Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line ships are synonymous with world-class entertainment and dining, fun and excitement onboard, breathtaking destinations, and the ultimate relaxation experience. You can start your day in a relaxing way in the onboard spa before going full throttle on the only race tracks at sea, exclusive to Norwegian Cruise Line ships, and put a delicious end to your day in one of the many fine-dining restaurants available. You can see more of the world with Norwegian Cruise Line thanks to the hefty amount of destinations, and what's more unique is the time spent at each port, all of this is possible when cruising onboard one of 21 innovative and accommodating Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Size

Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet is among the biggest in the cruise industry, especially considering the total guest capacity some ships have at maximum occupancy. All Norwegian Cruise Line ships were built with one shared purpose: freedom and flexibility. The sheer tonnage, the onboard activities, and the innovative design make for a vacation your way.

Newest Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes

Norwegian Cruise Line has a wide variety of ship classes under which all 21 ships on their fleet fall. Norwegian Epic, Pride of America, and Norwegian Spirit are all a stand-alone class on themselves. Aside from these three exceptions, Norwegian Cruise Line has 7 ship classes as of 2024.

• Prima Class: This class is Norwegian Cruise Line's latest class, they are so big that they even feature a three-deck go-kart track (only cruise line in the industry with this amenity) where guests can race each other to the finish line or set a new record. The ships on Prima Class also feature The Drop, a 10-story dry slide where you can get your dose of adrenaline and thrill. The Heaven is also found on the aft of all Prima Class ships, this is the most exclusive, suite-only section of the ship that rises 8 decks high and includes a private indoor lounge area, a private outdoor lounge, pool areas, and a private restaurant. Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, and Norwegian Aqua make up the Prima Class. Prima Class ships are ideal for guests looking for a fun, exciting, and relaxing vacation, all in one!
• Breakaway Plus Class: Breakaway Plus Class ships have restaurants, bars, and entertainment everywhere you look, these ships are the biggest ones in the NCL fleet and are among the biggest cruise ships in the world. They also feature go-kart tracks on the top decks, just like Prima Class but even bigger! The massive size of this ship also allows for plenty of pools, waterslides, and some kids' splash zones, making them a great option for families cruising with children. You can expect to find more than 20 different dining venues, some of which offer high-end cuisine experiences and specialty dining, from French to Italian, food is guaranteed to be a highlight when on a Breakaway Plus Class ship. Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Escape make up the Breakaway Plus Class.
• Breakaway Class: The Breakaway Class ships were the predecessors of the Breakaway Plus Class ships, the main difference between the two being the size, Breakaway Class is slightly smaller in all aspects. Due to the difference in size, Breakaway Class ships do not have go-kart tracks on the top decks, instead, they have more pool areas, waterparks with thrilling waterslides, and an adult-only pool area (Spice H2O) that transforms into a dance club at night. Another feature unique to the Breakaway Class is the rope course on the top decks. Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway make up the Breakaway Class.
• Jewel Class: Ships on the Jewel Class are almost half the size of those on the Breakaway Plus Class, making them a better option for a more tranquil and less crowded vacation. Due to the smaller size, the biggest attractions and amenities such as the go-kart tracks and waterslides are not available onboard Jewel Class ships, other than that, the amenities and overall cruising experience don't change. There is also a wide variety of restaurants, lounges, and bars where you can enjoy specialty dining cuisine, signature drinks, or simply meet fellow cruisers and make friends. The Jewel Class is made up of Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Pearl, and Norwegian Jewel.
• Dawn Class: This class is very similar and close in size to the Jewel Class. All ships in this class have around a dozen dining venues, some of them being specialty restaurants where guests can indulge in world-class cuisine. The top decks have multiple pools, whirlpools, a sports court (basketball and volleyball), and golf driving nets, here guests can also find bars and lounging areas to enjoy the sea breeze and take in the views. Entertainment venues are also available onboard Dawn Class ships, featuring a casino and the ship's main theater with original Norwegian Cruise Line productions, or head to the multiple bars and lounges throughout the ship to enjoy the night whilst having a drink. Dawn Class ships offer a more intimate and relaxed setting for a vacation. The two vessels in this class are Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star.
• Sun Class: Ships on the Sun Class are some of the smallest in Norwegian's Cruise Line fleet, they are also some of the oldest ones. The smaller size translates into fewer attractions and amenities, however, a staple on all NCL cruise ships is the restaurants, every ship has a wide offer of onboard dining venues, regardless of the ship's size, and this is no exception in Sun Class ships. Guests can find two main dining rooms, a casual buffet, a dinner-style pub, a steakhouse, an Italian trattoria, and a French bistro. Other amenities such as pools, whirlpools, sports courts, and a jogging track can be found on the top decks. The spa, the main theater, and a few bars and lounges are also available in this class. Sun Class ships are ideal for cruisers who care more for the destination they are visiting than the overall onboard experience, and guests who prefer a tranquil and intimate getaway. Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun are the only two ships on the Sun Class.
• Individual Class Ships: There are a total of three vessels from Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet that are a standalone class by themselves. Norwegian Epic (2010) was originally intended to be the first of three ships from the Epic Class, however, after some disagreements with the shipyard that built it, NCL decided to cancel the order they had placed for the second and third ships on this class. Norwegian Epic is home to the only tube-and-bowl waterslide at sea. Norwegian Pride of America (2005) is NCL's Hawaii-dedicated vessel, it is the only ship in the world that sails all year round to all the Hawaiian islands on a seven-night itinerary, there is no other cruise line that does this. Another particularity of Pride of America is that it operates with an all-American crew. The last vessel on the individual class list is Norwegian Spirit (2000), which was also NCL's first cruise ship and is the smallest one to this day. Despite sharing some features with Sun Class ships, the smaller size, capacity, and amenities onboard don't make the cut to be part of this class. Norwegian Spirit was originally built under another name for a different cruise line.

Best Norwegian Cruise Line Ships for Kids

Norwegian Cruise Line ships, especially the latest ones, are loaded with excitement and fun, they are built for thrilling adventures, great times, and unforgettable vacations, making them perfect for kids of all ages. The youngest cruisers will be strangers to boredom while sailing onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. There is something fun or exciting to do every day!

These are the best Norwegian Cruise Line ships for babies, toddlers, little kids, older kids, teens, and tweens.

• Norwegian Prima: Families traveling with babies, toddlers, or kids will love being onboard Norwegian Prima. Not only is the ship massive but it also offers a play space for parents to interact with their 6 months - 3 years old children, head over to Guppies Ocean Play located on deck 17 where toys, balls, and other sensory items are available for kids and parents to play with. The Splash Academy located on deck 15 is another great venue for little kids and older kids where they can make friends, hang out with other cruisers their age, and enjoy various activities throughout the day such as sports, creative play, and board games. If the little ones want even more fun and games, the Video Arcade will be their new favorite spot, where they can find all the popular games and attractions an arcade usually has, from racing games to air hockey, fun times are guaranteed. The fun does not stop here, kids can also enjoy some fun under the sun in the Kids Aqua Park located on deck 18, which features multiple cascading water features that will make their experience splashtacular! The pinnacle of excitement onboard Norwegian Prima is found on the top deck where kids can race their parents, family, or other cruisers at Prima Speedway, Norwegian Prima's go-kart track, the first-ever three-level race track at sea!
• Norwegian Viva: Teens and tweens and Norwegian Viva are a perfect match! Enjoy high-octane races at Viva Speedway, Norwegian Viva's go-kart track, and fight for the victory or simply go for some laps to have fun. Feeling like a dare-devil? Experience The Drop, the first free-fall dry slide in the world where the thrill and the adrenaline will be your companions to the bottom. The Rush is another slide, however, this is somewhat different as it is ten stories tall, making it the fastest slide at sea. Teens and tweens who love adrenaline will be delighted to ride these slides over and over again! The Stadium is a games hub where complimentary tabletop shuffleboard, pickleball, and beer pong can be played, challenge your party to a game and the loser has to buy drinks for all! The Entourage is the onboard social and hanging spot for teens aged 13-17 years old, they can take part in karaoke parties, play videogames, and make new friends their age. Immersive VR technology and cutting-edge simulators are available onboard at Galaxy Pavillion where teens and tweens (and guests of all ages) can experience a virtual reality world unlike anything else, here is where technology and fun meet. Located on deck 17, the Vibe Beach Club is a lounging area for guests 18 and over, where the serene vibe and the incredible views will set the mood as you dip into the infinity hot tub. For all the foody teens and tweens out there, Norwegian Viva has 8 specialty dining venues where they can experience different cuisines with world-class meals.

Best Norweigan Cruise Line Ships for Adults

Despite having ships packed with fun and exciting amenities where there is always something to do, Norwegian Cruise Lines also knows that relaxation and comfort are crucial to a good vacation. Each adult group based on their age has different interests, some of them are shared between them while others are not, whether you are looking for a fun and thrilling vacation, a relaxing and enriching getaway, or a middle ground between both, Norwegian Cruise Lines has a cruise ship for young adults, middle-aged adults, and seniors.

These are the best Norwegian Cruise Line ships for young adults, middle-aged adults, and seniors.

• Norwegian Encore: Young adults want enriching experiences, world-class cuisine, excitement, fun, and relaxation why not? Lucky for them, Norwegian Encore has all they want and need in a cruise ship. Choose from over 15 bars and lounges onboard where you can indulge in your favorite drinks, try something new like the signature cocktails, sit back and people-watch, or kick off the night before heading to the onboard Night Club. Expand your palate with the fantastic offer of specialty dining venues onboard Norwegian Encore, you can find Italian cuisine, Mexican, French, Japanese, and authentic Texas-style BBQ, fulfilling your current craving was never easier and more tasty. For all the young adults with healthy lifestyles who want to stay fit during their vacation, they can stop by the Pulse Fitness Center and put the cherry on top by visiting the Mandara Spa for some wellness and pampering treatments that will make you feel revitalized and fresh. Norwegian Encore has it all for a great getaway!
• Norwegian Pearl: Recently refurbished in 2021, is the perfect cruise ship for middle-aged adults mainly due to its size, making it more tranquil and calm than other vessels on the cruise line. Guests can enjoy different live shows each night in the theater such as Deal or No Deal where contestants play and deal for cash, Legends Concert a musical extravaganza that features the best celebrity tribute artists, or Wheel of Fortune, a new interactive game show where everyone can play along on their mobile devices to solve puzzles for a chance to win great prizes. Norwegian Pearl also has a casino with the most popular slots and all-time favorite table games, get ready to up the stakes and go on a winning streak! Food is a very important part of the cruising experience as it can elevate the vacation to a whole new level, that's why there are 7 specialty dining venues onboard Norwegian Pearl, and 6 complimentary dining venues where middle-aged adults can enjoy their favorite dishes, whether it is comfort food or high cuisine, they can have it as many times they want.
• Norwegian Sky: Seniors are usually looking for a relaxing and stress-free vacation in an intimate setting, that's why Norwegian Sky is the perfect ship for them. The Mandara Spa offers various wellness services such as massages, aromatherapy, stone, and bamboo massages, facial treatments, and cleansing scrubs. If you want to get invested in a good read, be sure to stop by the Mark Twain Library where you can choose from a curated selection of all-time classics in an intimate and reading-only dedicated spot. Norwegian Sky offers a variety of comfort foods and more exotic choices from complimentary dining options; there are 4 specialty dining restaurants available: Cagney's Steakhouse, La Cucina, Le Bistro, and the Sushi Bar. If great food and relaxation are what you're looking for, Norwegian Sky is the best option!