List of NCL Cruise Ships by Age and Year Launched

The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has a diverse fleet of ships, each with its unique features and age.

The oldest ship in the fleet is the Norwegian Sky, launched in 1999.

The Norwegian Sky has undergone renovations to stay up-to-date, but it still offers a classic cruise experience.

The Norwegian Sun, launched in 2001, is another older ship in the fleet, offering a more laid-back atmosphere.

The Norwegian Sun has a capacity for over 1,900 passengers and features a variety of onboard amenities.

The Norwegian Pearl, launched in 2006, is a popular ship among families and offers a range of kids' programs and activities.

The Norwegian Pearl has a capacity for over 2,000 passengers and features a variety of dining options.

On a similar theme: List of Busiest Cruise Ports by Passengers

The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) fleet is made up of ships of varying ages, and it's interesting to see how they've evolved over time.

NCL currently has eight new cruise ships on order, more than any other major cruise brand.

See what others are reading: Holland America Alaska Ships

The first of these new ships to arrive will be Norwegian Aqua in April 2025, followed by three more ships in 2026, 2027, and 2028. All four of these ships will be part of the Prima Class series and will be somewhat bigger than the first two vessels in the series.

The Prima Class is the newest class of Norwegian ships, with Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima being the first two vessels in the class. They are notably smaller than the vessels Norwegian has added to its fleet in recent years, weighing in at 143,535 tons.

Here is a list of the new ships currently on order for NCL, including their expected delivery years:

The last two ships in the Prima Class series will also be expanded to accommodate new, bigger fuel tanks that can hold methanol, a cleaner-burning type of fuel.

The Prima Class is the newest class of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, with Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima being the first two vessels in the series.

These ships are smaller than the line's previous additions, weighing in at 143,535 tons, which is about 18% less than the 2019-built Norwegian Encore.

The Prima Class will eventually consist of at least six vessels, with four more ships scheduled for delivery by 2028.

Here's a list of the different ship classes mentioned in the article:

The Prima Class ships will be followed by an even bigger series of ships, measuring about 200,000 gross tons and scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2036.

Take a look at this: Shore Power Connection for Ships

The Prima Class is the newest class of Norwegian ships, with two vessels already in service: Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima.

These ships are notably smaller than recent additions to the fleet, weighing in at 143,535 tons, which is about 18% less than the 2019-built Norwegian Encore.

The Prima Class will eventually be made up of at least six vessels, expanding Norwegian's footprint in the cruise business and transforming the brand.

Take a look at this: Cargo Ships Canada

Norwegian executives have said the smaller size of the new Prima Class ships will give the line more options in designing itineraries, allowing them to access smaller ports around the world.

The addition of four more Prima Class vessels will grow Norwegian's fleet size to 23 ships by 2028, a 28% increase from its current fleet size of 19 vessels.

The Viva ship class is a great example of NCL's modern take on cruising. Norwegian Viva, the second Prima-class ship, took her maiden voyage in August 2023.

She's a big ship, with a capacity of 3,215 passengers and 143,535 gross tons. This means she's a great choice for families with teenagers who want to enjoy the many onboard activities.

However, it's worth noting that these activities, like the virtual reality arcade, laser tag, and race track, aren't included in the price of your cruise. You could easily rack up a large bill if you take advantage of them all.

The Breakaway class of ships is a series of vessels that started with the Norwegian Breakaway, which debuted in April 2013.

The Norwegian Breakaway is a massive ship, measuring 145,655 gross tons and carrying 3,963 passengers at double capacity.

It was the first ship in the "Project Breakaway" series, named after a public contest that generated the name.

The Breakaway class of ships has since been followed by the Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, both of which have been extensively covered by TPG.

The newest ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) fleet are a game-changer. Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima are the first two vessels in the Prima Class, which is set to massively expand NCL's footprint in the cruise business.

These two ships are notably smaller than their predecessors, weighing in at 143,535 tons. In comparison, the 2019-built Norwegian Encore was about 18% bigger at 169,116 tons.

Here's a list of the newest ships in the NCL fleet, ordered from newest to oldest:

NCL's Prima Class is set to grow to at least six vessels by 2028, with four more ships on the way. This expansion will give the line more options in designing itineraries, allowing them to access smaller ports around the world.

The older ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet have been given a new lease on life with recent refurbishments, making them a great option for couples without kids and those on a budget.

Ticket prices for these ships are much cheaper than the newer ones, with prices that are hard to beat.

Even the oldest ships have been refurbished, so you won't feel like you're stepping back in time when you board one of these vessels.

Some of the oldest ships in the fleet include the Norwegian Spirit, which was built in 1998, and the Norwegian Sky, which was built in 1999.

Here's a list of some of the older ships in the fleet, along with their class and year built:

These ships offer better itineraries than the newer ships, making them a great choice for those who want to explore different destinations without breaking the bank.

The newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship is the Unnamed, which is set to launch in 2036. This massive vessel will be part of the biggest NCL class ever.

The oldest ship in the fleet is the Norwegian Spirit, launched in 1998. It's not just the oldest, but also the smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship, carrying just 1,966 passengers.

Here's a list of the oldest and newest ships in the fleet:

The Line's Oldest Ship is Norwegian Spirit, launched in 1998, but don't let that fool you - it's had a $100 million refit.

Norwegian Spirit has undergone a significant transformation, adding 14 new venues, including an additional main dining room and an expanded Spa.

Ticket prices for the older ships are much cheaper than the newer ones, making them a good choice for couples without kids and those on a budget.

The older ships, like Norwegian Spirit, have been refurbished to make them feel modern and fresh, despite their age.

The Line's older ships, including the Sun-class and Dawn-class, were all built before 2012 and are relatively small.

These older ships have fewer balcony staterooms compared to more modern cruise ships, which might be a consideration for some travelers.

Despite their age, the older ships have better itineraries, which is a plus for couples and those on a budget.

If this caught your attention, see: Carnival Cruise Line Places a New Order with Meyer Werft.

In 1999, Norwegian Cruise Line welcomed its first Sun Class ship, the Norwegian Sky. This ship was the sister of Norwegian Sun and had a gross tonnage of 77,104 GRTs.

The Norwegian Sky carried 2,004 passengers, based on two people per cabin. This was a notable capacity for its time.

A key fact about the Norwegian Sky is that it sailed under a different name, Pride of Aloha, for NCL America from 2004 to 2008.

The Norwegian Pearl is a great example of a modern cruise ship. It had its maiden voyage in 2006.

Its size is quite impressive, weighing in at 93,530 gross tons.

The Norwegian Pearl can accommodate a large number of passengers, with a capacity of 2,394.

In 2018, Norwegian Bliss entered service, marking a significant milestone in the company's fleet expansion. It's the third ship in the Breakaway Plus Class, a testament to Norwegian Cruise Line's commitment to innovation and growth.

Norwegian Bliss is an impressive vessel, weighing in at 168,028 gross tons. Its size allows it to carry 4,004 passengers, based on a generous two people per cabin.

As one of the newer ships in the fleet, Norwegian Bliss offers a fresh and modern experience, with a focus on comfort and entertainment.

The Norwegian Cruise Line fleet has a wide range of ships, each with its own unique character and age. Norwegian Spirit is the oldest ship in the fleet, launched in 1998 and refurbished with a $100 million makeover.

Norwegian Spirit was previously in a different state, but after the renovation, it got 14 new venues, including an additional main dining room and an expanded Spa.

The Sun-class ships, such as Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun, were built between 1999 and 2001, with Norwegian Sky being the first in the class and Norwegian Sun being the second.

The Dawn-class ships, including Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star, were launched between 2001 and 2002, with Norwegian Star being the first in the class and Norwegian Dawn being the second.

Here's a list of the oldest ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet:

The Jewel-class ships, including Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Jade, and Norwegian Pearl, were built between 2005 and 2007, with Norwegian Jewel being the first in the class.

The Breakaway-class ships, including Norwegian Breakaway, were launched between 2013 and 2015, with Norwegian Breakaway being the first in the class.

The Breakaway Plus-class ships, including Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss, were launched between 2015 and 2018, with Norwegian Escape being the first in the class.

Norwegian Bliss, launched in 2018, is the third ship in the Breakaway Plus class, with a size of 168,028 gross tons.

The smallest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet is Norwegian Spirit, with a capacity for 2,018 guests at double occupancy and an internal volume of 75,904 gross tonnes.

NCL's fleet is made up of ships from different classes, each with its own unique features and age.

The newest ships in the fleet are the ones currently on order, with the first one expected to set sail in 2036.

One of the youngest classes is the Prima Plus Class, introduced in 2028.

Here's a list of the ships in the Prima Plus Class:

The oldest ship in the fleet is the Norwegian Spirit, built in 1998.

The Prima Class, introduced in 2022, is another relatively new class of ships.

The Breakaway Plus Class, which includes ships like Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss, is made up of ships built between 2015 and 2019.

The Jewel Class, which includes ships like Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade, is a bit older, with ships built between 2005 and 2007.