norwegian majesty cruise ship

The History of the Royal Majesty (ex-Norwegian Majesty, Louis Majesty, Thomson Majesty)

The cruise ship better known as the norwegian majesty, but now sailing as crown iris, has had a very interesting history. let’s take a look..

In 1990, Finland-based Birka Lines ordered a new cruise ferry for their overnight trips out of Stockholm. The new ship would be called the Birka Queen. This Baltic cruise ferry concept would be similar to the ones that Rederi Ab Sally operated the Sally Albatross and later what Silja Lines operated the Silja Opera on . The new ship was then contracted to be built at the Helsinki yard of Wartsila Marine. Shortly after the order, the yard entered into bankruptcy in the newbuild was put on hold. After restructuring, the new yard was forced to increase the contract. Birka Lines did not accept the revised price of the ship so they abandoned the project. The yard, now under the name Masa Yards, sold it to a group from Dolphin Cruise Line who started up Majesty Cruise Line. This intent of this new brand was to fill a niche that was now empty due to the closure of the premium Home Lines.

The new ship was named Royal Majesty and was christened in New York in July 1992. She then commenced 3 and 4-night trips to the Bahamas out of Miami. It was then in 1995 that she inaugurated a route that would make her quite popular, the Boston, MA to St. George’s, Bermuda route. The owners found quite a successful niche market with this route as it is what most cruisers probably know her from.

During one of her first Bermuda trips in June 1995, she ran aground off of Nantucket while on her way back to Boston. No real damage was done to the vessel and no one was even injured but the event did generate some rather infamous photos of the stricken ship.

In 1996, she was chartered out to a tour agency and sailed to the wreck of the Titanic to witness the first attempt to raise the big piece .

In 1997, Majesty’s ‘parent company’ Dolphin Cruise Lines was sold to Premier Cruises and Majesty Cruise Lines themselves were sold to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). At that point in time NCL was swiftly expanding its fleet and this was a way to quickly add two ships to the fold. Royal Majesty then became the Norwegian Majesty and her only fleet-mate, the Crown Majesty became the Norwegian Dynasty. 

NCL decided to keep the ship deployed on the original itineraries of 3&4-night Bahamas itineraries in the Winter and the 7-night Bermuda cruises out of Boston in the Summer. After a successful stretching of the Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Wind in 1998, NCL decided that the next ship to undergo this type of enhancement will be the Norwegian Majesty. So in 1999, she sailed to Germany’s Lloyd Werft shipyard to be cut in half and have a 110ft midsection inserted in the middle of the ship. This gave her a new casino, an additional dining room, the ’Le Bistro’ alternate restaurant, as well as more cabins and a new pool up top. She also gained four more lifeboats (two standard 150pax boats as well as two new tenders.)

The Norwegian Majesty always stayed on the Boston to St. George’s routes for the summer as NCL enjoyed exclusivity on it via a contract with the Bermuda Government. As time went on, NCL then would experiment with her winter deployment with itineraries ranging from 10 & 11-night Panama Canal cruises to a season or two based in San Juan going to the southern Caribbean as well as a tenure of Winter homeporting our of Charleston, SC.

By the mid-late 2000’s, NCL was well into their transformation to the ‘Freestyle’ cruise line and were also well into their fleet transformation with a long series of newbuilds from Meyer Werft. These new ships (starting with the Norwegian Star) had double the capacity of the Majesty, as well as many cabins with balconies (Majesty had zero at the time) and also multiple restaurants and dining options. To cater to that last item, towards the later years of her NCL career they would add a pasta restaurant to a lounge. At night the Royal Observatory lounge on deck 9 would transform into this Italian eatery. They would use the galley from the buffet located just above the forward-facing lounge.

Sometime in mid-2004 NCL actually transferred ownership of the vessel to Star Cruises (who now had majority ownership in NCL). It was heavily rumored that the Majesty would be then operated by Star in Asia. Those rumors never came to fruition, and she stayed under NCL deployment until Star finally sold the ship to the Cypriot, Louis Cruises who then finally received the vessel in November 2009. Renamed Louis Majesty, she sailed a variety of itineraries around the Mediterranean. The vessel was then chartered out to Britain’s Thomson Cruises from 2012 until 2015 and was renamed Thomson Majesty.

It was at that time that Thomson’s Parent Company, TUI, entered into an arrangement with Royal Caribbean and started incorporating ex-Royal Caribbean and Celebrity vessels into their fleet (which is what the current makeup of Marella Cruises is). Still technically owned by Louis Cruise Lines, they found a new buyer for the Majesty in 2018. Since then she’s been owned and operated by Israel’s Mano Maritime and sails under the name Crown Iris. She still sails the Med while being homeported in Haifa. Interestingly enough, at the time of the transaction, she was going to be called Princess Iris and Mano was even exploring chartering the ship out to Far East interests.

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Former names: Princess Iris, Celestyal Majesty, Thomson Majesty, Louis Majesty, Norwegian Majesty (NCL), Royal Majesty, Birka Queen

Cruise line Mano Cruises (Small Cruise Lines)

• Haifa (Tel Aviv-Nazareth, Israel)

Crown Iris current position

Crown Iris current location is at Aegean Sea (coordinates 38.42374 N / 23.60331 E) cruising en route to CHALKIS. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Crown Iris

Crown Iris current cruise is 3 days, round-trip Cyprus . The itinerary starts on 30 May, 2024 and ends on 02 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Crown Iris

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Crown Iris Itineraries

Crown iris review, review of crown iris.

The 1992-built MS Crown Iris cruise ship is currently owned by Mano Maritime Israel - shipping company, subsidiary of Mano Holdings Group (owned by Moshe Mano) and owner of box ships (container carriers) . Liner's only fleetmate is Golden Iris .

The vessel (IMO number 8814744) is currently Panama- flagged (MMSI 370610000) and registered in Colon .

History - construction and ownership

The previous shipowner (Louis Group Plc) leased the vessel to Celestyal Cruises (Louis Group's subsidiary company). The liner was built as "MS Royal Majesty" and in 2012-2017 was operated under long-term by the UK company Marella Cruises (formerly "Thomson Cruises").

In 2017, Thomson UK ended the charter with Louis Group. The vessel left Thomson's fleet in November 2017 and joined Celestyal Cruises fleet (starting operations in March 2018). It was renamed to "Celestyal Majesty" and deployed in Western Mediterranean to operate on roundtrips leaving from Greece and Turkey.

In July 2018, Louis Group announced that the Malta- flagged liner was sold to Mano Cruises (Israel). The vessel (renamed "Princess Iris") was laid up in Piraeus-Athens, waiting for drydock refurbishment before entering service for Mano (now Panama-flagged). Following the drydock, it was renamed "Crown Iris" and started operations on May 25, 2019. The refurb resulted in upgraded staterooms and 5 new restaurants.

The 2000-passenger ship Crown Iris was originally ordered as "MS Royal Majesty" for Imperial Majesty Cruise Line (1999-founded/2009- defunct ). In 1997, it was sold to NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line . The liner has the highest Finnish-Swedish ice class for a passenger ship (1A-Super).

As Norwegian Majesty, in 1998 the vessel was stretched/lengthened by adding a 33-m/108-ft long midship section. The drydock refit was done at Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven GmbH ( Bremerhaven Germany ).

The ship was sold to Louis Group in 2008.

Decks and Cabins

Crown Iris staterooms (727 total, in 16 grades) include 16x Suites, 477x Oceanviews, 250x Inside, 20x Single and 4x handicap/wheelchair-accessible cabins. Most accommodations are sized 10 m2 (110 ft2/Oceanview). The largest are the two Grand Suites (sized 37 m2 / 400 ft2 including the balcony).

The boat has 11 decks , of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 6 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

There are 5 restaurants onboard Princess Iris. The open-seating Seven Seas Restaurant offers elegant waiter-service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Four Seasons Restaurant is a smaller and intimate dining room with the same dining choices as the Seven Seas. Le Bistro is a la carte and boasts stylish interiors and a small cover charge. Cafe Royale buffet spreads 24 hours a day. Guests can enjoy cooked breakfasts and even late-night snacks. Piazza San Marco serves snacks like pizzas and burgers out on the pool deck. Room service can be ordered 24 hours a day for your cabin. Remember the Gala night - weekly Captain's Gala Dinner and Cocktail Party, worth dressing up for.

Follows the complete list of cruise ship's restaurants and food bars.

Four Seasons Restaurant (the smaller of the two Dining Rooms; offers a more intimate atmosphere; dinner only, with 5-course dinner menu)

Le Bistro Restaurant (French cuisine speciality restaurant, reservations-only with a la carte priced menu; also offers vegetarian choices)

Seven Seas Restaurant (the bigger Dining Room, open-seating; offers waiter-service Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Buffet style dining is offered at breakfast; the restaurant hosts the formal Captain's Gala Reception and Dinner)

Cafe Royale (the smaller of the two buffet restaurants; operates as a self-service dining venue, part of which are The Chef's Corners Buffets)

The Chef's Corners (offers pancakes, freshly baked waffles, classic fast food; serves the pool area with complimentary fast food and ice cream which costs extra)

Piazza San Marco Restaurant (casual Lido buffet restaurant with large wraparound panoramic windows).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

There are 5 bars on the ship. The Royal Observatory, with its live music and great views, is one of the most sophisticated cocktail bars onboard a cruise ship. Rendezvous also offers live music and late-night cabarets. Polo Club is a central bar suitable for pre-drinks. The Coffee Bar is ideal for afternoon pick-me-ups, and Topsiders Bar is a poolside bar for drinks in the sunshine - in the evenings, it's a setting for deck parties. The two lounges onboard are the Jubilee Lounge, bringing performances from UK guest acts and crew singers, live band sets, game shows, late-night discos; the Royal Fireworks, offering cabarets, quizzes, live performances from resident trios. Another opportunity for entertainment is the large Monte Carlo Casino, with a full range of slot machines and gaming tables. The stage for Pilates and Zumba during the day is Frame 52. Two swimming pools are also available for cruisers.

Follows the complete list of the cruise ship lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

Royal Fireworks Lounge (served by the Wi-Fi spot Rendezvous Bar; daily entertainment features trivia quizzes, bingo games, live piano performances; in the evenings it offers cabarets and live band music)

Browsers' Corner (24-hour combined Library and Internet Cafe)

Broad Street Shops (duty-free shopping arcade with boutiques selling watches, fine jewellery, Mano Cruises logo merchandise, luxury perfumes, fashion clothes, liquor, tobaccos, convenience goods); Boutique (luxury Spa cosmetics, beauty products)

Photo Gallery & Shop; Card Room; Reading Room; Coffee Bar (Wi-Fi spot)

Polo Club (a classy cocktail bar with a grand piano and party band)

Jubilee Lounge (ship's theatre for grand-style evening production shows: music revues, cabaret, comedy acts, live music performances; transforms into a disco nightclub nights; Afternoon Tea is served on sea days)

Monte Carlo Casino (served by its own Bar)

The Frame 52 Disco nightclub (daily wellness classes: Aerobics, personal training, Yoga and Pilates are at extra charge)

Royal Observatory (indoor observation lounge/Wi-Fi spot)

Main Pool area (2 swimming pools - one main flanked by two whirlpools, and one adult-only, sunbathing area; served by Pool Bar and Topsiders Bar)

Kids Club (play area, complimentary; offers supervised age-appropriate activities for kids 3-11 yo); Video Games Arcade; Graffiti's Teen Area

Sana Wellness Centre (Spa complex, consisting of Beauty Salon, well-equipped Gym, 4 Treatment Rooms, room with whirlpool tub, Sauna)

Oceans Spa & Gym (Wellness Centre: Spa treatments, hairdresser/barber services, Massage Rooms, Saunas, Beauty Salon, Relaxation Area; The Gym has a separate Aerobic Studio).

Itineraries

Crown Iris itineraries are roundtrips from homeport Haifa Israel to Eastern Mediterranean ports - in Cyprus, Greece (Greek Islands) and Italy. Itinerary options range from 2-3-4-5-7-9-12-days long voyages. Mini cruises (2-3-days) visit Larnaca Cyprus . The longest voyages visit either Black Sea ports (in Bulgaria and Romania), Aegean Sea ports (Greece and Turkey) or Adriatic Sea ports (Greece, Italy, Croatia, also Sicily Island).

Notes: Celestyal Majesty itinerary program offered 3-day and 4-day Eastern Mediterranean ("Greek Isles") cruises leaving roundtrip from homeports Piraeus-Athens (Greece) and Kusadasi-Ephesus (Turkey) . Thomson Majesty's itinerary program was based on Mediterranean roundtrips from Greece (Athens) and Spain's Canary Islands (homeports Tenerife and Gran Canaria ).

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Mano Cruises paused Crown Iris for 2+ years (March 2020 through May 2022), restarting operations on May 12, 2022, out of Haifa.

The company's Eastern Mediterranean 2023 season started on March 23, 2023, when Crown Iris departed Piraeus on a 3-night voyage to Cyprus ( Limassol overnight stay). Longer Aegean itineraries visit Greek islands ( Rhodes , Crete/Heraklion , Kefalonia/Agostoli , Corfu/Kerkyra ) as well as Croatia's ports Dubrovnik and Split. Black Sea itineraries visit Greek islands plus Bulgaria ( Varna , Burgas ) and Romania ( Constanta ).

Crown Iris/Mano Cruises prices 2023

The next table shows the company's pricing per passenger per voyage listed in the Crown Iris ship's schedule for 2023. Prices are in EUR and based on double occupancy.

Crown Iris - user reviews and comments

Photos of crown iris.

Crown Iris ship related cruise news

MSC charters Crown Iris cruise ship to bring Israeli passengers back to Haifa

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, maritime operations took a security-driven turn as cruise shipping companies temporarily halted their visits to...

Passenger Medevaced from Crown Iris

A cruise passenger with serious health problems has been airlifted by Cyprus rescue services and transported to Paphos hospital early Monday, July 22...

Crown Iris Begins Haifa-Larnaca Line

On Saturday, May 25, the Crown Iris cruise ship arrived in Larnaca from Haifa thus marking the beginning of a new line between the coastal cities...

Celestyal Cruises Extends Cruise Season 2018

Celestyal Cruises announced that Thomson Majesty will conclude the successful charter with Thomson Cruises and contribute to the extension of 2018...

Thomson Majesty Loses Power After Engine Fire

The Thomson UK's ship Thomson Majesty has lost propulsion power following minor engine room fire off Livorno. The ship left the port in Italy en...

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Crown Iris Wiki

The vessel was built in 1992 and originally ordered as "MS Birka Queen" by Birka Cruises. However, it was completed and launched under the name "ms Royal Majesty" and her godmother is Liza May Minnelli (US actress and singer).

The ship debuted as a part of Majesty Cruise Line's fleet (operational between 1992-1997, now defunct). Since then the vessel's name (and owner) has been changed 3 times, with former names "Norwegian Majesty" (for NCL Norwegian ) and Louis Majesty ( Louis Cruises / Celestyal Cruises ). The vessel was sold to NCL in 1997 when was enlarged during a drydock refit (lengthened by 34 m / 112 ft) at Lloyd Werft shipyard ( Bremerhaven, Germany ).

The ship was part of 1995's "Titanic Cruise" expedition to the sinking site of RMS Titanic. Royal Majesty carried survivors from the Titanic disaster while parts of the sunken liner were being salvaged.

In 2012-2017, the ship (previously "Louis Majesty") was operated under charter by Thomson UK (Marella Cruises) . Thomson carried out fleetwide refurbishment plan for upgrades to the in-house category "Platinum Status" (akin to 4-star ranking).

The following table shows Thomson Majesty's last cruise for Thomson/Marella. The 7-night / 8-day itinerary (themed "Spirit of Iberia") was a roundtrip from Spain. Prices started from USD 680 pp (with double occupancy).

Due to the COVID-related travel restrictions worldwide, Mano Cruises canceled Crown Iris ship's entire 2020 season (March through December). December). A total of 32 itineraries (departures from homeport Haifa Israel ) were canceled. Operations were planned to restart on March 18, 2021.

Fleet Retrospective: Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2000 Vessel Lineup

• August 1, 2020

Norwegian Cruise Line operated six ships at the turn of the century. Here is what Norwegian’s fleet profile looked like in 2000:

Norway Built: 1960 Passengers: 2,032 Tonnage: 76,000 The former ocean liner was scrapped in 2008, after 23 years of service with Norwegian Cruise Line. It was decommissioned in May 2003 after a boiler explosion in Miami. Previously, it served as the biggest ship in the fleet from 1980 to 1999.

Norwegian Dream Built: 1992 Passengers: 1,750 Tonnage: 50,760 Built as Dreamward in 1992, the Norwegian Dream is currently operated by Star Cruises. Lengthened in 1998, the vessel was sold to Louis Cruises in 2008, leaving the Norwegian fleet in the same year. After three years laid-up, it was renamed SuperStar Gemini and transferred to Star Cruises’ fleet.

Norwegian Majesty Built: 1992 Passengers: 1,462 Tonnage: 38,000 The smallest ship in the fleet, the Norwegian Majesty sailed for Norwegian Cruise Line until 2009. Sold to Louis Cruises, it was renamed Louis Majesty and operated for the cruise line until 2012. In the same year, the vessel started a five-year charter to Thomson Cruises, under the name Thomson Majesty. In 2018 it was sold again, this time to Mano Maritime. Renamed Crown Iris, the vessel is currently serving the Israeli operator.

Norwegian Sea Built: 1988 Passengers: 1,504 Tonnage: 42,000 Originally named Seaward, the Norwegian Sea was transferred to Star Cruises in 2005. As the SuperStar Libra, the vessel ended its public operations in 2018. It was then converted into a floating hotel in Wismar, Germany, where it remains to this day for yard workers at MV Werften. 

Norwegian Wind Built: 1993 Passengers: 1,750 Tonnage: 50,760 Built in 1993, the Norwegian Wind sailed for Norwegian Cruise Line until 2007. Transferred to Star Cruises, it was renamed SuperStar Aquarius after a major refit.

Norwegian Sky Built: 1999 Passengers: 2,000 Tonnage: 80,000 Currently based in Miami, the Norwegian Sky is the only ship that has been in service with Norwegian Cruise Line since 2000. In 2004, the vessel was renamed the Pride of Aloha for service in Hawaii, under the U.S. flag. Four years later, it got its original name back and was re-flagged to the Bahamas.

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The best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for every type of traveler

What's the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship? Over the years, I've sailed on all but three of Norwegian's 19 vessels, and my personal favorite is Norwegian Prima. I love its stylish design and upscale feel, as well as its wide mix of eateries, bars and entertainment.

Still, Norwegian Prima isn't necessarily the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for you. Whether you'll have a better time on one of the other 18 vessels in the Norwegian fleet will depend a lot on the type of traveler you are.

Norwegian has some vessels, such as Norwegian Encore, that are loaded with family-friendly attractions such as waterparks and go-kart tracks that are perfect for families with teens and tweens. To me, Norwegian Encore is an even better choice than Norwegian Prima for families with school-age kids.

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

Other Norwegian cruise ships, such as Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Sun, have specific features that might make them better options for solo travelers or retirees. Certain Norwegian ships are best for budget travelers, while others are best for luxury travelers.

In short, the best Norwegian cruise ship for you will depend on a bunch of factors, and which ship is best for a trip with your family might not be your top pick for a couple's cruise or girlfriends' getaway.

Here we list our top picks for the best Norwegian cruise ships for five different types of travelers.

Norwegian Encore: Best for families

The best Norwegian Cruise Line ships for families, hands down, are the four giant, activity-packed ships of its Breakaway-Plus class: Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape. Of these, Norwegian Encore — the biggest of them all — is our top pick.

At 169,116 tons and carrying 3,958 passengers, Norwegian Encore is the largest ship in the Norwegian fleet. That means it has the most space for the many over-the-top family fun zones that are at the core of the four Breakaway-Plus vessels — a series of ships that was specifically designed with families in mind.

For starters, Norwegian Encore is home to some of the most thrilling waterslides at sea, as well as a kiddie splash zone that will have your little ones squealing with delight. But those are just the appetizers when it comes to family fun on the top deck of the ship.

Norwegian Encore is also the setting for one of the biggest go-kart racing tracks at sea . (Yes, this is a thing — Norwegian debuted the concept on its Breakaway-Plus-class ships and now has a go-kart track on five vessels.) Two decks high and nearly 1,150 feet long, the Norwegian Encore Speedway includes four sections that extend up to 13 feet over the sides of the vessel. The racecourse also features a middle-of-the-track observation area where your family and friends can cheer you on to victory — and even shoot you with "lasers" that'll give you a boost of power.

Related: The 5 best cruise lines for families

In addition, Norwegian Encore has a large laser tag area on its top deck (one that I can tell you from personal experience is a blast) and a massive indoor gaming and virtual reality zone called the Galaxy Pavilion. Both are tween and teen favorites.

That's all on top of dedicated children's play areas, pools and family-friendly entertainment that will keep your family busy from morning to night.

In short, there are so many family-friendly things to do on Norwegian Encore that you and your kids likely won't be able to do it all in a single, weeklong cruise.

Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva: Best for luxury lovers

Luxury lovers have two new top choices in the Norwegian fleet: Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva .

Unveiled in 2022 and 2023, respectively, the 3,195-passenger vessels are the first entrants in a new class of Norwegian ships that the line has designed to be more upscale than its earlier vessels. An "elevation" of the brand is how executives describe it.

The upscale turn included loading Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva with the largest variety of suites and high-end cabins (13 categories in all) of any ships in the NCL fleet, including the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel. If it's swanky digs you're after (and you have the money to spend), you'll find plenty of options on these ships.

Extra suite categories are just the start of what makes Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva the best Norwegian cruise ships for luxury lovers.

Notably, the entire back of each of these ships is dedicated to an upscale luxury zone for the fancy set called The Haven. Rising eight decks high, it's home to 107 of the aforementioned suites, a sprawling private indoor lounge area, private outdoor lounge and pool areas, and a private restaurant — all exclusively for the use of the deep-pocketed biggies who pay up for one of its suites.

Related: The 8 best cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

We've seen these private The Haven suite areas on Norwegian ships before but never on this scale. If it's living large on a Norwegian ship that's your goal, you're not going to find anything better than this.

Outside of The Haven, other areas on these ships have a more elegant feel of the sort you find in the fleets of Norwegian's higher-end sister brands, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — albeit on a bigger scale.

The entryway to each of these ships, for instance, deposits you at the three-story-high Penrose Atrium, which may be the most beautiful atrium of any big ship at sea. It has a curvy, sculptural feel as if the entire space were an art piece.

It's a look that carries over to a bevy of high-end eateries, including Nama, a new-for-Norwegian sushi restaurant with a design that is as sophisticated as the sushi it serves. Also striking is the look of a version of Le Bistro, Norwegian's signature French eatery, that can be found on both of these vessels. Both of the spaces are built around three massive crystal chandeliers costing nearly $100,000 that hang down to the floor — a showstopper of a design element. Gold-leaf wallpaper lines its booth seating.

Notably, the public areas that include these restaurants feel more spacious than many of the other ships in the Norwegian fleet. Indeed, they are. Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva were built with a higher ratio of space to passengers than earlier Norwegian vessels, which itself is an upscale touch. The ships also have a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than many Norwegian ships, leading to better service.

In short, these are the Norwegian ships to book when you want to take things up a notch.

Norwegian Sky: Best for budget travelers

Norwegian Sky is the Norwegian ship to pick when you're looking for a low-cost, easy-to-do getaway — at least in the summer months.

Based in Miami for part of the year, the 24-year-old vessel operates a mix of short three- to five-night voyages to the Bahamas out of the cruise hub as well as longer trips to the Caribbean from spring to fall that have one thing in common: They're unusually affordable on a per-night basis.

In many cases, Norwegian Sky sailings out of Miami will start under $100 a day per person, though it depends on the week and pricing for sailings can vary significantly. We sometimes see the ship's shorter sailings starting as low as $249 per person for the entire cruise.

Indeed, the ship often is at the top of the list when you sort cruises by lowest price on Norwegian's website.

For would-be Norwegian cruisers, Norwegian Sky's shorter sailings out of Miami serve as a sort of "test the line" opportunity. Their short time frame and low pricing mean you're not out a lot in time or money if you don't love it as much as you hoped. These shorter sailings cater heavily to first-time cruisers and Florida locals who can book on short notice and drive into the port for a quick escape.

One of two ships in the line's Sun class that date to the turn of the millennium, Norwegian Sky is far from the snazziest ship in the Norwegian fleet. This is both because of its age but also its size. At 77,104 tons and carrying 1,944 passengers, it's just half the size of Norwegian's biggest ships and has far fewer venues, from bars and restaurants to entertainment spaces. There is no giant water park on its top deck or a go-kart track to keep the kids busy all day, so it's not the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for families.

Related: The 8 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained

That said, Norwegian Sky has its allures, one of which is that it has a much more intimate feel than the line's bigger vessels. It's a great choice for adults on a budget who are satisfied with the basics.

Norwegian Epic: Best for solo travelers

When it comes to the best Norwegian cruise ship for solo travelers, one ship stands out above all the others: Norwegian Epic.

Unveiled in 2010, Norwegian Epic caters to solo travelers like no other large cruise ship at sea — from any line, not just Norwegian — with an unusually large private zone for solo travelers that has its own two-story lounge for solo mixers as well as special solo cabins.

Tucked away in the middle of the ship, this "studio" zone is essentially a private escape for solos, with more solo cabins — 128 — than you'll find on any other ship at sea.

The cabins measure just 100 square feet but are superbly designed to maximize storage space. They're also clustered around the exclusive Studio Lounge, which has its own private bar and a television area where solo travelers can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings.

Only solos staying in the solo cabins (via keycards) can access the Studio Lounge, meaning that you and your new solo friends will have the place to yourselves.

Related: The best cruise lines for solo travelers

Norwegian Epic was the first Norwegian ship with an exclusive solos zone, and it was such a hit the line later added them to eight more vessels. But none of the latter zones are as big as the one on Norwegian Epic.

The bigger Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss all have an 82-cabin solo complex, while two older ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — have solo areas with 59 cabins. The line's two newest vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian VIva, have 72-cabin solo complexes spread over two decks.

Norwegian also offers four solo cabins on its Hawaii-based Pride of America.

Having sailed in one of Norwegian Epic's cabins for one, I can confidently declare them among the coolest solo digs at sea. I particularly love the "Jetsons" futuristic-style design and the multicolored mood lighting.

One big caveat: They're all inside cabins without an ocean view, although most have a window that looks out onto a corridor.

Related: Why a windowless inside cabin isn't so bad

A bigger caveat, perhaps, is that these solo cabins have become so popular they often sell out far in advance and at prices that aren't much better than booking a cabin for two.

Norwegian Sun: Best for retirees

For older travelers looking for a Norwegian ship that isn't filled to the gills with children, Norwegian Sun is the perfect option.

Dating to 2001, Norwegian Sun is one of Norwegian's oldest and smallest vessels, and it lacks many of the family-focused onboard attractions that are typical for the line's newer and bigger vessels. You won't find big waterparks, go-kart racing tracks or laser tag zones on this ship.

Norwegian Sun's top deck mostly comprises sunning areas, with a single pool and whirlpools, as is typical for ships built more than two decades ago.

As a result, it draws far fewer families than most of the vessels mentioned above and caters more to an older crowd of mostly couples.

Norwegian Sun also is the ship that Norwegian deploys on some of its longest and most destination-focused itineraries, the type that particularly appeals to retirees looking to see more of the world.

Related: The 7 best cruises for seniors who love to travel

Over the next two years, for instance, Norwegian Sun is sailing lots of long voyages out of such less-common home ports as Benoa, Indonesia; Melbourne, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Papeete, Tahiti.

The sailings out of Papeete will offer the chance to visit such iconic French Polynesian islands as Bora Bora, Raiatea and Moorea. ia and Thailand in-depth, with departures ranging from 13 to 18 nights — the sort of cruise that appeals more to older couples than families.

The sailings in and out of Buenos Aires and Melbourne, all on the longer side, will offer in-depth explorations of the southern half of South America (Argentina, Uruguay and Chile) and New Zealand, respectively.

Norwegian Sun is also one of the smallest and least kid-focused of the five ships the line deploys to Alaska in summer, making it a good choice for retirees wanting to visit that destination. Families with kids naturally gravitate to the two giant, activity-packed vessels Norwegian sends to Alaska each summer — Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss.

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

At 78,309 tons, Norwegian Sun is less than half the size of the biggest Norwegian ships, and it holds just 1,878 passengers at double occupancy. (Compare that to more than 4,000 for Norwegian's biggest vessels.) Expect a far more intimate experience than what you'll find on most of the ships mentioned above.

Note that due to the ship's small size, some of Norwegian's signature features, including a private The Haven suite complex and solo cabins, aren't found on the ship. Still, you'll find more than half a dozen eateries, including several main dining rooms, a casual buffet, a diner-style pub, a steak house, an Italian trattoria and a French bistro as well as a showroom with nightly shows, a casino, a multipurpose basketball/volleyball court, golf driving nets and a jogging track.

Bottom line

Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet consists of 19 ships that come in a wide range of sizes and feature differing mixes of venues and activities. Some are jampacked with fun zones that make them perfect for families, while others are geared toward couples and retirees. Some ships have attributes that make them stand out for luxury, solo or budget travelers.

If you're considering a Norwegian cruise, it pays to study not just the itineraries that are available from the line but the specific ships that are operating the itineraries. You want to make sure you end up on the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for you.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• 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
• The 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• 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
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SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

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These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

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• Cruise Ships

AWARD-WINNING CRUISE SHIPS

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When you sail with Norwegian Cruise Line, you are cruising on the most innovative and accommodating fleet on the high seas. Our award-winning fleet was built for Freestyle, designed to give you freedom and flexibility. Choose your ship, choose your destination and step on board for the perfect holiday.

Explore Our Ships

Norwegian Aqua

Prima class.

• DESTINATIONS
• Northern Europe
• Ship 156,300 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,571 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2025 Year Built

Norwegian Bliss

Breakaway plus class.

• Transatlantic
• Panama Canal
• Extraordinary Journeys
• Ship 168,028 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,958 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2018

Norwegian Breakaway

Breakaway class.

• Mediterranean
• Canada & New England
• Ship 145,655 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,903 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2020 Refurbished Year Built 2013

Norwegian Dawn

• Greek Isles
• Ship 92,250 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,290 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2002

Norwegian Encore

• Ship 169,116 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3958 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2019 Year Built

Norwegian Epic

• Ship 155,873 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 4,070 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2020 Refurbished Year Built 2010

Norwegian Escape

• Ship 164,998 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 4,218 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2015

Norwegian Gem

Jewel class.

• Ship 93,530 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,344 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2007

Norwegian Getaway

• Year 2020 Refurbished Year Built 2014

Norwegian Jade

• South America
• Pacific Coastal
• Ship 93,558 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,352 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2006

Norwegian Jewel

• Ship 93,502 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,330 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 2005

Norwegian Joy

• Ship 167,725 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,776 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2024 Refurbished Year Built 2017

Norwegian Pearl

• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2006

Norwegian Prima

• Ship 143,535 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,099 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Year Built

Norwegian Sky

• Ship 77,104 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 1,944 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2024 Refurbished Year Built 1999

Norwegian Spirit

• Australia & New Zealand
• Ship 75,904 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 1,972 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2022 Refurbished Year Built 1998

Norwegian Star

• Ship 91,740 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,298 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2001

Norwegian Sun

• South Pacific
• Ship 78,309 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 1,878 Guest Capacity double occupancy

Norwegian Viva

• Ship 142,500 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 3,195 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Year 2023 Year Built

Pride of America

• Ship 80,439 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 2,150 Guest Capacity double occupancy

Source: Cruise Junkie dot Com Events at Sea by Norwegian Majesty ( ex-Royal Majesty, 1992-1997 - Majesty Cruises)

Bought by Louis Cruises and became Louis Majesty in December 2009

Events by Ship: Choose Ship Norwegian Crown (1988) Norwegian Dawn (2002) Norwegian Dream (1992) Norwegian Gem (2009) Norwegian Jade (2008) Norwegian Jewel (2005) Norwegian Majesty (1992) Norwegian Pearl (2006) Norwegian Sky (1999) Norwegian Spirit (1998) Norwegian Star (2001) Norwegian Sun (2001) Norwegian Wind Norway (1962)

Click here for Illness Outbreaks by Norwegian Majesty

Boston Cruise Guide > Cruise Lines > Norwegian Cruise Line > Majesty

Norwegian Majesty

The Norwegian Cruise Line Majesty used to offer cruises out of Boston. It doesn't anymore, and in fact the ship is not in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. It is now named the ms Thomson Majesty and is operated by Thomson Cruises in Europe.

The Majesty had casual Freestyle Cruising features. Passengers could choose from six international restaurants, lounge on deck by two outdoor pools and hot tubs, or work out at the 24-hour fitness center. Take in the entertainment of the Palace Theater, then try their luck at the Casino. A massage at the Bodywaves Spa will rejuvenated mind and body.

Please go to the up-to-date Norwegian cruises from Boston . Thank you.

ADVISORIES : Empties update – details here .

• Vessel Schedule

January 24, 2003

Norwegian cruise line adds charleston.

Norwegian Majesty set to sail a series of 24 seven-day cruises

January 24, 2003 - Today, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it would add Charleston, South Carolina to its rapidly expanding Homeland Cruising program. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will redeploy the Norwegian Majesty to the popular Southern city beginning Saturday, November 8, 2003. She will sail a series of 24 seven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean calling on George Town, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Mexico and Key West, Florida.

This full season of seven-day Caribbean cruises is the most expansive ever offered from the Port of Charleston demonstrating the commitment of NCL to expanding Homeland Cruising into new and innovative ports throughout the US and Canada. By offering these new cruises out of Charleston, NCL can cater to drive markets in nearby cities such as Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina; Asheville, Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah, Georgia.

With the addition of Charleston, NCL's popular Homeland Cruising program expands to 13 ports from which cruisers can go Freestyle Cruising .

"Our Homeland Cruising program keeps growing because it has really struck a chord with our travel partners and their clients," said Colin Veitch, chief executive officer and president of Norwegian Cruise Line. " Charleston is a vibrant, beautiful city and an ideal location on the East Coast for Norwegian Majesty, a favorite with NCL passengers."

"The Port of Charleston is excited about the opportunity to serve the Norwegian Majesty and the passengers that she will attract to our city," said Bernard S. Groseclose, Jr., president & CEO of South Carolina State Ports Authority. " Charleston is a world-class city and will be a perfect fit with NCL, which is clearly a world-class cruise line. NCL's commitment to Charleston is a welcome boost to the Charleston economy."

Following is Norwegian Majesty's new itinerary:

The 1,462-passenger Norwegian Majesty is one of NCL's 10 Freestyle Cruising ships and features six restaurants, The Palace Theatre, an Internet Cafe, Body Waves spa and fitness center, the Monte Carlo Casino and the Kids Korner children's center.

For further information on NCL, contact a travel agent or NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 327-7030; in Miami-Dade County, Fla., (305) 436-0866; visit NCL's web site at www.ncl.com; or on AOL at keyword: NCL; or to download high resolution photography visit www.ncl.com/hires .

Baltimore Cruise Guide > Cruise Lines > Norwegian Cruises > Norwegian Majesty

Norwegian Majesty

The Norwegian Majesty cruise ship no longer offers cruises from Baltimore. Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean now offer cruises out of Baltimore.

The Norwegian Majesty's many amenities include 6 international restaurants and many bars and lounges. Both of the main restaurants have panoramic views. Take in a show at the theater, gamble in the casino or spend some time in the spa. Stay in an economical inside stateroom or splurge on a suite.

Norwegian Majesty Cruises from Baltimore

The Norwegian Majesty doesn't offer any more Bermuda cruises out of Baltimore , or any others for that matter.