Spots going fastNorwegian Encore vs Norwegian Joy
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Built in 2019, Norwegian Encore is 2 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Joy edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.1:1, meaning more crew per guest. Norwegian Encore accommodates 194 more guests (3,998 vs 3,804), making it the larger resort-at-sea — Norwegian Joy trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
Score: 4 – 2
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Category
Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Joy
Size
169,116 GT
167,725 GT
Passengers
3,998
3,804
Year Built
2019
2017
Crew Ratio
1:2.3
1:2.1
Space Ratio
42.3
44.1
Decks
—
—
Length
333m
333m
From Price
$1,076/pp
$649/pp
Comparison Verdict
Built in 2019, Norwegian Encore is 2 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design. Norwegian Joy edges ahead in service with a passenger-to-crew ratio of 2.1:1, meaning more crew per guest. Norwegian Encore accommodates 194 more guests (3,998 vs 3,804), making it the larger resort-at-sea — Norwegian Joy trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Norwegian Encore |
| Capacity | Norwegian Encore |
| Modernity | Norwegian Encore |
| Service | Norwegian Joy |
| Spaciousness | Norwegian Joy |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Tie |
| Fleet Power | Norwegian Encore |
Bottom line: Norwegian Encore leads 4–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Norwegian Encore for overall superiority; pick Norwegian Joy if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Encore if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2019, 2yr newer)
- Size matters to you (169,116 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,998 guests)
Choose Norwegian Joy if...
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (44.1 GT/pax)
- Save $427/person on sailings
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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.
