NCL Opens New Ship Norwegian Aura, Largest In Fleet, For 2027 Voyages

New NCL Ship Boasts Family, Teen And Adult Activity Zones Across Multiple Decks

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) unveiled and opened for sale Norwegian Aura, the longest and largest vessel in its fleet, which will homeport in Miami beginning in June 2027 following her debut in Europe in late May 2027.

Setting a new standard in size and scale for NCL’s fleet, Norwegian Aura will be almost 1,130 feet long, 168,000 gross tons and will accommodate 3,840 guests at double occupancy. Norwegian Aura will be 10 per cent larger than her predecessors Norwegian Aquaand Norwegian Luna. At the centre of the action is the all-new Ocean Heights, an open-air activities complex that shifts from fun by day to a vibrant, laid-back atmosphere at night, creating a lively space for the whole family.

Offering seven-day cruises to the Caribbean, each of Norwegian Aura’s voyages in the region will visit either Harvest Caye, NCL’s resort-style destination in Belize, or Great Stirrup Cay, the Company’s private island in the Bahamas.  As of late 2025, all-new guest experiences opened on Great Stirrup Cay, including the Great Life Lagoon, a sprawling pool area with swim-up bars, premium loungers and a dedicated kids’ splash area, as well as Vibe Shore Club, an adults-only area with a private bar and premium lounge seating. Later in 2026, ahead of Norwegian Aura’s 2027 sailings, the island will debut the nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark with 19 waterslides, industry-first cliffside jumps and a river, as well as new adventure excursions.

Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said, “We are proud to introduce the newest, and largest, addition to our fleet, Norwegian Aura. Norwegian Aura represents the evolution of Norwegian Cruise Line and the celebration of bringing together families, friends and travelers from around the world. With brilliance and connection at her core, the ship was created to give all guests the freedom to vacation their very own way, offering the chance to exhale, connect and effortlessly escape into the moment. We look forward to this next milestone and can’t wait for guests to experience all that Norwegian Aura has to offer.”

Norwegian Aura is currently being built by renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri with interior designs across the ship created by world-class architects such as AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, SMC Design and Studio Dado.

The ship’s stand-out features and itineraries include:

Ocean Heights

Spanning decks 18 to 21, the first-in-the-fleet Ocean Heights will be the hub for fun, action and relaxation for the whole family. The activity zone will combine brand-new attractions for NCL with reimagined favourites, transforming from day to night using immersive lighting and LED projections.

Norwegian Aura will boast the most slides of any NCL ship, with five located in the open-air complex, Ocean Heights. Eclipse Racers are the Brand’s first dueling mat racer waterslides, stretching over 400 feet for a head-to-head competition for illuminating wet-and-wild fun in tubular slides. For more thrills, guests can head over to the Aura Free Fall, a drop-in body waterslide where the floor opens up below and plunges guests down 250 feet. The Wave is a lotus waterslide, a pendulum-style raft attraction that accommodates groups of up to four guests to ride together through 300 feet. Lastly, The Drop, is the Prima Class signature dry slide that rushes guests down 10 decks - from deck 18 to eight.

Ocean Heights will also feature an 82-foot Aura Ropes Course complete with challenges paired with top-deck ocean views. Additional experiences include a 25-foot Rock Climbing Wall; Aura Midway, an amusement park-style outdoor area; a nine-hole mini golf course; NCL’s first-ever overhanging private cabanas overlooking Vibe Beach Club; and a bar.

Ocean Boulevard

Located on deck eight, Ocean Boulevard is the signature Prima Class outdoor promenade that wraps around the entirety of the ship. Aboard Norwegian Aura, the area has been extended by 11 per cent compared to Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, offering additional space, more seating, as well as debuting activities and amenities, including new hot tubs and a brand-new bar. An expanded Infinity Beach will provide the hub for relaxation with luxe day beds and wading pools. 

Additionally, Ocean Boulevard will feature dedicated activities for children and teenagers flanked on either side of the forward end of the ship. Located port side, Adventure Alley is designed for kids aged six to 10 and offers stimulating crawl spaces and twisting tunnels in an imaginative seascape setting overlooking the ocean; while starboard side, the Teen Hangout provides a retreat for teenagers to relax, socialise and capture memories. Lastly, for younger guests aged two to six, Little Explorer's Cove playground is situated at the bow and features a playhouse with two slides and more.

Pool and sundeck experiences

Norwegian Aura’s pool deck will be the largest in the NCL fleet, over 20 per cent bigger than those on Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna. It will feature more seating, an additional infinity hot tub, a bigger LED entertainment screen, and expanded open lounge areas, ensuring all guests can relax and enjoy the heart of the ship in comfort.

Norwegian Aura’s top decks feature the Kids’ Aqua Park on deck 18 with a splash pad and interactive water features near Ocean Heights. Two waterslides are nearby: the Party Slide, a wide shallow slide for families, and the Infinity Loop, a figure-eight slide around the Party Slide. Deck 19 offers outdoor lawn games and seating at Horizon Park.

Vibe Beach Club, NCL’s exclusive adults-only retreat, will be 15 per cent larger than those found aboard Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, providing increased seating, infinity hot tubs, expanded decompressing areas and a waterfall feature. With additional sun loungers, daybeds and a bar as its focal point.

Other services

Norwegian Aura will boast 1,976 staterooms ranging from studios to suites, of which 159 make up the keycard access-only complex, The Haven by Norwegian. The luxury offering aboard Norwegian Aura will include 30 per cent more suites than previous Prima Class ships and the most in the fleet.

Designed by Italian designer Piero Lissoni, The Haven suites blend sophisticated design with sea views and are crafted for optimal privacy and convenience with exclusive private elevator access. The Haven complex features a dedicated sundeck with a panoramic infinity pool, two hot tubs and an outdoor sauna and cold room. It also offers the dedicated The Haven bar and lounge, and The Haven Restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Notably, Studio DADO, longtime partners of Norwegian Cruise Line, designed the private lounge, restaurant and outdoor deck.

Beyond luxury accommodations and spaces, guests staying in The Haven will enjoy amenities, including 24-hour butler and concierge service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, exclusive invitations to onboard events, priority onboard reservations and much more.

Hull Art

Signature to the NCL fleet, Norwegian Aura will feature a hull art design created by international artist Rosie Woods, known for her large-scale murals and collaborations with global brands.

Rosie Woods said, “I’m thrilled to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line, who has been known for showcasing beautiful, cutting-edge hull art designs. I’m so excited to see my large-scale piece of artwork come to life, sail across the seas and illuminate day and night.”

Prior to homeporting in Miami for her inaugural season in June 2027, Norwegian Aura will sail a seven-day Mediterranean voyage from Trieste, Italy to Barcelona, Spain on May 21, 2027 with calls to Valletta, Malta; as well as Salerno and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. Following her 14-day transatlantic voyage, she will commence her season of Caribbean cruises from Miami. From June 2027 through October 2027, Norwegian Aura will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyages with calls to quintessential island destinations, including Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and the Brand’s newly enhanced private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. In winter 2027/28, Norwegian Aura will offer seven-day Western Caribbean voyages taking guests to lush, tropical destinations like Roatan (Islas de la Bahia), Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; as well as Harvest Caye, NCL’s resort-style private destination off the Belizean coast.