety while Carnival focuses on North America
Itinerary variety is another big difference when comparing Norwegian Cruise Line vs Carnival.
Carnival is heavily focused on the North American market for its cruises. Most itineraries will visit the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico, with a few seasonal offerings in Europe, Australia, and Alaska.
Additionally, Carnival strategically sails from many homeports around the United States, including some less popular options like Mobile, Alabama. Most guests drive to their embarkation port, meaning you’ll find a lot of locals aboard your sailing. Carnival cruisers continue choosing the cruise line for convenience, affordability, and short travel time.
Conversely, Norwegian has a much wider international footprint with destination-focused itineraries. While Norwegian offers cruises in North America, the cruise line also offers cruises to Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and the Middle East.
I love Norwegian’s rich itinerary offerings, including long repositionings, unusual port combinations, and destination-forward itineraries that Carnival doesn’t offer.
If I’m choosing a cruise purely for the itinerary, I would almost always prefer Norwegian. But if I want a stress-free trip where I can drive to the port or take a quick weekend getaway, Carnival is the more convenient option.
Pricing: Carnival is cheaper, but Norwegian often has better value
When it comes to pricing for Norwegian Cruise Line vs Carnival, both cruise lines fall under the affordable mass-market category. However, the way they structure their pricing is different.
Carnival usually has the lowest base fares in mainstream cruising, which makes them appealing for budget-conscious travelers.
However, most of Carnival’s add-ons will cost extra. The CHEERS! drink package, for example, generally runs around $59–$70 per person per day before gratuities. Once you add that to the fare, the total cost increases fast, especially on longer sailings.
In contrast, Norwegian Cruise Line offers more perks upfront through its Free at Sea program, which bundles in a drink package, dining credits, internet, and shore excursion credits. You still have to pay gratuities on Norwegian’s drink package, but the total cost is often less than what you’d spend buying Carnival’s drink package separately.
If I’m looking for the absolute cheapest cruise fare, Carnival would be the best option. But if I want a vacation where drinks are included at a reasonable price, Norwegian tends to offer a better overall deal.
Ships and staterooms: Norwegian is better across the board
Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival have large fleets with a range of older, smaller ships with newer, bigger mega-ships. In my experience, the newer vessels can feel like a completely different cruise line than the older ones! In this way, age plays a big role in how the fleets differ so dramatically.
I’ve sailed on some of Norwegian’s oldest cruise ships, and I’ve found they’re surprisingly well-maintained. The older ships feature staterooms with more modern updates and public spaces that are cleaner. The overall condition of Norwegian’s older ships might be better than you expect for their age.
On the flip side, Carnival’s older ships can feel more worn, tired, and outdated. I’ve cruised on some of the oldest ships in Carnival’s fleet, and their cabins and public areas were showing clear signs of age. I will give Carnival credit for adding modern touches like Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and Alchemy Bar on their oldest ships.
Where Carnival shines is in its newest Excel class ships. These are some of the most modern and innovative vessels in Carnival’s history, with redesigned cabins, new neighborhoods, and onboard thrills like BOLT: The Ultimate Roller Coaster and WaterWorks Playground.
In terms of new ships, Norwegian’s newest Prima class ships are smaller with a more stylish, contemporary design. However, I found Norwegian Viva to be very crowded with not enough public space onboard.
If I’m choosing an older ship, I prefer Norwegian. But if I’m sailing on the newest vessels, I wouldn’t mind booking another cruise on Carnival’s Excel class.
Entertainment: Carnival has more variety for entertainment
For Norwegian Cruise Line vs Carnival, both cruise lines offer plenty of entertainment and activities, but the style is different.
Norwegian Cruise Line has historically offered Broadway-style shows, though they’re starting to scale back. Even so, their in-house productions tend to be more polished and theatrical. On the newest ships, you’ll find larger-scale productions, while older ships focus on variety shows and live music with strong performers.
For entertainment, Carnival keeps things very simple, although there is always something happening onboard. Carnival’s Playlist Productions offer short, energetic shows that rely more on lighting and technology than big casts.
Carnival also leans heavily into audience participation with interactive game shows like Family Feud and Deal or No Deal. These game shows are always popular and well-attended by eager cruisers looking to participate!
Comedy is a huge highlight as well, with the Punchliner Comedy Club offering multiple performances each night. While Norwegian’s entertainment feels more upscale, I’d argue that Carnival has better variety for entertainment, even if it’s more casual.
Guest demographics: Norwegian is more subdued while Carnival is more energetic
As we discussed earlier, the onboard vibe on Norwegian Cruise Line vs Carnival is very different. As such, you’ll find different demographics on each cruise line.
In my experience, Carnival attracts younger and more energetic cruisers, especially on short Caribbean cruises and older ships. Families, party groups, and people looking for a social vacation tend to gravitate to Carnival. Of course, the cruise line’s “fun ship” branding is accurate, as Carnival’s cruise ships offer non-stop fun.
On the other hand, Norwegian Cruise Line can draw a slightly older demographic, particularly on longer and more international itineraries. Their vibe is calmer and a bit more laid-back than Carnival.
As two mainstream cruise lines, you might find similar demographics onboard during spring break and holiday seasons. This is especially true for sailings to the Caribbean, with Norwegian and Carnival both attracting a lot of families.
In general, if you want a quieter and calmer environment, Norwegian delivers that more reliably. If you’re someone who loves to hit the nightclub or stay out late partying, then Carnival’s high-energy is a better match.
My honest opinion: I prefer Norwegian Cruise Line
After sailing both cruise lines at different stages of my life, including both older and newer vessels, I’ve realized I naturally gravitate toward Norwegian.
The overall experience feels more balanced and relaxed, especially on their mid-size and older ships. I’m not someone who loves to party, so I appreciate the calmer environment on my vacation.
I also like that Norwegian offers far more destination-focused itineraries, which is how I tend to plan my own travels these days. I book my cruises based on the destinations, so this is very important to me. Norwegian’s expansive selection of itineraries makes it easier to choose cruises based on the ports rather than just the ship.
From a value standpoint, Norwegian’s pricing structure also fits the way I cruise. With the drink package included through Free at Sea pricing, I don’t have to calculate add-ons the same way I do with Carnival.
Don’t get me wrong, Carnival is still a fun, budget-friendly choice for many cruisers. This is especially true for shorter trips, group vacations, and drive-to homeports. But when I’m choosing a cruise for myself based on itineraries, comfort, and overall atmosphere, Norwegian consistently feels like the better fit for the type of travel I enjoy now.
