[Bell dings] Royal wins.
Yeah!!!
Ahoy there Cruisers!
B: We're going to put two of the biggest cruise lines in the world against each other.
B: Royal Caribbean versus D: Norwegian Cruise Line
D: But first don't forget to subscribe.
B: Okay then.
B: So let's break this down to make it really easy.
We're going to break it into different categories such as;
best ship, best cabin, best entertainment and best value for money.
Then we're going to give them a point each.
So you can either give Norwegian a point or Royal Caribbean a point.
To make this fair, because both lines have new ships and old ships,
we're just going to compare this on the new ships.
So for Royal Caribbean thats the Oasis class and Quantum class.
For Norwegian that's the Escape class.
So the Norwegian Escape, Encore, Bliss, Joy, Getaway and Breakaway.
So let's start with who has the best ship.
Well, Norwegian all together have 16 ships.
Including the older ships and Royal Caribbean comes in at a much bigger fleet of 25 ships.
What we also find, as well, is that we think Royal Caribbean ships always tend to look inwards.
So things such as the Boardwalk area and the Central Park area are through the middle the ship with cabins looking down onto it.
Whereas Norwegian Cruise Line tends to look outwards.
With the wonderful Waterfront area.
Which is the wrap around promenade deck with a bars and restaurants on it.
But then again the Royal Promenade in the center of the ships also really fantastic.
With loads of shops and dining.
So that's something that Norwegian definitely doesn't have.
You can't beat the fact that the Central Park and the Boardwalk areas are fantastic spaces.
Really well themed with the actual live plants and the live -
I was going to say animals but there is no animals!
B: Live Animals! D: [Laughs]
Royal really does pip it with the innovation of what's on their ships.
The water parks on NCL for me are slightly more terrifying with that drop water slide.
They are probably a little bit scarier.
So it's subjective.
It's really hard isn't it to pick who's the best out of this.
In terms of what's on there for kids.
Well they're both very similar for kids clubs.
But we think maybe the new Royal Caribbean ships maybe pip Norwegian Cruise Line for the kids facilities.
Right, shall we vote then
B: [imitates a drum roll]
B: I'm not looking, I'm not looking!
B: Ready? 3, 2, 1...
[Crowd cheering]
B: Oh we both voted for Royal. D: We both voted for Royal.
Yeah they probably a little bit more innovative.
Norwegian Cruise Line however are really catching up fast.
With new things like the motor cart racing track and things like that.
So yeah. Royal or the win I think for the ships.
B: Next category is who has the best cabin. D: Oooooh!
Well let's talk about Norwegian Cruise Line first of all.
So we think these are much better for solo travellers
because they have a lot of Solo cabins on their ships.
Really big areas with the whole solo lounge as well which is fantastic.
I mean that solo lounge it's possibly - I think one of the only ones you get at sea.
It isn't great.
We've had a look in it.
It's a nice big space and it's great to meet other solo cruises like yourself.
There's loads of different categories of cabin.
They don't have the virtual balconies which Royal Caribbean have on most of their new ships.
So that's definitely a plus for Royal.
When it comes to suites Royal Caribbean does have some fantastic sweets.
Probably the most impressive.
With the kids suite and dual duplex Suites
which is dual level which look fantastic.
But what Norwegian do - extra special - is the Haven area
which Royal Caribbean don't.
So this is a separate area for suite guests.
With their own pool, outdoor areas, restaurants and lounges.
It's like a ship within a ship.
But Royal don't do this.
But then Royals still do have perks for their suite guests.
Such as the VIP seating at the shows and the restaurant that's just for suite guests.
Plus the innovative Royal Genie.
Your personal butler that is supposed to anticipate your every needs.
You also get this on Norwegian with the concierge service.
But when it comes to families there is a massive range of cabins on both ships.
But, I do think Norwegian just pips it.
They have some amazing family cabins which sleep up to 5 or 6 people
and have adjoining room cabins which are fantastic.
Something Norwegian has is the spa suites.
These are a standard cabin but with access to the thermal suite on-board.
D: And other spa things like that. B: Thats really good.
So that's an extra added option for cabins.
Shall we have a vote?
3, 2, 1...
D: Norwegian? B: Norwegian!
It has to be Norwegian for them catering for solo travelers
and the amazing suite area with the Haven.
Round 3
So which ships have the best entertainment onboard?
Norwegian Cruise Line has Broadway shows as well as Royal Caribbean cruise line.
On Norwegian you're going to find shows such as "Rock of Ages",
"Kinky Boots", "Jersey Boys" and "Million Dollar Quartet".
And on Royal Caribbean you'll find the Broadway shows
"Mamma Mia", "Cats", "We Will Rock You", "Grease" and more.
So, I think they're the probably just about the same.
It's really tough to to figure out which one's best.
Norwegian Cruise Line has extra shows such as the Cirque show.
But these are in an extra cost.
Which is a little bit - you know - you have paid for your cruise and then it's an extra cost on top of that.
B: Wine Time the musical it's called isn't it? I forgot whats its called.
D: Happy Hour: The Musical B: Happy Hour: The Musical
B: Wine time the musical?
They both have a really good selection of game shows and trivia during the day.
What Norwegian do really well is having comedy clubs onboard which are great.
They have some really good comedy clubs with visiting comedians and visiting acts.
Same with Royal Caribbean.
But I think Norwegian aims a little bit of an older audience with their deck parties.
D: So like the "White Party" B: Oh the deck parties are so fantastic.
They are so much fun. Really elaborate.
You have glow parties, white parties and themed parties.
Really good stuff.
So across the ships you can find loads of music.
We've liked the live bands in the pubs and the bars, solo guitarists, all sorts going on.
What Royal Caribbean do really well
is that they have 2 theaters on the newer ships.
So on the Quantum class and the Oasis class.
The amazing big theater at the front showing those Broadway shows
and at the back you have the aqua theater.
Where they put on spectacular aqua shows with amazing aerialists jumping in the pool.
Obviously on the Quantum class ships you have the same theater, but then you have the 270 at the back.
With the big robot moving arms and those spectacular shows.
B: So, shall we vote then? D: Time to vote!
Let's pick. 3... 2... 1...
[Cheering] [Bell rings]
B: Ooh I can see we picked the same one.
D: Did you pick the same one? B: Yeah, Royal Caribbean.
It's so, so close guys.
I think it JUST has to be Royal Caribbean.
I think the Broadway shows are very similar in the main theaters.
I think they're on a level.
But then, for me, Royal just pips it by having that extra venue.
So having the 270 - 360 - 180...
D: What's it called? B: The 270 theater
B: And the Aquatheater D: Or the Aquatheater
depending on whcih ship you are on.
I think it just gives it that little edge over Norwegian Cruise Line.
Shall we have a go for the next round?
Round number four?
Round number 4.
Let's take a look at who has the best activities onboard.
Let's look at some of the features on Norwegian Cruise Line ships.
On the newer ships you have those amazing go-karts which are just fantastic.
As well as water slides - really thrilling water slides,
climbing walls, child specific pools, laser-tag, outdoor screens, ropes courses, mini-golf
and some fantastic themed parties.
On Royal Caribbean you have the dodgems, the North Star, iFly, FlowRider,
they also have climbing walls and
an ice rink on the ship
which is also a laser-tag arena.
When it comes to innovation we reckon that Royal Caribbean just piping them at the post.
Ooh let's go.
3... 2... 1...
B: We voted the same again. D: Royal Caribbean again.
I think they just pop them to the post.
The RipCord by iFLY and the amazing FlowRider.
The North Star and the zip-line and the Abyss slide.
D: Yeah B: I think they just pip them dont they.
But Norwegian Cruise Line are catching up.
So, shall we do the next round?
Round number five and it's a big one guys.
It's who has the best dining.
Do you wanna talk about Norwegian?
So, they have the freestyle dining concept.
Which means that you can dine wherever you want, with total flexibility and no set time dining.
You do need reservations however for the speciality restaurants
and there are plenty of speciality restaurants to choose from.
With tons of options from Italian to Asian to seafood and everything in between.
We do think they are better for 24-hour around-the-clock dining
with the included pub onboard that's some great food options.
Whilst on Royal Caribbean you do have some places which are open most of the day
Its usually restricted just a pizza or sandwiches.
But with the pub on Norwegian you can order main dishes which is great
especially if you've been partying all night
and what a midnight snack.
So, with Royal Caribbean they have fixed and flexible time dining.
But with the flexible time dining we found that some ship still make you make reservations for a certain time
which kind of goes against the whole flexible thing.
There is a larger choice of speciality on the bigger and newer ships
and reservations are always required for speciality dining just as Norwegian.
What we really like about Norwegian is the alfresco options on The Waterfront.
So you're able to eat outside.
You don't tend to be able to do this with the main speciality restaurants on Royal Caribbean ships.
So that is definitely a pip in Norwegians cap.
Shall we vote?
3... 2... 1...
Norwegian!
Yeah, I think Norwegian.
Both of them are about the same quality through all of their restaurants and buffets.
But we think with the outside dining, that's a definite plus for us.
On the beautiful Waterfront at sunset.
So who has the best value for money?
Now, this is a really important one for us.
Let's talk about Norwegian first of all.
Well, lots of the restaurants and some of the activities are an extra charge.
Just like on both cruise lines.
But what Norwegian do, which is fantastic, is continuously run there "Free at Sea" program.
Now this is where you can pick two or three items, completely for free.
Usually these include the drinks package - which is always worth the most money -
and dining package, Wi-Fi or onboard credit.
where they give you some money you can spend onboard.
So while we're Royal Caribbean don't run the drinks promotion all the time.
They do occasionally offer 30 percent of pre-cruise purchases before you sail
which you can use against the cost of a drinks package.
Especially here in Europe.
We've been looking at some of the prices of cruises
and Royal Caribbean do usually come in a little bit cheaper.
Because I think Norwegian obviously factor in the "Free at Sea" charge at the beginning.
Royal Caribbean don't have as many paid extras on some of their ships as Norwegian do.
All the entertainment, or most of the instrument should say,
is included in the price of your cruise.
With Royal Caribbean you will not find as many discounts as you do with Norwegian when booking
or extra offers like the ones that we mentioned earlier.
B: Oh it's a really tough one this shall we vote? D: Yaaaaas
3... 2... 1....
D: Norwegian B: Yeah
I think it depends on where in the world you are.
I think Norwegian with their "Free at Sea" package is so fantastic I don't think you can go wrong.
Do you?
No, especially if you are a drinker and you do enjoy and use the drinks package
it is going to be the best value for money.
But if you are maybe traveling with a family who's going to be doing all the onboard activities
it could add up.
So maybe Royal is better for you.
So its a tie overall!
Which I think is a really - I think that quite fair
because both of the cruise lines
have massive downsides and have massive upsides.
I think you just merge them both into one cruise ship
taking the best bits from Norwegian and the best bits from Royal Caribbean.
Could you imagine it'd be fantastic!
So an Oasis class ship with the waterfront and that amazing dining.
With the "Free at Sea" as well.
B: Amazing D: Ben's building cruise ships now
B: Im going to build a cruise ship! Ben & David cruise ships.
D: Could you imagine B:Cruising the world!
So guys that it for this episode.
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Big thank you to our cruise captains Amy and Tris!
So that's it till next time.
Happy Cruising!
Dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum,
Smackdown!
It is like bats isn't it!
Royal vs. Norwegian