Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Freedom
- Cruises
- 19
- From
- $261
Ship comparison
Carnival Freedom vs Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Viva
- Cruises
- 40
- From
- $371
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Freedom is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,980 passengers, in service since 2006. Norwegian Viva is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,223 passengers, in service since 2023.
Choose Carnival Freedom if you want better-rated entertainment, a more active cruise or better-rated staterooms: it outscores Norwegian Viva for entertainment (7.7 vs 6.0), active (8.0 vs 7.0) and staterooms (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Norwegian Viva if you want a more romantic trip, more adventure and nature or a newer ship: it outscores Carnival Freedom for romantic (7.0 vs 2.0) and adventure & nature (5.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2006).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Freedom | Norwegian Viva | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2006 | 2023 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2015 | — |
| Gross tonnage | 110,000 | 142,500 |
| Passengers | 2,980 | 3,223 |
| Crew | 1,150 | 1,506 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 | 2.1 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 36.9 | 44.2 (better) |
| Decks | 13 | 20 |
| Length | 952 ft | 965 ft |
| Beam | 116 ft | 133 ft |
| Speed | 24 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 7 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 19 | 40 |
| Upcoming sailings | 91 | 115 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–15 nights | 3–17 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $261 (better) | $371 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Freedom leads on 4 of the ten, Norwegian Viva on 4, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Freedom
The last Conquest-class ship to be built for Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Freedom is inspired by and pays tribute to decades of the past, so passengers feel as if they are stepping into not only a different place, but a different time entirely.
Highlights
- Splash down the spiraling Twister Waterslide, filled with twists, turns and squeals of thrilled delight from kids and adults alike.
- Guy's Burger Joint, a partnership between Guy Fieri and Carnival, brings all the authentic appeal of a roadside burger shack to the poolside.
Sailing now
19 cruises on sale, from $261.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Viva
The 3,223-passenger Norwegian Viva debuted in July 2023 and sails the Greek Isles and Mediterranean in spring to fall and Caribbean itineraries in winter.
Sailing now
40 cruises on sale, from $371.
Questions
Carnival Freedom or Norwegian Viva?
Which is bigger, Carnival Freedom or Norwegian Viva?
Norwegian Viva is bigger at 142,500 gross tons, against 110,000 gross tons for Carnival Freedom. Carnival Freedom carries 2,980 passengers and Norwegian Viva carries 3,223.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Freedom or Norwegian Viva?
Norwegian Viva is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2006 for Carnival Freedom.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Viva, with 44.2 gross tons per passenger against 36.9 on Carnival Freedom. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Norwegian Viva, with one crew member for every 2.1 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Carnival Freedom.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10.
Still deciding?
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