The best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for every type of traveler

Table Of Content

• How does the size of Norwegian Cruise Line ships compare to other cruise lines?
• Star Rated
• Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Size (from largest to smallest)
• Norwegian Bliss
• Learn From our Guests
• #4 Norwegian Escape

At full capacity, the Norwegian Viva holds 5,596 passengers. That includes 3,950 cruise vacationers and 1,388 staff members. The NCL Prima has a construction date of 2022 and a total size of 143,525 gross tons. The ship measures 965 feet (294 meters) in length and falls in line as number 8 among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships. At full capacity, the Norwegian Prima holds 5,596 passengers.

How does the size of Norwegian Cruise Line ships compare to other cruise lines?

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) currently has 19 vessels in its fleet, making it one of the largest cruise lines in the industry. Upon the launch of Norweigan Aqua in 2025, their fleet will expand to 26 ships in operation. Norwegian Cruise Line has six different classes of cruise ships, with three others being their class. Each class of ship has a unique architectural design layout and features. Most ships in a particular class have an almost identical layout with some minor changes. Pride of America is the only ship in the Pride of America Class.

Star Rated

With a full capacity of 5,971 passengers, including 3,963 vacationers and 1,646 staff members, there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the voyage. The Norwegian Getaway also features a grand total of 2,008 staterooms for its guests’ comfort and enjoyment. The NCL Prima launched in 2022 and is a whopping size of 143,525 gross tons. This impressive ship stretches 965 feet long (294 meters) and ranks as the 7th largest vessel among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Size (from largest to smallest)

Norwegian Joy was the second ship built for the Breakaway Plus Class. During her inaugural season, however, Norwegian announced that the vessel would be redeployed from China to the United States. Before she arrived, she underwent a refurbishment to redesign certain public spaces to make them more appealing to the Western market. Norwegian Sky is the first ship in the Sun Class and is the sister of Norwegian Sun. She is 77,104 GRTs and carries 2,004 passengers (based on two per cabin).

Norwegian Escape Cruise

The lower drinking age in international waters does not apply during sailings in Alaska and Hawaii. On all ships, smoking (including e-cigarette smoking) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas, cigar lounges (for cigar smoking only) and casinos. Passengers caught smoking in their cabins will be fined $250 per occurrence.

We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations. Although size isn’t everything, it is a quick way to assess the number of facilities, restaurants, activities, and entertainment options available on a ship. Actually, NCL has possibly one of the most complicated fleets as a good majority of their ships are fairly old (compared to some of the other cruise lines). The smallest NCL ship is Norwegian Spirit at 75,904 GRT and able to carry 2,018 passengers – half of the largest ships in the fleet.

Norwegian Spirit is the smallest cruise ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet at 75,904 GT and has a passenger capacity of 2,018. Norwegian’s new cruise ships are identical to the Norwegian Prima, with a gross tonnage of 142,500 GT and powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). The new cruise ships are scheduled to debut in 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027. Do you prefer the new cruise ships like Norwegian Prima and Viva, or do you prefer the older ships like Norwegian Spirit and Pride of America? At the other end of the scale at less than half the size of Encore is the smallest ship in the Norwegian fleet, the Norwegian Spirit with a gross tonnage of 75,904 and a passenger capacity of 2,018.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list - The Points Guy

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

Posted: Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Unveiled in 2022 and 2023, respectively, the 3,195-passenger vessels are the first entrants in a new class of Norwegian ships that the line has designed to be more upscale than its earlier vessels. Built partially in Mississippi and partially in Germany, Pride of America was part of a NCL effort to build and flag several cruise ships within the United States. Debuting in 2022 and kicking off the Prima class, Norwegian Prima was also built at the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. There's tons of great entertainment on Norwegian's vessels, plenty of venues for eating and drinking, and all sorts of deck-top diversions — at least on the line's newest ships. Throw in the brand's low starting prices, and it's an even more compelling package. Some onboard activities such as go-karting also come with an extra charge.

Pride of America

Norwegian Cruise Line has grouped its ships into eight classes. Interestingly, the two ships remain unclassed as they are different from all others in the fleet. Norwegian Cruise Line has 20 ships, ranging from new mega-ships that accommodate over 4,000 guests to ships that were built in the 1990s and are less than half the size. Norwegian Spirit was constructed in 1999, measures 75,904 gross registered tons, and can host up to 2,032 people.

At full capacity, the Norwegian Pride of America holds 3,280 passengers. That includes 2,186 cruise vacationers and 927 staff members. The Norwegian Pride of America total number of staterooms is 1,094.

Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. See the beautiful sights of Cape Town, South Africa’s most visited city, which offers cruisers natural beauty, plentiful wine, historical significance and a sense of peace. Norwegian Sun is also one of the smallest and least kid-focused of the five ships the line deploys to Alaska in summer, making it a good choice for retirees wanting to visit that destination.

Norwegian thus appeals both to cruisers who like a giant resort vibe and those who prefer something more modest. The key, depending on your tastes, is getting on the right ship in the fleet. In short, if you want to turn a Norwegian cruise into a luxury experience, you can do that, too. Norwegian really is the line where you make the trip what you want it to be. That said, the line does offer some smaller ships that aren't quite as big and bustling as its giants.

While not the biggest vessels in the Norwegian fleet, these ships will be notably packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and decktop attractions. They also mark a more upscale turn for the line, with more space per passenger than earlier Norwegian ships and lots of suites. Its largest vessels are among the biggest cruise ships at sea (they must be, to accommodate everything mentioned above). If you want an intimate cruise experience, Norwegian probably isn't a good choice.

It’s the gross tonnage divided by the passenger capacity, giving an idea of how roomy the ship feels. Now that we know that Norwegian Cruise Line offers a more relaxed cruise experience, let’s consider what the fleet of ships has to offer. Norwegian Sky is one of NCL's oldest ships, having entered service in 1999. Measuring just 77,104 gross registered tons, it's also one of the line's smallest.

That includes 3,998 cruise vacationers and 1,735 staff members. Get ready to set sail on the magnificent NCL Sun, a ship that was built in 2001 and measures a total of 78,309 gross tons. This impressive vessel spans 848 feet (258 meters) in length. As part of NCL’s Sun Class, the Norwegian Sun has the capacity to accommodate 2,904 passengers, including 1,936 vacationers and 906 dedicated staff members. With a total of 968 staterooms, this ship is ready to provide an unforgettable and comfortable cruising experience for all its guests.

Norwegian Ships by Size 2023 with Comparison Chart

Table Of Content

• Norwegian Star Size
• Norwegian Epic
• How does the size of Norwegian Cruise Line ships compare to other cruise lines?
• List of Norwegian Cruise Ships By Size

When fully occupied, the Norwegian Star can accommodate 3,524 guests, including 2,348 passengers and 1,031 crew members. The sassy NCL Pearl was built in 2006 and is a whopping 93,530 gross tons. This ship stretches 965 feet (294 meters) long and is the joint 9th largest in the Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 19 active cruise ships. When fully packed, the Norwegian Pearl can accommodate 3,591 guests, made up of 2,394 holiday makers and 1,072 crew members.

Norwegian Star Size

With its “First Fleet of the Caribbean” with four dedicated ships sailing in 1971. If you're in the "bigger is better" camp when it comes to a resort experience, these are the Norwegian Cruise Line ships for you. Specifically designed and priced for solo travelers, our Studios feature a full-size bed, separate bath area and access to the private Studio Lounge — no single supplement required.

Norwegian Epic

Before you experience “Freestyle Cruising” with Norwegian check out this photo gallery which features many of their ships, specialty dining options and innovative staterooms. It's a look that carries over to a bevy of high-end eateries, including Nama, a new-for-Norwegian sushi restaurant with a design that is as sophisticated as the sushi it serves. Also striking is the look of a version of Le Bistro, Norwegian's signature French eatery, that can be found on both of these vessels. Both of the spaces are built around three massive crystal chandeliers costing nearly $100,000 that hang down to the floor — a showstopper of a design element.

How does the size of Norwegian Cruise Line ships compare to other cruise lines?

Are the bigger, newer ships actually better than the smaller older ships? Having experienced both, I must say that the answer depends on what you want from a cruise. As you can see in this photo of the Sun-class Norwegian Sky that I took in Nassau, these older ships are relatively small and do not have many balcony staterooms compared to more modern cruise ships. The other older ships in the NCL fleet include the Sun-class and Dawn-class ships which were all built before 2012.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Class

Norwegian Prima vs Breakaway Plus Class: How these cruise ships compare - Cruise Blog

Norwegian Prima vs Breakaway Plus Class: How these cruise ships compare.

Posted: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The ship measures 880 feet (268 meters) in length and falls in line as number 19 among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships. At full capacity, the Norwegian Spirit holds 3,026 passengers. That includes 2,018 cruise vacationers and 912 staff members. The NCL Sky has a construction date of 1999 and a total size of 77,104 gross tons.

An Introduction to NCL and Freestyle Cruising

Built by Lloyd Werft in Germany, Norwegian Sun was the last Sun-class ship. She was launched in 2001 in a dual christening ceremony with sister ship Norwegian Star. It’s worth noting that many of these ships have received substantial and even multiple refurbishments since their original builds.

15 things I loved and hated about Norwegian Viva - Cruise Blog

15 things I loved and hated about Norwegian Viva.

Posted: Tue, 26 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Dining

Using advanced low earth orbit satellites, SpaceX’s Starlink delivers industry leading broadband internet connectivity, which will improve the capacity, speed, and reliability of Internet on board. From casual buffets to exquisite specialty restaurants, learn everything there is to know about dining on board. Think of it as your travel companion, helping you experience an unforgettable cruise vacation every step of the way. Learn about the latest ships and destinations by browsing hundreds of questions (and the answers to those questions) posted by real cruisers.

Next on the list is the Norwegian Bliss, another impressive ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s arsenal. With a length of around 1,094 feet and a passenger capacity of over 4,000, the Norwegian Bliss offers a plethora of amenities and entertainment options. From thrilling water slides to world-class dining, the Norwegian Bliss provides a truly immersive cruising experience. Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its impressive fleet of ships, offering travellers a wide range of options for their vacation. From sprawling mega-ships to intimate vessels, Norwegian Cruise Line has something for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at some of their largest cruise ships, ranked from the largest to the smallest.

List of Norwegian Cruise Ships By Size

The NCL Star has a construction date of 2001 and a total size of 91,740 gross tons. The ship measures 965 feet (294 meters) in length and falls in line as number 15 among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships. At full capacity, the Norwegian Star holds 3,524 passengers. That includes 2,348 cruise vacationers and 1,031 staff members. The NCL Dawn has a construction date of 2002 and a total size of 92,250 gross tons.

A bigger caveat, perhaps, is that these solo cabins have become so popular they often sell out far in advance and at prices that aren't much better than booking a cabin for two. Having sailed in one of Norwegian Epic's cabins for one, I can confidently declare them among the coolest solo digs at sea. I particularly love the "Jetsons" futuristic-style design and the multicolored mood lighting. Norwegian Epic was the first Norwegian ship with an exclusive solos zone, and it was such a hit the line later added them to eight more vessels. But none of the latter zones are as big as the one on Norwegian Epic. For would-be Norwegian cruisers, Norwegian Sky's shorter sailings out of Miami serve as a sort of "test the line" opportunity.

It was delivered one year prior to Norwegian Encore in 2018. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings also includes Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, offering various cruise experiences across its brands. Norwegian Aqua is scheduled to become Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship in the fleet beginning in April 2025.

The ship measures 1,069 feet (326 meters) in length and falls in line as number 4 among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships. At full capacity, the Norwegian Escape holds 6,358 passengers. That includes 4,266 cruise vacationers and 1,733 staff members. The NCL Joy has a construction date of 2017 and a total size of 167,725 gross tons. The ship measures 1,094 feet (333 meters) in length and falls in line as number 3 among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships.