Comparison of NCL's classes of ships?

[hiccups]

Hello, NCL cruisers!  I recently took my first NCL cruise on Escape.  It was a solo cruise because my DH couldn't get time off, but he'd like to try NCL sometime.  Is there any type of chart or summary that details the difference between the various classes of NCL ships?  My DH liked the idea of the ropes course, so I assume I'd have to stick with the Breakway Plus class to find activities like that.  I'm wondering if there are "good, better, best" (or maybe "old, new, newest") categories, or how fellow cruisers judge the ships.  I understand some people like a smaller number of passengers (Jewel class, it appears), but I'd like my DH to experience at least what I did on Escape.  Thanks for any assistance!

[KeithJenner]

The different classes of ship overlap with regard to some of these things. For example, the ropes course was on the two Breakaway Class ships (Breakaway and Getaway) and also the first Breakaway plus ship (Escape), but the remainder of the Breakaway Plus ships have the racetracks, which have carried over to the Prima Class.

 

There are various other differences between the first and last of the Breakaway Plus ships, like Spice H2O, Observation Lounge, restaurants etc, so you could say that the Escape is more similar to the Breakaway than it is to the Encore.

 

So, it isn't as easy as just looking at the class. You really need to explore the whole deck plans to see what each ship offers.

 

I find that the NCL site (under Explore Ships) isn't a bad place to start.

[Liljo22]

Escape is the only Breakaway Plus ship with the ropes course.  The Breakaway/Getaway also have ropes courses.  Here is a website that describes what you might find on each class but each ship is a little different within the class.  https://thepointsguy.com/guide/norwegian-cruise-ship-class-guide/

 

My quick synapsis:

 

Jewel Class - Smaller ships without all the bells and whistles but more of the classic cruise feel to it. 

 

Epic Class - Honestly just stay away from this ship.  Some people like it and some people absolutely hate it.  Its weird and quirky.

 

Breakaway Class - Has a lot of the public deck space that is missing on the newer classes when they started to add racetracks and laser tag activities.  Breakaway and Getaway are exactly the same but the theme is different.  Breakaway is themed to NY and Getaway to Miami.  That means mostly décor changes but small venue changes like Breakaway having martini bar while Getaway having a mojito bar.  

 

Breakaway Plus Class - Escape was the first ship before they started adding the racetrack.  They added District Brewhouse and Food Republic to this class which both were a huge hit.  After the Escape, they added the racetrack in place of the ropes course and they also added the Observation Lounge at the front of the ship.  Joy was built for China so its spa is below the others in the class.  

 

Prima Class - Newest ship.  NCL went more for a resort style than a flashy cruise ship.  More toned down than the other classes.  Class is also smaller than the Breakaway class with lower capacity.  Still has the racetrack over the ropes course.  Buffet is smaller but they added the Indulge Food Hall which is a big hit.  Small pool deck but they added pools to deck 8 with additional loungers.  

 

I think your sweet spot as a new cruiser with NCL is the Breakaway/Breakaway Plus classes.  If your DH prefers the ropes course over the for pay racetrack, I would go with the Breakaway, Getaway or the Escape again.  

[hallux]

21 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

and they also added the Observation Lounge at the front of the ship.

They also relocated the buffet from aft to forward, the Escape is the only BA+ ship with the Garden Cafe at the back of the ship, the rest have it overlooking the OL.

21 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Joy was built for China so its spa is below the others in the class.

and doesn't have the solo cabins (in case the OP wants to try the Joy solo and was looking for those).

 

Oh, one more BA+ discrepancy - the Escape is the only one in that class WITHOUT a walled-off smoking area in the casino, the rest have an isolated room for that.

[complawyer]

while some of the ncl fleet offers bells and whistles that others do not, for the sheer joy of being on a cruise ship (and we've been on most of the ncl fleet) to me it doesnt matter. it's the journey  that counts. obviously, on some, the food might be better, the entertainment better, the general overall vibe of the ship, the attitude of the staff, they are all going to be different to some degree.  just get on board with the only expectation of having a great time, and disregard the rest.

 

personally, i dont need many bells or whistles. at 75, im not going rock climbing, go cart racing, water sliding or lazer tagging.

 

i am going to enjoy the comforts of the ship im on. whichever  it may be. a relaxing drink at the bar, a leisurely lunch, a nice dinner, maybe go to the theater (or maybe not) catch a lounge singer, or just chill on my balcony with my kindle. 

 

anyway  you do the cruise, you should have an great time! just think  of all the people that are unable to cruise

[MSUjohn]

Sky, sun, spirit, dawn & star always get forgotten about. 

[Sailing12Away]

The "best" ship 100% depends on the cabin you are looking to book, and what you find important to you. Not everyone cares about a sap - so ships that either don't have one at all or not a great one - that isn't in the books for those folks.

Folks without kids, or folks who don't like to be big kids themselves - they don't care about ropes courses, go karts, laser tag, virtual reality, etc.

 

There are some ships better than others based on the rooms. Solos - yeah, POA has I think 4 solo cabins. Whereas the newer ships give solo guests a separate lounge to hang out in and meet new friends. Folks who like to splurge on Haven - the jewel class ships technically have a Haven category, but I personally wouldn't pay extra for it going forward (except for those garden villas - which you can only find on the jewel class ships and now Prima). Star & Dawn have by far the best garden villas out there - so despite them being older and not great or new and flashy - if you're able to snag one of those villas it's your own private yacht with the amount of room they give you.

 

So it honestly just depends on what you would find enjoyable and get use from. It's nice having options.

[bluesea777]

No forward Observation/Spinnaker lounge: Dawn, Star, Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape.

 

No aft Spice H2O (Adults only during day): Sky, Sun, Dawn, Jewel, Jade, Pearl, Gem, Encore.

 

Ropes Courses: Breakaway, Getaway, Escape.

 

Race Track (pay): Joy, Bliss, Encore, Prima.

 

Laser Tag (pay): Joy, Bliss, Encore (hence no Spice H2O).

 

Galaxy Pavilion (pay): Joy, Bliss, Encore, Prima.

 

Vibe Club (pay): Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Joy, Bliss, Encore, Prima, Epic (Posh Club). Note: Encore's Vibe Club has unpadded loungers!

 

Haven Courtyard: Jewel, Jade, Pearl, Gem

 

Haven Proper: Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Joy, Bliss, Encore, Prima.

 

Studio cabins for Solo guests: Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Bliss, Encore, Prima.

 

Spirit is the winner as she is not listed in any of the above. Plus her Spice H2O has padded loungers!😁😄

 

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by bluesea777

[hallux]

5 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

Galaxy Pavilion (pay): Joy, Encore, Prima.

Fixed that.  I had to check to be sure, but the Bliss doesn't have the Galaxy Pavilion.  That was a new feature added during the Joy refurb and the Encore build.

[Liljo22]

14 hours ago, MSUjohn said:

Sky, sun, spirit, dawn & star always get forgotten about. 

Yes my bad.  I looped all the older ships into one category and shouldn't have called it Jewel.  Dawn was actually one of my favorite NCL cruises and it was before the big refurb.  

[bluesea777]

4 hours ago, hallux said:

Fixed that.  I had to check to be sure, but the Bliss doesn't have the Galaxy Pavilion.  That was a new feature added during the Joy refurb and the Encore build.

 

Thanks for correcting that Bliss doesn't have Galaxy Pavilion, however, the Joy had it built in as new-built, not during refurb.

 

 

[cfkm1]

I did a cruise with NCL Jewel a few month ago. Even though the ship was built many years ago but it is quite updated after refurbished during the covid period. The service was great and food was decent.

 

 

 

[RB9643]

On 5/23/2023 at 12:29 AM, bluesea777 said:

 

 

Note: Encore's Vibe Club has unpadded loungers!

 

 

 

Seriously?  You mean they're the same as the other 1000 pool and sundeck loungers? That's disappointing. We were finally going to splurge a bit for that this time.