Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has opened bookings for two inaugural Mediterranean sailings aboard Norwegian Aura, its newest and largest ship, following an anticipated early delivery that will allow the vessel to welcome its first guests from May 2, 2027.

The newly announced itineraries include a 10-day voyage departing Trieste, Italy, for Athens (Piraeus), Greece, on May 2, followed by a nine-day sailing from Athens to Trieste on May 12. The cruises will visit destinations across Greece, Croatia and Montenegro, including Dubrovnik, Split, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos and Bar.

“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 Gary Anslow, Vice President UK, Ireland, Middle East and Africa. “As our largest and most innovative ship yet, Norwegian Aura was designed to bring families and travelers of every generation together, with more freedom, choice and ways to enjoy their ideal vacation so no one has to compromise on their experience. We’re thrilled to open these inaugural Mediterranean sailings and look forward to welcoming our first guests aboard and introducing them to the ship’s new entertainment, dining, wellness and innovative family-friendly experiences.”

Measuring nearly 1,130 feet long and approximately 170,000 gross tonnes, Norwegian Aura will be 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua® and Norwegian Luna®. The vessel will introduce Ocean Heights, an outdoor activities complex spanning decks 18 to 21, featuring the fleet’s first duelling mat-racer waterslides, Eclipse Racers, alongside the Aura Free Fall body waterslide, an 82-foot ropes course, an obstacle course and carnival-style games.

The ship will also feature NCL’s largest pool deck and Vibe Beach Club to date, alongside dedicated spaces for children, teenagers and families.

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

Dining and wellness additions include Tamara, NCL’s first speciality Indian restaurant, and The Panorama Room, an immersive complimentary dining venue. Mandara Spa will feature the cruise industry’s most expansive Thermal Suite and the first-at-sea Sensory Rain Pool.

Following its inaugural Mediterranean sailings, Norwegian Aura will depart Trieste for Barcelona on May 21, 2027, on a seven-day voyage calling at Valletta, Malta; Salerno, Italy; and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. A 13-day transatlantic crossing to Miami will follow.

The ship will then operate seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami between June and October 2027, visiting the Dominican Republic, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and NCL’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas, home to the new Great Tides Waterpark.

For winter 2027/28, Norwegian Aura will offer seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries featuring destinations in Honduras, Mexico and Belize. -TradeArabia News Service