how old is the norwegian dawn cruise ship

NCL Ships By Age & Size

Norwegian Cruise Line has 20 ships, ranging from new mega-ships that accommodate over 4,000 guests to ships that were built in the 1990s and are less than half the size.

I’ve been lucky enough to experience both the oldest and newest and the biggest and smallest NCL ships and honestly, they’re worlds apart in many ways.

So, to help you decide which of Norwegian’s cruise ships to choose for your next cruise, read on for a guide to NCL ships by age, size and class along with photos of each.

NCL Ships By Age

Ncl ships by size, ncl ship classes, what are the best ncl ships, norwegian cruise line ships faqs.

The following table lists all of the ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, ordered from newest to oldest.

The newest Norwegian ship currently sailing is Norwegian Viva, but we do know that Norwegian Aqua will be joining the fleet in 2025, with three more ships also being built.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Newest Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship currently sailing is Norwegian Viva. This new ship is the second of the Prima-class cruise ships to be built for NCL, having launched in August 2023. However, future ships may be part of the new Prima Plus class instead.

Read more: The Newest Norwegian Cruise Line Ships (In Order)

Norwegian Viva is one of the most spacious new cruise ships at sea, with expansive outdoor deck spaces, an infinity pool designed to blend into the ocean, outdoor firepits and a glass bridge walkway.

Prior to the launch of Norwegian Viva and her sister ship Norwegian Prima in 2022, the most recent addition to the fleet had been Norwegian Encore. Launched in November 2019, this Breakaway Plus-class ship is also the largest in the NCL fleet, with an internal volume of 169,116 GRT and the capacity for almost 4,000 guests at double occupancy.

Norwegian Encore boasts a selection of family-friendly facilities including a virtual reality arcade, open-air laser tag arena, thrilling waterslides and a go-kart track.

Suggested read: My Norwegian Encore Review

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Oldest Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line’s oldest ship is Norwegian Spirit. Launched 25 years ago in 1998, this ship was the most recently refurbished with a $100 million refit that saw the addition of 14 new venues including an additional main dining room and an expanded Spa.

I visited Norwegian Spirit just before the makeover. Take a look at what she looked like previously in this Tour of Norwegian Spirit .

The other older ships in the NCL fleet include the Sun-class and Dawn-class ships which were all built before 2012.

As you can see in this photo of the Sun-class Norwegian Sky that I took in Nassau, these older ships are relatively small and do not have many balcony staterooms compared to more modern cruise ships.

The following table lists the Norwegian cruise ships by size from largest to smallest.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest NCL offers…

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Biggest Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest ship is Norwegian Encore with a gross tonnage of 169,116 GT and the capacity for 3,998 guests at double occupancy. This Breakaway Plus-class ship has 20 decks, of which 16 are accessible to guests and a length of 1,094 feet.

The NCL ship that can accommodate the most guests is Norwegian Escape with a capacity for 4,266 guests when each room has two people in. This ship is slightly smaller than Norwegian Encore but has space for more staterooms as it doesn’t have the laser tag arena, the race track or the splash park.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest ships aren’t that big when compared to the biggest ships from other cruise lines. In fact, NCL’s Breakaway Plus-class ships are around 25% smaller than Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class and 7% smaller than MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia Plus-class ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Smallest Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line’s smallest ship is Norwegian Spirit. The oldest ship in the fleet, this mid-sized cruise ship has the capacity for 2,018 guests at double occupancy and an internal volume of 75,904 gross tonnes.

Around half of the NCL fleet consists of medium-sized cruise ships that accommodate fewer than 2,500 guests. These ships were all built before 2008 when the fashion for bigger cruise ships took off.

Norwegian Cruise Line has grouped its ships into eight classes. Interestingly, the two ships remain unclassed as they are different from all others in the fleet.

Prima Plus Class

The Prima-class ships are:

• Norwegian Aqua
• Unnamed ship (coming 2026)
• Unnamed ship (coming 2027)
• Unnamed ship (coming 2028)

Size: Approximately 156,300 GT

It hasn’t been confirmed that the future ships will be part of the Prima Plus class or that they’ll remain the same size. Some news reports state that Norwegian Aqua and the 2026 ship will be 156,300 GT while the 2027/28 ships will be larger, so they could be a new class entirely.

Prima Class

• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Viva

Size: Approximately 142,500 GT

Breakaway Plus Class

The Breakaway Plus-class ships are:

• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Escape

Size: 164,600 to 169,145 GT

Breakaway Class

The Breakaway-class ships are:

• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Breakaway

Size: 145,655 GT

The only Epic-class ship is Norwegian Epic

Size: 155,873 GT

Jewel Class

The Jewel-class ships are:

• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Jewel

Size: 93,500 GT

The Dawn-class ships are:

• Norwegian Dawn
• Norwegian Star

Size: 91,740 to 92,250 GT

The Sun-class ships are:

• Norwegian Sun
• Norwegian Sky

Size: 77,104 to 78,309 GT

Unclassed ships

These ships are unique and do not belong to any class:

• Norwegian Spirit
• Pride of America

Norwegian Spirit was originally built for the Asia-based cruise company Star Cruises under the name SuperStar Leo.

Pride of America is the only US-flagged cruise ship in the world and was specifically designed to sail around Hawaii all year round.

So, which are the best NCL cruise ships? Are the bigger, newer ships actually better than the smaller older ships? Having experienced both, I must say that the answer depends on what you want from a cruise.

The newest NCL ship Norwegian Viva and her sister Norwegian Prima are great for teenagers. You’ll probably never see them all week as they’ll be so excited to visit the virtual reality arcade, laser tag and race track.

However, all of these activities aren’t included in the price of your cruise, so you could easily rack up a large bill. Plus, they take up a lot of space, meaning that there isn’t that much room left on the open decks for sunbathing.

Even the oldest ships in the NCL fleet have been refurbished recently, so these ships no longer feel like they’re 20+ years old. Ticket prices are much cheaper than the newer ships, and they have better itineraries, making them a good choice for couples without kids and those on a budget.

However, my favourite NCL ship has to be Norwegian Breakaway. I loved the amazing waterslides on this ship and had a lot of fun on the high ropes course and watching the amazing entertainment – all of which were complimentary.

Read more: Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Ranked Best To Worst

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven is a VIP area with the most luxurious accommodation , butler service and an exclusive sundeck. It’s available on all cruise ships except for Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Spirit and Pride of America.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway-class ships have the best water slides with five multi-storey slides to enjoy. The Breakaway Plus-class ships also have some good slides, as does Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. The older NCL cruise ships in the Jewel-class, Sun-class and Dawn-class did have kids’ waterslides but these were removed when the ships were refurbished.

Norwegian Cruise Line is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The parent company also operates the luxury brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises with a total of 28 ships across the fleet.

NCL is not owned by Carnival. The Carnival Corporation owns a number of cruise brands including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard, AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises.

Related Posts:

• NCL Drinks Packages: Worth It Or Not?
• Ambassador Cruise Line Ships
• MSC Cruises Ships

If you found this interesting, please share!

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Our Norwegian Dawn Review – A Classic Cruise Experience

Norwegian Dawn is a beautiful ship that offers a great vacation experience and feels like the “good old days” of cruising. While it’s an older ship from 2002, it was refurbished in 2016 and the modernization was extremely well done! NCL has modernized older ships in the fleet, and those updates make it feel like you’re cruising on a nearly new ship, just smaller and more intimate and often more affordable than the newer large mega-ships.

The cabins come in different sizes to suit everyone’s budget, from the expected inside cabins, oceanview staterooms, balcony staterooms, and a selection of suites. It’s important to know though, that the Dawn does NOT have the “Haven” experience. Even though the ship was renovated in recent years, the concept of the Haven was not implemented.

What we love about the Norwegian Dawn

The staff on the Dawn seem to be more seasoned making them friendlier and more capable than cruises we’ve been on since the cruise industry has restarted.

• For a smaller ship, the food options and quality exceeded expectations
• The ship is beautiful and the refit under the “Edge” program with NCL was executed beautifully.
• The Bliss Lounge! What a great purpose-built space! Not an afterthought like on some smaller and older ships.
• The cruise ship is exceptionally clean
• The outdoor promenade/walking track
• The Mondavi Wine Bar

What we didn’t like about the Norwegian Dawn

• While the ship had a refit in 2016, the staterooms were left nearly untouched. 
• Itineraries often stopped in ports too far from the intended destination. While this isn’t specific to this ship (It’s an NCL issue), it is overall displeasure with the choice of ports.
• The layout is strange and some people complain about difficulty getting from one space to another, though this is typical of older and smaller ships. 

What can you expect when cruising on board – Our Norwegian Dawn Review

Norwegian Dawn is equipped with several dining options, like the Garden Café, Aqua and Venetian restaurants, and specialty dining. Its entertainment shows and activities are good yet simple (think old-fashioned cruise entertainment) including comedy shows and live music events. The ship has a sports court, arcade, and multiple swimming pools and hot tubs, providing plenty of leisure options for cruisers. The staff is always available and welcoming, ensuring a pleasurable experience. The ports of call on this cruise include beautiful destinations, like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Norwegian Dawn has everything a cruiser desires, making it a perfect option for a delightful getaway. 

Keep reading for our full Norwegian Dawn Review !

What to Know About the Dawn Cruise Experience

If you’re planning to embark on an NCL Dawn cruise , there are a few things you should know to help you get the best possible experience. First, you’ll find that the cabins are comfortable and well-appointed, albeit slightly dated and a bit on the small side.

The dining options are incredible and the ship has all of the legacy restaurants you’d expect from NCL including O’Sheehan’s Pub, Garden Cafe, and Bamboo Asian food. There are also the staple specialty dining restaurants including Le Bistro, La Cucina, Los Lobos, Teppanyaki, Sushi, Cagney’s & Moderno.

The entertainment is average, with live shows, solo musicians, comedy acts, and dancing in the Bliss Lounge to keep you entertained throughout the evening.

If you’re interested in activities and wellness, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied, including fitness centers, pools, spas, and more. The fitness center and spa are s surprisingly large and well-equipped for a ship of this size and age!

As with other NCL ships, the Free at Sea program is almost unbeatable when it comes to value. Almost everything is included in the price of your cruise, including meals, activities, and even most drinks. However,  be aware that there are some exceptions, such as premium dining options and certain beverages.

If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll find that the Dawn is a decent choice for families. Even though a kids club exists, there aren’t many kid-friendly spaces on the ship like there are on newer larger cruise ships. There is a distinct lack of outdoor recreational space geared towards children, there is still a small dedicated kids pool in the rear of the ship. There are also plenty of activities and programs geared towards children of all ages, including supervised activities for younger kids, video games, sports, and more.

Overall, the NCL Dawn cruise experience is one of relaxation, comfort, and simple (but good) entertainment. You’ll have plenty of options for how to spend your time, whether you want to kick back and relax by the pool or take part in activities and excursions. With great food, decent entertainment, and full NCL amenities, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to experience a quality cruise vacation. 

The various dining options

There are noticeable cost-saving measures in place since cruise lines started sailing again after the pandemic shutdown. This can be most often seen in the food on most cruises. Surprisingly, aside from a few items, the chefs on the NCL Dawn have kept the food at a very high standard in both the main dining rooms and the specialty restaurants! 

Included dining on the Dawn

The beloved O’Sheehans occupies a beautiful spot on the ship where you can see out both sides through the vast open space and includes the requisite bar that has everything you could imagine. It’s the only 24-hour restaurant on the ship and does a good job of making staple items like salads, burgers, and chicken wings. The space is less “Pub” feeling than on other ships with the O’Sheehans which is actually a nice change. It felt a little more upscale than the same venue on say, the Norwegian Epic. The bar, unfortunately, feels a bit sterile and less welcoming. During our time there, we didn’t observe people sitting at the bar as much as on other ships. O’Sheehans is a great alternative to the buffet!

The Garden Cafe is typical of any NCL buffet area and is a popular option on most days. The setup is nice considering they don’t serve identical food on both sides of the buffet, giving passengers more options. An extension of the buffet outside is the area called “Topsiders” which has its own lunch buffet line with typical burgers and dogs. If the selection isn’t enough outside, just grab anything from the buffet and take it outside!

In addition to the typically included dining, the Dawn has “Bamboo”, which is the yummy Chinese restaurant on the ship! It is nearly all included with a few exceptions (Lobster dishes & sushi mainly). This restaurant is quite a gem and isn’t known by most of the passengers for the first couple of days. So be sure to book early in your voyage to avoid lines!

Main Dining Rooms (MDR)

The Dawn has two dining spaces called Aqua and Venetian. The main restaurants are primarily open for dinner with the Venetian being open for breakfast and sometimes open for lunch.

The Venetian dining room is what is typical of cruise ships this age with large open spaces, tons of tables, and windows overlooking the ocean.

The Aqua dining room is interesting, considering it’s basically the same food as the main dining room. It’s a space tucked away and easy to miss, but it’s great for a more intimate feeling rather than a vast restaurant space. We preferred the Aqua dining room because of the vibe and being less ‘busy’ feeling.

Specialty Restaurants (For a fee)

The number of restaurants on the Dawn is pretty shocking given the size of the ship! Amazingly, after the refresh of the Dawn, all of the “go-to” specialty dining restaurants are represented! And they’re ALL good.

Cagney’s – The Steakhouse every NCL Fanboy (and fangirl) raves about. Our experience was as expected, nearly flawless and perfectly cooked steak. See the Cagney’s Menu

Le Bistro – French cuisine with a modern twist. I’ve always found Le Bistro to be hit or miss on NCL, but on the Dawn they did a nice job with everything. Know it’s the one restaurant that has a dress code (not fancy, just no shorts, flip flops, and torn jeans, essentially). See the Le Bistro Menu

La Cucina – This was one of our favorites. The modern Italian venue on the Norwegian Dawn exceeded the experience we’ve had in the same restaurant on other ships. The space is less “fancy” than on other ships, as it almost seems like a carved-out afterthought – but the food is quite good. See the La Cucina Menu

Los Lobos Mexican Cantina – A great treat for Mexican food lovers. The menu thought, has a bit of an identity crisis. You can’t tell if the restaurant is trying to be tex-mex or more “interior” Mexico. Either way, we’ll take it! Tableside guac and enchiladas to die for. See the Los Lobos Menu . A PRO TIP : Go to the Mojito bar. Just do it. Even if you don’t eat dinner at Los Lobos. If you have a drink package, you’ll discover a world of Mojitos and margaritas that will give you a 3-day hangover 😉 . They’re all SO good. Drink responsibly (or not)

Teppanyaki & Sushi – The staple of Asian food across the NCL fleet. The shared dining experience can be great fun if you get lucky with the tablemates seated at your grill. We found this to be a typical experience and would probably skip it if you’ve done this on other ships. If you find yourself with a dining credit to spare, it’s a fun activity with expected food quality. Paying for it, however, doesn’t seem like a great value. See the Teppanyaki Menu As for the sushi, it’s generally good, but being a sushi snob, it’s tough for me to pay real money for cruise ship sushi these days.

Moderno Churrascaria – One of my favorites, this is the “meat fiesta” I crave! Unfortunately with supply chain issues, the meats didn’t seem to be quite as good as in years past. If you’ve done Moderno on other ships and have limited dining credits to use, I’d probably advise skipping this. The space is small, and the lovely buffet of salads and sides you find on other ships is extremely small in comparison. See the Moderno Menu

Norwegian Dawn Bars and Lounges

Not surprising, but this cruise ship has a TON of bars and lounges. For a ship this size, there’s a huge selection including:

• Havana Club (Cigar Bar) – where drinks are served from the neighboring Gatsby’s
• Gatsby’s Champagne Bar – It’s not really a champagne bar, it’s a full bar that is the main bar/lounge area of the ship
• Casino Bar – it is as it says… the bar in the casino!
• Bliss Lounge – the bar open in the rear of the nightclub “Bliss”
• Bamboo Bar – this odd little bar is just outside of the Bamboo & Teppanyaki sort of in the walkway. It’s an odd afterthought and not frequently open. Sometimes in the evening, they’ll have sake cocktails available
• The Cellars by Mondavi – Our absolute favorite space on the ship. It’s feels unique unlike any space on the ship and really does have an upscale feel of a wine bar. The selections and service are amazing.
• O’Sheehan’s – The large central bar space above the central atrium on the ship
• Los Lobos Tequila bar – GO HERE! Even if you don’t have reservations at Los Lobos – you’ll discover margaritas in a totally new way!
• Sugarcane Mojito Bar – Inside Moderno – a must for Mojito Lovers. You don’t need reservations to enjoy the bar.
• Topsiders & Bimini outdoor bars – referred to as the “Pool Bars” – are as expected, a bar by the pool 🙂

Lounges & Public Spaces

The ship feels incredibly modern and updated in all public areas despite the age of the ship. The renovations and refits of the Dawn over the past years have made every space feel like you were on a nearly new ship. Almost no area was left untouched during the previous renovation.

Something we loved the most about the Dawn was the abundant space on board to relax and get away from other passengers to read a book, check email, or just relax in relative silence. Above the atrium, up several floors is a whole space that is largely unused and full of lounge chairs, sofas, and tables. This was a great space to just relax, play some cards, have a drink, and get away from people in general. The atrium itself is also quite lovely to relax, have a coffee and people-watch. Unlike other central atriums on larger ships, it’s quiet and has a nice relaxing vibe to it.  Unfortunately, the choice to have the off-brand coffee bar smack in the middle of the atrium seemed out of place, but any other service like a bar would have made the atrium a much busier place and detracted from the vibe. It’s more of just a surprise that NCL didn’t take advantage of such a great space for a more popular venue like an atrium bar. 

Norwegian Dawn entertainment & onboard activities

Activities on the NCL Dawn are what you’d expect from Norwegian Cruise Line including game shows like “Deal or No Deal”, Not So Newly Wed game, and a few other fun things like bingo, trivia, and slot tournaments.  Another nice touch for some downtime is the current movies often screened in the Bliss Lounge. For people looking for a ton of onboard activities, they might be a little bored on the Dawn. The ship is more relaxed and less back-to-back “things to do” all day long. 

Since NCL has cut back on entertainment fleet-wide, the lower caliber of entertainment is evident across almost all ships. However, with the Dawn not being equipped with large stages and Broadway-style production environments, the cutback on entertainment didn’t seem to negatively impact the Dawn. This is mostly due to the fact that the entertainment venue, “Stardust Theater”, is more traditional and hosts simpler types of old-school music, dance, and more simplified theatre-style performances. Expect performances like Michael Jackson’s tributes, the house band performing music through the decades, and well-known solo vocalists. 

Pools on the Dawn

Since the size of the Dawn is smaller than more modern ships, you’d expect the pool and pool areas to be smaller as well. While they are in fact smaller than mega-ship pools, the way the Dawn creatively has seating around the pool makes up for the actual size! In a unique “stadium style” seating arrangement around the pain pool and various spaces with loungers, it’s easy to actually get a space in a time where chair hogs run wild.

There are multiple hot tubs with additional hot tubs (or should I say one hot tub) on a sun deck towards the front of the ship (strange, though more private).

There are also plenty of shaded spots to enjoy the pool scene without too much sun.

For kids, there’s a small “water park” known as the T-Rex Pool. It’s in the rear of the ship on deck 13 making it a little difficult to find. Having it separate from the main pool is pretty smart, keeping kids occupied in a different wet area.

By the end of the cruise, we felt the size of the pool and dedicated lounger space was more than sufficient for sailing at near capacity. This can’t be said by even some of the largest ships these days!

Receive Our Monthly CruiseLetter

Including cruise reviews, travel tips, and cruise deals

Norwegian Dawn Staterooms & Cabins

While the ship was refurbished in 2016, the cabins were left mostly untouched. Even though they feel a little dated, the staterooms are extremely clean and well-maintained considering they’re mostly original materials and fixtures. 

For limited mobility cruisers, the Norwegian Dawn offers 26 wheelchair-accessible cabins across every category.

Interior Cabins

Inside cabins are ‘cozy’ and have about 140 square feet and a large mirror on the wall behind the bed instead of a window. While the cabin may lack windows, the large mirror on the wall behind the bed reflects a world of possibilities 😂😂😂. They can accommodate up to four people.

Oceanview Cabins

Outside cabins measure about 150 square feet and have a porthole or picture window above the bed. Some obstructed-view outsides on Deck 8, situated behind the lifeboats, can measure up to 196 square feet. This is a good option for people who want a bit of natural light and more space (usually for the price of an inside). These cabins can also sleep up to four guests.

Balcony Staterooms:

Balcony cabins are 160+/- square feet, plus an additional 37-square-foot veranda. These staterooms have a small pullout sofa, which can sleep one person though it’s not the comfiest place for sleeping. It’s worth noting that the pullout sofa is quite firm. The balconies are furnished with two chairs and a small table. Aft-facing balconies on decks 8 through 10 are the same size as regular balcony cabins but offer a larger veranda, ranging in size from 71 to 136 square feet.

• SEE : See the NCL Dawn Balcony Cabin 360 Tour

Club Balcony Cabin

These “Mini-suites” are similar in layout to balcony cabins but are more spacious, measuring about 230 square feet with a 54-square-foot veranda. They upgrade to shower-tub combos and queen-sized pullout sofas. One of the biggest differences between the balcony and the club balcony suite, in regards to the room, is  the size of the bathroom . The club balcony suite has two sinks and a larger shower – but the Club Balcony “Suite” does not get the perks of the actual “suites” on the ship.

Suites & Penthouses on the Dawn

The Dawn does not have the “Haven” experience found on the newer ships. But NCL has tried to elevate the 64 “Suites” on board with Haven-like amenities. The suites come with a butler and concierge service, exclusive breakfast and lunch at Moderno, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and tendering. Suite guests also receive L’Occitane toiletries, espresso machines, priority restaurant reservations, the option to have meals from specialty restaurants delivered to their cabins (additional fees may apply), and a special room service menu featuring full breakfast, canapes, and treats. Suite guests receive a pillow menu and sparkling wine on embarkation day. Depending on the itinerary, Owner’s Suite and Garden Villa residents enjoy a complimentary liquor setup, and Villa residents receive a limo transfer from the pier to the airport. (Check on this service, as it may not be available in all locations)

Suites Can Be Confusing

We strongly recommend any passenger looking to book a “Suite” class stateroom on the NCL Dawn to use a qualified travel agent! These cabins are so incredibly unique across the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, that it would be helpful to have the insight of someone who works in the industry and knows these rooms well.

Penthouse Suites

Penthouses are available at the forward or aft locations of the ship. Forward-facing penthouses on decks 9 and 10 range in size from 448 to 568 square feet, with balconies sized from 134 to 252 square feet. Aft-facing penthouses on decks 8, 9, and 10 are slightly smaller, measuring 365 to 411 square feet, with 78- to 123-square-foot balconies. Most penthouses can sleep three people, while a few can accommodate four. Penthouse suites come with a walk-in closet, living area with a couch, coffee table, and chair, as well as a small dining table with four chairs. Balconies in penthouses have full-sized lounge chairs.

Owner’s Suites

There are four Owner’s Suites on Deck 12 forward, measuring 667 to 732 square feet. These suites may be large BUT, they do not have balconies! This may not bother some people, but many travelers that pay for a “suite” experience, will likely want a balcony. Additionally, two Owner’s Suites each on decks 9 and 10 forward range in size from 721 to 900 square feet (including the balcony) and feature forward- and side-facing balconies, totaling 150 square feet of balcony space. Each suite can sleep four people with a pullout sofa. The Deck 12 suites have a large living area with a couch, coffee table, two easy chairs, a dining table for four, a full desk, flat-screen TV, and a bar setup with alcohol and coffee (three complimentary bottles of alcohol, plus bottled water and soda). The bedroom has a vanity table, a closet (not walk-in), and a second TV. The huge bathroom includes double sinks, a whirlpool tub, a separate shower, and a toilet behind a closed door. L’Occitane toiletries are provided, alongside the standard Norwegian soap and shampoo dispensers. Slanted floor-to-ceiling windows in both the living and sleeping areas offer stunning views. In contrast, the Owner’s Suites with balconies feature a walk-in closet in the bathroom, a second guest half-bath by the entrance, and a smaller bedroom space. One balcony offers a dining table and chairs, while the other balcony provides loungers.

Garden Villas

The two Garden Villas on Deck 14 are the most luxurious accommodations on Norwegian Dawn, and they are accessible only by keycard. These are marketed by NCL as “The Largest Suites at Sea”. These expansive 6,694-square-foot cabins consist of three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and enormous two-story outside deck areas. They can comfortably sleep seven people, providing more space than one could possibly need. The individual bedrooms vary in size and come with impressive bathrooms and closet space. Two bedrooms have king-sized beds and whirlpool tubs, while the third bedroom has a queen-sized bed, a standard bathtub, and a shower. The living room offers a breathtaking view of the pool deck and is equipped with a grand piano, dining table, couches, chairs, and a bar/kitchen area with six complimentary bottles of alcohol, plus bottled water and soda. The Garden Villas also boast private outdoor deck areas with whirlpools, lounge chairs, top-of-the-ship sunbathing decks, and steam rooms. If a large group books both Garden Villas together, the walls in the living room and outer decks can be opened up to create an enormous social space.

Family Suites

Norwegian Dawn offers three types of family suites: Family Suites without a balcony, Family Suites with a balcony, and Two-Bedroom Family Suites. The no-balcony suites are located on Deck 12, ranging in size from about 400 to 450 square feet and accommodating up to six guests. The room includes a living area with a pullout couch, two chairs, a small dining table for four, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with double sinks and a separate tub and shower. The family suites with a balcony have the same layout as the no-balcony suites but come with an additional 110-square-foot balcony featuring two upright chairs and a drinks table.

Family Suites on Deck 11 are 587 square feet in size, with a 50+ square-foot balcony located off the living area. These suites include a small inside kids’ room, which can sleep three people with a queen-sized pullout couch and a pulldown bunk bed. The kids’ room has its own bathroom, similar to a regular inside cabin, and a separate TV. The living room is furnished with a sitting area, couches, easy chairs, a dining table, and a coffee bar. The balcony provides two padded wicker loungers and a drinks table. A door leads to a walk-in closet. On one side is the master bedroom, separated from the closet by a curtain, and on the other side is a large bathroom with double sinks, a shower stall, a toilet behind a door, and a whirlpool tub with a window. Some find the master bed area a bit enclosed when the curtains are drawn, but the abundance of space more than compensates for this minor inconvenience.

Norwegian Dawn rooms to avoid

There are only a few cabins to avoid on the NCL Dawn. It’s worth mentioning that these aren’t necessarily BAD Cabins, they just may have some noise from above.

Most notably on Deck 11 the cabins in the center of the deck may experience some noise during breakfast and dinner service from the buffet above. Additionally some rooms will be under a pool deck where sound from a DJ spinning music may come through (cabin 11069, I’m looking at you!) This may not bother many people since the Buffet closes at 11 and doesn’t get really busy very early in the morning.

Secondly, there are a number of cabins that are incredibly close to elevators or other facilities such as Cabin 8118 and 8618 which are close to the central elevator bank and public restrooms. These are also obstructed-view cabins.

Spa, and Fitness on the Dawn

The fitness center is well equipped, albeit slightly dated. The location is perfect to allow for views upon views upon views as you are working out. The facility is connected to the spa area and shares the locker rooms with the Mandara Spa.

About that spa. The spa experience used to be a real treat on a cruise. In recent years the hard upsell and eyewatering prices have made this treat less pleasant. There is nothing like having an overpriced 90-minute massage to be rattled out of your zen state by someone trying to sell you creams and serums that you don’t need or want. It’s not only jarring, it’s disrespectful.

Mandara on Norwegian Cruise Lines is one of the biggest offenders, even though it’s pretty typical across all cruise line spas now. For this reason, I refuse to pay for a spa treatment from a Mandara-branded spa on NCL. But if you’re inclined to have a treatment, they offer everything from unique massage experiences to simple hair cuts. You’ll also find acupuncture, medispa services (botox, etc), and teeth whitening.

However, the thermal suite is a bit different 🙂

On the Dawn, there is a generous space dedicated to the thermal pool / suite area which includes a small heated pool, whirlpool, hydrotherapy, and heated loungers. The price varies based on cruise length, but we were offered a pass for $139/person for a 7 day cruise prior to embarkation… which is quite a good deal compared to some of the larger and newer ships! Day passes are available as well (check for current pricing).

Unfortunately, unlike the ‘good ole’ days’ – you no longer get access to the thermal suite when purchasing a service from the spa. Very short-sighted in my opinion, but hey, it’s not my business – but it will contribute to not purchasing a massage or other treatment now.

The Casino on the NCL Dawn

The casino is located in the center of the ship making it difficult to avoid. If you’re a gambler and casino person, there are plenty of games available to keep you entertained, we even won a few hundred dollars as non-gamblers! 🙂 

Unfortunately, the lack of air circulation and restricted space mixed with smoking makes the environment very unpleasant for non-smokers. Even our smoking friends thought it was a bit much. 

Norwegian Dawn Itineraries

The Dawn is hugely popular for Baltic Itineraries as well as British Isle Itineraries. The ship is perfect for these routes as it’s not too big and the ship wasn’t built around outdoor entertaining, meaning in cooler weather, it can accommodate passengers inside without relying on spreading people out across pool decks in bad weather. 

The Dawn also sails the Mediterranean, but less frequently these days.

In 2025, you’ll see quite a few Middle East itineraries show up for the Norwegian Dawn. These are a newer addition to the Dawn

It appears that USA/Caribbean And Transatlantic sailings no longer come up for the NCL Dawn. The focus seems to be on the above routes, which is unfortunate as people I know who have sailed the Dawn on transatlantic voyages really enjoyed it!

Norwegian Dawn Dress Code

One of the things that guests often ask about is the dress code on board the ship. The good news is that Norwegian Dawn has a relaxed dress code for most of the public areas of the ship, allowing guests to enjoy their holiday in comfort, in line with their “Freestyle” Branding. However, Le Bistro does have a policy that includes no shorts, torn jeans, flip flops. Here, smart casual attire is required for dinner, which means that guests should wear items such as trousers or skirts with a collared shirt or blouse. It’s not necessary to wear a jacket or tie, but it’s always a good idea to dress up a little.

Guests are encouraged to wear casual clothing such as jeans, shorts, and t-shirts in public spaces (not swimwear!). At night, guests are free to dress as they like in most areas of the ship.

Do you have a comment?

Did we miss something? Have you had a different experience? Did we get it wrong?

Norwegian Dawn Reviews and comments

Having sailed on the Dawn, I can say that it’s an all-around winner! However, this cruise ship is not for everyone.  See what other passengers have to say about the NCL Dawn cruise ship:

The staterooms were clean, spacious, and comfortable.

A beautiful ship and the perfect size.

Cruise Gear Editor

I'm a global nomad at heart, and the dedicated editor behind CruiseGear. For the past two decades, I've experienced exciting voyages across the world, discovering countless ports from the decks of dozens of ships, visiting 40+ countries (and living in some of them for years). It's been an exhilarating journey to say the least! I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Monthly Cruise Digest?

We’re Giving Away a Cruise in 2024! Enter Now

Review Cart

No products in the cart.

• CruiseMapper
• Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Dawn

Cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line

• Southampton (England)
• Cape Town (South Africa)
• Port Louis (Mauritius Island)

Norwegian Dawn current position

Norwegian Dawn current location is at West Mediterranean (coordinates 44.10689 N / 9.83767 E) cruising en route to LA SPEZIA-IT. The AIS position was reported 5 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Norwegian Dawn

Norwegian Dawn current cruise is 10 days, one-way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Barcelona . Prices start from USD 949 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 26 Apr, 2024 and ends on 06 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Norwegian Dawn

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Norwegian Dawn Itineraries

Norwegian dawn review, review of norwegian dawn.

The 2002-built Norwegian Dawn cruise ship is NCL's second Dawn-class liner - together with Norwegian Star .

The vessel (IMO number 9195169) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311307000) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary company of the shipping corporation Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). NCL was founded in 1966, headquartered in Miami (Florida USA) and publicly traded (NASDAQ) company listed on NYSE ( NYC ). NCLH's major shareholders are the corporations Apollo Global Management (American), Genting Group (Malaysian) and TPG Capital (American). In 2017, the brand NCL had a worldwide cruise market share 8,7% (passengers) and 8,4% (revenue). NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL , Oceania and RSSC-Regent .

The 2350-passenger ship Norwegian Dawn is the 3rd vessel in the Norwegian fleet to accommodate the line's Freestyle Cruising idea. The "Freestyle" design is not limited to dining but turns around the concept that customers have to choose. The dress code allows guests to wear what they want. In the middle of 2011, the cruise ship was refurbished and 50 more cabins were added, along with a new restaurant, the Brazilian Steakhouse. Some public points were rearranged like the gift shops, the art gallery and the atrium area. The place of the famous Spinnaker Lounge was changed, some public places were renovated. After these changes, 100 more places were added to the ship's capacity.

Generally, Norwegian Dawn is a vessel with a nice and calm atmosphere, planned to give everything to the passengers, plus first-time cruisers, wary of the traditional vacation at sea.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Dawn staterooms (1170 total, in 33 grades) include 173x Suites, 364x Balcony, 250x Oceanview and 383x Inside cabins. Most staterooms are sized 140-165 ft2 (13-15 m2). The largest accommodation is the 2-Bedroom Garden Villa (2285 ft2 / 212 m2, with a huge terrace of 3610 ft2 / 335 m2).

The boat has 14 decks , of which 11 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

In addition to the two main dining rooms, Norwegian Dawn features 10 distinct restaurants to choose from. Themes range from steaks and classic French bistro fare to Benihana-style Teppanyaki. Overall, the food is flavorful and even inventive. Service is excellent throughout, though it's not unusual to wait to receive your dessert during the busiest dinner hours (6:30 - 8:30 pm). Meals are cooked to order, so the food passengers receive is hot and fresh. Reservations for Dawn's speciality restaurants can be made only 24 hours in advance, so if you want to try one of the more popular spots, such as Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian-style steakhouse), Cagney's (American steakhouse), or Le Bistro (French), you should book as early as possible.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Dawn restaurants and food bars. 

• Venetian Restaurant (476-seat aft Dining Room; complimentary; Freestyle dining)
• Aqua Restaurant (314-seat forward Dining Room, complimentary)
• Le Bistro (86-seat French speciality dinner-only restaurant; reservations-only; US$20 cover charge)
• La Cucina (186-seat Italian speciality restaurant; reservations-only, US$15 cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• Bamboo (98-seat Asian restaurant; complimentary)
• Sushi Bar (17-seat Bamboo restaurant); Sake Bar (8-seat, inside Bamboo)
• Teppanyaki (18-seat Japanese Hibachi speciality, reservations-only restaurant; US$25; open for Lunch and Dinner; features live cooking demonstrations)
• Moderno Churrascaria (146-seat Brazilian steakhouse; reservations-only; US$20 per person cover charge; with outdoor seating waterfront area)
• Los Lobos Cantina (Mexican)
• Garden Cafe & Kid’s Cafe (426-seat indoor buffet restaurant, complimentary; with a special kids' dedicated area)
• Topsiders Bar & Grill (capacity 248-seat)
• O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill (pub, sports bar)
• Cagney’s Steakhouse (speciality dinner restaurant for prime steaks and gourmet seafood specialities; reservations-only, US$30 cover charge per person and free Kids Menu)
• Bimini Bar & Grill (135-seat outdoor snack bar).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

While Norwegian Dawn provides the usual fare during days at sea, such as bingo, arts and crafts, art auctions, wellness seminars, the real highlights of entertainment are the nightly shows. The "main event" each evening is held in the Stardust Theater, which features everything - from Broadway-style song-and-dance acts to variety shows. The Stardust Theater spans Decks 5 through 7. It is designed in a European opera house style and is quite comfortable. The Dawn Club Casino is located along the corridor leading to the Stardust and offers the usual games and slot machines. The spa and sports facilities on Norwegian Dawn are open until 11 p.m. most nights, and there is an Internet cafe, as well. The ship has a total of 7 jacuzzis and 3 pools (kids' T-Rex Pool). Entertainment options also include the NCL's FIREWORKS show (on each voyage), "Rock of Ages", "Cirque Dreams", "Illusionarium" (magicians show).

Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hr Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("NCL Kids"), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry. NCL Dawn tipping/gratuities are US$12 pp per day. Dawn cruise ship allows onboard weddings.

Follows the complete list of Norwegian Dawn lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Stardust Theatre (1037-seat; features Broadway-style musical productions; two grand-shows per night)
• Aloha Atrium (2-deck midship hub area, hosts the 63-seat Aloha Bar)
• Gatsby’s Champagne Bar; Havana Club (smoking room); Wine Cellar; The Pearly Kings Pub (84-seat English pub); Java Cafe (57-seat coffee & tea bar); Internet Cafe; Star Bar
• Dawn Club Casino
• Spinnaker Lounge (457-seat aft Show Lounge & Nightclub); Bliss (observation)
• The Galleria Shops (tax-duty free shops); Port o’ Call (perfumes & cosmetics boutique); Photo Gallery & Shop
• Mandara Spa (beauty salon, treatment rooms); Lap Pool; Oasis Pool; T- Rex Kid’s Pool; El Dorado Fitness Centre; Jogging Track; Golf Nets; Combined sports court (basketball, volleyball, tennis)
• T- Rex Kid’s Centre; Video Zone.

Itineraries

Norwegian Dawn itinerary program is based on Caribbean roundtrips from USA ports ( Tampa Florida  and Boston MA ) visiting destinations in Bermuda, Western Caribbean and Canada/New England (alternated seasonally).

The ship is also deployed in Europe (Mediterranean and Baltic/UK) with homeporting in Southampton England ,  Copenhagen Denmark , Stockholm Sweden .

For winter seasons 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, NCL Dawn was deployed in the Red Sea/Africa offering 7-9-10-11-12-day-long itineraries leaving from exotic countries like the UAE (Dubai), Qatar (Doha), Mauritius (Port Louis), South Africa (Cape Town).

Norwegian Dawn - user reviews and comments

Norwegian dawn ship related cruise news.

8 NCL's Norwegian Dawn cruise passengers stranded on African island amid allegations of ship...

8 cruise tourists from the Norwegian Dawn ship found themselves stranded on Sao Tome Island (Sao Tome and Príncipe, central-west Africa...

Cholera fears prompt Mauritius to refuse entry to NCL cruise ship Norwegian Dawn

Mauritius has declined permission for an NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line ship to dock at Port Louis, citing concerns about a potential illness outbreak (of...

NCL's 2025-2026 cruises: Antarctic itineraries, Breakaway-Plus ships, new ports

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed its 2025-2026 itineraries, introducing maiden port calls and homeports for Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Viva...

NCL's ship Norwegian Dawn starts inaugural voyages from the UAE

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled plans for the Norwegian Dawn ship to debut in the Red Sea with homeporting in the UAE/United Arab Emirates...

Port Belfast (Northern Ireland UK) experiences record-breaking 2023 cruise season

In 2023, Belfast (Northern Ireland) experienced a record-breaking cruise season, as reported by Cruise Belfast, the collaboration between Belfast...

NCL ship Norwegian Jade concludes inaugural homeporting season from South Africa (Cape Town)

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated a new milestone on January 26th, having successfully concluded its inaugural season sailing from Cape Town in...

Arrival of NCL Norwegian Dawn ship to Puerto Plata (Dominicana) suspended

A cruise ship suspended its scheduled call at Taino Bay Port (Puerto Plata, Dominicana), on Sunday, December 25th. The reason for the cancelation is...

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line marks the return of Norwegian Escape to Europe

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line marked the successful return of Norwegian Escape, the first liner of the brand's Breakaway-Plus class, to Europe. Back in...

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line cancels more voyages in the Baltic due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line canceled more voyages in the Baltic due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. All Norwegian Getaway’s Baltic sailings...

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line unveils additional sailing cancellations

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced additional sailing cancellations on top of those announced last week.  A total of 11x NCL ships are...

•   show more news

Other Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ships

• Norwegian Aqua
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Epic
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Gem
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Jade
• Norwegian Jewel
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Pearl
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Sky
• Norwegian Spirit
• Norwegian Star
• Norwegian Sun
• Norwegian Viva
• Pride of America

Norwegian Dawn Wiki

NCL Dawn ship was intended to operate under the name "SuperStar Scorpio" with Star Cruises (GHK-owned Asian brand), but it was decided she would be delivered to NCL instead. Dawn is the first NCL ship to carry hull art. Dawn is the first Dawn-Class NCL ship, with only fleetmate-sistership Norwegian Star . The inaugural cruise was on December 7, 2002. The liner was christened in  NYC . Vessel's godmother is Kim Cattrall (US actress).

Itineraries 2017-2018 changes

For the 2017-2018 season, NCL Dawn was repositioned from  Port NOLA (New Orleans)  to  Tampa Florida . Next, the ship was homeported in  San Juan Puerto Rico  (Nov 12, 2017, through Jan 7, 2018) for 7-10-11-day Southern Caribbean roundtrips.

NCL Dawn refurbishment 2016 review

The list of deckplan changes after the ship's drydock 2016 refurbishment (May 8 to June 3, in Freeport Bahamas ) includes:

• Major renovations were made to the ship’s Dawn Club Casino and Stardust Theater (both on Deck 6), Atrium lobby and Photo Gallery (both on Promenade Deck 7), Library (Lido Deck 12), the entire pool deck (Lido Deck 12), Entourage (teens club and video arcade on Deck 13).
• (Deck 6) the restaurants Le Bistro (French) and La Cucina (Italian) switched places. Both were updated with new carpeting, furniture, signage, new decorative lighting.
• (Deck 6) the ship’s main dining rooms (named “The Venetian” and “Aqua”) were extensively refurbished with new carpeting, wood flooring, wall coverings, artwork, ceiling finishes, lighting, signage. Their furniture was reupholstered.
• (Deck 6) Gatsby’s Champagne Bar received new flooring, furniture, artwork, decorative lighting, window treatments, new chandelier.
• (Deck 6) Havana Club (cigar bar) received new furniture, humidor, tile flooring, draperies.
• (Deck 7) Bamboo Asian Restaurant received new carpeting, wood flooring; lighting; furniture (tables, chairs, barstools), updated artwork. The Teppanyaki Room’s size was doubled, more tables were added, its flooring and decor were changed. A divider was built between the Teppanyaki Room and the Bamboo restaurant.
• (Deck 7) The Pearly Kings Pub (84 seats English pub) was replaced by The Cellars (wine bar, a partnership with the Michael Mondavi Family).
• (Deck 7) Spinnaker Lounge was renamed to Bliss Lounge, redesigned and refurbished with new carpeting and furniture.
• (Deck 7) Tides (new boutique jewelry store was added in the atrium lobby. The Ports O’ Call shop was renamed to Tradewinds.
• (Deck 8) The Blue Lagoon buffet restaurant was replaced by O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill. This is a big-sized lounge area with a 24-hour sports bar and pub with complimentary burgers, hotdogs, desserts.
• (Deck 8) To make space for the new O’Sheehan’s, the Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse restaurant) was relocated to deck 13, replacing there the Star Bar (88-seat cocktail bar). Moderno received new furniture, decor, wall coverings, window treatments, themed artwork.
• Mandara Spa (Deck 11) and Pulse Fitness Center (Deck 12) were both redesigned and updated. The Spa received new treatment rooms, barbershop, nail salon, Thermal Suite (with 8 heated loungers), spa pool.
• (Deck 12) the new a-la-carte priced Mexican restaurant was added – Los Lobos Cantina.
• General renovation of all public areas was also done, including new carpeting, all elevators, all public restrooms.
• (Deck 12) Garden Cafe (buffet restaurant) was redesigned and upgraded with new flooring, furniture, decorative lighting, artwork, wall finishes, signage.
• (Deck 13) Cagney’s Steakhouse was redesigned to become more spacious and received new furniture, artwork, decor, carpeting, lighting, wall finishes.
• (Deck 13) added Sugarcane Mojito Bar

All passenger cabins were refurbished with new carpeting, bedding, furniture, flat TVs, draperies, artwork. The Haven Garden Villas (suites on deck 14) received new flooring, bedding, furniture, lighting, ceilings, decor, 42-inch HDTVs. The hull was repainted.

Drydock 2016 was part of NCL's "Norwegian Edge" program for fleetwide upgrades (2-year project budgeted USD 400 million). Each drydock costs around USD 35-40 million.

NCL Dawn refurbishment 2011 review

The list of deckplan changes after the major drydock 2011 refit included:

• (Deck 12) the Cinema was converted to meeting rooms.
• (Deck 8 - new restaurants) Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse), Blue Lagoon (buffet)
• (Deck 7 - venues that were relocated and conversed into passenger rooms) Photo Gallery, Galleria Shops (Tax-Duty-Free), Spinnaker (observation lounge), the old card/conference rooms.
• (Deck 6 changes) “Impressions” (Italian restaurant) was renovated and renamed “La Cucina”.

Norwegian Dawn-Class Cruise Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line's two-ship Dawn Class comprises Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn, each holding around 2,340 passengers. Launched in 2001 and 2002 respectively, these well-traveled sister ships are among the most seasoned vessels in Norwegian's fleet. The smaller size of the Dawn-class ships means they lack the show-stopping features found on the line's newest ships, but they do offer a wide array of restaurants.

On This Page

Dawn-class ships, dawn-class amenities, differences among ships within the dawn class.

Norwegian Dawn

Norwegian Star

Norwegian's Dawn-class ships offer several traditional cruise amenities (sports deck with basketball and volleyball, golf driving nets, multiple hot tubs, casino), as well as a fabulous spa with an indoor lap pool. There's also a splash areas for kids.

When it comes to dining, both Dawn-class ships have plenty of choice with five free dining venues, including one bar and grill and one Asian eatery. The extra-fee choices are plentiful also and include Le Bistro, NCL's signature French eatery; the Moderno Churrascaria Brazilian steakhouse; Teppanyaki, a Japanese Hibachi restaurant; and La Cucina, an Italian trattoria.

In the evening, there's a wide range of musical performances in the theater, as well as bands playing in the bars and lounges and live DJs at the Bliss Ultra Lounge nightclub; you won't find Broadway musicals on Dawn class.

While neither Star nor Dawn has the private, keycard-accessible Haven suite enclave, they do both offer family suites, as well as coveted three-bedroom Garden Villas. With a staggering 6,694 square feet of space each, the villas are touted as some of the largest suites at sea.

Both ships have the same restaurants with just one exception. Norwegian Dawn offers the line's Mexican cantina, Los Lobos.

Some of the bars and lounges differ as well. Norwegian Star, for example, is the only one to have the line's Spice H20 adults-only outdoor space. With a hot tub and full bar, it transforms at night into an open-air lounge with live entertainment. Star is also the only one with a 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar, offering up a Jimmy Buffet-inspired atmosphere and signature margaritas.

Dawn, on the other hand, has a more traditional cigar bar and The Cellars, a Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar.

Norwegian's Dawn-class ships are best suited for people seeking a lot of choice when it comes to dining, but less active options throughout the rest of the ship. Both ships are a good choice for someone who has cruised before on short three- or four-night trips and is ready to take the plunge into a weeklong voyage.

Dawn-class ships, like all Norwegian Cruise ships, should be avoided by anyone looking for an all-inclusive experience, as many of the restaurants onboard cost extra. Only suite cruisers on these ships can dine everywhere at no extra cost.

To learn about other Norwegian Cruise Line ship classes, see Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes .

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

Norwegian Dawn

The  Norwegian Dawn  was built in 2002 and is among Norwegian’s 19 ships in its fleet. The Dawn is included in the cruise line’s Dawn Class. In the cruise ship stats below, you’ll find the Norwegian Dawn vs all of the other Norwegian ships.

Norwegian Dawn Size

How big is the Norwegian Dawn? Below, you’ll find all of the relevant cruise ship stats, specs and dimensions for the Norwegian Dawn. Included in these statistics are passenger capacity, length, year built, year renovated, cost to build, gross tonnage, engine info, number of rooms, deck counts and more!

Norwegian Dawn Capacity

Passenger Capacity refers to the total number of people that the Norwegian Dawn can accommodate. Of course, there are also crew members on board. Below, find the total onboard capacity, including staff and cruise guests.

Norwegian Avg: 3,073 guests

Norwegian Dawn Passenger Capacity: The passenger capacity for the Norwegian Dawn is 2,340 guests . The average capacity for the 19 active ships in Norwegian’s fleet is 3,073 passengers. The passenger capacity range for all Norwegian ships has a minimum of 1,936 guests and a maximum of 4,266 passengers.

Norwegian Avg: 1,303 staff

Norwegian Dawn Crew Members: Staff on the Norwegian Dawn include 1,032 crew members. That’s a guest to staff ratio of 2.3 to 1. The average Norwegian ship includes 1,303 employees and has a passenger to staff ratio of 2.4 to 1.

Norwegian Dawn Passenger Capacity and Crew

vs Norwegian Fleet

Norwegian Dawn Length

How long is the Dawn? From end to end, the Norwegian Dawn length equals 965 feet (295 meters). Compare that to the average ship length of all 19 active vessels in Norwegian’s fleet, measuring 987 feet (301 meters).

Norwegian Avg: 987 feet

The smallest Norwegian ship (in terms of length) measures 832 feet (254 meters) from end to end. The longest vessel spans 1094 feet (334 meters).

Our chart below shows the length of the Norwegian Dawn vs all other active Norwegian ships.

Norwegian Dawn Ship Length

vs all Norwegian Ships

Norwegian Dawn Built Date

When was the Norwegian Dawn Built? The Norwegian Dawn was built in 2002 and joined the cruise line’s Dawn Class.

Norwegian includes 19 active ships. The oldest in the fleet was built in 1998. The average Norwegian ship is 14 years old and the median build date for all active ships is 2010

Norwegian Avg: 2007

When was the last Norwegian Dawn Dry Dock? The Norwegian Dawn experienced dry dock improvements in 2016.

renovation date

Renovations included the following: The Norwegian Dawn experienced a refurbishment in May 2016. The dry dock was completed in Freeport, Bahamas and included the following additons or upgrades: Blue Lagoon; Moderno Churrascaria; Sugarcane Mojito Bar, and other common area renovations. The hull of the Norwegian Dawn was also painted during this drydock effort.

Norwegian Dawn Deck Plans

The Norwegian Dawn has a total of 11 passenger decks. The lowest level available to guests is Deck 4. The highest passenger deck is Deck 14.

What does the Norwegian Dawn offer in terms of “things to do?” The ship features 17 restaurants, 7 bars, 17 activities, and 5 other features for your enjoyment.

Click below to access deck plans for the Norwegian Dawn. The resulting page will provide a floor plan and summary of all “things to do” offered on that level of the ship.

Norwegian Dawn - All Deck Plans

• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 4
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 5
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 6
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 7
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 8
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 9
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 10
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 11
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 12
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 13
• Norwegian Dawn - Deck 14

Norwegian Dawn Info

Frequently asked questions, what is the norwegian dawn ship class.

The ship belongs to the Norwegian class of ships known as the Dawn class.

What does the Norwegian Dawn offer in terms of things to do?

The ship features 17 restaurants, 7 bars, 17 activities, 0 shows and 5 other venues for your enjoyment. You can click on our ship deck plans or details pages for a full list of activities, sorted by feature type.

How many decks are on the Norwegian Dawn?

The Norwegian Dawn has a total of 11 passenger decks. The lowest deck is Level 4. The upper most passenger deck is Level 14.

What is the Norwegian Dawn capacity?

We're often asked how many passengers are on the Norwegian Dawn. The ship's capacity is 2,340. When comparing the occupancy to the average Norwegian passenger capacity, you'll find that the average ship in the fleet holds 3,073 guests. Feel free to look at our graph above to see where this ship falls in line with all other live Norwegian ships.

How old is the Norwegian Dawn?

The Norwegian Dawn was built in 2002. Norwegian includes 19 active ships. The oldest in the fleet was built in 1998. The average Norwegian ship is 14 years old and the median build date for all active ships is 2011

Is the Norwegian Dawn a good ship?

Each of Norwegian's ships offers a unique layout with features and activities catered to all. Whether the Norwegian Dawn is right for you will depend on your individual preferences. Do you prefer a larger or smaller ship with many or fewer guests? Are you hoping for many family activities or entertainment options for an older clientele. Our deck maps layout and activities list provide a helpful guide to what you'll find on board. Feel free to explore the see if this ship is suited towards your preferences.

How long is the Norwegian Dawn?

From end to end, the Spectrum of the Seas length equals 965 feet (295 meters). Compare that to the average ship length of all 19 active vessels in Norwegian fleet, measuring 987 feet (301 meters). Please see our size comparison chart above to see how this ship falls in line with all other active ships in the fleet.

Gangwaze is your one-stop destination for shore tours, pre-cruise hotels, transfers, vacation insurance & more. We’ve partnered with industry leaders to bring you the best deals and the most convenience.

We love hearing from you. Email us directly or holler through socials.

Cruise Spotlight

Helping you find cruise ships you'll love

All about the Norwegian Dawn

The Norwegian Dawn was built in 2002. It was renovated in 2016. It's considered a small size ship. Coming in at 965 ft long and 125 ft wide, it's roughly the length of 2.7 football fields, as wide as 2.4 tractor trailers, and the same height as a 12-story building.

Norwegian Dawn Overview

• Ship and Passengers
• Food and Restaurants
• Bars and Drinks
• Pools and Hot Tubs
• Ship Features and Activities

Cruise Costs

• Onboard Costs

Norwegian Dawn Size and Passengers

The Dawn can hold 2,340 based on double occupancy (two people per room) and more when you take into account 3rd and 4th passengers. When you compare the total tonnage of the ship to the number of passengers, the Dawn has a space ratio of 35. Depending on the ship, this number can range from 30 to 52 (with a bigger number meaning more space per person) so this ship has less space per person than average.

The Dawn is one of two Dawn-class ships currently sailing with Norwegian. The Dawn is very similar to its sister-ships; Star, although each ship may have some differences.

Norwegian Dawn Food and Restaurants

Food is a big part of any cruise, and there will plenty on the Norwegian Dawn. You have 12 different dining options to choose from. Of those options, 4 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 8 options have an additional fee. Some of those options are a set price and some have a la cart menu pricing. Only 33% of the dining options are included meaning you might spend more while on the ship due to the additional fees.

Norwegian Dawn Bars and Drinks

Norwegian Dawn has 9 different bars and lounges where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail.

Alcohol is not included in the base price of this cruise ship. To see if you would save money with a drink package, try our Drink Package Calculator.

Norwegian also serves the Coca-cola family of products. That means Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship.

Pools and Hot Tubs on Norwegian Dawn

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day in a pool, a cruise might not be the right choice. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Norwegian Dawn has a total of 2 pools and 5 hot tubs. 1 of the pools is exclusive access, which means there's either an extra charge to access it or you need to book a certain class of cabin.

Norwegian Dawn Features and Activities

There are quite a few things to do on the Dawn. These are the main amenities that are available. Some are included in the cost of the cruise, while others have an additional charge.

Norwegian is a mainstream cruise line. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year.

Norwegian Dawn Onboard Costs

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you understand what you might spend onboard a Norwegian ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a Free at Sea fare. Through this program, guests receive free open bar, a discount on excursions, some free internet, and some meals at their specialty restaurants. If you book using this promotion, you'll be responsible for the gratuities on the dining and drink package. If you won't be using these options, booking a "sail away" rate that doesn't include the Free at Sea benefits is considerably cheaper. Also, most of these benefits are the base packages; you can spend more to upgrade to better alcoholic drinks or faster/more wifi.

Want to Stay Up-To-Date on All Things Cruising?

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Threads , or subscribe to our monthly newsletter .

Articles Related to This Ship

Wheel of Fortune Coming to 16 Norwegian Ships

How Norwegian Cruise Line’s Drink Packages Work

Compare the dawn to another ship.

First ship:

Second ship:

Norwegian Cruise Ships by Size, Age and Class (Updated 2022)

Norwegian Cruise Line has an active fleet of seventeen ships with a further two ships due in 2022-23 ( Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva ) plus, a further four more ships due between 2024-27.

The fleet is primarily based in the United States and sails frequently from the ports of Miami and Port Canaveral. However, they do also sail from New York.

Additional sailings take place throughout Europe, including Southampton.

In this guide, we will cover all the different ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and how they compare to each other.

Introduction to Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL as it is more commonly known amongst cruisers started off back in 1966. However, it didn’t actually cruise from Norway originally!

It was founded by two men, Knut Kloster and perhaps more famously known now, Ted Arison (of Carnival Cruise Line ).

Their first vessel Sunward , a modified car ferry which also provided passenger services operated between the ports of Southampton and Gibraltar. It wasn’t long after that that Ted Arison left to found Carnival Cruise Line and Knut Kloster grew Norwegian Cruise Line to what it is today.

It wasn’t until 1971 that Norwegian Cruise Line had its first custom-built cruise ship, Starward delivered into service. Like the original Sunward the two ships also had car-carrying capacity, albeit via a well-concealed stern (rear) door system.

Fast forward to 2000 and NCL was sold to Star Cruises (a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong) – this lasted until 2007 when Star Cruises sold 50% to an investment management company ( Apollo Management ) and then in 2013 the company reorganized again to become Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Since 2013, the company has acquired two further cruise brands ( Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises ) and continues to grow the NCL fleet with several new builds announced for the current decade.

Norwegian Cruise Line Frequently Asked Questions

Is norwegian cruise line going to survive.

Whilst NCL has been one of the slowest to return to service (with Norwegian Getaway still not due back in service until November 2022) the cruise line has taken on additional debt to manage the day-to-day operations of the company and therefore it is more than likely to stay around!

What is the largest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

Norwegian Encore is currently the largest NCL ship at 169,116 GRT and able to carry 3,998 passengers.

What is the smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ship?

The smallest NCL ship is Norwegian Spirit at 75,904 GRT and able to carry 2,018 passengers – half of the largest ships in the fleet.

Which Norwegian Cruise Line ship is the newest?

Norwegian Prima will be the newest ship to join the fleet in August 2022.

Which Norwegian Cruise Line ship is the oldest?

Norwegian Spirit is the oldest ship in the fleet. Which entered service in 1998 and was last refurbished in 2020.

Is Norwegian Cruise Line owned by Royal Caribbean?

No. It is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. They also own luxury brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Size (from largest to smallest)

What does ‘tonnage (grt)’ mean.

GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) is a term used to calculate the volume inside a ship. It is a measure of cubic capacity and is calculated by the total volume from inside the hull and decks of the ship. 1 GRT = 100 cubic feet of space. In essence, the bigger the GRT – the more ‘space’ the ship has for passengers, cargo, etc.

How are ‘Passengers (Max)’ calculated?

You’ll see multiple numbers for passengers on ships – this is because many ships include extra beds in cabins (such as the sofa/couch can convert to a pull-out bed) – but the majority of cabins usually have 2 people in them. the ‘Max’ number is if every cabin used their additional pull-out bed, etc. This number is unlikely to be reached very frequently.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Age (from newest to oldest)

Are all norwegian cruise ships new builds.

Actually, NCL has possibly one of the most complicated fleets as a good majority of their ships are fairly old (compared to some of the other cruise lines).

Norwegian Sky for example was originally constructed as Costa Olympia , but was actually sold during construction to NCL and sailed as Pride of Aloha from 2004-2008.

Both Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn were both originally ordered for Star Cruises ( Superstar Libra and Superstar Scorpio respectively) but ended up being transferred to NCL before they launched.

Norwegian Spirit was built as SuperStar Leo for Star Cruises and sailed with them from 1998 until 2004 when she transferred to NCL and was renamed.

Norwegian Jade was previously named Pride of Hawaii for NCL America. She entered service in 2006 and was transferred to NCL, renamed and has been sailing for them since 2008.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships by Class (from newest to oldest)

Final thoughts.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a large cruise line in the industry, but has been overtaken by many others ( Carnival Cruise Line , Royal Caribbean to name just two) – however, NCL has been groundbreaking when it comes to bringing new ideas to the cruise industry.

They were the first to offer a more casual-relaxed dining approach, with any-time dining instead of the traditional two-set timed dining system that other lines previously (and still) use.

Thanks to the SS Norway (which NCL acquired in 1979 – then named France ), Norwegian rebuilt the liner as a cruise ship and added vast amounts of extra space for entertaining cruise passengers – something that set the boom in large cruise ships in the industry going.

These days, Norwegian is a very popular cruise line that still brings out a number of ‘firsts’ over other lines (such as Go-Karting at sea), and whilst their fleet is on the slightly older side, they will have some much newer and larger vessels being delivered over the next few years.

Enjoy this guide? Read our other comparison guides on Carnival Cruise Line , Holland America Line and MSC Cruises .

Similar Posts

Princess Cruises Ships by Size, Age and Class (2022)

MSC Magnifica Deck by Deck Guide

Cruise Drinks Package Calculator (2022)

MSC Cruises Ships by Size, Age and Class (Updated 2023)

Viking Cruises Ships by Size, Age and Class (2022)

MSC Magnifica Cabin and Experiences Guide

The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained

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:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your 1st cruise

• Travel Updates
• Travel Stories

Why cruise line Norwegian Dawn did the right thing by ditching passengers

Eight people have accused Norwegian Cruise Line of abandoning them. Now, one cruiser said the ship’s captain did the right thing.

Bankrupt builders leave eerie town to rot

World famous landmark wrecked

Flight attendant runs to pilot after proposal

Eight people have accused Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) of abandoning them on a tiny island in Africa after a private tour ran late and the group missed the embarkation cut-off time.

Four of the group are elderly and another is pregnant , and though the ship was still at anchor, they were denied boarding.

The ship, the Norwegian Dawn, set sail without them – and it was right to do so.

Once, I was late to check in for a flight. I jumped out of the taxi, sprinted to the counter (which is no mean feat when you’re hauling luggage) and arrived at the desk sweating bullets, prepared to get on my knees and grovel if it meant I’d be allowed through. I began to tell my sob story to the lady at the desk, heart hammering and lungs gasping for air, when she politely interrupted and shook her head.

In the nicest way possible, she said this: “Stiff bickies.” (OK yes, I’ve paraphrased.)

Sure, the plane was still at the airport, no more than a few hundred metres from where I was standing. However, the luggage had already been loaded, the manifest had already been finalised, and the other passengers were already boarding. There was no way they were going to let me board, nor should they have.

You see, I had been on a whale-watching tour about two-and-a-half hours south of the airport – hey, it was my last day, I wanted to make it count. I planned it to perfection, except for one detail: we spotted a playful pod right at the very end, so the captain offered to give us some bonus time to enjoy the view.

With one eye on the magnificent mammals, and another on my watch, I held on to a flicker of hope that I might make it. I jumped on the bus back to town, flagged down a cab, and asked the driver to hurry. I launched out of the car like a 100m sprinter launches out of starting blocks and ran into the terminal.

Alas, my proverbial ship had sailed.

Was it a bummer? Absolutely. But imagine delaying the other 158-or-so passengers scheduled to depart on the Boeing 737, asking the crew to extend their shifts, or holding the plane and disrupting airport traffic … all so little old me could drop off my bags, scurry through security, and find my gate.

Imagine the awkwardness if I stepped onto that plane. What do you say? “Sorry guys, my bad, lol.”

That doesn’t even scratch the surface of a cruise ship’s operations. Norwegian Dawn can accommodate 3372 people – 2340 passengers and 1032 crew – and this group of eight expected it to wait?

A ship’s departure time isn’t exactly a mystery.

I sailed on Norwegian Dawn in February and the departure time was published in NCL’s Freestyle Daily newsletter the night before and announced over the loudspeaker multiple times in the morning. It was also posted on signs at the doors where guests disembark.

The golden rule is clear: Make sure you’re back on time, or the ship may sail without you.

So what do you do if you’re left behind? Generally there are two options: either catch up with the ship at a later port or head home. If you’re lucky, you’ll have brought your essentials with you – your passport, phone, credit card, and medication – because all of your belongings will stay on board until the end.

Please don’t get me wrong, of course I’m sympathetic to the distress of those who were left in a foreign country without the safety of the ship. It would be scary and stressful to figure out next steps, especially for the members of the group with higher needs, and disappointing to miss out on their holidays.

However, the unfortunate reality is that ships can’t always wait.

Private tours are a whole separate issue, because while the ship will wait for official tours – those which have been organised by the cruise ship operator – to return, all bets are off for passengers taking their shore excursions into their own hands. Unofficial tours can be slightly cheaper than those on the ship’s itinerary, with slightly more availability, so they can be attractive. However, while operators will do their best to stick to scheduled times, all bets are off once you board that bus and leave the port.

Think of it like booking multiple legs of a trip with different airlines. They’re not in the same network, they don’t owe each other anything, and they can’t guarantee that you’ll make your connection. Say the bus breaks down. Maybe someone wanders off and takes ages to find. Perhaps the group lingers over a delicious lunch. Someone might need to stop at an ATM or a loo. You could get stuck in traffic. Or maybe your tour will be like mine and you’ll see something incredible that simply makes you want to pause.

More Coverage

And so, eight passengers were left in São Tomé and Príncipe, Africa’s second-smallest country.

“While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time,” NCL said in a statement, adding that it is communicating with the guests about their next steps. It’s harsh but fair, especially since the other 3364 (or so) people on board got it right.

Kirrily Schwarz recently sailed on Norwegian Dawn as a guest of Norwegian Cruise Line.

On the coast of the Black Sea sits an eerie ghost town full of Disney-inspired mansions that were never finished.

The Moulin Rouge is one of Paris’ most famous attractions but the venue’s iconic windmill lay in tatters after its sails fell off.

A flight attendant can be seen bolting down the aisle of a plane after her pilot boyfriend made a surprising announcement on the PA system.

Norwegian Dawn Decks and Cabins

• Click here for ALL
• Family Suite
• Family Suite with Balcony
• 2 Bedroom Family Suite
• Owners Suite
• Deluxe Owner Suite
• Garden Villa
• Ship info and tracking
• Cabins Check

Built in 2002, the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship weighs 92K tons and has 1170 staterooms for up to 2808 passengers served by 1010 crew . There are 14 passenger decks, 9 with cabins. You can expect a space ratio of 33 gross tons per passenger on this ship. On this page are the current deck plans for Norwegian Dawn showing deck plan layouts, public venues and all the types of cabins including pictures and videos.

Norwegian Dawn

Last Drydock: Apr 2024

LIVE SHIP TRACKING

STATEROOM CABINS COMPLETE LIST BELOW

GARDEN VILLA

Floor Diagram Garden Villa

Sleeps up to: 6 2 Cabins Cabin: 2286 sqft (215 m 2 ) Balcony: 3612 sqft (339 m 2 )

Click for    

More Info [+/-]

Deck locations, stateroom cabin features, stateroom cabin perks, more diagrams of this cabin type.

DELUXE OWNER SUITE

Floor Diagram Deluxe Owner Suite

Sleeps up to: 6 4 Cabins Cabin: 667 sqft (63 m 2 ) Balcony: 0 sqft (0 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Important Size Information

Owners suite.

Floor Diagram Owners Suite

Sleeps up to: 4 4 Cabins Cabin: 571 sqft (54 m 2 ) Balcony: 150 sqft (14 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

2 BEDROOM FAMILY SUITE

Floor Diagram Two Bedroom Family Suite

Sleeps up to: 5 10 Cabins Cabin: 533 sqft (50 m 2 ) Balcony: 54 sqft (5 m 2 )

FAMILY SUITE WITH BALCONY

Floor Diagram Family Suite with Balcony

Sleeps up to: 6 10 Cabins Cabin: 344 sqft (32 m 2 ) Balcony: 65 sqft (6 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Floor Diagram Penthouse

Sleeps up to: 4 20 Cabins Cabin: 314 sqft (30 m 2 ) Balcony: 134 sqft (13 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

FAMILY SUITE

Floor Diagram Family Suite

Sleeps up to: 6 14 Cabins Cabin: 283 sqft (27 m 2 ) Balcony: 0 sqft (0 m 2 )

 Accessible Info [+/-]

Floor Diagram Mini-Suite

Sleeps up to: 4 109 Cabins Cabin: 229 sqft (22 m 2 ) Balcony: 54 sqft (5 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Balcony

Sleeps up to: 3 364 Cabins Cabin: 166 sqft (16 m 2 ) Balcony: 37 sqft (3 m 2 ) * Size may vary, see details below.

Floor Diagram Oceanview

Sleeps up to: 4 250 Cabins Cabin: 161 sqft (15 m 2 )

Floor Diagram Interior

Sleeps up to: 4 383 Cabins Cabin: 141 sqft (13 m 2 )

Norwegian Dawn Deck Page Menu

Click deck pictures to go to individual cruise deck plan pages where you can see all the public areas, venues and stateroom cabins categories for each deck.

Norwegian Dawn Quick Stats

Big picture norwegian dawn decks.

Opens in new window (warning: large file)

Norwegian Dawn Links

• PDF of all the decks
• PDF (choose your own decks)
• Norwegian Dawn DECK DRAG
• Norwegian Dawn Cabin Check
• POCKET GUIDE

CRUISEDECKPLANS.COM Use the input buttons above to go to the main page for a Cruise Ship or Cruise Line.

This Norwegian Cruise sailing takes you on a bucket list adventure: What it's like aboard

F or Kylie Herd, an Australian passenger on Norwegian Dawn’s Feb. 25 southern Africa itinerary, cruising has been the best way to check places off her bucket list.

“I just go with whatever cruise line has the itinerary that I want to do at the time that I’m available. It tends to be Norwegian, and when I saw that Norwegian had all these African cruises, I just thought, ‘I’m going to spend summer in Africa,’ because it’s an amazing itinerary,” she told USA TODAY.

When it comes to cruising, most Americans probably think of bopping around the Caribbean or checking out the wilds of Alaska if they’re feeling especially adventurous, but that’s really just scratching the surface. Cruise lines are increasingly offering diverse itineraries including expedition cruises to remote parts of the globe and introductory sailings to help travelers explore countries and regions they might never visit otherwise.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Madagascar was the real draw for months of consecutive cruises on the Dawn for Herd.

“I’ve been trying to go to Madagascar for years. I always wanted to go there way before the movies ever came out. It’s one of those places that’s really difficult to get to,” she said. “When I saw Madagascar on a cruise itinerary I was like, ‘I have to do it.’ ”

Although the Feb. 25 sailing had to skip Madagascar for logistical reasons after a delay departing Mauritius, Herd said that she was able to visit the country earlier on her trip and that it was a real highlight.

Norwegian’s Africa itineraries had various changes and missed ports throughout the season. Passenger contracts give cruise lines some leeway to alter itineraries on short notice for reasons including weather or conditions on the ground that prevent ships from reaching or being accommodated safely in a scheduled port. Such changes can be especially common in regions prone to political unrest or that lack sophisticated port facilities.

Even so, Herd said she understood why passengers who missed out would be frustrated, but she encouraged her fellow travelers to keep an eye on the positive. “I understand the disappointment. I was disappointed, too, but we’re still having a great time.”

The Feb. 25 cruise still stopped at Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean, which has an active volcano, as well as ports in South Africa where travelers could spot local wildlife.

Safari from a cruise

Norwegian Dawn stopped at four ports in South Africa, three of which offered safari experiences as shore excursions.

▶ From Richard’s Bay, passengers could visit the iSimangasilo Wetland Park , home to elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, zebras and other classic African big game. The park is about an hour and a half drive from the port, and Norwegian’s shore excursion included two game drives, snorkeling and a traditional South African braai, or barbecue.

Just as cruise itineraries can sometimes be subject to last-minute changes, safaris are at the whim of wild animals. Sightings are not guaranteed, but patience and vigilance are often rewarded.

▶ In Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Norwegian Dawn’s passengers could visit Addo Elephant National Park, also about an hour and a half drive from the port.

As the name suggests, Addo is home to a huge and docile population of more than 600 elephants. These animals often congregate around watering holes accessible from well-worn safari tracks.

Even after a strong rainfall the night before the excursion, which allowed elephants to retreat into the bush and temporarily lessen their reliance on overtaxed wells, dozens of the creatures greeted visitors coming from the ship for two-hour game drives.

▶ In Mossel Bay, passengers could also access private game reserves, which often have a higher concentration of wildlife roaming free but can include animals that are not directly indigenous to the area.

Cape Town and the winelands

There’s more to Africa than safaris, and Cape Town is an especially good place to experience metropolitan life and other kinds of outdoor activities on the continent.

South Africa’s legislative capital offers excellent hiking, a great foodie culture, beautiful (if slightly chilly) Atlantic beaches, penguins and more.

For travelers willing to explore beyond the city, South Africa’s wine country is close at hand in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and many vineyards offer tastings and meal experiences. One Norwegian excursion took passengers to the Blaauwklippen wine estate in Stellenbosch, which is best known for its Zinfandel.

Is an Africa cruise worth it?

From a financial standpoint, a cruise around Africa can be an excellent way to explore. For American travelers, however, flights to and from the ship are often more expensive than the cruise itself.

For example, a 13-day Norwegian itinerary that begins in Cape Town on Dec. 7 and ends in Mauritius on Dec. 20 has prices that start at $899 per person for an inside stateroom, but flights can be well over $1,000 round trip. The current cheapest itinerary from Detroit, for example, is a 42-hour slog on multiple airlines via Montreal and Dubai to Cape Town. The return trip is a bit shorter, at 31 hours, also via Dubai and Montreal. That routing would cost $1,694 per person in economy as of March 18, according to Google Flights.

Logistically speaking, though, it can be much easier to book a cruise and rely on the line’s shore excursions to expand one's horizons than to coordinate one's own safari.

“With multiple diverse ports of call within one coastal continental area, our Africa voyages provide our guests the opportunity to explore lush rainforests or volcanoes, experience captivating wildlife tours, learn about the rich culture on the South African coastline, indulge in Cape Town’s incredible wine regions, and so much more,” Brian Gilroy, vice president of revenue management and itinerary planning for Norwegian Cruise Line, said in a statement to USA TODAY.

The one thing to keep in mind is that the African cruise market is less mature than the Caribbean – at many ports, there just aren’t comparable facilities to handle big ships. That doesn’t mean the cruises can’t or don’t happen, just that sometimes the operation is a little less fluid than the well-oiled Miami machine.

“Our 11- and 12-day cruises start and end in either Cape Town, South Africa, or Port Louis, Mauritius, and include an overnight stay in one of those magnificent cities, giving our guests the chance to fully explore what these regions offer. The variety of adventures our guests can experience in these destinations are endless, which makes for a truly unforgettable cruise experience," Gilroy said.

Travelers may be more likely to encounter a hiccup on their Africa cruise, but that’s all part of traveling to a new and exciting place. A missed port or an extra sea day can be a great time time to take stock, focus on the highlights, enjoy the experience of unlocking a new destination, and maybe take another sip of the wine your onboard sommelier recommended.

Just take a page out of Herd the Australian’s book. Despite some schedule changes, she said, “I’ve loved every single thing.”

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Norwegian. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This Norwegian Cruise sailing takes you on a bucket list adventure: What it's like aboard

Historic Database of All Past Cruise Ship Itineraries

Do you need a past cruise ship itinerary but can’t find any track on the net? Our extensive database includes cruising logs of all the major cruise lines dating back from 2013 to this day. If you like to keep track of your past cruises and go down the memory lane or need an itinerary in timetable format for the entire year, we got you covered. We can provide data of past cruise voyages in an excel file with complete information organized in the following format: cruise ship, date, ports, and arrival-departure times.

Please note there is a service charge fee for the past cruise itineraries. These fees are different depending on the service and requested data volume.

For inquiries please contact us HERE

Sample data of past cruise itineraries

Cruise Dig database includes historical data of the following cruise lines and ships:

Available past cruise ship itineraries:

• View Results
• 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

Norwegian Cruise Line Launches 2024 Europe Season: New Homeports, Endless Adventure and Unmatched Value

This Year, NCL Offers More than 100 Immersive Europe Itineraries from 13 Homeports Across Nine Ships, Including Its Newest Prima Class Vessels

Company to Launch First-Ever Summer Season of Sailings Between New York City to Reykjavik, Iceland Beginning July 2024 

NCL Delivers an Incredible Value-for-Money Travel Experience with Inclusive Vacation Enhancing Benefits with its Free at Sea Offer

• Norwegian Viva - Aerial - Lisbon Norwegian Viva in Lisbon during her first call on Aug. 19, 2023
• Norwegian Escape - Santorini - Composite
• Norwegian Prima in Reykjavik, Iceland
• Norwegian Star - Aerial Norwegian Star at sea Pacific Coast

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 57-year history of breaking boundaries, launched its 2024 Europe travel season on April 19, 2024 with the arrival of Norwegian Epic to its seasonal homeport of Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, before embarking on a 10-day Greek Isles and Italy voyage.

During this summer travel season, guests embarking on NCL cruises in Europe will have the opportunity to choose from 101 distinctive itineraries with 38 roundtrips and 63 open-jaw sailings, calling to 140 captivating ports across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and the Atlantic Coast.  Additionally, guests can fully explore highlight destinations such as Istanbul, Turkey; Florence (Livorno), Italy and Reykjavik, Iceland with select itineraries offering overnight calls. Cruises will be departing from 13 homeports with New York City; Le Havre (Paris), France; and Oslo, Norway being three brand new options for NCL voyages to Europe.  The Company will have a total of nine ships 1 in region, including its newest innovative vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva , as well as Norwegian Escape , which returns to Europe following its first successful season in 2022.

With an average of 10 hours in port, guests can explore at their leisure or choose from a wide range of shore excursions designed to provide guests with an in-depth experience of each destination. For more immersive experiences, NCL offers a unique collection of shore excursions including, Beyond Blueprints, where guests uncover the design secrets and stories of Europe's most iconic architectural landmarks; Gourmet Tours, designed for the foodie-driven traveler allowing them to go behind the scenes of local cuisines; and Go Local, a selection of excursions inviting guests to unveil the everyday rhythms and customs of life in destinations. Guests aiming to spend even more time in Europe and dive deeper into the rich history of the region can take advantage of NCL's expanding Cruisetours program, a pre- or post-cruise-option that includes roundtrip flights, hotel stays, transportation and excursions. Cruisetours are currently available in 10 European destinations, such as Istanbul, Turkey; Paris, France; Barcelona, Spain; Reykjavik, Iceland; Rome and Venice, Italy, amongst others.

“As we return to Europe for this season, our goal remains consistent—curating unmatched and captivating experiences for guests to immerse in Europe’s most iconic and sought-after destinations, while delivering value for them to maximize their journey with us,” says David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “In fact, we have found that cruising to Europe with NCL offers up to 40% 2  more value than a similar land-based vacation, making it not just a memorable experience, but a cost-effective one. There is still time for guests to book that last-minute trip to Europe with NCL and enjoy the beauty of waking up in a new destination nearly every day.” 

Not only does a NCL cruise in Europe offer a great value when compared to a similar land-based vacation with comparable services and inclusions 2 , but it also provides a significantly enhanced experience with a variety of offerings to enjoy on board, including high-production value entertainment; up to 20 world-class dining options; and a wide array of shipboard activities suitable for the whole family, from thrilling races on the only three-level racetracks at sea to serene moments in the award-winning Mandara Spa ® .  Moreover, with NCL's Freestyle Cruising philosophy, guests have the freedom to tailor their vacation experience to their preferences, with no fixed schedules or dinner times.  NCL’s freedom of choice and value proposition invites guests to explore the world while enjoying the convenience of unpacking just once and waking up in a new and exciting destination almost every day.  Plus, with NCL’s Free at Sea offer, guests can customize their vacation even more to their desires by receiving value-enhancing vacation perks such as specialty dining, unlimited beverage package, shore excursion credits, free airfare for the second guest, and others.

As we return to Europe for this season, our goal remains consistent-curating unmatched and captivating experiences for guests to immerse in Europe's most iconic and sought-after destinations, while delivering value for them to maximize their journey with us. In fact, we have found that cruising to Europe with NCL offers up to 40% 2  more value than a similar land-based vacation, making it not just a memorable experience, but a cost-effective one. There is still time for guests to book that last-minute trip to Europe with NCL and enjoy the beauty of waking up in a new destination nearly every day.  

Itinerary highlights for NCL cruises in Europe include:

Norwegian Star Sails a Series of Open-Jaw Sailings to Iceland, Greenland and Canada

Norwegian Star, the only ship in NCL's award-winning fleet equipped for polar navigation, which makes it possible for it to reach ports above the Arctic Circle.  As such, the ship will be the first in the NCL fleet to offer a new summer series of breath-taking and port-rich 12- to 14-day open-jaw sailings between New York City and Reykjavik, Iceland with calls to Akureyri and Grundarfjordur, Iceland; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and St. John's (Newfoundland) and Halifax, Canada. These itineraries will embark in July and August 2024.

Explore the Blue and White Greek Isles with Norwegian Getaway

Norwegian Getaway will homeport in Athens (Piraeus), Greece on June 25 embarking on seven- to 10-day Greek Isles roundtrip itineraries . Each day, the ship will moor at a new port allowing guests to explore bucket-list destinations like Istanbul, Turkey; Iraklion, Santorini and Mykonos, Greece as well as hidden gem Izmir (Ephesus), Turkey. Select departures include overnight stays in Istanbul giving guests more than 24 hours to visit Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar.

Norwegian Viva’s Cruises to the Mediterranean

Between May and November 2024, NCL's newest ship, Norwegian Viva, offers guests a selection of nine, 10- and 11-day open-jaw voyages cruising the Mediterranean. These unique itineraries feature a different embarkation and disembarkation port in sought-after destinations such as Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, allowing travelers the opportunity to plan an extended vacation either pre- or post-cruise. 

Almost No Days at Sea Onboard Norwegian Escape’s Mediterranean Sailings

Norwegian Escape will be the Company's largest vessel in Europe this season at nearly 165,000 gross tons. The ship will homeport in Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; and Trieste (Venice), Italy sailing eight- to 10-day roundtrip sailings in the Western Mediterranean calling to a sun-kissed port each day as well as seven- to 11-day open-jaw sailings with stints in Italy, Greece and France with only one day at sea.

Additionally, NCL cruises in Europe are already on sale through December 2025 giving guests the chance to plan and book their next summer getaway early.

For more information about the Company's award-winning 19-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional or visit  www.ncl.com .   

1 Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Viva.

2 For the comparison, Norwegian Cruise Line compared the total prices for Fly-Cruise-Packages on peak season sailings onboard Norwegian Escape (Italy, France and Spain) to 4-star hotels in Spain and Italy. The comparison accounted for total prices including roundtrip flights from the U.S. to Spain or Italy, transfers at the destination, staterooms (incl. balcony with sea view), all-inclusive board or Free at Sea upgrade as well as service charges/tips.