Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet is comprised of 20 ships, including the brand-new Norwegian Aqua, that range in size.
Each ship belongs to a specific class, ranging from the Breakaway Plus Class with its largest ships in operation to the Sun Class.
Though age makes a huge difference in the onboard experience, so does size. For example, you won't find as many amenities on Norwegian Sun as onboard Norwegian Joy or Viva.
Let's take a look at Norwegian ships by size.
Norwegian Encore
At 169,116 gross registered tons, Norwegian Encore is the largest ship in NCL's fleet. The ship launched in 2019 and can host up to 3,998 guests per cruise.
Sails to: The Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Europe, Pacific Coast, and Panama Canal
Norwegian Bliss
The next largest ship in the fleet is Norwegian Bliss. This ship measures 168,028 gross register tonnage and can hold 4,004 guests. It was delivered one year prior to Norwegian Encore in 2018.
Sails to: The Caribbean, Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Europe, Pacific Coast, and Panama Canal
Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Joy was the second ship built for the Breakaway Plus Class. Initially, it was built to sail around Asia. 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 Joy measures 167,725 gross registered tonnages, can hold 3,804 guests, and was delivered to the fleet in 2017. She was the first ship to feature a racetrack at sea.
Sails to: Alaska, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, and the Panama Canal
Norwegian Escape
Norwegian Escape measures 164,998 gross registered tons and is capable of hosting 4,266 guests. Fun fact: It has the largest ropes course at sea with three stories of fun and two planks!
Sails to: Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Caribbean, and Europe
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Aqua is NCL's newest ship! The 156,300 gross registered ton vessel is an enhancement of the technologically advanced Prima Class ships. She even features the first hybrid rollercoaster at sea.
Sails to: The Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, and Northern Europe
Norwegian Luna (Launching 2026)
Once completed, Norwegian Luna will measure 156,300 gross registered tons and be 1,056 feet long. Like Norwegian Aqua, she'll be larger than the first two Prima Class ships.
Sails to: Caribbean
Norwegian Epic
Norwegian's Epic Class boasts just one ship: Norwegian Epic. In terms of passenger capacity, it's the largest in the fleet with the ability to host 4,100 passengers per voyage. The ship, which was built in 2010, measures 155,873 gross registered tons.
Sails to: Caribbean and Europe
Norwegian Breakaway
The Breakaway is capable of holding 3,963 guests and measures 145,655 gross registered tons. This ship debuted launched 2013 and was refurbished in 2020.
Sails to: Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Caribbean, and Europe
Norwegian Getaway
Norwegian Getaway is the exact same size as Norwegian Breakaway, measuring 145,655 gross registered tons. Both ships are extremely similar.
Sails to: Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada & New England, and Caribbean
Norwegian Viva
Norweigan Prima set sail in August 2022. 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.
She was home to a ton of Norwegian firsts, including the Indulge Food Hall, 10-story dry slide, and sustainability-focused cocktail bar.
Sails to: Bermuda, Caribbean, and Northern Europe
Norwegian Viva
Norwegian's newest ship, Norwegian Viva, launched in 2023. After a quick stint in Europe, the ship made its way over to North America for a while. The vessel is scheduled to return to Europe during the summer of 2024.
She, too, measures 142,500 gross registered tons and has the ability to carry 3,099 guests at double occupancy.
Sails to: Caribbean and Europe
Norwegian Jade
Norwegian Jade is the largest in the Jewel Class in terms of its tonnage and guest capacity. This vessel measures 93,558 gross registered tons and can hold up to 2,402 guests. Though NCL Jade is an older Norwegian ship, having been built in 2006, it received an extensive refurbishment in 2017.
Sails to: Alaska, Asia, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, and South America
Norwegian Gem
Following Norwegian Jade at 93,530 gross registered tons is Norwegian Gem. This vessel can host 2,394 guests and was delivered to the fleet in 2007. It underwent a refurbishment in 2020.
Sails to: The Bahamas, Canada & New England, Caribbean, Europe, and the Panama Canal
Norwegian Pearl
Norwegian Pearl was built one year before Norwegian Gem and comes in at 93,530 gross register tonnage. The vessel can accommodate 2.394 guests and began its career in 2006. She'll begin sailing out of Jacksonville, FL in November 2025 alongside Carnival Elation.
Sails to: The Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Europe, and the Panama Canal
Norwegian Jewel
When Norwegian Jewel launched in 2005, it was the very first ship for NCL's Jewel Class. The ship measures 83,502 gross registered tons and has a guest capacity of 2,376 people
Sails to: The Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Europe, Caribbean, and the Panama Canal
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Star, the first ship in the Dawn Class, measures 91,740 gross registered tons. This ship can hold up to 2,348 guests at full capacity and was delivered in 2001.
Sails to: The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, South America, and the Panama Canal
Norwegian Dawn
Norwegian Dawn, the namesake of the Dawn Class, measures 92,250 gross registered tons. This ship is capable of hosting up to 2,340 guests and was built in 2002. This vessel had its most recent refurbishment in 2016.
Sails to: The Bahamas, Africa, Caribbean, and Europe
Pride of America
Pride of America is a unique vessel in NCL’s fleet, as it is the only major cruise ship that currently sails exclusively in Hawaiian waters year-round. The vessel measures 80,439 gross registered tons and can accommodate 2,186 guests.
Fun Fact: Due to the ship only docking at ports of call located within the United States, it has a special drink package that's exclusive to the ship!
Sails to: Hawaii
Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Sun's maiden voyage was in 2001. This ship comes in at 78,903 gross registered tons and can carry 1,936 guests.
Sails to: Africa, Alaska, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Caribbean, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the South Pacific
Norwegian Sky
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. Norwegian Sky can accommodate 2,004 passengers.
Sails to: Africa, Asia, Bahamas, Canada & New England, Caribbean, Europe, and the Panama Canal
Norwegian Spirit
Norwegian Spirit was constructed in 1999, measures 75,904 gross registered tons, and can host up to 2,032 people. It's NCL's smallest ship in terms of gross registered tons.
Sails to: Alaska, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, and the South Pacific
Hayley Phillips
Hayley Phillips is a military spouse currently living in Florida and loves all things travel and travel planning.
