Best Norwegian Cruise Ship

With many contemporary and freestyle cruise ships to choose from, Norwegian Cruise Line offers an exciting array of options for discerning cruisers. Wondering which Norwegian ship is right for you? 

The ideal Norwegian Cruise Line ship for you may vary depending on your travel preferences. Norwegian offers a variety of ships tailored to different types of travelers. For families with teenagers and tweens, options like the Norwegian Encore, with family-friendly attractions like waterparks and go-kart tracks, might be more suitable.

Solo travelers or retirees seeking specific features may find ships like the Norwegian Epic or Norwegian Sun better suited to their needs. Norwegian also offers ships catering to budget-conscious travelers as well as those looking for a touch of luxury.

In essence, the best Norwegian cruise ship for you will hinge on several factors. What works best for a family vacation might not align with a couple's cruise or a getaway with friends. To assist you in choosing, we've compiled our top recommendations for the best Norwegian cruise ships based on five distinct traveler types.

Norwegian Epic: Best for solo travelers

When it comes to finding the best Norwegian cruise ship for solo travelers, Norwegian Epic takes the spotlight.

Launched in 2010, Norwegian Epic has gone the extra mile to cater to solo travelers, making it stand out not just within the Norwegian fleet but across the entire cruise industry. It boasts an exceptionally spacious private area exclusively designed for solo travelers, featuring a two-story lounge for solo meetups and dedicated solo cabins.

Located discreetly within the ship, this "studio" zone offers a private haven for solo travelers, comprising a remarkable 128 solo cabins—more than any other ship afloat. While these cabins are compact, measuring 100 square feet, they are thoughtfully designed to optimize storage space. They are conveniently clustered around the Studio Lounge, a private space equipped with its own bar and a communal TV area where solo travelers can gather during daily hosted happy hour events.

Access to the Studio Lounge is restricted to solo travelers staying in the dedicated solo cabins, ensuring an exclusive and intimate atmosphere for you and your fellow solo travelers.

Norwegian Epic pioneered the concept of exclusive solo zones on Norwegian ships, later adding them to six additional vessels in the fleet. However, none of these subsequent zones rival the scale of the one on Norwegian Epic.

However, it's worth noting that these solo cabins are all interior cabins without an ocean view, although some feature windows overlooking a corridor.

A word of caution: These solo cabins are in high demand and often book up well in advance, with prices that may not differ significantly from booking a double occupancy cabin.

Norwegian Prima: Best for luxury lovers

If you're a luxury enthusiast, you now have a new top choice in the Norwegian fleet: Norwegian Prima.

Launched in 2022, this 3,215-passenger vessel marks the debut of a more upscale class of Norwegian ships following suit this year. This marks a significant elevation of the brand.

Norwegian Prima stands out with its impressive range of suites, boasting 13 categories in total, including the largest three-bedroom suites on any new cruise vessel. If you're seeking luxurious accommodations and have the budget for it, you'll find ample choices on this ship.

What truly sets Norwegian Prima apart as the best Norwegian cruise ship for luxury enthusiasts is The Haven, an upscale luxury zone spanning the entire back of the ship. This space features 107 exclusive suites, a spacious private indoor lounge, private outdoor lounge and pool areas, and a dedicated restaurant, all reserved for guests in these suites.

While Norwegian has introduced private suite areas in the past, The Haven on Norwegian Prima is unprecedented in scale. If your goal is to experience the epitome of luxury on a Norwegian ship, you won't find anything better.

The ship's entrance leads to the striking Penrose Atrium, a three-story-high marvel that may well be the most beautiful atrium on any large ship. Its artistic, sculptural design creates an exquisite visual experience.

This elegant theme carries over to a range of high-end dining venues, including Nama, a new sushi restaurant known for its sophisticated design, and Norwegian Prima's rendition of Le Bistro, the signature French eatery, featuring stunning crystal chandeliers and opulent gold-leaf wallpaper.

Notably, the public areas, including these restaurants, offer a more spacious atmosphere compared to many other Norwegian ships, thanks to Norwegian Prima's higher space-to-passenger ratio, which reflects its upscale approach. The ship also maintains a superior crew-to-passenger ratio, ensuring a higher level of service.

In essence, when you're ready to elevate your cruise experience, Norwegian Prima is the ship to choose.

Norwegian Encore: Best for families

As the largest ship in the Norwegian fleet, Norwegian Encore, with its 169,145-ton size and capacity for 3,998 passengers, offers ample space for an array of family-friendly activities. These ships were purposefully designed with families in mind, and Norwegian Encore takes the lead.

On the top deck, you'll find thrilling waterslides and a kiddie splash zone, perfect for the little ones. But the excitement doesn't stop there. Norwegian Encore boasts one of the largest go-kart racing tracks at sea, spanning two decks and nearly 1,150 feet long. With sections extending beyond the ship's sides and a central observation area for cheering and interactive "laser" boosts, it's a high-speed adventure.

Additionally, Norwegian Encore features a generous laser tag arena and the Galaxy Pavilion, an expansive indoor gaming and virtual reality zone loved by tweens and teens. Complementing these attractions are dedicated children's play areas, pools, and family-oriented entertainment, ensuring non-stop fun from sunrise to sunset.

In summary, Norwegian Encore offers a plethora of  family-friendly activities that make it difficult to experience everything in a single weeklong cruise with your kids.

Norwegian Sky: Best for budget travelers

When seeking an affordable and straightforward getaway, Norwegian Sky stands out as your choice, especially during the summer season.

Based in Miami for a significant portion of the year, this 24-year-old vessel offers a range of short voyages to the Bahamas and longer Caribbean trips from spring to fall. The common thread among these options is their exceptional affordability on a per-night basis.

For many sailings departing from Miami, Norwegian Sky often starts at under $100 per person per day, although rates may vary depending on the week. In some instances, shorter sailings on the ship can be found for as low as $249 per person for the entire cruise.

Notably, Norwegian Sky frequently ranks at the top of Norwegian's cruise listings when sorted by the lowest price on the company's website.

For prospective Norwegian cruisers, the shorter sailings offered by Norwegian Sky from Miami present an ideal opportunity to test the waters. With their brief duration and budget-friendly pricing, they allow you to explore the cruise experience without a significant time or financial commitment. These shorter voyages cater to first-time cruisers and Florida residents who can book on short notice and easily access the port for a quick escape.

As one of the two ships in the Sun class, dating back to the early 2000s, Norwegian Sky may not boast the same level of luxury and amenities as the newer and larger ships in the Norwegian fleet. With a tonnage of 77,104 and a capacity for 2,002 passengers, it is considerably smaller and offers fewer venues, including bars, restaurants, and entertainment spaces. Unlike the larger ships, it lacks features like a water park or go-kart track, making it less suitable for family travel.

However, Norwegian Sky's appeal lies in its intimate atmosphere, which sets it apart from the larger vessels in the fleet. It serves as an excellent choice for budget-conscious adults who prioritize simplicity and the essentials in their cruise experience.

Norwegian Sun: Best for retirees

If you're an older traveler seeking a Norwegian cruise ship that offers a quieter, child-free experience, Norwegian Sun is an excellent choice.

Dating back to 2001, Norwegian Sun is one of Norwegian's older and more compact vessels, distinguishing itself from the newer, larger ships in the fleet by lacking many of the family-oriented attractions commonly found onboard. This means you won't encounter extensive waterparks, go-kart tracks, or laser tag zones on this ship.

The ship's top deck primarily consists of sunning areas, featuring a single pool and whirlpools, in line with the design of ships built over two decades ago. Consequently, Norwegian Sun tends to attract fewer families and caters more to an older crowd, primarily couples.

Notably, Norwegian Sun is often chosen for extended and destination-focused itineraries, particularly appealing to retirees seeking immersive travel experiences. Over the next two years, the ship is set to embark on extended voyages from less common home ports. 

Norwegian Sun is also among the smaller and less family-oriented ships deployed to Alaska during the summer season, making it a preferred choice for retirees interested in this destination. 

With a tonnage of 78,309 and a capacity of 1,976 passengers at double occupancy—less than half the size of Norwegian's largest ships—Norwegian Sun offers a more intimate cruising experience compared to the ships mentioned earlier.

However, it's important to note that due to its smaller size, some signature Norwegian features like the private The Haven suite complex and solo cabins are not available on this ship. Nevertheless, you'll find a variety of dining options, including multiple main dining rooms, a casual buffet, a diner-style pub, a steakhouse, an Italian trattoria, and a French bistro. Additionally, the ship offers a showroom with nightly performances, a casino, a multipurpose basketball/volleyball court, golf driving nets, and a jogging track to keep you engaged during your voyage.

Conclusion

In the quest to find the best Norwegian cruise ship tailored to your preferences, it's clear that the Norwegian fleet offers a diverse range of options, each catering to different travel styles and interests. Whether you're a solo adventurer seeking the unique solo traveler experience aboard Norwegian Epic, a luxury enthusiast desiring the upscale ambiance of Norwegian Prima, or an older traveler in pursuit of a more tranquil journey aboard Norwegian Sun, there's a perfect cruise ship waiting for you. And when it comes to booking your dream cruise seamlessly and uncovering the best cruise deals, look no further than our platform, Cruisebound. We're here to make your online cruise booking smooth and hassle-free, with no extra fees.