Norwegian Aura: NCL’s Largest Ship Sets Standards
Visual: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
(eap) Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL) has announced the name and specific details of its coming largest cruise ship to date, which is currently under construction. The “Norwegian Aura™” is set to be almost 1,130 feet (approx. 344 metres) long, to feature a gross tonnage of 168,000 and to accommodate up to 3,840 guests at double occupancy. The new liner is being built by the Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri.
Visual: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
“We are proud to introduce the newest, and largest, addition to our fleet, Norwegian Aura,” says Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Norwegian Aura represents the evolution of Norwegian Cruise Line and the celebration of bringing together families, friends and travelers from around the world. With brilliance and connection at her core, the ship was created to give all guests the freedom to vacation their very own way – offering the chance to exhale, connect and effortlessly escape into the moment. We look forward to this next milestone and can’t wait for guests to experience all that Norwegian Aura has to offer.”
Visual: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
One of the highlights on board is set to be the new adventure area “Ocean Heights™”. Planned features include various water slides – according to NCL, more than on any previous ship in the fleet – a high ropes course, mini golf, carnival-like games and overhanging private cabanas. The slides, all of which will once again be supplied by the German manufacturer wiegand.waterrides, include the dueling mat racer slide “Eclipse Racers”, the body slide “Aura Free Fall” with a trapdoor start, as well as “The Wave”, the first lotus tube slide on board. The offering is complemented by the signature slide of the Prima Class: the dry slide “The Drop”, which takes guests on a slide adventure from deck 18 down to deck 8.
On deck 8, the “Ocean Boulevard” will be created, an outdoor promenade featuring relaxation options for adults – including a so-called infinity beach area with infinity pool and luxury loungers, whirlpools and a bar – as well as offerings for children and teenagers. On the upper decks, water play attractions for kids will be created with the “Kids’ Aqua Park”, including a splash pad and two water slides (also by Wiegand).
Visual: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
In the luxury segment, Norwegian Aura will feature the exclusive “The Haven” area. According to the cruise line, the ship is set to offer around 30 per cent more suites than the previous Prima Class ships. Plans include a separate sun deck with an infinity pool, whirlpools, a sauna and a cold room, as well as a bar & lounge and a restaurant. The design of the lounge, restaurant and outdoor deck is in the hands of NCL’s long-standing partner Studio DADO. Other designers and architects involved in the interior design of the ship include AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, and SMC Design.
The service of Norwegian Aura™ is scheduled to begin in June 2027. From Miami, seven-night cruises through the Eastern Caribbean are to be offered, including calls at NCL’s private island Great Stirrup Cay, where the first expansions were recently opened. Before the liner reaches its home port in June 2027, a seven-night Mediterranean voyage from Trieste to Barcelona is planned to start on 21 May. ■
