Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated January 2026
across 5 categories
Size
Based on gross tonnage and length
Capacity
Based on passengers and crew
Modernity
Based on year built
Service
Based on passenger-to-crew ratio (lower is better)
Spaciousness
Based on gross tonnage per passenger (higher is better)
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Encore
Gross Tonnage
Norwegian Aqua
156,300 GT
Norwegian Encore
169,116 GT
Length
Norwegian Aqua
322 m
Norwegian Encore
333 m
Beam
Norwegian Aqua
41 m
Norwegian Encore
41 m
Passengers
Norwegian Aqua
3,571
Norwegian Encore
3,998
Crew
Norwegian Aqua
1,500
Norwegian Encore
1,735
Decks
Norwegian Aqua
—
Norwegian Encore
—
Year Built
Norwegian Aqua
2,025
Norwegian Encore
2,019
Space Ratio
Norwegian Aqua
43.8 GT/pax
Norwegian Encore
42.3 GT/pax
Passenger:Crew Ratio
Norwegian Aqua
2.38 :1
Norwegian Encore
2.30 :1
| Specification | Norwegian Aqua | Norwegian Encore |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Class | Prima Plus Class | Breakaway Plus Class |
| Status | active | active |
| Year Built | 2,025Winner | 2,019 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Gross Tonnage | 156,300 GT | 169,116 GTWinner |
| Length | 322 m | 333 mWinner |
| Beam | 41 m | 41 m |
| Draft | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Passengers | 3,571 | 3,998Winner |
| Crew | 1,500 | 1,735Winner |
| Key Ratios | ||
| Space Ratio | 43.8 GT/paxWinner | 42.3 GT/pax |
| Passenger:Crew Ratio | 2.38:1 | 2.30:1Winner |
| Build | ||
| Builder | Fincantieri | Meyer Werft |
| Flag | Bahamas | Bahamas |
| IMO Number | 9824007 | 9751511 |
Norwegian Encore is the larger vessel at 169,116 GT — 8% more than Norwegian Aqua's 156,300 GT. Built in 2025, Norwegian Aqua is 6 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Encore |
| Capacity | Norwegian Encore |
| Modernity | Norwegian Aqua |
| Service | Norwegian Encore |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Aqua |
Bottom line: Norwegian Encore wins more categories (3 vs 2), making it the stronger all-round choice based on current data.
Norwegian Aqua
Built in 2025 with modern facilities — great for a first cruise
3,571 passengers means tons of activities
44 GT/pax means plenty of quiet space
Large 3,571-guest capacity offers competitive pricing
Norwegian Encore
Built in 2019 with modern facilities — great for a first cruise
3,998 passengers means tons of activities
42 GT/pax means plenty of quiet space
Large 3,998-guest capacity offers competitive pricing
Free cancellation on most rooms
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8 m |
8.7 mWinner |
| Decks | — | — |
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