What is the latest Norwegian cruise ship? Knowing the answer is more important than the Norwegian cruise you plan.
The latest Norwegian cruise ships are also often Norwegian ships, with the most modern and latest cabins as well as the most attractive restaurants, bars and attractions. If you want to make the Norwegian fleet’s Creme de la Creme as your floating home away from home, this is the right choice.
Currently, the latest Norwegian cruise ship is Norwegian water, followed by Norwegian Viva. They are the third and second of the new Norwegian ships, respectively, which will debut in 2022 on the arrival of Norwegian. Specifically, Norwegian Water belongs to the Prima Plus class of the series, which is a subclass of the Prima class, which means it is 10% larger than its two big sisters.
Other relatively new Norwegian cruise ships include Norway, Norwegian happiness and Norwegian joy. Over the past decade, everyone has begun sailing.
The Norwegians operate a total of 20 cruise ships. On average, this line has about one new ship every 18 months; it usually keeps the ship between 20 and 30 years before retiring. The oldest Norwegian cruise ship, Norwegian Spirit, is 26 years old.
Norway’s newest ships are usually much larger, and the amenities are larger than older ships. If you are eager to do a lot of activities during your Norwegian cruise vacation, you will want to stick to the ships built in 2010 or later.
Related: 9 categories of Norwegian cruise ships, explains
In many cases, the oldest cruise ship of Norwegian Cruise Company, built in the 1990s and early 2000s, is only half the latest ships on the line, and there are fewer venues on board. Nevertheless, even these smaller vessels offer many attractions, compared to some of the boats on the line of competition.
Here is a list of every Norwegian cruise ship currently in operation, from the latest to the oldest.
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1. Norwegian water
Girls Sailing: 2025
size: 156,300 tons
Passenger capacity: 3,571
2. Norway Viva
Girls Sailing:2023
size: 143,535 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:3,099
3. Norwegian
Girls Sailing:2022
size: 143,535 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:3,099
4. Norwegian champion
Girls Sailing:2019
size: 169,116 Tonnes
Passenger capacity: 3,998
5. Norwegian happiness
Girls Sailing:2018
size: 168,028 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:4,004
6. The joy of Norway
Girls Sailing:2017
size: 167,725 Tonnes
Passenger capacity: 3,804
7. Norwegian Escape
Girls Sailing:2015
size: 164,998 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:4,266
8. Vacations in Norway
Girls Sailing:2014
size: 145,655 Tonnes
Passenger capacity: 3,963
9. Norway separation
Girls Sailing:2013
size: 145,655 Tonnes
Passenger capacity: 3,963
10. Norwegian epic
Girls Sailing:2010
size: 155,873 Tonnes
Passenger capacity: 4,100
11. Norwegian gemstones
Girls Sailing:2007
size: 93,530 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:2,394
12. Norwegian pearls
Girls Sailing:2006
size: 93,530 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:2,394
13. Norwegian Jade
Girls Sailing:2006
size: 93,558 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:2,402
14. Norwegian Jewelry
Girls Sailing:2005
size: 93,502 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:2,376
15. American Pride
Girls Sailing:2005
size: 80,439 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:2,186
16. Dawn of Norway
Girls Sailing:2002
size: 92,250 Tonnes
Passenger capacity: 2,340
17. Norwegian Star
Girls Sailing:2001
size: 91,740 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:2,348
18. Norwegian sun
Girls Sailing:2001
size: 78,309 Tonnes
Passenger capacity: 1,936
19. Norwegian sky
Girls Sailing:1999
size: 77,104 Tons
Passenger capacity: 2,004
20. Norwegian Spirit
Girls Sailing:1998
size: 75,904 Tonnes
Passenger capacity:2,032
What is the latest Norwegian cruise ship?
The latest Norwegian cruise ship is Norwegian Water Aviation, which takes a maiden sail in late March 2025. Size 156,300 tons and carrying 3,571 passengers to double occupancy, which is a slightly larger evolution of Norway’s Prima class, which will roll into 2028.
Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima (the first two ships in the Prima class) are especially smaller than other new Norwegian cruise ships unveiled in the past 15 years, but they still have nearly more restaurants, bars, showrooms, showrooms and top attractions than larger containers.
TPG sailed on the virgin seafaring of Norway Viva and Norway Prima and covered them extensively. For more information on the vessel, see the following guides and comments:
What is the oldest Norwegian cruise ship?
The oldest Norwegian cruise ship is the spirit of Norway. Unveiled in 1998, it is not only the oldest Norwegian cruise ship, but also the smallest Norwegian cruise ship, far smaller than the latest Norwegian ship. The Norwegian Spirit’s 75,904 tons are less than half of the recently announced Norwegian champion, and it carries only 1,966 passengers, about 2,000 more people than the Norwegian large-scale.
The Norwegian spirit is to some extent smaller, with fewer (but still many) places and attractions than the new Norwegian ships. Overall, you’ll find 13 food stores about the spirit of Norwegian, including two major restaurants, a casual buffet restaurant, as well as the series’ iconic Cagney’s steakhouse and the French-style version of Le Bistro. There are over six bars and cafes.
Top attractions in Norway’s Spirit include several swimming pools, whirlpools, slides, basketball courts and jogging tracks. The boat also features a casino, a spa, a nightclub and a theater.
Which new Norwegian cruise ships are coming?
Norwegian Cruise Company currently has 7 new cruise ships, more than any other major cruise brand. They include three more ships in this Prima class series, which are available in 2026, 2027 and 2028 respectively.
Related: The Final Guide to Norwegian Cruise Ships and Itinerary
These three upcoming Prima-class vessels will be a little bigger than the first two 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, larger fuel tanks (a clean-burning fuel) that can accommodate methanol.
In addition to the upcoming Prima-class ships, the Norwegians have ordered four giant new vessels that are scheduled to begin sailing between 2030 and 2036.
A new series of ships that have not been named will be about 200,000 tons, which will make them about 18% larger than the current largest ships in the Norwegian fleet.
The four large ships are scheduled to be completed and ready for navigation in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036 respectively.
Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri will order all seven ships currently in the Norwegian cruise line brand.
What are the latest Norwegian cruise ships available for booking?
Norwegian Aqua is the latest Norwegian cruise ship you can book now. At the time of publication, its voyage can be booked until April 2026. The seven new ships ordered have not been made publicly.
What is the latest class for Norwegian cruise?
Prima class is the latest Norwegian ship. Currently, there are only three ships on the shift you can sail – Norwegian Water, Norwegian Viagra and Norwegian. The course will eventually consist of at least six ships.
The series is destined to expand Norway’s footprint in the cruise business on a large scale, which would significantly change the brand if everything goes as planned. The line currently operates 20 ships around the world. Assuming it won’t retire any old ships in the next few years, it will increase to 23 ships in 2028 and add three Prima-class ships.
The 143,535 tons of the Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima are smaller than the Norwegian fleet in recent years. The line is about 18% before adding two vessels (the Norwegian champion built in 2019) than the Norwegian Viva and Norwegian.
Norwegian executives say the new Prima class vessels are smaller in size and can offer more options for design trips. These vessels are able to enter smaller ports around the world, rather than larger Norwegian vessels. However, Norwegian waters are about 10% higher than the first two ships in the Prima class. The next three new builds will also be greater than the first two of the class.
What is the difference between newer Norwegian cruise ships?
Newer ships on Norway’s cruise routes are usually larger – sometimes larger than older Norwegian ships. As a result, they have more space on board and on attractions than older boats on the line.
On Norway’s relatively new classification boats (Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape) you’ll find multiple pools, water skiing lines and a kid’s splash zone, as well as on most boats – a sprawling Go-Kart Racing track. Each boat also offers large, state-of-the-art theatre performances, as well as a casino with half the deck, dedicated children’s play area and a casino with over 2,000 cabins.
Additionally, the two newest ships in this series, Norway’s Encore and Norwegian Joy, have large gaming and virtual reality areas called Galaxy Pavilion.
In short, they are like the giant relief versions you find in the Orlando and Las Vegas area, and they appeal to those who like the experience.
Related: 5 Best Destinations You Can Visit on Norwegian Cruise Ship
In many cases, Norway’s oldest ship is about half the latest ships on the line and many of the above-mentioned features are missing. They felt much less and were much less crowded at least in the pantheon of relatively large mass market ships. While the Breakaway Plus class vessel can accommodate about 4,000 passengers, the oldest ship on the line aims to carry about 2,000 passengers when occupancy is made.
Norway’s oldest boat is just a great option for vacationers who want to try Norwegians but don’t want to travel with the crowd. Therefore, the oldest ships in the Norwegian cruise line fleet attracted a portion of Norwegian fans who prefer to be closer on the cruise ship and do not mind giving up some of the amenities on board to understand this. Every day, they are usually cheap, too.
Related: Guide to the Latitude Reward Loyalty Program for Norwegian Cruise Company
Due to their size, Norway’s oldest ships can operate the itinerary where large ships are not so easy to visit. Not all ports around the world can handle Norwegian stress-sized ships.
Please note that all Norwegian ships are frequently renovated and upgraded, so even the oldest Norwegian cruise ships have updated carpets, updated furniture, modern cottage decor and other updates. In many cases, their restaurants and bars have been completely renovated over the years, making their first debut on a new boat concept.
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