Cruiseable Plan my cruise

Ship comparison

Norwegian Bliss vs Norwegian Breakaway

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Norwegian Bliss is a mega Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 4,000 passengers, in service since 2018. Norwegian Breakaway is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,959 passengers, in service since 2013.

Choose Norwegian Bliss if you want more adventure and nature, a more active cruise or more culture: it outscores Norwegian Breakaway for adventure & nature (10.0 vs 3.0), active (10.0 vs 8.0) and cultural (6.0 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Choose Norwegian Breakaway if you want more of a party, a lower starting fare or a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Norwegian Bliss for party (10.0 vs 7.0) and spa & fitness (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $439 (vs $799).

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Norwegian BlissNorwegian Breakaway
Cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship size Mega Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2018 (better) 2013
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2018
Gross tonnage 167,800 144,017
Passengers 4,000 3,959
Crew 2,100 1,595
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 1.9 (better) 2.5
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 42.0 (better) 36.4
Decks 20 18
Length 1,069 ft 1,062 ft
Beam 136 ft 170 ft
Speed 26 mph 25 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 (better) 8 / 10
Cruises on sale 26 26
Upcoming sailings 91 118
Cruise lengths 5–22 nights 4–14 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $799 $439 (better)

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Norwegian Bliss leads on 4 of the ten, Norwegian Breakaway on 3, with 3 level.

  • Active Norwegian Bliss: 10.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 8.0
  • Adventure & nature Norwegian Bliss: 10.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 3.0
  • Cultural Norwegian Bliss: 6.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 4.0
  • Dining Norwegian Bliss: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 6.2
  • Entertainment Norwegian Bliss: 8.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 8.2
  • Family friendly Norwegian Bliss: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 7.0
  • Party Norwegian Bliss: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 10.0
  • Romantic Norwegian Bliss: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 7.0
  • Spa & fitness Norwegian Bliss: 7.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 8.0
  • Staterooms Norwegian Bliss: 8.0 Norwegian Breakaway: 8.0

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Bliss

The first ship from Norwegian Cruise Line built specifically for Alaska cruises, Norwegian Bliss began seasonal sailings to Alaska in June 2018, and offers itineraries that call on the Mexican Riviera and Bermuda in the fall and winter.

Sailing now

26 cruises on sale, from $799.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Breakaway

They call Norwegian Breakaway New York's cruise ship, and it's clear why once you arrive at the port and see the Statue of Liberty painted on the hull. The original work of art is by Peter Max, and the renowned artist did a great job setting the tone for the Big Apple's year-round cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Line.

Highlights

  • The Aqua Park with two pools and four whirlpools
  • Adventure seekers will enjoy the five waterslides
  • Adults-only areas for those seeking peace and quiet
  • Famed New York City celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian brings his restaurant to sea

Sailing now

26 cruises on sale, from $439.

Questions

Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian Breakaway?

Which is bigger, Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian Breakaway?

Norwegian Bliss is bigger at 167,800 gross tons, against 144,017 gross tons for Norwegian Breakaway. Norwegian Bliss carries 4,000 passengers and Norwegian Breakaway carries 3,959.

Which ship is newer, Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian Breakaway?

Norwegian Bliss is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2018 against 2013 for Norwegian Breakaway.

Which has more space per passenger?

Norwegian Bliss, with 42.0 gross tons per passenger against 36.4 on Norwegian Breakaway. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Norwegian Bliss, with one crew member for every 1.9 passengers against one for every 2.5 on Norwegian Breakaway.

Which is better for families?

They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 7.0 out of 10.

Still deciding?

Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing

Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway or a ship that suits you better.

Plan my cruise

Compare different ships