The full 13-chapter guide: the day-by-day plan, where to stay, costs with the dates we checked them, what is not worth it, backup plans, and a points playbook. You read it online in your PerkJolt library.

Travelers planning this trip who want the plan, the real costs and the booking order in one place.

Does it cover points and miles?

Yes. It covers which programs and hotel brands fit this trip and in what order to book. It does not quote card offers.

Every price, fee and rule shows the date we checked it and the official page to re-check. Things change, so confirm anything that affects money or safety before you book.

Can I get every guide instead?

Yes. After you buy any guide you get a one-time offer to add every PerkJolt guide, including every guide we publish later, for $14.99.

Insider's Guide to Norwegian's Newest Ships

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Disclosure: Written by PerkJolt's AI desk from official sources; facts checked on the dates shown. We may earn a commission from links; it never changes what we recommend.

Things change. We checked the facts in this guide on 2026-10-10 against NCL's ship pages, deck plans and Free at Sea page. Several pages did not open (see Sources). Confirm fares, fees, packages, itineraries and policies on ncl.com or in your booking and the NCL app before you sail.

Cover block

Promise: Pick the right ship in the Bliss, Encore and Joy trio, the right cabin on it, and a booking plan that does not spend points or dollars on things you did not need.
Typical sailing length: 7 nights in Alaska and the Caribbean; shorter and longer sailings exist. (We could not confirm this on the official site when we checked — confirm it there before you book.)
Best months/regions: Alaska in summer, Caribbean in the cooler months, Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal on repositioning sailings. NCL's pages name Alaska, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coastal and Panama Canal for these ships .
Your trip budget worksheet

Prices change daily, so we don't quote them. Fill this in from the official fare pages.

Your trip budget worksheet

Item Your amount

Budget band: Fare $

(ncl.com) + gratuities $

(booking page) + port fees/taxes $

(booking page) + flights $

hotel $

extras $

$
Best for: Families, groups and first-time cruisers who want many dining choices and big-ship things to do; couples who will pay for a Haven suite.

Your trip budget worksheet
Item	Your amount
Budget band: Fare $
(ncl.com) + gratuities $
(booking page) + port fees/taxes $
(booking page) + flights $
hotel $
extras $
$

At a glance

Escape (2015), Joy (2017), Bliss (2018), Encore (2019): same 1,094 ft length except Escape at 1,069 ft.
Official capacity 3,776 (Joy), 3,958 (Encore), 4,010 (Bliss) at double occupancy.
Observation Lounge: Encore deck plan shows it on deck 15.
Race track: Bliss Speedway, Encore Speedway, and a two-level Speedway on Joy.
The Haven: NCL's private suite area on each ship; its restaurant is on deck 18 per Bliss and Encore plans.
Free at Sea: base open bar, scaled specialty meals, 150 Wi-Fi minutes, as of 2026-10-10.
Book first: Haven and balcony cabins, specialty restaurants, shows.
First-timer mistake: choosing a cabin by price alone, under the pool deck or beside a loud venue.