Norwegian Aura: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Biggest Ship Brings Ocean Heights Fun and Caribbean Cruises from Miami in 2027

Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for Norwegian Aura, its longest and largest ship to date, debuting in Europe in May 2027 before homeporting in Miami for seven-day Caribbean cruises. Purpose-built for multi-generational fun, the nearly 168,000‑gross‑ton ship introduces the new Ocean Heights open‑air activities complex, expanded pool and sun decks, and the most suites in The Haven by Norwegian of any ship in the fleet.

Norwegian Aura: Bigger, Brighter and Built for Families

Norwegian Aura will measure almost 1,130 feet in length, accommodate around 3,840 guests at double occupancy and be about 10% larger than sister ships Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna. The ship is under construction at Fincantieri and features interiors by designers including AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, SMC Design and Studio Dado.

Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, describes Norwegian Aura as the evolution of NCL, designed to bring families, friends and travellers together with “brilliance and connection” at its core. Every element has been created to give guests the freedom to relax, reconnect and “vacation their own way”, whether chasing thrills at Ocean Heights or unwinding at Vibe Beach Club.

Ocean Heights: New Open-Air Attraction with Record-Breaking Slides

Spanning decks 18 to 21, Ocean Heights will be the signature open‑air activities complex and the ship’s main hub for action and relaxation. By day it delivers high‑energy thrills; by night, immersive lighting and LED projections transform it into a more laid‑back, social space for the whole family.

Norwegian Aura will feature the most slides of any NCL ship, with five attractions in Ocean Heights. Highlights include:

• Eclipse Racers – NCL’s first duelling mat‑racer waterslides, stretching over 400 feet for head‑to‑head racing through enclosed tubes.
• Aura Free Fall – a drop‑in body slide where the floor opens under guests before plunging them down 250 feet of twists and turns.
• The Wave – a lotus, pendulum‑style raft slide for up to four riders sharing 300 feet of splash‑filled fun.
• The Drop – the popular Prima‑class dry slide returning to rush guests down 10 decks from 18 to 8.

Ocean Heights will also host an 82‑foot Aura Ropes Course, rock‑climbing wall, carnival‑style Aura Midway games, nine‑hole mini golf, overhanging private cabanas overlooking Vibe Beach Club and a dedicated bar.

Ocean Boulevard, Pools and Vibe Beach Club

On deck 8, Ocean Boulevard – the wraparound Prima‑class promenade – has been expanded by 11% compared with Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, adding more seating, a new bar, extra hot tubs and an enlarged Infinity Beach with luxe daybeds and wading pools. Dedicated zones at the forward end will cater to different age groups, including Adventure Alley for kids 6–10, a Teen Hangout, and Little Explorer’s Cove for children aged 2–6.

Norwegian Aura’s pool deck will be over 20% larger than those on Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, becoming the biggest in the fleet with more seating, an extra infinity hot tub, a larger LED screen and expanded lounging areas. Families will find a Kids’ Aqua Park with splash features and two additional slides – the Party Slide and the Infinity Loop – while Horizon Park on deck 19 offers lawn games and outdoor seating.

Vibe Beach Club, NCL’s adults‑only retreat, will be about 15% larger than on the previous Prima‑class ships, with increased seating, infinity hot tubs, a waterfall feature and a central bar, creating a more spacious sanctuary at sea.

The Haven by Norwegian: More Suites and Private Luxury

Norwegian Aura will offer 1,976 staterooms ranging from studios to suites, including 159 suites within the keycard‑access‑only The Haven by Norwegian. The Haven on this ship will feature 30% more suites than on earlier Prima‑class vessels, making it the largest Haven complex in the fleet.

Suites designed by Piero Lissoni will combine modern Italian style with sweeping sea views, complemented by private elevator access for added privacy and convenience. The Haven enclave includes a dedicated sun deck with a panoramic infinity pool, two hot tubs, an outdoor sauna and cold room, plus an exclusive lounge, bar and restaurant designed by Studio Dado as a tranquil, nature‑inspired oasis. Guests in The Haven enjoy 24‑hour butler and concierge service, priority boarding, preferred reservations and other premium inclusions.Hull Art and 2027 Mediterranean and Caribbean Itineraries

In keeping with NCL tradition, Norwegian Aura will debut distinctive hull art by international muralist Rosie Woods, whose fluid, light‑driven forms draw inspiration from celestial light and bioluminescent seas. Her design aims to capture how light interacts with water, ensuring the ship stands out visually in every port.

Norwegian Aura will launch with a seven‑day Mediterranean voyage from Trieste to Barcelona on 21 May 2027, calling at Valletta in Malta plus Salerno and Rome (Civitavecchia) in Italy, before a 14‑day transatlantic crossing to Miami. From June to October 2027, the ship will sail seven‑day Eastern Caribbean cruises to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola and NCL’s enhanced private island Great Stirrup Cay, followed by seven‑day Western Caribbean itineraries in winter 2027/28 to Roatán, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Harvest Caye in Belize.

For cruisers planning ahead, Norwegian Aura’s 2027 Mediterranean debut and Miami‑based Caribbean season offer an early chance to experience NCL’s largest, most slide‑packed and family‑focused ship yet.