Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has opened bookings for two additional Mediterranean sailings aboard Norwegian Aura, bringing forward the ship’s passenger debut to 2 May 2027 following its anticipated early delivery.
The new departures comprise a 10-day voyage from Trieste to Athens (Piraeus) on 2 May and a nine-day return sailing to Trieste on 12 May. They extend the inaugural European programme for NCL’s newest and largest ship before it repositions to Miami for Caribbean cruises.
The 10-day itinerary will call at Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia; Bar in Montenegro; and Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos in Greece. The nine-day sailing will visit Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu in Greece; Bar; 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 NCL president Marc Kazlauskas.
Following the added departures, the ship will operate its previously scheduled seven-day Mediterranean voyage from Trieste to Barcelona (Tarragona) on 21 May, calling at Valletta, Salerno and Rome (Civitavecchia). It will then sail a 13-day transatlantic crossing to Miami.
From June through October 2027, Norwegian Aura will offer seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises, followed by seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries in winter 2027/28.
At approximately 170,000 gross tons, Norwegian Aura will be 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna. Its family-focused additions include Ocean Heights, an outdoor activities complex spanning decks 18 to 21, with racing waterslides, a ropes course and dedicated areas for children, teenagers and families.
The ship will also introduce Tamara, NCL’s first speciality Indian restaurant, and The Panorama Room, a complimentary immersive dining venue. Its entertainment programme will include Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston, developed with the Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music.