Royal Caribbean vs Viking:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Royal Caribbean had more branded searches than Viking among cruise lines worldwide. Royal Caribbean had about 2.7 million branded searches, while Viking had 368,000. Royal Caribbean made up 32.1% of all cruise line searches we track, and Viking accounted for 4.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cruise lines, Royal Caribbean appeared in all five answers and Viking in two. Royal Caribbean was mentioned before Viking in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Royal Caribbean, about 7 searches for every 1 for Viking
Who does AI mention more?
Royal Caribbean, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Royal Caribbean, named ahead of Viking in every answer
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Top cruise lines in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Royal Caribbean appeared in all five answers. Viking was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Royal Caribbean was listed before Viking in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cruise line should I book?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cruise lines?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cruise line for a family trip?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cruise lines”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“family cruise line”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Royal Caribbean or Viking more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Royal Caribbean 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.
Share of searches by month for Royal Caribbean, Viking. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Royal Caribbean | Disney Cruise Line | MSC Cruises | Celebrity Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line | Princess Cruises | Carnival Cruise Line | Viking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 26.8% | 12.8% | 14.6% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 12% | 9.8% | 4.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 31.5% | 12.3% | 14% | 11.5% | 11.5% | 11.5% | 4.2% | 3.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.5% | 13.1% | 14.9% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 4.5% | 3.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 29.2% | 13.3% | 16% | 10.6% | 10.6% | 10.6% | 4.8% | 4.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 29.5% | 14% | 16.2% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 4% | 4% |
| Mar 2026 | 28.5% | 15.8% | 15.6% | 8.6% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 7% | 3.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 34.8% | 13.5% | 15.6% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 10.4% | 4.7% | 3.8% |
| May 2026 | 30% | 16.7% | 13.4% | 9% | 9% | 11% | 6% | 4.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 25.6% | 13.6% | 13.9% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 5.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.7% | 14.6% | 12.3% | 10.1% | 8.3% | 10.1% | 12.3% | 4.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 29.7% | 16.8% | 13.2% | 10.8% | 8.9% | 10.8% | 4.9% | 4.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.1% | 15.2% | 14.3% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 5.3% | 4.3% |
How has the Royal Caribbean and Viking comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Royal Caribbean was ahead of Viking in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Royal Caribbean’s share of searches among cruise lines worldwide moved from 26.8% to 32.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2M to 2.7M.
- 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
In September 2026, Royal Caribbean gained share of searches among cruise lines worldwide, from 29.7% to 32.1%.
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 Royal Caribbean’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.
Royal Caribbean
1 branded search term
- royal caribbean
Viking
1 branded search term
- viking cruises
Other head-to-heads among cruise lines
- Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise Line: compare popularity
- Royal Caribbean vs MSC Cruises: compare popularity
- Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity Cruises: compare popularity
- Royal Caribbean vs Norwegian Cruise Line: compare popularity
- Disney Cruise Line vs MSC Cruises: compare popularity
- Disney Cruise Line vs Celebrity Cruises: compare popularity
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.