Royal Caribbean vs Virgin Voyages: Which Cruise Line Is Right for You?
Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages present distinct cruising options in selection, pricing, and fleet profile. Royal Caribbean operates a massive fleet of 33 active ships with a typical capacity of 3,885 guests and 3,251 cruises currently on sale. In contrast, Virgin Voyages features a newer fleet of 4 ships averaging a 2023 build year, with 2,770 guests per ship and 438 available sailings. While Virgin Voyages has a higher entry price with its cheapest inside cabin at $410 compared to Royal Caribbean's $199, Virgin averages $154 per night versus Royal Caribbean's $164 over slightly longer trips.
🏁 At a Glance
📊 Head to Head
| Royal Caribbean | Virgin Voyages | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruises on saleHow many upcoming sailings CruiseSheet is tracking | 3,062 | 412 |
| Lowest priceCheapest inside cabin on any sailing | $199 | $357 |
| Typical priceAverage inside-cabin starting price | $894 | $1,053 |
| Price per nightAverage nightly cost — the fairest value yardstick | $156 | $163 |
| Average trip lengthLonger voyages vs. shorter getaways | 5.8 nights | 6.4 nights |
| Ships in fleetActive ships currently sailing | 33 | 4 |
| Typical ship sizeBig-ship amenities vs. a more intimate feel | 3,885 guests | 2,770 guests |
| Largest shipGuest capacity of the biggest vessel | 5,734 guests | 2,770 guests |
| Guest ratingCruiseSheet guest rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Figures are drawn from live CruiseSheet pricing and fleet data and update as new sailings are loaded.
🤔 Which Should You Choose?
Both lines excel according to guest feedback, with Virgin Voyages scoring 4.5 out of 5 and Royal Caribbean earning 4.3 out of 5. Choose Royal Caribbean if you want maximum choice in departures, budget-friendly entry rates starting at $199, or massive resort-style vessels carrying up to 5,734 guests across popular regions like Florida, the Caribbean, and the West Coast. Choose Virgin Voyages if you prefer a modern, adults-only experience on newer ships with an average build year of 2023, slightly lower average nightly rates of $154, longer trips averaging 6.5 nights, and inclusive fares covering tips, Wi-Fi, group fitness, and specialty dining.
💰 Royal Caribbean vs Virgin Voyages: Current Deals
Royal Caribbean
Virgin Voyages
❓ Royal Caribbean vs Virgin Voyages: Common Questions
❓ Which cruise line is cheaper per night?
Virgin Voyages has a lower average price per night at $154 compared to Royal Caribbean at $164. However, Royal Caribbean offers a much lower starting price for its cheapest inside cabin at $199 versus $410 for Virgin Voyages.
❓ How do the ship sizes and fleet choices compare?
Royal Caribbean has a vastly larger fleet of 33 ships with capacities averaging 3,885 guests and reaching up to 5,734 guests. Virgin Voyages operates a smaller fleet of 4 newer ships averaging a 2023 build year, each with a fixed capacity of 2,770 guests.
❓ Which cruise line has a higher guest rating?
Virgin Voyages holds a slightly higher CruiseSheet guest rating of 4.5 out of 5, while Royal Caribbean has a guest rating of 4.3 out of 5.
