NCL Cruise Ships by Year and Class: A Closer Look at Our Fleet

Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet features ships across several innovative classes, from the newest Prima Class vessels to fan-favorite Breakaway and Jewel Class ships. Over the years, these ships have seen stunning enhancements, providing a long list of firsts on the sea

This guide breaks down NCL cruise ships by year and class so travelers can compare ship sizes, onboard experiences and destinations before booking their next vacation with NCL.

The Prima Class represents a shift from capacity to luxury. These ships are plenty large, but they scale back on passengers slightly, accommodating less than 3,200 passengers on each. The Prima class features:

• Norwegian Prima: Built in 2022
• Norwegian Viva: Built in 2023

The Prima Class ships feature larger inside, oceanview, and balcony cabins than previous classes. Bathrooms and showers in the standard cabins are bigger as well. By scaling back on the number of passengers, these ships can offer a higher crew-to-passenger ratio for enhanced service. Features like the 360-degree Ocean Boulevard boardwalk lean into the feeling of spaciousness as well. Infinity pools blend right into the ocean, so it feels like there's no barrier at all between you and the sea.

Activities are larger in the Prima Class, too. Both ships feature a tri-level racetrack. The Stadium is a new feature on the Prima Class that includes games like pickleball, subsoccer, and tabletop shuffleboard. Waterslides like The Wave, The Rush, and The Drop offer breathtaking experiences, some with falls of up to 10 stories. From The Haven to sleek Studio staterooms, these ships continue to offer a wide range of accommodations for their passengers.

The Prima Plus class is the most recent addition to Norwegian's fleet. The most recent ship in this class is scheduled to set sail in 2027. Norwegian Aqua and Luna can accommodate over 3,500 passengers. The Norwegian Aura will set sail as the largest in the fleet with room for 3,840 passengers.

• Norwegian Aqua: Built in 2025
• Norwegian Luna: Built in 2026
• Norwegian Aura: To be built in 2027

The Prima Plus class is designed to take the Prima class to the next level. These ships offer excitement like the Aqua SlideCoaster, which is part roller coaster and part waterslide. Inside, the Glow Court elevates sports with an LED floor for more immersive play. The Moon Climber on Norwegian Luna is a multi-level obstacle course filled with unique challenges.

In addition to The Haven, you'll find a selection of suites and club balcony suites. Solo travelers can take advantage of the exclusive Studio Lounge that comes with their cozy single rooms.

The Norwegian Breakaway class took a major leap forward in design. These ships pioneered the waterfront promenade dining concept. This quarter-mile stretch of oceanfront is dotted with delights that just beg cruisers to settle in and enjoy the view. Breakaway Class ships can accommodate over 3,900 guests and include:

• Norwegian Breakaway: Built in 2013, refurbished in 2025
• Norwegian Getaway: Built in 2014, refurbished in 2024

These ships are action-packed destinations all their own. They include full water parks with five multi-story waterslides and two pools in each. Norwegian Getaway also includes the fastest waterslide at sea, known as the Free Fall, which sends gusts plummeting at 4Gs. The Breakaway Class ships also pioneered the largest ropes courses at sea, with more than 40 elements to overcome.

Each Breakaway Class ship has at least nine specialty dining options and 18 bars and lounges. On these ships, The Haven is expanded to include its own exclusive lounge and restaurant. Studio staterooms are available on the other end of the spectrum.

The Breakaway Plus class debuted shortly after the Breakaway Class, unveiling even bigger and better offerings. These four ships can accommodate between 3,776 and 4,218 passengers each. This class includes:

• Norwegian Escape: Built in 2015, refurbished in 2022
• Norwegian Joy: Built in 2017, refurbished in 2024
• Norwegian Bliss: Built in 2018, refurbished in 2025
• Norwegian Encore: Built in 2019, refurbished in 2024

Breakaway Plus ships take excitement to the next level with deck-top speedways on all but Norwegian Escape. This track spans two levels on the Bliss. The Galaxy Pavilion rolled out on Norwegian Encore, inviting cruisers into a world of thrilling VR experiences. Norwegian Joy and Escape offer nine holes of mini-golf for timeless fun. These ships have everything from The Haven to studio suites, so they can cater to everyone. 

Another individual Class ship, Norwegian Epic, was constructed in 2010 and refurbished in 2025. This massive ship can hold up to 4,070 passengers, which made it the largest in Norwegian's fleet when it first debuted. 

True to its name, Epic includes an impressive range of entertainment options. In addition to the Epic Theater, you'll also find the Levity Comedy Club and the intimate Cavern Club. Onboard activities include a complete Aqua Park with three multi-story waterslides. The park's 200-foot Epic Plunge bowl slide was the first of its kind at sea. The ship's climbing wall towers 20 feet over the deck. The two-story Wii wall is another distinctive feature, equipped for everything from movies to sports games.

Norwegian Epic has eight specialty dining options and 18 bars and lounges. Among these is the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar. The bar is housed in a special chamber kept at a chilly 17 degrees to accommodate a bartop, seating, and glasses that are made entirely from ice. Norwegian Epic includes both The Haven and solo Studio staterooms. With this full range of options, there's something suited to any passenger.

The Pride of America is another Individual Class ship that's in a category all its own. Norwegian Pride of America was built in 2005 and refurbished in 2025. It holds 2,180 passengers, making it slightly smaller than the Jewel Class that preceded it.

Norwegian Pride of America is the only U.S.-flagged cruise ship in the fleet. Norwegian Pride of America operates just one route, traveling exclusively around Hawaii. There are no sea days on this route, so the ship doesn't need to rely as heavily on onboard amenities. Its itinerary includes four islands in seven days. Pride of America overnights in Kahului, Maui, and Nawiliwili, Kaua'i. 

Pride of America embarks and debarks in Honolulu, so it doesn't take you to your destination as much as around it. The ship features ten bars and lounges and nine specialty dining restaurants, including East Meets West Asian fusion, the romantic French restaurant Jefferson's Bistro, and the decadent Dolce Gelato. 

Pride of America does not feature The Haven. Its largest accommodations are suites and club balcony suites. This ship does include cozy studio cabins that are designed for solo travelers. These cabins include access to the private Studio Lounge. 

The Jewel class adds major refinements. When the Jewel Class ships debuted, they were the largest in Norwegian's fleet with a capacity of over 2,300 passengers. Today, there are classes that are much larger, but the mid-size nature of these ships offers distinct benefits, as they're still small enough to transit through the original Panama Canal locks. The Jewel Class includes:

• Norwegian Jewel: Built in 2005, refurbished in 2025
• Norwegian Jade: Built in 2006, refurbished in 2022
• Norwegian Pearl: Built in 2006, refurbished in 2021
• Norwegian Gem: Built in 2007, refurbished in 2022

The Jewel Class was the first to feature The Haven, which is like a ship within a ship. This exclusive set of cabins sits at the top of the ship and includes 24-hour butler service, a private concierge, and its own pool and courtyard. 

You'll start to see some more thrilling onboard activities in this class. Norwegian Pearl includes a bowling alley. Both Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem feature climbing walls. Every ship in the Jewel Class includes at least seven specialty dining options and no fewer than 15 bars and lounges.

Norwegian Spirit is considered an Individual Class ship because it stands alone. Norwegian Spirit was first built in 1998 for Star Cruises, where she was known as SuperStar Leo. The ship was transferred to Norwegian in 2004 and given her current name. Norwegian Spirit was refurbished in 2022. Similar in size to the Dawn Class, this ship holds over 1,900 passengers.

As one of the smaller ships in the fleet, Spirit features nine bars and lounges and seven specialty dining restaurants. The quintessential Mandara Spa is onboard, complete with a Therma Suite and plenty of body therapies and beauty treatments. The main pool includes four surrounding hot tubs. The adults-only Spice H2O area includes its own dedicated hot tubs as well.

Spirit offers standard stateroom options. The largest of these is a suite that can accommodate up to three guests.

The Dawn Class emerged in the same year that the Sun Class got its second ship. This class also features two ships, each of which holds around 2,290 passengers. These vessels include:

• Norwegian Star: Built in 2001, refurbished in 2021
• Norwegian Dawn: Built in 2002, Refurbished in 2024

Along with the expanded capacity of the Dawn Class came upgraded entertainment spaces. They feature larger theaters than the Sun Class and no fewer than 11 bars and lounges. The Mandara Spa and Salon offers more than two dozen treatment options for ample rest and relaxation onboard. 

Guests on both Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn can choose from at least eight specialty dining options, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Tappanyaki, Le Bistro, and Sushi. While neither features The Haven, both ships in the Dawn Class offer suites and club balcony suites.

Norwegian's Sun Class ships are its smallest and oldest, but they're no less comfortable for that. These ships hold around 1,900 passengers and are ideal for intimate itineraries and short Caribbean routes. Frequent upgrades have kept the Sun Class relevant. The Sun Class includes:

• Norwegian Sky: Built in 1999, refurbished in 2024
• Norwegian Sun: Built in 2001, refurbished in 2024

These ships feature Owner's suites, Penthouse suites, and family cabins as well as smaller standard cabins. You'll find a minimum of 11 bars and lounges on each ship, as well as multiple dining rooms and specialty dining options. Norwegian Sun has one pool, while Norwegian Sky offers two. They also have hot tubs, a jogging track, a golf driving net, a basketball/volleyball court, and a theater.

No matter which type of cruise vacation you’re dreaming about, Norwegian Cruise Line has a ship designed to match your travel style. From the innovative Prima Class vessels to beloved favorites in the Breakaway and Jewel Classes, every NCL ship offers unique experiences, unforgettable entertainment and incredible destinations around the world.

Whether you’re planning a family getaway, romantic escape or bucket-list adventure, exploring NCL cruise ships by year and class is the perfect way to find your ideal fit. Ready to set sail? Explore the full Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and book your next cruise vacation with NCL today.