Welcome to Norwegian Cruise Line: but which of the 19 ships is the one for you?

Check out our guide to one of the world’s biggest (and possibly most complicated) cruise lines to see which ship you should step on board

Norwegian Cruise Line – or more familiarly known as NCL – is a behemoth of a cruise line. What’s more, it’s a complicated beast. Not only has it got 19 ships in its fleet (and counting) but it’s a cruise line of two halves. You’ve got the mega floating resorts that are among the biggest ships at sea and then you’ve got at least 10 that are more modest in comparison making up the line’s mid-sized collection. These all fall into six different ‘classes’ - that’s ship speak for a specific style and design. And to top it all off, there are also a handful of individual outliers that don’t fit tidily into any class at all. 

So which is the right NCL ship for you? 

It’s the cruise line that’s owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. They also happen to own the uber-luxurious Regent Seven Seas and the premium Oceania Cruises. 

By far, NCL is the company brand that demands most of the attention. It’s no shrinking violet. It’s the world’s fourth-largest cruise line by passenger capacity. Its big ships are BIG, carrying upwards of 4,000 passengers and ranking in the world’s top 50 cruise ships by size. 

And it’s certainly not afraid to do things differently. It was the first cruise line to have its own private island. The first to have a racing car track on board. And in what seems to be a contest of one-upmanship with its competitors, NCL is forever introducing more innovative, sky-high waterslides or evermore astounding technology in its virtual reality experiences. 

But, most significantly, NCL lays claim to being the first cruise line to pioneer the idea of ‘freestyle cruising’, breaking loose from the rigidities of traditional cruising. On NCL you dine where, when and with who you want, wearing what the hell you like (within reason of course). It’s branded this concept ‘Freestyle Cruising’. 

NCL is for those who want to cruise their way. This is the whole idea behind the Freestyle concept. Holidays are laid back with a laissez-faire vibe on board. You call the shots.

And with so many ships to choose from, it's highly likely there’s a ship that’s right up your street. 

If you’re on a tight budget, NCL has a good offering of really reasonably priced, entry-level cabins, starting with its inside-cabins. 

Having said that, while NCL falls very firmly in the mass-market category, it also has some of the most sumptuous apartments at sea. These are ideal for those with deep pockets who want all the luxuries, exclusivity and service of a five-star cruise. 

On the majority of NCL ships you’ll find The Haven, only accessible to its suite guests. Here you’ll find private lounges and pools and restaurants just for those staying in suites. The Haven is akin to a ship-within-a-ship, giving guests all the exclusivity they want yet optional access to the hustle, bustle and the whole gamut of dining options on the rest of the ship. 

With jaw-dropping waterslides, laser tag parks, bowling alleys, escape rooms, go-kart tracks, climbing walls, golf courses … no wonder NCL is a firm favourite among families. 

And let’s not forget the Broadway-style shows, the plethora of bars, comedy clubs, sprawling spas and vast array of restaurants on board, pulling in couples and adult groups (oh yes, there’s a whole adults-only, VIP sunning area on seven of the ships where you can escape the kids – at a charge). 

Or travelling solo? No problem. NCL has led the march when it comes to adding more solo cabins at sea. They even provide a social lounge where lone travellers can mingle with other singletons during happy hour. 

And if all this feels just too much to take in, then take a look at NCL’s mid-size ships. They’re still pretty big, accommodating around 2,000 passengers a piece. More modest and missing many of the thrills and spills of the mega resorts, NCL’s smaller ships still pack a punch and shouldn’t be dismissed. 

So basically, whoever you are; whatever your budget; whatever experience you’re after, it’s worth taking a look at NCL. 

OK, well we’re going to have to break it down into the various classes, starting with the latest launches and working back – with a few segue en route to cover the outliers. 

Prima Class

Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima 

These are the latest launches in the NCL fleet. Prima was launched in 2022 and Viva is the baby of the family, having set sail in 2023. But a new ship is on the way with the final touches being added to Norwegian Aqua ready for launch in 2025. 

What’s interesting is that they fall into a new class for the line that it is smaller in size than its recent predecessors – normally cruise lines seem obsessed about getting bigger and bigger and breaking new records. However, both Prima and Viva hold 3,100 passengers, unlike the 4,000-odd capacity ships that were launched just a few years prior in NCL’s Breakaway classes. 

The decision to down-size fractionally in terms of capacity and tonnage means that these Prima ships will gain access more easily to ports around the world compared to NCL’s bigger sisters. 

Yet, while they may be slightly smaller, don’t for one second assume they are ‘small’ or that they have less to offer. In fact, in many respects the opposite is true. 

Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva have ridiculously big go-kart tracks spread over three decks. You’ll also find The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that the line claims is the world's first freefall dry slide at sea with a gravitational force "faster than an accelerating F1 race car”.

Each has a large gaming and virtual reality zone called Galaxy Pavilion, where you can step onto a race car or hand gliding simulator, lose yourself in a virtual maze or brave the Jurassic Park ride. 

Plus, they’ve got a three-deck theatre that converts into a Vegas-style nightclub, plus more outdoor space than any of its other ships with an Ocean Boulevard of alfresco dining, infinity pools and trendy chill-out zones. There’s even an Insta-worthy sculpture park. 

Alongside these evermore wow-worthy innovations, the Prima class marks an upscale turn for NCL. 

Norwegian Viva and Prima offer the largest variety of suite categories – 13 at the latest count in its fleet. They set the bar higher for the size of its three-bedroom suites and the ships are home to the brand's largest-ever inside, ocean view and balcony staterooms. On board you’ll also find NCL’s largest-ever bathrooms and showers for standard stateroom categories. 

The Prima sisters feel more spacious than the rest of the NCL pack. And indeed they are. The ratio of space per passenger is higher and this is particularly felt in the public areas and pool deck areas. 

Norwegian Aqua promises to be even more spacious, being 9% bigger than its two Prima predecessors. Much anticipation awaits what is dubbed the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world's first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea. The three-story-high attraction will twist around the ship’s funnel as riders shoot across the top deck. 

Also new on Norwegian Aqua will be the line’s first new digital sports arena. Glow Court will have a massive interactive LED floor that will be used for interactive games by day, before it transforms into a nightclub in the evening. 

Breakaway Plus Class

Norwegian Encore (2019), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Joy (2017) and Norwegian Escape (2015)

These are the four biggies, holding around 4,000 passengers a piece. They are mega ships with a capital M. They are packed with an endless array of attractions, at least 20 dining options and killer entertainment. 

All, except Escape, have sprawling go-kart tracks and all have multiple pools and slides and the whole gamut of attractions, including huge spas and sprawling casinos, mini golf courses, climbing walls and rope courses. 

Encore is the latest in this class and the biggest in terms of tonnage. The casino on board this floating giant is a huge operation with more than 300 slot machines and 26 gaming tables. Encore also has the biggest Galaxy Pavilion, NCL’s virtual reality gaming zone, which comes complete with an escape room. 

The open-air laser tag arena on board Encore is the largest on the fleet and is themed around the lost city of Atlantis. 

On all the big ships you’ll find the exclusive adult-only sunbathing area called the Vibe Beach Club. But your tan will come at a cost since you have to pay to access this exclusive area bedecked in padded sun beds, loungers and hot tubs. But you do get chilled towels, a private bar, fresh fruit and water spritzers. Encore has the biggest Vibe Beach Club of the lot. 

All the Breakaway Plus ships – as do all the NCL vessels – have spectacular theatres where big-name productions - often Tony award-winning musicals – draw in the crowds. 

Breakaway Class

Norwegian Breakaway (2014) and Norwegian Getaway (2013)

These sisters are a tad smaller than their younger Breakaway Plus siblings. To be honest, other than that there are few differences. They still hold roughly the same number of passengers just shy of 4,000 (double occupancy). While they were both launched back in 2013 and 2014, both have been refurbished in 2018 and 2019. 

What you won’t find on these ships are the go-kart or laser tag courses. Instead, the space is taken up with an adults-only pool area called Spice H20, which after dark becomes a dance club. Spice H20 is a complimentary area just for adults and is found on the bigger Plus ships and sister Norwegian Epic. 

But you will find, among other attractions, are miniature golf courses on both ships, rope courses, basketball courts, bowling alleys, thrilling water slides and kiddie splash zones.

Norwegian Epic

This ship stands alone. It doesn’t fit into a particular class – as was the original intention when she first set sail in 2010. 

At full double occupancy she holds 4,100 passengers, which means size wise it’s considered one of NCL’s ‘mega ships’. 

However, she does have notable differences. 

The design of the cabins has garnered a somewhat ‘marmite’ love-hate response. On the Norwegian Epic, you’ll find the shower in one room in the corner of the cabin and a toilet in a little room on the other. The sink is within the main cabin and there is a privacy curtain. Whether you love or hate this set up comes down to personal preference, but you should be aware of this before embarking. 

Epic is also home to its hair-raising Epic Plunge waterslide: starting four storeys above the pool deck and 200 feet long, dare devils catapult down the slide before swirling around the water bowl at the end.  

While it has an array of bars that you’ll find on NCL’s big ships, you’ll also find an ice bar on board Epic. Before you enter you’ll be given a padded poncho – which we’d advise you wear. 

As on all the NCL ships you’ll find a number of cabins for solo passengers. Epic has a particularly large complex of solo cabins. At the same time The Haven, the complex of suites, is impressively large.

Jewel Class

Norwegian Gem (2007), Norwegian Jade (2006), Norwegian Pearl (2006), Norwegian Jewel (2005)

These four ships are little gems. At 50% smaller than the big Breakaway Plus-class ships, they hold around 2,400 passengers (at double occupancy). 

They may be small in comparison, but for many passengers this is the appeal. They like the NCL vibe but they’d happily miss out on those ‘mega attractions’. 

That said, you’ll still find multiple pools on each ship. Norwegian Gem also has a climbing wall and single waterslide and Pearl has a climbing wall. And you’ll have a good dozen or more restaurants to choose from, alongside the theatre, spa, casino and an array of bars and lounges.  

Pride of America

As the name suggests, this ship proudly flies the American flag, even commemorating some of its venues to heroes such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. 

This ship stands alone – literally. All year round, NCL’s Pride of America sails the waters around Hawaii. 

Unlike any other NCL ship, you won’t find a casino on board – complying with Hawaiian law. 

On board you’ll find a car-themed Cadillac Diner, decorated to represent a retro 1950’s diner with Cadillac seats and playing 50's rock and roll. Also on the menu are many of NCL’s signature restaurants. 

Pride of America is the undisputed leader in Hawaii, with sailings taking place every week of the year. Dedicated to the Hawaiian archipelago since its launch in 2005, every Saturday night it sets sails out of Honolulu visiting four different islands throughout the week.

Dawn Class

Norwegian Dawn (2002), Norwegian Star (2001)

If you can’t live without the big wow attractions then best you skip this part. 

Similar in size to the Jewel class ships, albeit ever so fractionally smaller, these ships offer a casual, laid back, quieter cruising experience. They can each host around 2,340 passengers (double capacity). 

You won’t find the segregated Haven area on the Dawn sisters. However, you will find glorious Garden Suites, measuring in at an impressive 6,694sq ft. Sleeping up to eight guests, these sanctuaries feature spacious living rooms, walls of windows, outdoor terraces with a hot tub and a private dining area.

Sun Class

Norwegian Sun (2001), Norwegian Sky (1999)

These two ships don’t let age define them. Both have been refurbished in 2018-2019. They are among the smallest in the fleet and they don’t have all the bells and whistles that NCL has become renowned. You’ll have one pool on Sun and two on Sky and a handful of restaurants on board both. 

Cruising on Sun and Sky tends to be more about the destination than the onboard amenities. You’ll find Sky pretty much covering the globe, sailing the waters of the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, northern Europe and Canada. 

Meanwhile Sun, with its red and orange sun emblazoned across its hull, ventures to Australia, the South Pacific, Alaska and more.

Norwegian Spirit

Finally the oldest and smallest in the NCL fleet is Norwegian Spirit. She stands as an outlier in a class all of her own. 

At just 76,000 tonnes, Norwegian Spirit is half the size of the biggies. She carries just 1,972 passengers; she was refurbished in 2020; has around 13 food outlets; a dozen or so bars and cafes and can be found cruising the waters of Asia, Australia, Alaska and Hawaii.

Tighten your belt (or possibly loosen them in preparation): you’re in for a feast and a half. 

As part of NCL’s Freestyle Cruising concept, passengers can dress up or dress down; eat when, where and with who they choose. There’s no pre-assigned seating or fixed dining times. Guests set their own timetables. 

You’re looking at around 20 different places to eat when you step on board NCL’s big ships. And on most of the smaller, mid-size ships you’ll still have a good dozen to choose from.  

Every ship has two or three main restaurants and a casual buffet where meals are included in the fare. And some ships offer more options, such as casual cafes, from where the dishes are complimentary. 

On Norwegian Breakaway, for example, you won’t be spending a penny (or dollar as is the currency on NCL ships) to dine in O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill or its American Diner, or to delve into a bowl of noodles at Shanghai's Noodle Bar.

In addition to the plethora of complimentary eateries, every ship has its fair share of speciality restaurants – some more than others. 

Two such restaurants found across the entire fleet are Cagney's, the line's signature steakhouse, and Le Bistro, a fine French restaurant. 

Every vessel has some sort of sushi restaurant, often called Sushi or Wasabi, and there are hibachi-style teppanyaki restaurants on nearly every Norwegian vessel.

Plus, most have an authentic Brazilian steakhouse with slow-roasted meats all carved table side by Paradores. Japanese cuisine is also served on most of the ships.

Los Lobos is NCL’s Mexican cantina with a twist, kicking things off with handcrafted margaritas. 

Food Republic takes your palate on an international journey of Asian and Latino flavours serving up tapas-style small plates so you really can throw the net wide on your culinary journey. 

On the Prima-class ships you’ll be served up dishes from NCL’s first Mediterranean restaurant, Palomar. Here the sun-kissed dishes transport you to Greece, all paired perfectly with a wine or cocktail. 

On Getaway and Breakaway pull up a stool to the counter at The Raw Bar. Cocktails are served alongside a menu of oysters, shellfish or crudos.

When Norwegian Aqua sets sail in 2025, she will be the first NCL ship to have a Thai speciality restaurant, Sukhothai.

Guests staying in The Haven, NCL's exclusive suite area, have access to a private restaurant that offers a refined dining experience with an à la carte menu.

On several of the big ships you’ll find that many of the restaurants and bars flank the long, outdoor promenades that stretch for up to a quarter of a mile along the deck. On the Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus-class ships this is found on deck 8 and is called The Waterfront. On the Prima sisters, this is called the Ocean Boulevard.

Activities:

NCL is not afraid to stand out from the crowd and with its go-kart tracks it certainly does that. It's these tracks that are fast becoming NCL’s signature showpiece on board Viva, Prima, Encore, Bliss and Joy. 

The biggest two tracks, on Viva and Prima, are nearly 1,400 feet long and sprawl over three decks. The cars that Norwegian uses can hit speeds up to 32 miles per hour. Three of the tracks, on Viva, Prima and Encore also feature observation areas in the middle of the track where family and friends can cheer drivers on. The support crew can even aim their lasers at their chosen car – hit the target and the car gets a boost of power.

And talking of lasers, the open-air laser tag arenas are unlike anything you'll find atop the ships of other lines. The one on Norwegian Encore, which is the largest laser tag arena ever put on a ship, is themed around the lost city of Atlantis and spans the back of the vessel.

The waterparks are another wow attraction that NCL has made its mark. Giant waterslides snake down multiple decks, with tubes twisting and turning before spewing out their prey in the pools at the end. 

Epic is also home to its hair-raising Epic Plunge waterslide: starting four storeys above the pool deck and 200 feet long, dare devils catapult down the slide before swirling around the water bowl at the end.  

On Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva you’ll find The Drop, a 10-storey dry slide that the line claims is the world's first freefall dry slide at sea with a gravitational force "faster than an accelerating F1 race car”.

On Norwegian Encore you’ll find the tandem, Aqua Racer and Ocean Loops that will whoosh you over the side of the ship on a hair-raising double loop. 

Much anticipation awaits what is dubbed the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world's first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea. The three-story-high attraction on Norwegian Aqua (the third Prima class ship launching in 2025) will twist around the ship’s funnel as riders shoot across the top deck.

Kiddies have their own splash zones, and so do the adults in the form of Spice H2O. This is a complimentary adults-only area. Or they can splash out (literally) and check into the exclusive adult-only sunbathing area called the Vibe Beach Club. However, tans come at a cost since you have to pay to access this exclusive area bedecked in padded sun beds, loungers and hot tubs. But you do get chilled towels, a private bar, fresh fruit and water spritzers. Encore has the biggest Vibe Beach Club of the lot. 

Inside the drama continues. NCL is fully embracing virtual reality. Galaxy Pavilion is where you can step onto an VR race car or hand gliding simulator, lose yourself in a virtual maze or brave the Jurassic Park ride. 

Encore has the biggest Galaxy Pavilion alongside an escape room where you have to have your wits about you if you’re going to make it out in time.

Other options to keep you entertained include bowling allies, rope courses, climbing walls and basketball courts. And for those wanting to stay fit while away, the fitness centres have got all the top speck gym gear and packed timetables of classes.

Spa:

Norwegian ships also all have Mandara Spas, which can be impressively large on the big ships. The thermal suites come with a steam room and a salt room, a snow room and a chill-out room – basically, room after room of pure pampering. Plus, you can book yourself in for an array of glorious beautifying, relaxing and therapeutic treatments.

Shows and evening entertainment:

But, it’s on stage where Norwegian excels. Expect stellar shows in state-of-the-art theatres, particularly on the big ships. Norwegian Bliss, for example, has set the stage for the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert has unfolded on Norwegian Epic and original productions like Choir of Man have played out on Norwegian Encore.

Norwegian ships also are jam-packed with music venues. Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Epic have the Cavern Club, a reproduction of the British club that gave rise to the Beatles. It comes complete with a cover band that plays the group's greatest hits.

There are also Howl at the Moon duelling piano bars on some Norwegian ships, while barbecue food and music pair perfectly at Q Texas Smokehouse found on Encore, Bliss and Joy.

All the ships, bar Pride of America, have a casino, and on the line's bigger vessels, these are huge operations.

Kids’ clubs: 
As you’d expect, NCL has an extensive children's programme with a packed timetable of activities for children as young as six months right through to 17 years old.

The Splash Academy is the place for children aged three up to 12 years old where they are then split into three age groups: Turtles (ages three to five), Seals (ages six to nine) and Dolphins (ages 10 to 12). Each group is entertained and kept busy with age-appropriate activities, ranging from treasure hunts to video game competitions. 

While the free programming ends at 10.30 pm, you can pay extra to leave your kids at Splash Academy way past this time until 1:30 am, when it's billed as the Late Night Fun Zone.

For babies and toddlers, parents need just turn to Guppies, a place to play with occasional staff-led activities and games.

For teens who are too cool for school, they can chill out in Entourage, the teen zone to play video games, listen to music and make friends.

Choosing the right cabin on board a cruise ship is always a tricky choice. There are so many considerations at the best of times. When it comes to booking on NCL, it can be even more complicated. 

For one, there are so many cabins to consider. On the biggies, there can be up to 2,000 cabins falling into up to a mind-bending 39 different categories.

Putting the minefield of decision making aside, the great thing about this depth and breadth of choice is that there really is a cabin for everyone. 

If you’re on a budget then there are an array of budget-conscious inside cabins on offer. Admittedly they can be small but for those planning to be out exploring the ship 90% of the time, then they are great budget options. 

The smallest cabin is targeted at solo travellers and these weigh in at just 100sq ft. 

Reacting to the trend for more solo travellers, NCL has embraced the charge and has been increasingly rolling out more of its Studio cabins, often clustering them around an exclusive Studio Lounge with a bar and television area where solos can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings. All 19 ships will, in time, have solo cabins.

At the completely opposite end of the scale you’ve got the massive suites. 

Interestingly, among the most notable are the suites that can be found on Norwegian’s smaller class of ship – another reason why these smaller vessels should not be dismissed. 

The Garden Villas found on Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star are real show stoppers. Living areas come with glass walls looking over the pool areas of the ships. They have as many as three bedrooms, plus separate living rooms and dining rooms. Some measure as much as 6,694 square feet — more than the size of a typical home.

Among notable extras, the Garden Villas have private outdoor sundecks and courtyards with hot tubs.

On more than half of Norwegian's ships, many of the top suites are part of an exclusive, keycard-accessed area called The Haven. Aimed at luxury travellers, The Haven complexes are located at the very top of the vessels and often come with private lounges, pools, sunning areas and restaurants.

Norwegian Aqua also will have the largest Haven complex of any of its ships and the most spacious accommodations the line has ever offered.

The Haven complex on Norwegian Aqua will include 123 suites that feature the line's first three-bedroom duplex Haven suites. There will be four in total — all two storeys high with separate living and dining areas, three bathrooms, a sprawling balcony and three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms will have a king-size bed, with the primary bedroom offering floor-to-ceiling windows.

You’ll find significantly more suites on the newer and bigger ships. On Norwegian Encore, for instance, 19% of the 2,040 cabins are suites. On the older vessels, suites are not so common –but, there again, they do have those spectacular Garden Villas.  

One thing you need to know upfront about going on a Norwegian cruise is that there are a lot of extra charges — and sometimes quite high extra charges. 

This is particularly the case in the speciality restaurants, some of which come with a flat fee while others are a la carte. If you know you want to eat at several extra-charge restaurants during your cruise then you really should buy one of the dining packages to avail yourself of the discounts.

While many of the attractions on board are included, you should always check twice before assuming they’re complimentary. 

For example, you’ll pay a fee to play in the Galaxy Pavilion. At the time of writing, a week-long pass to the venue will set you back $199 per person. There also are hour-long passes available for $29 per person, or you can sample a single ride for $8.

The go-kart and laser tag experiences don't come free either. At the time of writing, expect to pay $15 per person for eight laps on the go-karts and $10 per person for a five-minute laser shootout. Alternatively, you can buy a week-long pass for $199 to cover both.

Norwegian allows you to bring bottles of your own wine on board, but it will charge you a corkage fee per bottle for the privilege — even if you plan to drink the bottle in your room. You’ll find that many lines are more generous in this respect allowing you to bring at least a couple of bottles on board for free. 

Who ever you are; whatever your budget; whatever your age or interests, there’s an NCL ship for you. NCL has conquered big-ship cruising. And it does it in its own inimitable style – Freestyle. 

If you like a relaxing vibe where you call the shots (and let’s face it, who doesn’t, especially while they’re away on holiday), then we think you’ll enjoy NCL. 

If you like all the bells and whistles of mega ships then NCL will tick the box, with surprises at every twist and turn. It’s go-kart tracks really are astounding – who would have thought that was a thing on a cruise ship? 

However, be prepared to shell out lots of little extras to complete your experience. 

This is a booking that needs careful consideration. You’ve got 19 NCL ships to choose from, and there are lots of differences to bear in mind. 

To help you navigate this decision, then why not pick up the phone and chat to me. I have all the information at my fingertips. For no extra cost to you, I can do all the legwork. Booking your holiday should be fun and stress free. 

So, give me a call and let’s get you on board! 

In this episode of The Travel Podcast, join Eamonn Holmes and cruise expert Gary Anslow as they delve into Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to uncover what makes this brand standout. 
Are you wondering if NCL could be the ideal choice for you, your partner, or your family? This episode will tell you everything you need to know about the NCL experience.

You’ll explore NCL’s innovative entertainment options, such as go-karts and theatre shows, which redefine onboard fun and excitement. Discover the latest additions to the fleet, with new ships that push the boundaries of comfort and adventure. Learn how NCL caters to solo travellers, families, and couples alike, ensuring each guest finds their own perfect way to unwind or seek adventure at sea.

Tune in and prepare to book your next journey with NCL!