Which Mainstream “Resort” Cruise Line Is BEST? Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, or Carnival?

Imagine booking what you think will be your dream cruise on one of the four most popular lines… only to realise within hours of boarding that it’s not for you at all. The atmosphere feels wrong, the crowd isn’t what you expected, the dining doesn’t match your tastes, or the entertainment isn’t your style. Suddenly, that “great deal” becomes an expensive mistake.

I don’t want that to happen to anyone.

That’s why in this guide I compare the world’s four biggest and most mainstream “resort-style” cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Carnival. While they may look similar on paper and all promise big ships, fun atmospheres, and attractive prices, they are very different once on board. And choosing the wrong one can make or break your holiday.

I’ll walk you through what each line does best, where they fall short, how they differ in ships, itineraries, dining, entertainment, fares, cabins, and ultimately who each line is best suited for.

What These Four Cruise Lines Have in Common

Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC Cruises, and Carnival are the world’s four largest cruise lines by passengers carried.

Think of them as the “resort cruise lines” — floating versions of sprawling land resorts where:

The ship is the destination
They carry thousands of guests
There are dozens of dining and entertainment venues
Shows rival Broadway or the West End
Activities run all day and night
And the atmosphere is high-energy and social

They also offer the lowest starting fares in mainstream cruising, sometimes as low as $55 per person per night during off-peak seasons.

But while their top-line similarities make them seem alike, the reality is very different. Let’s break them down.

What Each Cruise Line Is BEST Known For (Good & Bad)

Royal Caribbean

Best Known For:

The world’s biggest and most innovative ships
Surf simulators, zip lines, ice rinks, aquatheatres, and themed neighbourhoods

Biggest Negative:

Some guests find the ships overwhelming, crowded, and noisy

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Best Known For:

“Freestyle cruising” — no fixed dining times or dress codes
Strong entertainment and nightlife
Solo Studio cabins and Solo Lounge
The Haven — a suites-only luxury enclave

Biggest Negative:

Many cruisers feel they are nickel-and-dimed through onboard upcharges

MSC Cruises

Best Known For:

A European/international onboard experience
Very competitive pricing (including Kids Sail Free)
The Yacht Club — a premium ship-within-a-ship at surprisingly low prices

Biggest Negative:

Inconsistent service and food quality, especially for North American tastes
Announcements and activities in up to six languages

Carnival Cruise Line

Best Known For:

“Fun Ships” with a casual, lively, sometimes party-style atmosphere
Very attractive pricing
Crowd-pleasing American comfort food

Biggest Negative:

A reputation for rowdy behaviour on some sailings

Fleet Size & Itinerary Differences

Fleet size and destination variety matter because they directly shape where you can go.

Royal Caribbean

28 ships (largest fleet in this group)
Destinations: Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada/New England, South America
Private destinations: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Labadee, Costa Maya

Royal has the widest global coverage.

Norwegian Cruise Line

19 ships
Destinations: Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America
Private islands: Great Stirrup Cay, Harvest Cay

NCL sails the only year-round Hawaii ship (Pride of America).

MSC Cruises

24 ships, rapidly expanding
Destinations: Mediterranean (core market), Caribbean, Northern Europe, Middle East, South America, Africa
Private island: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

MSC is strongest in Europe but expanding globally.

Carnival Cruise Line

27 ships
Focused heavily on U.S. homeports
Destinations: Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska, Australia

Carnival has the smallest global footprint, mostly sailing shorter, affordable U.S.-based itineraries.

Fare Differences

All four lines advertise low entry-level fares, but key differences exist.

Royal Caribbean

Higher fares than Carnival and MSC, especially on newer ships
Suites (Star Class and Ultimate Family Suite) are priced like ultra-luxury lines

Norwegian Cruise Line

Similar pricing to Royal Caribbean
The Haven suites often match luxury line pricing

MSC Cruises

Usually the cheapest of the four
Kids Sail Free lowers family pricing
Yacht Club often $300–$600 per night — the best value ship-within-a-ship offering

Carnival Cruise Line

Typically the lowest average fares in the Caribbean
Positioned as the budget-friendly American resort line

Cabin Differences

All offer Inside Cabins to Suites, but each has unique strengths.

Royal Caribbean

Widest variety of cabin types
Large multi-storey suites (Ultimate Family Suite)
Virtual Balcony cabins
Many rooms sleeping 5–6 guests for families

Norwegian Cruise Line

Wide range, including many family rooms
Solo Studios + Solo Lounge — great for single travellers
The Haven — a fully private luxury complex

MSC Cruises

Strong for families with many multi-occupancy cabins
Yacht Club includes everything from Inside Cabins to Suites
Best-value premium enclave in mainstream cruising

Carnival Cruise Line

Larger-than-average standard cabins
Fewer suite categories
Many options for families

Dining Differences

All four offer buffets, main dining rooms, and specialty venues, but their styles differ massively.

Royal Caribbean

The best all-rounder for dining variety and consistency. Highlights:

Windjammer Buffet
El Loco Fresh
Izumi
Chop’s Grill
Jamie’s Italian
Wonderland

Norwegian Cruise Line

Most flexible and casual approach to dining. Highlights:

O’Sheehan’s / The Local
Indulge Food Hall
Cagney’s Steakhouse
Le Bistro
Teppanyaki
Food Republic

MSC Cruises

European-influenced menus, strong pizza/pasta.
But: most inconsistent quality and reviews, especially from North Americans.

Carnival Cruise Line

American comfort-food focused. Highlights:

Guy’s Burger Joint
BlueIguana Cantina

Less variety overall but solid for the price.

Entertainment & Activities Differences

Royal Caribbean

The undisputed leader:

Broadway productions
Ice shows
Aqua Theatre
Huge cast sizes
Activities like FlowRider, zip lines, skydiving simulators

Norwegian Cruise Line

Historically strong entertainment & nightlife:

Broadway shows (e.g., Beetlejuice)
Late-night live music
Comedy, game shows, lively bars

MSC Cruises

Weakest entertainment offering:

Shorter shows
Multi-language limitations
Big themed atrium parties instead of traditional trivia or English-language shows

Carnival Cruise Line

Focuses on fun over spectacle:

Comedy clubs
Deck parties
Karaoke
Pool games
Smaller production shows

Who Each Cruise Line Is BEST For

Royal Caribbean

Best for:

Families
Multi-generational groups
Couples and friends who want a “floating theme park”
Active travellers

Norwegian Cruise Line

Best for:

Independent-minded travellers
Night owls
Solo cruisers
Suite guests wanting luxury within a big ship (The Haven)

MSC Cruises

Best for:

Budget-conscious families
Travellers seeking a European or international vibe
Those wanting a premium experience without premium prices (Yacht Club)

Carnival Cruise Line

Best for:

Budget travellers
Fun-seeking couples, groups, and families
Americans wanting short, affordable getaways
People who prefer casual, lively atmospheres

Final Thoughts: Which Line Really Is “Best”?

There is no single best mainstream cruise line — only the best one for you.

Choose Royal Caribbean if you want scale, innovation, and big entertainment.
Choose Norwegian if you want flexible dining, nightlife, and solo options.
Choose MSC if you want low prices, a European feel, or the best-value premium enclave at sea.
Choose Carnival if you want affordable fun, casual good times, and a social atmosphere.

By understanding these differences, you can avoid choosing a line that doesn’t match your expectations — and instead book the best mainstream cruise line that feels like it was designed just for you.