September 11, 2026
10-Night Alaska Cruise
Departing from Seattle
From
$1,059
Price / day
$106
Norwegian Joy|Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Joy vs Norwegian Encore
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
VS
Newer Ship
Norwegian Encore
Built in 2019
2 years newer
Lower Price Per Day
Norwegian Joy
$119 / day
$341 less per day
More Spacious Ship
Norwegian Joy
43 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Norwegian Joy vs Norwegian Encore: Quick Comparison
Norwegian Encore is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2019, it is 2 years newer than Norwegian Joy, which entered service in 2017. Norwegian Encore is approximately 1% larger by gross tonnage at 168,800 GT. Norwegian Encore also carries 98 more passengers. Norwegian Joy has upcoming sailings in Alaska, while Norwegian Encore has sailings in Alaska. Based on the upcoming cruises currently displayed, Norwegian Joy has the lower average starting price per day. The sailings shown cover a similar region and trip length, so the price per day figures are reasonably close to like-for-like. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.
Ship Comparison
| Spec | Norwegian Joy | Norwegian Encore |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2017 | 2019Newer |
| Gross Tonnage | 167,725 GT | 168,800 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,900 | 3,998 |
| Space per Passenger | 43 GT | 42.2 GT |
| Length | 333.46 m | — |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Norwegian Joy vs Norwegian Encore
Age
Norwegian Encore was built in 2019, making it 2 years newer than Norwegian Joy, which was built in 2017.
Size
At 168,800 GT, Norwegian Encore is approximately 1% larger by gross tonnage than Norwegian Joy at 167,725 GT.
Passenger capacity
Norwegian Encore carries up to 3,998 passengers compared with 3,900 aboard Norwegian Joy, a difference of 98 passengers.
Passenger space
Norwegian Joy offers more space per passenger: 43 GT per guest, compared with 42.2 aboard Norwegian Encore. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore cover a similar region and trip length.
Price
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Norwegian Joy has the lower average starting price per day at $119 per day.
Compare Ports of Call
Norwegian Joy
Alaska: Skagway, Juneau, Sitka& Ketchikan
- Departure Port
- Seattle
- Region
- Alaska
- Nights
- 10
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 11, 2026Seattle
- Day 2 · Sep 12, 2026Ketchikan
- Day 3 · Sep 13, 2026Juneau
- Day 4 · Sep 14, 2026Icy Strait Point
- Day 5 · Sep 15, 2026Sitka
- Day 6 · Sep 16, 2026Skagway
- Day 7 · Sep 17, 2026Victoria
- Day 8 · Sep 18, 2026Seattle
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Norwegian Encore
Alaska: Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan & Victoria
- Departure Port
- Seattle
- Region
- Alaska
- Nights
- 7
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 6, 2026Seattle
- Day 2 · Sep 7, 2026Juneau
- Day 3 · Sep 8, 2026Skagway
- Day 4 · Sep 9, 2026Ketchikan
- Day 5 · Sep 10, 2026Victoria
- Day 6 · Sep 11, 2026Seattle
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Norwegian Joy
September 21, 2026
9-Night Alaska Cruise
Departing from Seattle
From
$1,179
Price / day
$131
Norwegian Encore
September 6, 2026
7-Night Alaska Cruise
Departing from Seattle
From
$4,879
Price / day
$697
September 13, 2026
7-Night Alaska Cruise
Departing from Seattle
From
$1,559
Price / day
$223
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Norwegian Joy
Average
$119 / day
VS
Norwegian Encore
Average
$460 / day
Norwegian Joy is currently 74% cheaper per day for comparable sailings
$119/day vs $460/day
About $341 less per day
This comparison is based on the upcoming sailings currently shown.
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Norwegian Joy if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You want to sail in Alaska.
- Departing from Seattle works for your plans.
- The lower price per day among the sailings currently shown matters to you.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Norwegian Encore.
Choose Norwegian Encore if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You want to sail in Alaska.
- Departing from Seattle works for your plans.
Norwegian Joy vs Norwegian Encore: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Norwegian Encore
Built in 2019
2 years newer
Bigger
Norwegian Encore
168,800 GT
1% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Norwegian Joy
$119 / day
About $341 less per day
- Norwegian Encore is 2 years newer.
- Norwegian Encore is 1% larger by gross tonnage.
- Norwegian Encore carries 98 more passengers.
- Norwegian Joy offers more space per passenger (43 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Norwegian Joy or Norwegian Encore?
Norwegian Encore is newer. It was built in 2019, while Norwegian Joy was built in 2017, making Norwegian Encore 2 years newer.
Which is bigger, Norwegian Joy or Norwegian Encore?
Norwegian Encore is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 168,800 GT compared with Norwegian Joy at 167,725 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Norwegian Encore has a passenger capacity of approximately 3,998, compared with 3,900 for Norwegian Joy.
Which ship is more spacious, Norwegian Joy or Norwegian Encore?
Norwegian Joy has the higher passenger space ratio at 43 GT per passenger, versus 42.2 for Norwegian Encore. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Which ship is cheaper, Norwegian Joy or Norwegian Encore?
Among the upcoming sailings currently displayed, Norwegian Joy has the lower average starting price per day at $119 per day versus $460 per day. Fares vary by itinerary, departure date, cabin type and availability.
Where does Norwegian Joy sail?
The upcoming Norwegian Joy sailings currently listed cover Alaska, departing from Seattle.
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