Two Norwegian Cruise Line ships, head to head — specs, amenities, and what each one is genuinely better at.
Norwegian Encore (2019) is the newer ship by 1 year versus Norwegian Bliss (2018). Norwegian Encore is the larger hull at 169,116 GT (~1% bigger). Norwegian Encore sails with fewer guests at double occupancy (3,998 vs 4,004).
| Spec | Norwegian Bliss | Norwegian Encore |
|---|---|---|
| Year built | 2018 | 2019 |
| Tonnage | 168,028 GT | 169,116 GT |
| Guests (double occupancy) | 4,004 | 3,998 |
| Guests (max) | 4,905 | 4,004 |
Trophy marks the ship that wins each row. Smaller capacity = more space per guest.
Most autumn cruise sales inflate Guest 1 fares. We audited 10 live campaigns to find the 5 deals from $69/night that actually save money.
Norwegian Cruise Line moves Norwegian Aura's debut forward by 19 days to May 2, 2027. Details on newly added Adriatic and Greek Isles maiden voyages, deck plan refinements, and booking advice.
Norwegian advertises Free at Sea while Royal Caribbean charges upfront. We audited the family ledger on go-karts, dining, tips, and shows.