Spots going fast$1,079/person$216/night
View Deal →Norwegian Aqua vs Norwegian Bliss
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Norwegian Bliss is the larger vessel at 168,028 GT, 8% more than Norwegian Aqua's 156,300 GT. Built in 2025, Norwegian Aqua is 7 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Bliss accommodates 433 more guests (4,004 vs 3,571), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Norwegian Aqua trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Bliss
Size
156,300 GT
168,028 GT
Passengers
3,571
4,004
Year Built
2025
2018
Crew Ratio
1:2.4
1:2.3
Space Ratio
43.8
42.0
Decks
—
20
Length
322m
333m
From Price
$689/pp
$939/pp
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Bliss is the larger vessel at 168,028 GT, 8% more than Norwegian Aqua's 156,300 GT. Built in 2025, Norwegian Aqua is 7 years newer, an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Bliss accommodates 433 more guests (4,004 vs 3,571), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Norwegian Aqua trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Bliss |
| Capacity | Norwegian Bliss |
| Modernity | Norwegian Aqua |
| Service | Norwegian Bliss |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Aqua |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Norwegian Bliss |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Bliss |
Bottom line: Norwegian Bliss leads 5–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Bliss for overall superiority; pick Norwegian Aqua if Modernity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Aqua if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2025, 7yr newer)
- More space per guest (43.8 GT/pax)
- Save $250/person on sailings
Choose Norwegian Bliss if...
- Size matters to you (168,028 GT)
- More onboard variety (4,004 guests)
- Better service ratio (2.3:1 crew ratio)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Aqua
Spots going fast
Leaves in 12 days$1,069/person$214/night
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Leaves in 17 days$689/person$138/night
View Deal →Upcoming Sailings on Norwegian Bliss
Spots going fast$969/person$138/night
View Deal →
Leaves in 14 days$939/person$134/night
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Leaves in 21 days$939/person$134/night
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data: gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better, more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes, up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
