Norwegian Cruise Line’s Newest Ship is Now Open for Booking

Norwegian Cruise Line’s fifth Prima-class vessel, Norwegian Aura (arriving in 2027), is now officially open for bookings.

Norwegian Aura, set to debut in about 16 months, is NCL’s much anticipated evolution of the cruise line’s Prima Plus class of ships.  The 3,952-passenger vessel will just about match the gross tonnage of Norwegian Encore at 169,000 gross tons. 

That’s about 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, which are also ships in the Prima class.

Here’s a little a breakdown of what makes this ship different and what passengers can expect when the ship debuts.

Bigger Spaces and More Thrills

Norwegian Aura is going all-in on outdoor fun with a brand-new complex called Ocean Heights. Spanning four decks, this area is designed to be a fun playground during the day that transforms into an LED-lit social center at night.

The ship will also feature the most slides in the NCL fleet. Highlights will include the Eclipse Racers, NCL’s first-ever dueling mat racer slides, and the Aura Free Fall, which features a floor that drops out to send you through 250 feet of twists.

The Drop, a 10-deck dry slide also makes a return, alongside an 82-foot ropes course and an outdoor “Aura Midway” with carnival games and mini-golf.

What About Some Relaxation?

For cruisers who would rather get some down time, this new ship is also expanding the relaxation areas on board.

The pool deck is now 20% larger than previous ships in this class, offering more lounge space and an extra infinity hot tub.

The adults-only Vibe Beach Club is also about 15% bigger, and Ocean Boulevard, the promenade that wraps around the ship, is 11% larger.   Notice the theme here of larger spaces on this larger ship?

The Prima-class already has some of the best passenger to space ratios among its peers, and Norwegian Aura is pushing that envelope even farther.

This extra space has allowed for new amenities like Infinity Beach, which features cozy day beds and wading pools right at the water’s edge.

Accommodations and The Haven

Aura will have almost 2,000 staterooms, but the real news is the expansion of The Haven. This luxury ship-within-a-ship will feature 30% more suites than previous Prima Plus ships, making it the largest Haven to date.

The ship’s hull will feature artwork by Rosie Woods and will be inspired by ethereal light and the seas’ bioluminescence.

Where the Aura is Sailing

The ship will start its journey in Europe before moving to its permanent home in the U.S.

• May 2027: The debut sailing is a 7-day Mediterranean trip from Trieste, Italy, to Barcelona.
• June 2027 – October 2027: The ship will homeport in PortMiami, running week-long Eastern Caribbean cruises to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and Tortola.
• Winter 2027/2028: Aura will switch to Western Caribbean routes, visiting Roatán, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Harvest Caye.

Every Caribbean sailing will also include a stop at one of NCL’s private destinations: either Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas or Harvest Caye in Belize.

Read more about the ship or book your cruise directly on Norwegian Cruise Line’s website here.