Norwegian Cruise Line ships from newest to oldest — the complete list
What’s the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship? Knowing the answer is more important than you might think if you’re planning a Norwegian cruise.
The newest Norwegian cruise ship is typically also the Norwegian ship with the most modern, up-to-date cabins and the most enticing mix of restaurants, bars and attractions. It’s the right choice if you want the creme de la creme of the Norwegian fleet as your floating home away from home.
Right now, the newest Norwegian cruise ship is Norwegian Aqua, followed by Norwegian Viva. Respectively, they're the third and second ships in Norwegian’s new Prima Class of vessels, which began debuting in 2022 with the arrival of Norwegian Prima. Specifically, Norwegian Aqua belongs to the line's Prima Plus Class, a sub-class of the Prima Class, which means it's 10% larger than its two older sisters.
Other relatively new Norwegian Cruise Line ships include Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy. All began sailing in the last decade.
Norwegian operates 20 cruise vessels in total. On average, the line comes out with about one new ship every 18 months; it typically keeps vessels in its fleet for between 20 and 30 years before retiring them. The oldest Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Spirit, is 26 years old.
Norwegian’s newest ships are generally far bigger and much more amenity-packed than its older ships. If you crave a lot of activities on a Norwegian cruise vacation, you’ll want to stick to vessels built in 2010 or later.
Related: The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained
In many cases, Norwegian Cruise Line’s oldest cruise ships — built in the 1990s and early 2000s — are just half the size of the line’s newest vessels and have fewer venues on board. Still, even these smaller ships offer many attractions compared to some vessels at competing lines.
Here is a list of every Norwegian Cruise Line ship currently in operation, ranked from newest to oldest.
1. Norwegian Aqua
Maiden voyage: 2025
Size: 156,300 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,571
2. Norwegian Viva
Maiden voyage: 2023
Size: 143,535 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,099
3. Norwegian Prima
Maiden voyage: 2022
Size: 143,535 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,099
4. Norwegian Encore
Maiden voyage: 2019
Size: 169,116 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,998
5. Norwegian Bliss
Maiden voyage: 2018
Size: 168,028 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,004
6. Norwegian Joy
Maiden voyage: 2017
Size: 167,725 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,804
7. Norwegian Escape
Maiden voyage: 2015
Size: 164,998 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,266
8. Norwegian Getaway
Maiden voyage: 2014
Size: 145,655 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,963
9. Norwegian Breakaway
Maiden voyage: 2013
Size: 145,655 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 3,963
10. Norwegian Epic
Maiden voyage: 2010
Size: 155,873 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 4,100
11. Norwegian Gem
Maiden voyage: 2007
Size: 93,530 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,394
12. Norwegian Pearl
Maiden voyage: 2006
Size: 93,530 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,394
13. Norwegian Jade
Maiden voyage: 2006
Size: 93,558 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,402
14. Norwegian Jewel
Maiden voyage: 2005
Size: 93,502 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,376
15. Pride of America
Maiden voyage: 2005
Size: 80,439 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,186
16. Norwegian Dawn
Maiden voyage: 2002
Size: 92,250 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,340
17. Norwegian Star
Maiden voyage: 2001
Size: 91,740 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,348
18. Norwegian Sun
Maiden voyage: 2001
Size: 78,309 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 1,936
19. Norwegian Sky
Maiden voyage: 1999
Size: 77,104 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,004
20. Norwegian Spirit
Maiden voyage: 1998
Size: 75,904 gross tons
Passenger capacity: 2,032
What is the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?
The newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship is Norwegian Aqua, which set sail on its maiden voyage in late March 2025. Measuring 156,300 gross tons and carrying 3,571 passengers at double occupancy, it’s a slightly larger evolution of Norwegian’s Prima Class vessels, which will be rolling out through 2028.
Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima — the first two ships in the Prima Class — are notably smaller than other new Norwegian cruise ships unveiled over the past 15 years, but they still have nearly as many restaurants, bars, showrooms and top-deck attractions as you’ll find on the bigger vessels.
TPG sailed on the maiden voyages of Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima and has covered them extensively. For more on the ships, see the following guides and reviews:
- 5 things I love about Norwegian Viva — and 5 that disappoint me
- I’ve been on nearly every Norwegian ship; here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima
- $12 for a drink made from leftover banana peels? My strange night out at Norwegian Prima’s ‘zero-waste’ bar
- Norwegian Prima has a ridiculously big go-kart track — here’s why I loved it
- Can luxury cruisers fall in love with Norwegian Prima? TPG finds out
- Did Norwegian Cruise Line make its new ships too small? Executives hint at an answer
What is the oldest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?
The oldest Norwegian Cruise Line ship is Norwegian Spirit. Unveiled in 1998, it’s not just the oldest Norwegian Cruise Line ship but the smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship — far smaller than the newest Norwegian vessels. At 75,904 tons, Norwegian Spirit is less than half the size of recently unveiled Norwegian Encore, and it carries just 1,966 passengers — about 2,000 fewer than the Norwegian biggies.
In part because of its smaller size, Norwegian Spirit also offers fewer (but still quite a few) venues and attractions than newer Norwegian vessels. In all, you’ll find 13 food outlets on Norwegian Spirit, including two main restaurants, a casual buffet eatery and versions of the line’s signature Cagney’s steakhouse and French-inspired Le Bistro. There are more than half a dozen bars and cafes.
Top-deck attractions on Norwegian Spirit include several pools, whirlpools, waterslides, a basketball court and a jogging track. The ship also has a casino, a spa, a nightclub and a theater.
What new Norwegian Cruise Line ships are coming?
Norwegian Cruise Line currently has seven new cruise ships on order — more than any other major cruise brand. They include three more ships in this Prima Class series, scheduled for delivery in 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line ships and itineraries
All three of these coming Prima Class ships will be somewhat bigger than the first two vessels in the series to allow for more cabins and public areas. The last two ships in the series will also be expanded to accommodate new, bigger fuel tanks that can hold methanol — a cleaner-burning type of fuel.
In addition to the forthcoming Prima Class vessels, Norwegian also has ordered four giant new ships that are slated to start sailing between 2030 and 2036.
The as-yet-unnamed series of new ships will measure about 200,000 gross tons each, which will make them about 18% bigger than the biggest ships currently in the Norwegian fleet.
These four big vessels are scheduled to be finished and ready to sail in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036, respectively.
Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company, will construct all seven ships currently on order for the Norwegian Cruise Line brand.
What is the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship available for booking?
Norwegian Aqua is the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship you can book now. At the time of publication, its voyages were available for booking through April 2026. The seven new ships on order have yet to open for bookings.
What is the newest class of Norwegian Cruise Line ships?
The Prima Class is the newest class of Norwegian ships. For now, there are only three vessels in the class that you can sail — Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima. The class will eventually be made up of at least six vessels.
The series is destined to massively expand Norwegian’s footprint in the cruise business and, if all goes according to plan, significantly transform the brand. The line currently operates 20 vessels around the world. Assuming it doesn’t retire any of its older ships over the next few years, it will grow to 23 ships by 2028 with the addition of three more Prima Class vessels.
At 143,535 tons, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima are notably smaller than the vessels Norwegian has added to its fleet in recent years. The line’s last new ship before the addition of the two vessels, 2019-built Norwegian Encore, was about 18% bigger than Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima at 169,116 tons.
Norwegian executives have said the smaller size of the new Prima Class ships would give the line more options in designing itineraries; the vessels are able to access smaller ports around the world than the bigger Norwegian ships can. However, Norwegian Aqua is bigger than the first two ships in the Prima Class by about 10%; the three new-builds following it will also be larger than the first two in the class.
What's the difference between newer and older Norwegian Cruise Line ships?
Newer Norwegian Cruise Line ships are generally bigger than older Norwegian ships — sometimes much bigger. As a result, they have room for many more onboard venues and attractions than the line’s older vessels.
On Norwegian’s relatively new Breakaway Plus Class vessels (Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape), you’ll find multiple pools, waterslides and a kiddie splash zone, and — on most of the ships — a sprawling go-kart racing track. Each vessel also offers shows in big, state-of-the-art theaters, as well as sprawling spas, casinos that fill half a deck, dedicated children’s play zones and more than 2,000 cabins.
Additionally, the two newest ships in this series, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, have large gaming and virtual reality zones called the Galaxy Pavilion.
In short, they’re like giant floating versions of the megaresorts you find in the Orlando and Las Vegas areas, and they appeal to people who like that type of experience.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship
Norwegian’s oldest ships, in many cases, are about half the size of the line’s newest ships and lack many of the above features. They have a much more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold far fewer people. While Breakaway Plus Class ships can hold around 4,000 passengers, based on double occupancy, the line’s oldest vessels are only designed to carry about 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.
Norwegian’s oldest ships are a good choice for vacationers who want to try Norwegian but aren’t eager to travel with huge crowds. The oldest ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet thus appeal to a subset of Norwegian fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don’t mind giving up some onboard amenities to get that. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes Rewards loyalty program guide
Because of their size, Norwegian’s oldest ships can operate itineraries to places that aren’t as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports worldwide can handle a ship the size of Norwegian Encore.
Note that all Norwegian ships are regularly renovated and upgraded every few years, so even the oldest Norwegian cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, their eateries and bars have been entirely renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
- Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
- The 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
- Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.