Norwegian Aura debuts 19 days earlier: NCL added two Mediterranean cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line has opened sales for two new cruises on Norwegian Aura. Thanks to the expected early delivery of the ship, its first voyage will begin May 2, 2027-19 days earlier than planned.

Initially, the debut was set to be a sailing from Trieste to Barcelona on May 21. Now, before that, the liner will make two trips between Italy and Greece with calls to Croatia, Montenegro, and Greek islands. Both new cruises are already available for booking.

First cruise on Norwegian Aura - May 2, 2027

The debut ten-day cruise will depart 2 May from Trieste and end in Piraeus - the port of Athens.

The itinerary will include:

• Dubrovnik, Croatia;

• Split, Croatia;

• Bar, Montenegro;

• Corfu, Greece;

• Santorini, Greece;

• Mykonos, Greece;

• Piraeus, Greece.

The route is especially convenient for European travelers: you can reach Trieste via the airports in Trieste, Venice, or Ljubljana.

Second route - from Greece to Italy

The second new voyage will begin May 12, 2027 in Piraeus and will last nine days. Norwegian Aura will conclude the trip in Trieste.

Planned ports of call:

• Rhodes;

• Mykonos;

• Santorini;

• Corfu;

• Bar in Montenegro;

• Split;

• Zadar;

• Trieste.

This itinerary can be combined with a vacation in Athens before the cruise or the journey can be extended in Italy after disembarkation.

What will happen after the first two sailings?

On 21 May, Norwegian Aura will set off on a seven-day cruise from Trieste to Tarragona, which NCL uses as a port for Barcelona. The itinerary includes stops in Valletta, Salerno, and Civitavecchia.

After that, the liner will make a 13-day transatlantic crossing from Tarragona to Miami. In summer and autumn 2027, the ship will operate seven-day Eastern Caribbean routes, while in winter it will sail the Western Caribbean.

Norwegian Aura will become the largest ship in NCL

Norwegian Aura will have a displacement of about 170 thousand tons and a length of approximately 344 meters. According to the company, the ship will be about 10% larger than Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.

One of the main novelties will be the Ocean Heights entertainment complex, located on decks 18-21. They plan to open in it:

• the twin water slides Eclipse Racers;

• the Aura Free Fall free-fall slide;

• a rope course about 25 meters long;

• a Moon Climber obstacle course;

• the Aura Midway game area;

• separate spaces for children and teenagers.

On Norwegian Aura, the largest in the NCL fleet open deck with pools will also be set up, as well as an adults-only Vibe Beach Club area.

Among the new restaurants announced are the Indian restaurant Tamara and the complimentary Panorama Room. In the Mandara Spa complex, an expanded thermal area will be added and the first sensory rain pool at sea will be introduced.