NCL’s biggest ship ever Norwegian Aura floated out

• Norwegian Aura has touched water for the first time, marking a major milestone in her construction.
• Aura is set to debut in May 2027.
• With over 1,970 staterooms to accommodate 3,880 guests at double occupancy, Aura will be NCL’s biggest ship when she enters service.

Norwegian Cruise Line has celebrated a historic day for the company as the largest ship in its fleet, Norwegian Aura, touched water for the first time.

Signalling the end of the construction of the outside hull, Norwegian Aura was floated out from the dry dock at shipbuider Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, on April 16.

In a time-honoured maritime tradition, two ceremonial coins were welded into Norwegian Aura‘s hull during a traditional coin ceremony, symbolizing good fortune and safe passage for the ship, her crew and future guests.

Marc Kazlauskas, president of NCL, said Aura would build on the legacy of their award-winning Prima Class vessels and take the company’s commitment “to thoughtfully designed guest-first experiences even further”.

Norwegian Aura has been designed with multi-generational travellers in mind, and features large outdoor spaces like Ocean Heights and more water slides than any other NCL vessel.

She will introduce an expanded pool deck, 20 per cent larger than her predecessors, with additional seating, an extra hot tub, open lounge areas and a nearby Kids’ Aqua Park, to create more space for families to relax and play together. And for adults seeking a quieter escape, they can slip away to the ever-popular Vibe Beach Club, the exclusive adults-only outdoor lounge.

The Ocean Boulevard, which wraps around the ship’s hull on deck eight, is more than 10 per cent bigger and will feature new hot tubs, seating and social spaces.  Meanwhile, “family-friendly hubs” debuting on the ship promise to ensure flexible ways for families to enjoy time together – or apart – with Adventure Alley for kids aged six to 10, Little Explorer’s Cove for the youngest sailors and a dedicated purpose-built Teen Hangout. 

When she begins taking passengers in May 2027, she will feature over 1,970 well-appointed staterooms accommodating approximately 3,880 guests at double occupancy. Ten per cent bigger than her sister ships Norwegian Luna and Norwegian Aqua, she is about 344 metres long and weighs in at 170,000 gross tons.

Norwegian Aura will set sail on her maiden voyage on May 21, 2027, with a seven-day Mediterranean voyage departing from Trieste, Italy, before embarking on a 14-day transatlantic crossing to the United States. From June 2027, she will homeport in Miami and offer a variety of itineraries to the Caribbean.

But before then, she moves into the next phase of construction, focussing on installing interior spaces, technical systems, and onboard venues