Royal or Norwegian?

I have been on two very successful and awesome cruises with Royal Caribbean. There really was nothing I wasn't very happy with. But I'm wondering if anyone can give me some of their opinions on Norwegian? Has anyone cruised both and if so which one did you like better? The reason I ask this is I saw an itinerary on Norwegian that I really liked, specifically on the Epic but I have pretty much no information to base my decision on. Just nervous about using a new cruise line! Thanks so much.

We've been on the Epic 3 times - LOVE this ship. I'm not sure how we would like it with different entertainment. We really liked Blue Man Group, Legends, and Cirque du Soleil.

You didn't mention if you are traveling with children. The new Norwegian ships are sooo much fun. Our DD10 likes the NCL ships better than the Oasis and Allure - just more for her age to do.

We don't have any kids and everyone traveling would be in their early 30's. Not crazy party animals but obviously like to have fun. We're more into the activities than we would be sitting around drinking. Would the Epic be good for that age range? And would you consider Norwegian the same "class" of cruise ship as Royal? We were very happy with them, as they weren't Carnival but they weren't Princess, happy medium. Thanks!!

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

If you like more a more formal setting as you have experienced on RCI, then I would stick with them.

NCL is very casual.

We don't have any kids and everyone traveling would be in their early 30's. Not crazy party animals but obviously like to have fun. We're more into the activities than we would be sitting around drinking. Would the Epic be good for that age range? And would you consider Norwegian the same "class" of cruise ship as Royal? We were very happy with them, as they weren't Carnival but they weren't Princess, happy medium. Thanks!!

NCL is like Carnival - but more so when compared with Royal. Very informal, but lively. While I personally much prefer the ambience of HAL, Celebrity or Cunard, for the right itinerary (which is a major reason for choosing), I can see sailing NCL again.

Royal. But if you really like the itinerary and price, Norwegian is OK. It's just when I list out pros and cons of different cruises, I list being an RCI cruise as a pro.

I think of RCCL and NCL as being direct competitors - especially when comparing each company's mega ships (NCL Epic and newer, RCCL Oasis and newer.) Carnival is a bit lower end than either of these. To me, RCCL's mega ships have the organization of a theme park and the spectacular stunt shows to match. NCL's mega ships have the organization of a new Las Vegas Casino Hotel and the casino and spa and new Las Vegas style shows to match. Whereas RCCL is all about flow riders, zip lines, ice skating and rock climbing walls, NCL's mega ships have ropes courses and major water park style water slides, rock wall, bowling alley. They both have the various restaurants, but IMO, NCL does most of them better than RCCL. I've cruised both RCCL and NCL within the past year. Both are good, the feel is different. If you were going for suites, I'd tell you NCL is the line to be on hands down. But if you are going to have a mini-suite or below, they are very much alike in terms of experience. IMO, the buffet on NCL is significantly and drastically better. The Brazilian BBQ on NCL is significantly better than on RCCL. The steakhouse on NCL is probably equal to or slightly better than the steakhouse on RCCL. The Japanese restaurant on RCCL is better than on NCL. The Italian restaurant on RCCL is significantly better than on NCL. The French restaurant on NCL is significantly better than the 150 Central Park. The spa on NCL is significantly better than on RCCL. RCCL's pools are better than on NCL. RCCL has the all adult Solarium which is the best place to hang out on the pool deck on those ships. NCL has 2 adults only areas - Vibe and H2O which cost extra. But again, none of these venues are of any interest to me. I prefer to hang out in the spa on NCL - especially in the water circuit.

I think that both lines are good and you would have a great cruise on either line. It's really more a matter of what you want from your cruise vacation. Both lines have gorgeous ships. Both lines have much to do onboard. We sail both lines interchangeably. The biggest difference to me is on NCL in The Haven. If you can afford a suite in The Haven, then, we're talking about a whole other experience that is really unique and special. If you are just in a regular cabin (mini-suite or below) I think that the cruise will be very similar to what you have experienced on RCCL but with different food and entertainment which can be quite refreshing. A lot of people here are loyal to one cruise line or another. My husband and I tend to try the different cruise lines. All of them have pros and cons, but we've never had a truly awful cruise. I think that NCL is enough like RCCL that you will find some of it familiar, but also will get to enjoy what is unique about NCL.

Welcome to Cruise Critic! :)

We've never found much difference between RCCL and NCL. ;)

LuLu