$379/person$54/night
View DealShip comparison
Norwegian Encore vs Norwegian Joy
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Norwegian Encore wins 4 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Joy
Size
169,116 GT
167,725 GT
Passengers
3,998
3,804
Year built
2019
2017
Crew ratio
2.3 guests per crew
2.1 guests per crew
Space ratio
42.3 GT per guest
44.1 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
333 m
333 m
From price
$379 pp
$199 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Built in 2019, Norwegian Encore is 2 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. 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 | No data |
| 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.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Norwegian Encore if
- You want the newer ship (built 2019, 2 years newer)
- Size matters to you (169,116 GT)
- More onboard variety (3,998 guests)
Choose Norwegian Joy if
- More crew per guest (2.1 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (44.1 GT per guest)
- Lower fares per night (from $50 per person per night)
Prices
See Current Prices
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Norwegian Encore | Norwegian Joy |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $379 pp | $199 pp |
| Per night | $54 pp | $50 pp |
| Departing | Nov 1 | Nov 16 |
| Duration | 7 nights | 4 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
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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.
