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Ship comparison

Carnival Glory vs Norwegian Viva

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Carnival Glory is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,980 passengers, in service since 2003. Norwegian Viva is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,223 passengers, in service since 2023.

Choose Carnival Glory if you want better-rated entertainment, a lower starting fare or better-rated staterooms: it outscores Norwegian Viva for entertainment (7.6 vs 6.0) and staterooms (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $238 (vs $371).

Choose Norwegian Viva if you want a more romantic trip, more adventure and nature or a newer ship: it outscores Carnival Glory 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 2003).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Carnival GloryNorwegian Viva
Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship size Large Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2003 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 26 mph 26 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 7 / 10 7 / 10
Cruises on sale 7 40
Upcoming sailings 123 115
Cruise lengths 3–5 nights 3–17 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $238 (better) $371

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Glory leads on 3 of the ten, Norwegian Viva on 5, with 2 level.

  • Active Carnival Glory: 6.0 Norwegian Viva: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Carnival Glory: 2.0 Norwegian Viva: 5.0
  • Cultural Carnival Glory: 6.0 Norwegian Viva: 6.0
  • Dining Carnival Glory: 5.5 Norwegian Viva: 7.0
  • Entertainment Carnival Glory: 7.6 Norwegian Viva: 6.0
  • Family friendly Carnival Glory: 9.0 Norwegian Viva: 9.0
  • Party Carnival Glory: 8.0 Norwegian Viva: 7.0
  • Romantic Carnival Glory: 2.0 Norwegian Viva: 7.0
  • Spa & fitness Carnival Glory: 6.0 Norwegian Viva: 7.0
  • Staterooms Carnival Glory: 8.0 Norwegian Viva: 7.0

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Glory

There's an entire palette of fun spots and activities you'll find on board Carnival Glory. A rainbow of salsa options for dressing up your tacos and burritos awaits at the very tasteful BlueIguana Cantina, while Guy's Burger Joint serves up burgers designed by the colorful personality himself: celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

Highlights

  • Laughing at the comedy acts performed in The Punchliner Comedy Club
  • Dive-in movies at the Seaside Theatre
  • Relaxation at Spa Carnival

Sailing now

7 cruises on sale, from $238.

Questions

Carnival Glory or Norwegian Viva?

Which is bigger, Carnival Glory or Norwegian Viva?

Norwegian Viva is bigger at 142,500 gross tons, against 110,000 gross tons for Carnival Glory. Carnival Glory carries 2,980 passengers and Norwegian Viva carries 3,223.

Which ship is newer, Carnival Glory or Norwegian Viva?

Norwegian Viva is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2003 for Carnival Glory.

Which has more space per passenger?

Norwegian Viva, with 44.2 gross tons per passenger against 36.9 on Carnival Glory. 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 Glory.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10.

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