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Ship comparison

Norwegian Prima vs Norwegian Star

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Norwegian Prima is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,215 passengers, in service since 2022. Norwegian Star is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 2,348 passengers, in service since 2001.

Choose Norwegian Prima if you want a newer ship, a more active cruise or a more family-friendly ship: it outscores Norwegian Star for active (7.0 vs 6.0) and family friendly (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2022 (vs 2001).

Choose Norwegian Star if you want a better-rated spa and gym, better-rated entertainment or more of a party: it outscores Norwegian Prima for spa & fitness (8.0 vs 7.0), entertainment (8.0 vs 7.0) and party (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Side by side

Specifications

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

Norwegian PrimaNorwegian Star
Cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line
Ship size Large Large
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2022 (better) 2001
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted — 2018
Gross tonnage 142,500 91,740
Passengers 3,215 2,348
Crew 1,388 1,065
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.3 2.2 (better)
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 44.3 (better) 39.1
Cabins 1,646 —
Decks 20 15
Length 965 ft 935 ft
Beam 133 ft 105 ft
Speed — 28 mph
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 (better) 7 / 10
Cruises on sale 51 57
Upcoming sailings 92 65
Cruise lengths 3 to 17 nights 6 to 16 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $349 (better) $479

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Norwegian Prima leads on 5 of the ten, Norwegian Star on 3, with 2 level.

  • Active Norwegian Prima: 7.0 Norwegian Star: 6.0
  • Adventure & nature Norwegian Prima: 5.0 Norwegian Star: 4.0
  • Cultural Norwegian Prima: 7.0 Norwegian Star: 7.0
  • Dining Norwegian Prima: 7.0 Norwegian Star: 6.0
  • Entertainment Norwegian Prima: 7.0 Norwegian Star: 8.0
  • Family friendly Norwegian Prima: 8.0 Norwegian Star: 7.0
  • Party Norwegian Prima: 7.0 Norwegian Star: 8.0
  • Romantic Norwegian Prima: 7.0 Norwegian Star: 6.0
  • Spa & fitness Norwegian Prima: 7.0 Norwegian Star: 8.0
  • Staterooms Norwegian Prima: 7.0 Norwegian Star: 7.0

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Star

The ship where Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising mantra all began, Norwegian Star has been at sea since 2001, offering a large variety in dining options, lounges from the popular to the secluded, and a childcare program that is top notch.

Highlights

  • Bring your own chopsticks and enjoy Asian cuisine, from sushi to hibachi to Thai and Chinese
  • Extensive childcare services on board make cruiseing with the wee ones a cinch
  • Celebrate like the famous F. Scott Fitzgerald character at Gatsby's Champagne Bar

Sailing now

57 cruises on sale, from $479.

Questions

Norwegian Prima or Norwegian Star?

Which is bigger, Norwegian Prima or Norwegian Star?

Norwegian Prima is bigger at 142,500 gross tons, against 91,740 gross tons for Norwegian Star. Norwegian Prima carries 3,215 passengers and Norwegian Star carries 2,348.

Which ship is newer, Norwegian Prima or Norwegian Star?

Norwegian Prima is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2022 against 2001 for Norwegian Star.

Which has more space per passenger?

Norwegian Prima, with 44.3 gross tons per passenger against 39.1 on Norwegian Star. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Norwegian Star, with one crew member for every 2.2 passengers against one for every 2.3 on Norwegian Prima.

Which is better for families?

Norwegian Prima scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 7.0 for Norwegian Star.

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