Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Horizon
- Cruises
- 11
- From
- $391
Ship comparison
Carnival Horizon vs Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Joy
- Cruises
- 54
- From
- $284
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Horizon is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 3,960 passengers, in service since 2018. Norwegian Joy is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,900 passengers, in service since 2017.
Choose Carnival Horizon if you want a more family-friendly ship or more of a party: it outscores Norwegian Joy for family friendly (10.0 vs 7.0) and party (10.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Norwegian Joy if you want more adventure and nature, a more active cruise or more space per passenger: it outscores Carnival Horizon for adventure & nature (10.0 vs 6.0) and active (10.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 41.8 gross tons per passenger (vs 33.7).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Horizon | Norwegian Joy | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2018 (better) | 2017 |
| Gross tonnage | 133,457 | 163,000 |
| Passengers | 3,960 | 3,900 |
| Crew | 1,400 | 1,730 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.8 | 2.3 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 33.7 | 41.8 (better) |
| Decks | 15 | 18 |
| Length | 1,055 ft | 1,069 ft |
| Beam | 122 ft | 136 ft |
| Speed | 21 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 11 | 54 |
| Upcoming sailings | 99 | 106 |
| Cruise lengths | 4–8 nights | 3–17 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $391 | $284 (better) |
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 2 of the ten, Norwegian Joy on 5, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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 Joy
Launched in April 2017, Norwegian Joy is one of the most innovative and technologically advanced ships to date from Norwegian Cruise Line.
Sailing now
54 cruises on sale, from $284.
Questions
Carnival Horizon or Norwegian Joy?
Which is bigger, Carnival Horizon or Norwegian Joy?
Norwegian Joy is bigger at 163,000 gross tons, against 133,457 gross tons for Carnival Horizon. Carnival Horizon carries 3,960 passengers and Norwegian Joy carries 3,900.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Horizon or Norwegian Joy?
Carnival Horizon is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2017 for Norwegian Joy.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Joy, with 41.8 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 Joy, with one crew member for every 2.3 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 Joy.
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