NCL Cruises Overview: Classes, Ships & Facts
Cruise lines group their ships by class. NCL has seven main classes plus three stand‑alone vessels. Let’s explore them.
📌 Prima & Prima Plus Class
These are NCL’s newest ships. They offer generous outdoor decks, unique slides, and go‑kart tracks.
✓ Norwegian Prima (2022)
- Gross tonnage ~142,500 GT.
- Capacity ~3,099 passengers.
- Built by Fincantieri in Italy.
- Cruises: Europe, transatlantic, Caribbean.
✓ Norwegian Viva (2023)
- Same size class. Capacity ~3,215.
- Built in Italy.
- Launch itineraries: Mediterranean and Caribbean.
✓ Norwegian Aqua (2025)
- A “Prima Plus” subclass, ~156,000 GT. Capacity ~3,571.
- Built in Italy.
- Cruises: Caribbean.
(Norwegian Luna arrives in 2026 in same subclass.)
🚢 Breakaway Plus Class
These are mega‑resorts. Large, full of entertainment.
- Norwegian Encore (2019) – ~169,145 GT, ~3,998 passengers. Largest NCL ship. Offers Galaxy Pavilion VR/gaming deck.
- Norwegian Bliss (2018) – ~168,028 GT, ~4,002 passengers. Features outdoor race track.
- Norwegian Joy (2017) – ~167,725 GT, ~3,883 passengers. Built for Asia, now sailing Alaska.
- Norwegian Escape (2015) – ~164,600 GT, ~4,266 passengers. Largest water park in fleet, ropes course.
🚤 Breakaway Class
Two slightly smaller sister ships (no go‑karts but ropes and mini‑golf).
- Norwegian Breakaway (2013) – ~145,655 GT, ~3,963 pax. Introduced top‑deck entertainment zones.
- Norwegian Getaway (2014) – same specs as Breakaway. Offers family amenities.
🎭 Epic Class (single ship)
- Norwegian Epic (2010) – ~155,873 GT, ~4,100 passengers. Unique curved‑balcony cabins, tube‑and‑bowl slide, bowling alley, and ice bar. Only vessel of its class.
🔹 Jewel Class
Four mid‑size ships ~93,500 GT, ~2,400 passengers each.
- Norwegian Jewel (2005)
- Norwegian Jade (2006)
- Norwegian Pearl (2006)
- Norwegian Gem (2007)
They offer climbing walls, occasional waterslides, and traditional NCL entertainment.
🌅 Dawn Class
Two ships ~92,000 GT, ~2,340 passengers.
- Norwegian Dawn (2002)
- Norwegian Star (2001)
🌞 Sun Class
Small ships ~77,000‑78,000 GT, ~1,928‑1,976 passengers. Used for more intimate cruises.
- Norwegian Sky (1999)
- Norwegian Sun (2001)
⭐ Spirit Class (single ship)
- Norwegian Spirit (1998) – ~75,904 GT, ~2,018 passengers. Smallest and oldest NCL vessel.
⚙️ Technical Snapshot
| Class | Ships | Year Range | Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prima / Prima Plus | Prima, Viva, Aqua … | 2022–2025 | 142,500–156,000 GT | 3,099–3,571 |
| Breakaway Plus | Escape, Bliss, Joy, Encore | 2015–2019 | ~164k–169k GT | ~3,883–4,266 |
| Breakaway | Breakaway, Getaway | 2013–2014 | ~145,655 GT | ~3,963 |
| Epic | Epic (solo) | 2010 | ~155,873 GT | ~4,100 |
| Jewel | Jewel, Jade, Pearl, Gem | 2005–2007 | ~93,500 GT | ~2,400 |
| Dawn | Dawn, Star | 2001–2002 | ~92 k GT | ~2,340 |
| Sun | Sky, Sun | 1999–2001 | ~77–78 k GT | ~1,930 |
| Spirit | Spirit | 1998 | 75,904 GT | ~2,018 |
🧩 Notable Stories & Incidents
🔨 Norwegian Breakaway
Passed through a “bomb cyclone” in January 2018. Massive waves flooded cabins. Cruise was cut short. Guests sued; NCL apologized.
⚠️ Norwegian Dawn
In April 2024, NCL left eight passengers behind in São Tomé for returning late. This included a pregnant woman and a heart patient. NCL reimbursed their return costs; incident sparked debate.
⚓ Norwegian Sky
Ran aground near Québec during inaugural voyage in 1999. Also in 2001, an autopilot error caused a list that injured over 78 guests.
⚙️ Norwegian Star
Multiple azipod propulsion failures (2004, 2015–17) caused route disruptions and itinerary changes. Docking wake damage hit NYC’s Intrepid museum in 2012.
🚑 Norwegian Getaway
Lawsuit filed in March 2024 over delayed medical care aboard the vessel that allegedly led to a passenger’s death.
In separate cases: slip and fall injuries on pool decks reported aboard Aqua, Escape, etc.
🌬️ Norwegian Epic & others
In June 2025, a strong wind incident in Sicily caused Epic to break from moorings. A passenger fell overboard but survived.
🚬 Escape Crew Incident
In June 2017, crew members aboard Norwegian Escape were arrested in Belize for attempting to smuggle 2 kg of cocaine.
🧠 Interesting Highlights
- Breakaway story: Breakaway plus class introduced top‑deck attractions including go‑kart tracks, waterfront walkways, and family zones. First for NCL.
- Epic’s uniqueness: Only Epic‑class ship. Its unusual cabin designs and rare attractions made it a one‑off.
- Pride of America: U.S.‑flagged and only NCL ship designed solely for Hawaiian itineraries. Operates year‑round with U.S. crew and themed interiors.
✅ Final Thoughts
NCL’s fleet spans vessels from compact small ships to floating mega‑resorts. Each class serves a different cruising style:
- Prima = modern upscale
- Breakaway Plus = family resort
- Epic = unique one‑off experiences
- Older classes = midsize, familiar comfort
However entertaining these ships may be, the record includes serious incidents—from medical negligence suits to dock‑breaking storms.
This balanced overview helps you present both the glamorous side and the operational realities behind the NCL fleet.
