Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Aqua
- Cruises
- 15
- From
- $299
Ship comparison
Norwegian Aqua vs Royal Princess
Princess Cruises
Royal Princess
- Cruises
- 61
- From
- $294
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Norwegian Aqua is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,571 passengers, in service since 2025. Royal Princess is a large Princess Cruises ship carrying 3,560 passengers, in service since 2013.
Choose Norwegian Aqua if you want a newer ship, more adventure and nature or more crew per passenger: it outscores Royal Princess for adventure & nature (5.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its maiden voyage was in 2025 (vs 2013) and it has a crew member for every 2.6 passengers (vs 3.0).
Choose Royal Princess if you want more of a party, better-rated staterooms or more culture: it outscores Norwegian Aqua for party (6.0 vs 2.0), staterooms (10.0 vs 7.0) and cultural (8.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Norwegian Aqua | Royal Princess | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Norwegian Cruise Line | Princess Cruises |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2013 |
| Gross tonnage | 142,500 | 142,229 |
| Passengers | 3,571 | 3,560 |
| Crew | 1,388 | 1,200 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 (better) | 3.0 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 39.9 | 40.0 (better) |
| Decks | 20 | 19 |
| Length | 962 ft | 1,083 ft |
| Beam | 133 ft | 126 ft |
| Speed | 28 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 15 | 61 |
| Upcoming sailings | 139 | 102 |
| Cruise lengths | 2–7 nights | 3–36 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $299 | $294 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Norwegian Aqua leads on 2 of the ten, Royal Princess on 4, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Aqua is Norwegian Cruise Line’s next-generation Prima Plus class ship — a more family-friendly evolution of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva ... and 10% larger in size and capacity.
Sailing now
15 cruises on sale, from $299.
Princess Cruises
Royal Princess
Royal Princess remains one of the jewels of the Princess Cruises line. Features include an expanded atrium with additional entertainment and casual dining options, a top deck pool with a water and light show, an enhanced Movies Under the Stars screen and the new SeaWalk with views 128 feet straight down.
Highlights
- Balconies on all outside staterooms
- Expanded atrium with additional entertainment and casual dining options
- Uper-deck pool exclusively for adults, featuring plush private cabanas
- The SeaWalk & SeaView Bar — a first-of-its-kind enclosed walkway extending from the ships top deck and a port side cantilevered bar, each with glass floors and sweeping ocean views
Sailing now
61 cruises on sale, from $294.
Questions
Norwegian Aqua or Royal Princess?
Which is bigger, Norwegian Aqua or Royal Princess?
Norwegian Aqua is bigger at 142,500 gross tons, against 142,229 gross tons for Royal Princess. Norwegian Aqua carries 3,571 passengers and Royal Princess carries 3,560.
Which ship is newer, Norwegian Aqua or Royal Princess?
Norwegian Aqua is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2013 for Royal Princess.
Which has more space per passenger?
Royal Princess, with 40.0 gross tons per passenger against 39.9 on Norwegian Aqua. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Norwegian Aqua, with one crew member for every 2.6 passengers against one for every 3.0 on Royal Princess.
Which is better for families?
Norwegian Aqua scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 7.8 for Royal Princess.
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