$559/person$80/night
View DealShip comparison
Norwegian Aqua vs Norwegian Joy
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Norwegian Joy wins 6 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Joy
Size
156,300 GT
167,725 GT
Passengers
3,571
3,804
Year built
2025
2017
Crew ratio
2.4 guests per crew
2.1 guests per crew
Space ratio
43.8 GT per guest
44.1 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
322 m
333 m
From price
$449 pp
$199 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Norwegian Joy is the larger vessel at 167,725 GT, 7% more than Norwegian Aqua's 156,300 GT. Built in 2025, Norwegian Aqua is 8 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Joy edges ahead in service at 2.1 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Joy |
| Capacity | Norwegian Joy |
| Modernity | Norwegian Aqua |
| Service | Norwegian Joy |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Joy |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Norwegian Joy |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Joy |
Bottom line: Norwegian Joy leads 6–1 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Joy for overall superiority; pick Norwegian Aqua if Modernity matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Joy if
- Size matters to you (167,725 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,804 guests)
- More crew per guest (2.1 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (44.1 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Norwegian Aqua | Norwegian Joy |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $449 pp | $199 pp |
| Per night | $64 pp | $50 pp |
| Departing | Nov 15 | Nov 16 |
| Duration | 7 nights | 4 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
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, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
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+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
