NCL announces Norwegian Aura – its largest & longest ship yet

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

Norwegian Aura will be almost 1,130 feet long, 169,000 gross tons and will accommodate 3,840 guests at double occupancy.  

That’s 10 per cent larger than her predecessors Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.

At the center of the ship 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 families.

“We are proud to introduce the newest, and largest, addition to our fleet, Norwegian Aura,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, in a statement.  "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.”

Introducing Ocean Heights

Spanning decks 18 to 21, the first-in-the-fleet Ocean Heights will be a hub for fun, action and relaxation.

The sprawling 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 sweeping open-air complex, Ocean Heights.

Eclipse Racers are the Brand’s first dueling mat racer waterslides, stretching over 400 feet for an exciting 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 of exhilarating twists and turns.

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 of pure fun.

Lastly, the returning guest favourite, The Drop, is the Prima Class signature dry slide that rushes guests down 10 decks –from deck 18 to eight.

Designed for adventure seekers, Ocean Heights will also feature an 82-foot Aura Ropes Course complete with exhilarating challenges paired with breathtaking top-deck ocean views. Additional experiences include a 25-foot Rock Climbing Wall; Aura Midway, an amusement park-style outdoor area where guests will enjoy a variety of carnival-like games; a nine-hole mini golf course; NCL’s first-ever overhanging private cabanas overlooking the Vibe Beach Club; and a bar for guests to sip on their favorite beverages.

Expanded Ocean Boulevard

Located on deck eight, Ocean Boulevard is the signature Prima Class outdoor promenade that wraps around the entirety of the ship and provides guests opportunities to relax while enjoying endless water views.

Aboard Norwegian Aura, the area has been extended by 11 per cent compared to Aqua and 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 ultimate hub for relaxation with luxe day beds and wading pools, perfect for afternoon siestas.

Next-level sun deck

Norwegian Aura’s pool decks are over 20 per cent larger than Aqua’s and Luna’s pool decks, offering more seating capacity, an additional infinity hot tub, a larger LED entertainment screen and extra open lounge areas to ensure every guest enjoys the heart of the ship in comfort.

The adventure continues on the top decks with Norwegian Aura’s Kids Aqua Park, with splash pad and interactive water features within proximity to Ocean Heights on deck 18.

Nearby are two family-fun waterslides – the Party Slide, a wide and shallow slide perfect for families and friends to enjoy together, and the Infinity Loop, a figure-eight slide that wraps around the Party Slide.

On deck 19, guests will enjoy outdoor lawn games and seating at Horizon Park.

Vibe Beach Club, NCL’s exclusive adults-only retreat, will also be 15 per cent larger than those found a aboard Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, providing increased seating, infinity hot tubs, expanded decompressing areas and a waterfall feature.

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.

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, a private island in the Bahamas, which recently received several enhancements.

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 dynamic river, as well as new adventure excursions.

The inaugural season

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.

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