Comparing Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Brands

As big as the cruise industry is, the majority of its brands are actually controlled by a few larger corporations, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited in one such company that operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

In fact, of the four main cruising lifestyles or categories, Norwegian covers three of them: Norwegian as standard, Oceania as upscale and Regent as luxury. The only segment it does not cover is the premium one occupied by others such as Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited’s Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Corporations’ Holland America Line.

So, with those delineations in mind, just how do Norwegian’s corporate cousins compare?

READ MORE: What Defines Oceania Cruises?

Norwegian Cruise Line

Of the three, Norwegian Cruise Line is the most mainstream and affordable, deploying a total of 14 large to mega ships around the world. In fact, its latest vessel, the Norwegian Escape, ranks as the seventh largest in the world with a capacity of 4,266 passengers.

As a brand, Norwegian is defined as a family-friendly cruise line that truly offers something for everyone. Entertainment offerings include hit shows straight from Broadway, activities are varied from spa relaxation to bowling and dining options are abundant. While there are plenty of restaurants that are included in the cruise fare, Norwegian is sometimes described as all-exclusive for featuring many others that incur a surcharge, but the bottom line is the brand offers tons of choice for guests to spend as little or as much as they want on cuisine.

What makes Norwegian particularly unique is its accommodations.

While the bulk of staterooms are veranda outside-view cabins, The Haven ship-within-a-ship complex on its newer ships presents suite luxuries closer in line with Regent Seven Seas Cruises to a select grouping of guests. Not only do they have access to some of the plushest private rooms onboard, but they also have exclusive access to a courtyard pool, lounge, restaurant, deck spaces and more.

This effectively offers grandparents, say, the opportunity to book a higher category suite with the amenities they might be used to on Oceania Cruises while their children and grandchildren can come along for the ride inexpensively in different categories below, all while the family can enjoy shows and activities together.

Oceania Cruises

Meanwhile, Oceania Cruises is a clear step above Norwegian in regards to fine dining and service on ships that are luxurious without a typical luxury cruise price tag. Far more is included onboard from soft drinks to all specialty restaurants, and vessels are much smaller, accommodating only 684 to 1,250. There’s also a higher percentage of butter-serviced suites onboard Oceania over Norwegian.

READ MORE: What Sets Regent Seven Seas Cruises Apart

It’s a more refined overall experience while still remaining casual in dress, but entertainment is not as lavish nor is there nearly as much to do onboard. Crowds are fewer, though, and getting onboard and off to enjoy featured destinations is more convenient as well.

You might assume that the luxurious Regent Seven Seas Cruises would be yet another step above in every instance, but Oceania actually features better overall dining, although not by much, thanks to the excellent culinary program crafted by Master Chef Jacques Pepin. In regards to variety, there are more dining choices than on Regent but fewer than on Norwegian.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Of course, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is something special, and make no mistake, the food is excellent. The main dining room, Compass Rose, across the Regent fleet offers the greatest customizability of any single menu at sea. Service is escalated to an even finer level onboard as crew-to-guest ratios are highest and all accommodations are suites, many with butlers.

Guest capacities do not exceed 750, and passenger space ratios are high as a result. That is there is more ship volume to go around for each passenger. Attention to detail is stunning everywhere from the spa to the art collection, and production shows more resemble Norwegian’s as all the brands share entertainment resources now.

The Seven Seas Explorer alone is raising the bar even higher for the brand and the luxury market as a whole, and with the most complimentary inclusions, Regent offers an astounding value.

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