Norwegian Cruise Line Ships By Size & Age Fleet Comparison

Table Of Content

• Norwegian Prima
• CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHTS
• Norwegian Dawn – 2002
• Dawn Class
• STATEROOMS

Norwegian appeals to vacationers who want a big-resort experience at sea with lots of options for dining and entertainment. In that, it's similar to Royal Caribbean — perhaps its closest competitor. Norwegian Cruise Line’s first cruise ship was the MS Sunward, which it acquired in 1966. Each class features similar designs, features, and amenities, with slight differences between sister ships. We’ll compare Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by size, age, and class to help you decide which vessel is right for your next cruise vacation. Whichever you choose, know that Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet is designed to create the perfect balance between relaxation, excitement, and discovery for your ocean getaway.

Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Getaway is the second ship in the Breakaway Class. She is 145,655 GRTs and carries 3,963 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship’s mural on the hull was designed by David “LEBO” Le Batard. Known as Lebo in the art world, he is recognized for working in a wide spectrum of creative mediums, including murals, paintings & sculptures. Norwegian Encore is the largest Norwegian Cruise Line fleet ship at 169,116 GRTs. She carries 3,998 passengers (based on two per cabin) and is the last ship built the Breakaway Plus Class.

CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHTS

From exhilarating go-kart racetracks to peaceful spa retreats, the Norwegian Joy has something for everyone. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway-class ships have the best water slides with five multi-storey slides to enjoy. The oldest ship in the fleet, this mid-sized cruise ship has the capacity for 2,018 guests at double occupancy and an internal volume of 75,904 gross tonnes. Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest ships aren’t that big when compared to the biggest ships from other cruise lines.

Norwegian Dawn – 2002

As part of NCL’s Prima Class, it can accommodate a full capacity of 5,596 passengers, including 3,950 vacationers and 1,388 staff members. With 1,646 staterooms, the Norwegian Prima is sure to provide an incredible cruise experience for all who come aboard. Get ready to sail on the incredible NCL Breakaway, which was constructed in 2013 and boasts a massive size of 145,655 gross tons. This impressive ship stretches 1,068 feet (326 meters) in length and is ranked as the 6th largest in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 19 active cruise ships.

Dawn Class

Because of its U.S. registration, the ship has no casino, a mostly U.S. crew and only sails around the United States. Along with the name change, the ship also received new livery and extra features at that time, including the addition of a casino. The last Jewel-class ship, Norwegian Gem was built in 2007 by Meyer Werft in Germany. Built at a cost of $700 million, the ship shares exterior features with Norwegian’s Dawn Class, though its interior and amenities are all Jewel-class. Originally, the cruise ship was intended to have some sister ships, but a dispute with the builder caused the other two ships to be canceled, leaving Norwegian Epic alone.

Since 2013, the company has acquired two further cruise brands (Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises) and continues to grow the NCL fleet with several new builds announced for the current decade. Cruise Holidays from Rock The Boat, ATOL Protected Cruise Specialist Travel Agents. Helping answer all your questions to find you the perfect cruise. This blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. However, my favourite NCL ship has to be Norwegian Breakaway. I loved the amazing waterslides on this ship and had a lot of fun on the high ropes course and watching the amazing entertainment – all of which were complimentary.

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The NCL Encore is the largest of Norwegian's 19 cruise ships. It has a gross tonnage of 169,116 and spans 1,094 feet (333 meters) in length. It was built in 2019 and holds 6,038 passengers (including crew). The NCL Sky was built in 1999 and has a total size of 77,104 gross tons. It measures 832 feet (254 meters) in length and is the 2nd smallest ship in the Norwegian fleet. When fully occupied, the Norwegian Sky can accommodate 3,006 passengers, including 2,004 holiday makers and 899 crew members.

STATEROOMS

In fact, NCL’s Breakaway Plus-class ships are around 25% smaller than Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class and 7% smaller than MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia Plus-class ships. Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest ship is Norwegian Encore with a gross tonnage of 169,116 GT and the capacity for 3,998 guests at double occupancy. This Breakaway Plus-class ship has 20 decks, of which 16 are accessible to guests and a length of 1,094 feet. Norwegian Jade is the largest in the Jewel Class in terms of its tonnage and guest capacity.

Norwegian Pride of America Size

The ship measures 965 feet (294 meters) in length and falls in line as number 14 among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships. At full capacity, the Norwegian Dawn holds 3,372 passengers. That includes 2,340 cruise vacationers and 1,032 staff members. The NCL Jewel has a construction date of 2005 and a total size of 93,502 gross tons.

It’s the number of guests a ship can comfortably accommodate, usually based on double occupancy of the staterooms. Choosing between larger and smaller ships really does depend on your preferences. Do you value a wide variety of activities and non-stop entertainment, or do you prioritize a peaceful atmosphere and unique destinations? Your choice of ship really can make a big difference to your cruise experience.

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Put it all together, and you have vessels with a very lively atmosphere — particularly at night. If you had to compare Norwegian ships to something on land, you'd probably say they were like floating versions of the casino resorts you find in Las Vegas. With 18 world class vessels, Norwegian Cruise Line has one of the most nimble and contemporary fleets in the industry. Fourteen ships are divided among five different classes, including the Sun, Dawn, Jewel, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus Class. Norwegian Epic, Pride of America and Norwegian Spirit are in their own classes, adding to the brand’s variety of vessels. Norwegian Cruise Line currently operates a fleet of 19 cruise ships.

You won't find that the bigger the ship, the more the cost. You won't necessarily pay less for the largest NCL ship vs the smallest. Our gift shops onboard carry everything you’ll need for fun in the sun.

This new ship is the second of the Prima-class cruise ships to be built for NCL, having launched in August 2023. However, future ships may be part of the new Prima Plus class instead. While the ship is one of NCL's newest, she isn't one of their largest. In total, Norwegian Prima comes in at just 142,500 gross registered tons and can hold 3,215 guests, which is a far cry from some of Royal Caribbean's newest builds, including Icon of the Seas. Norwegian Epic is 155,873 GRTs and carries 4,100 passengers (based on two per cabin). Norwegian Epic was originally one of three ships to be ordered.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest the complete list

Table Of Content

• (tied) Norwegian Breakaway
• Prima Plus Class
• Norwegian Pearl Stardust Theater
• Norwegian Escape Spa Balcony

Stretch out, way out, in our most spacious accommodations to date. And look forward to first-rate service so you can live it up every second. So, whether you're taking a seaside stroll on Ocean Boulevard, swimming up to the horizon on Infinity Beach or delighting in culinary excellence at Indulge Food Hall, nothing comes between you and the sea. Extra suite categories are just the start of what makes Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva the best Norwegian cruise ships for luxury lovers. Here we list our top picks for the best Norwegian cruise ships for five different types of travelers. The first of the Breakaway Plus-class ships, Norwegian Escape was likewise built by Meyer Werft in Germany.

(tied) Norwegian Breakaway

The total number of staterooms on the Norwegian Sky is 1,002. Norwegian Epic is known for its innovative design and impressive features. With a length of approximately 1,081 feet and a passenger capacity of over 4,100, this ship offers a unique cruising experience. The Norwegian Epic features a variety of entertainment options, including live shows, comedy clubs, and a thrilling casino. Guests can also indulge in a wide range of culinary delights at the ship’s numerous dining venues. The exclusive, keycard-accessed suite complex called The Haven (found on 13 of Norwegian's 19 ships) comes with private lounges, pools and other tony features.

Prima Plus Class

NCL’S biggest cruise ship is Norwegian Prima, with an internal volume of 142,500 GT, a length of 1,070 feet, a passenger capacity of 3,998, and a crew of 1,735. Norwegian Cruise Line currently offers seven classes of cruise ships. If you want to experience the latest and greatest cruise ships, you might want to sail on a newer vessel. The following table lists the Norwegian cruise ships by size from largest to smallest. Norwegian Viva is one of the most spacious new cruise ships at sea, with expansive outdoor deck spaces, an infinity pool designed to blend into the ocean, outdoor firepits and a glass bridge walkway. Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship currently sailing is Norwegian Viva.

Norwegian Pearl Stardust Theater

Launched in 2006, Norwegian Pearl was built by Meyer Werft in Germany. The ship has made appearances on a variety of television shows and documentaries and frequently hosts themed or special interest cruises. The first Breakaway-class ship, Norwegian Breakaway was actually named by the public, via a contest that NCL hosted in 2011. Built by Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Breakaway shares many amenities with sister ship Norwegian Getaway, such as a Geoffrey Zakarian-designed restaurant. Scheduled to debut in 2023, Norwegian Viva is being built at Italian shipyard Fincantieri. The ship will feature some of the same amenities and world-first offerings that can currently be seen on Norwegian Prima, Viva’s Prima-class sister.

In addition, a 20% gratuity is added to the bill at bars, extra-charge specialty restaurants and ship spas. One notable outlier among the smaller ships is the 2,186-passenger Pride of America. Sporting a patriotic U.S. theme (you'll find venues named after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams), and a distinct array of lounges and entertainment, it's the only big cruise vessel based year-round in Hawaii. Welcome to High Seas Cruising, your resource for exploring the exciting world of cruise ship travel.

It's not simply "weight" that determines this size measurement. The definition is technical and boring, but we'll provide it anyway. With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favorite may take a few days. Pull up a stool on The Waterfront and pair your favorite vintage with soothing waves at The Cellars - A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar. Or Let your hair down in The District Brew House, offering more than 50 different bottled beers and 24 draft beers on tap.

What are the characteristics of the Breakaway Plus Class ships?

In 2010, it debuted an entire zone of small studio cabins for one — 128 in all — on its then-new, 4,070-passenger Norwegian Epic, and it has since added them to seven more new ships. On more than half of Norwegian's ships, many of the top suites are part of The Haven. Billed as an upscale "ship within a ship" and aimed at luxury travelers, The Haven is located at the very top of vessels and often comes with private lounges, pools, sunning areas and even restaurants. Norwegian is known for offering a wide range of accommodations on its ships. Norwegian is also a mass-market brand, not a luxury cruise operator.

Dawn Class

The smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship is Norwegian Spirit. At 75,904 gross tons, Norwegian Spirit is less than half the size of Norwegian Encore, the line's biggest ship. It carries just 1,966 passengers — more than 2,000 fewer than Norwegian Encore.

Their short time frame and low pricing mean you're not out a lot in time or money if you don't love it as much as you hoped. These shorter sailings cater heavily to first-time cruisers and Florida locals who can book on short notice and drive into the port for a quick escape. In short, the best Norwegian cruise ship for you will depend on a bunch of factors, and which ship is best for a trip with your family might not be your top pick for a couple's cruise or girlfriends' getaway. Norwegian has some vessels, such as Norwegian Encore, that are loaded with family-friendly attractions such as waterparks and go-kart tracks that are perfect for families with teens and tweens.

One of two ships in the line's Sun class that date to the turn of the millennium, Norwegian Sky is far from the snazziest ship in the Norwegian fleet. At 77,104 tons and carrying 1,944 passengers, it's just half the size of Norwegian's biggest ships and has far fewer venues, from bars and restaurants to entertainment spaces. There is no giant water park on its top deck or a go-kart track to keep the kids busy all day, so it's not the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for families. Other Norwegian cruise ships, such as Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Sun, have specific features that might make them better options for solo travelers or retirees. Certain Norwegian ships are best for budget travelers, while others are best for luxury travelers. One of two Breakaway-class ships, Norwegian Getaway was built by Meyer Werft in Germany and, at the time of its debut, was the ninth-largest cruise ship in the world.

The ship measures 965 feet (294 meters) in length and falls in line as number 12 among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships. At full capacity, the Norwegian Pearl holds 3,591 passengers. That includes 2,394 cruise vacationers and 1,072 staff members.

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Norwegian Bliss, for instance, has the Tony Award-winning "Jersey Boys." On some ships, you'll also find Ocean Blue, a seafood restaurant; The District Brew House, a gastropub serving craft beers; and a Mexican spot called either Los Lobos or Los Lobos Cantina. Every vessel has some sort of sushi restaurant, often called Sushi or Wasabi, and there are hibachi-style teppanyaki restaurants on nearly every Norwegian vessel. The Garden Villas also have private outdoor sun decks and courtyards with hot tubs. Additionally, the Garden Villas on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star include private outdoor dining areas and steam rooms.

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Norwegian also offers dedicated teen zones and programming on ships for children ages 13 to 17. Called Entourage, the teen zone is a place for teens to hang out, dance and play games, and it's supervised by counselors who plan activities and challenges. Norwegian also has rooms on its ships for babies and toddlers ages 6 months to 3 years.