The next ship to join Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet will be the largest ship to date, expanding on the Prima class with a design that is 10% larger than its predecessor.
Scheduled to homeport in Miami from June 2027, the 169,000 gross tonne Norwegian Aura will be the third ship in the Prima Plus class, joining Aqua and the upcoming Luna, which will debut from Miami in April. Aura will be the cruise line’s 22nd ship and fifth Prima Class ship, with plans to expand to a sixth ship by the end of 2028.
“Norwegian Aura represents the evolution of Norwegian Cruise Line and our celebration of bringing family, friends, and travelers from around the world together. With sparkle and connection at its core, this ship was created to give every guest the freedom to vacation in their own way, offering an opportunity to breathe, connect, and effortlessly escape into the present moment.”
The Aura seats 3,840 passengers and features upgrades and a new design with a “family-centric experience” and “reimagining guest favorites” in mind. The facility will feature the all-new Ocean Heights, an outdoor activity complex spanning decks 18 to 21 with five slides, the most on any NCL ship.
This new area is made possible because Aura is 22 meters longer than its Prima Plus class predecessor and lacks the Aqua slide coaster found in Aqua and Luna.
Within the Ocean Heights area, guests can experience Eclipse Racer, the cruise line’s first Duel Mat Racing waterslide, Aura Free Fall, a drop-in body waterslide, and The Wave Raft slide for up to four people. The drop dry slide returns to rush guests from Deck 18 to Deck 8.
Ocean Heights also features the 82-foot Aura Ropes Course, 82-foot rock climbing wall, 9-hole mini golf course, and Aura Midway, an amusement park-style outdoor area with carnival games.
This rendering shows Norwegian Aura, the largest and newest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, on Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
This rendering shows Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest and newest ship, Norwegian Aura. The ship is an expanded Prima Class offering with a new Ocean Heights outdoor area and the return of fan favorites like Ocean Boulevard and The Drop Dry Slide. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Aura is the largest and newest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, with an expanded Prima Class and expanded pool deck. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
This rendering shows Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest and newest ship, Norwegian Aura. The ship is an expanded Prima Class offering with a new Ocean Heights outdoor area and the return of fan favorites like Ocean Boulevard and The Drop Dry Slide. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Aura is the largest and newest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, expanding Prima Class with an expanded pool deck and larger Vibe Beach Club. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
This rendering shows Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest and newest ship, Norwegian Aura. The ship is an expanded Prima Class offering with a new Ocean Heights outdoor area and the return of fan favorites like Ocean Boulevard and The Drop Dry Slide. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
This rendering shows a balcony stateroom on Norwegian Aura, the largest and newest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Aura is the largest and newest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, expanding Prima Class and featuring a new Ocean Heights outdoor area with four waterslides and Aura Midway. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Aura is the largest and newest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, expanding Prima Class with the new Ocean Heights outdoor area and Aura Midway. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
This rendering shows Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest and newest ship, Norwegian Aura. The ship is an expanded Prima Class offering with a new Ocean Heights outdoor area and the return of fan favorites like Ocean Boulevard and The Drop Dry Slide. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Aura is the largest and newest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, expanding Prima Class and featuring a new Ocean Heights outdoor area with four waterslides. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
1 of 11
This rendering shows Norwegian Aura, the largest and newest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, on Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)
expand
“We listened to our guests and decided to bring the ropes course back,” said Julie Valeriote, NCL’s vice president of cruise programs and entertainment operations. “They wanted it because they liked it in the past.”
A new outdoor space with a bar and NCL’s first overhanging private cabana overlooking Vibe Beach Club offers even more intimate dining options.
Norwegian Aura’s pool deck is 20% larger than those on Aqua and Luna, making it the largest in the NCL fleet and featuring more seating, an additional infinity hot tub, large LED entertainment screens, and an additional open lounge area.
Kids Aqua Park near Ocean Heights has a splash pad and interactive water features, and two family-friendly waterslides are nearby. Deck 19 has outdoor lawn games and Horizon Park seating.
The ship’s adults-only resort, Vibe Beach Club, will be 15 percent larger than those on Norwegian Aqua and Luna, with more seating, an infinity hot tub and waterfall amenities.
Prima’s signature outdoor space is located on Deck 8 with Ocean Boulevard. This is an outdoor promenade that wraps around the ship with 11% more space compared to the other two Prima Plus class ships. Here you’ll find relaxing options, including infinity beach daybeds, wading pools, restaurants, lounges, ocean views, and dedicated spaces for children and youth.
In terms of accommodations, Norwegian Aura has 1,976 staterooms ranging from studios to suites, 159 of which are part of The Haven, an upscale luxury complex. This means she has 30% more suites than previous Prima-class ships and the most suites in NCL’s fleet.
Although many of the amenities can only be enjoyed by sailing passengers, anyone who views Aura can enjoy the artistically designed hull, a product of the imagination of international artist Rosie Woods. This artwork is inspired by “celestial light and the bioluminescent ocean” and shows the beautiful way light interacts with water.
Now available for booking, Norwegian Aura will begin sailing from Miami in June 2027 on a week-long Caribbean itinerary that includes a visit to NCL’s island of Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.
This private destination recently received upgrades including a brand new pier, a 28,000 square foot heated pool with a swim-up bar, a children’s splash area, and an adults-only Vibe Shore Club. Later this year, Great Tides Waterpark will feature 19 water slides, an 800-foot “dynamic river,” a cliff-jumping experience, and a family slide with four slides at once.
Find @PConnPie on Instagram or email pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date on travel, arts and events by subscribing to our newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
