Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian
Choose Royal Caribbean when the ship is the reason for the trip, and Norwegian when a packaged fare's drinks and Wi-Fi are the part you will use. Both standard fares leave drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities extra.
It’s All Cruises · October 25, 2026
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are both mainstream lines, and the week still depends on the ship and the fare name. A standard fare on either line includes the main shows and a kids' club. Norwegian's Free at Sea column is the one that changes drinks and Wi-Fi.
Quick facts
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean founded | 1968, Miami, Florida |
| Norwegian founded | 1966, Miami, Florida |
| Inclusions checked | September 20, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean fleet size | Not listed |
| Norwegian fleet size | Not listed |
| Kids' clubs | Included on both standard fares |
Standard fare against Free at Sea
| Item | Royal Caribbean standard | Norwegian cruise only | Norwegian Free at Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main shows | Included. Main productions; lineup varies by ship | Included. Main shows; separately priced activities excluded | Included. Main shows; separately priced activities excluded |
| Kids' club | Included. Adventure Ocean youth programme | Included. Scheduled youth programmes; age and session rules apply | Included. Scheduled youth programmes; age and session rules apply |
| Specialty dining | Extra. Main dining and selected casual venues included | Extra | Partly. 1-4 meals according to cruise length |
| Soft drinks | Extra. Water, tea and selected juices included | Extra | Included. With selected beverage package |
| Beer and wine | Extra | Extra | Partly. Selected beers and wines; package gratuities extra |
| Premium drinks | Extra | Extra | Partly. Eligible spirits and cocktails; exclusions apply |
| Wi-Fi | Extra. VOOM sold separately | Extra | Partly. 150 minutes per guest, one device |
| Gratuities | Extra. Daily service charge added separately | Extra. Daily service charge separate unless a specific offer includes it | Extra. Daily service charge separate unless a specific offer includes it |
| Shore excursions | Extra | Extra | Partly. US$50 per eligible tour for guest 1 |
Ships with recorded specs
| Ship | Class | Built | Refurbished | Gross tonnage | Guests (double) | Space ratio | Crew ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icon of the Seas | Icon | 2024 | Not listed | 250,800 | 5,610 | 44.7 | 2.39 |
| Star of the Seas | Icon | Not listed | Not listed | 248,663 | 5,610 | 44.3 | 2.39 |
| Allure of the Seas | Oasis | Not listed | Not listed | 225,282 | 5,718 | 39.4 | 2.72 |
| Norwegian Encore | Not listed | 2019 | 2024 | 169,116 | 3,958 | 42.7 | 2.28 |
| Norwegian Bliss | Breakaway Plus | 2018 | 2025 | 168,028 | 4,010 | 41.9 | 2.34 |
Put a week under each name
- Icon of the Seas: 250,800 gross tons, 5,610 guests double occupancy, 20 restaurants, 15 bars, space ratio 44.7, built 2024. Specs source date is Not listed.
- Norwegian Encore: 169,116 gross tons, 3,958 guests, space ratio 42.7, built 2019, refurbished 2024. Restaurants, bars and pools are Not listed.
- 7-Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day on Allure of the Seas, 7 nights: $880 starting cruise fare, as of October 4, 2026. Ports: Miami, Florida, Perfect Day CocoCay, Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
- 7-Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day on Star of the Seas: $1,259 starting cruise fare, as of October 4, 2026. Ports: Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida, Perfect Day at Cococay, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
- Mexican Riviera: Cabo San Lucas & Puerto Vallarta on Norwegian Encore: $379 starting cruise fare, as of October 25, 2026. Ports: Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta.
- Free at Sea is optional. If you compare cruise-only with cruise-only, drinks and Wi-Fi are extra on both lines.
Fares are marketing prices, confirmed when you book. A venue count on Icon is not a venue count for Allure or for a Norwegian ship.
Frequently asked questions
Is Norwegian always the packaged fare and Royal Caribbean always cruise only?
No. Norwegian sells cruise only, Free at Sea and Free at Sea Plus. Royal Caribbean's recorded column here is the standard fare. Compare the column you will buy.
Do both include a kids' club?
Yes. Royal Caribbean names Adventure Ocean. Norwegian includes scheduled youth programmes, with age and session rules.
Which recorded ship has the higher space ratio?
Norwegian Joy lists 44.4. Icon of the Seas lists 44.7. Norwegian Encore lists 42.7. Higher means more tonnage per double-occupancy guest, not a quieter pool.
Are shore excursions included?
They are extra on Royal Caribbean standard and Norwegian cruise only. Free at Sea contributes US$50 per eligible tour for guest 1.
Explore upcoming sailings
These are separate trips, not a like-for-like price test. Compare dates, nights, cabin type and fare inclusions. Displayed fares are marketing prices, confirmed when you request a quote.
Royal Caribbean
3-Night Bahamas & Perfect Day · Oasis of the Seas
Next departure 11/13/2026
From $507 per person across available departures · Checked 10/4/2026
View dates and request a quote →
3-Night Ensenada · Ovation of the Seas
Next departure 11/13/2026
From $333 per person across available departures · Checked 10/4/2026
View dates and request a quote →
Norwegian Cruise Line
Caribbean: Harvest Caye, Cozumel & Roatan · Norwegian Luna
Next departure 11/14/2026
From $379 per person across available departures · Checked 11/12/2026
View dates and request a quote →
Bermuda: Royal Naval Dockyard · Norwegian Pearl
Next departure 11/14/2026
From $649 per person across available departures · Checked 11/11/2026
View dates and request a quote →
Filed under first cruise