Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Valor
- Cruises
- 17
- From
- $298
Ship comparison
Carnival Valor vs Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Viva
- Cruises
- 40
- From
- $371
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Carnival Valor is a large Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 2,980 passengers, in service since 2004. Norwegian Viva is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,223 passengers, in service since 2023.
Choose Carnival Valor if you want better-rated entertainment, better-rated staterooms or more of a party: it outscores Norwegian Viva for entertainment (7.6 vs 6.0), staterooms (8.0 vs 7.0) and party (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 Valor 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 2004).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Carnival Valor | Norwegian Viva | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Carnival Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2004 | 2023 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2021 | — |
| Gross tonnage | 110,000 | 142,500 |
| Passengers | 2,980 | 3,223 |
| Crew | 1,180 | 1,506 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.5 | 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 | 17 | 40 |
| Upcoming sailings | 94 | 115 |
| Cruise lengths | 4–14 nights | 3–17 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $298 (better) | $371 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Valor leads on 3 of the ten, Norwegian Viva on 5, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Valor
Hosting more than 3,000 passengers when fully booked, Carnival Valor features a heroes and heroics theme as it calls on sand-filled, sun-soaked ports in the Caribbean and Bahamas.
Highlights
- Laughing at jokes in the Punchliner Comedy Club
- Splishing and splashing on the Twister Waterslide
- Singing along at the onboard Piano Bar
- Tasting gourmet treats at the Chef's Table
Sailing now
17 cruises on sale, from $298.
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 Valor or Norwegian Viva?
Which is bigger, Carnival Valor or Norwegian Viva?
Norwegian Viva is bigger at 142,500 gross tons, against 110,000 gross tons for Carnival Valor. Carnival Valor carries 2,980 passengers and Norwegian Viva carries 3,223.
Which ship is newer, Carnival Valor or Norwegian Viva?
Norwegian Viva is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2023 against 2004 for Carnival Valor.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Viva, with 44.2 gross tons per passenger against 36.9 on Carnival Valor. 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 2.5 on Carnival Valor.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10.
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 Valor, Norwegian Viva or a ship that suits you better.