NCL Ships Ranked by Age & Size

With 19 ships and counting, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers a wide range of cruising experiences—from brand-new floating resorts loaded with high-tech thrills to smaller, cozier ships built in the ‘90s that offer a more relaxed vibe.

Having cruised on both ends of the spectrum—from the smallest to the largest ships in the NCL fleet—I can tell you, each one offers something truly unique.

If you’re wondering which NCL ship is best for your next vacation, this guide breaks down every ship by age, size, and class to help you pick the perfect fit.

NCL Ships by Age (Newest to Oldest)

Let’s start with a look at the fleet’s evolution over the years. Here’s a complete list of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, including those on the horizon, sorted from newest to oldest:

Ship	Year Built	Refurbished	Class
Unnamed	2036	–	Unknown – biggest NCL class ever
Unnamed	2034	–	Unknown – biggest NCL class ever
Unnamed	2032	–	Unknown – biggest NCL class ever
Unnamed	2030	–	Unknown – biggest NCL class ever
Unnamed	2028	–	Prima Plus Class
Unnamed	2027	–	Prima Plus Class
Norwegian Luna	2026	–	Prima Plus Class
Norwegian Aqua	2025	–	Prima Plus Class
Norwegian Viva	2023	–	Prima Class
Norwegian Prima	2022	–	Prima Class
Norwegian Encore	2019	–	Breakaway Plus Class
Norwegian Bliss	2018	–	Breakaway Plus Class
Norwegian Joy	2017	2019	Breakaway Plus Class
Norwegian Escape	2015	–	Breakaway Plus Class
Norwegian Getaway	2014	2019	Breakaway Class
Norwegian Breakaway	2013	2018	Breakaway Class
Norwegian Epic	2010	2020	Epic Class
Norwegian Gem	2007	2015	Jewel Class
Norwegian Jade	2006	2017	Jewel Class
Norwegian Pearl	2006	2017	Jewel Class
Norwegian Jewel	2005	2018	Jewel Class
Pride of America	2005	2016	Unclassed
Norwegian Dawn	2002	2016	Dawn Class
Norwegian Star	2001	2018	Dawn Class
Norwegian Sun	2001	2018	Sun Class
Norwegian Sky	1999	2019	Sun Class
Norwegian Spirit	1998	2020	Unclassed

Norwegian’s Newest Ships: The Modern Marvels

Imagine standing on a glass walkway that seems to melt into the ocean, or lounging by firepits as the ship glides across the sea.

That’s what you’ll find on Norwegian Viva, NCL’s newest ship launched in 2023. As the second (and likely last) Prima-class ship, Viva brings a sleek, open-deck design with lots of outdoor space, perfect for anyone who loves ocean views without the crowds.

Unless NCL changes its plans, the Prima Plus class is next in line, followed by an entirely new, even larger class that’s set to debut in 2030 and beyond.

Before Viva came along, Norwegian Prima debuted in 2022 with similar outdoor-forward innovations. But going back a bit further, Norwegian Encore, launched in 2019, was NCL’s last mega-launch of the Breakaway Plus class.

This beast of a ship is a playground at sea, featuring a go-kart track, virtual reality arcade, epic waterslides, and laser tag—basically a dream for families and thrill-seekers.

⚡ Mini Tip: If you’re traveling with teens or energetic kids, Encore or Viva will keep them busy from sunrise to curfew.

NCL’s Oldest Ships: Small but Mighty

Let’s be honest—we often think “older” means outdated. But Norwegian Spirit, built in 1998, is anything but.

After a massive $100 million renovation, Spirit now boasts 14 new venues, including an elegant new main dining room and an upgraded spa.

I actually sailed on her before the facelift, and trust me—the glow-up is real.

Other golden oldies include the Sun-class and Dawn-class ships like Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Star. They may lack the flashy waterslides and go-karts, but they make up for it with cozy vibes and more intimate experiences.

Plus, fewer balconies just means more chances to snag an oceanview stateroom without breaking the bank.

NCL Ships Ranked by Size

Let’s take a closer look at Norwegian’s ships by size, from floating cities to mid-sized classics:

Ship	Size (GRT)	Guest Capacity	Class
Norwegian Encore	169,116	3,998	Breakaway Plus
Norwegian Bliss	168,028	4,004	Breakaway Plus
Norwegian Joy	167,725	3,804	Breakaway Plus
Norwegian Escape	164,998	4,266	Breakaway Plus
Norwegian Epic	155,873	4,100	Epic
Norwegian Getaway	145,655	3,963	Breakaway
Norwegian Breakaway	145,655	3,963	Breakaway
Norwegian Viva	142,500	3,215	Prima
Norwegian Prima	142,500	3,215	Prima
Norwegian Jade	93,558	2,402	Jewel
Norwegian Gem	93,530	2,394	Jewel
Norwegian Pearl	93,530	2,394	Jewel
Norwegian Jewel	93,508	2,376	Jewel
Norwegian Dawn	92,250	2,340	Dawn
Norwegian Star	91,740	2,348	Dawn
Pride of America	80,439	1,936	Unclassed
Norwegian Sun	78,309	1,936	Sun
Norwegian Sky	77,104	2,004	Sun
Norwegian Spirit	75,904	2,018	Unclassed

The Biggest and Smallest NCL Ships

Norwegian Encore claims the title of largest ship in the NCL fleet by volume, with 169,116 gross tons and 20 decks (16 for guests).

Meanwhile, Norwegian Escape packs the most people, with space for 4,266 guests at double occupancy—thanks to a smart layout that skips things like a race track to fit in more cabins.

Fun fact: Even NCL’s biggest ships are still smaller than some of Royal Caribbean’s and MSC’s top-tier vessels. NCL prioritizes onboard features over sheer size, giving you a well-balanced cruise experience.

At the other end of the scale, Norwegian Spirit is the smallest ship in the fleet with 75,904 GT and capacity for just over 2,000 guests.

Many of NCL’s older ships built before 2008 fall into this mid-size category, offering more port-intensive itineraries and lower crowds.

NCL Ship Classes Explained

NCL ships are grouped into distinct classes, each offering a different cruising vibe:

🚢 Unknown Class (Coming 2030+)

• Four unnamed ships arriving from 2030 to 2036
• Approx. 225,000 GT
  These will be the largest ships NCL has ever built, promising a whole new era of cruising.

🌊 Prima Plus Class

• Norwegian Aqua (2025)
• Norwegian Luna (2026)
• Two unnamed ships (2027 & 2028)
• Sizes: 156,000–169,000 GT

🌟 Prima Class

• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Viva
• Size: 142,500 GT
  Known for wide open decks, high-end design, and relaxed luxury.

🌀 Breakaway Plus Class

• Norwegian Encore, Bliss, Joy, Escape
• Size: 164,600–169,145 GT
  Great for families and tech-loving travelers.

🎉 Breakaway Class

• Norwegian Getaway, Breakaway
• Size: 145,655 GT
  Feature-packed but slightly smaller than the Plus class.

🌐 Epic Class

• Norwegian Epic (the only one)
• Size: 155,873 GT
  Unique design and one-of-a-kind layout.

💎 Jewel Class

• Gem, Jade, Pearl, Jewel
• Size: 93,500 GT
  Smaller, elegant ships perfect for destination-focused cruises.

🌅 Dawn Class

• Dawn, Star
• Size: 91,740–92,250 GT
  Classic mid-sized ships with great itineraries.

☀️ Sun Class

• Sun, Sky
• Size: 77,104–78,309 GT
  Older ships with a more intimate feel.

🗺️ Unclassed

• Norwegian Spirit
• Pride of America
  Spirit was originally built for the Asia market, while Pride of America is the only U.S.-flagged cruise ship, sailing exclusively around Hawaii.

Which NCL Ship Should You Choose?

Here’s the million-dollar question: Are the newest, biggest ships actually better?

Well, it depends. If you’re cruising with teens or crave non-stop action, the newer ships like Viva, Prima, or Encore are packed with high-tech entertainment and adrenaline-pumping features.

But beware—most of those cool activities like go-karts and VR games aren’t free, and deck space for sunbathing is more limited.

On the other hand, if you’re a couple looking for peaceful sea days or a more traditional cruise vibe, one of the smaller, older ships might be perfect.

Many of them have had major refurbishments, so they feel fresh and modern without the price tag of a brand-new ship.

Personally? I have a soft spot for Norwegian Breakaway. The waterslides are a blast, the ropes course is surprisingly thrilling, and the live shows? Incredible. And the best part—they’re all included in your fare.