norwegian cruise ship size chart

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

Are you looking for the most megaresort-like, activity-packed Norwegian Cruise Line ships at sea? If so, you'll want to get on one of the biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

The biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ships are, almost by definition, the Norwegian Cruise Line ships with the most "stuff" — the most pools, waterslides and other deck-top attractions ( even go-kart tracks ), as well as the most onboard restaurants, bars and showrooms. They have the biggest spas and casinos among vessels in the Norwegian fleet and the most cabins and suites — as well as the most variation in suite and cabin types.

With room for 4,000 or more passengers, the biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ships are among the most massive resorts you'll find at sea from any cruise line and are comparable to some of the biggest resorts on land, too. 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.

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Still, Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't just operate giant vessels. The world's fourth-biggest cruise line also has quite a few relatively small cruise ships that carry just 2,000 or so people and provide a more intimate feel. In some cases, these vessels are just half the size of Norwegian Cruise Line's biggest ships. These are vessels that, notably, have fewer deck-top activities and interior venues than the biggest Norwegian cruise ships.

The smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ships are best for vacationers who like a less crowded, more intimate resort experience.

Related: The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained

To ensure you end up on the right Norwegian Cruise Line ship for you, it pays to understand which Norwegian Cruise Line ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.

Here, every Norwegian Cruise Line ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.

1. Norwegian Encore

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 169,116 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,998

2. Norwegian Bliss

Maiden voyage: 2018 Size: 168,028 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,004

3. Norwegian Joy

Maiden voyage: 2017 Size: 167,725 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,804

4. Norwegian Escape

Maiden voyage: 2015 Size: 164,998 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,266

5. Norwegian Epic

Maiden voyage: 2010 Size: 155,873 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,100

6. (tied) Norwegian Getaway

Maiden voyage: 2014 Size: 145,655 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,963

6. (tied) Norwegian Breakaway

Maiden voyage: 2013 Size: 145,655 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,963

8. (tied) Norwegian Viva

Maiden voyage: 2023 Size: 143,535 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,099

8. (tied) Norwegian Prima

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 143,535 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,099

10. Norwegian Jade

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 93,558 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,402

11. (tied) Norwegian Gem

Maiden voyage: 2007 Size: 93,530 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,394

11. (tied) Norwegian Pearl

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 93,530 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,394

13. Norwegian Jewel

Maiden voyage: 2005 Size: 93,502 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,376

14. Norwegian Dawn

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 92,250 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,340

15. Norwegian Star

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 91,740 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,348

16. Pride of America

Maiden voyage: 2005 Size: 80,439 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,186

17. Norwegian Sun

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 78,309 gross tons Passenger capacity: 1,936

18. Norwegian Sky

Maiden voyage: 1999 Size: 77,104 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,004

19. Norwegian Spirit

Maiden voyage: 1998 Size: 75,904 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,032

What is the biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

The biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ship is the 4-year-old Norwegian Encore . While not quite as big as the biggest ships from rival lines Royal Caribbean , MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line , Norwegian Encore is still firmly in the pantheon of the world's cruising giants.

At 169,116 tons, Norwegian Encore is bigger than all but 21 other cruise ships in the world, 15 of which are operated by the three lines mentioned above. It regularly sails with more than 4,000 passengers on board.

The biggest of four vessels in Norwegian's Breakaway Plus class of ships, Norwegian Encore is the Norwegian ship most packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment and over-the-top attractions. It's home to one of the biggest go-kart tracks on a cruise ship, the biggest laser tag area on a Norwegian ship and an unusually large virtual reality zone called Galaxy Pavilion, to name a few of its biggest attractions. There's also plenty of room to spare for multiple pools, waterslides and a kiddie splash zone.

Additionally, Norwegian Encore offers big-name shows in big, state-of-the-art theaters; a sprawling spa; a casino that fills half a deck; a dedicated children's play zone; and more than 2,000 rooms.

What is the smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

The smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship is Norwegian Spirit. At 75,904 gross tons, Norwegian Spirit is less than half the size of Norwegian Encore, the line's biggest ship. It carries just 1,966 passengers — more than 2,000 fewer than Norwegian Encore.

Unveiled in 1998, Norwegian Spirit is not only the smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship but also the oldest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. At 25 years old, it's likely to be phased out of the Norwegian fleet in the coming years.

Norwegian Spirit, notably, was not built for Norwegian Cruise Line but for Asia-based Star Cruises. Its original name was SuperStar Leo. It was transferred to Norwegian and renamed in 2004.

In part because of its smaller size, Norwegian Spirit offers fewer venues and attractions than newer Norwegian vessels, but it still offers a lot. In all, you'll find 13 food outlets on Norwegian Spirit, including two main restaurants, a casual buffet eatery, and versions of the line's signature Cagney's Steakhouse and French eatery Le Bistro. There are more than half a dozen bars and cafes.

Deck-top attractions on Norwegian Spirit include several pools, whirlpools, waterslides, a basketball court and a jogging track. The ship also has a casino, spa, nightclub and theater.

Are bigger Norwegian Cruise Line ships coming?

The answer isn't clear. Norwegian Cruise Line currently has four new cruise ships on order, and all were originally designed to be smaller than the biggest Norwegian ships currently at sea. However, Norwegian recently announced that some of the ships will be redesigned to be as much as 20% bigger .

Depending on how much bigger Norwegian makes these ships, they might become the biggest ships in the Norwegian fleet.

The four ships on order for Norwegian are all sister vessels to the recently unveiled Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, which are tied as Norwegian's eighth biggest ships. The first of the four additional ships on order, Norwegian Aqua , is scheduled to begin sailing in April 2025, with the three other new vessels arriving between 2026 and 2028.

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries

The four new ships are all part of what Norwegian is calling the Prima Class of ships. The first two ships in the series, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, measure 143,535 gross tons a piece, which is about 15% smaller than Norwegian Encore, Norwegian's biggest ship.

The last four ships in the series, as noted, are being redesigned to be bigger than the first two ships in the series.

Norwegian executives said the smaller size of the new Prima Class ships would give the line more options in designing itineraries, as the vessels would be able to access smaller ports around the world than some of the bigger Norwegian ships can.

What's the difference between bigger and smaller Norwegian Cruise Line ships?

To put it simply: The biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ships have room for more onboard venues and attractions than the line's older vessels.

On Norwegian's giant Breakaway Plus Class vessels (Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape), for instance, you'll find multiple pools, waterslides, a kiddie splash zone and — on most of the ships — a sprawling go-kart racing track. Each of the vessels also offers Broadway shows in giant theaters; sprawling spas; large casinos; expansive children's play zones; and more than 2,000 rooms.

Additionally, two of the biggest ships in the series, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, have what may be the largest and coolest gaming and virtual reality zones at sea.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship

Norwegian's smaller ships, by contrast, lack many of the above features. Because of their smaller size, they have a much more intimate feel, at least when compared to the biggest cruise ships at Norwegian and other mass-market lines, and they hold far fewer people. While Breakaway Plus Class ships can hold around 4,000 passengers, based on double occupancy, the line's smallest vessels are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Norwegian's smallest ships are a good choice for vacationers who aren't eager to travel with the huge crowds that are common on the world's biggest cruise ships. They appeal to a subset of Norwegian fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Norwegian loyalty perks

Additionally, because of their size, the smallest ships at Norwegian are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Norwegian Encore.

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Norwegian Cruise Line currently has 20 cruise ships. The company was established in 1966 and headquartered in Miami, FL; Norwegian Cruise Line has been an industry innovator. With its “First Fleet of the Caribbean” with four dedicated ships sailing in 1971.

Norwegian Cruise Ships: Biggest to Smallest

Below is a list of all Norwegian Cruise Line ships by size, ordered from largest to smallest.

Table of Contents

Ncl cruise ships by size.

Our list of Norwegian cruise ships by size shows gross tonnage (which is a measure of internal volume, not weight), the total guest capacity of each ship, Length in Feet, ship class, and the year the vessel entered service:

List of Norwegian Cruise Ships By Size

List of norwegian cruise ships by age with photos.

The cruise line is recently known for its beautiful hull artwork, multi-level go-cart race tracks at sea, and more. We hope you enjoy our comprehensive list of Norwegian cruise ships by age, from newest to oldest.

Norwegian Aqua – 2025

Norwegian Aqua is scheduled to become Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship in the fleet beginning in April 2025. She will be sailing Seven-Day Caribbean Voyages from Port Canaveral, Fla. She is the first ship in the brand new Prima Plus Class. She is 156,300 GRTs and carries 3,571 passengers (based on two per cabin).

Norwegian Aqua will premiere the first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster. Complete with exhilarating dual slides and a magnetic lift that propels adventurous guests through two different courses, this NCL-exclusive experience will feature three stories of exciting twists and turns around the ship’s funnel.

Norwegian Viva  –  2023

Norwegian Viva is Norwegian Cruise Line’s  newest ship  in the fleet, the second ship in the popular Prima Class, and sister to Norwegian Prima. She is 142,500 GRTs and carries 3,100 passengers (based on two per cabin).

Norwegian Prima   – 2022

Norwegian Prima is the first ship in the innovative and popular  Prima Class and sister to  Norwegian Viva . She is 142,500 GRTs and carries 3,100 passengers (based on two per cabin).

Norwegian Encore – 2019

Norwegian Encore is the largest Norwegian Cruise Line fleet ship at 169,116 GRTs. She carries 3,998 passengers (based on two per cabin) and is the last ship built the  Breakaway Plus Class .

Norwegian Bliss – 2018

Norwegian Bliss is the third ship in the  Breakaway Plus Class . She is 168,028 GRTs and carries 4,004 passengers (based on two per cabin).

Norwegian Joy – 2017

Norwegian Joy is the second ship in the  Breakaway Plus Class . She is 167,725 GRTs and carries 3,804 passengers (based on two per cabin).

Norwegian Escape – 2015

Norwegian Escape is the first ship in the  Breakaway Plus Class . She is 165,157 GRTs and carries 4,266 passengers (based on two per cabin). Renowned marine artist Guy Harvey completed the ship’s hull artwork.

Norwegian Getaway – 2014

Norwegian Getaway is the second ship in the  Breakaway Class . She is 145,655 GRTs and carries 3,963 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship’s mural on the hull was designed by David “LEBO” Le Batard. Known as Lebo in the art world, he is recognized for working in a wide spectrum of creative mediums, including murals, paintings & sculptures.

Norwegian Breakaway – 2013

Norwegian Breakaway is the first ship in the  Breakaway Class . She is 145,655 GRTs and carries 3,963 passengers (based on two per cabin). Acclaimed artist Peter Max completed the hull ships’ colorful artwork.

Norwegian Epic – 2010

Norwegian Epic is 155,873 GRTs and carries 4,100 passengers (based on two per cabin). Norwegian Epic was originally one of three ships to be ordered. A dispute ultimately resulted in delivering only one ship in the Epic Class. When built, Norwegian Epic was the third-largest cruise ship in the world in June of 2010.

Norwegian Gem – 2007

Norwegian Gem is the final ship in the  Jewel Class . She is 93,530 GRTs and carries 2,394 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line on October 1, 2007, and received a major refurbishment in 2015.

Norwegian Pearl – 2006

Norwegian Pearl is the third ship in the  Jewel Class . She is 93,530 GRTs and carries 2,394 passengers (based on two per cabin). She began service in 2006 and received a major refurbishment in 2017.

Norwegian Jade – 2006

Norwegian Jade is the second ship in the  Jewel Class . She is 93,558 GRTs and carries 2,402 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was originally built as  Pride of Hawaii  for their NCL America division.  Norwegian Jade  was also used as a floating hotel during the  2014 Winter Olympics  in Sochi.

Norwegian Jewel – 2005

Norwegian Jewel is the first ship in the  Jewel Class . She is 93,502 GRTs and carries 2,376 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship’s Godmother is former First Lady Melania Trump. She launched in 2005 and received a major refurbishment in 2018.

Pride of America – 2005

Pride of America is the only ship in the  Pride of America Class . She is 80,439 GRTs and carries 2,186 passengers (based on two per cabin). The initial construction of the vessel began in 2000 in the United States as part of a plan for a US-built and US-flagged cruise ship under Project America. Still, the project failed, and she was eventually purchased by Norwegian Cruise Lines and completed in Germany.

Pride of America  was inaugurated in 2005 and was the first new U.S. flagged, deep-water vessel cruise ship in nearly fifty years since the  SS  Argentina  of 1958. The Godmother is a former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

Norwegian Dawn – 2002

Norwegian Dawn is the second ship in the  Dawn Class  and is the sister of  Norwegian Star.  She is 92,250 GRTs and carries 2,340 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was originally intended to operate with  Star Cruises  under the name  SuperStar Scorpio , but it was later decided that she would be delivered to  Star’s  then subsidiary,  Norwegian Cruise Line  as the  Norwegian Dawn  in December 2002. Her Godmother is actress Kim Cattrall.

Norwegian Star – 2001

Norwegian Star is the first ship in the  Dawn Class  and is the sister of  Norwegian Dawn.  She is 91,740 GRTs and carries 2,348 passengers (based on two per cabin). The ship was originally ordered by and intended for  Star Cruises , and it was originally named  SuperStar Libra  before being transferred to Star’s then subsidiary, Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian Sun   – 2001

Norwegian Sun is the second ship in the  Sun Class  and is the sister of  Norwegian Sky.  She is 78,309 GRTs and carries 1,936 passengers (based on two per cabin).

Norwegian Sky – 1999

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).  She sailed from 2004 to 2008 as Pride of Aloha for NCL America.

Norwegian Spirit – 1998

Norwegian Spirit is the only ship in the  Leo Class . She is 75,904 GRTs and carries 2,018 passengers (based on two per cabin). She was built 1998 for Star Cruises as SuperStar Leo by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. In 2004, she was transferred to NCL and renamed  Norwegian Spirit.

List of Norwegian Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest

Ncl ship classes.

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.

The table below shows the Norwegian Cruise Line ship classes .

Norwegian Cruise Line ship classes

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships FAQs

What are the different classes of norwegian cruise line ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships are categorized into Breakaway Plus Class, Jewel Class, Prima Class, Dawn Class, Sun Class, and Breakaway Class.

How many ships are in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet?

As of 2024, the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet consists of several ships, including new additions such as Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva and other existing vessels for 20 when you include the Norwegian Aqua (scheduled for April 2025).

What is the smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

The smallest NCL ship is the Norwegian Spirit, which is 75,904 GRT and carries 2,018 passengers (based on two per cabin).

What are the characteristics of the Breakaway Plus Class ships?

The Breakaway Plus Class ships are known for being the largest and most innovative ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, offering a wide range of amenities and entertainment options.

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

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of ship sizes, from the largest in the Breakaway Plus Class to smaller ships, providing options for different preferences within the cruise industry.

Are there any new additions to the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in 2024?

Yes, Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced new ships, such as Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, as part of their continuous expansion and growth in the cruise industry.

What are some notable features of Norwegian Cruise Line ships?

Norwegian Cruise Line ships are known for their innovative design, onboard activities such as laser tag, go-cart tracks, escape rooms, entertainment options like Broadway shows at sea, and dining experiences, offering passengers a unique and enjoyable cruise experience.

How many Breakaway Plus-class ships are currently in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet?

There are four Breakaway Plus-class ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, each offering distinct amenities and experiences for passengers.

What are some other cruise lines under Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings?

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings also includes Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, offering various cruise experiences across its brands.

What sets Norwegian Cruise Line apart in the cruise industry?

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its various ship sizes, innovative features, and unique amenities, catering to a diverse range of preferences within the cruise industry.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Size: Smallest to Biggest

Doug Parker

• December 18, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has a lot of ships of varying sizes, and it can become confusing trying to keep track of how old and big they are and what features are available on each vessel.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships listed by size

To help, we’ve compiled this overview of each ship in the fleet by size, organized from smallest to largest by gross registered tonnage.

Norwegian Spirit

Key Features : Silk Asian restaurant, Bier Garten, Onda by Scarpetta Italian restaurant, Spice H2O adults-only sundeck, Blazing Boots show, Elements show, World Beat show, a spa with thermal suite, and Henry’s Pub

Norwegian Sky

Key Features : Le Bistro restaurant, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Pinnacle Lounge and Sushi Bar, Mandara Spa, Rock You Tonight show, Sky Casino, and The Local Bar & Grill open 24 hours a day

Norwegian Sun

Key Features : Mandara Spa, Rock You Tonight show, World Beat show, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, Los Lobos Cantina, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse, and the Sun Casino

Pride of America

Key Features : Mandara Spa, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, Lights, Camera, Music! show, Cadillac Diner, Cagney’s Steakhouse, La Cucina Italian restaurant, Gold Rush Saloon, Napa Wine Bar, and Entourage Teen Club

Norwegian Star

Key Features : Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse, Le Bistro restaurant, Ginza Asian restaurant, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Spice H2O adults-only sundeck, Band on the Run show, Mandara Spa with thermal suite, Paradis show, Splash Academy kids’ clubs

MORE: Bimini Cruise Port: Everything You Need To Know

Norwegian Dawn

Key Features : Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse, Dawn Club Casino, Elements show, Mandara Spa, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, and Entourage Teen Club

Norwegian Jewel

Key Features : Bliss Ultra Lounge, Entourage Teen Club, Velvet show, Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse, Rock You Tonight show, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, O’Sheehan’s , and Magnum’s Champagne & Wine Bar

Norwegian Pearl

Key Features : Mandara Spa with thermal suite, O’Sheehan’s 24 hours a day restaurant, Lotus Garden Asian restaurant, Legends In Concert show, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, and La Cucina Italian restaurant

Norwegian Gem

Key Features : La Cucina Italian restaurant, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Gem Club Casino Bar, Entourage Teen Club, Mandara Spa & Salon with thermal suite, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, Blazing Boots show, Get Down Tonight show, and Swing! The Musical

Norwegian Jade

Key Features : Jade Club, Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse , Entourage Teen Club, Mandara Spa & Salon with thermal suite, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, Bliss Lounge, Spinnaker Lounge, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Blazing Boots show, Elements show, and Palace of Lights

MORE: The Pros and Cons of Future Cruise Credits

Norwegian Prima

Key Features: The Rush dueling slides, Norwegian Speedway go kart racetrack, Infinity Beach sundeck, Onda by Scarpetta Italian restaurant, Palomar Mediterranean restaurant, Mandara Spa with a waterfall and charcoal sauna, Syd Norman’s Pour House, Galaxy Pavilion virtual reality games, and The Haven ship-within-a-ship complex

Norwegian Viva

Key Features: Ocean Boulevard, Indulge Food Hall, The Concourse, Infinity Beach, Galaxy Pavilion, Viva Speedway, The Drop, The Rush, and Metropolitan Bar

Norwegian Breakaway

Key Features : Syd Norman’s Pour House, The Waterfront oceanside promenade, Bliss Ultra Lounge, Burn the Floor show, five multi-story waterslides, and the largest ropes course at sea

Norwegian Getaway

Key Features : An aqua park, Entourage Teen Club, Getaway Casino, Mandara Spa & Salon with thermal suite, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, a sports complex, Burn the Floor show, Syd Norman’s Pour House, Howl at the Moon show, Million Dollar Quartet

Norwegian Epic

Key Features : Burn the Floor, Howl at the Moon, an aqua park, Bliss Ultra Lounge, bowling alley, Mandara Spa & Salon, Entourage Teen Club, and Headliners Comedy Club

Norwegian Escape

Key Features : Moderno Churrascaria, After Midnight show, Howl at the Moon show, The Choir of Man show, a ropes course, Entourage Teen Club, an aqua park, and 678 Ocean Place

Norwegian Joy

Key Features : Go kart racetrack, laser tag, Q Texas Smokehouse, Galaxy Pavilion virtual reality games, an aqua park, Mandara Spa & Salon, Footloose show, Elements show, Social Comedy and Night Club, and The Cavern Club

Norwegian Bliss

Key Features : Observation Lounge, go karting racetrack, laser tag, Los Lobos specialty restaurant, Jersey Boys Broadway show, Mandara Spa with thermal suite, and Q Texas Smokehouse

Norwegian Encore

Key Features : Go-karting racetrack, laser tag, Galaxy Pavilion virtual reality games, an aqua park, The Choir of Man show, Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical, Onda by Scarpetta Italian restaurant, Social Comedy & Night Club, and The Cavern Club

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Norwegian Cruise Ships by Size, Age and Class (Updated 2022)

Norwegian Cruise Line has an active fleet of seventeen ships with a further two ships due in 2022-23 ( Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva ) plus, a further four more ships due between 2024-27.

The fleet is primarily based in the United States and sails frequently from the ports of Miami and Port Canaveral. However, they do also sail from New York.

Additional sailings take place throughout Europe, including Southampton.

In this guide, we will cover all the different ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and how they compare to each other.

Introduction to Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL as it is more commonly known amongst cruisers started off back in 1966. However, it didn’t actually cruise from Norway originally!

It was founded by two men, Knut Kloster and perhaps more famously known now, Ted Arison (of Carnival Cruise Line ).

Their first vessel Sunward , a modified car ferry which also provided passenger services operated between the ports of Southampton and Gibraltar. It wasn’t long after that that Ted Arison left to found Carnival Cruise Line and Knut Kloster grew Norwegian Cruise Line to what it is today.

It wasn’t until 1971 that Norwegian Cruise Line had its first custom-built cruise ship, Starward delivered into service. Like the original Sunward the two ships also had car-carrying capacity, albeit via a well-concealed stern (rear) door system.

Fast forward to 2000 and NCL was sold to Star Cruises (a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong) – this lasted until 2007 when Star Cruises sold 50% to an investment management company ( Apollo Management ) and then in 2013 the company reorganized again to become Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Since 2013, the company has acquired two further cruise brands ( Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises ) and continues to grow the NCL fleet with several new builds announced for the current decade.

Norwegian Cruise Line Frequently Asked Questions

Is norwegian cruise line going to survive.

Whilst NCL has been one of the slowest to return to service (with Norwegian Getaway still not due back in service until November 2022) the cruise line has taken on additional debt to manage the day-to-day operations of the company and therefore it is more than likely to stay around!

What is the largest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

Norwegian Encore is currently the largest NCL ship at 169,116 GRT and able to carry 3,998 passengers.

What is the smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

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.

Which Norwegian Cruise Line ship is the newest?

Norwegian Prima will be the newest ship to join the fleet in August 2022.

Which Norwegian Cruise Line ship is the oldest?

Norwegian Spirit is the oldest ship in the fleet. Which entered service in 1998 and was last refurbished in 2020.

Is Norwegian Cruise Line owned by Royal Caribbean?

No. It is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. They also own luxury brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

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

What does ‘tonnage (grt)’ mean.

GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) is a term used to calculate the volume inside a ship. It is a measure of cubic capacity and is calculated by the total volume from inside the hull and decks of the ship. 1 GRT = 100 cubic feet of space. In essence, the bigger the GRT – the more ‘space’ the ship has for passengers, cargo, etc.

How are ‘Passengers (Max)’ calculated?

You’ll see multiple numbers for passengers on ships – this is because many ships include extra beds in cabins (such as the sofa/couch can convert to a pull-out bed) – but the majority of cabins usually have 2 people in them. the ‘Max’ number is if every cabin used their additional pull-out bed, etc. This number is unlikely to be reached very frequently.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Age (from newest to oldest)

Are all norwegian cruise ships new builds.

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).

Norwegian Sky for example was originally constructed as Costa Olympia , but was actually sold during construction to NCL and sailed as Pride of Aloha from 2004-2008.

Both Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn were both originally ordered for Star Cruises ( Superstar Libra and Superstar Scorpio respectively) but ended up being transferred to NCL before they launched.

Norwegian Spirit was built as SuperStar Leo for Star Cruises and sailed with them from 1998 until 2004 when she transferred to NCL and was renamed.

Norwegian Jade was previously named Pride of Hawaii for NCL America. She entered service in 2006 and was transferred to NCL, renamed and has been sailing for them since 2008.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Class (from newest to oldest)

Final thoughts.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a large cruise line in the industry, but has been overtaken by many others ( Carnival Cruise Line , Royal Caribbean to name just two) – however, NCL has been groundbreaking when it comes to bringing new ideas to the cruise industry.

They were the first to offer a more casual-relaxed dining approach, with any-time dining instead of the traditional two-set timed dining system that other lines previously (and still) use.

Thanks to the SS Norway (which NCL acquired in 1979 – then named France ), Norwegian rebuilt the liner as a cruise ship and added vast amounts of extra space for entertaining cruise passengers – something that set the boom in large cruise ships in the industry going.

These days, Norwegian is a very popular cruise line that still brings out a number of ‘firsts’ over other lines (such as Go-Karting at sea), and whilst their fleet is on the slightly older side, they will have some much newer and larger vessels being delivered over the next few years.

Enjoy this guide? Read our other comparison guides on Carnival Cruise Line , Holland America Line and MSC Cruises .

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Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Size & Age (Fleet Comparison)

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Norwegian Cruise Line has a fleet of 19 cruise ships that offer passengers large-vessel luxury vacations.

NCL is a popular cruise line for its laid-back, freestyle approach to cruising. Their newest and largest vessels boast go-kart tracks, F1 simulators, rock climbing walls, water slides, and more.

We’ll compare Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by size, age, and class to help you decide which vessel is right for your next cruise vacation.

Table of Contents

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Size: Biggest to Smallest

When comparing cruise ships, size is the most popular choice. Cruise ships are typically measured using gross tonnage(GT), a measure of a vessel’s internal volume.

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.

Below is a comparison of Norwegian Cruise Lines’ ships by size, arranged from largest to smallest:

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Age: Newest to Oldest

If you want to experience the latest and greatest cruise ships, you might want to sail on a newer vessel.

Newer cruise ships often have better amenities, updated decor, and more activities. NCL’s newest Prima-class vessels offer a three-story go-kart track, Broadway-style shows, a 10-story dry slide, mini golf, water slides, and more.

Below is a comparison of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships by age, from newest to oldest:

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Class

Norwegian Cruise Line currently offers seven classes of cruise ships.

Each class features similar designs, features, and amenities, with slight differences between sister ships.

Here are Norwegian Cruise Line ships by class:

Norwegian Cruise Line also operates two cruise ships that don’t belong to any classes:

• Norwegian Spirit
• Pride of America

Norwegian Cruise Ships on Order

Norwegian Cruise Line currently has four Prima-class cruise ships on order.

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.

What is the Biggest NCL Ship?

NCL’S biggest cruise ship is Norwegian Prima, with an internal volume of 142,500 GT, a length of 1,070 feet, a passenger capacity of 3,998, and a crew of 1,735.

What is the Smallest NCL Ship?

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.

What is the Newest NCL Cruise Ship

Norwegian Viva is the newest NCL cruise ship. The Prima-class vessel joined the fleet in 2023.

What is the Oldest NCL Ship?

Norwegian Spirit is the oldest cruise ship in NCL’s fleet. The cruise ship was built in 1998.

What Was the First NCL Cruise Ship?

Norwegian Cruise Line’s first cruise ship was the MS  Sunward , which it acquired in 1966.

How Many Cruise Ships Does NCL Have?

Norwegian Cruise Line currently operates a fleet of 19 cruise ships.

Who Owns Norwegian Cruise Line?

Norwegian Cruise Line is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) , which also owns Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

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Raking Norwegian Cruise Line Ships By Size

All 19 ships across the fleet.

Are you looking for a mega-ship or small and intimate? Check out our size guide from biggest Norwegian Cruise ship to smallest.

Norwegian Cruise Ships By Size (Largest To Smallest)

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.

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Is Bigger Better? How Do You Like To Cruise?

You better believe it, the Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships are loaded with all the bells and whistles. We’re talking multiple pools, waterslides, go-kart tracks, and more deck-top fun than you could shake a stick at. And when it comes to dining, drinking, and entertainment, these bad boys have got it all, with more restaurants, bars, and showrooms than you can count. Plus, their spas and casinos are the biggest in the entire Norwegian fleet, and they’ve got the most cabins and suites with a huge variety of options to choose from. These ships are the real deal, no doubt about it.

With space for over 4,000 guests, Norwegian Cruise Line boasts some of the largest ships in the industry, rivalling even the most extravagant land resorts. If you subscribe to the notion that bigger is always better, then these ships are right up your alley. Go big or go home, right?

Norwegian Cruise Line isn’t all about massive ships. They also have a fleet of smaller cruise ships that offer a more intimate experience for around 2,000 passengers. These ships are half the size of their biggest ones and offer a more low-key vibe with fewer activities and entertainment options. If you prefer a more relaxed and cosy holiday, these smaller ships are the way to go.

Don’t be fooled by passenger size too. Some ships can hold more passengers, but are smaller.

#1 Norwegian Encore

Passenger capacity: 3,998.

The Norwegian Encore is the newest and largest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. With a length of approximately 1,094 feet and a passenger capacity of nearly 4,000, this mega-ship offers a luxurious and unforgettable cruising experience. The Norwegian Encore features a variety of dining options, entertainment venues, and onboard activities to keep guests entertained throughout their voyage.

#2 Norwegian Bliss

Passenger capacity:  4,004.

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.

#3 Norwegian Joy

Passenger capacity:  3,804.

The Norwegian Joy is a vibrant and exciting ship that caters to guests of all ages. With a length of approximately 1,094 feet and a passenger capacity of over 3,800, this ship offers a wide range of activities and entertainment choices. From exhilarating go-kart racetracks to peaceful spa retreats, the Norwegian Joy has something for everyone.

#4 Norwegian Escape

Passenger capacity:  4,266.

With a length of around 1,069 feet and a passenger capacity of over 4,200, the Norwegian Escape is a spectacular ship that guarantees an unforgettable vacation. Guests onboard the Norwegian Escape can enjoy a wide range of dining options, including specialty restaurants and casual eateries. The ship also offers thrilling activities such as aqua parks, water slides, and Broadway-style shows.

#5 Norwegian Epic

Passenger capacity:  4,100.

Norwegian Epic is known for its innovative design and impressive features. With a length of approximately 1,081 feet and a passenger capacity of over 4,100, this ship offers a unique cruising experience. The Norwegian Epic features a variety of entertainment options, including live shows, comedy clubs, and a thrilling casino. Guests can also indulge in a wide range of culinary delights at the ship’s numerous dining venues.

Joint 6th Norwegian Getaway

Passenger capacity:  3,963.

Get ready to be amazed by the NCL Getaway, which was built in 2014 and boasts a whopping 145,655 gross tons. This magnificent ship stretches 1,068 feet (326 meters) in length and ranks as the joint 6th largest among Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 19 active cruise ships. It’s part of NCL’s Breakaway Class, offering an unforgettable cruise experience. 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.

Joint 6th Norwegian Breakaway

Get ready to sail on the incredible NCL Breakaway, which was constructed in 2013 and boasts a massive size of 145,655 gross tons. This impressive ship stretches 1,068 feet (326 meters) in length and is ranked as the 6th largest in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 19 active cruise ships. Part of the prestigious Breakaway Class, this ship can accommodate a whopping 5,977 passengers at full capacity, with 3,963 vacationers and 1,657 staff members. With a total of 2,014 staterooms, the Norwegian Breakaway is ready to provide an unforgettable cruise experience for all who come aboard.

Joint 7th Norwegian Viva

Passenger capacity: 3,099.

Set sail on the NCL Viva, completed in 2023 with a whopping size of 142,500 gross tons. This impressive ship spans 965 feet, making it the joint 7th largest among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships, and it’s part of the NCL’s Prima Class. With a maximum capacity of 5,596 passengers, including 3,950 cruise vacationers and 1,388 staff members, the Norwegian Viva offers a total of 1,646 staterooms for a luxurious and unforgettable cruise experience. Don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of this incredible journey! 

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Joint 7th Norwegian Prima

Passenger capacity:  3,099.

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. As part of NCL’s Prima Class, it can accommodate a full capacity of 5,596 passengers, including 3,950 vacationers and 1,388 staff members. With 1,646 staterooms, the Norwegian Prima is sure to provide an incredible cruise experience for all who come aboard.

#8 Norwegian Jade

Passenger capacity:  2,402.

The NCL Jade was built in 2006 and is a whopping 93,558 gross tons. This bad boy measures 965 feet (294 meters) long. It’s part of NCL’s Jewel Class, and when it’s party time, the Norwegian Jade can hold 3,593 people. That’s 2,402 guests and 1,037 crew members. Oh, and it’s got a whopping 1,191 staterooms, so there’s plenty of room for all the fun.

Joint 9th Norwegian Gem

Passenger capacity:  2,394.

The NCL Gem was built in 2007 and is a whopping 93,530 gross tons. It stretches out to 965 feet (294 meters) and ranks as the joint 9th among Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 19 cruise ships. It’s part of NCL’s Jewel Class. When it’s packed to the brim, the Norwegian Gem can hold 3,591 passengers – 2,394 vacationers and 1,070 staff members. The Norwegian Gem boasts a grand total of 1,197 staterooms.

Joint 9th Norwegian Pearl

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. It’s a proud member of NCL’s Jewel Class. When fully packed, the Norwegian Pearl can accommodate 3,591 guests, made up of 2,394 holiday makers and 1,072 crew members. With 1,197 staterooms in total, this ship has room for everyone to join the party.

#10 Norwegian Jewel

Passenger capacity:  2,376.

The NCL Jewel was built in 2005 and is 93,502 gross tons in size. This magnificent ship stretches out to 965 feet (294 meters) and proudly sits as the 10th gem in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 19 active cruise ships. It’s part of the prestigious NCL Jewel Class, and when it’s fully packed, it can accommodate a grand total of 3,573 people. That includes 2,376 lucky vacationers and 1,069 hardworking staff members. With a grand total of 1,197 staterooms, the Norwegian Jewel is ready to welcome guests for a truly luxurious cruise experience.

#11 Norwegian Dawn

Passenger capacity:  2,340.

Get ready to set sail on the magnificent NCL Dawn, built in 2002 and boasting a massive size of 92,250 gross tons. This impressive ship stretches 965 feet (294 meters) in length, ranking as the 11th among Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 19 active cruise ships. It’s part of the esteemed Dawn Class and can accommodate a whopping 3,372 passengers at full capacity, with 2,340 lucky vacationers and 1,032 dedicated staff members. There are a total of 1,032 staterooms on board to ensure a comfortable and unforgettable journey.

#12 Norwegian Star

Passenger capacity:  2,348.

The NCL Star was built in 2001 and has a total weight of 91,740 gross tons. It spans 965 feet (294 meters) in length and is the 12th largest among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships. It belongs to NCL’s Dawn Class. When fully occupied, the Norwegian Star can accommodate 3,524 guests, including 2,348 passengers and 1,031 crew members. The ship has a total of 1,176 staterooms.

#13 Pride of America

Passenger capacity:  2,186.

Get ready to set sail on the impressive NCL Pride of America, which was built in 2005 and boasts a massive size of 80,439 gross tons. This incredible ship spans 920 feet (280 meters) in length and is the 13th vessel among Norwegian Cruise Line’s 19 active cruise ships. Part of the NCL’s Pride of America Class, this ship can accommodate a total of 3,280 passengers, including 2,186 guests and 927 dedicated staff members. With a total of 1,094 staterooms, the Norwegian Pride of America offers plenty of space for everyone on board. Get ready for an unforgettable cruise experience!

#14 Norwegian Sun

Passenger capacity:  1,936.

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. Get ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime aboard the incredible Norwegian Sun.

#15 Norwegian Sky

Passenger capacity:  2,004.

The NCL Sky was built in 1999 and has a total size of 77,104 gross tons. It measures 832 feet (254 meters) in length and is the 2nd smallest ship in the Norwegian fleet. It belongs to NCL’s Sun Class. When fully occupied, the Norwegian Sky can accommodate 3,006 passengers, including 2,004 holiday makers and 899 crew members. The total number of staterooms on the Norwegian Sky is 1,002. 

#16 Norwegian Spirit

Passenger capacity:  2,032.

The NCL Spirit was built in 1998 and has a total size of 75,904 gross tons. It measures 880 feet (268 meters) in length and is the smallest of the 19 active cruise ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. The ship belongs to NCL’s Spirit Class and can accommodate 3,026 passengers at full capacity, with 2,018 vacationers and 912 staff members. The Norwegian Spirit has a total of 1,008 staterooms.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Fleet

Norwegian cruise line ship fleet information. Cruisedeckplans.com shows the different classes of ships in the Norwegian fleet. On this page you can also compare features and dining options for each Norwegian ship. You will find daily service charge information, number of cabins, and gross tons for each ship. You can CLICK ON any ship to go to the ship page for that ship. Check out our unique stateroom capacity trend chart showing the changes in the size of the Norwegian cruise line ship fleet over the past few years. Check out our Master Ship List . You can filter and sort by cruise line or ship.

CLICK on a ship below to go to the ship decks and cabins page. Norwegian Cruise Line has 20 ships in the fleet. You can filter the Norwegian fleet by ship class using the box below. Typically Norwegian Cruise Line will build or buy several ships sharing similar features. They define the different types of ships as classes. Ships of the same class may be almost identical to each other.

Norwegian Aqua

CLASS: Prima Plus Tons 156k Built 2025 Cabins 1760

Norwegian Bliss

CLASS: Breakaway-Plus Tons 168k Built 2018 Cabins 2043

Norwegian Breakaway

CLASS: Breakaway Tons 147k Built 2013 Cabins 2008

Norwegian Dawn

CLASS: Dawn Tons 92k Built 2002 Cabins 1170

Norwegian Encore

CLASS: Breakaway-Plus Tons 168k Built 2019 Cabins 2069

Norwegian Epic

CLASS: Epic Tons 156k Built 2010 Cabins 2114

Norwegian Escape

CLASS: Breakaway-Plus Tons 165k Built 2015 Cabins 2174

Norwegian Gem

CLASS: Jewel Tons 94k Built 2007 Cabins 1197

Norwegian Getaway

CLASS: Breakaway Tons 146k Built 2014 Cabins 2008

Norwegian Jade

CLASS: Jewel Tons 94k Built 2006 Cabins 1201

Norwegian Jewel

CLASS: Jewel Tons 94k Built 2005 Cabins 1196

Norwegian Joy

CLASS: Breakaway-Plus Tons 165k Built 2017 Cabins 1926

Norwegian Pearl

CLASS: Jewel Tons 94k Built 2006 Cabins 1197

Norwegian Prima

CLASS: Prima Tons 143k Built 2022 Cabins 1646

Norwegian Sky

CLASS: Sun Tons 77k Built 1999 Cabins 1002

Norwegian Spirit

CLASS: Leo Tons 75k Built 1998 Cabins 1022

Norwegian Star

CLASS: Dawn Tons 92k Built 2001 Cabins 1172

Norwegian Sun

CLASS: Sun Tons 78k Built 2000 Cabins 968

Norwegian Viva

CLASS: Prima Tons 143k Built 2023 Cabins 1646

Pride of America

CLASS: America Tons 81k Built 2005 Cabins 1094

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Freestyle Cruising is all about flexibility and freedom. Freedom from stress. Freedom from schedules. Freedom to create your own vacation. On an NCL cruise, you can eat where you want, when you want, with whom you want. And with up to 13 different restaurants and dining rooms on board, you can certainly eat whatever you want. You can also dress the way you want and, at the end of your cruise, get off the ship whenever and however work best for you.

SELLING POINTS: Norwegian Cruise Line is a leader in offering a different cruise experience. Each ship is loaded with many dining options (some at additional cost) that give the cruiser a choice. You won't get bored on a Norwegian ship. The day and night is filled with activities. You will find bowling, rock climbing, water slides, rope courses, pools on many of the ships. You will find live music venues throughout the ship. Norwegian Cruise Line also offers one of the best Suite programs at sea. For those who can afford it, you will find Suite only pools, dining, and lounge areas. If you like crowds, lots of activities, shows, games, and dining then Norwegian Cruise Line is a great choice.

Stateroom Capacity Trend Chart

Watch growth and decline rates. Rapid growth may lead to quality and service issues.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Features

The following is a listing of some of the features that Norwegian Cruise Line offers. You can use the search box to filter the ships. You can also click on the columns to sort the table.

Norwegian Cruise Line Specialty Dining

Cagneys steakhouse, food republic, la cucina italian restaurant, le bistro french restaurant, local bar & grill, moderno churrascaria, o sheehans bar & grill.

CRUISEDECKPLANS.COM Use the input buttons above to go to the main page for a Cruise Ship or Cruise Line.

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When you sail with Norwegian Cruise Line, you are cruising on the most innovative and accommodating fleet on the high seas. Our award-winning fleet was built for Freestyle, designed to give you freedom and flexibility. Choose your ship, choose your destination and step on board for the perfect holiday.

Explore Our Ships

Norwegian Aqua

Prima class.

• DESTINATIONS
• Transatlantic
• Ship 156,300 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,571 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2025 Year Built

Norwegian Bliss

Breakaway plus class.

• Northern Europe
• Panama Canal
• Extraordinary Journeys
• Pacific Coastal
• Ship 168,028 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,958 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2018

Norwegian Breakaway

Breakaway class.

• Mediterranean
• Canada & New England
• Ship 145,655 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,903 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2020 Refurbished Year Built 2013

Norwegian Dawn

• Greek Isles
• Ship 92,250 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,290 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2002

Norwegian Encore

• Ship 169,116 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3958 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2019 Year Built

Norwegian Epic

• Ship 155,873 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 4,070 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2020 Refurbished Year Built 2010

Norwegian Escape

• Ship 164,998 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 4,218 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2015

Norwegian Gem

Jewel class.

• Ship 93,530 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,344 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2007

Norwegian Getaway

• Year 2020 Refurbished Year Built 2014

Norwegian Jade

• South America
• Ship 93,558 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,352 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2006

Norwegian Jewel

• Ship 93,502 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,330 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2005

Norwegian Joy

• Ship 167,725 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,776 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2024 Refurbished Year Built 2017

Norwegian Pearl

• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2006

Norwegian Prima

• Ship 143,535 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,099 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Year Built

Norwegian Sky

• Ship 77,104 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 1,944 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2024 Refurbished Year Built 1999

Norwegian Spirit

• Australia & New Zealand
• Ship 75,904 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 1,972 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 1998

Norwegian Star

• Ship 91,740 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,298 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2001

Norwegian Sun

• South Pacific
• Ship 78,309 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 1,878 Guest Capacity double occupancy

Norwegian Viva

• Ship 142,500 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,195 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2023 Year Built

Pride of America

• Ship 80,439 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,150 Guest Capacity double occupancy

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Yahoo Finance

Norwegian cruise line holdings ltd. (nyse:nclh) is largely controlled by institutional shareholders who own 67% of the company, key insights.

Significantly high institutional ownership implies Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

A total of 18 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership

Recent purchases by insiders

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. ( NYSE:NCLH ), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. With 67% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

See our latest analysis for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

We can see that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.2% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 6.5% by the third-largest shareholder.

Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 51% of the ownership is controlled by the top 18 shareholders, meaning that no single shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. insiders own under 1% of the company. Keep in mind that it's a big company, and the insiders own US$48m worth of shares. The absolute value might be more important than the proportional share. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 32% stake in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks for example - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is significant) we think you should know about.

Ultimately the future is most important . You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company .

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

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Explore The Norwegian Sky

Norwegian cruise line.

The Norwegian Sky was built in 1999 and is among Norwegian 's 19 ships in it's fleet. The Sky is included in the cruise line's Sun Class. In the cruise ship stats below you'll find the Sky vs all of the other Norwegian ships.

Norwegian Sky Size

How big is the Norwegian Sky ? Below, you’ll find all of the relevant cruise ship stats, specs and dimensions for the Norwegian Sky . Included in these statistics are passenger capacity, length, year built, year renovated, cost to build, gross tonnage, engine info, number of rooms, deck counts and more!

Norwegian Sky

Norwegian sky capacity.

Passenger Capacity refers to the total number of people that the Norwegian Sky can accommodate. Of course, there are also crew members on board. Below, find the total onboard capacity, including staff and cruise guests.

Norwegian Sky Passenger Capacity: The passenger capacity for the Norwegian Sky is 2,004 guests . The average capacity for the 19 active ships in Norwegian ’s fleet is 3,073 passengers. The passenger capacity range for all Norwegian ships has a minimum of 1,936 guests and a maximum of 4,266 passengers.

Norwegian Sky Crew Members: Staff on the Norwegian Sky include 899 members. That's a guest to staff ratio of 2.2 to 1 . The average Norwegian ship includes 1,303 employees and has a passenger to staff ratio of 2.4 to 1 .

Norwegian Sky Passenger and Crew Capacity

Vs norwegian fleet, norwegian sky length.

How long is the Norwegian Sky ? From end to end, the Sky length equals 832 feet ( 254 meters). Compare that to the average ship length of all 19 active vessels in Norwegian ’s fleet, measuring 988 feet ( 301 meters).

The smallest Norwegian ship (in terms of length) measures 832 feet ( 254 meters) from end to end. The longest vessel spans 1,094 feet ( 333 meters). Our chart below shows the length of the Norwegian Sky vs all other active Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

Norwegian Sky Built Date

When was the Norwegian Sky Built? The Norwegian Sky was built in 1999 and joined the cruise line’s Sun Class.

Norwegian includes 19 active ships. The oldest in the fleet was built in 1998 while the newest ship was built in 2023 . The average Norwegian ship is 14 years old and the median build date for all active ships is 2007

When was the last Norwegian Sky Dry Dock? The Sky experienced dry dock improvements in 2019 .

Renovations include the following:    The Norwegian Sky experienced a refurbishment in January, 2019. The dry dock included pool deck improvements, bar / lounge updates, and the addition of Starbucks. Prior to that dry dock, the NCL Sky was renovated in 2017 with technical upgrades.

Norwegian Sky Deck Plans

The Carnival Breeze has a total of 10 passenger decks. The lowest level available to guests is Deck 4 . The highest passenger deck is Deck 12 .

What does the Carnival Breeze offer in terms of things to do? The ship features 13 restaurants, 6 bars, 7 shows, 24 activities, and 12 other features for your enjoyment.

Click below to access deck plans for the Norwegian Sky . The resulting page will provide a floor plan and summary of all things to do offered on that level of the ship.

all deck plans

Frequently asked questions.

Norwegian Sky Info

The Norwegian Sky experienced a refurbishment in January, 2019. The dry dock included pool deck improvements, bar / lounge updates, and the addition of Starbucks. Prior to that dry dock, the NCL Sky was renovated in 2017 with technical upgrades.

The ship belongs to the Norwegian class of ships known as the Sun class.

The ship features 13 restaurants, 6 bars, 24 activities, 7 shows and 12 other venues for your enjoyment. You can click on our ship deck plans or details pages for a full list of activities, sorted by feature type.

The Norwegian Sky has a total of 10 passenger decks. The lowest deck is Level 4. The upper most passenger deck is Level 12.

We're often asked how many passengers are on the Norwegian Sky. The ship's capacity is 2,004. When comparing the occupancy to the average Norwegian passenger capacity, you'll find that the average ship in the fleet holds 3,073 guests. Feel free to look at our graph above to see where this ship falls in line with all other live Norwegian ships.

The Norwegian Sky was built in 1999. Norwegian includes 19 active ships. The oldest in the fleet was built in 1998 while the newest ship was built in 2023. The average Norwegian ship is 14 years old and the median build date for all active ships is 2007

Each of Norwegian's ships offers a unique layout with features and activities catered to all. Whether the Norwegian Sky is right for you will depend on your individual preferences. Do you prefer a larger or smaller ship with many or fewer guests? Are you hoping for many family activities or entertainment options for an older clientele. Our deck maps layout and activities list provide a helpful guide to what you'll find on board. Feel free to explore the see if this ship is suited towards your preferences.

From end to end, the Norwegian Sky length equals 832 feet (254 meters). Compare that to the average ship length of all 19 active vessels in Norwegian fleet, measuring 988 feet (301 meters). Please see our size comparison chart above to see how this ship falls in line with all other active ships in the fleet.

What are cruise ship pilots, and what do they do?

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If you’ve sailed on a cruise ship of any size, you’ve probably seen pilot boats pull alongside the vessel, and you might have watched curiously as one or two people climbed onto the ship via a rope ladder. Have you ever wondered who these people are and what they do once they’re on board?

They are marine or ship pilots, experts on the waterways and ports you are entering or leaving. They come aboard to safely guide your cruise ship into and out of the harbor.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

To learn more, TPG chatted with two experts in the industry. Clayton L. “Clay” Diamond is the executive director-general counsel of the American Pilots’ Association, whose pilots are responsible for handling over 90% of the larger ocean vessels (cruise ships and cargo vessels) in international waters. We also spoke with Edouard Petitson, Norwegian Cruise Line’s port captain director. Based at Norwegian’s Miami headquarters, Petitson is responsible for many port-related matters, including pilotage.

Diamond and Petitson gave us the inside scoop on what happens once a cruise ship pilot is on board and how they interact with the captain and crew to help them safely navigate the ship into or out of port.

What does a cruise ship pilot do?

In ports in the U.S. and around the world, a pilot boards the ship 10 to 20 miles offshore via a pilot boat, which can be anywhere from 65 to 100 feet long. While on board, the pilot gives orders to the captain or helmsman regarding the best way to steer the ship to navigate the offshore channels and waterways until the cruise ship docks.

Marine pilots also pilot vessels from the dock to a “pilot boarding area,” where they transfer to the pilot boat. The pilotage can be as short as two to three hours or as long as eight to 10 hours.

Alaska has a different situation since cruise ships sail so close to the shoreline and icebergs during nearly all their transit. Vessels sailing in these waters will typically be under pilotage the entire time by using two pilots. This type of piloting arrangement is typical in places like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve .

What qualifies a pilot over the ship’s captain to direct a ship into port?

“Marine pilots are the most highly trained mariners in the world,” says Diamond.

After many years of working in the maritime industry as a pilot apprentice and training in the waterways where they work, they are experts in their ports. Ship pilots must be able to chart the pilotage ground from memory, including the channel, landmarks, docks, buoys and any hazards to navigation.

“A pilot also has comprehensive knowledge of the local environments such as the hydrographic, wind and currents and tidal conditions,” Petitson adds.

Ship captains who sail into different ports around the world do not have the comprehensive knowledge and training that marine pilots do in one specific port. Essentially, marine pilots are maritime specialists in their port of expertise.

Related: How is cruise ship speed measured, and how fast is a knot in miles per hour?

Does every port have a pilot?

There are only a handful of ports in the world where pilotage isn’t mandatory. In Miami and all U.S. ports, pilotage is compulsory and provided by local pilots for all inbound and outbound ships.

A state regulatory board oversees the number of pilots needed in each port. The board determines the number based on the port’s shipping and cruise traffic. The goal is to have enough pilots working to avoid delays.

What happens in foreign ports? Do all pilots have to speak English?

All pilots around the world are required to speak English.

“In certain destinations where English is not the primary language,” Petitson explains, “the pilot can communicate in their native language with other ships in the channel, traffic control and other pilots to eliminate possible misunderstanding, especially in an emergency situation.”

Related: Boat vs. ship: What’s the difference? The annoying mistake some cruisers keep making

If the pilot and captain disagree, who has the final say?

The captain is always in charge of the vessel and the safety of the crew and passengers as the cruise ship is navigated into or out of port. If a disagreement arises, the captain will take over navigation until the situation is resolved.

Is the job dangerous?

If you’ve watched videos of pilots boarding ships by ladder, or have seen them jump from a moving ship to a pilot boat alongside, you’ve probably wondered how safe the process is.

Diamond tells us that the ladder has been deemed the safest way to board and disembark ships. The American Pilots’ Association focuses on safety and routinely works with the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization to improve and enhance the regulations for the ladders and pilot transfers. However, eight marine pilots have been killed since 2006.

Related: Are cruises safe? Here’s what you need to know about cruise ship security and safety

How do you become a cruise ship pilot?

Individuals interested in becoming a ship pilot, or a pilot candidate, typically attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, or one of the six state maritime academies in the U.S. After completing the program, a pilot candidate will spend anywhere from eight to 14 years on ships to gain firsthand experience at sea.

Once they have earned their master’s credential, they can “master” a ship or become a captain. It’s usually during this time when a candidate enters a pilot apprenticeship program, which can take up to seven years to complete. Becoming fully licensed, where an individual can pilot the world’s largest ships, can take an additional four to five years.

Are there many female marine pilots?

No. The number of female pilots with an unlimited tonnage master’s credential is .01% overall. The number of female pilots in the APA is 4%-5%. Diamond tells us that the number is considerably better than what you’ll find in most other countries, but the APA would like it to be higher.

Bottom line

When you see that small pilot boat pull next to one of those giant cruise ships, you now know that the person coming on board to guide that ship safely into port has spent decades in education and training — and most of their career has been spent learning to expertly navigate one specific port. You can feel safer knowing that your captain can rely on a local expert to help guide the ship into or out of port.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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