You might be wondering which Norwegian Cruise Line ships is the biggest one you can sail on.
When it comes to Norwegian’s ships, the physically largest ships are not necessarily the ones that can carry the most passengers.
Keep reading to see which of NCL’s vessels are the largest, and which can accommodate the most guests.
Ship Largest By Weight - Norwegian Encore
The largest ship currently in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet by weight, is the Norwegian Encore. This ship is the currently the heaviest vessel amongst all NCL ships.
This vessel measures in at 169,116 Gross Register Tonnage and is 1,094 feet long in overall length. This impressive ship is capable of hosting 3,998 guests and accommodating about 1,735 crew members.
The Norwegian Encore was constructed in 2019, making it a relatively new ship to the NCL lineup. In 2020, the Norwegian Encore was awarded ‘Best New Ship’ by Porthole Cruise Magazine Editors’ Pick.
Entertainment and Activities
Because Norwegian Encore is one of NCL’s newer ships, the vessel features many of the newest entertainment and activity options that Norwegian Cruise Line has to offer its guests.
One of the most notable activities onboard many of NCL’s newer ships, the Norwegian Encore included, is the Speedway. This over 1,100 feet long race track allows guests to put the pedal-to-the-medal as they race around one of the longest race tracks at sea. Norwegian Cruise Line is currently the only cruise line in the world that offers a race track with real cars at sea. To participate in this speedy activity, it is an additional cost, $15 for adults and $15 for children.
Another activity highlight onboard the Norwegian Encore is the Galaxy Pavilion. This space can be described as a virtual reality world. Guests can participate in immersive virtual reality experiences and thrilling simulator rides. This revolutionary area onboard is located on Deck 17. Participating in this activity is an additional cost for guests, and costs $8 per person, per play.
The Norwegian Encore has several forms of complimentary entertainment onboard, including theater Broadway-style shows, comedy shows, and nightclub venues with live music.
Some of the popular Broadway-style shows onboard this ship include; ‘Choir Of Man’, described as “high energy dancing and hit songs that flow as freely as the beer.” As well as ‘Kinky Boots’, a show described as “music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots will have you out of your seat and asking for an encore. Based on true events, this irresistible musical tells the story of Charlie Price, who having inherited a shoe factory forms an unlikely partnership with Lola, a cabaret performing drag queen.”
Onboard the Norwegian Encore, guests can find live music and performances at The Cavern Club, a Liverpool styled club. Often times bands covering the Beatles will perform at this venue.
Dining
The Norwegian Encore features many Norwegian Cruise Line classics for complimentary dining, such as the Garden Cafe, the ship’s main buffet area, and the main dining rooms Savor and Taste.
There are also some unique special dining options such as Onda by Scarpetta, an Italian restaurant featuring signature pastas. As well as Los Lobos, a premium Mexican style restaurant.
Bars and Lounges
Some of the unique bars and lounges that can be found onboard the Encore include; The District Brew House, a location that features more that 50 different bottled and 22 different draft beers onboard.
As well as the Observation Lounge, a space onboard that offers unparalleled ocean views with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Including these two unique spaces, the Norwegian Encore has a total of 14 different lounges and bars onboard for passengers to explore.
Staterooms
(Example of a Studio Stateroom onboard Norwegian Encore)
This vessel features many of the room types standard amongst the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. These room types include; Studio staterooms, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Spa, Club Balcony Suite, and The Haven.
Destinations
This newer vessel travels to destinations around the world, but mostly in the western regions of the globe. This ship travels to Alaska, The Caribbean, Pacific Coastal itineraries, and the Panama Canal.
Ship Largest By Length - Norwegian Bliss & Norwegian Encore
The largest NCL ship by overall length is the Norwegian Bliss and the Norwegian Encore. Below I will cover details of the Norwegian Bliss, as I covered details about the Norwegian Encore above.
Both the Norwegian Bliss and the Norwegian Encore measure in at 1,094 feet in overall length, making these two ships the longest amongst NCL’s vessels.
The Norwegian Bliss weighs in at 168,028 Gross Register Tonnage, is capable of hosting 4,004 guests at double occupancy, accommodating 1,716 crew members, and was built in 2018.
Entertainment and Activities
As with the Norwegian Encore, The Norwegian Bliss also has its very own Speedway at sea onboard. Some other notable activities onboard the Norwegian Bliss included Mini Golf, located on Deck 19, which is complimentary for guests to use.
The Bliss also features Laser Tag onboard, “get ready for a laser tag battle of galactic proportions under the stars,” states NCL. Participating in Laser Tag onboard is an additional cost for guests and is $9.95 USD per person.
For notable entertainment, the Norwegian Bliss features shows such as ‘Six’, a Broadway-style show and musical about the lives of Henry VIII’s wives, described as “from Tudor queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a 75-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.”
The Norwegian Bliss also has venues onboard such as The Cavern Club and Social Comedy and Night Club, these spaces onboard feature live music and comedy shows for guests to enjoy throughout their evenings onboard.
Dining
Along with nearly every NCL ship, the Bliss has the complimentary dining rooms Taste and Savor onboard, as well as the Garden Cafe buffet.
For speciality dining, the Norwegian Bliss has unique and elevated offerings such as Food Republic, a venue that serves cuisine from all over the world, and Q Texas Smokehouse, a restaurant featuring authentic Texas BBQ.
Bars and Lounges
The Norwegian Bliss has 20 bars and lounge areas onboard to explore. Some of these locations are classic NCL favorites, while others are more unique to this class of ship. Some of the more unique spaces include the Maltings Whiskey Bar, that specializes in whiskey concoctions, and The Cellars Wine Bar, specializing in wines from all over the world.
Staterooms
(Example of a Studio Stateroom onboard Norwegian Bliss)
The Bliss features many of the room types standard amongst the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. These room types include; Studio staterooms, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Spa, Club Balcony Suite, and The Haven.
Destinations
The Norwegian Bliss, like the Norwegian Encore travels to destinations primarily around North America and South America. These destinations include; Alaska, The Caribbean, Mexico, Pacific Coastal itineraries, and the Panama Canal.
Ship Largest By Guest Capacity - Norwegian Escape
The largest NCL ship by guest capacity is the Norwegian Escape. This ship is the oldest of the vessels considered to be some of NCL’s largest, built in 2015.
The Norwegian Escape weights in at 164,998 Gross Register Tonnage, is 1,069 feet in overall length, and can host an impressive 4,266 guests at double occupancy, along with 1,733 crew members.
Entertainment and Activities
The Norwegian Escape has classic activity and entertainment options onboard, that can be found amongst many NCL ships.
One of these classic activities is the Ropes Course. This impressive Ropes Course at sea allows guests to swing, walk, and fly over the ship and waves as they navigate challenges and obstacles high in the sky. Participating in the Ropes Course is complimentary to guests, and it is recommended that guests be 8 years of age and older in order to experience the Ropes Course without adult supervision.
This ship also has more relaxed forms of entertainment and activities, such as mini golf and the NCL standard Mandara Spa onboard.
For entertainment, the Norwegian Escape features onboard ‘MALEVO’, described as, “created by director, choreographer, and dancer Matias Jaime, this thrilling group specializes in Malambo - a traditional Argentine folk dance of great virility and dexterity.”
Dining
For complimentary dining, the Norwegian Escape has the Garden Cafe buffet, the Savor and Taste dining rooms, as well as O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, an Irish pub-type venue. O’Sheehan’s is a unique offering in that this location is open 24 hours a day. O’Sheehan’s serves Irish pub fare including fish and chips.
When it comes to speciality dining, Norwegian Escape also has some classic NCL offerings. Such as Moderno Churrascaria, an authentic Brazilian churrascaria, and Le Bistro, an elegant French restaurant featuring a romantic atmosphere.
Bars and Lounges
The Escape has 13 bars and lounges onboard. Some of the notable venues include, Tobacco Road, modeled after Miami’s oldest, legendary bar. And Sugarcane Mojito Bar, a bar specializing in the classic cocktail, while putting a spin on it with fun and unique flavor options.
Staterooms
The Norwegian Escape features many of the room types standard amongst the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. These room types include; Studio staterooms, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Spa, Club Balcony Suite, and The Haven.
Destinations
NCL’s Escape takes guests all over the world, to exotic port destinations such as; Bermuda, Canada, New England, The Caribbean, the Greek Isles, Mediterranean, and Transatlantic itineraries.
Conclusion
NCL’s ships are considered to be large cruise ships within the industry, and guests looking for a cruise line that makes their ships a destination in of themselves can be sure to find that with Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Norwegian Cruise Lines is one of the largest cruise line companies in the industry, and with its introduction of its new Prima Class vessels, NCL has plans for the future to grow its fleet even bigger and better.
Hayley Phillips
Hayley Phillips is a military spouse currently living in Florida and loves all things travel and travel planning.
