norwegian cruise line ships newest to oldest

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 Viva , which debuted in August. It's the second ship in Norwegian's new Prima Class of vessels, which began debuting in 2022 with the arrival of Norwegian Prima .

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Other relatively new Norwegian Cruise Line ships include Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy. All began sailing in the last six years.

In all, Norwegian operates 19 cruise vessels. On average, the line comes out with about one new ship every 18 months, and it typically keeps vessels in its fleet for around 20 to 30 years before retiring them. The oldest Norwegian Cruise Line ship, Norwegian Spirit, is 25 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 the last 12 or so years.

Related: The 8 types 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 Viva

Maiden voyage: 2023 Size: 143,535 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,099

2. Norwegian Prima

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 143,535 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,099

3. Norwegian Encore

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 169,116 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,998

4. Norwegian Bliss

Maiden voyage: 2018 Size: 168,028 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,004

5. Norwegian Joy

Maiden voyage: 2017 Size: 167,725 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,804

6. Norwegian Escape

Maiden voyage: 2015 Size: 164,998 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,266

7. Norwegian Getaway

Maiden voyage: 2014 Size: 145,655 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,963

8. Norwegian Breakaway

Maiden voyage: 2013 Size: 145,655 gross tons Passenger capacity: 3,963

9. Norwegian Epic

Maiden voyage: 2010 Size: 155,873 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,100

10. Norwegian Gem

Maiden voyage: 2007 Size: 93,530 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,394

11. Norwegian Pearl

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 93,530 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,394

12. Norwegian Jade

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 93,558 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,402

13. Norwegian Jewel

Maiden voyage: 2005 Size: 93,502 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,376

14. Pride of America

Maiden voyage: 2005 Size: 80,439 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,186

15. Norwegian Dawn

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 92,250 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,340

16. Norwegian Star

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 91,740 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,348

17. Norwegian Sun

Maiden voyage: 2001 Size: 78,309 gross tons Passenger capacity: 1,936

18. Norwegian Sky

Maiden voyage: 1999 Size: 77,104 gross tons Passenger capacity: 2,004

19. 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 Viva. As noted above, it debuted in August . Measuring 143,535 gross tons and carrying 3,099 passengers at double occupancy, it's almost identical to Norwegian's last new ship, Norwegian Prima. Both ships are part of the line's new six-ship Prima Class series, which will be rolling out through 2028.

Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima are notably smaller vessels than other new Norwegian cruise ships unveiled over the past 15 years. But they still have nearly as many restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top 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:

• Norwegian Viva review: What to expect on Norwegian's 2nd Prima Class vessel
• 5 things I loved about the new Norwegian Viva
• I've been on nearly every Norwegian ship; here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima
• My strange night out at Norwegian Prima's 'zero-waste' bar
• Prima has a ridiculously large go-kart track; here's why I loved it
• Can luxury cruisers fall in love with Norwegian Prima? TPG booked a voyage to find out
• Did Norwegian make its new Prima Class ships too small?

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 the 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 steak house and French eatery Le Bistro. There are more than half a dozen bars and cafes.

Deck-top attractions on Norwegian Spirit include several pools, whirlpools, waterslides, a basketball court and a jogging track. The ship also has a casino, spa, nightclub and theater.

What new Norwegian Cruise Line ships are coming?

Norwegian Cruise Line currently has four new cruise ships on order. The first to arrive will be Norwegian Aqua in April 2025. It'll be the third ship in the line's new Prima Class series.

Additionally, three more ships in this Prima Class series are on order for delivery in 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively.

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line

All four of these coming ships, including Norwegian Aqua, 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.

The Prima Class vessels are under construction at a Fincantieri shipyard near Monfalcone, Italy.

What is the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship available for booking?

Norwegian Aqua is the newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship you can book now. While the ship isn't yet sailing, its initial voyages scheduled for April 2025 are already on sale, as are future sailings through April 2026. The three other Norwegian ships on order have yet to open for bookings.

What is the newest class of Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

The Prima Class is the newest class of Norwegian ships. For now, there are only two vessels in the class that you can sail — the recently unveiled 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 19 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 four more Prima Class vessels.

Including the just-unveiled Norwegian Viva, that's a 28% increase in its fleet size in just five years.

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, the 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.

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, a kiddie splash zone and — on most of the ships — a sprawling go-kart racing track. Each vessel also offers real Broadway 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 rooms.

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 or Las Vegas areas, and they appeal to people who like a megaresort experience.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship

Norwegian's older ships, in many cases, are about half the size of the line's newer 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: Don't miss out on these Norwegian loyalty perks

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.

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• Cruise Knowledge

Norwegian Cruise Ships by Age — Newest to Oldest

Doug Parker

• December 18, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 19 ships spans nearly three decades, catering to various vacation styles and budgets.

From the oldest ship in service, which dates back to the late 90s, to the newest vessel, Norwegian Viva, the cruise line has always forged its path and earned a devoted following as a result.

List of Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Newest to Oldest

The table below shows the ship’s name, class, age, gross registered tonnage, and how many guests it carries at double occupancy.

In this article, we’ve compiled an overview of all ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, organized from newest to oldest, along with some key features.

Norwegian Viva

Key Features: Ocean Boulevard, Indulge Food Hall, The Concourse, Infinity Beach, Galaxy Pavilion, Viva Speedway, The Drop, The Rush, and Metropolitan Bar

Norwegian Prima

Key Features: The Rush dueling slides, Norwegian Speedway go-kart racetrack, Infinity Beach sundeck, Onda by Scarpetta Italian restaurant, Palomar Mediterranean restaurant, Mandara Spa with a waterfall and charcoal sauna, Syd Norman’s Pour House, Galaxy Pavilion virtual reality games, and The Haven ship-within-a-ship complex

Norwegian Encore

Key Features : Go-karting racetrack, laser tag, Galaxy Pavilion virtual reality games, an aqua park, The Choir of Man show, Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical, Onda by Scarpetta Italian restaurant, Social Comedy & Night Club, and The Cavern Club

Norwegian Bliss

Key Features : Observation Lounge, go-karting racetrack, laser tag, Los Lobos specialty restaurant, Jersey Boys Broadway show, Mandara Spa with thermal suite, and Q Texas Smokehouse

Norwegian Joy

Key Features : Go-kart racetrack, laser tag, Q Texas Smokehouse, Galaxy Pavilion virtual reality games, an aqua park, Mandara Spa & Salon, Footloose show, Elements show, Social Comedy and Night Club, and The Cavern Club

Norwegian Escape

Key Features : Moderno Churrascaria, After Midnight show, Howl at the Moon show, The Choir of Man show, a ropes course, Entourage Teen Club, an aqua park, and 678 Ocean Place

Norwegian Getaway

Key Features : An aqua park, Entourage Teen Club, Getaway Casino, Mandara Spa & Salon with thermal suite, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, a sports complex, Burn the Floor show, Syd Norman’s Pour House, Howl at the Moon show, Million Dollar Quartet

Norwegian Breakaway

Key Features : Syd Norman’s Pour House, The Waterfront oceanside promenade, Bliss Ultra Lounge, Burn the Floor show, five multi-story waterslides, and the largest ropes course at sea

Norwegian Epic

Key Features : Burn the Floor, Howl at the Moon, an aqua park, Bliss Ultra Lounge, bowling alley, Mandara Spa & Salon, Entourage Teen Club, and Headliners Comedy Club

Norwegian Gem

Key Features : La Cucina Italian restaurant, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Gem Club Casino Bar, Entourage Teen Club, Mandara Spa & Salon with thermal suite, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, Blazing Boots show, Get Down Tonight show, and Swing! The Musical

Norwegian Jade

Key Features : Jade Club, Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse , Entourage Teen Club, Mandara Spa & Salon with thermal suite, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, Bliss Lounge, Spinnaker Lounge, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Blazing Boots show, Elements show, and Palace of Lights

Norwegian Pearl

Key Features : Mandara Spa with thermal suite, O’Sheehan’s 24 hours a day restaurant, Lotus Garden Asian restaurant, Legends In Concert show, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, and La Cucina Italian restaurant

Norwegian Jewel

Key Features : Bliss Ultra Lounge, Entourage Teen Club, Velvet show, Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse, Rock You Tonight show, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, O’Sheehan’s , and Magnum’s Champagne & Wine Bar

Pride of America

Key Features : Mandara Spa, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, Lights, Camera, Music! show, Cadillac Diner, Cagney’s Steakhouse, La Cucina Italian restaurant, Gold Rush Saloon, Napa Wine Bar, and Entourage Teen Club

Norwegian Spirit

Key Features : Silk Asian restaurant, Bier Garten, Onda by Scarpetta Italian restaurant, Spice H2O adults-only sundeck, Blazing Boots show, Elements show, World Beat show, a spa with thermal suite, and Henry’s Pub

Norwegian Dawn

Key Features : Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse, Dawn Club Casino, Elements show, Mandara Spa, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, and Entourage Teen Club

Norwegian Star

Key Features : Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse, Le Bistro restaurant, Ginza Asian restaurant, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Spice H2O adults-only sundeck, Band on the Run show, Mandara Spa with thermal suite, Paradis show, Splash Academy kids’ clubs

MORE: Bimini Cruise Port: Everything You Need To Know

Norwegian Sun

Key Features : Mandara Spa, Rock You Tonight show, World Beat show, Splash Academy kids’ clubs, Los Lobos Cantina, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse, and the Sun Casino

Norwegian Sky

Key Features : Le Bistro restaurant, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Sugarcane Mojito Bar, Pinnacle Lounge and Sushi Bar, Mandara Spa, Rock You Tonight show, Sky Casino, and The Local Bar & Grill open 24 hours a day

RELATED: NCL Ships Listed by Age

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NCL Ships By Age

From the latest to a true classic.

NCL’s fleet of 19 ships sorted by age.

We’re the cruise experts, so you don’t have to be

Newest to Oldest: Norwegian Cruise Line Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line has 19 ships in their fleet, ranging from new mega-ships to ships built in the 1990s. This blog post provides a guide to NCL ships by age starting with the latest ship.

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What Are The Best NCL Ships?

When it comes to choosing the best NCL ship, personal preferences play a significant role. While some passengers may prioritise amenities and entertainment options, others may value affordability or a quieter atmosphere. Take some time to assess what matters most to you during your cruise experience—the ship’s age and amenities, the onboard activities and entertainment, the overall atmosphere, or even the dining options.

Understanding your preferences will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your desires, ensuring you have the best possible experience onboard an NCL ship.

Newer ships like Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Prima are great for teenagers

If you’re a teenager or traveling with teenagers, newer NCL ships such as Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima offer a fantastic array of activities and entertainment options that cater specifically to this age group.

These ships are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including water parks, thrilling waterslides, and even dedicated teen lounges. The teen lounges provide a space for teenagers to socialize, engage in fun activities, and make new friends while enjoying their cruise vacation.

Additionally, the onboard entertainment on these newer ships is designed to appeal to a younger audience, with high-energy shows, concerts, and parties. From Broadway-style performances to live music and dance clubs, teenagers will have no shortage of exciting experiences to enjoy aboard these ships.

Older ships have been refurbished and offer lower fares

If budget is a significant factor when choosing an NCL ship, you may want to consider the older ships that have been refurbished. These ships often offer lower ticket prices without compromising on the overall cruise experience.

NCL regularly invests in refurbishing their older ships, ensuring that they maintain a high standard of quality and comfort. These renovations include updates to staterooms, public spaces, dining options, and even the addition of new onboard activities.

By choosing one of the refurbished older ships, you can enjoy the amenities and features of a modern cruise ship while saving costs on your ticket price. This is a great option for budget-conscious travellers who still want to experience the best of what NCL has to offer.

Norwegian Aqua – Newest Ship Scheduled for 2025

One of the most exciting additions to the NCL fleet is the Norwegian Aqua. Scheduled to launch in 2025, this ship promises to be a game-changer in the cruise industry. Designed with sustainability in mind, the Norwegian Aqua will feature cutting-edge green technology and innovative amenities.

With its sleek and modern design, the Norwegian Aqua will offer a truly immersive cruising experience. Passengers can look forward to state-of-the-art entertainment facilities, world-class dining options, and luxurious accommodations.

But what sets the Norwegian Aqua apart is its commitment to environmental stewardship. The ship will incorporate advanced waste management systems, energy-efficient technologies, and a focus on reducing its carbon footprint. Sustainable practices such as using biofuels and recycling will be at the forefront of this vessel’s operations.

Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or a luxury traveller, the Norwegian Aqua will have something to offer. Get ready to embark on a voyage like no other and experience the future of cruising.

Norwegian Viva

Launched 2023.

Step on board the Norwegian Viva and prepare to be amazed. This ship boasts luxurious staterooms, world-class dining options, and a variety of entertainment venues to suit every taste. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing day by the pool or an action-packed night at the casino, the Norwegian Viva has it all.

Norwegian Prima

Launched 2022.

With its sleek design, modern amenities, and top-notch service, the Norwegian Prima is the perfect choice for those looking to cruise in style.

Norwegian Encore

Launched 2019.

Sail through the Caribbean from Miami, or set sail to Alaska from Seattle and discover more of the wild and wonderful Last Frontier in a ship designed to make every moment unforgettable. Tear it up on the Norwegian Encore Speedway, the biggest race track at sea. Immerse yourself in an out-of-this-world virtual reality paradise at Galaxy Pavilion. Let loose and belt out classic rock tunes every night with The Choir Of Man.

Norwegian Bliss

Launched 2018.

Tailored just for the awe-inspiring, Norwegian Bliss boasts a game-changing Observation Lounge where you can savor every breathtaking moment, from majestic bald eagles gliding over icy glaciers to playful dolphins frolicking in vibrant turquoise waters.

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The best place to start is by talking with one of our team members . It all starts with you – finding out what you like and just as important, what you don’t like. Coupled with our cruise know-how, we’ll suggest the perfect first time cruise for you. Request a call with one of our team .

Norwegian Joy

Launched 2017, refurbished 2019.

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed adventure as you zip through the ocean on an epic two-level race track. Indulge in lavish, well-designed rooms and treat yourself to a dose of blissful holiday experiences that will leave you feeling rejuvenated aboard Norwegian Joy.

Norwegian Escape

Launched 2015.

Prepare for a thrilling adventure aboard one of the most thrilling vessels out on the open waters! Norwegian Escape is all set to sweep you off your feet as you embark on a journey to The Caribbean from Miami and Orlando, Canada & New England from New York, and the Mediterranean from Rome.

Norwegian Getaway

Launched 2014, refurbished 2019.

Norwegian Getaway brings together the best of Norwegian’s luxuries with amazing ports of call for an unforgettable experience. Take a leisurely walk on The Waterfront, a unique open-air promenade that gives you a one-of-a-kind connection to the sea, unlike any other cruise line. Treat yourself to 20 different dining choices, take on the adrenaline rush of five water slides, and enjoy three levels of non-stop fun in the sports complex. And the fun doesn’t stop there – get ready for the Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet for even more excitement and entertainment.

Norwegian Breakaway

Launched 2013, refurbished 2018.

Inhale the rejuvenating ocean breeze and bond with the sea in a whole new way at The Waterfront, a stunning 0.25-mile oceanfront walkway featuring a plethora of eateries, bars, and breath-taking vistas. Treat yourself to a diverse range of culinary adventures, including three fresh, specialized seafood hotspots. Plus, delight in electrifying shows – Six and Burn the Floor. Norwegian Breakaway presents a plethora of splendid facilities while out at sea.

Norwegian Epic

Launched 2010, refurbished 2020.

Norwegian Epic is proudly strutting its stuff as the winner of the Best Cruise Ship Entertainment title from Frommer’s, and it’s not going to let anyone forget it. With sizzling shows like Burn the Floor, they’re definitely raising the cruise ship entertainment game. And that’s not all – they’re also shaking things up in the accommodations department, catering to solo travelers with their sleek Studios and upping the ante on luxury with The Haven. So come on board and experience the Norwegian Epic difference for yourself!

The best place to start is by talking with one of our team members. It all starts with you – finding out what you like and just as important, what you don’t like. Coupled with our cruise know-how, we’ll suggest the perfect first time cruise for you. Request a call with one of our team.

Norwegian Gem

Launched 2007, refurbished 2015.

Step aboard this glamorous cruise ship and set sail for the ultimate year-round vacation experience.  With an abundance of dining options and flexible meal times, Norwegian Gem caters to all your culinary desires. Relax by the pool, try your luck at the casino, pamper yourself at the spa, and keep the little ones entertained with dedicated kid-friendly spaces. This ship has everything you need for a fabulous getaway.

Norwegian Jade

Launched 2006, refurbished 2022.

Hop on board and prepare for non-stop entertainment as you sail along breathtaking coastlines. We’ve got everything from hip nightclubs and top-notch dining options to a lavish casino, refreshing pools, and a luxurious spa. And don’t worry, there’s plenty of fun activities for the little ones too, so bring the whole crew and get ready for the ultimate family adventure. 

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Norwegian Pearl

Launched 2006, refurbished 2021.

No matter what you decide to do, we dare you to indulge in the fabulousness of traveling on Norwegian Pearl. With 16 swanky dining choices, 14 hip bars and lounges, a flashy casino, serene spa, and luxurious Garden Villas, this Jewel Class cruise ship is truly a destination in itself. 

Norwegian Jewel

Launched 2005, refurbished 2022.

Not only does NCL Jewel have some of the most spacious suites at sea, but she also has staterooms to match every vibe. And when it comes to keeping you entertained, this ship is jam-packed with options: from a diverse range of dining choices to lively bars and clubs, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Come on board and let’s dive into the untamed wilderness on an Alaska Cruise. Or switch it up and go from stunning natural vistas to bustling cityscapes on an Asia Cruise. 

Pride of America

Step on board the Pride of America, our exclusive cruise ship that sets sail from Honolulu and returns year-round, giving you the freedom to vacation whenever suits you. As you hop from one fabulous island to another, immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with the help of our native ambassadors. Whether you’re dining in our diverse range of restaurants and bars, relaxing in our family-friendly accommodations or enjoying the stunning views from our spacious suites and balconies, you’ll do it in style. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for whales, catch a glimpse of the Kilauea Volcano, or simply take in the breath-taking natural scenery.

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Plus, we’re always here to help – our 24 hour duty office means you can always get in touch with us no matter what time of day or night it is. It’s good to know you’re in safe hands when you cruise with us.

Norwegian Dawn

Launched 2002, refurbished 2021.

Come indulge in a culinary experience at Los Lobos Cantina, a classy Mexican eatery that puts a contemporary spin on traditional flavors. Swing by The Cellars, a wine bar by the Michael Mondavi Family, for a delightful wine sampling. And if you’re feeling lucky, try your hand at the extensive Dawn Casino.

Norwegian Star

Launched 2001, refurbished 2021.

Freshly revamped as a part of The Norwegian Edge initiative, Norwegian Star offers a liberating and adaptable experience for voyages covering the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, and Transatlantic. On the ship, Norwegian Star offers an abundance of delectable dining choices, vibrant bars and lounges, a spacious spa, a thrilling casino with a VIP section, as well as a plethora of entertainment for kids of all ages.

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10/10 Martin took the time to go through potential destinations for our Honeymoon when we laid out what we wanted. He was so friendly and knowledgeable about it all and followed up with a detailed list of 3 options – complete with videos – explaining this thoughts on each option.

Norwegian Sun

As you gallivant around the globe, rest assured that you won’t be left twiddling your thumbs on what to eat or where to hang out. With loads of restaurants, a smattering of swanky bars and lounges, the blissful Mandara Spa, and the endlessly thrilling Sun Casino, your options are practically endless.

Norwegian Sky

Launched 1999, refurbished 2022.

Get ready to be amazed as you board the Norwegian Sky, all spiffed up from front to back in 2022. This ship has it all – from a plethora of dining choices to countless bars and lounges, a luxurious spa, and a rocking casino with all the games and slots you love. There’s something for everyone on our Bahamas cruises, so get ready to indulge in the ultimate vacation experience.

Norwegian Spirit

Launched 1998, refurbished 2021.

Prepare yourself for a dose of casual opulence as you embark on the freshly revamped Norwegian Spirit, tailored for the sophisticated adult cruiser. This is our most extensive ship makeover to date, meticulously crafted to showcase the epitome of Norwegian Cruise Line’s exceptional fleet. Each stateroom has been given a modern facelift, every bar and lounge has been reimagined, and every dining experience has been elevated, including the addition of our new upscale Italian restaurant, Onda by Scarpetta

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Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Age, Newest to Oldest 2024

Are you looking to book a Norwegian Cruise Line  cruise but want to know the age of the ship, its itinerary, and how many people it can hold? You’ve come to the right place.

I’m a huge cruise fan but that doesn’t mean I will book just any itinerary. Knowing what the ship has to offer, especially how new or old it is always plays a major role in how I book a cruise. This is why I created this post to break down Norwegian Cruise Line ships by age, class, and how many guests they can accommodate.

This post should help those looking to book the newest ships with the latest and greatest technology Norwegian Cruise Line has to offer. If there is something you would like to see included don’t hesitate to reach out via Twitter or shoot me an email .

How Many Ships Does Norwegian Cruise Line Have?

As of 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line has 18 ships in service, with one new ship planned soon: Norwegian Viva in 2023.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Newest to Oldest

Below you will find the Norwegian Cruise Line ship line-up in order of newest to oldest ship. I’ve also included their latest ships being built and their estimated arrival date.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships By Age New To Old

• Norwegian Viva, 2023
• Norwegian Prima, 2022
• Norwegian Encore, 2019
• Norwegian Bliss,  2018 (refurbished 2021)
• Norwegian Joy, 2017 (refurbished 2020)
• Norwegian Escape, 2015 (refurbished 2022)
• Norwegian Getaway, 2014 (refurbished 2020)
• Norwegian Breakway, 2013 (refurbished 2020)
• Norwegian Epic, 2010 (refurbished 2020)
• Norwegian Gem, 2007 (refurbished 2022)
• Norwegian Jade, 2006 (refurbished 2022)
• Norwegian Pearl, 2006 (refurbished 2021)
• Norwegian Jewel, 2005 (refurbished 2022)
• Price of America, 2005 (refurbished 2022)
• Norwegian Dawn, 2002 (refurbished 2021)
• Norwegian Star, 2001 (refurbished 2021)
• Norwegian Sun, 2001 (refurbished 2021)
• Norwegian Sky, 1999 (refurbished 2022)
• Norwegian Spirit, 1998 (refurbished 2022)

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships By Age, Class, And Passengers

Who are the godparents of all of the norwegian cruise line ships.

Becoming a cruise ship’s godparent is a big honor and one that can take some time to figure out. Below is a list of all current godparents of Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

• Norwegian Viva,  ______
• Norwegian Prima, Katy Perry
• Norwegian Encore, Kelly Clarkson
• Norwegian Bliss, Elvis Duran (Godfather)
• Norwegian Joy, Wang Leehom, a Chinese singer
• Norwegian Escape, Pitbull (Godfather)
• Norwegian Getaway, Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders
• Norwegian Breakway, New York dancing troupe The Rockettes
• Norwegian Epic, Reba McEntire
• Norwegian Gem, Cindy Cardella
• Norwegian Jade, n/a
• Norwegian Pearl, Rosie O’Donnell
• Norwegian Jewel, Melania Trump
• Price of America, Elaine Chao, who was the United States Secretary of Labor
• Norwegian Dawn, Kim Cattrall, an actress best known for her role in “Sex and the City”
• Norwegian Star, Angela Perez Baraquio
• Norwegian Sun, Brooke Burke
• Norwegian Sky, the ship’s crew
• Norwegian Spirit, n/a

Other Cruise Line Ships by Age:

• Carnival Cruise Ships By Age, Newest to Oldest
• Celebrity Cruises Ships by Age, Newest to Oldest
• Holland America Line Ships by Age, Newest to Oldest
• Princess Cruises Ships By Age, Newest to Oldest
• Royal Caribbean Ships By Age, Newest to Oldest
• Viking Ocean Cruises ships By Age, Newest to Oldest

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We took trips on a year-old Norwegian Cruise Line ship and a 25-year-old one. The differences show the evolution of the industry.

• We sailed on an older and newer ship on  Norwegian Cruise Line: the Sky and Prima.
• The smaller Sky was basic compared to the Prima's dazzling — but more expensive — activities.
• Mass-market cruise lines have been building bigger ships with more pay-to-play amenities.

One look at Norwegian Cruise Line's older and newer vessels will make you realize just how much bigger, bolder, and more irresistible cruise ships are becoming.

Decades of modernization and astute profit-making strategies have pushed the mass-market cruise industry to transform its small floating hotels into giant resorts with amusement park-like amenities.

So far, travelers have been loving this shift. Just look at Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas , what's now the world's largest cruise ship.

The 9,950-person vessel's amenities — which include a six-slide waterpark, waterfall, and ice skating rink — could be one reason Icon has become its operator's most popular product.

It's likely the showiest example of the move toward larger and more activity-packed vessels. But Royal Caribbean isn't riding the "bigger is better" wave alone.

Competitor Norwegian Cruise Line is getting in on the action, too.

Two Business Insider reporters sailed on Norwegian's 25-year-old Norwegian Sky and the 1 ½-year-old Norwegian Prima. (Reporter Taylor Rains spent three nights on the Sky in January, while Brittany Chang joined Prima's complimentary four-night inaugural press sailing in late 2022.)

Sky is Norwegian's second-oldest ship, while Prima is its second-newest

The evolution of these vessels points to how Norwegian is evolving its fleet.

The $1.1 billion Prima — sister vessel to the newer Norwegian Viva — isn't its operator's largest product. (It ranks in seven out of 19.)

Still, it's still 117 feet longer and 66,431 gross tons heavier than the older Sky — with the ability to carry 1,095 more travelers.

You'd probably envision something like the older Norwegian Sky when someone asks you to picture a typical cruise ship.

It has all the basics: a casino, a buffet, bars, children's clubs, and a crowded pool deck.

But when compared to newer ships, it fell short of major "wow" factors.

The atrium was small and basic, the lounges lacked any razzle-dazzle, and the pool deck left much to be desired.

Most noticeably, it didn't have the grandiose amenities that are becoming more common on new ships, like the Prima. (Think water slides, flashy cocktail bars, and a go-kart race track.)

Yes, you read that right: go-karts. Good luck getting bored on the Norwegian Prima.

On-board amenities are getting flashier — and more expensive

Still, guests on the older Sky can spend their days at trivia and nights at song-and-dance shows.

Maybe even a round in the arcade, at bingo, or taking a spin on "Wheel of Fortune" — although these cost extra.

Despite the lack of super-modern amenities, Taylor found the ship's on-board events were enough to keep people entertained.

But on the newer Prima, cruisers have a lot more options.

Aboard the Prima, travelers can indulge in the go-kart race track , play at the arcade juiced with virtual-reality rides and games, and enjoy modern takes on mini-golf and darts.

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For quieter afternoons, they can idle around Prima's beautiful outdoor lounges and walkways.

But the go-karts, virtual reality arcade, mini-golf, and darts all cost extra .

Pricing varies per activity: A round on the karts is $15 per person, while the flashy arcade is $28 à la carte (or $29 for one hour).

As expected, these paid activities were also Brittany's favorites.

Wining and dining options were vastly different as well

A standard complimentary buffet made an appearance on the older Sky.

While a faster dining experience than the main dining room, which often had a 45-minute wait to be served, Taylor found the free-for-all options were lacking.

Surprisingly, Prima didn't have a typical buffet.

Instead, it hooked up all-day diners with a multi-stall food hall and diverse options like Spanish tapas, Texas barbecue, and Indian curries.

And the Prima's Onda by Scarpetta specialty restaurant — one of eight — was an Italian pasta-filled hit for Brittany (at the cost of $20 to $30 per dish). Still, she found herself returning to the complimentary food hall several times during her four nights at sea.

And unlike Sky, Prima has a list of unique bars, including one by the go-kart track (we don't condone drinking and driving!) and another that serves cocktails with liqueurs and syrups made from food scraps.

Norwegian's newer ship dangles an impressive but expensive carrot in front of cruising families

The 25-year-old Sky did not dazzle compared to the newer Prima.

While there was enough on the old ship to entertain Taylor during her weekend getaway, she worried the lack of diverse amenities could get repetitive and boring.

Prima was the first cruise ship that didn't bore Brittany.

Fortunately for travelers, as the cruise industry has continued to embrace new tech and rides, ships have transformed from floating hotels into giant summer state fairs — ice cream included.

The 23-year difference in amenities between the Sky and Prima could not reflect that any more obviously.

But with these advancements has come a shift to more exceptional pay-to-play activities.

It's a clear sign of the industry's shift toward the budget airline model : Charge a reasonable base fare but pile on enticing extras.

It's an approach that appears to be working.

When Norwegian opened bookings for Prima in 2021, the vessel quickly became its "most in-demand ship ever," following a record number of bookings within the first day and week, the cruise line said at the time.

Glitzy new ships could be a no-brainer choice for cruising families

To compare prices, we pulled two upcoming 10-day sailings with nine ports of call:

On the newer Prima, there's a cruise from Reykjavik, Iceland to Southampton, UK, from $1,119 per person.

On the older Sky, there's a round-trip sailing that starts and ends in La Romana, Dominican Republic, from $800 per person.

So what's our take on the older vs. newer debate?

Brittany prefers as many amenities as possible, even if they cost extra.

And Taylor says next time she's in the market for a cruise, she would rather pay extra for a longer itinerary if it meant being on a more impressive ship like Prima.

After all, who could say no to a go-kart race followed by a few drinks? Just make sure you budget for both.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

• Main content

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Orders 8 New Ships for 3 Brands from Fincantieri

• April 8, 2024

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today unveiled the most comprehensive newbuild order in its history—a total of eight vessels, representing nearly 25,000 additional berths, with new classes of ships for each of its three brands—and the construction of a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island destination in the Bahamas and its top-rated Caribbean port of call, according to a press release.

The new ship orders across all three brands are scheduled for delivery over a ten-year period, between 2026 and 2036.

Following the delivery of four Prima-Plus class ships from 2025 through 2028, Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to take delivery of four approximately 200,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of nearly 5,000 guests, in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036, which are subject to financing.

Building on the success of its Allura Class ships, the last one being delivered in 2025, Oceania Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 86,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of 1,450 guests in 2027 and 2029.

Lastly, following the Explorer Class ships, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is scheduled to take delivery of two 77,000-gross-ton ships, each with a capacity of 850 guests, in 2026 and 2029.

“This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth. It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale, strengthen our commitment to innovation and enhance our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“We are likewise excited with the addition of a new pier at Great Stirrup Cay to support our increased capacity in the Caribbean and multiple ships to call on the island, enhancing our guest experience and bringing seamless and reliable access to our private island year-round.”

In partnership with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri , each brand will design their new ship class and focus on creating the largest, most efficient, and innovative vessels of their respective fleet.

“Over the years, our long-standing relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been rooted in a shared vision for the future of maritime travel, consistently setting new standards for innovation, luxury, sustainability, and guest satisfaction in the cruise industry,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director at Fincantieri. “We are thrilled to work on these new build orders and deliver emblematic cruise ships that will embody our shared legacy of excellence for generations to come.”

Mark A. Kempa, chief financial officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, commented: “we expect that these strategic investments will secure our growth trajectory, significantly boost our earnings profile, and enhance shareholder value well into the future. With a favorable payment structure that includes pre-delivery financing and modest initial installment payments for these ship orders, we still anticipate strong Net Leverage reduction of 1.5 turns by the end of 2024, relative to 2023, and expect the Company to continue reducing Net Leverage each year for the foreseeable future.”

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Ncl’s Fleet: From Oldest To Newest, Biggest To Smallest

As I gazed out at the endless expanse of blue, my mind wandered to the idea of freedom. And what better symbol of freedom than a ship at sea?

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), with its fleet of 87 ships, represents a true testament to the boundless possibilities of travel. From the oldest ship, Norwegian Spirit, to the newest addition, Norwegian Prima, each vessel embodies the spirit of adventure and exploration. As I delved deeper into the intricacies of NCL’s fleet, I was struck by the diversity and unique features of each ship.

Join me on a journey through NCL’s fleet, from the oldest to the newest, and the biggest to the smallest. We’ll explore the amenities and experiences that each ship has to offer, from the luxurious VIP area, The Haven, to the family-friendly facilities.

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-timer, choosing the right ship can make all the difference in your travel experience. So let’s set sail and discover the wonders of NCL’s fleet together.

• Norwegian Prima is the newest ship in the NCL fleet, launched in August 2022 as the first of six new Prima-class cruise ships to be built for NCL.
• Norwegian Encore is the largest ship in the NCL fleet, with an internal volume of 169,116 GRT and the capacity for almost 4,000 guests at double occupancy.
• Norwegian Spirit is the oldest ship in the NCL fleet, launched in 1998 and refurbished in 2021.
• NCL ships are grouped into seven classes, with two ships remaining unclassed, and around half of the fleet consists of medium-sized cruise ships that accommodate fewer than 2,500 guests.

Ship Overview

As I explore NCL’s fleet from oldest to newest and biggest to smallest, I can’t help but be amazed by the diverse range of ships. From the luxurious new Norwegian Prima to the family-friendly Norwegian Encore with its thrilling waterslides and go-kart track, there is truly something for everyone.

When considering which NCL ship to choose, it’s important to weigh the trade-offs between age and price, as well as size and amenities. While the newer ships like Norwegian Prima and Encore may offer more exciting activities and updated accommodations, they can also come with a higher price tag.

On the other hand, refurbished older ships may provide a more budget-friendly option with better itineraries, but they may not offer the same level of luxury and amenities as the newer ships. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preferences and priorities.

Prima-Class Ships

I’m excited to learn more about the Prima-class ships, which are the newest additions to Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. These ships are the first of six that’ll be built for NCL and boast some impressive features.

Here are some of the Prima-class ship features that make these ships stand out:

• Infinity Beach: A first-of-its-kind oceanfront park with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and shallow pools that extend over the edge of the ship for a unique beach experience.
• Ocean Boulevard: A two-level outdoor promenade with a variety of dining and entertainment options, including a seafood restaurant, a tapas bar, a live music venue, and an open-air sculpture garden.
• The Haven Suites: Luxurious, spacious accommodations with private amenities like a pool, sundeck, and restaurant, as well as access to a 24-hour butler and concierge service.

Sailing on a new ship like the Prima-class ships also comes with some benefits. The ship is in pristine condition and equipped with the latest technology and amenities, so you can enjoy features like virtual reality arcades, open-air laser tag arenas, thrilling waterslides, and go-kart tracks that aren’t available on older ships.

Additionally, new ships often have better itineraries as they’re designed to visit the most popular destinations and ports. Overall, sailing on a Prima-class ship promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience.

Encore-Class Ships

Excited to explore more of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships, let’s delve into the exciting features of the Encore-class ships.

As the largest ships in the fleet, the Encore-class ships boast a wide range of amenities for guests of all ages. From family-friendly activities like a virtual reality arcade, open-air laser tag arena, thrilling waterslides, and a go-kart track to adult-only options like the luxury spa and casino, there’s something for everyone on these ships.

But it’s not just the amenities that make the Encore-class ships stand out. The itineraries offered on these ships are also impressive, with routes that take guests to exciting destinations like Alaska, the Caribbean, and Europe.

And with nearly 4,000 guests at double occupancy, there’s always something going on onboard, from live entertainment to delicious dining options.

All in all, the Encore-class ships are a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a fun, action-packed cruise experience.

Breakaway Plus-Class Ships

I absolutely love the Breakaway Plus-class ships for their impressive size and range of amenities. These ships are the largest in the NCL fleet, with a size of 164,600 to 169,145 GT. This means that they offer plenty of space for passengers to spread out and enjoy their vacation.

The amenities onboard are also top-notch, with activities for all age ranges and interests. Comparing Breakaway Plus class ships to other NCL classes, it’s clear that they offer the most luxurious and exciting experience.

One of my favorite amenities on these ships is the Waterfront, which is an outdoor promenade that wraps around the ship. It’s the perfect place to relax and take in the views while enjoying a cocktail or a bite to eat. Other amenities include a massive casino, Broadway-style shows, and a variety of dining options, including a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience on a cruise, the Breakaway Plus-class ships are definitely worth considering.

Medium-Sized Ships

One thing I appreciate about medium-sized cruise ships is the more intimate atmosphere they provide. With fewer guests on board, it’s easier to get to know your fellow travelers and the crew. Plus, the smaller size means that the ship can access ports that larger ships can’t, providing more unique itineraries.

Here’s a table comparing some of NCL’s medium-sized ships:

As you can see, these ships offer a range of activities, from the casino to the fitness center to Broadway-style entertainment. And with starting prices ranging from $299 to $399 per person, they are a more affordable option than some of the larger ships. Overall, if you’re looking for a more intimate cruise experience with a variety of activities and reasonable pricing, NCL’s medium-sized ships are a great option.

VIP Area – The Haven

Step into a world of luxury and indulgence with The Haven, the VIP area available on select NCL cruise ships. This exclusive area is designed to provide the ultimate in relaxation and comfort.

From the moment you step into The Haven, you’ll notice that every detail is meticulously crafted to ensure that you have an unforgettable experience. With butler service and luxury accommodations, The Haven is the perfect place to unwind and escape from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the ship.

The Haven is available on all NCL cruise ships except for Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Spirit, and Pride of America. This VIP area offers a range of amenities, including a private pool, sun deck, and restaurant.

The luxurious accommodations in The Haven include spacious suites, penthouses, and villas, each with their own unique design and style. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, The Haven is the perfect place to relax and unwind in style.

Family-Friendly Facilities

Moving on from The Haven, let’s take a look at the family-friendly facilities available on NCL cruise ships. As mentioned earlier, some of the newer ships like Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Encore offer exciting activities that are perfect for teenagers. But what about younger children? NCL has got them covered too.

Kid-friendly amenities on NCL ships include complimentary youth programs for toddlers, children, and teens, as well as special family activities and excursions. The Splash Academy is a supervised children’s program that offers age-appropriate activities, games, and entertainment for kids aged 3 to 12. Teens have their own hangout spots on board, such as the Entourage Teen Lounge, where they can play video games, watch movies, dance, and socialize with other teens. For families looking for some quality time together, NCL offers a variety of activities like mini-golf, bowling, and trivia games that everyone can enjoy.

To give you a better idea of the family-friendly facilities available on NCL ships, here’s a table that summarizes some of the top kid-friendly amenities and teen activities:

Whether you’re traveling with little ones or older kids, NCL has plenty of options for entertainment and fun. From the Splash Academy to the Entourage Teen Lounge, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So why not book your next family vacation on an NCL cruise and create some unforgettable memories together?

Choosing the Right Ship

When choosing the right NCL ship for my next vacation, I consider my budget, itinerary, and preferred activities.

If I’m on a budget, then refurbished older ships like Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Jewel are a good choice. These ships have been updated with modern amenities and offer better itineraries than the newer, more expensive ships. The smaller size of these ships also means fewer crowds, making them perfect for couples without kids or those who prefer a more intimate experience.

For those traveling with teenagers, the newer ships like Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Encore offer exciting activities like virtual reality arcades, waterslides, and go-kart tracks. However, these ships can be costly, and the open decks can be crowded during peak times.

Teenagers may also enjoy the refurbished older ships like Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Pearl, which offer a mix of classic and modern amenities at a lower price point.

Ultimately, the best NCL ship for me depends on my budget, itinerary, and preferred activities, but with so many options available, I’m sure to find the perfect one for my next vacation.

What is the average age of NCL’s fleet?

On average, NCL’s fleet is around 15 years old. Future plans include building six new Prima-class ships. Maintenance costs for older ships are lower, making them a good choice for budget-conscious travelers.

What is the smallest ship in NCL’s fleet?

The smallest ship in NCL’s fleet is Norwegian Sky, which accommodates around 2,000 guests. Despite its size, it offers great design features and onboard activities, including a casino, multiple dining options, and a pool deck with hot tubs.

Is there a difference in amenities between the older and newer ships?

Comparing amenities between older and newer NCL ships, upgrades are available on both. Newer ships offer more family-friendly activities and luxurious accommodations, while refurbished older ships are budget-friendly with better itineraries.

What is the capacity of The Haven on NCL ships?

The Haven, available on most NCL ships, offers VIP accommodation and butler service. Design features include spacious balconies and luxurious amenities. Pricing options vary depending on ship and itinerary, but can be costly.

How does NCL’s fleet compare to other cruise lines in terms of size?

Competitive advantages: NCL’s fleet size is smaller than Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class and MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia Plus-class ships. However, NCL has a diverse range of ship sizes and styles, with over 87 ships and a significant market share in the industry.

NCL Ships By Age, And Size, Newest To Oldest 2024

Booking a Norwegian Cruise vacation offers so many diverse choices. Choosing the right family cruise ship for your cruise depends on so many factors. Where do you intend to sail? What’s on your cruise itinerary wish list? Or are you led by the best cruise deal or cruise ship?

NCL Ships By Age, Newest To Oldest 2024

AD We have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.

We fit between all brackets of choosing a cruise ship depending on the trip; however, for us, the ship is a huge factor. Thus we thought it a great idea to share all of the NCL Ships By Age and Size, Newest To Oldest and also by how many passengers each NCL ship holds.

How Many Ships DO NCL Have?

Norwegian Cruise Line has 20 ships, including the launch of Norwegian Viva in August 2023 and the new Norwegian Aqua which is due in 2025.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships By Age, Newest To Oldest

The below list details each NCL Ships By Age when it was launched. Additionally, if the ship has been refurbished, we have included the year.

• Norwegian Aqua, 2025
• Norwegian Viva, 2023
• Norwegian Prima, 2022
• Norwegian Encore, 2019
• Norwegian Bliss, 2018
• Norwegian Joy, 2017, Refurbished 2019
• Norwegian Escape, 2015, Refurbished 2022
• Norwegian Getaway, 2014, Refurbished 2020
• Norwegian Breakaway, 2013, Refurbished 2020
• Norwegian Epic, 2010, Refurbished 2020
• Norwegian Gem, 2007, Refurbished 2022
• Norwegian Jade, 2006, Refurbished 2022
• Norwegian Pearl, 2006, Refurbished 2021
• Pride of America, 2005, Refurbished 2022
• Norwegian Jewel, 2005, Refurbished 2022
• Norwegian Dawn, 2002, Refurbished 2016
• Norwegian Sun, 2001, Refurbished 2018
• Norwegian Star, 2001, Refurbished 2018
• Norwegian Sky, 1999, Refurbished 2022
• Norwegian Spirit, 1998, Refurbished 2022

What Are The Newer NCL Ships?

The newest NCL ships sailing are Prima Class Ships, Norwegian Prima and Viva. NCL Encore, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy preceded her. These Breakaway Plus class ships offer excellent facilities such as race tracks at sea, Broadway shows, and boardwalks lined with bars and restaurants overlooking the sea.

Which Is NLC’s Biggest Ship?

Norwegian Encore is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Biggest Cruise Ship as of 2019 at a whopping 169,116 tons an holding 3998 passengers and 1735 crew which is a passenger ratio of 2.3 passengers per crew member.

Her sister, Norwegian Bliss, closely follows this at 168,028 tons. The newer ships Prima and Viva are smaller and hold fewer guests; this is a conscious effort by NCL to maintain service on their ships; Prima holds 3215 guests with 1388 crew and a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.3.

Which IS NCL’s Smallest Ship?

Norwegian Spirit is NCL’s smallest ship at 175,904 tons, holding 2018 passengers and 912 crew. However, after a recent renovation, I am dying to try out all the styles and classes of the larger vessels.

Norwegian Cruise Line Has A Fabulous Selection of Ships For Cruisers

Norwegian Cruise Line has spent fortunes renovating its fleet in recent years, thus you can expect the same level of style and decor on many of their ships. The decision is based in itinerary, if you like the large ship experience offering facilities such as laser quest and racing tracks. Or indeed the more laid back feel of smaller cruise ships.

Asso See The Biggest Cruise Ships In The World

Additionally, if you are a fan of a more modern cruise ship, we have noted when each NCL ship was renovated. And for more reading, check out what the biggest cruise ships in the world are.

If You Are Sailing With NCL Check Out The Drinks Packages

• Are the NCL Drinks Packages worth the money? See our guide.

Sarah also writes for Mini Travellers Family Travel Blog and Extraordinary Chaos Craft and Lifestyle Blog. Both are award-winning blogs with a travel and family focus. She is married and has two boys, aged 18 and 22, who all love cruising as a family. Nothing is better than waking up every day in a new port with new and exciting things to explore. She aims to share how cruising as a family with young adults is the perfect choice for family travel. Her boys are sporty and love the activities, sports and dining options cruising offers. Sarah has worked with brands such as Walt Disney World, Mark Warner, Ikos Resort, Center Parcs, Laura Ashley, Belling and Next.

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2 thoughts on “NCL Ships By Age, And Size, Newest To Oldest 2024”

Went on Getaway on her maiden cruise .fantastic ……

They are such great ships areant they?

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• Norwegian Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest (Full List)

• Thread starter John
• Start date Sep 14, 2023

I'm on Island Time

• Sep 14, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest

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Norwegian Cruise Ships – Newest to Oldest, and Classes

Norwegian Cruise Line boasts an array of ships within its fleet, including some of the most innovative and family-friendly cruise ships on the oceans today.

While the cruise line is not necessarily historically known for its mega-ships, like Royal Caribbean might be these days, several Norwegian cruise ships are still ranked among the 30 largest in the world .

So what do you need to know if you’re planning an NCL cruise, but you’re just not sure which NCL cruise ship to take? Here are the line’s cruise ships, from newest to oldest, as well as what you need to know about each ship class.

In This Article…

Different ncl ship classes.

There are 17 existing ships within the NCL fleet, and 15 of those ships are separated into five classes (a few outliers are considered part of their own, single-ship individual classes). The fleet will increase to 19 once the two new Prima-class vessels have joined.

The classes include Prima Class, Breakaway Plus Class, Breakaway Class, Jewel Class, Dawn Class and Sun Class. The ships that are on their own include Norwegian Epic , Pride of America and Norwegian Spirit .

The Prima Class is NCL’s newest class of ships, intended to debut between 2022 and 2027. The class will include six ships and start with the namesake ship, Norwegian Prima . While the Prima-class vessels aren’t aiming to be the biggest on the ocean today, they do offer a range of innovative special features that frequent cruisers will like.

Industry-first amenities include a three-deck go-kart track, the largest three-bedroom suites on the ocean today and the largest number of suite categories available on a cruise ship. The ships will also offer the most outdoor deck space of any modern cruise ship. 

The Breakaway Plus Class ships were introduced between 2015 and 2019, and the class includes four ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape . These large ships debuted with tons of entertainment options and more than 20 dining venues on each vessel. 

The Breakaway Class is smaller in terms of both size and quantity. There are only two ships in this class: Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway .

The Jewel Class premiered in 2005 and includes four ships that are likewise smaller in size: Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem . This class does a nice job of mixing a large number of amenities with a relatively smaller ship size. They are also still popular with passengers.

The Dawn Class includes two ships, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star , and debuted in 2001. These two ships are very similar to ships in the Jewel Class. 

Lastly, the oldest class for NCL is the Sun Class, which debuted in 1999 and includes Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun . 

NCL Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest

NCL’s cruise ships vary heavily in age. With Prima-class vessels debuting this year and on into the upcoming years, you can find the latest and greatest in cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line.

You can also find some old-school cruising style on the eldest ship in the fleet, which debuted in 1999. Here are the NCL cruise ships by age, so you can pick the right fit for your upcoming cruise.

It’s worth noting that many of these ships have received substantial and even multiple refurbishments since their original builds. So, even if you took a cruise on Norwegian Spirit , for example, you’d still be able to take advantage of refurbishments that occurred as recently as 2020.

Even ships that were built as recently as 2017, such as Norwegian Joy , have already been refurbished, to keep Norwegian’s cruise ships looking and feeling fresh. 

Norwegian Cruise Ships By Size

But what if you care more about size than age? If you’re looking for the biggest ships with the most staterooms, entertainment spaces and dining, then you might not necessarily want to go for one of Norwegian’s brand-new ships.

Here are Norwegian’s cruise ships ranked by size.

Norwegian Cruise Ships: What to Expect

So now you know which of Norwegian’s cruise ships are bigger than the rest and which are newer and which are older — but what else do you need to know before you book that cruise? Here are the need-to-know details on each ship, as well as a few fun facts. 

Norwegian Viva

Scheduled to debut in 2023 , Norwegian Viva is being built at Italian shipyard Fincantieri. The ship will feature some of the same amenities and world-first offerings that can currently be seen on Norwegian Prima , Viva’s Prima-class sister.

The ship will feature more than 43,000 square feet of outdoor space, more than one infinity pool and a cool dining concept called the Indulge Food Hall, which encompasses nearly a dozen restaurants all in one dining experience.

Gross Tonna: 142,500

Guest Capacity: 3,215

Norwegian Prima

Debuting this year (2022) and kicking off the Prima class, Norwegian Prima was also built at Italian shipyard Fincantieri. Guessed to cost the cruise line approximately $850 million to build, the ship features world-class accommodations, a wealth of suite options and a bigger and better go-karting track unlike anything cruisers have ever seen before. 

Norwegian Encore

Built by Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Encore was the last Breakaway Plus ship . With nearly 30 different dining and drinking venues aboard the massive ship, as well as tons of family-friendly entertainment, cruisers certainly won’t be wanting for things to do, no matter where they sail.

Norwegian Bliss

Designed with improved energy efficiency in mind, so as to better meet Alaskan environmental regulations during Alaskan cruises, Norwegian Bliss was built by Meyer Werft in Germany. The ship offers 20 decks and more than 2,200 cabins. Like other Breakaway Plus ships, Norwegian Bliss offers a wealth of dining options and entertainment spaces. 

Norwegian Joy

Another mammoth Breakaway Plus-class ship, Norwegian Joy was likewise built by Meyer Werft in Germany. Delivered in 2017, the ship has sailed around both Asia and North America.

Despite being in the same class, Norwegian Joy does stand apart in a few ways, from sister ship and predecessor Norwegian Escape . Norwegian Joy , for example, has a lower guest capacity, but also more restaurants, a larger casino and more shopping options. 

Norwegian Escape

The first of the Breakaway Plus-class ships, Norwegian Escape was likewise built by Meyer Werft in Germany. When Norwegian Escape debuted, it featured the largest water park in the entire NCL fleet.

Norwegian Getaway

One of two Breakaway-class ships, Norwegian Getaway was built by Meyer Werft in Germany and, at the time of its debut, was the ninth-largest cruise ship in the world. It featured a range of new amenities specific to its class, such as restaurants helmed by celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian and Grammy and magic-themed entertainment areas.

Norwegian Breakaway

The first Breakaway-class ship, Norwegian Breakaway was actually named by the public, via a contest that NCL hosted in 2011. Built by Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Breakaway shares many amenities with sister ship Norwegian Getaway , such as a Geoffrey Zakarian-designed restaurant.

Norwegian Epic

One of NCL’s stand-alone ships without a class , Norwegian Epic debuted in 2010 after being built at the STX France Cruise SA, Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. When built, the ship was the third-largest in the world.

Originally, the cruise ship was intended to have some sister ships, but a dispute with the builder caused the other two ships to be canceled, leaving Norwegian Epic alone.

Norwegian Gem

The last Jewel-class ship , Norwegian Gem was built in 2007 by Meyer Werft in Germany. Built at a cost of $700 million, the ship shares exterior features with Norwegian’s Dawn Class, though its interior and amenities are all Jewel-class. 

Norwegian Jade

Originally built by Meyer Werft in Germany as Pride of Hawaii , Norwegian Jade received a rebranding in 2008 when Pride of Hawaii was removed from the Hawaiian market and redeployed.

Along with the name change, the ship also received new livery and extra features at that time, including the addition of a casino. 

Norwegian Pearl

Launched in 2006, Norwegian Pearl was built by Meyer Werft in Germany. The ship has made appearances on a variety of television shows and documentaries and frequently hosts themed or special interest cruises.

Norwegian Jewel

The first Jewel-class ship, Norwegian Jewel premiered in 2005 after being built by Meyer Werft in Germany. Similar to sister ship Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Jewel has connections to several pop culture figures; the ship’s godmother is former First Lady Melania Trump and the ship appeared on an episode of The Apprentice.

Pride of America

Built partially in Mississippi and partially in Germany, Pride of America was part of a NCL effort to build and flag several cruise ships within the United States.

When inaugurated in 2005, the ship was the first new U.S. flagged deep water cruise ship in multiple decades. Because of its U.S. registration, the ship has no casino, a mostly U.S. crew and only sails around the United States. 

Norwegian Dawn

Built by Meyer Werft in Germany (and originally built for Star Cruises), Norwegian Dawn was the first NCL cruise ship to feature hull art. Now, the cruise line is known for its colorful exteriors.

Norwegian Star

The first Dawn-class ship , Norwegian Star , like Norwegian Dawn , was built for Star Cruises before being transferred over to NCL. Norwegian Star was built by Meyer Werft in Germany. 

Norwegian Sun

Built by Lloyd Werft in Germany, Norwegian Sun was the last Sun-class ship. She was launched in 2001 in a dual christening ceremony with sister ship Norwegian Star . 

Norwegian Sky

Originally ordered by Costa Cruises, Norwegian Sky was built by Lloyd Werft in Germany. For a short time, Norwegian Sky , now a Sun-class ship, sailed as Pride of Aloha . 

Norwegian Spirit

Built in 1998 for Star Cruises by Meyer Werft, Norwegian Spirit officially became a NCL vessel in 2004. Norwegian Spirit is one of the few NCL ships that do not fit into any particular Norwegian ship class. 

NCL Ships: FAQ

NCL boasts 17 ships within its fleet, not including the 2022 and 2023 Prima-class vessels.

The oldest NCL ship is Norwegian Spirit , built in 1998 by Star Cruises and only becoming an official NCL ship in 2004.

The first NCL ship that was built specifically for NCLs (versus being built for another cruise line before being transferred over to NCL) was Norwegian Jewel .

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The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained

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Some cruise lines — Viking , for instance — have fleets where many of the ships have the same basic design. Norwegian Cruise Line is not one of them.

If you’re thinking of booking a Norwegian cruise,  an important thing to know is that there is a wide variation in the size and style of the vessels in the line’s fleet.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Four of Norwegian’s 19 ships — Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore — are among the 30 biggest ships in the world. As such, they’re loaded with huge numbers of cabins, restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top amusements.

They are, in a nutshell, floating megaresorts .

The line also operates smaller vessels that barely crack the top 100 list of biggest cruise ships. These ships generally have fewer venues and attractions than the bigger ships. However, they still offer a lot for cruisers. Norwegian is a line known for packing oodles of restaurants, bars and entertainment on its vessels — even its smaller ones.

The good news for those of you trying to get a handle on all the options within the Norwegian fleet is that the line’s 19 ships can be bunched into just eight groups of vessels with similar amenities. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

Each of these groups — known as “classes” in cruise industry lingo — is made up of ships that were constructed around the same time in the same basic design.

Related: Everything to know about cabins and suites on Norwegian ships  

An introduction to Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Smaller only than Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises , Norwegian has become increasingly known for some of the biggest, most amenity-filled vessels at sea. As mentioned above, though, the line doesn’t just operate giant ships. More than half its fleet comprises vessels that, by today’s standards, are considered almost midsize.

Indeed, Norwegian is essentially two cruise lines in one. The line’s nine newest ships are big, bustling floating megaresorts that can carry upward of 3,000 to 4,000 passengers at double occupancy (even more with every berth filled). At around 144,000 to nearly 170,000 tons, all nine currently rank among the 50 biggest cruise ships in the world (although their rankings will shift downward as more big ships debut).

Norwegian’s 10 older ships, by contrast, are much more modest in size, measuring around 75,000 to 94,000 tons and carrying closer to 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Norwegian thus appeals both to cruisers who like a giant resort vibe and those who prefer a resort experience that is more modest. The key, depending on your tastes, is getting on the right ship in the fleet for you.

On the big-ship end of the spectrum, Norwegian’s four new Breakaway Plus vessels — Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape — are the line’s premier offerings.

One step down in size from the Breakaway Plus ships are the still-quite-large Breakaway-class ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — and the one-of-a-kind Norwegian Epic.

The smallest of the line’s big ships are the recently unveiled Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima. They are the first two of a new series of six vessels that will transform the brand. Measuring about 143,500 tons a piece, these two new ships are about 17% smaller than Norwegian’s biggest vessels.

Norwegian’s 10 smaller vessels break down into five classes, though many are roughly the same size and offer similar amenities.

Prima class

Ships in class: Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Viva (2023).

Size: 143,535 tons.

The Prima class of ships is the latest and greatest at Norwegian Cruise Line — the vessels that every NCL fan wants to book.

Only two ships in the series (Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima ) are currently in operation. Four more sister vessels are on order for delivery by 2027.

Under development since 2017, these ships mark Norwegian’s first new class of vessel in more than a decade. At 143,535 tons, they are notably smaller than the ships the line has been adding in recent years — a factor that will give them access to smaller ports around the world.

That said, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima and their coming sisters still are relatively big ships that pack a lot of over-the-top amenities. Both Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima have ridiculously big go-kart tracks spread over three decks (a cruise industry first). The ships also boast The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that the line says provides more G-force than an accelerating Formula One race car.

Additionally, the vessels each are home to a three-deck theater that converts into a Las Vegas-style nightclub, along with a list of interactive, real-life game shows, including at-sea versions of “The Price Is Right,” “Supermarket Sweep,” “Press Your Luck” and “Beat the Clock.”

Related: I’ve been on nearly every Norwegian ship afloat; here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima

Still, the new Prima class is about more than flashy entertainment and activities. It marks a more upscale turn for the line. Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima offer the largest variety of suite categories (13) for a large ocean ship, the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel and the brand’s largest-ever inside, ocean-view and balcony cabins.

The entire back of each of the ships is dedicated to an upscale, “ship-within-a-ship” private suite area called The Haven that rises eight decks high and includes 107 suites, a sprawling private indoor lounge area, private outdoor lounge and pool areas, and a private restaurant. Other vessels feature The Haven areas, but none as big as this one.

In addition, the public areas of Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima feel more spacious than many of the other 17 ships in the Norwegian fleet. And, indeed, they are. The Prima-class ships are being built with a higher ratio of space to passengers, which itself is an upscale touch.

Norwegian Cruise Line also says the Prima-class vessels offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship — including more total pool deck space than any other ships in the brand’s fleet.

Note that the last four ships in the Prima-class series, due to debut between 2025 and 2027, are being redesigned to be bigger than the first two ships in the series.

Related: 11 venues, 32 dishes, four days: See what happened when I tried to test every dish at Prima’s new Indulge Food Hall  

Breakaway Plus class

Ships in class: Norwegian Encore (2019), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Joy (2017), Norwegian Escape (2015).

Size: 164,600 to 169,145 tons.

These are the Norwegian ships you go on if you’re a fan of megaresorts.

While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean’s giant Oasis-class ships , Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus-class vessels are firmly in the pantheon of the world’s cruising giants. They are the Norwegian ships most packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment and over-the-top attractions. There are so many of these things that you won’t be able to do it all in a single, weeklong cruise.

The Breakaway Plus ships are so big, in fact, that they have room for giant go-kart tracks and laser tag areas on their top decks (on all of the vessels in the series except Norwegian Escape). There’s also plenty of room to spare for multiple pools, waterslides and a kiddie splash zone.

Each of the vessels also offers real Broadway shows in big, state-of-the-art theaters, sprawling spas, casinos that fill half a deck, dedicated children’s play zones, and more than 2,000 rooms.

In addition, the two newest ships in this series, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, have large gaming and virtual reality zones called the Galaxy Pavilion.

For meals, you’ll find at least 20 venues on each of these ships, including multiple main dining rooms and a buffet that come with no extra charge and such extra-charge eateries as a teppanyaki restaurant, a steakhouse, a high-end French restaurant and a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea.

With lots of family-friendly attractions such as the go-kart tracks and laser tag courses, these ships appeal heavily to families with children, particularly teens, but they draw a lot of couples, too. They are also popular with solo travelers, thanks to their unusually large complexes of cabins for one (something you’ll find on the Breakaway and Epic classes of ships, too).

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards loyalty program

All four of the Breakaway Plus ships have large, private, two-deck-high suite enclaves called The Haven that come with their own pool areas, restaurants and lounges. They’re some of the most spectacular suite complexes anywhere at sea .

The biggest of these ships, Norwegian Encore, measures 169,116 tons, making it the 18th-biggest cruise ship in the world as of this story’s publishing (it will drop in the rankings over the coming years as additional megaships debut). That’s bigger than all but one Carnival ship and every Princess Cruises ship. Only Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises have a significant number of bigger vessels.

Norwegian Encore can hold more than 5,000 passengers with all berths filled.

Breakaway class

Ships in class: Norwegian Getaway (2014), Norwegian Breakaway (2013).

Size: 145,655 tons.

These vessels are similar to the Breakaway Plus-class ships but slightly smaller. Or, put another way, the Breakaway Plus-class ships are a stretched version of the Breakaway-class ships.

You’ll find many of the same eateries, bars, lounges and entertainment venues on the Breakaway-class ships that you’ll find on the Breakaway Plus-class vessels. The slightly smaller size of these vessels means there’s just a tad less “stuff” on board.

The top decks of the Breakaway-class ships have two pool areas and water parks with waterslides, for instance — just like the Breakaway Plus-class ships. However, they don’t have go-kart tracks or laser tag courses. Instead of the latter attractions, you’ll find an adults-only pool area called Spice H2O at the back of the vessels. At night, it transforms into a dance club.

Related: Every Norwegian Cruise Line ship ranked from biggest to smallest  

The Breakaway-class ships also boast full-size ropes courses on their top decks. Indeed, they were the first cruise ships ever to have such a feature. Other deck-top features include miniature golf courses on both vessels and basketball courts that double as volleyball courts.

On the entertainment front, both ships offer Broadway shows in their main theaters and have a circuslike show in a secondary theater called “Cirque Dreams.” The latter is a dinner show that comes with an extra charge. They’re also home to “Howl at the Moon” dueling piano shows and a version of the Latin-themed dance show “Burn the Floor.”

Like the Breakaway Plus vessels, the Breakaway ships have large complexes for solo travelers, as well as large, private The Haven suite complexes.

In general, as with the Breakaway Plus ships, these vessels are best for vacationers who like a megaresort-type experience, and they appeal heavily to families with children who love all their deck-top attractions. Each of the two ships in this series — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — holds about 4,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship

Ships in class: Norwegian Epic (2010).

Size: 155,873 tons.

Norwegian Epic is an outlier in the Norwegian fleet. Unveiled in 2010, it was originally supposed to be the first of a series of up to three similar vessels. However, after disagreements with the shipyard that built it, Norwegian eventually canceled an order for a second ship in the series and an option for a third ship in the series, leaving Norwegian Epic in a class of one.

While roughly comparable in size to the Breakaway Plus- and Breakaway-class ships (it’s a bit smaller than the former vessels and a bit bigger than the latter vessels), Norwegian Epic has a notably different design that includes some unique features.

Perhaps most notably, balcony cabins on the ship have an unusual design that includes curved walls, rounded bed corners, and a sink and vanity area that is in the main living space (for all to see), separate from a closed-off toilet area. The toilet area is behind a translucent door that some cruisers find less private than they had hoped.

Norwegian Epic is also home to the only tube-and-bowl waterslide at sea and has such rare-for-cruise-ships attractions as a rappelling wall and a three-lane bowling alley. It also features an ice bar where customers wear parkas while sipping drinks.

Still, Norwegian Epic also offers a lot that will be familiar to Norwegian fans, including many of the line’s signature restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Standout features on Norwegian Epic include a water park with some of the most over-the-top waterslides at sea (including the aforementioned tube-and-bowl slide). It also offers a version of the Burn the Floor dance show that played on Broadway and on the West End in London, as well as a Howl at the Moon piano bar and a recreation of the Cavern Club nightspot in Liverpool, England, where The Beatles got their start (complete with a The Beatles cover band).

In addition, Norwegian Epic has the line’s biggest solo cabin complex (with 128 rooms for one) and a giant The Haven private suite complex.

At 155,873 tons, Norwegian Epic currently ranks as the 34th biggest cruise vessel in the world. Notably, it was the world’s third-largest ship when it debuted in 2010. That tells you just how much the cruise industry has grown in recent years.

Norwegian Epic carries 4,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Jewel class

Ships in class: Norwegian Gem (2007), Norwegian Jade (2006), Norwegian Pearl (2006), Norwegian Jewel (2005).

Size: About 93,500 tons.

Are you unsure if you want to sail on a megaship with 4,000 or more people but still want a vessel with a good amount of features and activities? The Jewel-class ships may be the perfect solution.

At 93,500 tons, the four vessels in the series are nearly 50% smaller than the line’s Breakaway Plus-class ships but still big enough that they have a lot to offer.

Each of the vessels has more than a dozen food venues, including three main restaurants, a casual buffet, a steakhouse, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You’ll also find multiple pools on each of the ships, along with whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

What you won’t find on the ships, because of their smaller size, are all the gee-whiz attractions such as go-kart tracks, laser tag courses and large water-park areas that Norwegian has put on its bigger vessels. If you can’t live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, then the Jewel class probably isn’t for you.

Note that Norwegian Gem does have a climbing wall and a single waterslide. Norwegian Pearl has a climbing wall but no waterslide. Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Jade have neither of the attractions.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line ships listed from newest to oldest

Each of the Jewel-class ships holds around 2,400 passengers at double occupancy (plus a few hundred more with every berth filled). That’s about 40% fewer passengers than you’ll find on the biggest Norwegian ships.

That makes them perfect for cruisers who want to get away from the sort of crowds that are on the biggest megaships without giving up many of the amenities that big ships have to offer.

Pride of America class

Ships in class: Pride of America (2005).

Size: 80,439 tons.

Like Norwegian Epic, Pride of America is an outlier in the Norwegian fleet. In fact, it’s perhaps an even bigger outlier than the former vessel.

Sporting a patriotic U.S. theme (you’ll find venues named after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams) and a distinct array of lounges and entertainment, it’s a ship specifically designed to sail year-round in Hawaii — the only one of its kind at any line.

Pride of America notably flies a U.S. flag and operates with a mostly U.S. crew, in keeping with regulations governing cruise itineraries that only include U.S. ports. That’s a big difference from any other big cruise vessel in the world.

Related: The best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler

It’s also the only Norwegian vessel without a casino, in keeping with local Hawaii regulations.

If you sail on Pride of America, you’ll find such one-of-a-kind eateries as the classic American car-themed Cadillac Diner. You’ll also find some of Norwegian’s signature offerings, including a Cagney’s steak house and Italian eatery La Cucina. The ship’s other onboard attractions include a showroom, lounges, bars and a top deck with extensive open-air pool and sun lounging areas.

Thanks to its ownership of Pride of America, Norwegian is the undisputed leader in Hawaii cruises. Most cruise lines that offer sailings to Hawaii only offer a limited number of such trips during a few months each year. Norwegian, by contrast, offers sailings around the Hawaiian Islands every week of the year — the only cruise line in the world to do so.

An iconic presence in Hawaii, Pride of America has been permanently dedicated to the archipelago since its debut in 2005. It offers a repeating seven-night itinerary that begins each Saturday in Honolulu and brings the chance to visit four different Hawaiian islands on a single, seven-night trip.

Beginning and ending on the island of Oahu, the itinerary includes two days each on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. The two-day visit to Maui involves an overnight stay at the port of Kahului. The two-day visit to Kauai involves an overnight stay at the port of Nawiliwili. The two-day visit to Hawaii is split between a call at Hilo and a call at Kona.

Ships in class: Norwegian Dawn (2002), Norwegian Star (2001).

Size: 92,250 and 91,740 tons.

The Dawn-class ships are similar to the Jewel-class ships in size and amenities, with a few differences.

Like the former vessels, the Dawn-class ships have around a dozen food-serving venues, including three main restaurants, a casual buffet, a Brazilian churrascaria (barbecue) restaurant, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You’ll also find multiple pools on each of the ships, whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

Like the Jewel-class ships, the Dawn-class vessels lack the sort of big attractions such as go-kart tracks and large water parks found on bigger Norwegian vessels. In addition, there are no Broadway musicals on Dawn-class ships, and they don’t have a private The Haven suite area (though they do have several giant suites called Garden Villas that measure more than 6,000 square feet).

If you can’t live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, then the Dawn class probably isn’t for you.

Ships in class: Norwegian Sun (2001), Norwegian Sky (1999).

Size: 78,309 and 77,104 tons.

Dating to 2001 and 1999, respectively, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky are among the smallest ships at Norwegian. They offer fewer onboard attractions and amenities than is typical for the line’s vessels.

In general, they appeal to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience on a cruise ship than what you’ll find on the big Norwegian ships. They also draw cruisers who care more about the destinations that they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

On each of the vessels, you’ll find more than half a dozen eateries, including several main dining rooms, a casual buffet, a diner-style pub, a steakhouse, an Italian trattoria and a French bistro.

On their top decks, the ships have pools (one on Sun, two on Sky), whirlpools, a basketball court that doubles as a volleyball court, golf driving nets and a jogging track. The ships also have casinos and theaters with nightly shows.

Unlike most bigger Norwegian ships, neither of the vessels has a private The Haven suite complex or solo cabins.

Ships in class: Norwegian Spirit (1998).

Size: 75,904 tons.

Dating to 1998, Norwegian Spirit is Norwegian’s smallest and oldest ship, and — like the line’s Sun-class ships — it generally appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience than you’ll find on the big Norwegian ships.

At 75,904 tons, Norwegian Spirit is less than half the size of Norwegian’s biggest ships, and it carries just 1,966 passengers — more than 2,000 fewer than the Norwegian biggies.

It also offers fewer (but still quite a few) venues and attractions. In all, you’ll find 13 food outlets on board, including two main restaurants, a casual buffet eatery, and versions of the line’s signature Cagney’s steakhouse and French eatery Le Bistro. There are more than half a dozen bars and cafes.

Deck-top attractions include several pools, whirlpools, waterslides, a basketball court and a jogging track. The ship also has a casino, spa, nightclub and theater.

Of note, Norwegian Spirit originally was built for Asia-based Star Cruises (where it was called SuperStar Leo).

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your 1st cruise

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More From Forbes

How to see this incredible viking ship reconstruction in norway.

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The replica Myklebust Ship is taken into the fjord on special occasions.

More than a thousand years ago, Norse explorers set sail from Scandinavia in search of new opportunities, marking the dawn of the Viking Age.

With its rich archaeological sites and burial ship discoveries offering a direct link to the era of raiding and trading that reshaped the medieval world, Norway is one of the leading destinations in the world to learn more about this iconic era.

Norway’s star Viking Age attractions—the world-famous Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune Viking ships—have been off public display for several years now pending careful reconstruction of their museum home in Oslo.

But, while the hotly-anticipated opening of the Museum of the Viking Age is still more than two years away, there are other wonderful opportunities to explore Viking history throughout Norway.

See The Myklebust Viking Ship

One of the most notable opportunities is found in the heart of the Norwegian fjords. The reconstructed Myklebust Viking ship is the star attraction at Sagastad, a new Viking Age museum in Nordfjordeid.

The modern, purpose-built waterfront building features large rear doors and a ramp down to the fjord to facilitate launching of the vessel, something that happens on special occasions.

The Sagastad museum has been purpose-built to house the Myklebust viking ship replica.

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Visitors can board the vessel using a gangway and admire the intricate woodwork. Shields and helmets are available for a must-have photo opportunity.

The remainder of the museum is dedicated to the discovery of the remains of the Myklebust ship burial, the story of the chieftain buried with the boat, the story behind its reconstruction, and Nordfjordeid’s role in the Viking Age.

Don’t miss the English language film (playing on a loop) and the chance to play the role of a Viking in a VR game.

The Story Of Myklebust

In 1874, a young archaeologist traveled to Nordfjordeid to examine a significant burial mound. Although overshadowed by later discoveries of intact ships like Gokstad and Oseberg at the Oslofjord, the Nordfjord site played a pivotal role in our understanding of the Viking Age.

This striking mound contained the remnants of a Viking ship and numerous high-status objects from the late 9th century, hinting at the rich Norse culture and rituals of that era.

The remains of the ship, named the ‘Myklebust ship’, believed to have been burned during the burial rites, also contained traces of bones and an arrowhead, suggesting the chieftain or other prominent figure buried here died in battle.

Visitors to Sagastad can board and explore the Myklebust replica viking ship.

An exhibition at the museum speculates he may have been King Audbjørn, who according to the Icelandic sagas fought Harald Fairhair at the Second Battle of Solskjel .

The Myklebust ship has recently been brought to life once again by skilled boat builders from Bjørkedalen, a town with deep roots in traditional shipbuilding. The result has become a wonderful attraction for both locals and tourists.

Once a year, the Myklebust ship is taken out into the fjord, an event that attracts great interest locally and from across Norway. In future years, it’s hoped to sail the vessel more often, although its primary home will always be the museum.

How To Visit Sagastad

Sagastad is located on the waterfront in the heart of Nordfjordeid (also just called ‘Eid’), a small town at the end of the Eidsfjord, a branch of the much larger Nordfjord .

There’s plenty of other things to do in Nordfjordeid, including meeting Norwegian Fjord Horses and strolling past the wooden buildings of the historic town center. Positioned on the E39 highway, it’s a good choice to include in a road trip itinerary between Bergen/Stavanger and Ålesund/Trondheim.

Sagastad is open daily throughout June, July, and August, with restricted opening hours in May, September, and October. The museum is usually open in connection with cruise ship calls. Check the Sagastad website to confirm.

At the time of writing, entry is 230 Norwegian kroner, which is approximately $22.

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With Arms Wide Open

How did creed, the most hated band of the 1990s, become so beloved—and even cool i sailed the seas with thousands of fellow lunatics to find out..

It’s high noon on a blazing April day, which is the ideal time to be sitting in an Irish pub aboard a cruise ship the size of a small asteroid. The bar is called O’Sheehan’s—yes, pronounced “oceans”—and it’s located deep within the belly of the boat, just above the teppanyaki joint, the sake bar, and the lustrous duty-free shops. This consciousness-altering diorama of infinite seas and cloying Guinness-themed paraphernalia is where I meet Colleen Sullivan, a 46-year-old woman with a beehive of curly red hair and arms encased by plastic wristbands. She wants to tell me how Creed changed her life.

A few moments earlier, Sullivan dropped one of those wristbands on my table—an invitation to talk. It’s lime-green and emblazoned with pink lettering that reads “Rock the Boat With Creed.” I slip it past my hand and sidle up to her booth. Sullivan uses one nuclear-yellow-painted fingernail to hook back the wristbands on her right arm. Underneath is the pinched autograph of Scott Stapp, the band’s mercurial lead singer, enshrined in tattoo ink. This, it seems, is not her first rodeo.

We are both here for “Summer of ’99,” a weekendlong cruise and concert festival for which Creed—as in the Christian-lite rock band that sold more than 28 million albums in the U.S. alone and yet may be the most widely disdained group in modern times—is reuniting for the first time in 12 years. Roughly 2,400 other Creed fans are along for the round-trip ride from Miami to the Bahamas, and the rest of the bill is occupied by the dregs of turn-of-the-millennium alt-rock stardom. Buckcherry is here. So are Vertical Horizon, Fuel, and 3 Doors Down, the latter of whom hasn’t released an album since 2016.

To celebrate, Sixthman, the booking agency responsible for this and many other cruises, has thoroughly Creed-ified every element of the ship. The band’s logo is printed on the napkins and scripted across the blackjack felt. The TV screens at the bar are tuned to a near-constant loop of Creed’s performance at Woodstock ’99. The onboard library has been converted to a merch store selling Creed hoodies and shot glasses. The stock music piped into the corridors has been swapped out for Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel,” Lit’s “My Own Worst Enemy,” and 3 Doors Down’s “Kryptonite.” When I turn on the closed-circuit television in my cabin, a channel called New Movies plays Scream 3 and Can’t Hardly Wait . And four elevator doors in the boat’s central plaza are plastered with the words “Can You Take Me Higher or Lower?” Sixthman pulled similar stunts with 311’s “ Caribbean Cruise ,” Train’s “ Sail Across the Sun ” cruise, and Kid Rock’s notoriously debauched “ Chillin’ the Most ” cruise—the Kid Rock cruise also took place on the vessel I’m on, the Norwegian Pearl . The idea is to teleport a captive audience back into the dirtbags they once embodied and to a simpler time, when Scott Stapp controlled the universe.

Sullivan tells me that her relationship with Creed overlaps with her sobriety story. She first became a fan of the band in the late 1990s, when “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open” were soaring up the Billboard charts. Then, Sullivan started using, and her appreciation for the divine proportions of those songs faded in service of more corporeal needs. Years later, after Creed broke up and Sullivan got clean, she returned to the music and discovered a dogma of her own: Maybe she had been put on earth to love Stapp—and Creed—harder, and with more urgency, than anyone else in the world.

“He helped me grow with those old Creed songs,” she tells me. “When I saw Scott for the first time live, he had just gotten clean too. I’d go to the shows and there would be tears streaming down my face.” Her left arm contains another Stapp tattoo, with the words “His Love Was Thunder in the Sky” scrawled up to her elbow, surrounded by a constellation of quarter notes. It’s a lyric taken from a 2013 Stapp solo song called “Jesus Was a Rockstar.” The singer Sharpie’d it onto her body himself.

“Summer of ’99” is Creed’s second attempt to reunite, after it disbanded in both 2004 and 2012 amid clashing egos and substance issues. The band couldn’t have picked a better time to get back together. If you haven’t noticed, we’re in the midst of an extremely unlikely Creed renaissance, redeeming the most reviled—and, perhaps more damningly, most uncool —band in the world. For much of the past 20 years, hating Creed has been a natural extension of being a music fan: In 2013 Rolling Stone readers voted the group “the worst band of the 1990s,” beating out a murderers’ row of Hootie and the Blowfish, Nickelback, and Hanson. Entertainment Weekly, reviewing Human Clay , the band’s bestselling album and one of the highest-selling albums of all time, bemoaned the record’s “lunkheaded kegger rock” and “quasi-spiritual lyrics that have all the resonance of a self-help manual.” Meanwhile, Robert Christgau, the self-appointed dean of American rock critics, wrote Creed off as “God-fearing grunge babies,” comparing the group unfavorably with Limp Bizkit.

The disrespect was reflected more sharply by Stapp’s own contemporaries. In the early 2000s, Dexter Holland, the frontman of the Offspring, played shows wearing a T-shirt that read “Even Jesus Hates Creed.” After leaked images of a sex tape filmed in 1999 featuring Stapp and Kid Rock and a room full of groupies made it onto the internet, Kid Rock retorted by saying that his fans didn’t care about the pornography but were appalled that he was hanging out with someone like Stapp. The comedian David Cross, who embodies the archetype of the exact sort of coastal hipsters who became the band’s loudest hecklers, dedicated swaths of his stand-up material to bird-dogging the singer. (One choice punchline: “That guy hangs out outside a junior high school girls locker room and writes down poetry he overhears.”) Then, in 2002, after a disastrous show in Chicago at which a belligerently drunk Stapp forgot the words to his songs and stumbled off the stage for 10 minutes, four attendees unsuccessfully sued the band for $2 million. Holland’s shirt didn’t go far enough—at the group’s lowest, even Creed fans hated Creed.

All this acrimony plunged Stapp into several episodes of psychic distress. His dependence on alcohol and painkillers was well documented during the band’s initial brush with success, but after Creed’s short-lived reconciliation, Stapp spiraled into a truly cavernous nadir. In 2014 the singer started posting unsettling videos to Facebook, asserting that he had been victimized by a cascading financial scam and was living in a Holiday Inn. That same year, TMZ released 911 calls made by Stapp’s wife Jaclyn claiming that he had printed out reams of CIA documents and was threatening to kill Barack Obama. But these days, Stapp—who announced a bipolar diagnosis in 2015—appears to be on much firmer ground, and the band has reportedly patched up some of those long-gestating interpersonal wounds.

But with time comes wisdom, and in 2024 neither the critical slander nor the troubling reports about Stapp’s mental state are anywhere to be found. It is a truth universally acknowledged that Creed is good, a shift that, as Stapp told Esquire , “just started happening” around 2021. The new paradigm likely solidified the next year, when Creed’s mythically patriotic post-9/11 halftime show, played on Thanksgiving in 2001, began to accrue latter-day meme status. The set was ridiculous and immaculately lip-synced by Stapp and company. Yoked, shirtless angels spin through the air, and cheerleaders pump out pompom routines synchronized with “My Sacrifice,” all while the live broadcast is interspersed with grim footage from ground zero. It’s garishly, unapologetically American, issued just before the unsavory decline of the Bush administration clicked into place. Today both of those relics—Creed and the unified national optimism—are worth getting wistful about. “This is where we peaked as a nation,” wrote football commentator Mike Golic Jr., linking to the video.

Creed nostalgia has only proliferated further since the resurrection of that halftime show. The band’s guitarist, Mark Tremonti, told the hard-rock site Blabbermouth that he’d recently noticed athletes bumping Creed as their “ go-to battle music ,” and in November, an entire stadium of Texas Rangers fans belted out “Higher” to commemorate their team’s World Series victory . Earlier this year, a viral remix of “ One Last Breath ” even began pulsing through some of the hottest parties in New York. The band has clearly crossed some sort of inscrutable cultural Rubicon and thrown reality into flux—up is down, black is white, and, due to a sublime confluence of biting irony and prostrating sincerity, Creed fucking rocks .

All this means that the inaugural edition of the “Summer of ’99” cruise is buoyed by very high stakes. It has been 12 long years since Creed last played a show, and the cruise is intended to be the dry run for a mammoth comeback tour that is scheduled for 60 dates, through summer and autumn, in basketball arenas and hockey stadiums across North America. The only remaining question is whether the band can keep it together. I’m there in a commemorative Creed Super Bowl halftime T-shirt to find out.

Several flights of stairs above O’Sheehan’s, the day before I meet Sullivan, I find Sean Patrick, a giddily beer-buzzed 34-year-old from Nashville who is standing in awe of a Coachella-sized stage that looks downright sinister on the pool deck. Creed is playing two shows this weekend, and the first is set for the very minute the boat leaves port and escapes Miami for the horizon. This means that everyone who purchased a ticket to “Summer of ’99”—which ranges from $895 for a windowless hovel to $6,381 for a stateroom with a balcony—has ascended to the top of the ship, preparing for Creed’s rebirth in a wash of Coors Light tallboys.

As of two days ago, Patrick was unaware he would be attending this cruise. Everything changed when a friend, who was on the waitlist, received a call from Norwegian Cruise Line informing him that a cabin with his name on it had miraculously become available. Patrick was suddenly presented with the opportunity to spend a tremendous amount of cash, on very short notice, to witness this reunion amid the die-hards.

Unlike Sullivan, Patrick doesn’t possess one of those highly intimate histories with the band, flecked with tales of trauma and perseverance. Still, he fell in love with Creed—even if it was only by accident.

“I think it started as a joke. The songs were good, but there was definitely a feeling of, like, Yeah, Creed! ” he tells me. “But then, next thing you know, you find yourself in your car, alone, deciding to put on Creed.”

The majority of the passengers on the Pearl have never been burdened with Patrick’s hesitance. Their relationship with Creed is genuine and free—cleansed of even the faintest whiff of irony—and, unlike Patrick, they tend to be in their late 40s and early 50s. The woman standing ankle-deep in the wading pool with a Stewie Griffin tattoo on her shin unambiguously loves Creed, and the same is probably true of whoever was lounging on a deck chair with a book, written by Fox News pundit Jesse Watters, titled Get It Together: Troubling Tales From the Liberal Fringe . Two brothers from Kentucky who work in steel mills, but not the same steel mill, tell me that loving Creed is practically a family tradition: Their eldest brother, not present on the boat, initially showed them the band’s records. Tina Smith, a 48-year-old home-care aide from Texas, crowned with a black tennis visor adorned with golden letters spelling out the name of her favorite band, loves Creed so much that she embarked on this trip all by herself. “This is my first cruise and my first vacation,” she says, proudly. (Smith is already planning her next vacation. It will coincide with another Creed show.)

Passengers I encounter that are a generation younger are clearly acquainted more with Creed the meme than Creed the band. These are the people who vibe with statements like “Born too late to own property, born just in time to be a crusader in the ‘Creed Isn’t Bad’ fight”—especially when they’re arranged as deep-fried blocks of text superimposed over the face of Keanu Reeves as Neo. If the establishment brokers of culture once settled on the position that Creed sucks, then it has been met with a youth-led insurgency that seems dead-set on shifting the consensus—if for no other reason than to savor the nectar of pure, uncut taboo.

Many members of this insurgency are aboard the Pearl , and they’re caked in emblems of internet miscellany that scream out to anyone in the know. Consider the young man, traveling with his father, who is draped in a T-shirt bearing the Creed logo below a beatific image of Nicolas Cage circa Con Air , or the many fans who wander around the innards of the Pearl in matching Scott Stapp–branded Dallas Cowboys jerseys, a reference to that halftime show. In fact, the best representatives of sardonic Creed-fandom colonists might be the youngest collection of friends that I’ve met on board. They are all in their 20s, most of them work in Boston’s medicine and science sectors, and each is dressed in a custom-ordered tropical button-down dotted with the angelic face of Scott Stapp in places where you’d expect to find coconuts and banana bunches. A week before “Summer of ’99” was announced, the four of them made a pact, via group text, that if Creed were ever to reunite, they would make it out to see the band play, no matter the cost. Their fate was sealed.

“I hated Creed. I thought they were terrible,” says Mike Hobey, who, at 28, is the oldest of the posse and therefore the one who possesses the clearest recollection of Creed’s long, strange journey toward absolution. “But then I started listening to them ironically. And I was like, Oh, shit, I like them now .”

His point is indicative of a strange tension in this new age of Creed: If “the worst band of the 1990s” is suddenly good, does that mean all music is good now? Is nothing tacky? Have the digitized music discovery apparatuses—the melting-pot TikTok algorithm, the self-replicating profusion of Spotify playlists—blurred the boundaries of good and bad taste? Am I, like Hobey, incapable of being a hater anymore?

This is what I found myself thinking about when Creed took the stage, right as the Miami skies began to mellow into a late-afternoon smolder, and put on what was, without a doubt, one of the best rock shows I’ve ever seen. The scalloped penthouses of Miami’s gleaming hotel district passed overhead as the Pearl ’s rudder kicked into gear, and Scott Stapp—looking jacked and gorgeous, chain on neck and chain on belt, flexing toward God in a tight black shirt—launched into “Are You Ready?,” the first song of the afternoon, his baritone sounding, somehow, exactly like it did in 1999. “Who would’ve thought, after our last show in 2012, our next show would be 12 years later, on a boat?” Stapp said. He is risen, indeed.

I later hear from Creed’s PR agent that Tremonti, the guitarist, was more anxious than he was excited to get this first show in the books. I also gather, from Stapp’s representative, that photographers are mandated to shoot the lead singer during only the first two songs of the set, before he begins to “glisten” (her word) with sweat. But if nerves were fraying, Creed conquered them with ease. The members of the band were enveloped by an audience that had paid a lot of money to see them, and in that atmosphere, they could do no wrong. They blitzed through a variety of album cuts before arriving at the brawny triptych of “Higher,” “One Last Breath,” and “With Arms Wide Open,” pausing briefly to wish Tremonti, who was turning 50, a happy birthday. (Stapp wiped away tears afterward, a genuinely touching moment, considering that during their first breakup, Tremonti had compared his years collaborating with Stapp—who was then in the throes of addiction— with surviving Vietnam .) Given Creed’s historic proximity to the Kid Rock brand of red-state overindulgence, I half expected the concert to detonate with violent pits and acrobatic beer stunts, but nothing remotely close to mayhem occurred. This crowd was downright polite—chaste, even—as if it had been stunned by the grandeur of Creed.

“He tried to dance pogo ,” says a disappointed German woman, basking in the pool after the show, gesturing toward her husband. Both of them explain to me that pogoing is the German word for “moshing” and that, even more astonishingly, Creed is huge in their native hamlet, just outside Düsseldorf.

“It’s a reunion after 12 years!” says her husband. “Everyone should be dancing pogo .”

Nothing about Creed’s music has changed in the past decade, which is to say that many of the quirks that people like Hobey once used to mock the band for were on brilliant display during its first show back. But the truth is that little of the smug hatred for the group has ever had much to do with the music itself. Creed’s first record, 1997’s My Own Prison , was nearly identical to the down-tuned angst of Soundgarden or Alice in Chains, drawn well inside the lines of alt-rock radio. (It earned a tasteful 4/5 rating from the longtime consumer guide AllMusic.)

The problems arose only after the band started writing the celestial hooks of Human Clay , solidifying its superstar association with other groups chasing the same crunchy highs with machine-learning efficiency: Nickelback, Staind, Shinedown, and so on. Post-grunge was the term music journalists eventually bestowed on this generation, and in retrospect, that was the kiss of death. Creed was suddenly positioned as the inheritor of the legacy of Kurt Cobain, the godfather of grunge, who bristled at all associations with the mainstream music industry and hired the notoriously bellicose Steve Albini to make Nirvana’s third album as sour and uncommercial as possible. Stapp, meanwhile, has long called Bono—he of the flowing locks, billionaire best friends , and residencies in extravagant Las Vegas monoliths —his “ rock god .” Creed’s sole aspiration was to become the biggest rock band in the world, and for a few years there, the group actually pulled it off. Cobain’s grave got a little colder.

Post-grunge steamrolled the rock business, reducing its sonic palette to an all-consuming minor-chord dirge. Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” went quadruple platinum in 2001, eventually sparking a furious period of retaliation from the underground. (You could make the argument that the rise of the Strokes or the White Stripes or the indie-rock boom writ large is directly tied to the vise grip Creed once held on the genre.) Before long, music aesthetes adopted a new term, rather than post-grunge , to refer to the Creed phenotype: butt rock . In fact, by the late-2000s, the hatred of Creed had been so canonized that when Slate published a rebuttal —in which critic Jonah Weiner asserted that the band was “seriously underrated”—the essay was considered so “ridiculous” and contrarian as to single-handedly inspire the viral and enduring #slatepitches hashtag, instantly prompting parodies such as “ Star Wars I, II, & III, better than Star Wars IV, V, & VI .”

But, frankly, when I revisit Weiner’s piece, many of his arguments sound remarkably cogent to modern orthodoxies. “Creed seemed to irritate people precisely because its music was so unabashedly calibrated towards pleasure: Every surging riff, skyscraping chorus, and cathartic chord progression telegraphed the band’s intention to rock us, wow us, move us,” he writes. Yes, these easy gratifications might have been unpardonable sins in the summer of 1999, capping off a decade obsessively preoccupied with anxiety about all things commercial and phony. But now even LCD Soundsystem—once the standard-bearer of a certain kind of countercultural fashionability—is booking residencies sponsored by American Express. We have all become hedonists and proud sellouts, and with Creed back in vogue, it seems as if the band’s monumental intemperance has become a feature rather than a bug.

That does not mean Stapp no longer takes himself, or his art, seriously. The singer’s earnestness—some might say humorlessness—has always been a cornerstone of Creed’s brand, and there are millions of fans who will continue to meet him at his word. They brandish personal biographies that intersect with Creed’s records; they finds lines about places with “golden streets” “where blind men see” more inspiring than corny, and many of them are etched with the tattoos to prove it. But in the band’s contemporary afterlife, when all its old context evaporates, Stapp has also attracted a community eager to treat Creed like the party band it never aspired to be—the group of licentious pleasure seekers Weiner wrote about. They’re all here, sprinkled throughout the boat, ready to drink a couple of Coronas and shred their lungs to “My Sacrifice.”

After wrapping up the first night of the cruise, Creed, along with the rest of the bands on the bill, was scheduled to administer a few glad-handing sessions on the weekend itinerary. On Saturday, Tremonti chaperoned a low-key painting session while the Pearl floated into the Bahamas at a dock already crammed with other day-trippers. (Our boat was parked next to a Disney cruise, and when we disembarked, in direct earshot of all the young families, the PA blasted Puddle of Mudd’s “She Fucking Hates Me.”) Tremonti keeps busy: The previous evening, he had judged a karaoke tournament—on the main stage—alongside 3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold. Toward the end of the competition, Tremonti grabbed the microphone for a rousing cover of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” which I’d like to think served as a tribute to Creed’s own tenaciousness.

Stapp, on the other hand, is slated for exactly one appointment mingling with the masses: He’ll be shooting hoops with some of the more athletically oriented Creed adherents on a helipad that doubles as a basketball court near the rear of the boat. Stapp is, by far, the most famous person on board, evidenced by the security detail that stands guard on the concrete. So I take my seat on the bleachers and watch him casually drain 10 free throws in a row in mesh shorts under the piercing Atlantic sun with the distinct tang of contractually obligated restraint. Afterward, Stapp slips back into the mysterious alcoves of the ship, while an awed buzz of fans—hoping for a selfie, an autograph, or a split second of euphoric surrender—tail him until they are sealed off for good. It is the one and only time I see him cameoing anywhere but the stage, drawing a stark contrast to the other musicians on board, who flit between the casinos, restaurants, and watering holes in the guts of the Pearl .

This makes some sort of cosmic sense. Stapp, to both his detriment and credit, has never embraced the flippancy that so many other people wanted to impose on Creed. “Sometimes I wish we weren’t so damn serious,” he said in a memorable Spin cover story from 2000, at the height of his mystique. “My agenda from the beginning was to write music that had meaning and was from the heart. You can’t force the hand of the muse.” If you’ll excuse the ostentation of the sentiment, you can maybe understand how someone like Stapp might not be able to feel like himself when he’s orchestrating photo-ops around a free-throw line with that same young man dressed in his Nic Cage–themed parody Creed shirt. He seems to find nothing trivial about Creed’s music. The threat of irrelevance shall never tame him. You cannot force the hand of the muse.

Unfortunately, Stapp’s remoteness is also why Kelly Risch, a 58-year-old from Wisconsin with streaks of ringed, white-blond hair and glam-metal eye shadow, is currently fighting back tears in the Atrium, the ship’s lobby and central bar. Risch is sipping mimosas with her sister Shannon Crass, and, like so many of the others I have spoken to on this cruise, they each have matching Creed tattoos memorializing a personal catastrophe. Twenty years ago, Risch suffered a massive blood clot in her leg and almost died. Crass printed out the lyrics to the latter-day Creed ballad “Don’t Stop Dancing”—a song about finding dignity in the chaos of life—and pinned them in Crass’ intensive care unit during her recovery. Today the chorus is painted on their wrists, right above Scott Stapp’s initials.

The sisters were two of the first 500 customers to buy tickets to “Summer of ’99,” which guaranteed them a photo with the band at its cabin. This is why Risch is crying. The photo shoot came with strict rules, all of which she respected: no Sharpies, no hugs, and no cellphones. She’d hoped for a moment, though—after spending $5,000 and traveling all the way from the upper Midwest, after clinging to life with the help of Creed, and after waiting 12 long years to have the band back—to thank the singer for his comfort. But Stapp, even indoors, was wearing dark, face-obscuring sunglasses. She didn’t even get to make eye contact.

“He’s so great with the crowd. He’s so engaging onstage,” says Crass. “I think that’s why this is disappointing.”

The two sisters are determined to make the most of the rest of their vacation. The Pearl will be pulling into Miami tomorrow at 7 a.m., and there are plenty more mimosas left to drink. I tell them I’m going to speak with Stapp, and the rest of Creed, in an hour. Do they have anything they’d like me to ask?

“Tell him not to wear sunglasses during the photos,” they say.

Creed is finishing up the meet-and-greet obligations in a chilly rococo ballroom, paneled—somewhat inexplicably—with portraits of Russian royalty. The band members have been at this all morning, after a late night finishing off the second performance of their two comeback sets. A molasses churn of Creed fans, all sea-weathered and scalded with maroon sunburns, weaves through a bulwark of chairs and tables toward the pinned black curtains at the rear.

Creed has this down to an art. The band is capable of generating a photo every 30 seconds, and afterward, the fans exit back down the aisle, with beaming smiles, their brush with stardom consummated. Stapp chugs a bottle of Fiji water and holds out his hand for a fist bump after the last of those passengers disappear. A crucifix dangles above his navel, and an American flag is stitched to his T-shirt. He’s still wearing those sunglasses.

I am given just 15 minutes to ask questions, in a makeshift interview setup against the portside windows, under the watchful surveillance of the entire Creed apparatus—both PR reps, a few scurrying Sixthman operators, the photographer, and so on. I ask what their day-to-day life is like aboard the “Summer of ’99,” in this highly concentrated environment of super fans, with no obvious escape routes. Stapp says that he has spent most of the time on the cruise “resting and exercising,” while Brian Marshall, the band’s bassist, told me he executes his privilege of being one of the band’s secondary members by frequenting the sauna and steam room. Throughout the weekend, Marshall is hardly recognized.

Scott Phillips, Creed’s drummer, confirms my suspicions about the cruise’s demographics. The ticket data reveals that a good number of the passengers aboard are under 35 years old. I’m curious to know how the band members are adjusting to this new paradigm shift, and if they wish to settle common ground between the post-ironic millennials and the much more zealous Gen Xers, who bear Creed insignias on their calves and forearms.

“People are drawn to our music for different reasons,” Stapp says. “That’s probably why you have the guys you were talking about, who want to chill and drink light beer and scream ‘Creed rocks!’ and the others, who have a much deeper, emotional impact.”

“And maybe, at some point, with the light-beer guys, it does connect with them,” Phillips adds. Stapp agrees.

But, really, the reason I’m here is because I want to ask Stapp a question I’ve been curious about for the entirety of Creed’s career. The band’s bizarre odyssey, from its warm reception among youth groups across America to the bloodthirsty backlash that met its success to this current psychedelic revival, has all orbited around a single lasting question: Why is Scott Stapp so serious? Could he ever mellow out? Does he want to? Surely now is the time. If Stapp allocated some levity for himself, then so many of the bad things people have said about him would be easier to process. Who knows? Maybe he’d have an easier time getting his arms around the current state of Creed, a group that is now, without a doubt, simultaneously the coolest and lamest band in the world. Why must he make being in Creed so difficult?

“It’s just who I am,” he says. “It’s what inspires me. It’s where I come from. And it’s tough, because you have to live it. That’s the conundrum of it all. That’s the double-edged sword. If I started writing [lighter material], there would be a dramatic shift in my existence.”

There’s a break in the conversation, then Stapp asks me to identify the name of the new Taylor Swift album. The songwriter’s 11 th record has dropped like a nuclear bomb while we’ve all been out to sea, but data restrictions mean that nobody on board can access Spotify or any other streaming service. The Norwegian Pearl serves as a butt-rock pocket dimension: The biggest story in pop music simply can’t penetrate our airtight seal of Hinder, Staind, and so much Creed. “It’s called The Tortured Poets Department ,” I reply. Outside of my fiancée, he is the only person on the entire cruise I will speak to about Taylor Swift.

“That’s what I feel,” he says, without a shred of artifice. “I connect with that title.”

Later that evening, I climb to the top of the Pearl for a final round of karaoke, where fans keep the spirit of 1999 alive for a few more hours. The bar is more hectic than it’s been all trip—everyone is willing to risk a hangover now that Monday is all that looms on the horizon. The host asks a guest if they intended to sing “Torn” by Creed or “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia. “I assume Creed, but Natalie would be a fun surprise.”

The playlist is more diverse than I expected. We are treated to both Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin’ ” and Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine.” Brandon Smith, one of the very few people of color aboard the cruise, crushes Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved.” A lanky kid from St. Louis unleashes a Slipknot death-growl into the microphone. A queer couple quietly slow-dances on the otherwise empty dance floor. And a 16-year-old, teeth tightened by braces, orders his last Sprite of the night. “Rockers are the most awesome people!” shouts one transcendently inebriated guest over the clamor of his Rolling Stones cover. “Creed is awesome!” On this one thing, at least, we can all agree.