Norwegian Cruise Line ships by size (2024)

Ever wondered what the biggest or smallest cruise ship is in Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet?

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. 

Currently, they have 6 classes of ships: Prima Class, Breakaway Plus, Breakaway Class, Dawn Class, Sun Class, and Jewel Class. Three ships, Norwegian Epic, Spirit, and Pride of America, are the sole ships in their respective class. 

Regardless of what the age of your ship is, you can rest assured knowing that it will be equipped with modern amenities. In 2014, NCL announced its fleet enhancement program called “Norwegian NEXT.” In 2020 and 2021 alone, they updated eight of its older vessels. 

Let's take a look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships by their 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, 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, Mexico, Europe, 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, Bermuda, Caribbean, Canada & New England, 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, Caribbean, and Europe

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: Bahamas, 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, 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, Caribbean, and Europe

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 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. 

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, Bahamas, Canada & New England, Caribbean, Mexico, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, and South Africa

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, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Caribbean, 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, 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: Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Pacific Coast, 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: Europe and South America

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: Africa, Asia, 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! 

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: Alaska, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, 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, and Europe

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, and Hawaii