Norwegian Cruise Line initially ordered two Jewel- class ships in September 2003 . In December 2004, NCL decided to order two more ships of this class, which should be put into operation for the 2007 season. For reasons of capacity, Meyer Werft only wanted to accept one order for completion in February 2007; the fourth ship should be built by the then independent Aker Finnyards shipyard by May 2007. The fourth ship was finally ordered from Meyer-Werft in May 2005. Commissioning of the third ship could be brought forward to November 2006, for the fourth ship it was delayed until autumn 2007.
The Jewel class is essentially based on the two ships of the Dawn class, which were also built between 1998 and 2002 at Meyer Werft in Papenburg.