“Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest and newest ship from Norwegian to sail from New Orleans, and we are thrilled to bring our signature Breakaway-class ship to this important homeport,” said Andy Stuart, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.

As of 2026, the biggest cruise ship operating out of the Port of New Orleans is the Norwegian Viva, a Prima-class vessel that represents a significant upgrade in size and luxury for the city's homeport. With a gross tonnage of approximately 143,535 and a capacity for over 3,100 guests, it stands as one of the most modern and largest ships to navigate the Mississippi River. Navigating the river poses unique challenges due to the bridges and the winding path to the Gulf of Mexico, which historically limited the size of ships that could dock at the Julia Street Cruise Terminal. However, the Norwegian Viva was specifically designed with a sleeker profile and advanced propulsion that allows it to maximize its footprint while still safely clearing the "Crescent City Connection" bridge. While Royal Caribbean’s massive "Icon-class" ships are the world's largest overall, they are currently too large for the New Orleans port, leaving the Norwegian Viva and the Carnival Liberty as the dominant heavyweights providing year-round Western Caribbean itineraries from the "Big Easy" to destinations like Cozumel and Roatán.