Norwegian Aura Has Been Announced — What NCL Is Adding Next

Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed its next new ship, Norwegian Aura, and bookings are now open for sailings beginning in 2027. Aura will join NCL’s Prima plus class, debut in Europe, and then homeport in Miami for Caribbean itineraries.

Norwegian Aura is currently under construction in Italy and will measure just under 1,130 feet, with a capacity of 3,840 guests at double occupancy. It is a step up from Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna and continues NCL’s move toward bigger ships with more outdoor space and activity-driven design.

The ship’s first sailing is scheduled for May 21, 2027, with a seven-night Mediterranean cruise from Trieste to Barcelona, stopping in Malta, Salerno, Rome, and Civitavecchia. After a 14-night transatlantic crossing, Norwegian Aura will begin Caribbean sailings from Miami in June 2027.

From Miami, the ship will operate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Every sailing includes a stop at one of NCL’s private destinations.

Here’s what’s been confirmed so far:

• Itineraries
  Eastern Caribbean sailings include Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay.
  Western Caribbean itineraries visit Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Harvest Caye.
• Ocean Heights
  A new open-air activity complex spanning decks 18 to 21, designed to shift from a daytime activity hub to a more relaxed nighttime space using lighting and LED effects.
• Slides and attractions
  Five waterslides, the most on any NCL ship, including Eclipse Racers dueling slides, Aura Free Fall with a 250-foot drop, The Wave raft slide, and the returning dry slide, The Drop. The area also includes a ropes course, rock climbing wall, mini golf, carnival-style games, a bar, and overhanging cabanas above Vibe Beach Club.
• Outdoor space
  The pool deck will be more than 20 percent larger than those on Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, with more seating, an added infinity hot tub, larger screens, and expanded lounge areas. A kids’ aqua park and lawn games will be located on the upper decks nearby.
• Ocean Boulevard
  The wraparound promenade on Deck 8 will be extended by 11 percent, adding additional seating, new hot tubs, a new bar, and a larger Infinity Beach area. Forward sections will house Adventure Alley for kids, a Teen Hangout, and Little Explorer’s Cove.
• Adults only areas
  Vibe Beach Club will be about 15 percent larger than on Aura’s sister ships, adding more loungers, infinity hot tubs, shaded seating, and a waterfall feature.
• Staterooms and The Haven
  Norwegian Aura will have 1,976 staterooms. The Haven by Norwegian will be the largest in the fleet, with 159 suites, roughly 30 percent more than previous Prima class ships, plus a private sundeck, infinity pool, lounge, restaurant, and priority services.

The ship will also feature new hull art by artist Rosie Woods, inspired by celestial light and ocean bioluminescence, and will continue NCL’s tradition of bold, highly visible ship designs.

With Norwegian Aura now confirmed, NCL has clearly laid out what is coming in 2027: a larger Prima plus ship, more outdoor space, and Caribbean itineraries sailing year-round from Miami.

Images provided by Norwegian Cruise Line. Some visuals may represent renderings or promotional imagery.