Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for two additional Mediterranean sailings aboard Norwegian Aura, bringing the ship’s first passenger voyage forward to May 2, 2027. The departures have been added ahead of its anticipated early delivery, before the vessel moves to Miami for its first Caribbean season.
Set to become the largest and longest ship in NCL’s fleet, Norwegian Aura will begin with a 10-day cruise from Trieste to Athens, followed by a nine-day return voyage. The itineraries include ports in Croatia, Montenegro and the Greek islands.
New inaugural voyages depart May 2 and May 12
The first sailing departs Trieste, Italy, on May 2, 2027, and ends in Piraeus, the port for Athens. The 10-day itinerary includes Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia; Bar in Montenegro; and Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos in Greece.
The nine-day departure leaves Piraeus on May 12 and arrives in Trieste on May 21. It will call at Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu in Greece; Bar in Montenegro; and Split and Zadar in Croatia.
“The early delivery of Norwegian Aura allows us to welcome guests aboard sooner than expected and begin creating unforgettable vacation experiences earlier than planned,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
NCL’s largest ship introduces Ocean Heights
Norwegian Aura will measure nearly 1,130 feet in length and approximately 170,000 gross tons, making it around 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.
A central feature will be Ocean Heights, an outdoor activities complex spanning decks 18 to 21. Attractions will include Eclipse Racers, the line’s first duelling mat-racer waterslides, alongside the Aura Free Fall body slide, an 82-foot ropes course and the Moon Climber obstacle course.
The area will also feature carnival-style games at Aura Midway and dedicated spaces for children, teenagers and families. Elsewhere, the ship will have NCL’s largest pool deck and Vibe Beach Club to date.
New entertainment, dining and spa facilities
Passengers on the inaugural sailings will be among the first to see the ship’s entertainment programme. It includes Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston, developed with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, as well as ILLUMINOX: Infinite Wonder Unboxed, The Vinyl Republic, Aura FIRST NIGHT and Latin LIVE!
Dining additions include Tamara, NCL’s first speciality Indian restaurant, and The Panorama Room, a complimentary venue with an immersive dining concept.
At Mandara Spa, the wellness facilities will include a Thermal Suite and a Sensory Rain Pool, which NCL describes as a first at sea.
Caribbean cruises from Miami follow Mediterranean season
After the two newly announced departures, Norwegian Aura will sail a seven-day Mediterranean voyage from Trieste to Tarragona, Spain, on May 21, 2027. Calls are scheduled at Valletta in Malta, Salerno in Italy and Civitavecchia, the port for Rome.
A 13-day transatlantic crossing from Tarragona to Miami will follow.
From June through October 2027, the ship will operate seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami, visiting 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.
For winter 2027–2028, Norwegian Aura will switch to seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries featuring Roatán in Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and Harvest Caye in Belize.
