The 9 lessons of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, defined

Some cruise strains — Viking, as an example — have fleets the place most of the ships have the identical primary design. Norwegian Cruise Line will not be certainly one of them.

Should you’re pondering of reserving a Norwegian cruise, an vital factor to know is that there’s broad variation within the dimension and magnificence of the vessels within the line’s fleet.

4 of Norwegian’s 20 ships — Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Pleasure and Norwegian Encore — are among the many 35 greatest ships on the planet. As such, they’re loaded with big numbers of cabins, eating places, bars, showrooms and deck-top amusements.

They’re, in a nutshell, floating megaresorts.

However the line additionally operates smaller vessels that hardly crack the highest 100 checklist of greatest cruise ships. These vessels typically have fewer venues and points of interest than the larger ships. Nevertheless, they nonetheless supply lots for cruisers. Norwegian is a line identified for packing oodles of eating places, bars and leisure on its vessels — even its smaller ones.

The excellent news for these of you making an attempt to get a deal with on all of the choices inside the Norwegian fleet is that the road’s 20 ships may be bunched into simply 9 teams of vessels with related facilities. If one member of the group, all of them.

Every of those teams — often known as “lessons” in cruise business lingo — is made up of ships that have been constructed across the identical time in the identical primary design.

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An introduction to Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Smaller than solely Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, Norwegian has turn into more and more identified for among the greatest, most amenity-filled vessels at sea. Nonetheless, as talked about above, the road would not simply function big ships. Half of its fleet includes vessels that, by right now’s requirements, are thought of virtually midsize.

Certainly, Norwegian is actually two cruise strains in a single. The road’s 10 latest ships are large, bustling floating megaresorts that may carry upward of three,000 to 4,000 passengers at double occupancy (much more with each berth stuffed). At round 144,000 to just about 170,000 tons, all 10 at present rank among the many 50 greatest cruise ships on the planet (though their rankings will shift downward as extra large ships debut).

Norwegian’s 10 older ships, in contrast, are way more modest in dimension, measuring round 75,000 to 94,000 tons and carrying nearer to 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Norwegian thus appeals each to cruisers who like an enormous resort vibe and those that choose a resort expertise that’s extra modest. The important thing, relying in your tastes, is getting on the proper ship within the fleet for you.

On the big-ship finish of the spectrum, Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus vessels — Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Pleasure and Norwegian Escape — are the road’s premier choices.

One step down in dimension from the Breakaway Plus ships are the still-quite-large Breakaway Class ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — and one-of-a-kind Norwegian Epic.

The smallest of the road’s large ships are just lately unveiled Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima. They’re the primary two of a brand new sequence of six Prima Class vessels which are remodeling the model. Measuring about 143,500 tons apiece, these two new ships are about 17% smaller than Norwegian’s greatest vessels.

A 3rd vessel on this sequence, Norwegian Aqua, debuted in March. At round 156,000 tons, it’s larger than the primary two Prima Class ships. Norwegian is referring to it as a “Prima Plus” vessel to distinguish it from the smaller vessels within the class.

Norwegian’s 10 smaller vessels break down into 5 lessons, although many are roughly the identical dimension and supply related facilities.

Prima Class

Ships at school: Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Viva (2023), Norwegian Aqua (2025) and Norwegian Luna (2026)

Dimension: 143,535 to 156,300 tons

The Prima Class of ships is the newest and best at Norwegian Cruise Line — the vessels that each NCL fan needs to ebook.

The primary two ships within the sequence (Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima) debuted in 2022 and 2023, respectively, they usually’ve simply been joined by a 3rd vessel, Norwegian Aqua, which is almost 10% larger than its predecessors. Three extra ships within the sequence that can even be larger than the primary two are on order for supply by 2028.

Whereas all these vessels will likely be related of their design and structure, Norwegian refers back to the new Norwegian Aqua and its coming sisters within the sequence as “Prima Plus” ships attributable to their larger dimension, they usually do have some variations.

At 143,535 tons, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima are notably smaller than the ships the road has been including in recent times — an element that can give them entry to smaller ports around the globe.

That stated, they’re nonetheless comparatively large ships that pack numerous over-the-top facilities. Each Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima have ridiculously large go-kart tracks unfold over three decks (a signature Norwegian attraction now on 5 of the road’s vessels). The ships even have The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that the road says supplies extra g-force than an accelerating System One race automotive.

Moreover, these first two vessels within the sequence are every house to a three-deck theater that converts right into a Las Vegas-style nightclub, together with an inventory of interactive, real-life sport exhibits, together with at-sea variations of “The Worth Is Proper,” “Deal or No Deal” and “Press Your Luck.”

Nonetheless, these first two ships within the Prima Class sequence, in addition to Norwegian Aqua, are about greater than flashy leisure and actions. They mark a extra upscale flip for the road. The vessels supply the biggest number of suite classes (13) for a big ocean ship, the biggest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel and the model’s largest-ever inside, ocean-view and balcony cabins.

The complete again of every ship is devoted to an upscale “ship-within-a-ship” personal suite space known as The Haven that rises eight decks excessive and consists of 107 suites, a sprawling personal indoor lounge space, personal outside lounge and pool areas and a non-public restaurant. Different vessels function Haven areas, however none as large as this one.

Moreover, the general public areas of those vessels really feel extra spacious than most of the 17 different ships within the Norwegian fleet. And, certainly, they’re. The Prima Class ships are being constructed with a better ratio of area to passengers, which itself is an upscale contact.

Norwegian Cruise Line additionally says the Prima Class vessels supply essentially the most outside deck area of any new cruise ship — together with extra complete pool deck area than every other ships within the model’s fleet.

As famous above, the brand new Norwegian Aqua has a barely totally different mixture of venues, as will its coming sisters, that are attributable to debut between 2026 and 2028.

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Among the many greatest modifications to Norwegian Aqua’s lineup of venues is the addition of what Norwegian is touting because the first hybrid curler coaster and waterslide at sea. Dubbed the Aqua Slidecoaster, the three-story-high attraction incorporates twin slides and a magnetic elevate that propels riders by means of two totally different programs. The slides, notably, twist across the ship’s funnel as riders careen throughout the highest deck of the ship excessive above the ocean.

Along with the watery coaster expertise, Norwegian Aqua has a new-for-the-line digital sports activities advanced known as Glow Court docket, which options an interactive LED flooring. By day, it is house to quite a lot of interactive visitor actions and transforms right into a nightclub within the night.

Norwegian Aqua additionally has the biggest Haven advanced of any Norwegian ship and essentially the most spacious lodging the road has ever supplied.

The Haven advanced on Norwegian Aqua consists of 123 suites that function the road’s first three-bedroom duplex Haven suites. There are 4 of the latter in complete — all two tales excessive with separate dwelling and eating areas, three bogs, a sprawling balcony and three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms have a king-size mattress, with the first bed room providing floor-to-ceiling home windows for beautiful ocean views.

Norwegian Aqua additionally has the first Thai restaurant at sea.

Breakaway Plus Class

Ships at school: Norwegian Encore (2019), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Pleasure (2017) and Norwegian Escape (2015)

Dimension: 164,998 to 169,116 tons

These are the Norwegian ships you go on when you’re a fan of megaresorts.

Whereas not fairly as large as Royal Caribbean’s big Oasis Class and Icon Class ships, Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus Class vessels are firmly within the pantheon of the world’s cruising giants. They’re the Norwegian ships most filled with eating places, bars, leisure and over-the-top points of interest. There are such a lot of of these items that you just will not be capable of do all of it in a single weeklong cruise.

The Breakaway Plus ships are so large, actually, that they’ve room for big go-kart tracks on their prime decks (on all of the vessels within the sequence besides Norwegian Escape). There’s additionally loads of room to spare for a number of swimming pools, waterslides and a kiddie splash zone.

Every of the vessels additionally presents flashy exhibits in large state-of-the-art theaters, sprawling spas, casinos that fill half a deck, devoted youngsters’s play zones and greater than 2,000 rooms.

Moreover, the latest ship on this sequence, Norwegian Encore, has a big gaming and digital actuality zone known as the Galaxy Pavilion.

For meals, you will discover at the least 20 venues on every of those ships, together with a number of primary eating rooms and a buffet that include no additional cost and such extra-charge eateries as a teppanyaki restaurant, a steakhouse, a high-end French restaurant and an Italian restaurant.

With a number of family-friendly points of interest, such because the go-kart tracks and waterslides, these ships attraction closely to households with youngsters, significantly teenagers, however they draw numerous {couples}, too. They’re additionally well-liked with solo vacationers, due to their unusually giant complexes of cabins for one (one thing you will discover on the Breakaway and Epic lessons of ships, too).

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All 4 of the Breakaway Plus ships have giant, personal, two-deck-high suite enclaves known as The Haven that include their very own pool areas, eating places and lounges. They’re among the most spectacular suite complexes anyplace at sea.

The most important of those ships, Norwegian Encore, measures 169,116 tons, making it the 18th-biggest cruise ship on the planet as of this story’s publishing (it would drop within the rankings over the approaching years as extra megaships debut). That is larger than all however one Carnival ship and each Princess Cruises ship. Solely Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises have a major variety of larger vessels.

Breakaway Class

Ships at school: Norwegian Getaway (2014) and Norwegian Breakaway (2013)

Dimension: 145,655 tons

These vessels are much like the Breakaway Plus Class ships however barely smaller. Or, put one other approach, the Breakaway Plus Class ships are stretched variations of the Breakaway Class ships.

You may discover most of the identical eateries, bars, lounges and leisure venues on the Breakaway Class ships that you’re going to discover on the Breakaway Plus Class vessels. The marginally smaller dimension of those vessels means there’s only a tad much less “stuff” on board.

The highest decks of the Breakaway Class ships have two pool areas and water parks with waterslides, as an example — similar to the Breakaway Plus Class ships. Nevertheless, they do not have go-kart tracks or laser tag programs. As an alternative, you will discover an adults-only pool space known as Spice H2O in the back of the vessels. At night time, it transforms right into a dance membership.

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The Breakaway Class ships even have full-size ropes programs on their prime decks. Certainly, they have been the primary cruise ships to have such a function. Different top-deck options embrace miniature golf programs on each vessels and basketball courts that double as volleyball courts.

On the leisure entrance, each ships supply exhibits of their primary theaters. They’re additionally house to “Howl on the Moon” dueling piano exhibits and a model of the Latin-themed dance present “Burn the Ground.”

Just like the Breakaway Plus vessels, the Breakaway ships have giant complexes for solo vacationers and huge, personal Haven suite complexes.

Normally, as with the Breakaway Plus ships, these vessels are greatest for vacationers who like a megaresort-type expertise, they usually attraction closely to households with youngsters who love all their top-deck points of interest. Every of the 2 ships on this sequence — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — holds about 4,000 passengers at double occupancy.

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Epic Class

Ships at school: Norwegian Epic (2010)

Dimension: 155,873 tons

Norwegian Epic is an outlier within the Norwegian fleet. Unveiled in 2010, it was initially purported to be the primary of a sequence of as much as three related vessels. Nevertheless, after disagreements with the shipyard that constructed it, Norwegian finally canceled an order for a second ship within the sequence and an possibility for a 3rd, leaving Norwegian Epic in a category of 1.

Whereas roughly comparable in dimension to the Breakaway Plus and Breakaway Class ships (it’s kind of smaller than the previous vessels and a bit larger than the latter), Norwegian Epic has a notably totally different design that features some distinctive options.

Maybe most notably, balcony cabins on the ship have an uncommon design that features curved partitions, rounded mattress corners, and a sink and vainness space that’s in the primary dwelling area — for all to see — separate from a closed-off rest room space. The bathroom space is behind a translucent door that some cruisers discover much less personal than that they had hoped.

Norwegian Epic can also be house to the one tube-and-bowl waterslide at sea and has such rare-for-cruise-ships points of interest as a rappelling wall and a three-lane bowling alley. It additionally options an ice bar the place prospects put on parkas whereas sipping drinks.

Nonetheless, Norwegian Epic additionally presents many acquainted options to Norwegian followers, together with the road’s signature eating places, bars and leisure.

Standout options on Norwegian Epic embrace a water park with among the most over-the-top waterslides at sea (together with the aforementioned tube-and-bowl slide). It additionally presents a model of the “Burn the Ground” dance present that performed on Broadway and within the West Finish in London, in addition to a “Howl on the Moon” piano bar idea and a recreation of the Cavern Membership nightspot in Liverpool, England, the place the Beatles received their begin — full with a Beatles cowl band.

Moreover, Norwegian Epic has the road’s greatest solo cabin advanced (with 128 rooms for one) and an enormous Haven personal suite advanced.

At 155,873 tons, Norwegian Epic at present ranks because the thirty eighth greatest cruise vessel on the planet. Notably, it was the world’s third-largest ship when it debuted in 2010. That tells you simply how a lot the cruise business has grown in recent times.

Norwegian Epic carries 4,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Jewel Class

Ships at school: Norwegian Gem (2007), Norwegian Jade (2006), Norwegian Pearl (2006) and Norwegian Jewel (2005)

Dimension: About 93,500 tons

In case you are not sure if you wish to sail on a megaship with 4,000 or extra folks however nonetheless need a vessel with quantity of options and actions, the Jewel Class ships often is the good resolution.

At 93,500 tons, the 4 vessels within the sequence are practically 50% smaller than the road’s Breakaway Plus Class ships however nonetheless large enough to supply lots.

Every of the vessels has greater than a dozen meals venues, together with two primary eating places, an off-the-cuff buffet, a steakhouse, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You may additionally discover a number of swimming pools on every of the ships, together with whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Every of the ships has a theater, a spa, a on line casino and a number of bars and lounges as properly.

What you will not discover on the ships, due to their smaller dimension, are all of the gee-whiz points of interest similar to go-kart tracks, laser tag programs and huge water park areas that Norwegian has placed on its larger vessels. If you cannot reside with out these types of options on a cruise ship, then the Jewel Class in all probability is not for you.

Observe that Norwegian Gem does have a climbing wall and a single waterslide. Norwegian Pearl has a climbing wall however no waterslide. Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Jade have neither of those points of interest.

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Every of the Jewel Class ships holds round 2,400 passengers at double occupancy (plus a number of hundred extra with each berth stuffed). That is about 40% fewer passengers than you will discover on the largest Norwegian ships.

That makes them good for cruisers who wish to get away from the form of crowds which are on the largest megaships with out giving up most of the facilities that large ships have to supply.

Delight of America Class

Ships at school: Delight of America (2005)

Dimension: 80,439 tons

Like Norwegian Epic, Delight of America is an outlier within the Norwegian fleet. Actually, it is maybe an excellent larger outlier than the previous vessel.

Sporting a patriotic American theme (you will discover venues named after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams) and a definite array of lounges and leisure, it is a ship particularly designed to sail year-round in Hawaii — the one certainly one of its form at any line.

Delight of America notably flies a U.S. flag and operates with a largely American crew, consistent with laws governing cruise itineraries that embrace solely U.S. ports. That is an enormous distinction from every other large cruise vessel on the planet.

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It is also the one Norwegian vessel with no on line casino, consistent with native Hawaii laws.

Should you sail on Delight of America, you will discover such one-of-a-kind eateries because the traditional American car-themed Cadillac Diner. You may additionally discover a few of Norwegian’s signature choices, together with a Cagney’s steakhouse and Italian eatery La Cucina. The ship’s different onboard points of interest embrace a showroom, lounges, bars and a prime deck with intensive open-air pool and solar lounging areas.

Due to its possession of Delight of America, Norwegian is the undisputed chief in Hawaii cruises. Most cruise strains that provide sailings to Hawaii solely supply a restricted variety of such journeys throughout a number of months annually. Norwegian, in contrast, presents sailings across the Hawaiian Islands each week of the yr — the one cruise line on the planet to take action.

An iconic presence in Hawaii, Delight of America has been completely devoted to the archipelago since its debut in 2005. It presents a repeating seven-night itinerary that begins every Saturday in Honolulu and brings the possibility to go to 4 totally different Hawaiian Islands on a single seven-night journey.

Starting and ending on the island of Oahu, the itinerary consists of two days every on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. The 2-day go to to Maui entails an in a single day keep on the port of Kahului. The 2-day go to to Kauai entails an in a single day keep on the port of Nawiliwili. The 2-day go to to Hawaii is break up between a name at Hilo and a name at Kona.

Daybreak Class

Ships at school: Norwegian Daybreak (2002) and Norwegian Star (2001)

Dimension: 92,250 and 91,740 tons

The Daybreak Class ships are much like the Jewel Class ships in dimension and facilities, with a number of variations.

Just like the Jewel Class vessels, the Daybreak Class ships have round a dozen food-serving venues, together with two primary eating places, an off-the-cuff buffet, a Brazilian churrascaria (barbecue) restaurant, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You may additionally discover a number of swimming pools on every of the ships, whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Every of the ships additionally has a theater, a spa, a on line casino and a number of bars and lounges.

Just like the Jewel Class ships, the Daybreak Class vessels lack the form of large points of interest like go-kart tracks and huge water parks discovered on larger Norwegian vessels. Moreover, there are not any Broadway musicals on Daybreak Class ships, they usually do not have a non-public Haven suite space (although they do have a number of big suites known as Backyard Villas that measure greater than 6,000 sq. ft).

If you cannot reside with out these types of options on a cruise ship, then the Daybreak Class in all probability is not for you.

Solar Class

Ships at school: Norwegian Solar (2001) and Norwegian Sky (1999)

Dimension: 78,309 and 77,104 tons

Relationship to 2001 and 1999, respectively, Norwegian Solar and Norwegian Sky are among the many smallest ships at Norwegian. They provide fewer onboard points of interest and facilities than is typical for the road’s vessels.

Normally, they attraction to cruisers in search of a extra intimate expertise on a cruise ship than what you will discover on the large Norwegian ships. In addition they draw cruisers who care extra concerning the locations that they go to on a cruise than onboard points of interest.

On every of the vessels, you will discover greater than half a dozen eateries, together with a number of primary eating rooms, an off-the-cuff buffet, a diner-style pub, a steakhouse, an Italian trattoria and a French bistro.

On their prime decks, the ships have swimming pools (one on Solar, two on Sky), whirlpools, basketball courts that double as volleyball courts, golf driving nets and jogging tracks. The ships even have casinos and theaters with nightly exhibits.

In contrast to most larger Norwegian ships, neither of the vessels has a non-public Haven suite advanced.

Spirit Class

Ships at school: Norwegian Spirit (1998)

Dimension: 75,904 tons

Relationship to 1998, Norwegian Spirit is Norwegian’s smallest and oldest ship, and — like the road’s Solar Class ships — it typically appeals to cruisers in search of a extra intimate expertise than what’s obtainable on the large Norwegian ships.

At 75,904 tons, Norwegian Spirit is lower than half the scale of Norwegian’s greatest ships, and it carries simply 1,966 passengers — greater than 2,000 fewer than the Norwegian biggies.

It additionally presents fewer (however nonetheless fairly a number of) venues and points of interest. In all, you will discover 13 meals retailers on board, together with two primary eating places, an off-the-cuff buffet eatery and variations of the road’s signature Cagney’s steakhouse and French eatery Le Bistro. There are greater than half a dozen bars and cafes.

Different points of interest embrace a number of swimming pools, whirlpools, waterslides, a basketball courtroom and a jogging monitor. The ship additionally has a on line casino, a spa, a nightclub and a theater.

Of notice, Norwegian Spirit was initially constructed for Asia-based Star Cruises, the place it was known as SuperStar Leo.

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