Cruiseable Plan my cruise

Ship comparison

Carnival Horizon vs Norwegian Breakaway

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Carnival Horizon is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 3,960 passengers, in service since 2018. Norwegian Breakaway is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,959 passengers, in service since 2013.

Choose Carnival Horizon if you want a more family-friendly ship, more adventure and nature or more culture: it outscores Norwegian Breakaway for family friendly (10.0 vs 7.0), adventure & nature (6.0 vs 3.0) and cultural (5.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Norwegian Breakaway if you want a better-rated spa and gym, better-rated staterooms or more cruises to choose from: it outscores Carnival Horizon for spa & fitness (8.0 vs 7.0) and staterooms (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 26 cruises on sale (vs 11).

Side by side

Specifications

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

Carnival HorizonNorwegian Breakaway
Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship size Large Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2018 (better) 2013
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2018
Gross tonnage 133,457 144,017
Passengers 3,960 3,959
Crew 1,400 1,595
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.8 2.5 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 33.7 36.4 (better)
Decks 15 18
Length 1,055 ft 1,062 ft
Beam 122 ft 170 ft
Speed 21 mph 25 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 11 26
Upcoming sailings 99 118
Cruise lengths 4–8 nights 4–14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $391 (better) $439

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Horizon leads on 4 of the ten, Norwegian Breakaway on 3, with 3 level.

  • Active Carnival Horizon: 8.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 8.0
  • Adventure & nature Carnival Horizon: 6.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 3.0
  • Cultural Carnival Horizon: 5.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 4.0
  • Dining Carnival Horizon: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 6.2
  • Entertainment Carnival Horizon: 8.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 8.2
  • Family friendly Carnival Horizon: 10.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 7.0
  • Party Carnival Horizon: 10.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 10.0
  • Romantic Carnival Horizon: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 7.0
  • Spa & fitness Carnival Horizon: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 8.0
  • Staterooms Carnival Horizon: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 8.0

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Horizon

Carnival Horizon from Carnival Cruise Line is a bold, sophisticated, gorgeous ship brimming with activities, dining options, and bars and lounges galore. The ship carries 3,936 passengers (double occupancy) and 1,450 crew members — both identical to sister ship Carnival Vista — and it measures the same 133,457 gross registered tons.

Sailing now

11 cruises on sale, from $391.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Breakaway

They call Norwegian Breakaway New York's cruise ship, and it's clear why once you arrive at the port and see the Statue of Liberty painted on the hull. The original work of art is by Peter Max, and the renowned artist did a great job setting the tone for the Big Apple's year-round cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Line.

Highlights

  • The Aqua Park with two pools and four whirlpools
  • Adventure seekers will enjoy the five waterslides
  • Adults-only areas for those seeking peace and quiet
  • Famed New York City celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian brings his restaurant to sea

Sailing now

26 cruises on sale, from $439.

Questions

Carnival Horizon or Norwegian Breakaway?

Which is bigger, Carnival Horizon or Norwegian Breakaway?

Norwegian Breakaway is bigger at 144,017 gross tons, against 133,457 gross tons for Carnival Horizon. Carnival Horizon carries 3,960 passengers and Norwegian Breakaway carries 3,959.

Which ship is newer, Carnival Horizon or Norwegian Breakaway?

Carnival Horizon is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2013 for Norwegian Breakaway.

Which has more space per passenger?

Norwegian Breakaway, with 36.4 gross tons per passenger against 33.7 on Carnival Horizon. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Norwegian Breakaway, with one crew member for every 2.5 passengers against one for every 2.8 on Carnival Horizon.

Which is better for families?

Carnival Horizon scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 10.0 out of 10, against 7.0 for Norwegian Breakaway.

Still deciding?

Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing

Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about Carnival Horizon, Norwegian Breakaway or a ship that suits you better.

Plan my cruise

Compare different ships