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The cabins, ranging from the luxurious Haven suites to the cozy inside cabins, cater to every traveler’s preference. 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.
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While all NCL ships offer a luxury experience, the cost can vary based on the ship’s age, itinerary, and cabin type. We rank the best Norwegian Cruise Line ships, taking into account what each of these vessels offer. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sea traveler, this post will help you find the best Norwegian Cruise Line ship for your vacation. 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. The cabins measure just 100 square feet but are superbly designed to maximize storage space.
Norwegian Sun: Best for retirees
Certain Norwegian ships are best for budget travelers, while others are best for luxury travelers. The ships are slightly smaller and feel a lot less crowded, which really helps to accentuate the modern and minimalist design choices too – this feels like a really premium ship compared to the rest of the fleet. But that doesn’t mean a compromise on features – guests love the VR gaming, go-karts and range of restaurants even if most things come with an extra charge. In part because of its smaller size, Norwegian Spirit offers fewer venues and attractions than newer Norwegian vessels, but it still offers a lot.
What is the average cost of a Norwegian Cruise Line ship?
So join me as we set sail on a journey through the NCL fleet, and discover which ship is the perfect fit for your next cruise vacation. To ensure you end up on the right Norwegian Cruise Line ship for you, it pays to understand which Norwegian Cruise Line ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking. The smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ships are best for vacationers who like a less crowded, more intimate resort experience. The Wanderlust Project is a website that offers all the info you need for your next cruise trips. With over 7 years of experience in the cruise industry, she brings a blend of insightful reporting and firsthand cruising knowledge. While the ship’s amenities are crucial, the destinations it sails to are equally important.
Are bigger Norwegian Cruise Line ships coming?
As I set sail on my first Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) adventure, I couldn’t help but feel like a bird soaring through the open sky. The bright blue ocean stretched out in front of me like an endless horizon, and the warm sun beamed down on my face. Unveiled in 1998, Norwegian Spirit is not only the smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship but also the oldest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. At 25 years old, it's likely to be phased out of the Norwegian fleet in the coming years. Here, every Norwegian Cruise Line ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.
The Best Cruises in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards - Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Cruises in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards.
Posted: Tue, 03 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Dining Preferences
And this is why people love it – the ship itself is nothing too special, although people do enjoy the quieter atmosphere and the extra space offered by hosting fewer guests. That’s helped by the shorter itineraries – Norwegian Sky specialises in 3-5 day cruising. It’s a ship that is super lively, has great food and overall just feels like a classic short break cruise experience, without a load of fancy bells and whistles. This tells you that Encore’s slight shift in focus to maximising family areas isn’t as important as the adults-only spaces that Bliss has. It’s still a very popular ship – and people do love the exclusive Onda restaurant – but most cruisers prefer that extra adults-only space that Bliss has in comparison. Another of the popular mid-sized Gem Class ships, Norwegian Pearl scores slightly lower than her sister the Norwegian Jewel but she is still very popular among cruise passengers.
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The key unique features are extra open spaces on deck and a focus on even better service, with a higher staff-to-guest ratio ensuring you never have to wait for everything. Reading the reviews, the negative comments are mainly those levelled at the cruise line as a whole – disorganisation at ports, the expense of paying extra for so much on-board, and pre-cruise service. So it feels a little harsh that this exciting, feature-packed ship is nearer the bottom of the list.
What is the dress code for Norwegian Cruise Line ships?
And when you’re craving food, there’s a choice of three Main Dining Rooms, a buffet restaurant, and a 24-hour pub. If you’re in the mood for something different, there are 13 other eateries offering everything from Mexican to Texas-style barbecue. Launched in April 2018 and refurbished in 2021, Norwegian Bliss offer passengers a memorable cruising experience. We were impressed with the range of cabin layouts, from one-person Studios to The Haven villas, penthouses, and suites. If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, The Haven accommodations come with perks like private sun decks, king-sized beds, and 24-hour butler service. 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.
Depending on your preference, you can choose a NCL ship that’s just right for you. If you’re exploring other cruise lines, we’ve also put together a list of the best Princess Cruise ships and best Royal Caribbean Cruise ships. Because of their smaller size, they have a much more intimate feel, at least when compared to the biggest cruise ships at Norwegian and other mass-market lines, and they hold far fewer people.
Norwegian Encore is also the setting for one of the biggest go-kart racing tracks at sea. 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. It depends on you, your preference for cruising style, and who you’re sailing with.
The world's fourth-biggest cruise line also has quite a few relatively small cruise ships that carry just 2,000 or so people and provide a more intimate feel. In some cases, these vessels are just half the size of Norwegian Cruise Line's biggest ships. These are vessels that, notably, have fewer deck-top activities and interior venues than the biggest Norwegian cruise ships.
According to reviews and our testing methodology, the best NCL ship is Norwegian Bliss. But ultimately, the best ship for you depends on your preference and taste. The newer ships offer a lot of features and activities, so they’re great for families. But if you want somewhat quiet and a classic cruising experience, older ships can be a lot of fun too.
So sit back and enjoy reading about the NCL cruise ships that people love and what makes them so special. At 169,116 tons, Norwegian Encore is bigger than all but 21 other cruise ships in the world, 15 of which are operated by the three lines mentioned above. Introduced in 2019, the Norwegian Encore has quickly become a favorite among cruisers. This ship is a celebration of the arts, with the Tony Award®-winning musical “Kinky Boots” headlining its entertainment lineup. The Haven suites, with their spacious layouts and dedicated butler service, are a an excellent choice for those who want an upscale experience. For adults who want a varied cruise, the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are much newer, have a lot more to do, and feel like a luxury resort.
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. Let’s start with the positives – Norwegian Epic is a ship that has something for everyone. It is packed with live entertainment, fun activities including bowling, some great water slides and a lot of restaurant choices. Norwegian Sky is the longest-serving and smallest ship in the NCL fleet but it’s still really popular with guests. Don’t expect a huge amount of attractions, but that’s made up for with a really packed schedule of entertainment from the moment you step onboard, right until your last morning.
Meanwhile, Norwegian Escape excels in providing a premium ship experience with its upscale dining options and elegant design. They have the biggest spas and casinos among vessels in the Norwegian fleet and the most cabins and suites — as well as the most variation in suite and cabin types. The Norwegian Jade, with its unique Mediterranean offerings, stands out in the NCL lineup. The ship’s Courtyard Villas, offering private pools and sundecks, are a luxury offering.
It’s a smaller ship in the fleet, so better suited to adults who want a more relaxing break. Passengers are also loyal to Gem and will cruise on her regularly after their first. Norwegian Pearl also reviews really well from guests of the various themed cruises that take place on-board, often completely chartering the ship. But the number one recurring comment in the reviews is the service, which apparently is exceptional. Key to that is their fleet, which includes a mix of smaller ships well-suited to a more relaxing break, and some of the more modern ships that are loaded with exciting attractions. NCL is a cruise line that’s great for families and younger travellers looking to enjoy a cruise packed with variety, good food and great destinations.
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