At 142,500 gross tons, the first new ship in the series, Norwegian Prima, is about 16% smaller than the last ship the brand unveiled — the 169,145-ton Norwegian Encore. The second ship in the series, Norwegian Viva, will be essentially identical.

While the Norwegian Prima is a large ship, it is actually smaller than the largest vessels in Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) fleet. Launched in 2022 as the flagship of the Prima Class, it has a gross tonnage of approximately 143,535 and carries about 3,100 guests at double occupancy. For comparison, NCL’s Breakaway-Plus class ships, like the Norwegian Encore, are significantly larger at nearly 170,000 gross tons and can carry roughly 4,000 passengers. The Prima was intentionally designed to be "smaller" to offer a more upscale, spacious feel with a higher staff-to-guest ratio and more outdoor deck space per passenger, such as the expansive Ocean Boulevard. However, it still features "big ship" amenities like the world's first three-level racetrack at sea and the fastest dry slides on the ocean. So, while it is "big" by global standards, it represents a strategic shift toward a slightly more intimate and luxurious experience compared to the mega-ships that preceded it.