Cross-Line Megaship Battles
Carnival Celebration vs Norwegian Encore
Carnival Celebration and Norwegian Encore are both modern megaships packed with attractions, but they chase different vibes. Celebration is a larger, high-energy Excel-class ship built for family fun and value, while Encore is Norwegian's polished Breakaway Plus flagship leaning toward a sleeker, more flexible experience.
At a Glance
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Cruise Line
Highlighted rows show where the two differ.
Amenity Differences
Only on Carnival Celebration
- + Adults-Only Area
- + BOLT Roller Coaster
- + Comedy Club
- + Guy's Burger Joint
- + Mini Golf
- + Red Frog Rum Bar
- + Roller Coaster (BOLT)
- + Ropes Course
- + Sports Court
On both
- ✓ Casino
- ✓ Fitness Center
- ✓ Kids Club
- ✓ Pool
- ✓ Spa
- ✓ Specialty Dining
- ✓ Theater & Shows
- ✓ Water Park & Slides
Only on Norwegian Encore
- + Galaxy Pavilion VR
- + Go-Kart Track
- + Laser Tag
- + Observation Lounge
- + Solo Studio Cabins
- + The Haven (Suite Complex)
- + The Haven Suites
- + Virtual Reality Arcade
- + Waterfront Promenade
What Real Travelers Say
Pros and cons from real traveler discussions.
Carnival Celebration
- BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, is a genuinely unique thrill (around $15) and an award-winning signature feature
- Themed zones organize the ship into distinct areas - Celebration Central, Summer Landing, Havana and more
- Food quality surprised many repeat Carnival cruisers, with strong fast-casual options like Guy's Burgers and BlueIguana
- Specialty venues such as Emeril's Bistro and Chibang add variety beyond the included dining
- WaterWorks slides and splash zones keep kids busy for hours, making it strong for families
- With up to 5,374 guests (over 6,600 at full berths), the ship feels consistently busy, often overwhelmingly so
- Public venues strain under the pressure of a full ship, with lines and congestion at peak times
- Elevator and embarkation/debarkation waits are common complaints on the large Excel-class hull
- BOLT costs extra (around $15) and the ride itself is short for the price
- The adults-only Serenity area on Deck 18 feels far from the main pools two decks below
Norwegian Encore
- Largest go-kart track at sea (~1,100 ft, two levels) that extends over the ship's edge — the signature thrill draw
- Broadway-caliber entertainment: Choir of Man and the Tony-winning Kinky Boots are rated among the best shows afloat
- Huge all-weather activity lineup — two waterslides, open-air laser tag, and the Galaxy Pavilion VR/4D/escape-room complex
- Onda by Scarpetta and Cagney's steakhouse repeatedly singled out as top-tier specialty dining
- 2024 refurbishment refreshed staterooms and expanded dining plus adults-only spaces, giving a modern upscale feel
- Heavy nickel-and-diming: go-karts, escape room, specialty dining, drinks, Wi-Fi and spa all cost extra and add up fast
- New $5-per-extra-entrée fee in the main dining rooms (one included entrée per person) drew widespread cruiser backlash
- Feels crowded at ~4,000 guests, with ~10-minute waits for a buffet table on busy Caribbean sailings
- Tight pool deck — loungers packed close together and limited outdoor lounging space
- Inconsistent main-dining and buffet food, often called bland, pushing guests toward paid venues
The Verdict
Both ships deliver a big-ship holiday with go-karts, water features, and standout entertainment, and both earn solid marks from past guests. The core tension is atmosphere and cost. Celebration is roughly a third larger by guest count, with a livelier, more social feel — comedy clubs, game shows, themed lounges, Carnival's beloved BOLT roller coaster, and more dining included in your base fare, which keeps onboard spending down. Encore runs on Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising: no fixed dining times, a more refined and design-forward interior, Broadway-caliber shows, and a slightly more adult, upscale tone — but more of the best venues carry an extra charge. If you want maximum energy and value, Carnival wins; if you want flexibility and polish, Norwegian does.
Choose Carnival Celebration if…
Choose Carnival Celebration if you want a lively, budget-friendly family cruise with lots of included dining, a fun party atmosphere, and a bigger ship's worth of activities.
See Carnival CelebrationChoose Norwegian Encore if…
Choose Norwegian Encore if you prefer dine-anytime flexibility, a sleeker and more grown-up onboard feel, and top-tier production shows, and you don't mind paying extra for premium venues.
See Norwegian Encore