If you’re planning a family cruise holiday and dreaming of waterslides, open-air adventures and a ship designed to keep every generation happy from morning until night, Norwegian Cruise Line has just given families a very exciting reason to start planning. Meet Norwegian Aura, NCL’s newest and largest ship to date, setting sail on her maiden voyage in May 2027.
Built specifically with multi-generational families in mind, Norwegian Aura has just hit a major construction milestone – her official “float out” in Monfalcone, Italy, meaning she touched water for the very first time. The ship is nearly 1,130 feet long, weighs in at approximately 170,000 gross tons and will accommodate around 3,880 guests. In short, she’s big, bold and built for families.
Norwegian Aura
What families can expect on board Norwegian Aura?
The centrepiece of Norwegian Aura is Ocean Heights, an all-new open-air activity complex that looks set to become the most popular spot on the ship for kids and teens alike. There are more slides here than on any previous NCL ship, including Eclipse Racers – the cruise line’s first-ever duelling waterslides – alongside Aura Free Fall, a drop-in body slide with twists and turns and The Wave. This pendulum-style raft slide fits up to four guests, making it a great one for the whole family to ride together.
When the kids need a breather from the slides (if that ever happens), there’s also an 82-foot ropes course, a 25-foot rock-climbing wall and Aura Midway, a carnival-style games area that should keep younger ones thoroughly entertained.
Norwegian Aura Ocean Heights
Norwegian Aura’s pool deck and outdoor spaces
The pool deck on Norwegian Aura is more than 20% larger than on previous NCL ships, with extra seating, an additional hot tub and open lounge areas giving families plenty of room to spread out. There’s also a dedicated Kids’ Aqua Park nearby, so little ones have their own splashing space while parents claim a sun lounger in peace.
For those seeking a quieter moment, the adults-only Vibe Beach Club offers an exclusive outdoor escape – handy when the kids are occupied elsewhere. The Ocean Boulevard, wrapping around deck eight and extended by 11%, adds new hot tubs, seating and social spaces to enjoy those panoramic sea views.
Norwegian Aura Infinity Beach
Kids’ clubs and activities on Norwegian Aura
One of the things that makes Norwegian Aura stand out is how thoughtfully it has been designed for different ages. Little Explorer’s Cove caters for the youngest sailors, Adventure Alley is aimed at kids aged six to ten, and there’s a purpose-built Teen Hangout for older children who want a space of their own. It’s the kind of ship where grandparents, parents and children can each find their happy place and then come back together for the good bits.
Norwegian Aura Ropes Course
Where does Norwegian Aura sail?
Norwegian Aura sets off on her maiden voyage on 21 May 2027, with a seven-day Mediterranean itinerary departing from Trieste, Italy, calling at iconic ports in Italy and Malta. The ship then makes a 14-day transatlantic crossing to the US.
From 10 June 2027, Norwegian Aura homeports in Miami, offering seven-day Caribbean itineraries visiting NCL’s private island destinations – Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize – through to March 2028.
When Norwegian Aura calls at Great Stirrup Cay for the first time, families will find a freshly enhanced island experience, including a new multi-ship pier, a welcome plaza and a tram service making it easy to get around. Highlights include the Great Life Lagoon (a resort-style pool with swim-up bars and cabanas), Splash Harbor for kids and the Great Tides Waterpark – a nearly six-acre attraction with 19 waterslides, cliffside jumps and a kids’ splash zone.
Norwegian Aura at Great Stirrup Cay
When can I book Norwegian Aura?
Norwegian Aura debuts in May 2027. For the latest on sailings and itineraries, visit ncl.co.uk
