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.