Are you looking for the most megaresort-like resort with lots of activities Norwegian Cruise Line ship at sea? If so, you’ll want to board one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships are, by definition, Norwegian Cruise Line ships with the most “stuff” – most pools, waterslides and other deck attractions (even a go-kart . track), as well as most on-board restaurants, bars and galleries. They have the largest spas and casinos of any ship in the Norwegian fleet and have the most cabins and suites – as well as the widest variety of suites and cabins.
With a capacity of 4,000 passengers or more, Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships are among the largest you’ll find at sea from any cruise line and also comparable to a cruise line. largest number of resorts on the mainland. If you’re into the “bigger the better” camp when it comes to resort experiences, these are the Norwegian Cruise Line ships for you.
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However, Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t just operate giant ships. The world’s fourth largest cruise line also has quite a few relatively small cruise ships, only carrying about 2,000 people and providing a more intimate feel. In some cases, these ships are half the size of Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships. Notably, these are ships with fewer deck operations and interior locations than Norway’s largest cruise ships.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s smallest ships are best for travelers who prefer a less crowded, more intimate resort experience.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line’s 8 classes of ships, explained
To make sure you board the right Norwegian Cruise Line vessel for you, you should find out which Norwegian Cruise Line ships are the largest and which are the smallest before booking.
Here, every Royal Caribbean vessel currently in service is ranked from largest to smallest.
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1. Norwegian Encore
Maiden voyage: 2019.
Size: 169,116 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,998.
2. Norway of Ultimate Bliss
Maiden voyage: 2018.
Size: 168,028 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 4.004.
3. Norwegian Joy
Maiden voyage: 2017.
Size: 167,725 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,804.
4. Norwegian Escape
Maiden voyage: 2015.
Size: 164,998 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 4.266.
5. Norwegian Epics
Maiden voyage: 2010.
Size: 155,873 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 4,100.
6. (bound) Norwegian getaway
Maiden voyage: 2014.
Size: 145,655 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,963.
6. (tie) Norwegian Secession
Maiden voyage: two thousand and thirteen.
Size: 145,655 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,963.
8. Norwegian Prima
Maiden voyage: 2022.
Size: 143,535 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 3,099.
9. Norwegian Jade
Maiden voyage: 2006.
Size: 93,558 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2.402.
10. (attached) Norwegian Gems
Maiden voyage: 2007.
Size: 93,530 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,394.
10. (attached) Norwegian Pearl
Maiden voyage: 2006.
Size: 93,530 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2,394.
12. The Norwegian Pearl
Maiden voyage: 2005.
Size: 93,502 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2.376.
13. Norwegian Dawn
Maiden voyage: 2002.
Size: 92,250 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2.340.
14. Norwegian Star
Maiden voyage: 2001.
Size: 91,740 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2.348.
15. Pride of America
Maiden voyage: 2005.
Size: 80,439 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2.186.
16. Norwegian Sun
Maiden voyage: 2001.
Size: 78,309 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 1,936.
17. Norwegian sky
Maiden voyage: 1999.
Size: 77,104 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2004.
18. Norwegian Spirit
Maiden voyage: 1998.
Size: 75,904 total tons.
Passenger capacity: 2.032.
What is Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship?
Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship is a 4-year-old child Norwegian Encore. Although not as large as the largest ships from rival lines Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises And Festival cruise lineNorway’s encore remains firmly in the pantheon of the world’s travel giants.
At 169,116 tonnes, Norway’s Encore is larger than all but 21 other cruise ships in the world, 15 of which are operated by the three aforementioned lines. It regularly sails with more than 4,000 passengers on board.
The largest of Norway’s four Breakaway-Plus ships, the Norwegian Encore is a Norwegian ship packed with top restaurants, bars, entertainment and attractions. It’s home to one of the largest go-karts on a cruise ship, the largest laser tagging area on a Norwegian ship, and an unusually large virtual reality area called the Galaxy Pavilion, and a number of its biggest attractions. There’s also plenty of room for multiple pools, waterslides, and splash areas for kids.
In addition, Norway’s Encore offers big-name shows in big, modern cinemas; a sprawling spa; a casino that fills half the deck; children’s play area; and more than 2,000 rooms.
What is Norwegian Cruise Line’s smallest ship?
Norwegian Cruise Line’s smallest ship is Norwegian Spirit. With a gross tonnage of 75,904 tons, Norwegian Spirit is less than half the size of the Norwegian Encore, the largest ship on the service. It carried just 1,966 passengers – 2,000 fewer than Norway’s Encore.
Launched in 1998, Norwegian Spirit is not only the smallest ship of Norwegian Cruise Line but also the oldest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. At the age of 25, it is likely to be removed from the Norwegian fleet in the coming years.
Notably, Norwegian Spirit was not built for Norwegian Cruise Line but for Asia-based Star Cruises. Its original name was SuperStar Leo. It was transferred to Norway and renamed in 2004.
Partly because of its smaller size, Norwegian Spirit offers fewer places and attractions than newer Norwegian ships, but it still offers a lot. In total, you’ll find 13 dining outlets on Norwegian Spirit, including two main restaurants, a casual buffet and versions of the line’s signature Cagney’s Steakhouse and French restaurant Le Bistro. There are more than half a dozen bars and cafes.
Norwegian Spirit deck attractions include several pools, whirlpools, waterslides, basketball courts, and jogging tracks. The ship also has a casino, spa, nightclub and theater.
Are Norwegian Cruise Line’s larger ships arriving?
The answer is not clear. Norwegian Cruise Line currently has five new cruise ships on order, all of which were originally designed to be smaller than the largest Norwegian ships currently operating at sea. However, Norway recently announced that some ships will be redesigned to be up to 20% larger.
Depending on how much larger Norway makes these ships, they could become the largest ships in the Norwegian fleet.
The five ships ordered for Norway are all sister ships to the recently announced Norwegian Prima, which is Norway’s eighth largest ship. The first of five ships, the Norwegian Viva, is expected to begin sailing in August 2023 with another four new ships due between 2025 and 2028.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line
The five new ships are all part of what the Norwegians call the Prima class. The first ship in the series, the Norwegian Prima, has a tonnage of 143,535 tons, about 15% smaller than the Norwegian Encore, Norway’s largest ship.
The second ship in the Prima-class series will be similar in size to the Norwegian Prima, while the last four in the series are, as noted, being redesigned to be larger than the first two. in the series.
Norwegian executives say the smaller size of the new Prima-class ships will give the carrier more choice in cruise design, as the ships can call into smaller ports around the world than with some of the larger Norwegian ships.
What is the difference between Norwegian Cruise Line’s larger and smaller ships?
Simply put: Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships have more sites and attractions on board than the line’s older ships.
For example, aboard Norway’s giant Breakaway-Plus class ships (Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape) you’ll find multiple pools, waterslides, children’s play areas and — on most trains — a long track -kart track. Each ship also offers shows at huge cinemas; sprawling spa; large casino; spacious children’s play area; and more than 2,000 rooms.
In addition, two of the largest ships in the series, the Norwegian Encore and the Norwegian Joy, have the biggest and most exciting gaming and virtual reality areas at sea.
Related: 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship
In contrast, the smaller Norwegian ships lack many of these features. Due to their smaller size they have a much more intimate feel, at least when compared to the largest cruise ships in Norway and other mass market routes, and they hold much fewer people. While the Breakaway-Plus class ships can accommodate around 4,000 passengers, based on double capacity, the line’s smallest ships are only designed to carry around 2,000 passengers at double capacity.
Norway’s smallest ships are a good option for travelers who don’t want to travel with the huge crowds typically found on the world’s largest cruise ships. They attract a small group of Norwegian fans, who prefer the intimacy of a cruise ship and don’t mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also generally less expensive to sail, on a per-day basis.
Related: Don’t miss these Norwegian loyalty privileges
In addition, due to their size, the smallest ships in Norway can make journeys to places that are not easily accessible by large ships. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Norway’s Encore.
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