Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Radiance
- Cruises
- 6
- From
- $207
Ship comparison
Carnival Radiance vs Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Viva
- Cruises
- 36
- From
- $369
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Radiance is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,984 passengers, in service since 2000. Norwegian Viva is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,223 passengers, in service since 2023.
Choose Carnival Radiance if you want a lower starting fare, better-rated entertainment or more of a party: it outscores Norwegian Viva for entertainment (7.0 vs 6.0) and party (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $207 (vs $369).
Choose Norwegian Viva if you want a newer ship, more space per passenger or more crew per passenger: its maiden voyage was in 2023 (vs 2000), it has 44.2 gross tons per passenger (vs 34.0) and it has a crew member for every 2.1 passengers (vs 2.7).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Radiance | Norwegian Viva | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2000 | 2023 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2021 | — |
| Gross tonnage | 101,509 | 142,500 |
| Passengers | 2,984 | 3,223 |
| Crew | 1,108 | 1,506 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.7 | 2.1 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 34.0 | 44.2 (better) |
| Decks | 13 | 20 |
| Length | 893 ft | 965 ft |
| Beam | 125 ft | 133 ft |
| Speed | 24 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 (better) | 7 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 6 | 36 |
| Upcoming sailings | 223 | 110 |
| Cruise lengths | 3 to 14 nights | 3 to 14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $207 (better) | $369 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Radiance leads on 2 of the ten, Norwegian Viva on 6, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Radiance
Carnival Radiance, formerly Carnival Victory, has been reengineered and reimagined from stem to stern for short jaunts out of Long Beach, Calif., to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico, where cruisers can enjoy beaches, shopping and excursions. The ship debuted in November 2021.
Sailing now
6 cruises on sale, from $207.
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
36 cruises on sale, from $369.
Questions
Carnival Radiance or Norwegian Viva?
Which is bigger, Carnival Radiance or Norwegian Viva?
Norwegian Viva is bigger at 142,500 gross tons, against 101,509 gross tons for Carnival Radiance. Carnival Radiance carries 2,984 passengers and Norwegian Viva carries 3,223.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Radiance or Norwegian Viva?
Norwegian Viva is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2000 for Carnival Radiance.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Viva, with 44.2 gross tons per passenger against 34.0 on Carnival Radiance. 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 2.7 on Carnival Radiance.
Which is better for families?
Norwegian Viva scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Carnival Radiance.
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