Brandwave

Norwegian Cruise Line vs Viking:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line had more branded searches than Viking among cruise lines worldwide. Norwegian Cruise Line had about 823,000 branded searches, while Viking had 368,000. Norwegian Cruise Line made up 9.6% of all cruise line searches we track, and Viking accounted for 4.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line appeared in three of the five answers and Viking in two. Norwegian Cruise Line was mentioned before Viking in three out of four answers that named either.

Among cruise lines worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Norwegian Cruise Line, about 2 searches for every 1 for Viking

Norwegian Cruise Line 823K searchesViking 368K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Norwegian Cruise Line, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Viking in 2

Norwegian Cruise Line in 3 of 5Viking in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Norwegian Cruise Line, named ahead of Viking in 3 of 4 answers

Norwegian Cruise Line first in 3Viking first in 1

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Top cruise lines in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Norwegian Cruise Line was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Viking was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Norwegian Cruise Line was listed before Viking in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Royal Caribbean1st
  2. Disney Cruise Line2nd
  3. Carnival Cruise Line3rd
  4. Celebrity Cruises4th
  5. Princess Cruises5th
  6. Norwegian Cruise Line6th
  7. Viking7th
  8. MSC Cruises8th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Royal Caribbean5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Disney Cruise Line5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Princess Cruises5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Carnival Cruise Line5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Celebrity Cruises3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Norwegian Cruise Line3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Viking2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MSC Cruises1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about cruise lines

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Norwegian Cruise Line or Viking more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Norwegian Cruise Line and Viking by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight cruise lines we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Viking among cruise lines worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRoyal CaribbeanDisney Cruise LineMSC CruisesCelebrity CruisesNorwegian Cruise LinePrincess CruisesCarnival Cruise LineViking
Oct 202526.8%12.8%14.6%9.8%9.8%12%9.8%4.4%
Nov 202531.5%12.3%14%11.5%11.5%11.5%4.2%3.5%
Dec 202533.5%13.1%14.9%10.1%10.1%10.1%4.5%3.7%
Jan 202629.2%13.3%16%10.6%10.6%10.6%4.8%4.8%
Feb 202629.5%14%16.2%10.8%10.8%10.8%4%4%
Mar 202628.5%15.8%15.6%8.6%10.4%10.4%7%3.8%
Apr 202634.8%13.5%15.6%8.6%8.6%10.4%4.7%3.8%
May 202630%16.7%13.4%9%9%11%6%4.9%
Jun 202625.6%13.6%13.9%9.4%9.4%11.4%11.4%5.1%
Jul 202627.7%14.6%12.3%10.1%8.3%10.1%12.3%4.5%
Aug 202629.7%16.8%13.2%10.8%8.9%10.8%4.9%4.9%
Sep 202632.1%15.2%14.3%9.6%9.6%9.6%5.3%4.3%

How has the Norwegian Cruise Line and Viking comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Norwegian Cruise Line was ahead of Viking in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line’s share of searches among cruise lines worldwide moved from 9.8% to 9.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Viking’s share of searches among cruise lines worldwide moved from 4.4% to 4.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 368K.

How did search popularity change for cruise lines worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line overtook Princess Cruises to rank 5th among cruise lines worldwide, with 9.6% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Viking lost share of searches among cruise lines worldwide, from 4.9% to 4.3%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Norwegian Cruise Line’s and Viking’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Norwegian Cruise Line

1 branded search term

  • norwegian cruise line

Viking

1 branded search term

  • viking cruises

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among cruise lines

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