What’s the Finest Norwegian Cruise Ship for Alaska?

Norwegian Cruise Line at the moment sends 5 of its ships on Alaska cruises — Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Pleasure and Norwegian Spirit — and the perfect of the bunch goes to rely on what sort of expertise you’re hoping for and what issues most to you when cruising.

General, whereas sure, the model could not have an extended legacy of providing Alaskan cruises (that honor must go to Princess Cruises or Holland America), Norwegian Cruise Line is a completely wonderful decide in case you’re taking a cruise trip to Alaska with the household, together with children and youths. All of the ships are filled with family-friendly facilities and actions.

So how do you decide? I’m breaking down every thing it’s essential learn about every ship so you may make the only option in your upcoming getaway. 

Ship Overview

Norwegian Bliss

Initially inbuilt 2018 and weighing in with a gross tonnage of 168,028 GT and a double occupancy of simply over 4,000 individuals, Norwegian Bliss gives quite a bit to like. 

For years, the ship has provided highlights reminiscent of a go-kart observe on the highest deck, a double-loop waterslide that hangs out over the ocean, and the ritzy VIP Haven space.

Nonetheless, issues bought even higher in early 2025, when the vessel underwent some huge refurbishments that made it all of the extra superb for an Alaskan cruise. 

The dry dock launched a brand new out of doors venue, Horizon Park, with garden video games and loungers, and the primary immersive theater at sea. In The Haven, Premiere Proprietor’s Suites had been upgraded to supply three bedrooms. A brand new seafood restaurant, Palomar, was likewise added.

What to Anticipate Throughout an Alaskan Cruise on Norwegian Bliss

Anticipate an upgraded, top-tier cruise expertise with lots to do in any respect hours. This ship is packed to the gills with facilities and enjoyable, in addition to spots to catch wonderful views of the Final Frontier because it passes by.

You’ll discover superior views within the Commentary Lounge, the place you possibly can take pleasure in 180-degree surroundings with out braving the chilly. Nonetheless, do be aware that on glacier days, this venue is packed, packed, packed, and also you’ll have higher luck open air. To flee the crowds, head outdoors to the Waterfront oceanfront promenade, and even Vibe Seashore Membership.

In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to be staying in The Haven, you’ll additionally take pleasure in good views in The Haven Restaurant. In any other case, the District Brew Home is a pleasant decide, in case you snag a window seat.

In fact, when you have a balcony stateroom, you possibly can benefit from the views in personal, too. Simply be aware that this ship isn’t going to provide you an intimate expertise and there will be, as alluded, crowds. 

If you would like a quiet, low-key Alaskan cruise, you may need to think about one of many different ships or one other cruise line altogether. Moreover, for full disclosure, chances are you’ll discover a number of the Norwegian Cruise Line-offered excursions to be a bit on the pricier facet.

Norwegian Bliss Alaska Deployments

Norwegian Bliss sails itineraries starting from seven to 11 nights, with fares beginning at beneath $100 per evening. The entire itineraries depart from Seattle, with round-trip sailings visiting the oh-so-popular Glacier Bay, in addition to favorites like Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and extra.

Norwegian Bliss Professionals & Cons in Alaska

Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Encore is pretty much like Norwegian Bliss. It was inbuilt 2019, and measures 169,116 GT, with a double occupancy just below 4,000 individuals. 

It likewise gives spotlight facilities and options reminiscent of the highest deck go-kart observe, the Waterfront promenade, the Commentary Lounge, and adrenaline-pumping waterslides for the thrill-seekers. Households will benefit from the indoor leisure choices reminiscent of VR video games.

Norwegian Encore underwent its final refurbishment in late 2024. The adjustments decreased the scale of the Commentary Lounge, added extra staterooms, elevated the sizes of suites in The Haven, and added the Spice H20 adults-only out of doors area with its sizzling tubs, pool and bar. Seafood restaurant Palomar was additionally added. 

What to Anticipate Throughout an Alaskan Cruise on Norwegian Encore

This ship offers you a contemporary cruise expertise with masses to do and loads of choices round each nook, from reserving your stateroom to choosing the place you’ll eat to deciding the best way to keep entertained once you’re not in port.

Talking of being in port, although, a number of cruisers do discover that Norwegian Encore doesn’t actually cease lengthy sufficient in every vacation spot.

Snag these nice views within the Commentary Lounge (although, once more, you’re going to run into crowds), in addition to on the promenade and in Spice H20. Since Alaska doesn’t usually provide pool-friendly climate, you’ll be capable of simply get your self a seat on the pool deck.

Norwegian Encore Alaska Deployments

With fares beginning at round $111 per evening, Norwegian Encore sails all of its Alaska itineraries from Seattle, with itineraries lasting wherever from seven to 12 nights.

Remember that a few of these longer itineraries are literally NCL Cruisetours and have you ever on land for additional exploration in the beginning or finish of a visit — you’re not on the ship all 12 nights. Stops embrace Ketchikan, Victoria, Glacier Bay, Skagway and extra.

Norwegian Encore Professionals & Cons in Alaska

Norwegian Jade

In comparison with the primary two ships on this checklist, Norwegian Jade is way older and far smaller. Inbuilt 2006, the ship weighs lower than 100,000 GT and holds nearly 2,400 passengers at double occupancy. 

Don’t fear, although — whereas this ship could also be removed from its infancy, it’s receiving new life as of late. A serious three-week dry dock refurbishment in spring 2026, forward of the ship’s Alaska cruising season, brings some good adjustments. 

The cruise line is including the adults-only Vibe Seashore Membership to Deck 14 and Deck 7 will get a Starbucks, for instance. In any other case, the ship will obtain a normal refresh to maintain issues spiffy. 

What to Anticipate Throughout an Alaskan Cruise on Norwegian Jade

In the event you’ve been avoiding one of many bigger ships that Norwegian Cruise Line sends to Alaska, since you actually do assume that they’re simply going to be too large, too crowded and too overwhelming in your liking … nicely, then, Norwegian Jade could be your good match!

Give it some thought — Norwegian Jade can solely match about half the variety of passengers which can be routinely on Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian Encore. That’s a giant distinction.

As such, you’ll take pleasure in a extra low-key, mid-sized ship expertise, which finally makes for higher scenic cruising and simpler getting on and off the ship throughout port days. 

Sure, the ship is older and refurbishments can solely achieve this a lot, however in case you’re planning to spend the massive majority of your time truly having fun with Alaska fairly than the cruise ship, you’ll be simply fantastic. 

Norwegian Jade Alaska Deployments 

You’ll discover a ton of Norwegian Jade Alaska itineraries on provide, with the bulk being 10 to 13-night cruises (once more, although, be aware that a few of these are Alaska Cruisetours, so preserve that in thoughts as you’re reserving). 

Cruises depart from each Vancouver and Whittier. This could be a professional or con, relying on who you ask. 

Some American cruisers just like the comfort of cruising immediately from Seattle, on a round-trip cruise. Others, in the meantime, would favor to get began immediately in Alaska, after which take a one-way cruise to Vancouver, even when it comes with the added journey trouble of beginning and ending your cruise in numerous ports.

Which is the best choice is as much as you. Stops embrace the Hubbard Glacier, Icy Straight Level, Inside Passage and others. Fares begin at beneath $80 per evening.

Norwegian Jade Professionals & Cons in Alaska

Norwegian Pleasure

Norwegian Pleasure isn’t fairly as large as Norwegian Bliss, however it’s undoubtedly not as small and compact as Norwegian Jade. 

Inbuilt 2017, it weighs in at 167,725 GT and might maintain round 3,800 cruisers. It boasts the options that many have come to count on from Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer ships, reminiscent of a go-kart observe, the Waterfront Promenade, and the Galaxy Pavilion.

Norwegian Pleasure underwent a dry dock in 2024. These adjustments redesigned suites in The Haven and expanded each the spa and Vibe Seashore Membership.

What to Anticipate Throughout an Alaskan Cruise on Norwegian Pleasure

This Breakaway Plus-class ship gives lots to do and revel in, even when it’s not the biggest within the fleet. For instance, it has greater than 20 bars and lounges and greater than a dozen eating places.

Nonetheless, regardless of the ship’s measurement and visitor capability, many report that it doesn’t really feel all that crowded, even in case you’re crusing on a full Alaskan cruise. As such, in case you’re actually tempted by all these options on Norwegian Bliss, however the crowds are scaring you off, think about Norwegian Pleasure. 

For views, bundle up and take a stroll alongside the out of doors promenade. It’s a quarter-mile lengthy, so you must be capable of discover some room. 

Norwegian Pleasure Alaska Deployments

You’ll discover 9 and 10-night itineraries provided on Norwegian Pleasure, with fares beginning at round $90 per evening. All itineraries go away from Seattle, and all are round-trip. Common stops embrace Sitka, Skagway, Glacier Bay and others. 

Norwegian Pleasure Professionals & Cons in Alaska

Norwegian Spirit

The ultimate ship out of the 5 that Norwegian Cruise Line sends to Alaska can also be the oldest. Inbuilt 1998, Norwegian Spirit is modestly sized, at 75,904 GT, with a double occupancy of two,018 cruisers. Norwegian Spirit acquired a large $100 million overhaul in 2020.

After the dry dock, the ship boasted 14 new venues, extra staterooms and an expanded spa (doubled in measurement!). New venues included an additional most important eating room, a number of new bars and different eating choices, and Spice H20 (which took the place of the youngsters’s waterpark that was there beforehand). 

As such, in case you sailed on this ship a very long time in the past, like earlier than 2020, then your previous opinions of the vessel could now not maintain true. 

What to Anticipate Throughout an Alaskan Cruise on Norwegian Spirit

Even with the refurbishments, although, there’s solely a lot {that a} cruise line can do with a small ship like this. They’ll’t actually magically add waterslides or go-karts. You may solely slot in so many eating places and bars.

As such, throughout an Alaskan cruise, you’re not going to search out fairly a lot to do on this ship. Nonetheless, in case you’re not anxious about spending time on the ship, and need to concentrate on an genuine Alaska expertise, you’ll probably not be bothered in any respect.

Moreover, the smaller measurement makes for a extra intimate cruising expertise with fewer crowds and a calmer atmosphere.

Norwegian Spirit Alaska Deployments

Norwegian Cruise Line gives some very distinctive routes on Norwegian Spirit — 16-night cruises that mix time spent within the tropics and time spent in Alaska. You could possibly go to Honolulu, Kahului Maui, Nawiliwili Kauai, after which head on over to Sitka, Skagway, and Ketchikan. 

Oh, after which? The ship turns proper again round for Alaska-to-Hawaii itineraries. Cruises begin at round $85 per evening. 

Norwegian Spirit Professionals & Cons in Alaska