Norwegian Cruise Line has a proud historical past that stretches again to 1966. The primary NCL cruise ship I used to be on was the S.S. Norway (a.okay.a. SS.France) and resulting from a foul expertise again then, I had probably not thought-about the model till final 12 months, when I discovered myself onboard a Transatlantic Cruise on Norwegian Pleasure in early 2024.
It was time, subsequently, to relook on the model, as clearly it is rather fashionable within the cruise trade and it’s ridiculously unfair to neglect them resulting from a foul expertise from virtually 30 years in the past. So it was time to place that proper.
Once I take into account any cruise, I clearly take a look at the itinerary. However I additionally take a look at the ships carefully.
Being “new” to NCL it made sense to take a look at the fleet as an entire (together with the upcoming Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna). So on this article, we’re going to dig into the fleet – wanting on the Norwegian Cruise Ship sizes – from the biggest to the smallest, and the options every ship brings to the model.
An Introduction to NCL and Freestyle Cruising
However earlier than we get into that it is smart to debate briefly what NCL gives as their Distinctive Promoting Level (USP) when in comparison with different cruise traces like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line.
Again in Could 2000, NCL launched the world to the idea of Freestyle Cruising, redefining the standard cruise expertise. Freestyle cruising was designed to permit you to cruise at your individual tempo, providing versatile and a number of eating choices with no set eating instances or assigned restaurant, and extra relaxed strategy to cruise apparel.
Aside from the set restaurant opening hours, you can technically arrive for Dinner any time at any restaurant you want, no reservations (essentially) required.
Now that we all know that Norwegian Cruise Line gives a extra relaxed cruise expertise, let’s take into account what the fleet of ships has to supply.
Norwegian Cruise Ship Sizes – why does it Matter?
Once you’re planning your cruise trip, the scale of the Norwegian ship you select can have a major influence in your expertise. Let’s take a look at why this issues.
The larger Norwegian ships, just like the Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss, provide a wider array of facilities. These vessels pack in additional eating places, bars, theaters, and leisure actions.
This implies you could have extra choices to fill your day with numerous actions from racing go karts to indulgent thermal suites, the unique Vibe Seaside Membership, and by no means a boring second.
You’ll additionally discover The Haven, Norwegian Cruise Line’s luxurious suite enclave on all however the smallest ships.
On the flip facet, bigger ships can imply extra folks, which results in a little bit extra hustle and bustle and the potential of queues and difficulties discovering seating on the buffet or grabbing that nice solar lounger spot.
When you desire quieter, extra intimate settings, this could possibly be a draw back. To get round this, greater ships typically characteristic extra expansive public areas to mitigate crowding, however throughout peak instances, you may end up in a vigorous, noisy ambiance.
For ease of navigation, smaller Norwegian ships can provide a extra accessible and fewer overwhelming structure, permitting you to get out of your room to any a part of the ship with ease.
When contemplating the setting, bigger vessels require extra gas, which might have a better environmental footprint. Nevertheless, it’s clear to see that accountable cruise traces like NCL are constantly engaged on enhancing gas effectivity to handle this.
Lastly, the ship measurement may decide the place you may go. Whereas the biggest cruise ships boast spectacular facilities, they are often restricted to what ports they’ll bodily dock in.
In the meantime, smaller ships like Norwegian Spirit can dock in additional unique, off-the-beaten-path ports of name, providing the prospect for extra distinctive itineraries.
Selecting between bigger and smaller ships actually does rely in your preferences. Do you worth all kinds of actions and continuous leisure, or do you prioritize a peaceable ambiance and distinctive locations? Your alternative of ship actually could make a giant distinction to your cruise expertise.
How To Evaluate Norwegian Cruise Line Ships By Measurement?
Now that we all know that the scale of a cruise ship can have a major influence in your total cruise expertise, how can we go about evaluating them?
One measurement that you will notice referenced loads on cruise web sites is Gross tonnage (GT). Though it appears like a measurement that’s all about weight – It really displays a ship’s inside quantity, which is essential when evaluating sizes. So it’s not about weight, however area!
Passenger capability is one other issue to look into. It’s the variety of visitors a ship can comfortably accommodate, often based mostly on double occupancy of the staterooms.
Whereas the precise size of a ship, measured in toes, can provide a tangible sense of measurement, newer ships are inclined to get wider and taller, relatively than longer.
To higher perceive private area, the Passenger Area Ratio (PSR) is your good friend. It’s the gross tonnage divided by the passenger capability, giving an thought of how roomy the ship feels. A better PSR signifies extra space per visitor.
Lastly, the Passenger to Crew ratio is crucial for service high quality expectations. It reveals the variety of crew members accessible to attend to every visitor. Norwegian Cruise Line has a really excessive Passenger-to-crew ratio in comparison with many different cruise traces.
Keep in mind, the most important ship isn’t at all times the most effective match for everybody, neither is the smallest Norwegian cruise line ship. Take into account what measurement and options align together with your perfect cruise expertise.
The Full Record of NCL Cruise Ships by Measurement
There are at the moment 19 cruise ships within the NCL fleet and every ship is a part of a unique ship class. Usually, ships of the identical class are equivalent or comparable in measurement and share comparable options and design components.
There are at the moment 9 completely different courses of ship within the Norwegian fleet:-
Prima Class (The prima class of ships consists of Viva, Prima, and the soon-to-launch Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna)
Breakaway Plus Class ships (three ships – Encore, Bliss and Pleasure)
Breakaway Class (three ships – Escape Getaway and Breakaway)
Epic Class (one ship solely – the Norwegian Epic)
Jewel Class (4 ships – Jade, Gem, Pearl, and Jewel)
Daybreak Class (two ships within the sequence – Daybreak and Star)
Delight Class (one ship solely – Delight of America)
Solar Class (two ships – Solar and Sky)
Leo Class (one ship solely – Spirit)
Norwegian Encore – The Largest Norwegian Cruise Line Ship
Ship Class: Breakaway Plus
12 months Launched: 2019
Final Refurbished: Not Accessible
Gross Registered Tonnage: 169145
Complete Passengers: 3998
Complete Crew: 1735
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.3
Passenger to Area Ratio: 42.3
Size: 1094 toes
Width: 136 toes
Complete Decks: 20
Norwegian Bliss
Ship Class: Breakaway Plus
12 months Launched: 2018
Final Refurbished: April 2023
Gross Registered Tonnage: 168028
Complete Passengers: 4002
Complete Crew: 1700
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.4
Passenger to Area Ratio: 42.0
Size: 1094 toes
Width: 136 toes
Complete Decks: 20
Norwegian Pleasure
Ship Class: Breakaway Plus
12 months Launched: 2017
Final Refurbished: February 2024
Gross Registered Tonnage: 167725
Complete Passengers: 3883
Complete Crew: 1821
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.1
Passenger to Area Ratio: 43.2
Size: 1094 toes
Width: 136 toes
Complete Decks: 20
You may learn our Norwegian Pleasure Evaluate right here.
Norwegian Escape
Ship Class: Breakaway
12 months Launched: 2015
Final Refurbished: October 2020
Gross Registered Tonnage: 164600
Complete Passengers: 4266
Complete Crew: 1733
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.5
Passenger to Area Ratio: 38.6
Size: 1069 toes
Width: 136 toes
Complete Decks: 20
Norwegian Epic
Ship Class: Epic
12 months Launched: 2010
Final Refurbished: November 2020
Gross Registered Tonnage: 155873
Complete Passengers: 4100
Complete Crew: 1724
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.4
Passenger to Area Ratio: 38.0
Size: 1081 toes
Width: 133 toes
Complete Decks: 19
Norwegian Getaway
Ship Class: Breakaway
12 months Launched: 2014
Final Refurbished: November 2023
Gross Registered Tonnage: 145655
Complete Passengers: 3963
Complete Crew: 1646
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.4
Passenger to Area Ratio: 36.8
Size: 1068 toes
Width: 130 toes
Complete Decks: 18
Norwegian Breakaway
Ship Class: Breakaway
12 months Launched: 2013
Final Refurbished: April 2023
Gross Registered Tonnage: 145655
Complete Passengers: 3963
Complete Crew: 1657
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.4
Passenger to Area Ratio: 36.8
Size: 1068 toes
Width: 130 toes
Complete Decks: 18
Norwegian Viva – Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latest Ship
Ship Class: Prima
12 months Launched: 2023
Final Refurbished: Not Accessible
Gross Registered Tonnage: 142500
Complete Passengers: 3099
Complete Crew: 1506
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.1
Passenger to Area Ratio: 46.0
Size: 981 toes
Width: 133 toes
Complete Decks: 20
Norwegian Prima
Ship Class: Prima
12 months Launched: 2022
Final Refurbished: Not Accessible
Gross Registered Tonnage: 142500
Complete Passengers: 3099
Complete Crew: 1506
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.1
Passenger to Area Ratio: 46.0
Size: 981 toes
Width: 133 toes
Complete Decks: 20
Norwegian Jade
Ship Class: Jewel
12 months Launched: 2006
Final Refurbished: February 2122
Gross Registered Tonnage: 93558
Complete Passengers: 2402
Complete Crew: 1037
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.3
Passenger to Area Ratio: 39.0
Size: 965 toes
Width: 125 toes
Complete Decks: 15
Norwegian Gem
Ship Class: Jewel
12 months Launched: 2007
Final Refurbished: November 2020
Gross Registered Tonnage: 93530
Complete Passengers: 2394
Complete Crew: 1070
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.2
Passenger to Area Ratio: 39.1
Size: 965 toes
Width: 125 toes
Complete Decks: 15
Norwegian Pearl
Ship Class: Jewel
12 months Launched: 2006
Final Refurbished: November 2021
Gross Registered Tonnage: 93530
Complete Passengers: 2394
Complete Crew: 1099
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.2
Passenger to Area Ratio: 39.1
Size: 965 toes
Width: 106 toes
Complete Decks: 15
Norwegian Jewel
Ship Class: Jewel
12 months Launched: 2005
Final Refurbished: November 2021
Gross Registered Tonnage: 93502
Complete Passengers: 2376
Complete Crew: 1100
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.2
Passenger to Area Ratio: 39.4
Size: 864 toes
Width: 106 toes
Complete Decks: 15
Norwegian Daybreak
Ship Class: Daybreak
12 months Launched: 2002
Final Refurbished: Could 2021
Gross Registered Tonnage: 92250
Complete Passengers: 2340
Complete Crew: 1032
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.3
Passenger to Area Ratio: 39.4
Size: 965 toes
Width: 106 toes
Complete Decks: 15
Norwegian Star
Ship Class: Daybreak
12 months Launched: 2001
Final Refurbished: Could 2018
Gross Registered Tonnage: 91740
Complete Passengers: 2348
Complete Crew: 1031
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.3
Passenger to Area Ratio: 39.1
Size: 965 toes
Width: 106 toes
Complete Decks: 15
Delight of America
Ship Class: Delight of America
12 months Launched: 2005
Final Refurbished: March 2021
Gross Registered Tonnage: 80439
Complete Passengers: 2186
Complete Crew: 927
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.4
Passenger to Area Ratio: 36.8
Size: 845 toes
Width: 106 toes
Complete Decks: 15
Norwegian Solar
Ship Class: Solar
12 months Launched: 2001
Final Refurbished: March 2018
Gross Registered Tonnage: 78309
Complete Passengers: 1976
Complete Crew: 906
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.2
Passenger to Area Ratio: 39.6
Size: 848 toes
Width: 123 toes
Complete Decks: 13
Norwegian Sky
Ship Class: Solar
12 months Launched: 1999
Final Refurbished: January 2019
Gross Registered Tonnage: 77104
Complete Passengers: 1928
Complete Crew: 766
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.5
Passenger to Area Ratio: 40.0
Size: 832 toes
Width: 118 toes
Complete Decks: 12
Norwegian Spirit – The Smallest Norwegian Cruise Line Ship and the Oldest
Ship Class: Leo
12 months Launched: 1998
Final Refurbished: January 2020
Gross Registered Tonnage: 75904
Complete Passengers: 2018
Complete Crew: 912
Passenger to Crew Ratio: 2.2
Passenger to Area Ratio: 37.6
Size: 879 toes
Width: 105 toes
Complete Decks: 14
Whether or not it’s Prima Class, Breakaway Plus Class, or the Intimate Solar Class, There’s an NCL Ship for Everybody
Norwegian Cruise Line boasts a various fleet, providing you with wide selection of choices to seek out the ship that completely matches your cruise trip wants.
In evaluating ship sizes, you’ll uncover that the Norwegian Encore stands out as the biggest within the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, tipping the scales at 169,116 gross tons with a passenger capability reaching 3,998.
On the different finish of the size at lower than half the scale of Encore is the smallest ship within the Norwegian fleet, the Norwegian Spirit with a gross tonnage of 75,904 and a passenger capability of two,018.
The corporate will not be standing nonetheless – Norwegian Aqua is because of be launched in 2025 and will probably be an additional enhancement of the Prima class ships that debuted with the not too long ago unveiled Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima. This would be the first of the Prima-Plus subclass of Prima ships and will probably be 10% bigger.
Norwegian Aqua Overview
Gross Tonnage: 156,300 GT
Size: 1,056 toes (322 meters)
Beam: 133 toes (40.5 meters)
Passenger Capability: 3,571 at double occupancy; as much as 4,224 most
Crew Members: Roughly 1,388
Decks: 20 decks, with 9 devoted to cabins
Staterooms: 1,760 cabins
Passenger To Area Ratio: 37
Cruising Pace: 22 knots (41 km/h or 25 mph)
Norwegian Luna is launching in 2026
In 2026 Norwegian Luna may also be launched. Beginning April 4, 2026, Norwegian Luna will provide seven-day Caribbean voyages roundtrip from Miami, Florida. The itineraries embrace locations similar to Roatán Island (Honduras), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Harvest Caye (Belize), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), and Nice Stirrup Cay (Bahamas).
Norwegian Luna Overview
• Gross Tonnage: 156,300 GT• Size: 1,056 toes (322 meters)• Beam: 113 toes (34 meters)• Passenger Capability: 3,571 at double occupancy; as much as 4,224 most• Crew Members: Roughly 1,388• Decks: 20 decks, with 9 devoted to cabins• Staterooms: 1,760 cabins• Passenger To Area Ratio: 37• Cruising Pace: 22 knots (41 km/h or 25 mph)
Selecting your ship will rely upon what you’re in search of—a bigger ship with infinite actions and eating choices, or a smaller ship for a cozier, extra private journey.
What actually stands out to me in Norwegian’s fleet is their common Passenger to Crew ratio – Fleet extensive they’ve a mean ratio of simply 2.28 passengers to each one member of the crew. Evaluate that to Royal Caribbean’s fleet which has a mean ratio of three.21 passengers for every crew member. It’s no surprise the Norwegian followers reward the eye that crew members give them on Norwegian vessels.
Whichever you select, know that Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet is designed to create the proper steadiness between rest, pleasure, and discovery on your ocean getaway.
Have you ever sailed with Norwegian earlier than? What’s your favourite ship within the fleet? Do you like the brand new cruise ships like Norwegian Prima and Viva, or do you like the older ships like Norwegian Spirit and Delight of America? Tell us within the feedback.
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