It’s time for this week’s exciting news update from Cruise Hive. Coverage highlights in this edition include a dangerous stunt involving a cruise ship’s mooring lines in Sydney, Australia; a ship order to add more World-class vessels to the MSC Cruises’ fleet; and Carnival Cruise Line offering an adult-only cruise.
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More Itinerary Changes Unveiled For Carnival Ships
Carnival Conquest Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Carnival Cruise Line has altered the itineraries of six cruises aboard four ships with departure dates in 2025 and 2026.
Impacted vessels are Carnival Freedom, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Conquest, and Carnival Elation.
On Carnival Freedom’s October 6, 2025 voyage from Port Canaveral, the order of port calls is changing and the time in port at Nassau, Bahamas, was modified. Calls to Celebration Key and RelaxAway Half Moon Cay (formerly called Half Moon Cay) are being reversed.
A Carnival Sunrise itinerary, departing from PortMiami on May 25, 2026, will experience a change in the order of ports visited as well. The port times at RelaxAway Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk were modified.
Carnival Conquest’s cruise from PortMiami, also on May 25, 2026, will visit Princess Cays rather than RelaxAway Half Moon Cay.
And three cruises operated by Carnival Elation were altered. All depart from Jacksonville, Florida, on September 28, 2026, October 12, 2026, and October 26, 2026.
The three itineraries will call at RelaxAway Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key, but the order of the visits is changing, with Celebration Key being the final call rather than the first.
He’s known as “Spider-Man” on social media and now he’s in trouble with the law. It all started on May 17, 2025, when a man was seen climbing up the mooring lines of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Adventure as the ship was docked in Sydney.
Stunts like that are not allowed, and soon, New South Wales police were on the scene. They had the ship’s crew lower the lines into a police boat, and that’s where the 29-year-old suspect, whose name was not released, was taken into custody.
Local news reports say the man was charged with multiple violations, including entering a cleared zone without being screened and cleared, entering a land-side restricted zone without authorization, and entering a water-side restricted zone without authorization.
He was released on bail with an order to appear in court on June 11, 2025.
The incident was, of course, captured on video and posted to social media. But far from being just an entertaining daredevil, the suspect put himself in considerable danger. He might have been badly injured or killed if he toppled off the mooring lines.
In a sad turn of events during a Princess Cruises’ voyage, Michele Bartolomei, captain of Diamond Princess, died onboard the ship as the vessel overnighted in Keelung, Taiwan on May 19, 2025.
A medical emergency call was issued at 2:30 a.m., and passengers learned later that morning that Captain Bartolomei had passed away following a sudden medical event.
A letter announcing the death was sent to guests, and an announcement was made over the ship’s public address system.
He was 52 years old and had been with Princess Cruises for nearly 30 years.
The ship, homeported at Yokohama, Japan, left the port on May 16, 2025 and was sailing a 9-night “Southern Islands” cruise.
The ship, now under the leadership of Staff Captain Salvatore Macera, will call at Ishigaki and Naha, Japan, before returning to Yokohama on May 25, 2025.
Captain Macera described Captain Bartolomei as a respected leader whose service exemplified professionalism and dedication. Captain Bartolomei lived in British Columbia, and joined Princess Cruises in 1995.
Following the big splash MSC Cruises made with the launch of MSC World America just weeks ago, the cruise line made an equally big announcement this week — a ship order for two more World-class vessels.
The order was placed with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and will bring the total number of vessels in the World Class series to six.
The just-ordered ships are temporarily being referred to as World Class V and World ClassVI, with delivery expected in 2029 and 2030, respectively.
Two World-class ships already are operating: MSC World Europa (2022) and MSC World America (2025). Two more are under construction — MSC World Asia, due to launch in 2026, and MSC World Atlantic, set to enter service in 2027.
All ships in the class are powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), and have shore power technology and advanced waste management systems.
Look for MSC Cruises to reveal more details about the new ships in the months ahead, but rest assured they will feature exciting activities found on existing World-class ships, such as the themed neighborhoods Family Aventura, Aqua Deck, MSC Yacht Club, Promenade, Zen Area, and World Galleria.
Cruise Line Cancels 35-Day Transatlantic Voyage
P&O Ventura in Southampton (Photo Credit: P.Cartwright)
When a getaway cruise, or even a weeklong cruise, gets cancelled, it’s disappointing, but imagine if you had been making arrangements for a 35-day transatlantic voyage and found out it’s been nixed.
That’s what happened to booked guests on P&O Cruises’ 3,500-guest Ventura, which was due to operate the lengthy Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Southampton, UK on January 4, 2027.
To be sure, since the voyage is more than a year-and-a-half away, there is plenty of time to make other arrangements, but still, the disappointment among guests is widespread.
In its notice to guests P&O Cruises said it was sorry for the change, and revealed that it has automatically transferred all bookings to another, similar voyage onboard the 5,200-guest Iona, an Excellence-class ship.
This new 35-night voyage, “Caribbean Winter Warmth,” sails roundtrip from Southampton on January 3, 2027 and features several port calls that Ventura would have visited. Guests can opt out of the sailing if they wish.
While the cancelled cruise on Ventura is frustrating, it’s nothing compared to what happened to guests booked on a sailing of P&O Cruises’ 1,900-guest Aurora.
They received a single day’s notice that their voyage, set for April 21, 2025 from Southampton to Zeebruge, Belgium, was cancelled.
Carnival Cruise Line Unveils Adult-Only Sailing
Carnival Magic (Photo Credit: Just Dance)
Carnival Cruise Line has switched one of its Eastern Caribbean cruises to an adults-only voyage — a surprise move that took booked guests by surprise.
Guests planning to sail on Carnival Magic’s November 1, 2025 Caribbean cruise from PortMiami have learned that the voyage will be open only to those age 21 or older.
Families with children under that age already booked on the cruise will have to amend their reservation to exclude the younger family members, or cancel.
The cruise line has not indicated whether there will be any compensation offered, or assistance in rebooking.
It turns out that the 7-night cruise is being re-classed as a “Casino Event” cruise, offered as part of the cruise line’s casino loyalty program called Carnival Players Club.
Apparently, Carnival Magic had been scheduled for dry dock in the fall, but the cruise line postponed the project, leaving some weeks in late 2025 unexpectedly open for booking.
Carnival Cruise Line called the switch an operational change.
Royal Caribbean’s Second Icon-Class Ship Begins Sea Trials
Star of the Seas sea trials (Photo Credit: Mediascope Productions)
Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s second ship in the Icon class, following Icon of the Seas, is undergoing sea trials in the waters off the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
The trials began on May 19, 2025 and are among the final steps before the ship’s delivery to the cruise line.
Sea trials test and evaluate key operational systems such as propulsion, navigation, and safety with engineers and crew onboard.
Following the at-sea trials, the 5,600-guest Star of the Seas will return to the shipyard for final outfitting in advance of her launch in August 2025.
After her handover to Royal Caribbean, Star of the Seas will homeport at Port Canaveral. The ship’s inaugural sailing from the Central Florida port is set for August 31, 2025.
But before that notable event, the line will operate three preview sailings, on August 20, 23, and 27, for travel partners, media, and VIPs.
Once launched, Star of the Seas will sail Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, with all voyages calling at Royal Caribbean’s popular Perfect Day at CocoCay private destination.
More Cruise Headlines
Don’t stop now! Cruise Hive has many more news articles about developments from the past week, including predictions of an above-normal hurricane season in 2025, the UK’s Port of Dover launching its summer cruise season, and a Princess Cruises’ ship deploying to Antarctica in 2026.
Have you ever wondered how many people a typical cruise ship can hold? Today’s cruise ships tend to have a passenger capacity that ranges from just 100 guests to over 7,000 passengers, with these numbers climbing even higher when you include the crew.
If you haven’t been on many cruises, you might be concerned about passenger capacities and overcrowding. This guide will explain what you should expect by covering everything from the smallest expedition cruise vessels to the largest mega ships.
How many people a cruise ship can hold varies from ship to ship, with capacity limits depending on factors like the ship’s physical size, its gross tonnage, its interior layout, and even the actual purpose the vessel serves.
As of 2025, the cruise industry includes just over 370 cruise ships. Of these cruise ships, the average capacity is around 3,000 passengers, with typical crew numbers around 800 to 1,200.
The size of the average cruise ship’s crew can vary because luxury ships tend to have a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than low-cost cruise voyages.
It’s also important to remember that these numbers simply reflect the industry average, with the exact number varying drastically depending on the specific ship you are looking at.
Ship
Passenger Capacity
Crew Capacity
Icon of the Seas
5,610
2,350
MSC World America
5,240
2,138
Carnival Jubilee
5,361
1,735
Norwegian Aqua
3,571
1,388
Celebrity Ascent
3,260
1,400
Coral Princess
2,000
895
Vision of the Seas
2,050
742
Carnival Paradise
2,124
920
Celebrity Flora
100
80
Passenger Capacity Based on Double Occupancy
For example, basic river cruises carry roughly 150 guests, smaller ocean-going cruise ships tend to hold around 500 passengers, while larger ships usually carry between 2,000 and over 7,000 passengers, at maximum capacity.
The current largest class in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class which includes Icon of the Seas, has a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers, as well as a crew of 2,350. And that’s 5,610 passengers at double occupancy.
These passengers are spread across 2,805 cabins and suites, which gives you some idea of just how enormous this ship is!
It’s also important to remember that while mega cruise ships, like Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Carnival Jubilee, have maximum passenger capacities between 5,000 and 7,600, that does not necessarily mean that they will carry that many passengers during a typical voyage.
Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Jonathan C Wear)
This is because even the major cruise lines struggle to fully load their ships with guests, as hitting these totals would depend on fully selling out the voyage and hitting maximum occupancy limits for each cabin and suite on the ship.
So, not only would you need to sell the maximum number of fares for that trip, but every single room would have to be fully occupied, which might not happen depending on each group’s family and friend dynamics.
When you think about it, all it would take would be a single passenger deciding to book a solo cabin for the ship not to hit its maximum occupancy limit.
Maximum Capacity by Cruise Ship
You probably could have guessed that capacity limits for passengers vary from one cruise ship to the next just based on the physical size of these vessels, but let’s break this down a little bit more by looking at the capacities of different cruise ship categories.
We’ll look at some of the main cruise ship categories, as well as some of the biggest cruise ships for each of the major cruise lines.
Small cruise ships typically carry between 500 and 1,000 passengers, with some of the smallest boutique and expedition cruise ships carrying around 150 guests.
The tiniest cruise ships, like Celebrity Flora, which carries 100 guests, or Celebrity Xpedition, which can only carry a maximum of 48 passengers, often carry small numbers of passengers because they travel to shallow waters and more intimate destinations—areas where visitor limits are restricted.
Places like the Galapagos Islands have intentional visitor limits and strict visa requirements, making them impractical destinations for ships carrying large numbers of passengers.
Some small cruise ships are also designed to travel along rivers, so the ships must be narrow and much smaller than those designed for ocean travel.
Viking Cruises operates nearly 80 of these types of ships, with most of their cruise ships having a passenger capacity of 190. These ships belong to Viking’s River Cruise class, which all have four passenger decks and 95 cabins.
Viking River Ships (Photo Credit: Tito Slack)
Small ships with higher passenger capacities, between 500 and 1,000, also offer intimate and cozy experiences for their guests.
For example, MS Europa 2, operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, has a maximum capacity of 513 and offers European itineraries that visit ports bordering the North Sea, like Amsterdam and Antwerp, as well as the Mediterranean.
These types of cruise ships need to be able to navigate smaller ports and canals, so the ships themselves have to be smaller, limiting their passenger capacities.
Personally, I’ve found these smaller cruise ships more relaxing than some of the mega ships I’ve been on.
Don’t get me wrong, the huge variety of amenities you get with the bigger ships can be fun, but the times I have been on a cruise ship with less than 150 guests, I found there was less hustle and bustle.
I also felt like I could connect with other passengers and by the end of these trips, it was like I had the opportunity to make friends and get to know other travelers.
Medium-sized cruise ships can generally carry between 1,000 and 3,000 passengers at any given time.
With the increased passenger capacity, you also tend to get a greater range of amenities, including multiple restaurants, pools, and even casinos.
Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line all have ships that fit this category. For example, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder fall into Disney Cruise Line’s Magic class, with a maximum capacity of 2,700 guests.
Likewise, Diamond Princess, Island Princess, and Coral Princess are all part of the Princess Cruises fleet, and all three ships carry between 2,000 and 2,710 guests.
These ships are classed as Grand-class ships. They offer itineraries that visit smaller ports in destinations like Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico.
Coral Princess even traverses the Panama Canal, which means it can’t be overly wide, limiting its passenger capacity.
Norwegian Sun also falls into this range, with its maximum passenger capacity of 2,400.
As a Sun-class cruise ship, it’s small enough that it can dock at some of the smaller cruise ports found in more remote places, like Alaska’s Inside Passage and the Baltic Sea.
Radiance of the Seas in Alaska (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Royal Caribbean’s four Radiance-class cruise ships also have passenger capacities that range between 2,466 and 2,502.
These ships regularly offer 3- and 4-day cruises with itineraries that involve port-of-call stops in places like New Zealand, Hawaii, and Sweden.
When it comes to the passenger experience on these types of ships, I find it strikes a nice balance between the more intimate experience you get with the smaller vessels and the excitement you get with the largest ships.
Since they’re a bit bigger, you also get a lot more variety when it comes to choosing a cabin type or dining venue.
If I were going to travel solo or recommend a solo trip for a first-time cruiser, I would suggest booking a ship with a capacity somewhere in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 passengers.
You won’t feel quite as overwhelmed and confused as you can feel on the mega ships, but you’ll still get a nice mixture of comfort and community. Plus, ships this size have multiple decks with lots of things to try out.
Large Cruise Ships
Norwegian Breakaway / Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
Large ships, meaning those that can carry between 3,000 and 4,000 passengers, are typically seen as the most popular cruise ships, which explains why they make up a significant portion of the fleets of the world’s leading cruise lines.
Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International all have numerous ships in their fleets that fall into this category.
Most ships inNorwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway class fall into this category, with Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Getaway all having a maximum capacity of 3,963.
Norwegian’s slightly smaller Prima-class ships also fall into the large cruise ship category, with all three ships accommodating between 3,100 and 3,571 passengers.
Similarly, Carnival Cruise Line’s Dream-class vessels, including Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Breeze, have passenger capacity limits of 3,690.
With these larger passenger capacities, ships in this class offer waterslides, up to 29 unique dining venues, Broadway-style shows, casinos, and more.
So, not only do they carry more passengers, they offer those passengers a greater variety of entertainment amenities to choose from while on the ships.
Royal Caribbean’s five Voyager-class ships also fall into the large cruise ship category, with Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas both having maximum passenger capacities of 3,807.
Like medium-sized cruise ships, I’ve always found that these large cruise ships offer a nice balance between having exciting amenities and a good variety of dining venues without being quite as overwhelming as some mega-ships.
Don’t get me wrong, traveling on the world’s largest ships can be incredible and almost feel like a floating city, but it’s also easy to feel like there is too much to do.
If you’re not big on crowds and find the idea of navigating an enormous ship with different neighborhoods completely off-putting, I’d recommend booking your cruise on a medium or large-sized cruise ship.
Mega Cruise Ships
Icon of the Seas in Miami (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock)
The largest cruise ships on the water, also known as mega ships, can carry over 4,000 passengers.
Mega ships encompass everything from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic-class ships, like Norwegian Epic, which carries 4,100 passengers, all the way up to Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships and their incredible 7,600 maximum passenger capacity.
MSC Cruises operates two mega-sized cruise ships under its World-class banner: MSC World Europa and MSC World America. Each ship has a maximum capacity of 6,762, as well as a crew of 2,138. However, when you get into the mega cruise ship category, Royal Caribbean International is usually the first cruise line I think of.
MSC World America Entering PortMiami
Not only do their existing and upcoming Icon-class cruise ships hold the records for being the biggest cruise ships and having the highest passenger capacity, but Royal Caribbean also has numerous other mega ships.
For starters, their three Freedom-class vessels, including Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas, have passenger capacities ranging from 4,375 to just shy of 5,000.
Their five Quantum-class cruise ships also have similar maximum capacities that sit between 4,905 and 5,622 guests. Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas are on the larger side, so Royal Caribbean technically lists them as Quantum Ultra-class ships.
They also have six Oasis-class ships with maximum passenger counts between 6,780 and 6,988. These Oasis-class vessels include Harmony of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, which are outfitted with an incredible variety of dining options and amenities.
Then, of course, you have the awe-inspiring Icon-class cruise ships, which will eventually number four ships in total. Icon of the Seas typically carries around 5,600 guests, but like her future sister ships, Star of the Seas and Legend of the Seas, she can carry up to 7,600 passengers at maximum capacity.
Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas
With so many people and such an immense variety of restaurants, amenities, and neighborhoods, these ships truly feel like floating cities, resorts, and theme parks wrapped into one.
Traveling on these mega ships is an experience every cruising fan should try at least once. They are true marvels in ship design, and the sheer variety of amenities, dining venues, and themed public areas makes exploring the ship one of the most memorable parts of the vacation.
The fact that a ship like Icon of the Seas can have the world’s largest waterpark at sea, but that is still just one of its many attractions, is mind-blowing when you pause to think about it. There’s just so much to do on these ships!
What Determines Cruise Ship Capacity?
The number of passengers a cruise ship can carry depends on various factors. From the ship’s physical size to the crew requirements and number of rooms the ship is outfitted with, each ship will vary in its capacity.
Here’s just a quick overview of the main factors that determine how many passengers each ship can carry:
Gross Tonnage
Aft Deck of Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Jouni Niskakoski)
A ship’s gross tonnage (GT) measures its overall enclosed volume rather than just its weight, giving a more accurate picture of the space a ship has for passengers. A higher GT means the ship will almost always have more space for cabins, amenities, and, of course, passengers.
Gross tonnage varies drastically from one ship to the next. For example, Icon of the Seas, the world’s current largest cruise ship, has an enormous gross tonnage of 248,336 GT.
Given its immense size and available space, it’s unsurprising that this behemoth of a cruise ship also has the highest maximum passenger capacity.
By contrast, a smaller Viking ocean cruise ship like MV Viking Sea has a gross tonnage of just 47,842 GT and a total passenger capacity of 930.
Total Cabins and Maximum Capacities
Find Your Way Around a Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: vbertiany / Shutterstock)
Another factor that will impact a cruise ship’s maximum capacity is the total number of cabins. Most cruise lines list double occupancy as their standard passenger capacity, which means each cabin or suite on the ship is assumed to have two guests.
However, some of the larger suites and cabins can accommodate more than two guests.
Multiple bedrooms, bunk beds, pullout couches, and even cots for young children can all allow more guests to sail on a cruise ship comfortably. If every single cabin and suite were occupied to its full capacity, the result would be the ship’s maximum capacity.
Again, take Icon of the Seas, which has a standard passenger capacity of 5,610 passengers at double occupancy but a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers if every single bed was occupied.
Safety Features and Regulations
Passengers Disembarking Ship at Port of call (Photo Credit: Joa Souza)
Beyond ensuring that every guest has a comfortable place to sleep, maximum capacity is also dictated by safety. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets regulations regarding the maximum number of passengers a ship can safely carry.
These regulations emerged in 1912 as a reaction to the Titanic disaster, but they are updated regularly to ensure the safety of passengers aboard cruise ships and other vessels.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is another organization that advocates for passenger safety. While membership is voluntary, member cruise lines work with CLIA to ensure that their ships are safe and comfortable for their guests. CLIA will recommend how many guests could comfortably travel on a cruise ship.
The country where the ship is registered, known as its flag state, also sets rules that must be followed. Beyond ensuring that every guest can comfortably sleep and the ship’s shared spaces are not overcrowded, these rules demand that there must be enough lifeboats to account for 125% of the people on board, including the crew.
So, ships need to have safety equipment for more people than they are legally permitted to carry. This helps account for equipment and lifeboat failures in the event of an accident.
Crew to Passenger Ratios
Carnival Cruise Line Crew Members (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Beyond safety equipment requirements and following regulations that dictate accommodation needs for overnight passengers, cruise lines must also consider how many crew members are needed to ensure all passengers are safe and comfortable.
While this is not regulated, most cruise ships feature one crew member for every 2.25 passengers. More high-end luxury cruise lines have an even higher ratio, with some having a crew member for each passenger.
Ships with a less favorable ratio quickly gain a reputation for poor service, so it is in the best interest of the cruise line to ensure that their passenger count does not exceed the number of staff they are able to outfit with.
Why Are Cruise Ships So Big?
Icon of the Seas Size Comparison (Photo Credit: Multiverse)
You might wonder why some cruise ships are so big in the first place. After all, do they really need to be the size of floating cities for people to have a good time? The truth is that the cruise industry’s trend of continuously pushing the boundaries of how big a cruise ship can be is due to several factors.
The first of these factors is simple profitability. The basic concept of economies of scale comes into play when considering that larger ships can accommodate more paying passengers.
Building one mega ship is more economical than several smaller ships carrying the same number of guests. Fuel costs are one reason for this, but even entertainment venues are extremely expensive to build.
In other words, why outfit three cruise ships with waterparks when you can build one giant one on a single mega ship?
Another driving force behind the increasing size of cruise ships is that cruise passengers are drawn to ships that offer the highest number and variety of amenities.
Why sail on a ship that just has a few pools and a single dining hall when you can cruise the seas on a floating resort that boasts numerous restaurants, cafés, and bars, as well as diverse entertainment venues, like waterparks, movie theatres, rock climbing walls, ice rinks, and so much more?
The Pool and Sports Zone
Having enormous ships outfitted with ground-breaking amenities is also really good from a marketing perspective. Royal Caribbean regularly plays into this in its marketing, with taglines like “Experience the World’s LARGEST Cruise Ships” and “Royal Caribbean: Bigger & Bolder.”
By offering prospective customers bigger ships with more amenities, luxuries, and cabin types, these cruise lines gain a powerful competitive advantage over their competition.
Finally, even from just a logistical standpoint, technological advances in ship design and construction have allowed cruise ship builders to create larger vessels.
This is partially due to introducing new fuel types, likeliquified natural gas (LNG), which enables ship designers to build larger, more efficient vessels without devastating environmental impact.
There is also an ever-growing number of cruise ports designed to accommodate bigger ships, which allows cruise lines to push the boundaries further. Even with the largest ships, these companies can still offer passengers enticing itineraries to exotic and exciting locations.
Most cruise lines prefer to operate as close to full capacity as possible. During peak seasons, which vary depending on where you are sailing, cruise ships rarely set sail below 90% capacity.
In fact, some cruise lines will even oversell a voyage, meaning they have sold more fares than they have space for. This may sound counterintuitive, but operating a cruise line is a fixed-cost business, so the cruise lines must anticipate cancellations.
In the unlikely event that not a single passenger who has booked cancels, they can offer incentives to allow passengers to volunteer to bump their cruise to a later date.
In my personal experience, cruise ships usually sail pretty close to their maximum capacity, especially if you are on a popular cruise ship setting sail on an in-demand route.
Let’s say you are setting sail from somewhere like Seattle or Vancouver on a summer cruise to Alaska, demand would be extremely high, so the cruise would almost certainly be sold out.
Meanwhile, this same cruise might set sail at just 80% capacity if you went during Alaska’s shoulder seasons in the early spring or fall.
Similarly, if you were setting sail from PortMiami to somewhere like the Bahamas during the holiday season, demand would be extremely high, so it’s almost certain your cruise ship would be sailing near its maximum capacity.
What Happens When a Cruise Ship Is Overcrowded?
Passengers on Cruise Ship Deck (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
All this talk of cruise ships sailing at full capacity brings us to the question of the passenger experience on an overcrowded ship.
The truth is, overcrowding isn’t as big of an issue as you may assume. The largest cruise ships, capable of carrying thousands of passengers, are designed with efficient layouts that help distribute and manage large numbers of passengers.
Even if a ship is near full capacity, I’ve found that they don’t actually feel overcrowded. Sure, dining venues can be busy, and you may need to make reservations well in advance for specialty restaurants, but it’s all pretty manageable.
To get the most out of the experience, I would just prioritize doing what you want at off-peak times. Let’s say you’re really excited about exploring the ship’s waterpark. You might want to head there as soon as it opens for the day rather than trying to go during the early afternoon when it is at its busiest.
Cruise ships also help manage crowding issues by providing passengers with segmented dining times for various dining venues. They’ll also put capacity limits on certain amenities, like pool areas, with the crew clearly communicating how many people can enter and when more are allowed in.
Photo Credit: GSPhotography / Shutterstock.com
The crew itself is all given mandatory crowd management training, ensuring they understand all safety protocols for managing huge volumes of people.
Spreading out amenities also helps prevent a buildup of too many people in one area of the ship. Even stairways are made extra wide and have clear directional signs for up and down traffic.
If you haven’t been able to enjoy the amenities you’re most excited about, a tip I’d offer would be to consider skipping a port of call. You can use the day to take in everything the ship offers while most of the other passengers have disembarked.
Another tip for avoiding crowds is to simply cruise during months of the year when the demand is lower. Shoulder seasons usually have fewer crowds, both on the ships themselves and in the ports they visit.
Conclusion
The number of passengers a cruise ship carries will depend on various factors, which is why cruise ship capacities vary from as little as 100 to over 7,000.
Think of this as a way to further customize your cruise vacation. If you like the idea of traveling on a giant ship with thousands of others, choose one of the mega ships operating out of the world’s busiest ports.
On the other hand, if you find crowds off-putting and are more interested in a casual and relaxing cruise experience, a small ship with an intimate feel will be more up your alley.
Hard rock fans will want to get their horns up as The Monsters of Rock Cruise (MORC) is officially set to return for its 14th year in 2026.
Setting sail April 12 through 17, 2026, the five-night, music-themed cruise will depart from PortMiami aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s 3,852-passenger Norwegian Joy.
Announced by promoter On the Blue Cruises, the 2026 lineup of “pure rock nirvana” includes over 35 acts across multiple stages, including Night Ranger, Queensrÿche, The Darkness, Stryper, and Lita Ford.
Joining them will be returning favorites like Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses and Great White, as well as international acts such as Loudness and D-A-D.
“We’re coming back, and we’re turning up the heat in 2026,”said the event announcers. “After an unforgettable debut aboard the Norwegian Joy, we’re doing it all over again – bigger and even more badass than before.”
In addition to concerts, fans can expect a jam-packed lineup of interactive moments with musicians.
These include fan-favorite panels and Q&As, karaoke competitions, comedy shows, and experiences like Cooking with Rock Stars and Painting with Rock Stars.
Monsters of Rock Cruise 2026 will also feature themed nights, photo ops with artists, and nonstop music-fueled programming.
Added MORC, “Get ready for another legendary voyage filled with non-stop rock ‘n’ roll mayhem, epic memories, and that one-of-a-kind MONSTERS vibe that only happens at sea.”
Additional performers will be announced closer to the sailing date.
The popular cruise sells out fast, with most standard staterooms and all VIP options already experiencing a waiting list.
Sailing Features Plenty of Fun
The newly announced cruise marks only the second time the event will be held aboard the 167,725-gross-ton Norwegian Joy, part of the cruise line’s Breakaway Plus-class.
That first voyage, which sailed March 10 to 15, 2025, from Miami, featured Tesla, Krokus, Extreme, Winger, Slaughter, L.A. Guns, Vixen, and more than 35 other rock bands from the 80s, 90s, and beyond.
The MORC cruise will spend two days at sea but also enjoy two island calls.
The first stop will be Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and second will give passengers a full day to enjoy the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.
Norwegian Joy (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
Currently undergoing a major $150-million rock-star-level renovation that includes a new pier, Great Stirrup Cay will reveal its fresh new look and features in December 2025.
New amenities will include a new splash pad, private cabanas, a heated pool with swim-up bar, and the addition of the Vibe Beach Club adults-only destination, a fan-favorite from Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship now hitting the sand.
Horizon Park, an area for lawn games and competitions, will also debut.
Passengers will also enjoy the ship’s many onboard amenities and features, including the Speedway go-kart track, the Mandara Spa, the Observation Lounge’s panoramic ocean views, and multiple dining venues like Cagney’s Steakhouse and Q Texas Smokehouse.
The special chartered cruise has been sailing for more than 14 years on various cruise ships and cruise lines, much like similar music-filled charters.
Unfortunately, one hard rock band who sailed with MORC on Norwegian Joy had been sailing on The 80s Cruise in early March 2025 when tragedy struck.
On that voyage, Faster Pussycat’s lead singer, Taime Downe, lost his finance, Kimberly Burch, in an overboard incident.
Dining can be a truly exceptional experience aboard a cruise ship, with phenomenal presentation and plating of even the simplest dishes. From exquisite garnishes to carefully placed decorative dots of sauces, chefs go above and beyond to make every dish memorable.
But it is also inevitable that not every guest is going to be happy with every presentation. One Carnival Cruise Line guest recently shared their disgust about a popular and seemingly simple dish – soup.
“Why are your soups served in those stupid bowls. This forces us to use a soup spoons. Soup spoons feel totally awful in your mouth,”the guest described.“They only work if you slurp out of one side like some stupid person. Then you look like a newborn while you eat.”
Unless a bowl has some weird shape, I’m not sure how “stupid” it would be. Another guest commented with an epic response – “Would soup served on a plate be better?”
A soup spoon actually isn’t that difficult of a piece of cutlery to manage, to be honest. Yes, they are rounder and can seem larger than typical spoons, but they are not at all unmanageable – no slurping required.
An easy solution would be for the guest to have simply requested a “regular” spoon (typically a teaspoon), but they did not indicate whether or not they did so. Instead, they had a more – innovative? – solution in mind.
“Soup should be served in a insulated cup and with a straw,”the guest suggested.
Um, what? Personally, while I have no trouble with a soup spoon, I’d be insulted if I ordered soup as an appetizer and it was served in the equivalent of a sippy cup.
Never mind the fact that many soups on Carnival’s menus – chicken noodle, minestrone, French onion, fish chowder – would be unable to be eaten (sucked?) through a straw due to their ingredients and composition.
I am NOT going to ask whether or not such soups could be pureed if guests prefer, though to be honest, I’m sure Carnival’s excellent dining room teams would make every attempt to accommodate that request.
Smooth soups, such as many of the chilled fruit soups, could easily be put in different serving dishes. In fact, the strawberry bisque – my personal favorite I have on every Carnival cruise – has sometimes been presented in the most adorable miniature ceramic pitcher before one’s server pours it into a soup bowl.
Carnival’s brand ambassador and quirky guest liaison, John Heald, did note that guests can always request a cup if they wish.
“If you want your soup served in a glass or cup – just ask,”he said.
Heald has frequently advocated that guests reach out to crew members while they’re onboard to address any concerns, problems, or difficulties. If crew members don’t know about an issue, they can’t take steps to correct it and ensure the guest has an amazing cruise vacation.
How Should Soup Be Served?
The original poster did not find a lot of agreement among Heald’s more than 614,000 followers. In fact, most guests commented that they’ve never been served soup in a cup and have no trouble managing a soup spoon with appropriate non-slurping table manners.
To be completely fair, some guests with medical conditions might have difficulty with a spoon, such as if they have unsteady hands. In those very rare cases, a cup or mug to drink soup from could minimize any risk of spills while still allowing the guest to enjoy delicious soups.
Other travelers suggested that the original poster might feel more comfortable bringing their own tumbler or cup for the soup to be put in.
It should also be noted that Carnival Cruise Line no longer offers straws with beverages – soups, cocktails, or sodas – except for candy or chocolate straws, which wouldn’t exactly be appetizing with most soup flavors.
Furthermore any paper straws would likely decay very quickly in a hot liquid, making them impossible to use for most soups.
One further thought on straws really epitomized the feelings of many commenters who responded to the original post.
“If you drink it with a straw from a cup that is not soup, that’s a drink. You are not eating anything, you are having the world’s worst milkshake.”
To be clear, soup is not included in Carnival Cruise Line’s CHEERS! beverage package. In fact, “food items” are specifically excluded from the program. Perhaps we just better keep the soup in bowls.
With just days to go before the official opening of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, national weather officials are revealing their predictions about storm activity, something that cruise vacationers will want to keep an eye on.
The Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30, 2025, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) believes there is a 60% chance it will see an above-normal number of storms.
It also predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and just a 10% chance of a below-normal season, NOAA said in a May 22, 2025 announcement.
There are likely to be between 13 and 19 named storms, and of those, between 6 and 10 will become hurricanes, with winds reaching 74 miles per hour or higher. Between 3 and 5 of those hurricanes will strengthen into Category 3, 4, or 5 hurricanes, with winds of at least 111 miles per hour.
If 2024 is any indication, NOAA’s predictions tend to be quite accurate. It predicted, for instance, that there would be between 17 and 25 named storms, and there were 18. It also said that between 4 and 7 storms would become hurricanes, and 5 of them did.
While modern advance-tracking technology enables cruise ships to move out of harm’s way when a tropical storm or hurricane barrels across the Atlantic from the West African coast, there are often still ramifications for cruise guests.
In 2024, Hurricane Debby, which hit the Western Caribbean in August, forced the closure of Port Tampa Bay, leaving Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise unable to return to her homeport.
Forced to wait just outside the entrance to Tampa Bay, the ship was late in returning to port, which also impacted embarkation of her next voyage.
When powerful Hurricane Helene hit the Western Caribbean in September 2024, scores of cruise ship itineraries were affected, from the Bahamas to Mexico. Ditto with Hurricane Milton, which swept into the Caribbean and caused itinerary changes and some cancelled cruises from Florida ports.
“NOAA and the National Weather Service are using the most advanced weather models and cutting-edge hurricane tracking systems to provide Americans with real-time storm forecasts and warnings,” said Howard Lutnick, US Commerce Secretary.
Hurricane Season Outlook (Credit: NOAA)
NOAA bases its prediction for an above-normal season on a few key factors, including ENSO-neutral conditions, which means there is neither a strong El Niño or La Niña influence on weather patterns this year.
Also, warmer-than-average ocean temperatures are expected to aid in the formation of storms while weak wind shear will help to power hurricanes. Finally, NOAA believes that there will be a higher level of activity in the West African Monsoon, which brings heavy rainfall to the region between June and September.
Tracking Helps Cruise Lines Move Ships Out of Harm’s Way
Cruise lines closely monitor all storms that have the potential to affect weather in the entire Caribbean basin, plus Florida, where the top three busiest cruise ports are located — PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades.
The lines also track any potential movement of a storm into the Western Caribbean as well as northward into the mid-Atlantic and New England states, where cruise ships homeport at destinations such as Baltimore, Cape Liberty (NJ), Boston, and New York.
NOAA’s prediction tools are scheduled for enhancements that will make forecasts even more accurate. The Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System, for example, will be upgraded to provide a 5% improvement rate in tracking and intensity forecasts.
Also, the National Hurricane Center will be able to send out tropical cyclone advisories up to 72 hours prior to the impacts of storm surge or high winds. This will give cruise lines ample notice in advance of possible rough seas, regardless of whether a tropical cyclone advances to hurricane status.
As scammers get more creative, it has become extra important for cruise guests to stay extra aware to protect their identities and their wallets.
Though new schemes pop up all the time, the latest scam to make it to the internet cost a Norwegian Cruise Line guest nearly $20,000 – and the NCL customer representativeshe spoke to is now trying to warn others before they meet the same fate.
“This guest had received a call from a 301 area code from someone claiming to work in our air department. She offered to help book the guest’s large group of travelers on specific flights,”the guest services agent shared on Reddit.
“The guest split the payment across two cards. Several days later, both cards were compromised,” they continued.
Norwegian Cruise Line is based in Miami, Florida– and the woman thought the phone call was legitimate because she mistook the 301 area code, which applies to Maryland, as a Miami area code.
According to the employee, the area codes for all NCL employees’ direct lines – including those that work remotely – is always 305. The only exception is that “some folks in our Sawgrass office have a 954 number for Broward County.”
Making matters worse, the woman fell for the same scam a month later – likely after already having to go through the hassle of reporting her credit cards as stolen.
“A month later, the scammer called them back to say good news, the price went down. Just give me your new card numbers, I’ll book the lower price for you and then refund the original charge. This poor guest is now out close to twenty grand,” the employee added.
As the charge was not actually connected to the cruise line, there was, unfortunately, not much the employee could do to help other than to commiserate and offer advice. The cruise guest will have to turn to her bank to report the fraud and try to recoup her losses.
Stay Protected From Scams
The NCL employee left the forum with a couple key tips about how to stay safe from scams – as they didn’t want to receive a similar call from anyone else.
First, they wanted cruisers to know that they will not get in trouble or lose their booking if they challenge any representative calling them as the cruise line to ensure the person on the other end of the line is who they say.
The cruise expert advised: “If anyone claiming to be from the cruise line contacts you directly, don’t be afraid to push back. Ask them security questions that they should be able to answer easily. “I forget, what’s my balance due? When’s my final payment?”
Two Norwegian Cruise Line Ships (Photo Credit: Just dance)
But when you ask security questions, do not volunteer private information if the caller cannot provide it – as their inability to verify your booking should be clocked as a red flag.
“If it doesn’t feel right, hang up and dial us directly. The extra few minutes is worth it,” they continued.
Make sure to call only legitimate phone numbers from the cruise line’s website – as there have been instances of fake ads promoting fraudulent phone numbersthat connect callers directly to scammers who pretend to work for the mainstream brands.
Additionally, do not share any details of your booking publicly – as you could be making things simply too easy for those with malicious intentions.
“Do not share details of your cruise reservation in ANY public forum. Yes, even here. Saying you’ll be on a particular sailing is usually safe, but make sure your name, number in your traveling party, and other identifying details are not included,”they advised.
One TikToker learned this lesson the hard way one year ago – in May of 2024 – after she shared her booking ID and cabin number on social media. Someone who saw her post cancelled her $12,000 sailingone day before embarkation.
For the second time this week, a Princess Cruises ship is experiencing an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness.
The 3,660-passenger Enchanted Princess is currently doing a segmented round-trip cruise out of Fort Lauderdale. It initially departed on May 10, 2025, with the second segment beginning on May 17.
Unfortunately, just about 30 minutes shy of docking, the captain made an announcement that the vessel had been denied due to the number of passengers who were ill.
While the exact illness has not been confirmed, a gastrointestinal illness (likely norovirus) has been impacting guests on the ship throughout the week.
As soon as cases began being reported, the crew began taking extra precautions to keep passengers safe by doing things such as not allowing for self-service while at the buffet.
Passengers currently on the ship took to social media to share their experiences, with some being upset and others being more understanding.
“Our last port of call (Grand Turk) was canceled today due to some instances of a gastro virus onboard. Our captain tried his best to negotiate with the port authority, but docking was refused,”one person posted, going on to thank the captain for his efforts.
“Thank you non-hand washers which I STILL see. Grand Turk was the only reason I booked this cruise. I’m selling my Carnival stock. Buh bye,”posted another who was furious about the situation.
Other guests were quick to defend Princess Cruises, saying that outbreaks of illness can affect any cruise line at any time — and that if you really wanted to go to a specific destination, do not go on a cruise.
The Love Boat on Enchanted Princess (Photo Credit: Vintagepix)
Port cancellations can happen for a number of reasons, but it is most frequently weather and not due to sick passengers.
That being said, in early 2024, Norwegian Dawn had its disembarkation delayed by two days when it arrived in Mauritius due to a suspected outbreak of norovirus, so this kind of situation is not unheard of.
Princess Cruises’ Passage Contract clearly states, “Except as otherwise provided, Carrier may, for any reason, without prior notice, cancel the cruise; deviate from the scheduled ports of call, route and timetable; call or omit to call at any port or place or cancel or modify any activity on or off the vessel.”
Next Embarkation Delayed Slightly
As a result of the outbreak, Enchanted Princess will be getting deep-cleaned before passengers embark on it again.
In an email to the guests on the May 24 sailing, Princess said,“During the previous voyage, a small number of guests reported gastrointestinal illness. As an extra precaution, the ship will undergo additional disinfection in Fort Lauderdale.”
The letter also mentioned that while most passengers remain unaffected, in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the cruise line proactively implemented a thorough disinfection program.
The new check-in window will begin at 12 p.m., and staterooms will be available later in the afternoon. The cruise line urged guests not to arrive early due to limited space available at the cruise terminal.
Also, those passengers with Princess hotels or transfers would be notified of their new pick-up time upon their arrival at the hotel or airport.
At the very least, Princess Cruises made sure to refund all guests the port fees for Grand Turk, which was a small bit of justice for some who were upset.
The gastrointestinal illness outbreak on Enchanted Princess is the third outbreak this week, as Crown Princess and Costa Favolosa also experienced outbreaks.
Guests booked aboard the stunning Norwegian Aqua for sailings through early August have been alerted that their itineraries have been slightly adjusted as soon as the ship’s May 24, 2025 departure.
The change isn’t a significant one – just an hour’s difference in one port of call – but it is important that guests be aware of the shift in order to plan their time aboard and decide on shore tours if desired.
“Norwegian Aqua’s itinerary is getting a small refresh for sailings from May 24, 2025, through and including August 9, 2025,”the email notification read.
“In this case, we’ve updated the arrival and departure time for your visit to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, to ensure everything flows seamlessly and you get the best possible experience.”
Originally, Norwegian Aqua was scheduled to visit Great Stirrup Cay – the cruise line’s private island destination – from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the last day of the sailing.
Now, while the visit will still be on the same day, the time the ship is in port will be 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is just a one hour shift earlier, but will impact shore tour departure times. Guests who have already booked excursions through Norwegian Cruise Line will have their tours automatically adjusted as needed.
No further explanation has been given for the time change, only that it is a “small refresh.”
“When we make an itinerary change, it’s never just a line on a map, it’s something we think about carefully, always with your experience at the heart of it,”the cruise line explained.
To be clear, guests are not losing any time in port, nor are the days of the visits changed. No other ports of call on the 7-night itineraries are impacted, and Norwegian Aqua should still be visiting Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and Tortola as planned each week. In total, 12 sailings are impacted.
Of course, additional itinerary changes might be necessary due to weather – hurricane season is about to begin – or other factors. If that happens, impacted guests will be notified once details are confirmed.
Sailing on Norwegian Aqua
The brand-new, 156,000-gross ton Norwegian Aqua is the newest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, having just been officially christened in April 2025.
The first in the Prima-Plus class of ships, she is larger and more luxurious than her sister ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
She still has many of its most popular features, including the Mandara Spa, more than 20 restaurants and bars, the adults-only Vibe Beach Club, and the elegant Ocean Boulevard.
Norwegian Aqua in Miami (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
She also has exciting new features, including the innovative Aqua Slidecoaster (which takes the place of the go-kart track on her sister ships) and an exclusive new show, “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” with its concert-like immersion of top hits.
Norwegian Aqua is currently homeported from Port Canaveral for most of the summer. The new schedule changes affect every upcoming departure she will have from central Florida.
In mid-August, the ship will move to New York to offer Bermuda cruises from the Big Apple through the end of September, at which time she will reposition to Miami for more Caribbean sailings. In April 2026, Norwegian Aqua will return to New York.
It is not unusual for a new cruise ship, particularly of a new or updated class design, to homeport from multiple cities in her first year or two of service.
This gives many more eager cruisers the opportunity to conveniently enjoy a new ship, and entices travelers with new and updated features that may not be available elsewhere in the fleet.
Norwegian Aqua has certainly tempted me and I am looking forward to setting sail on her this summer, no matter what itinerary changes may be made!
Choosing your cruise destination and duration can be exciting, but knowing which ship and cruise line to travel on can be confusing.
If you’re looking at a cruise through Norwegian Cruise Line, you might be wondering about the differences between the two fairly new members of their Prima-class fleet: Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Prima.
While Aqua is newer and bigger, Prima still offers exciting amenities. I was just on Norwegian Aqua for a preview cruise, so I can’t wait to share my experiences and discuss how it compares to Norwegian Prima!
Norwegian’s Prima-class are the largest vessels in the NCL fleet. Norwegian Prima was the first ship in this new class to set sail during the summer of 2022.
Since then, Norwegian Prima has been joined by Norwegian Viva in 2023 and Norwegian Aqua in 2025. There are plans to expand the number of Prima-class ships to six vessels by 2028, with Norwegian Luna set to join in late 2026.
While each Prima-class ship varies in its design, the main difference between the first two ships and Norwegian Aqua is the physical size of the latter.
The first two come in at 143,535 gross tons, and Norwegian Aqua measures 156,300 gross tons, making her the largest in the entire NCL fleet. In fact, Norwegian Aqua is large enough to be classed as a Prima Plus-class vessel rather than just a Prima-class like her sister ship.
The launching of the first of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima-class ships was a big step forward for the cruise line, as it was the first new ship class to enter their fleet since the Breakaway class nearly 10 years ago.
How They Fit Into the NCL Fleet
Norwegian Prima and Viva Docked in St. Thomas (Photo Credit: Primestock Photography)
As the first of its class, Norwegian Prima immediately introduced cruise passengers to a broader variety of amenities than they were accustomed to seeing on an NCL cruise ship.
Going forward, NCL’s decision to order six of these mega-ships means that the brand will try to at least keep pace with other cruise lines known for launching mega-ships, like Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises.
I was fortunate enough to cruise on Norwegian Prima shortly after her maiden voyage. While the more spacious accommodations and eye-catching features, like The Haven, Mandara Spa, and Galaxy Pavilion, were all memorable, the more modern design and atmosphere really stuck with me. It felt like the type of experience I wouldn’t have previously associated with Norwegian Cruise Line.
Since then, two new Prima-class vessels have joined Norwegian Prima, so it is important that those planning to book a cruise through NCL understand the differences between these vessels.
While all of the ships in the Prima class are designed to cater to guests looking for adventure, luxury, and fun, they differ slightly in design and personality.
Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are similar, but Norwegian Aqua is roughly 10% bigger than her two younger sister ships.
This means she can carry a greater number of passengers and has new and bigger amenities, which is why I’ll be comparing Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Aqua throughout this guide.
Quick Overview: Side-by-Side Snapshot
As mentioned above, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are very similar in design and features, but things get a little different when you add Norwegian Aqua into the equation.
To make it easier to visualize the differences, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the key specifications:
Stat
Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Aqua
Class
Prima Class
Prima Plus class
Launch Date
August 13, 2021
April 13, 2025
Gross Tonnage (GT)
143,535
156,300
Maximum Beam Height
133 feet
133 feet
Length
963 feet
1,056 feet
Passenger Capacity
3,099 (Double Occupancy)
3,571 (Double Occupancy)
Crew Capacity
1,506
1,388
Ship Size & Stats: Who’s Bigger and Better?
As the table shows, one of the main differences between the two ships is their physical size. Norwegian Aqua is the larger of the two ships, with a gross tonnage of 156,300 gross tons.
While this difference only translates to a few extra feet in length, Norwegian Aqua can accommodate nearly 500 more passengers than Norwegian Prima when she is at full capacity.
This increase in passenger capacity is due to the larger ship’s more spacious interior, which allows it to have 1,760 cabins and suites compared to Norwegian Prima’s total of 1,646.
The Interior Layout and Design
Norwegian Aqua also has a more spacious layout inspired by a mid-century take on New York City. This theme carries across most of the ship’s decks, giving it a larger-than-life feel.
While both are classed as mega-ships, the larger Prima Plus class designation of Norwegian Aqua is evident as soon as you begin exploring her interior.
Even the way the larger of the two ships is designed makes it feel like a larger ship from the inside. You’ll notice right away that crowds are more evenly dispersed throughout the ship, thanks, in part, to the clever layout.
Norwegian Aqua’s numerous amenities are evenly spaced throughout her decks. Even during the disembarkation process, passengers are spaced out evenly, which makes things go a little smoother and faster.
While it is difficult to say which ship is better, as individual preferences tend to weigh heavily when weighing up one ship against another, there’s no getting around the fact that Norwegian Aqua is the biggest and newest of the two vessels, so most people would probably lean towards it over either of her younger sister ships.
New Features on Aqua You Won’t Find on Prima
Norwegian Aqua Floats Out at Shipyard
As mentioned, Norwegian Aqua makes good use of its extra space, and this is where you can really start to differentiate between the two ships.
Sure, the larger physical size and greater passenger capacity are both critical differences, but it’s the newer amenities and accommodations you get with the newer vessel that really separate it from its sister ships.
Keep in mind that many of the most iconic features found on Norwegian Prima, like the two-story Penrose Atrium and The Drop Waterslide, can still be found on the newer ship, but many of them have been expanded in size and scale.
As for completely new features and amenities, here’s just a quick overview of some of the things Norwegian Cruise Line added to Norwegian Aqua.
The Aqua Slidecoaster
Norwegian Aqua Slidecoaster (Photo Credit: Paul Bartlett)
Norwegian Cruise Line describes the Aqua Slidecoaster as the world’s first hybrid roller coaster at sea. This unique 10-story high two-person thrill ride is one of the ship’s most iconic features.
This new thrilling feature replaces the Speedway go-kart track, which features all the previous Prima class vessels, as well as many of the Breakaway-Plus class.
The Glow Court
Norwegian Aqua Glow Court (Photo Credit: Paul Bartlett)
This digital interactive sports complex is another new and unique feature found only on Norwegian Aqua. By day, it acts as a sports court where guests can enjoy games on a high-tech LED-powered floor. With immersive twists on traditional sports and a variety of completely new games, it’s a fun area for passengers of all ages.
At night, it transforms into a lounge area and dancefloor, with the LED floor creating a fun atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.
The Expanded Vibe Beach Club
Norwegian Aqua Open Deck (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
While the Vibe Beach Club is not unique to Norwegian Aqua, this version of the 18-and-over retreat is roughly double the square footage and more elaborate than the one found on Norwegian Prima.
With a full-service bar, an expansive pool deck, several infinity hot tubs, and wraparound ocean views, it’s one of the most exciting areas on the ship for adults. Guests also have the option to pay for special access to a quieter and more exclusive version of the Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Aqua.
There’s even a backlit waterfall that gives the area a unique ambiance. It’s bigger, more expansive, and has plenty of new features that really help make this space one of the most exciting areas on the ship.
Expanded Pools and Hot Tubs
Norwegian Aqua Pool Deck View (Photo Credit: Paul Bartlett)
Norwegian Aqua embraces its name, with pools and other water-based amenities taking center stage. While Norwegian Prima had its fair share of pools, the pool and hot tub areas on Norwegian Aqua are much more elaborate.
The main pool areas are the Aqua Park Main Pool and Kids’ Aqua Park. The Aqua Park Main Pool features a brand-new style of infinity edge pool, larger than the infinity pools found on any other ship in the fleet. Here, you will also find the Aqua Slidecoaster and the new Oceanwalk glass bridge.
The Aqua Park is located near the Ocean Boulevard section of the ship, which offers a full 360° wraparound view of the ocean. With lounge chairs, water slides, pools, hot tubs, a swim-up bar, and much more, it’s one of the ship’s most popular areas and a huge improvement over the pool area found on Norwegian Prima or Norwegian Viva.
New Stateroom Categories and Layout Options
Club Balcony Suite, Norwegian Aqua (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar)
Not only does Norwegian Aqua have a greater number of staterooms and suites, but it also offers several new categories.
Most of these can be found in The Haven by Norwegian, a private section of the ship where the most spacious suites can be found, including the new Haven Duplex Suite.
These large, two-floor suites feature three bedrooms, a spacious loft lounge area, an enormous balcony, and the best in-suite amenities you’ll find on any NCL cruise ship.
Did I mention all of the suites found in The Haven come with full 24-hour butler service and access to an exclusive cocktail party with the ship’s captain and officers?
Beyond newer and more luxurious accommodations, The Haven also provides guests a private sundeck with its own bar and swimming pool. For guests looking to enjoy a more private and luxurious cruising experience, the new staterooms and expanded version of The Haven make traveling on Norwegian Aqua pretty difficult to beat.
For those on a tighter budget but still wanting to enjoy more space, the new Club Balcony Suites offer plenty of room and a completely private balcony. The ship also has new Solo Studio Cabins suitable for solo travelers just looking to enjoy the ship without spending as much on their accommodations.
Shared Amenities: What Stays the Same
Norwegian Prima in Bermuda (Photo Credit: Iryna Makukha)
While Norwegian Aqua is outfitted with some new and exciting amenities, both Aqua and Norwegian Prima share signature Prima-class features that have become world-renowned draws for the NCL fleet.
Here’s a quick roundup of features Norwegian Prima fans will be happy to learn are also available on Norwegian Aqua.
Ocean Boulevard
Norwegian Prima (Photo Credit: Skyshark Media)
Norwegian Prima was the first NCL ship to feature Ocean Boulevard, a wraparound outdoor area that features full 360° views of the water. On Norwegian Prima, Ocean Boulevard is 44,000 square feet long and home to a variety of outdoor activities and restaurants.
Norwegian Aqua’s version of Ocean Boulevard follows the same theme, but it has been expanded. It also has two major additions: the Infinity Beach, a large pool area home to an infinity pool and lounge chairs with foot baths.
Indulge Food Hall
Norwegian Prima Indulge Hall
Indulge Food Hall is another incredibly popular feature of Norwegian Prima that was kept for Norwegian Aqua. This popular Prima-class dining establishment is a complimentary food hall-style restaurant featuring an expansive menu that showcases flavors from around the world.
Indulge Food Hall also has many of the same food stalls across both ships, including the hugely popular Tapas Spanish Eatery, The Garden Salad Bar, Nudls Asian and Italian Noodle Stand, and, my personal favorite, The Latin Quarter food truck-style Mexican eatery.
Q Texas Smokehouse and Seaside Rotisserie can also be found in Norwegian Aqua’s version of the Indulge Food Hall, while Tamara Indian Food Stand is only found on Norwegian Prima.
This expansive area is home to the Indulge Food Hall and the ever-popular Infinity Beach, a favorite for relaxing under the sun.
The Drop and The Rush Slides
Free-Fall Slide on Norwegian Prima (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)
When Norwegian Prima first set sail, The Drop and The Rush slides were considered to be amongst the ship’s signature attractions.
Lucky for thrill seekers, they were both added to Norwegian Aqua. Where The Drop stands 10 stories high, The Rush has a much steeper angle, making it one of the fastest dry slides on any cruise ship.
On both ships, these two huge slides hang from the exterior side of the ship, winding between each other.
Mandara Spa and The Haven
Norwegian Prima Spa
While they differ in size, both ships feature the Mandara Spa and the luxury-oriented area known as The Haven.
As you can probably guess, Mandara Spa is the main spa facility for both ships. Both versions of the Mandara Spa feature enticing amenities, like a sauna, hot and cold room, steam rooms, and massage areas.
I mentioned an expanded version of The Haven that can be found on Norwegian Aqua, but this concept was first introduced on Norwegian Prima.
Essentially, it is an area of both ships where you will find the most luxurious accommodations, private sundecks, and a dedicated 24-hour butler service that only caters to the needs of those staying in The Haven section of either ship.
Shared Dining Venues and Bars
Norwegian Prima Lounge
I’ve already discussed how the two ships have many of the same restaurants and bars, so you won’t have to worry if you’re a fan of Norwegian Prima’s dining scene.
While Norwegian Aqua features a few new faces, most venues have been expanded in size and seating capacity, which makes sense given the larger ship can carry nearly 500 more guests.
Both ships feature a version of The Local Bar & Grill, Hudson’s, Surfside Café & Grill, Starbucks, The Commodore Room, Le Bistro, Cagney’s Steakhouse, and the Indulge Food Hall.
Onboard Atmosphere: Vibe and Flow
Norwegian Prima Atrium
While the two cruise ships certainly share many similarities, including their polished and modern décor, there are some subtle differences that give them their own atmosphere and feeling.
Thanks to its more elegant and sophisticated décor, Norwegian Prima tends to have a more traditional cruise ship feel. The focus seems to be on spacious lounge areas and more formal dining experiences.
On the other hand, Norwegian Aqua has a more open and laid back feel, which was intentional from the ship’s designers.
With more open spaces and a more vintage, New York City-inspired theme, it feels less rushed and stiff than Norwegian Prima, especially as you navigate the ship.
Issues with Norwegian Prima’s Layout
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz
One common complaint about Norwegian Prima, if you search for reviews on social media platforms, is the layout, which is a bit confusing and crowded. Due to the ship’s design, guests must walk through active venues to reach some areas of the ship.
Even reaching the main pool area from the main elevators means walking through the Hudson’s buffet area. While it’s not the type of thing that completely ruins the experience, it does impact the overall vibe as you navigate the ship. It’s clear NCL recognized this issue when designing the interior of Norwegian Aqua.
Scroll major online forums like Reddit, and you’ll notice posters regularly mentioning how the onboard flow on Norwegian Aqua feels a bit more relaxed and less congested. This is particularly noticeable during the disembarkation process.
While the older of the two ships has a few minor design faults that can impact the onboard atmosphere, especially during the busiest hours, both ships have a fun and exciting atmosphere that makes them excellent venues for both family-friendly vacations and adults-only getaways.
Accommodations Compared
Both ships offer a variety of cabins and suites to choose from. With cozy inside staterooms and solo cabins to more luxurious suites in The Haven section of the ship, both Norwegian Prima and Aqua allow you to customize your onboard experience through the type of accommodations you choose.
With that said, the two ships differ when it comes to passenger accommodations. Here’s a quick breakdown of those main differences:
Norwegian Prima Accommodation Differences
Norwegian Prima Cabin
When she first set sail, Norwegian Prima captured headlines with its spacious staterooms. With 27 options for staterooms and suites, as well as an additional eight suite and penthouse options found in The Haven, passengers certainly have many options when they book a cruise on Norwegian Prima.
Most offer a classic interior design, with beds in most staterooms centering around a queen-sized bed that can be separated into two twin-sized beds.
New to Prima was The Haven section of the ship, as well as their Solo Oceanview and Sailaway Oceanview staterooms, which are both found on deck 5 and provide guaranteed ocean views on embarkation day.
Norwegian Aqua Accommodation Differences
Norwegian Aqua Balcony Cabin (Credit: Emrys Thakkar / Cruise Hive)
While Norwegian Aqua did introduce some new stateroom categories, the main difference was how it expanded upon existing categories. Aqua features 73 solo studio cabins, compared to just 21 on Norwegian Prima.
NCL claims that Norwegian Aqua features the largest and most spacious accommodations across their entire fleet. Even some of the least expensive outside cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows, so you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy stunning views of the waves.
The Haven also features 112 suites, including the brand-new Haven Premier Owner’s Suite, which has a 2,100-square-foot layout. The Aqua’s expanded version of The Haven also features the first three-bedroom duplex-style suite in the fleet.
Where The Haven was just a section of Norwegian Prima, Aqua’s version almost feels like a ship-within-a-ship, which was actually the designer’s intention.
Itineraries and Destinations
While Norwegian Prima has been in service for much longer, it has had the opportunity to sail to far more destinations. The two ships are intended to cater to different markets by offering different itineraries. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Prima Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Mariusz Lopusiewicz)
Since her maiden voyage on August 27, 2022, Norwegian Prima has been generally focused on European and Caribbean itineraries, depending on the time of year.
Sailing from Port Canaveral and PortMiami, she travels to Caribbean destinations like the Dominican Republic and Cozumel, but she also regularly travels from U.S. ports to Bermuda’s Great Stirrup Cay, which is owned by NCL.
During the off-season for the American market, Norwegian Prima spends significant time catering to the European market, with regular voyages from Southampton in England to Reykjavik in Iceland.
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Aqua in Miami (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Aqua made her maiden ocean-crossing voyage in April of 2025. She also uses Port Canaveral and PortMiami as home ports while in the United States, with these voyages focusing on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Like Prima, she will also regularly visit Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.
There are also plans for her to visit Bermuda from New York City and a rumor that she will travel to Europe; those itineraries have not been confirmed yet.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Norwegian Aqua Shows
Both ships share many similarities when it comes to entertainment and nightlife options, but Norwegian Aqua goes a little further.
For starters, the Glow Court area’s interactive LED floor transforms into a unique dancefloor and nightclub venue at night. Norwegian Prima’s hugely popular Broadway-style Elements: The World Expanded show also makes its way onto Aqua, but Aqua also debuts Revolution: A Celebration of Prince.
Both ships also feature plenty of pools, slides, mini-putt courses, arcades, and the two dynamic dry slides, The Drop and The Rush.
While you have more options on Aqua, Prima does have a few unique features, like a go-kart track, and its Red, White, and British show showcases tribute artists celebrating famous artists from the United Kingdom.
Dining Options: Any New Flavors?
While many of the dining venues remain the same between Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Aqua, including the freestyle dining venues, like the Indulge Food Hall, Norwegian Aqua was outfitted with a significantly larger version of The Commodore Room, which is the main included restaurant for either ship.
Specialty Dining Differences
Norwegian Aqua Sukhothai
However, the real differences in the dining offers were made in the specialty dining category.
One of the biggest culinary additions to Norwegian Aqua is a new Thai-themed restaurant called Sukhothai, which also happens to be the first Thai restaurant featured on any ship in the fleet.
In addition to authentic Thai dishes, it also serves sushi and Asian fusion favorites. I dined there and can tell you first-hand that the food is incredible!
You’ll also find a Texas-themed American-style steakhouse, as well as Italian Onda by Scarpetta.
Many of the bars and lounges found on Norwegian Prima were also expanded on Norwegian Aqua, with The Local Bar & Grill having nearly double the seating capacity on the latter ship.
The Local Bar on Norwegian Prima
Given that it’s open 24 hours a day and offers a range of complimentary bar snacks, it was a hugely popular venue on Norwegian Prima. I’m glad it was given a much-needed seating boost for Norwegian Aqua.
While you certainly don’t need to pay extra to enjoy amazing meals on either cruise ship, those looking to treat themselves to some specialty dining experiences will have more options aboard Norwegian Aqua than Norwegian Prima.
My First Impressions
Norwegian Aqua Deck at Night (Photo Credit: Paul Bartlett / Cruise Hive)
We loved the expanded public areas and accommodations, like the Club Balcony Suites. Some of the design elements, like the floor-to-ceiling LED panels in the atrium and even the hull artwork wowed us.
The wide range of culinary options, like Le BIstro and the brand-new Sukhothai, were also amazing. The layout was also incredible, making it easy to explore the ship without ever feeling cramped.
Norwegian Aqua selfie sculpture (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
By contrast, I’ve found Norwegian Prima to have a slightly puzzling layout in certain areas. Some of the busiest areas on the ship act as choke points, making it difficult to get from one area to the next without fighting through crowds.
I can speak from experience and say that there is nothing inherently wrong with Prima, but Norwegian Aqua does have more to offer most cruisers.
Personally, I would just choose the ship that offers your preferred itinerary; however, if you’re looking for that extra bit of magic, the newer and larger ship has a more spacious feel and a greater variety of amenities.
Conclusion
Norwegian Aqua Docked in Southampton (Photo Credit: Emrys Thakkar / Cruise Hive)
NCL really stepped their game up when they introduced their Prima-class vessels. While Norwegian Prima is beginning to show her age, she still offers comfortable cruising experiences to exciting destinations.
On the other hand, the newer Norwegian Aqua takes things even further thanks to its more spacious interior design, newer attractions, and improved versions of favorites from Norwegian Prima.
Again, either ship can provide an unforgettable cruise experience, so I recommend choosing the ship that provides the better deal or visits destinations that match your personal preferences.
