Best Norwegian Cruise Line Ships For Every Traveller Ranked

Table Of Content

• Our Ships
• Other great ships for solo sailors: Norwegian Epic & Norwegian Getaway
• What are the different classes of Norwegian Cruise ships?
• Best Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Ranking Methodology
• Learn About Credit Cards
• Other Norwegian Cruises to Try
• Best Norwegian Cruise Line Ship for Families: Norwegian Encore

This secluded area is reserved for guests staying in the most lavish accommodations, including the luxurious Haven Suites and Penthouses. Whether it’s participating in group excursions, attending meet-ups, or joining in on the onboard entertainment, there are endless ways to connect. The ship’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere fosters a sense of community, making it easy to form new friendships and create unforgettable memories together. Notably, Norwegian Sun is often chosen for extended and destination-focused itineraries, particularly appealing to retirees seeking immersive travel experiences. Over the next two years, the ship is set to embark on extended voyages from less common home ports.

Our Ships

The Norwegian Epic offers a variety of solo cabins that are designed for single travelers. Norwegian also offers a range of casual dining options, such as O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, which serves up comfort food 24 hours a day. And with the freedom and flexibility of Freestyle Dining, guests can dine whenever they want, without worrying about fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating.

Other great ships for solo sailors: Norwegian Epic & Norwegian Getaway

Norwegian Gem is very similar to other ships in the Gem class, and so doesn’t have any particular features or notable attractions to shout about. It’s still a good mid-size cruise ship that doesn’t feel too crowded though, and there’s enough on board to keep families and couples entertained with ease. To find out, I’ve ranked all of the NCL ships from best to worst, based on customer review data.

What are the different classes of Norwegian Cruise ships?

If you’re into tech and games, the Galaxy Pavilion provides a lot of interesting virtual reality games. We rank the best Norwegian Cruise Line ships, taking into account what each of these vessels offer. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sea traveler, this post will help you find the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for your vacation. Norwegian designs its ships to appeal to a broad mix of people, in part by offering a wide range of cabin types at varying price points.

Best Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Ranking Methodology

I paid $4300 for an obstructed view cabin on Norwegian Cruise Line - take a look inside - Cruise Blog

I paid $4300 for an obstructed view cabin on Norwegian Cruise Line - take a look inside.

Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Unique to Epic is its award-winning entertainment, including the legendary Liverpool venue, The Cavern Club. Refurbished in 2020, the ship now also features Syd Norman’s Pour House, a live rock ‘n’ roll venue that will make you feel like you’re in one of LA’s legendary clubs. Whether you’re sipping fine wines at The Cellars or enjoying hand-crafted cocktails at Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Norwegian Escape ensures a memorable journey for every traveler.

Learn About Credit Cards

The Norwegian Sky is a relatively small cruiser most popular for weekend trips to the Bahamas. She is one of the oldest cruisers in NCL’s fleet, but the 2019 renovations brought some much-needed upgrades. This NCL cruiser departs from ports in LA, NYC, Miami, Seattle, and Vancouver, taking thousands of guests to explore destinations like the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Panama, and the Pacific Coast. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of promotions and discounts throughout the year, so be sure to check their website for the latest offers.

Norwegian Jewel is one of the older ships in the NCL fleet, and it’s a ship that aims to be more of a couples ship than a family one. As proof, just consider how, in the 2018 refurbishment, the ship’s waterslide was removed, while two new bars were added. With all that context, let’s jump in and see all the Norwegian cruise ships ranked. The bigger Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss all have an 82-cabin solo complex, while two older ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — have solo areas with 59 cabins. The line's two newest vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian VIva, have 72-cabin solo complexes spread over two decks.

So, if you happen to bring your whole family, your kids can have their own space, and you can have yours without any problem. If you’re a “freestyle cruiser,” then the Norwegian Cruise Line is perfect for you because it provides plenty of things to do for both adults and families. You can enjoy it whenever you want without feeling limited or constrained by time. When analyzed based on ratings from traveler reviews, the best Norwegian cruise ship is the Norwegian Joy.

The cruise ship then sails to the seas and islands of the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera, the Pacific Coast, across Alaska, and of course, the Caribbean. At The Waterfront, an outdoor space that encircles Deck 8, passengers can sip drinks or dine alfresco. While the innovation debuted on twin sister Norwegian Breakaway, it just really works on Getaway, which sails mostly to warm-weather destinations. Note that the shorter Bermuda sailings can offer very little time in the country, sometimes as few as nine hours. Beginning and ending on the island of Oahu, the itinerary includes two days each on the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. An iconic presence in Hawaii, Pride of America has been permanently dedicated to the archipelago since its debut in 2005.

You'll find Norwegian ships everywhere from the Caribbean and the Bahamas to Europe, Asia and Australia. Whether you want to sail the Caribbean, explore Europe, or journey through exotic destinations in Asia, Norwegian has you covered. Note that some of these activities may come with additional fees, and not every activity is available on every ship. This cruiser sails to a variety of destinations in Europe, South Africa, Australia, Asia, and North America. To stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates from Norwegian Cruise Line, be sure to follow their social media accounts and sign up for their email newsletter. This can provide valuable information on new ships, itinerary updates, and promotions.

At 169,116 tons and carrying 3,958 passengers, Norwegian Encore is the largest ship in the Norwegian fleet. That means it has the most space for the many over-the-top family fun zones that are at the core of the four Breakaway-Plus vessels — a series of ships that was specifically designed with families in mind. With so many fun activities and different dining options onboard, the Norwegian Bliss makes for an awesome family vacation. Norwegian Joy, for example, allows you to enjoy a 5-night cruise to the Pacific for as low as $223 if you book interior accommodations. The price can still change, given that some activities onboard require a fee, and some specialty restaurants require separate payments.

Norwegian adds an automatic service charge of $20 to $25 per person, per day, to final bills, depending on your cabin category. Depending on the service you receive, you can adjust the amount up or down at the guest services desk before disembarking. In addition, a 20% gratuity is added to the bill at bars, extra-charge specialty restaurants and ship spas. On the big-ship end of the spectrum, Norwegian's four relatively new Breakaway Plus-class vessels — Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape — are the line's premier offerings.

This older cruise ship offers a range of options that make it a great choice for those who want to explore the Bahamas or embark on longer trips to the Caribbean. One of the standout features of the Norwegian Sun is its smaller size compared to other Norwegian cruise ships. Retirees can enjoy a quieter and less crowded environment, perfect for unwinding and socializing with fellow adults.

The Norwegian Pearl is most popular for affordable weekend cruises to the Bahamas. The round trip from Miami starts at some $370, which is one of the most popular cruises for the ship. The Norwegian Escape sets sail from New York City, Miami, Orlando, Copenhagen, Rome, and London, taking thousands of passengers on cruises to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and select destinations in Europe. I worked as an officer in the deck department on various types of vessels, including oil and chemical tankers, LPG carriers, and even reefer and TSHD in the early years.