My Epic Cruise Showdown: Royal Caribbean vs Norwegian - A Family Adventure

As a family that loves to travel, we’ve always been fascinated by the ocean and the adventures cruising offers. Recently, we set sail to compare two of the most popular cruise lines: Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). With so many options available, we wanted to discover which cruise line would provide the best experience for our family. In this blog post, I’ll share our detailed experiences and insights on amenities, dining, Wi-Fi, bars, shows, and ships.

Amenities: A World of Fun Awaits

Both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line offer a wealth of amenities to keep families entertained.

Royal Caribbean is renowned for its innovative ships that feature thrilling options like surf simulators, rock climbing walls, and ice skating rinks. For example, the Oasis-class ships offer a stunning Central Park area filled with over 20,000 real plants, creating a serene nature escape right in the middle of the bustling ship.

In contrast, Norwegian Cruise Line highlights its "Freestyle Cruising" philosophy, allowing for a more laid-back vacation. Their ships include pools, water slides, and exciting ropes courses. One standout is the Aqua Park, where kids can slide down thrilling water slides and enjoy the splash pad, making it a hit during our trip.

While both cruise lines cater well to families, Royal Caribbean's focus on adventure gives it a slight edge in this category.

Dining: A Culinary Journey

Dining plays a vital role in any cruise experience, and both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line offer extensive options to please every palate.

Royal Caribbean impresses with a diverse selection of dining venues, from casual spots to upscale restaurants. During our cruise, we enjoyed the Windjammer Marketplace buffet, which features over 120 dishes worldwide, including everything from Indian curry to Italian pasta. For a special dinner, we reserved a spot at Chops Grille, where the steaks were cooked to perfection; it was rated one of the top specialty dining restaurants in the fleet.

Norwegian Cruise Line also excels with its variety of dining options and a focus on flexibility. We loved the traditional Italian dishes at La Cucina, and the ability to dine at our convenience suited our family's varying schedules. However, note that some specialty restaurants, like Cagney’s Steakhouse, do charge extra, which might affect budget considerations.

Overall, while both cruise lines excel in the dining department, Royal Caribbean’s complimentary options and variety provide a slight advantage.

Wi-Fi: Staying Connected at Sea

In today's digital world, staying connected while cruising is essential for many families. Both Royal Caribbean and NCL offer internet packages, but there are notable differences.

Royal Caribbean provides Voom, claiming to have the fastest internet at sea. We found it reliable enough for streaming videos and posting updates on social media. A plan for the entire cruise cost around $50 per device, which is reasonable given the speed.

Norwegian Cruise Line also has Wi-Fi, but during our experience, it felt slower and less reliable. While it worked fine for emails and browsing, streaming often resulted in buffering issues. Their pricing structure was similar to Royal Caribbean, but we felt Royal Caribbean's service was superior.

If staying connected is important to your family, I recommend choosing Royal Caribbean for its better Wi-Fi service.

Bars: Sip and Savor

After a day packed with activities, unwinding at a bar is essential for many parents. Both cruise lines have a range of bars and lounges with unique vibes.

Royal Caribbean features a variety of bars, from the lively Boleros Latin lounge to the refined Schooner Bar. One highlight was the Bionic Bar, where robotic bartenders mix cocktails with precision. It was a fun spectacle for the whole family, although the kids couldn't enjoy the cocktails!

Norwegian Cruise Line also offers great bar options, including the accessible O'Sheehan's Pub, perfect for a casual drink. The atmosphere here is lively and a great spot to relax after a day of exploring various onboard activities.

While both cruise lines have fantastic bar options, the unique offerings and variety on Royal Caribbean make it a standout.

Shows: Entertainment for Everyone

Evenings on a cruise are meant for enjoyment, and both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line deliver electrifying shows.

Royal Caribbean shines with its Broadway-style productions and high-energy performances. We were amazed by the ice skating shows and the stunning Aqua Theater performances, featuring acrobatics and synchronized swimming. The talent was exceptional and left a lasting impression on our family.

Norwegian Cruise Line also provides diverse entertainment, from live music to comedy shows. While we enjoyed their performances at the theater, they didn’t quite match the scale or variety offered by Royal Caribbean.

When it comes to entertainment, Royal Caribbean clearly stands out with its superior shows and varied options.

Ships: The Floating Cities

Let's now explore the ships themselves. Both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line boast impressive fleets, each with unique features.

Royal Caribbean’s ships are often larger and filled with more amenities. For example, the Oasis-class ships resemble floating cities, complete with shopping, shows, and various dining experiences. We enjoyed visiting different neighborhoods, each with its atmosphere, creating a sense of discovery on board.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships, while slightly smaller, emphasize comfort and relaxation. The layout is more intimate, providing a cozy feel perfect for families seeking a laid-back vacation. We appreciated the friendly onboard atmosphere but felt it lacked the excitement found on Royal Caribbean's larger ships.

In summary, both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line offer fantastic experiences for families. However, based on our adventures, Royal Caribbean outshines NCL in amenities, dining, Wi-Fi, bars, shows, and the overall ship experience.

No matter which cruise line you choose, you are bound to create unforgettable memories on your next family adventure. Happy cruising!