As of November 2026, the newest NCL cruise ship is Norwegian Luna. She was delivered in March 2026 and christened in Miami on March 27, 2026. Before her came Norwegian Aqua (2025), Norwegian Viva (2023), Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Encore (2019) and Norwegian Bliss (2018). The next new ship is Norwegian Aura, due in 2027, and she will be the largest ship the line has built.
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This guide lists the newest NCL ships in order, newest first, with the facts that help you choose: size, guest count, the attractions each one is known for, and where each one sails from in 2026 and 2027. It also covers what is coming later and the big upgrades at Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.
Newest Norwegian cruise ships at a glance
Here are Norwegian Cruise Line’s six newest ships in one table. Published guest counts vary a little from source to source, so treat the figures as approximate. They are based on two guests per cabin.
| Ship | Entered service | Class | Approx. size | Approx. guests | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Luna | 2026 | Prima Plus | 156,300 GT | 3,550 to 3,570 | Aqua Slidecoaster, Moon Climber, Luna Midway |
| Norwegian Aqua | 2025 | Prima Plus | 156,300 GT | 3,571 | First Aqua Slidecoaster, Glow Court |
| Norwegian Viva | 2023 | Prima | About 143,500 GT | About 3,100 to 3,200 | Viva Speedway go-karts, Ocean Boulevard |
| Norwegian Prima | 2022 | Prima | About 143,500 GT | About 3,100 to 3,200 | First Prima Speedway, Indulge Food Hall |
| Norwegian Encore | 2019 | Breakaway Plus | About 169,100 GT | About 4,000 | Go-kart track, laser tag, Galaxy Pavilion |
| Norwegian Bliss | 2018 | Breakaway Plus | About 168,000 GT | About 4,000 | Go-kart track, Observation Lounge |
One thing the table makes clear: newer does not always mean bigger. Encore and Bliss carry more guests than any Prima-class ship that has sailed so far. The Prima design spreads fewer people across a lot of outdoor space, so the newest ships tend to feel less crowded even though they are not the largest.
The newest NCL ships, newest to oldest
1. Norwegian Luna (2026)
Norwegian Luna is the fleet’s 21st ship and the second in the Prima Plus group, after her sister Norwegian Aqua. Fincantieri delivered her in Italy in early March 2026. She crossed the Atlantic from Civitavecchia and reached Miami later that month. Her hull art, “La Luna,” is by the street artist Elle, who also served as her godmother at the christening.
On the top decks, the main attraction is the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid waterslide and roller coaster that NCL bills as the longest and fastest slide at sea. Alongside it are the Moon Climber obstacle course, Luna Midway with carnival-style games, Horizon Park for free lawn games, the Glow Court sports area and an arcade with virtual reality. The Haven, NCL’s keycard-access suite complex, has its own restaurant. In total the ship has about 17 places to eat and 18 bars and lounges. Shows include “Elton: A Celebration of Elton John,” an Eagles tribute and the adults-only LunaTique.
Where she sails: Miami until spring 2027, on 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises and 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings that call at Great Stirrup Cay. From April 2027 she moves to New York for 4- and 7-night Bermuda cruises.
2. Norwegian Aqua (2025)
Norwegian Aqua introduced the Prima Plus design in 2025. She is about 10% larger than the original Prima-class ships and measures roughly 1,056 feet long. She was the first NCL ship with the Aqua Slidecoaster and the Glow Court, a sports court that turns into an interactive light-up game zone in the evening. She kept the open-air Ocean Boulevard promenade that runs around the ship, and she has more suite and Haven space than the first two Prima ships.
Where she sails: Aqua spends summers in New York on Bermuda cruises with two or three days docked at the Royal Naval Dockyard. In mid-October she returns to Miami for the winter.
Choosing a room? Read our Norwegian Aqua cabins to avoid guide.
3. Norwegian Viva (2023)
Norwegian Viva is the second original Prima-class ship and is almost a twin of Prima. You get the same three-level go-kart track, branded here as Viva Speedway, The Drop and Tidal Wave dry slides, the Ocean Boulevard walkway, Infinity Beach infinity pools and the Indulge Food Hall. Viva and Prima have fewer guests and less height on the top deck than the Prima Plus ships. That suits travelers who care more about space and food than about the newest thrill ride.
Where she sails: NCL’s 2026-27 schedule sends Viva back to Galveston for Caribbean cruises from Texas.
Choosing a room? Read our Norwegian Viva cabins to avoid guide.
4. Norwegian Prima (2022)
Norwegian Prima launched the class in 2022 and set the template for the ships after her. She has a high ratio of crew to guests, a lot of outdoor space, the Prima Speedway, the Indulge Food Hall and a large Haven area. Prima has been sailing for a few years, so her fares are often lower than those of Aqua or Luna for a similar experience. That makes her a good choice if you want a near-new ship without paying for the newest one.
Where she sails: For the 2026-27 season, NCL scheduled Prima’s first season out of New Orleans, on Caribbean itineraries.
Choosing a room? Read our Norwegian Prima cabins to avoid guide.
5. Norwegian Encore (2019)
Norwegian Encore was the last of the Breakaway Plus class, and she is still one of the biggest ships in the fleet. Her go-kart track, outdoor laser tag arena, Galaxy Pavilion virtual reality complex and Broadway-style shows make her a strong choice for families and groups. She is busier than the Prima ships, so lines at peak times are part of the experience.
Where she sails: Encore has split her time between Alaska in summer and warm-weather routes the rest of the year. NCL’s 2026-27 plans include a full season from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera. Check the current schedule, because NCL adjusts deployments often.
Choosing a room? Read our Norwegian Encore cabins to avoid guide.
6. Norwegian Bliss (2018)
Norwegian Bliss was built with Alaska in mind. Her large Observation Lounge, with floor-to-ceiling windows, is one of the best indoor spots on any NCL ship for watching glaciers. Like Encore, she has a go-kart track and laser tag. Her sister Norwegian Joy entered service in 2017. Joy first sailed for the Chinese market and later moved to North American routes.
Where she sails: Bliss takes over New York sailings in November 2026, with winter cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
Choosing a room? Read our Norwegian Bliss cabins to avoid guide.
Upcoming NCL ships: what’s next after Luna
NCL has more new ships on order than at any time in its history. Here is what is confirmed as of November 2026.
Norwegian Aura (2027)
NCL unveiled Norwegian Aura and opened bookings in January 2026. She will measure about 169,000 gross tons and almost 1,130 feet long, carrying about 3,840 guests in 1,976 cabins. That makes her the longest and largest ship NCL has built. Plans include about 30% more suites than earlier Prima-class ships, a 159-cabin Haven, the largest pool deck in the fleet and a new top-deck zone called Ocean Heights. Ocean Heights will have five waterslides, including NCL’s first dueling mat-racer slides, plus a ropes course, a climbing wall and mini golf. Aura will begin with a short season in Europe in spring 2027 and then move to Miami for 7-night Caribbean cruises, starting in late May or June 2027 depending on the announcement. For the shows and nightlife planned for the ship, see our guide to the Norwegian Aura entertainment lineup.
The final Prima-class ship (2028)
A sixth and final ship in the Prima family is due from Fincantieri in 2028. Cruise Industry News reports she will be about 170,000 gross tons with room for about 3,880 guests, similar in scale to Aura. NCL calls her the “grand finale” of the class and began revealing details on October 20, 2026. Check NCL’s newsroom for her name and first itineraries as they are announced.
A brand-new, much larger class (2030 onward)
After the Prima family, NCL will move to a new design. The first ship is planned for 2030 at roughly 225,000 to 227,000 gross tons and about 5,100 guests at double occupancy. Sister ships are expected between 2032 and 2036. They would be by far the largest ships NCL has operated. Names, features and homeports have not been announced.
Great Stirrup Cay upgrades and the Great Tides waterpark
The newest NCL ships are only part of the story. Many 3- to 7-night cruises from Florida stop at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, and it has changed a lot in 2026:
- Great Tides Waterpark: opened in early September 2026 on almost six acres. It has close to 20 waterslides, including a 170-foot Tidal Tower with racing, tube and body slides. There is also a family splash zone with a tipping bucket, a lazy river of more than 800 feet with a swim-up bar, and cliff jumps. Entry needs a paid day pass, and cabanas cost extra.
- New pier: NCL’s roughly $150 million pier project lets two large ships dock at once, so guests can walk ashore instead of taking a tender boat. The project is expected to be fully operational during 2026.
- Great Life Lagoon: a heated pool area of about 1.4 acres with two swim-up bars, free loungers and rentable villas and cabanas.
- Other additions: Horizon Park for pickleball and mini golf, Hammock Bay, a splash pad for small children, the adults-only Vibe Shore Club (day pass required), a new welcome center and an island tram.
If the island matters to you, choose a sailing that calls there after the waterpark opened, and book day passes early, because capacity is limited.
Which new NCL ship is best for you?
Most rankings only list ships by age. A more useful question is which of the newest NCL cruise ships fits the trip you have in mind. Here is a quick way to decide:
- You want the biggest thrills: Luna or Aqua for the Aqua Slidecoaster. In 2027, Aura adds the Ocean Heights slides.
- You want space and good food at a lower price: Prima or Viva. They have fewer guests, the same Indulge Food Hall and Ocean Boulevard, and they are often cheaper.
- You are planning Alaska: Bliss or Encore. Their observation lounges and Alaska experience are hard to beat, so check which one has Alaska sailings in your year.
- You want to sail from close to home: pick by homeport. Aqua sails from New York in summer and Miami in winter. Luna sails from Miami, then New York from April 2027. Viva sails from Galveston, Prima from New Orleans, Encore from the West Coast and Bliss from New York in winter.
- You want a short first cruise: Luna’s 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises from Miami give you a taste of the newest ship and Great Stirrup Cay without a full week’s cost.
For how passengers rate each ship, see our NCL ships ranked from best to worst by real customer reviews. If you are planning further ahead, our roundup of cruise deals for 2027 can help you time a booking on Aura or Luna’s Bermuda season.
Tips for booking a brand-new NCL ship
- Book early for inaugural seasons. The first few months on a new ship fill quickly and often cost more. Fares usually settle once the ship has sailed for a year or two.
- Know what costs extra. The headline attractions on the newest NCL cruise ships, such as go-karts, some VR experiences and specialty dining, often have a fee. So do the Great Tides day passes.
- Look at the deck plan, not just the ship. On Prima-class ships, cabins near the top-deck attractions or Indulge Food Hall can be noisier. Midship cabins on mid-level decks are usually the quietest choice.
- Check the official deployment. NCL moves ships between homeports often. Confirm the latest schedule on NCL’s official website before you plan flights.
If you are comparing new tonnage across lines, see the newest MSC cruise ships in order too.
Weighing NCL against its biggest rival? Our Norwegian vs Royal Caribbean guide compares ships, private islands, packages and the real cost of a week.
Whichever ship you choose, our guide to Norwegian Cruise Line cabins to avoid explains which rooms to skip across the fleet.
FAQs
What is the newest NCL ship?
Norwegian Luna is the newest NCL ship. She was delivered in March 2026 and christened in Miami on March 27, 2026. Norwegian Aura will replace her as the newest ship when she debuts in 2027.
What is the largest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet?
Until Aura arrives, Norwegian Encore (about 169,100 gross tons) and Norwegian Bliss (about 168,000 gross tons) are the largest NCL ships sailing. Norwegian Aura, at about 169,000 gross tons and nearly 1,130 feet long, will be NCL’s longest and largest ship when she enters service in 2027.
What new NCL ships are coming in 2027 and 2028?
Norwegian Aura joins in 2027, sailing in Europe first and then from Miami. A sixth and final Prima-class ship of about 170,000 gross tons follows in 2028. A much larger new class of about 225,000 gross tons is planned from 2030.
Is Norwegian Aqua or Norwegian Luna better?
They are sister ships with the same size and core features, including the Aqua Slidecoaster and Glow Court. The best choice usually comes down to price and homeport. Aqua sails from New York in summer and Miami in winter. Luna sails from Miami until spring 2027 and then from New York to Bermuda.
Is the Great Tides waterpark included in the cruise fare?
No. Great Tides at Great Stirrup Cay needs a paid day pass, and private cabanas cost extra. The beaches, the main lagoon pool and the free loungers are open to all guests.
