Norwegian Bliss vs Norwegian Joy: Head-to-Head Comparison
CDC inspection scores, outbreak history, and sanitation records compared
Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian Joy? The Short Version
Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy are sister ships: both are Breakaway Plus-class ships in the Norwegian fleet, so they share a hull design and much of the same layout. Norwegian Bliss is the newer ship by 1 year (2018, against 2017 for Norwegian Joy). Norwegian Bliss carries 4,004 passengers to 3,804 on Norwegian Joy, and measures 168,028 gross tons to 167,725. That is 42.0 gross tons per passenger on Norwegian Bliss and 44.1 on Norwegian Joy, so Norwegian Joy gives each guest more space.
On their most recent CDC inspections, Norwegian Bliss scored 98 (August 22, 2026) and Norwegian Joy scored 100 (July 12, 2026). Norwegian Bliss averages 97 across 3 inspections; Norwegian Joy averages 99.7 across 3 inspections. Their lowest scores on record are 93 for Norwegian Bliss and 99 for Norwegian Joy. Neither ship has a failing score in the inspections we hold.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Norwegian Bliss | Norwegian Joy |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Line | Norwegian | Norwegian |
| Latest Score | 98 | 100 |
| Avg Score | 97 | 99.7 |
| Total Inspections | 3 | 3 |
| Times Failed | 0 | 0 |
| Outbreaks | N/A | N/A |
| Trend | ↑ Improving | → Stable |
| ShipTea Rating | 🟢 Smooth Sailing | 🟢 Smooth Sailing |
| Gross Tonnage | 168,028 | 167,725 |
| Passengers | 4,004 | 3,804 |
| Year Built | 2018 | 2017 |
Score History
Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian Joy
Every CDC Inspection on Record
Each ship's dated Vessel Sanitation Program scores, newest first. A score of 86 or higher passes.
| Date | Ship | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2026 | Norwegian Bliss | 98 | Pass |
| Jul 12, 2026 | Norwegian Joy | 100 | Pass |
| Feb 16, 2026 | Norwegian Joy | 100 | Pass |
| Feb 8, 2026 | Norwegian Bliss | 100 | Pass |
| Sep 29, 2025 | Norwegian Joy | 99 | Pass |
| Sep 6, 2025 | Norwegian Bliss | 93 | Pass |
Beyond Sanitation: Ship Tea's Other Ratings
Each rating is scored out of 100 and explained on its rankings page.
| Rating | Norwegian Bliss | Norwegian Joy |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Score | 97.1 | 98.1 |
| Environmental Score | 77.4 | 77.4 |
| Crew Treatment Score | 70.8 | 70.8 |
Where and When They Sail
Norwegian Bliss has 49 sailings scheduled through December 2027, mostly from Seattle and New York; Norwegian Joy has 49 sailings scheduled through July 2027, mostly from Miami and Seattle. Both sail from Seattle and Los Angeles, so if you are choosing between them for the same trip, compare their sailing dates. The next departures are Norwegian Bliss on November 9, 2026 and Norwegian Joy on November 6, 2026.
Every Norwegian Bliss sailing → Every Norwegian Joy sailing →
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