Norwegian Cruise Line’s Newest Ship & Fleet: From Newest to Oldest

If you’re curious about the newest ship on Norwegian Cruise Line, what it offers, and how NCL’s fleet stacks up from newest to oldest, you’ve come to the right place. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has been steadily updating its ships, adding new technologies, amenities, and designs. In this guide, you’ll find:

• What’s new with NCL’s latest ships
• How ships compare (age, size, capacity)
• Features that distinguish the newest class
• A full “newest to oldest” list so you can see where each ship fits

What is NCL’s Newest Ship?

As of 2025, Norwegian Aqua is the newest ship in active service.

• Name: Norwegian Aqua
• Class: Prima-Plus class (an evolution of NCL’s Prima class)
• Delivery / Inauguration: Set to enter service in April 2025.
• Key Stats: Around 156,300 gross tons, capacity for ~3,571 guests (double occupancy).

What’s New & Special About Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Aqua brings several firsts and upgrades for NCL:

• The Aqua Slidecoaster: A hybrid rollercoaster + water slide spread over a few decks, offering dual slide courses.
• Glow Court: A digital, interactive sports court with LED flooring that can transform into evening entertainment.
• Expanded outdoor public spaces and more deck area compared to earlier Prima ships.
• Higher staffing levels, more guest-amenities, new suites, updated dining and lounges.

So in short: Norwegian Aqua is currently the newest, most modern ship in the NCL fleet, with upgraded features, more guest capacity, and newer design innovations.

Also, just announced is Norwegian Luna, set to debut in 2026. It’s the next Prima-Plus class ship, sister-ship to Aqua, with about a 10% increase in size and capacity over the original Prima / Viva ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships: Fleet List from Newest to Oldest (2025)

Here’s a “newest to oldest” ranking of NCL’s ships (active and most recent) as of mid-2025. It covers major ones; older ones may have been retired or sold.

Rank	Ship Name	Year Launched / In Service	Class	Gross Tonnage & Approx. Guest Cap.
1	Norwegian Aqua	2025	Prima-Plus	~156,300 GT, ~3,571 guests
2	Norwegian Viva	2023	Prima	~143,535 GT
3	Norwegian Prima	2022	Prima	~142,500-143,500 GT
4	Norwegian Encore	2019	Breakaway Plus	~169,000 GT, just under 4,000 guests
5	Norwegian Bliss	2018	Breakaway Plus	~168,000 GT
6	Norwegian Joy	2017	Breakaway Plus	~167,700 GT
7	Norwegian Escape	2015	Breakaway Plus	~164,998 GT
8	Norwegian Getaway	2014	Breakaway	~146,655 GT
9	Norwegian Breakaway	2013	Breakaway	~145,655 GT
10	Norwegian Epic	2010	Epic	~155,873 GT
…	Older Ships	Earlier years	Various classes (Jewel, Sun, Dawn, etc.)	Significantly smaller tonnage, fewer passengers

Note: Some of the older ships (Sun-class, Sun, Sky, etc.) are nearing retirement or have already been scheduled to leave the fleet.

How the Fleet Evolved: What to Know About the Newest vs Oldest

Understanding how the newest ships compare versus the older ones helps if you’re choosing which ship to cruise on. Here are key differences:

Size, Amenities & Public Space

• Newer ships like Norwegian Aqua and soon Norwegian Luna offer more open decks, expanded outdoor spaces, improved promenades, better spa and wellness zones, and new attractions (e.g. Aqua Slidecoaster, Glow Court) that older ships lack.
• The space ratio (volume per guest) is typically higher on newer ships, meaning passengers rarely feel crowded.

Technology & Innovation

• Hybrid rides (rollercoaster + waterslide), interactive digital courts, upgraded entertainment systems. These are mostly on newer vessels.
• Environmental and sustainability improvements are more emphasized in designs for Aqua, Luna, etc. Older ships might have had refurbishments but not always as many green tech features.

Itineraries & Homeport Flexibility

• Newer ships are typically deployed on updated itineraries, homeports, and newer or more premium destinations. They also tend to be more eye-catching in marketing.
• Older ships may serve in less premium itineraries (or shorter cruises) depending on maintenance schedules and demand.

Norwegian Luna: The Upcoming Ship (2026)

It deserves special mention since it’s the next big thing. Norwegian Luna is scheduled to begin service in April 2026. It will be a sister ship to Aqua, but with design tweaks and new features.

Major points about Luna:

• Approx 156,300 GT, ~3,550 passengers (double occupancy).
• Slightly larger than earlier Prima class ships, both in capacity and deck space.
• Voyage plans include Caribbean routes, with western Caribbean and eastern Caribbean itineraries. Also some of the new pier development (Great Stirrup Cay pier) for better port access.

Which Ship Should You Choose? New vs Old – What Fits Best

Depending on what kind of cruise you want, different ships may serve you better. Here’s a breakdown:

Your Priority	Best Ships / Class to Pick
Modern amenities, latest attractions	Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Luna, Norwegian Prima/Viva (Prima-Plus / Prima class)
More deck space & less crowded feel	Newer ships with higher space ratio (Aqua, Prima class)
Lower cost / basic cruising experience	Older Breakaway, Jewel, Sun class ships (if still in fleet)
Itineraries & destinations	New ships often get premium homeports & newer destinations first

Highlights: Features That Set the Newest Ships Apart

To give you a feel for what makes Aqua & upcoming Luna stand out:

• Aqua Slidecoaster – a hybrid coaster + water slide combo. Unique attraction.
• Glow Court – LED sports / entertainment court.
• Expanded outdoor deck spaces and large promenades for lounging, walking, and ocean views.
• More suite options, including premium “Haven” offerings with larger, more luxurious layouts.
• Improved dining options, more bars and lounges, updated entertainment venues.

Final Thoughts: What the Newest Ship Tells You About NCL’s Direction

From what we see with Norwegian Aqua and upcoming Luna, Norwegian Cruise Line is pushing toward:

• Bigger, more luxurious ships with more attractions
• Better public spaces and more design focused on guest experience
• New technology and entertainment options
• Expanding newer classes (Prima, Prima-Plus) at the top of their fleet hierarchy

If you are booking a cruise, choosing one of the newer ships means you’ll likely get a more updated, feature-rich experience — sometimes for only a moderate premium over older ships.