Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has opened bookings for two new inaugural Mediterranean voyages aboard Norwegian Aura, its upcoming flagship vessel. An early ship delivery will allow the company to welcome its first guests beginning May 2, 2027, with itineraries combining historic cities, coastal destinations and Mediterranean islands before the ship moves to the United States for its Caribbean season.

The first voyage will last 10 days, departing from Trieste, Italy, on May 2, 2027, and sailing to Athens (Piraeus), Greece. Ports of call will include Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia; Bar in Montenegro; and Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos in Greece. The second voyage, a nine-day itinerary departing Athens on May 12 and ending in Trieste, will visit Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu, as well as Bar, Split and Zadar. Both itineraries will give travelers an opportunity to explore some of the Mediterranean’s most sought-after destinations during the ship’s inaugural season.

“The early delivery of Norwegian Aura allows us to welcome guests on board ahead of schedule and begin creating unforgettable vacation experiences sooner than planned,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. He emphasized that the ship was designed to bring together families and travelers of different generations, offering new entertainment, dining, wellness and activity options.

Norwegian Aura Introduces New Experiences for Families and Travelers

Measuring nearly 1,130 feet (344 meters) in length and approximately 170,000 gross tons, Norwegian Aura will be NCL’s largest and longest ship to date, approximately 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.

One of its main attractions will be Ocean Heights, an outdoor activity complex spanning decks 18 through 21. Features will include Eclipse Racers, parallel mat-racing waterslides; Aura Free Fall, a free-fall waterslide; an approximately 82-foot-high ropes course; the Moon Climber obstacle course; and Aura Midway, a carnival-style games area. The ship will also feature dedicated spaces for children, teenagers and families, along with NCL’s largest pool deck and Vibe Beach Club to date.

The onboard offering will include new dining and wellness experiences. These will feature Tamara, NCL’s first specialty restaurant dedicated to Indian cuisine; The Panorama Room, an immersive dining experience included in the cruise fare; and an expanded spa concept featuring what the company describes as the largest thermal suite in the cruise industry, together with Mandara Spa’s Sensory Rain Pool.

Entertainment highlights will include “Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston,” developed in collaboration with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, alongside “ILLUMINOX: Infinite Wonder Unboxed,” The Vinyl Republic, Aura FIRST NIGHT and Latin LIVE!

From the Mediterranean to the Caribbean from Miami

Following the two inaugural voyages, Norwegian Aura will operate a seven-day Mediterranean cruise from Trieste to Barcelona (Tarragona), departing May 21, 2027. The itinerary will include calls in Valletta, Malta; Salerno, Italy; and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. The ship will then embark on a 13-day transatlantic voyage to Miami, where it will begin its Caribbean deployment.

From June through October 2027, Norwegian Aura will offer seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises calling at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic; St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands; Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, home to the new Great Tides Waterpark.

During the winter of 2027-2028, the ship will sail seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries featuring Roatán in Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico; and Harvest Caye, NCL’s resort-style destination in Belize.

Guests booking the new inaugural voyages will be eligible for NCL’s announced promotion offering 50% off all cruises. The offer can be combined with the Free at Sea program, which includes benefits such as unlimited open bar, specialty dining, shore excursion credits and Wi-Fi, subject to the terms applicable to each booking.

With its accelerated debut and a combination of entertainment, dining and European destinations, Norwegian Aura is positioned to become one of NCL’s major ship launches of 2027 before transitioning to the Caribbean market from Miami.