ncl epic cruises cancelled

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Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Four Months of Voyages on One Ship

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• May 24, 2023

Just on the heels of Norwegian Cruise Line canceling the 2024 Alaska schedule for its ship Norwegian Spirit, the line has again canceled a series of sailings on another vessel.

In an email to booked guests and travel agents, the cruise line said “As a result of a fleet redeployment, Norwegian Epic ‘s sailings from December 1, 2023, through and including April 9, 2024, have been canceled.”

Norwegian Cruise Line has not divulged where Norwegian Epic will be sailing instead. In the case of Norwegian Spirit, the ship’s Alaska sailings were canceled due to a full ship charter, but that doesn’t appear to be the case with Norwegian Epic.

The affected voyages are longer 10 to 14-night Mediterranean cruises from Rome, Haifa, Trieste, and Lisbon. 11 total sailings have been canceled.

Guests who were booked on these cruises will automatically receive a full refund, which will be processed within 30 business days. Those who reserved the cruise using a future cruise credit will see the full value of the credit returned to their account within 10 days.

Everyone will also receive a 20 percent future cruise credit, which can be used towards any European sailing through April 30, 2024 that is currently available for booking. It will be available for use starting June 1, 2023.

In addition, all passengers will also receive an additional 10 percent future cruise credit, which can be used towards any voyage through December 31, 2024. It will be available for use starting June 1st.

The 20 percent and 10 percent future cruise credits cannot be combined.

Norwegian Epic is currently scheduled to resume cruises in the Mediterranean starting April 19, 2024 with a 10-night Greek Isles voyage roundtrip from Civitavecchia. The ship will remain in the Mediterranean through early November 2024 before repositioning to Port Canaveral for the winter.

READ NEXT: Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian Cruise Line: Which One Is Best For You?

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• Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL cancels Epic sailings from 12.1.2023 to 4.9.2024 for "Fleet Redeployment"

By mpk , May 24, 2023 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Just got the email.

This stinks...  I have hotel, flights, etc. all lined up.  I will incur at least flight penalties, not to mention points stuck with an airline I don't normally fly 😞

Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners, On behalf of Norwegian Cruise Line, thank you very much for your loyalty and for making us your vacation of choice. We have important information regarding your upcoming sailing onboard Norwegian Epic. We ask that travel advisors please share this update with impacted guests. As a company, we are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world. As a result of a fleet redeployment, Norwegian Epic's sailings from December 1, 2023, through and including April 9, 2024, have been canceled. We understand the desire to travel now more than ever, so we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. A full monetary refund of the fare paid will be automatically returned to the form of payment provided at the time of reservation. No further action is required; your refund will be automatically processed within 30 business days. You will see the refund returned to the original form of payment seven to 10 business days from the processed date. The visibility of the funds is dependent on each financial institution's internal policies. For those reservations paid via a previously issued Future Cruise Credit (FCC), 100% of the FCC used will be automatically re-applied to your Latitudes account within 10 days of the cancelation date. No further action is required. As a token of our appreciation, we have issued a 20% discount in the form of a FCC which can be applied towards any of our published European sailings through and including April 30, 2024. The FCC will be available for use on June 1, 2023. In addition, all guests will receive a 10% discount in the form of a FCC for another future voyage. This credit may be used by and applied towards any of our published sailings through December 31, 2024 and will be available for use on June 1, 2023. Please note that the 10% and abovementioned 20% offers are not combinable. Our dedicated team is available to help you rebook your dream vacation when you are ready. Please contact us at 1-800-327-7030 or your travel professional to get started. Guests residing outside of the U.S. or Canada should visit www.ncl.com for local contact information. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you aboard very soon. Sincerely, Norwegian Cruise Line

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• May 24 mpk changed the title to NCL cancels Epic sailings from 12.1.2023 to 4.9.2024 for "Fleet Redeployment"

All-ready2cruise

Wow, that's really awful. Sorry you're having to go thru this.  

I wonder if there'll be other cancellations... I don't mean just Epic

Yea just got the email! Flights, hotels etc. all booked and flights will be non refundable.Hope travel insurance will come through! This is third time we have had this over the years though not before with NCL

8 minutes ago, di T said: Yea just got the email! Flights, hotels etc. all booked and flights will be non refundable.Hope travel insurance will come through! This is third time we have had this over the years though not before with NCL

We had half a dozen cancels during the pandemic.  Brings back bad memories of having to unwind travel.  In my case, travel insurance won't do anything for the points I transferred to an airline I usually don't fly for the Epic embark port we were on.  Those points are stuck now.

If it is for fleet redeployment it is very likely that simply another ship will takeover the itinerary. So to avoid an insane amount of rebookings, NCL decided to cancel all sailings in general.

So if i were you i would wait with cancelling the flights cause there is a realistic chance that the itinerary will be offered by another ship soon.

Maybe not on the exact same dates but at least same region.

I wonder what they will do with cruise next certs that were valid at booking but have now expired 

25 minutes ago, dbrown84 said: I wonder what they will do with cruise next certs that were valid at booking but have now expired 

Cmon, this is NCL. They won't do anything. NCL will treat them unused, expired, and worthless for your convenience.

Adventure Awaits Me

2 hours ago, mpk said: As a token of our appreciation, we have issued a 20% discount in the form of a FCC which can be applied towards any of our published European sailings through and including April 30, 2024. The FCC will be available for use on June 1, 2023.

This is my favorite part.   There are no European cruises after Dec 1 BECAUSE YOU JUST CANCELED THEM, what are we supposed to use the discount on?

This is really bad! Like most we had over two years of more than 10 cancellations due to the Pandemic lost out on non refundable flights and insurance would not cover us. Think this 20% off which expires in April next year is a joke! I have all this year booked up with cruises and land trips, unless they get a ship to do the exact same 12 night Lisbon to Rome on the same dates we have lost a lot of money for airfare.At least the hotels before and after are free cancellation. Going to speak with the insurance tomorrow.

1 hour ago, dbrown84 said: I wonder what they will do with cruise next certs that were valid at booking but have now expired 

Had this exact situation.  My PCC got the cert extended for a year with a 5 minute phone call.

1 hour ago, Adventure Awaits Me said: This is my favorite part.   There are no European cruises after Dec 1 BECAUSE YOU JUST CANCELED THEM, what are we supposed to use the discount on?

They did something similar with Spirit 2024 Alaska. They gave a full monetary refund, duh, obviously, since they cancelled. Then they offered a 50% discount on a future  cruise...but here's the kicker....they made the discount valid on certain 2023 Alaska cruises which are currently woefully undersold. So, they cancelled a 2024 cruise but offered a discount on a 2023 sailing. Many people have already made their plans for 2023. Then they threw in some token 10% discount on a 2024 cruise for our convenience. The two discounts are not combinable, so you'd have to book two cruises between May 2023 and December 2024. 

ChiefMateJRK

European cruises between now and December?

Go2SeaTheWorld

4 hours ago, mpk said: Just got the email.   This stinks...  I have hotel, flights, etc. all lined up.  I will incur at least flight penalties, not to mention points stuck with an airline I don't normally fly 😞       Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners, On behalf of Norwegian Cruise Line, thank you very much for your loyalty and for making us your vacation of choice. We have important information regarding your upcoming sailing onboard Norwegian Epic. We ask that travel advisors please share this update with impacted guests. As a company, we are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world. As a result of a fleet redeployment, Norwegian Epic's sailings from December 1, 2023, through and including April 9, 2024, have been canceled. We understand the desire to travel now more than ever, so we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. A full monetary refund of the fare paid will be automatically returned to the form of payment provided at the time of reservation. No further action is required; your refund will be automatically processed within 30 business days. You will see the refund returned to the original form of payment seven to 10 business days from the processed date. The visibility of the funds is dependent on each financial institution's internal policies. For those reservations paid via a previously issued Future Cruise Credit (FCC), 100% of the FCC used will be automatically re-applied to your Latitudes account within 10 days of the cancelation date. No further action is required.  

Had been looking forward to this trip so much & am pretty devastated it's been cancelled. The dates and the itinerary worked perfectly for our schedule. So not really an option to find another now.  Relatively new cruisers, so is a fleet redeployment usually determined only 5 months ahead? or could this just be an invented reason for cancelling cruises that may be determined to be unprofitable?

EXACTLY!!!  

3 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: European cruises between now and December?

Well, now until December isn't an option for me. That's why I booked January! February and March would have been fine as well, but not April. I will not be able to take advantage of the 20% and that sucks! My flight (that I booked just a few days ago - why o why...!) at least has som flexibilty so it's not a complete waste. Hotels I can cancel.

(At least one good thing came out of this: It got me, a long-time lurker to register here so I could vent! LOL! I feel so much better now.)

19 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: European cruises between now and December?

What a great suggestion. Eeezy peezy right? We will just pack up and cruise Europe within the next few months. We might even get airfare for $1,000 or $2,000. Wise up.

To all impacted, I am sorry you are going through this.

Sorry that this is happening to those of you that booked - at least it's outside final payment for NCL, but - those non-refundable airfares, ouch !  

As others mentioned, take a look at the Spirt's Alaska season 2024 ... meanwhile, apparently, fire sale for Alaska 2023 with plenty of Oceanviews & Insides available on a last minute basis, sailing at 75% capacity at best with some of the "older" ships ??  

Crazy prices for New England/Canada this Fall here in the N.E. and dirty cheap prices on select repo sailings in the Fall (not the Viva, however)  Maybe, NCL might add another ship back to the NY for the winter runs ahead - just, saying ... 

I am afraid that the worst is yet to come with NCL.  I rather be proven wrong but ... 

4 months is a LONG time to redeploy anywhere in the world. Wonder if she's going into Dry Dock as well??

59 minutes ago, luv2kroooz said: What a great suggestion. Eeezy peezy right? We will just pack up and cruise Europe within the next few months. We might even get airfare for $1,000 or $2,000. Wise up.   To all impacted, I am sorry you are going through this.

Relax.  I was just answering the poster's question.

Maybe now is the time for one of the frequent posters and NCL Cheerleader Supreme from one of the European drink posts - who thinks NCL can do absolutely no wrong - to step in and defend NCL to the death.

Any idea where she's going? Hoping it's someplace good as it's the only time I have available to travel over the holidays. So incredibly frustrated and sad. Was looking forward to this trip so much. 

Cruise Gopher

So is Epic just going to go back to San Juan home port for the winter?

The Viva is the one going to San Juan for the winter.

Just got this email today also. I'm so so sad. I was looking forward to this itinerary. The coupon they are giving for our "inconvenience" will be effective June 1st, so I'm thinking about booking if possible before December and going this year. It was hard to wait til next year anyways! :)

BirdTravels

2 hours ago, SakeDad said: 4 months is a LONG time to redeploy anywhere in the world. Wonder if she's going into Dry Dock as well??

Redeploy means that the ship is going on another itinerary. She isn’t sitting idol for 4 months. A lot of times it means the former itinerary was undersold and they pulled the plug. Move the ship somewhere where she will make more money.   

Once before, they tried to keep the Epic in Europe year round. There was little interest to sail the Med during the winter and the abandoned  the idea. Sounds like it happened again. 

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Norwegian Cancels Winter Program in Europe on Epic

• May 24, 2023

Norwegian Cruise Line is cancelling Norwegian Epic’s upcoming winter schedule in Europe.

Maintaining the company’s year-round presence in the region, the 4,200-guest ship was set to offer a program in the Mediterranean and the Canaries.

According to a letter sent to booked guests, all sailings previously scheduled to depart between December 1, 2023 and April 9, 2024 will no longer go ahead.

The cancellations are part of a fleet redeployment initiative, Norwegian Cruise Line explained in the statement.

“As a company, we are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking guests to some of the most sought-after destinations around the world,” the company added.

Affected guests will automatically receive a full monetary refund of the fare paid to the form of payment provided at the time of the reservation.

Reservations paid via Future Cruise Credit (FCC) will see 100 percent of the FCC automatically reapplied to the guests’ Latitudes Account.

Calling it a “token of appreciation,” Norwegian is also offering a 20 percent discount in the form of an FCC to be applied towards any of the company’s published European sailings through April 30, 2024.

In addition, all guests are also receiving a ten percent discount in the form of an FCC for another future voyage. The credit may be applied towards any Norwegian sailing departing through December 31, 2024.

The discounts will be available to use through June 1, 2023, and are not combinable.

With the Epic now sailing elsewhere, Norwegian Cruise Line appears to be returning to seasonal operations in Europe.

In 2023, a total of nine ships are set to operate an extended program in the region that stretches through December.

Norwegian is now set to kick off its 2024 program in Europe in April, with nine ships sailing in both the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

The changes to Epic’s winter program comes just days after the cancellation of most of Norwegian Spirit’s summer program in Alaska.

As a result of a full ship charter, Norwegian cancelled all of the vessel’s sailings scheduled to depart between July 3, 2024 and September 18, 2024 .

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• NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announces cancellation of multiple...

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announces cancellation of multiple 2025 sailings (7 ships)

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced the cancellation of several voyages scheduled for 2025 across its fleet, citing necessary drydock maintenance/refurbishments  and fleet redeployments as primary factors.

The decision to cancel specific voyages was communicated through a letter reportedly distributed to travel agents, where NCL attributed the cancellations to fleet reallocations, charter agreements, and a planned dry-docking period.

The impacted itineraries encompassed destinations such as Europe (Baltic, Mediterranean, Adriatic), the Caribbean, the Red Sea, the Middle East, and Asia.

Notably, visits to regions including Israel, the Holy Land , and the Red Sea have been omitted due to ongoing conflicts.

Reportedly, the canceled departures scheduled for 2025 are as follows:

• Norwegian Epic : November 1, 2025; and November 11
• Norwegian Jade : February 20; March 4; March 13; and March 24
• Norwegian Pearl : October 15
• Norwegian Sky : April 19; May 5; May 16; May 27; and June 5
• Norwegian Spirit : January 1
• Norwegian Star : May 17; May 29; and June 9
• Norwegian Viva : May 18; May 27; September 20; and September 29

Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered alternative cruise options, with the opportunity to reschedule their voyages on similar itineraries for different dates.

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Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Over a Dozen Voyages in 2025 — What to Know

Guests impacted by the cancellations will receive a full refund and a 10% discount in the form of a Future Cruise Credit towards any sailing through Dec. 31, 2025.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is canceling over a dozen cruises 2025.  The cruise line is nixing multiple voyages throughout next year, Norwegian confirmed to Travel + Leisure on Friday. "The recent 2025 itinerary cancelations are a result of varied events including the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and Israel, modified dry dock schedules for ship enhancements, a full ship charter, and lastly, to accommodate the demand for shorter close-to-home voyages to the Bahamas," a spokesperson for the cruise line told T+L.

The affected itineraries are as follows:

• Norwegian Epic - , Feb. 20, 2025, Nov. 1, 2025, Nov. 11, 2025
• Norwegian Jade - Mar. 4, 2025, Mar. 13, 2025, Mar. 24, 2025
• Norwegian Pearl - Apr. 19, 2025, May 5, 2025, May 16, 2025, Oct. 15, 2025
• Norwegian Sky - May 27, 2025, Jun. 5, 2025
• Norwegian Spirit - Jan. 1, 2025, May 17, 2025
• Norwegian Star - May 18, 2025, May 29, 2025, Jun. 9, 2025,
• Norwegian Viva - May 27, 2025, Sep. 20, 2025, Sep. 29, 2025

The spokesperson also shared with T+L that guests impacted by the cancellations will receive a full refund and a 10% percent discount in the form of a Future Cruise Credit towards any sailing through Dec. 31, 2025. "In addition, we understand the inconvenience and frustration this disruption may cause affected guests, so we have shared alternative sailings similar to their original booking," the spokesperson added, encouraging impacted guests to head to contact the company at 1-800-327-7030 for more information.  

In February 2024, NCL also announced it would no longer dock in Venice, Italy, due to restrictions of the waterways.  “While we have made every effort possible to maintain these calls to Venice, the tender operation and overall experience this provides our guests has fallen short of the standard we aim to deliver,” a spokesperson from NCL told T+L at the time.  Despite the cancellations, the cruise industry continues to rebound since COVID-19 closures. The industry is expected to grow to 130 million global passengers in 2026, which is up from 73 million global passengers in 2022, according to a 2023 report from the Cruise Lines International Association. 

Norwegian Cruise Line cancels more than 7 months of sailings

Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled more than seven months of sailings on its Norwegian Sun ship.

The line scrapped the vessel’s planned itineraries from March 28 through and including Nov. 3, 2025, because of “a fleet redeployment,” Norwegian said in a letter to guests and travel partners Tuesday, which it shared with USA TODAY. 

The line is giving impacted passengers full refunds of their fares and “a 10% discount” in the form of a future cruise credit. Travelers can apply the credit toward any of Norwegian's published sailings through Dec. 31, 2025.

“We sincerely appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you aboard very soon,” the letter said.

The changes come after the line canceled three 2025 sailings on its Norwegian Epic ship in June so the ship could undergo “a revitalization,” as the line said at the time. Norwegian also previously canceled sailings aboard Norwegian Spirit scheduled between early July and mid-September 2024 because of a full-ship charter.

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

Unlike airlines, cruise cancellation policies are not regulated by the federal government. But Jared Feldman, owner of travel agency Jafeldma Travel, told USA TODAY in June that cruise lines typically give refunds and work to accommodate guests on a different itinerary, adding that they “don't take schedule changes lightly.” They may also offer additional compensation.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained

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Some cruise lines — Viking , for instance — have fleets where many of the ships have the same basic design. Norwegian Cruise Line is not one of them.

If you’re thinking of booking a Norwegian cruise,  an important thing to know is that there is a wide variation in the size and style of the vessels in the line’s fleet.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Four of Norwegian’s 19 ships — Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore — are among the 30 biggest ships in the world. As such, they’re loaded with huge numbers of cabins, restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top amusements.

They are, in a nutshell, floating megaresorts .

The line also operates smaller vessels that barely crack the top 100 list of biggest cruise ships. These ships generally have fewer venues and attractions than the bigger ships. However, they still offer a lot for cruisers. Norwegian is a line known for packing oodles of restaurants, bars and entertainment on its vessels — even its smaller ones.

The good news for those of you trying to get a handle on all the options within the Norwegian fleet is that the line’s 19 ships can be bunched into just eight groups of vessels with similar amenities. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

Each of these groups — known as “classes” in cruise industry lingo — is made up of ships that were constructed around the same time in the same basic design.

Related: Everything to know about cabins and suites on Norwegian ships  

An introduction to Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Smaller only than Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises , Norwegian has become increasingly known for some of the biggest, most amenity-filled vessels at sea. As mentioned above, though, the line doesn’t just operate giant ships. More than half its fleet comprises vessels that, by today’s standards, are considered almost midsize.

Indeed, Norwegian is essentially two cruise lines in one. The line’s nine newest ships are big, bustling floating megaresorts that can carry upward of 3,000 to 4,000 passengers at double occupancy (even more with every berth filled). At around 144,000 to nearly 170,000 tons, all nine currently rank among the 50 biggest cruise ships in the world (although their rankings will shift downward as more big ships debut).

Norwegian’s 10 older ships, by contrast, are much more modest in size, measuring around 75,000 to 94,000 tons and carrying closer to 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Norwegian thus appeals both to cruisers who like a giant resort vibe and those who prefer a resort experience that is more modest. The key, depending on your tastes, is getting on the right ship in the fleet for you.

On the big-ship end of the spectrum, Norwegian’s four new Breakaway Plus vessels — Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape — are the line’s premier offerings.

One step down in size from the Breakaway Plus ships are the still-quite-large Breakaway-class ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — and the one-of-a-kind Norwegian Epic.

The smallest of the line’s big ships are the recently unveiled Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima. They are the first two of a new series of six vessels that will transform the brand. Measuring about 143,500 tons a piece, these two new ships are about 17% smaller than Norwegian’s biggest vessels.

Norwegian’s 10 smaller vessels break down into five classes, though many are roughly the same size and offer similar amenities.

Prima class

Ships in class: Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Viva (2023).

Size: 143,535 tons.

The Prima class of ships is the latest and greatest at Norwegian Cruise Line — the vessels that every NCL fan wants to book.

Only two ships in the series (Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima ) are currently in operation. Four more sister vessels are on order for delivery by 2027.

Under development since 2017, these ships mark Norwegian’s first new class of vessel in more than a decade. At 143,535 tons, they are notably smaller than the ships the line has been adding in recent years — a factor that will give them access to smaller ports around the world.

That said, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima and their coming sisters still are relatively big ships that pack a lot of over-the-top amenities. Both Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima have ridiculously big go-kart tracks spread over three decks (a cruise industry first). The ships also boast The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that the line says provides more G-force than an accelerating Formula One race car.

Additionally, the vessels each are home to a three-deck theater that converts into a Las Vegas-style nightclub, along with a list of interactive, real-life game shows, including at-sea versions of “The Price Is Right,” “Supermarket Sweep,” “Press Your Luck” and “Beat the Clock.”

Related: I’ve been on nearly every Norwegian ship afloat; here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima

Still, the new Prima class is about more than flashy entertainment and activities. It marks a more upscale turn for the line. Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima offer the largest variety of suite categories (13) for a large ocean ship, the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel and the brand’s largest-ever inside, ocean-view and balcony cabins.

The entire back of each of the ships is dedicated to an upscale, “ship-within-a-ship” private suite area called The Haven that rises eight decks high and includes 107 suites, a sprawling private indoor lounge area, private outdoor lounge and pool areas, and a private restaurant. Other vessels feature The Haven areas, but none as big as this one.

In addition, the public areas of Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima feel more spacious than many of the other 17 ships in the Norwegian fleet. And, indeed, they are. The Prima-class ships are being built with a higher ratio of space to passengers, which itself is an upscale touch.

Norwegian Cruise Line also says the Prima-class vessels offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship — including more total pool deck space than any other ships in the brand’s fleet.

Note that the last four ships in the Prima-class series, due to debut between 2025 and 2027, are being redesigned to be bigger than the first two ships in the series.

Related: 11 venues, 32 dishes, four days: See what happened when I tried to test every dish at Prima’s new Indulge Food Hall  

Breakaway Plus class

Ships in class: Norwegian Encore (2019), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Joy (2017), Norwegian Escape (2015).

Size: 164,600 to 169,145 tons.

These are the Norwegian ships you go on if you’re a fan of megaresorts.

While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean’s giant Oasis-class ships , Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus-class vessels are firmly in the pantheon of the world’s cruising giants. They are the Norwegian ships most packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment and over-the-top attractions. There are so many of these things that you won’t be able to do it all in a single, weeklong cruise.

The Breakaway Plus ships are so big, in fact, that they have room for giant go-kart tracks and laser tag areas on their top decks (on all of the vessels in the series except Norwegian Escape). There’s also plenty of room to spare for multiple pools, waterslides and a kiddie splash zone.

Each of the vessels also offers real Broadway shows in big, state-of-the-art theaters, sprawling spas, casinos that fill half a deck, dedicated children’s play zones, and more than 2,000 rooms.

In addition, the two newest ships in this series, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, have large gaming and virtual reality zones called the Galaxy Pavilion.

For meals, you’ll find at least 20 venues on each of these ships, including multiple main dining rooms and a buffet that come with no extra charge and such extra-charge eateries as a teppanyaki restaurant, a steakhouse, a high-end French restaurant and a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea.

With lots of family-friendly attractions such as the go-kart tracks and laser tag courses, these ships appeal heavily to families with children, particularly teens, but they draw a lot of couples, too. They are also popular with solo travelers, thanks to their unusually large complexes of cabins for one (something you’ll find on the Breakaway and Epic classes of ships, too).

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards loyalty program

All four of the Breakaway Plus ships have large, private, two-deck-high suite enclaves called The Haven that come with their own pool areas, restaurants and lounges. They’re some of the most spectacular suite complexes anywhere at sea .

The biggest of these ships, Norwegian Encore, measures 169,116 tons, making it the 18th-biggest cruise ship in the world as of this story’s publishing (it will drop in the rankings over the coming years as additional megaships debut). That’s bigger than all but one Carnival ship and every Princess Cruises ship. Only Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises have a significant number of bigger vessels.

Norwegian Encore can hold more than 5,000 passengers with all berths filled.

Breakaway class

Ships in class: Norwegian Getaway (2014), Norwegian Breakaway (2013).

Size: 145,655 tons.

These vessels are similar to the Breakaway Plus-class ships but slightly smaller. Or, put another way, the Breakaway Plus-class ships are a stretched version of the Breakaway-class ships.

You’ll find many of the same eateries, bars, lounges and entertainment venues on the Breakaway-class ships that you’ll find on the Breakaway Plus-class vessels. The slightly smaller size of these vessels means there’s just a tad less “stuff” on board.

The top decks of the Breakaway-class ships have two pool areas and water parks with waterslides, for instance — just like the Breakaway Plus-class ships. However, they don’t have go-kart tracks or laser tag courses. Instead of the latter attractions, you’ll find an adults-only pool area called Spice H2O at the back of the vessels. At night, it transforms into a dance club.

Related: Every Norwegian Cruise Line ship ranked from biggest to smallest  

The Breakaway-class ships also boast full-size ropes courses on their top decks. Indeed, they were the first cruise ships ever to have such a feature. Other deck-top features include miniature golf courses on both vessels and basketball courts that double as volleyball courts.

On the entertainment front, both ships offer Broadway shows in their main theaters and have a circuslike show in a secondary theater called “Cirque Dreams.” The latter is a dinner show that comes with an extra charge. They’re also home to “Howl at the Moon” dueling piano shows and a version of the Latin-themed dance show “Burn the Floor.”

Like the Breakaway Plus vessels, the Breakaway ships have large complexes for solo travelers, as well as large, private The Haven suite complexes.

In general, as with the Breakaway Plus ships, these vessels are best for vacationers who like a megaresort-type experience, and they appeal heavily to families with children who love all their deck-top attractions. Each of the two ships in this series — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — holds about 4,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship

Ships in class: Norwegian Epic (2010).

Size: 155,873 tons.

Norwegian Epic is an outlier in the Norwegian fleet. Unveiled in 2010, it was originally supposed to be the first of a series of up to three similar vessels. However, after disagreements with the shipyard that built it, Norwegian eventually canceled an order for a second ship in the series and an option for a third ship in the series, leaving Norwegian Epic in a class of one.

While roughly comparable in size to the Breakaway Plus- and Breakaway-class ships (it’s a bit smaller than the former vessels and a bit bigger than the latter vessels), Norwegian Epic has a notably different design that includes some unique features.

Perhaps most notably, balcony cabins on the ship have an unusual design that includes curved walls, rounded bed corners, and a sink and vanity area that is in the main living space (for all to see), separate from a closed-off toilet area. The toilet area is behind a translucent door that some cruisers find less private than they had hoped.

Norwegian Epic is also home to the only tube-and-bowl waterslide at sea and has such rare-for-cruise-ships attractions as a rappelling wall and a three-lane bowling alley. It also features an ice bar where customers wear parkas while sipping drinks.

Still, Norwegian Epic also offers a lot that will be familiar to Norwegian fans, including many of the line’s signature restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Standout features on Norwegian Epic include a water park with some of the most over-the-top waterslides at sea (including the aforementioned tube-and-bowl slide). It also offers a version of the Burn the Floor dance show that played on Broadway and on the West End in London, as well as a Howl at the Moon piano bar and a recreation of the Cavern Club nightspot in Liverpool, England, where The Beatles got their start (complete with a The Beatles cover band).

In addition, Norwegian Epic has the line’s biggest solo cabin complex (with 128 rooms for one) and a giant The Haven private suite complex.

At 155,873 tons, Norwegian Epic currently ranks as the 34th biggest cruise vessel in the world. Notably, it was the world’s third-largest ship when it debuted in 2010. That tells you just how much the cruise industry has grown in recent years.

Norwegian Epic carries 4,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Jewel class

Ships in class: Norwegian Gem (2007), Norwegian Jade (2006), Norwegian Pearl (2006), Norwegian Jewel (2005).

Size: About 93,500 tons.

Are you unsure if you want to sail on a megaship with 4,000 or more people but still want a vessel with a good amount of features and activities? The Jewel-class ships may be the perfect solution.

At 93,500 tons, the four vessels in the series are nearly 50% smaller than the line’s Breakaway Plus-class ships but still big enough that they have a lot to offer.

Each of the vessels has more than a dozen food venues, including three main restaurants, a casual buffet, a steakhouse, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You’ll also find multiple pools on each of the ships, along with whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

What you won’t find on the ships, because of their smaller size, are all the gee-whiz attractions such as go-kart tracks, laser tag courses and large water-park areas that Norwegian has put on its bigger vessels. If you can’t live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, then the Jewel class probably isn’t for you.

Note that Norwegian Gem does have a climbing wall and a single waterslide. Norwegian Pearl has a climbing wall but no waterslide. Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Jade have neither of the attractions.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line ships listed from newest to oldest

Each of the Jewel-class ships holds around 2,400 passengers at double occupancy (plus a few hundred more with every berth filled). That’s about 40% fewer passengers than you’ll find on the biggest Norwegian ships.

That makes them perfect for cruisers who want to get away from the sort of crowds that are on the biggest megaships without giving up many of the amenities that big ships have to offer.

Pride of America class

Ships in class: Pride of America (2005).

Size: 80,439 tons.

Like Norwegian Epic, Pride of America is an outlier in the Norwegian fleet. In fact, it’s perhaps an even bigger outlier than the former vessel.

Sporting a patriotic U.S. theme (you’ll find venues named after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams) and a distinct array of lounges and entertainment, it’s a ship specifically designed to sail year-round in Hawaii — the only one of its kind at any line.

Pride of America notably flies a U.S. flag and operates with a mostly U.S. crew, in keeping with regulations governing cruise itineraries that only include U.S. ports. That’s a big difference from any other big cruise vessel in the world.

Related: The best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler

It’s also the only Norwegian vessel without a casino, in keeping with local Hawaii regulations.

If you sail on Pride of America, you’ll find such one-of-a-kind eateries as the classic American car-themed Cadillac Diner. You’ll also find some of Norwegian’s signature offerings, including a Cagney’s steak house and Italian eatery La Cucina. The ship’s other onboard attractions include a showroom, lounges, bars and a top deck with extensive open-air pool and sun lounging areas.

Thanks to its ownership of Pride of America, Norwegian is the undisputed leader in Hawaii cruises. Most cruise lines that offer sailings to Hawaii only offer a limited number of such trips during a few months each year. Norwegian, by contrast, offers sailings around the Hawaiian Islands every week of the year — the only cruise line in the world to do so.

An iconic presence in Hawaii, Pride of America has been permanently dedicated to the archipelago since its debut in 2005. It offers a repeating seven-night itinerary that begins each Saturday in Honolulu and brings the chance to visit four different Hawaiian islands on a single, seven-night trip.

Beginning and ending on the island of Oahu, the itinerary includes two days each on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. The two-day visit to Maui involves an overnight stay at the port of Kahului. The two-day visit to Kauai involves an overnight stay at the port of Nawiliwili. The two-day visit to Hawaii is split between a call at Hilo and a call at Kona.

Ships in class: Norwegian Dawn (2002), Norwegian Star (2001).

Size: 92,250 and 91,740 tons.

The Dawn-class ships are similar to the Jewel-class ships in size and amenities, with a few differences.

Like the former vessels, the Dawn-class ships have around a dozen food-serving venues, including three main restaurants, a casual buffet, a Brazilian churrascaria (barbecue) restaurant, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You’ll also find multiple pools on each of the ships, whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

Like the Jewel-class ships, the Dawn-class vessels lack the sort of big attractions such as go-kart tracks and large water parks found on bigger Norwegian vessels. In addition, there are no Broadway musicals on Dawn-class ships, and they don’t have a private The Haven suite area (though they do have several giant suites called Garden Villas that measure more than 6,000 square feet).

If you can’t live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, then the Dawn class probably isn’t for you.

Ships in class: Norwegian Sun (2001), Norwegian Sky (1999).

Size: 78,309 and 77,104 tons.

Dating to 2001 and 1999, respectively, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky are among the smallest ships at Norwegian. They offer fewer onboard attractions and amenities than is typical for the line’s vessels.

In general, they appeal to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience on a cruise ship than what you’ll find on the big Norwegian ships. They also draw cruisers who care more about the destinations that they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

On each of the vessels, you’ll find more than half a dozen eateries, including several main dining rooms, a casual buffet, a diner-style pub, a steakhouse, an Italian trattoria and a French bistro.

On their top decks, the ships have pools (one on Sun, two on Sky), whirlpools, a basketball court that doubles as a volleyball court, golf driving nets and a jogging track. The ships also have casinos and theaters with nightly shows.

Unlike most bigger Norwegian ships, neither of the vessels has a private The Haven suite complex or solo cabins.

Ships in class: Norwegian Spirit (1998).

Size: 75,904 tons.

Dating to 1998, Norwegian Spirit is Norwegian’s smallest and oldest ship, and — like the line’s Sun-class ships — it generally appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience than you’ll find on the big Norwegian ships.

At 75,904 tons, Norwegian Spirit is less than half the size of Norwegian’s biggest ships, and it carries just 1,966 passengers — more than 2,000 fewer than the Norwegian biggies.

It also offers fewer (but still quite a few) venues and attractions. In all, you’ll find 13 food outlets on board, including two main restaurants, a casual buffet eatery, and versions of the line’s signature Cagney’s steakhouse and French eatery Le Bistro. There are more than half a dozen bars and cafes.

Deck-top attractions include several pools, whirlpools, waterslides, a basketball court and a jogging track. The ship also has a casino, spa, nightclub and theater.

Of note, Norwegian Spirit originally was built for Asia-based Star Cruises (where it was called SuperStar Leo).

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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10-day Cruise   on   Norwegian Epic

Greek isles & italy: santorini, athens & florence, from   rome (civitavecchia), italy.

• 05:00 PM Embark
• 01:00 PM - 09:30 PM (Tender Port)
• 06:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• 12:00 PM - 07:00 PM
• 01:30 PM - 10:00 PM
• 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
• 06:30 AM - 04:30 PM
• 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM
• 07:00 AM - 04:00 PM (Tender Port)
• 06:00 AM Disembark

Endless adventures await in Rome. With two and a half thousand years of history, art and culture, it is no wonder Rome is one of the most visited cities on the planet. Gaze at the masterpieces of the Vatican or walk into the past with visits to ancient relics, historic monuments and legendary museums. Or people-watch whilst sipping on an espresso in a quaint cafe.

Whitewashed villages clinging to the sides of the sea cliffs have made the volcanic island of Santorini one of the most widely photographed places in the world. The island's charm and subtle mystery have even made it a target of speculation as the location of the lost city of Atlantis.

This is the cradle of civilization, the oldest city in Europe. Not only is this city home to the Acropolis and some of the most important architectural structures and archaeological finds in the Western world, It is also a very modern city, an urban amalgam of extraordinary art, culture, cuisine and shopping. Explore more of Athens on a European cruise!

One of the lushest of the Greek Isles, Corfu is rimmed in dramatic blue waters and topped with tranquil hillside villages. A collection of quaint cafes in the town of Corfu feels very continental, but the island's secluded coves and sandy beaches could only be found in the Greek Isles. Explore more of Corfu on a European cruise!

Although somewhat scarred by World War II, Valletta prides itself on its magnificent Baroque palaces, piazzas, gardens and churches. The Magisterial Palace, built between 1571 and 1574, now houses the Maltese Parliament and offices of the President of Malta.

The third largest city on the island of Sicily, Messina welcomes cruise ship visitors with its lovely harbor, extraordinary architecture (much of which miraculously survived a horrendous earthquake and tidal wave in 1908) and wonderful food. Stroll through Messina's Piazza Cairoli taking in magnificent fountains and cathedrals, or sip Marsala wine at a sidewalk cafe. Explore more of Messina on a European cruise!

Cruise to Naples, located on Italy's stunning Amalfi coast, a city rich in history. A tour around Naples' grand piazzas, cathedrals and castles in the old centre will take you back centuries. Pompeii is not too far either, a dashing city which boasts diverse cultural offerings and charming streets. Explore more of Naples on a European cruise!

How lucky to visit the Tuscan region, Florence & Pisa, resplendent in art and history. What's even more fortunate is that all the main attractions in Florence are centrally located for the perfect walking tour. See Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo and Michelangelo's David. Explore more of Florence & Pisa on a European cruise!

A cruise to Nice/Monaco (Villefranche) offers the change to experience an enchanting example of the French Riviera's allure that's nestled a mere 6km east of Nice. Stroll along the Old Harbour for majestic views of the Mediterranean. Saint Michael's Church houses many incredible artworks and an 18th-century organ constructed by the Grinda Brothers. Relax on one of the local beaches or trek up to the Fort Du Mont Alban, a 16th-century structure overlooking the city. For some subterranean scenery, head to the Rue Obscure under the city or the prehistoric archeological site at Grotte du Lazaret.

• Port order may vary by date of departure.
• Check your specific sailing for exact departure and arrival times. All times are local to the port.
• Itineraries are subject to change at any time without notice.
• View a list of tender ports .
• Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before sailing on Day 1 of cruise.
• Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking on final day of cruise.

Club Balcony Suite

• 2020 Remodeled Date
• 4,070 Double Occupancy
• Bars & Lounges
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• Onboard Shopping

Moderno Churrascaria

SKYY® Vodka Ice Bar

Waves Pool Bar

O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill

Burn the Floor

Epic Plunge

Climbing Wall

The Collection Art Gallery

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