Norwegian Cruise Line Takes Delivery of Prima Plus Ship Norwegian Luna

Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of Norwegian Luna from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, adding the 21st ship to its fleet ahead of a transatlantic crossing to the United States.

Handed over at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy, the 156,000-gross-ton newbuild is scheduled to arrive at PortMiami on March 23, 2026, with a christening set for March 27 at PortMiami.

Delivery marks the second Prima Plus ship for Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Luna is the second vessel in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus class, following Norwegian Aqua, which entered service in 2025. Norwegian Luna measures 1,056 feet in length and has a capacity of 3,565 passengers based on double occupancy, with 1,809 staterooms.

Norwegian Cruise Line has described the Prima Plus ships as about 10% larger than Norwegian Prima (2022) and Norwegian Viva (2023), while remaining smaller than the line’s Breakaway Plus ships, including Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore.

Marc Kazlauskas, President of Norwegian Cruise Line, said the company was preparing to welcome guests soon after delivery. “We are thrilled to welcome Norwegian Luna to our fleet and to welcome our first guests aboard next week,” he said.

Kazlauskas also pointed to the partners involved in the project. “This ship represents the continued evolution of our vision and the incredible work behind an award-winning class of ships,” he said, adding that Norwegian Cruise Line appreciated “our talented partners at Fincantieri who brought Norwegian Luna to life.”

Signature attractions focus on high-energy outdoor and interactive venues

Norwegian Luna brings back the Aqua Slidecoaster, a hybrid waterslide and roller coaster concept that also appears on Norwegian Aqua and is marketed by the cruise line as the longest and fastest ride of its type at sea. The attraction uses a magnetic lift and splits into two slide paths that descend three decks while wrapping around the ship’s funnel area.

Wiegand.Waterrides, the German developer behind the SlideCoaster concept, won a 2025 IAAPA Brass Ring Award in Orlando in the category for best new water park ride or attraction over $2 million. Wiegand.Waterrides has described the ride as combining high acceleration, direction changes, an uphill launch sequence, and speeds reaching 50 km/h before transitioning into a sliding section.

Additional activity areas include Luna Midway, an exterior space built around carnival-style games, and the Glow Court, a sports and social venue built around an interactive LED floor that shifts programming between day and night use. The ship also includes The Luna Game Zone, which mixes arcade-style play with newer interactive formats.

Norwegian Luna’s outdoor lineup also includes The Drop, a free-fall slide spanning 10 decks, along with the Moon Climber obstacle course positioned as a multi-level activity designed for a range of ages.

Dining and bars range from complimentary concepts to specialty venues

Norwegian Luna sails with 17 dining options and 18 bars and lounges, continuing the line’s mix of complimentary venues alongside specialty dining that carries an additional charge. A central complimentary concept is the Indulge Food Hall, a wrap-around area where guests can order from nine cuisine stations, including options such as barbecue, Indian dishes, noodles, and plant-based selections.

Norwegian Luna also includes a 24-hour dining venue for casual meals outside traditional hours.

• Le Bistro: A French restaurant offered as a specialty dining option on board.
• Sukhothai: A Thai concept that first appeared on Norwegian Aqua and is also featured on Norwegian Luna.
• Cagney’s Steakhouse: A returning Norwegian Cruise Line dining concept included in the ship’s specialty lineup.
• Onda by Scarpetta: An Italian venue listed among the ship’s highlighted restaurants.

Production shows, live music, and adult-focused spaces

Norwegian Luna’s entertainment roster includes a headlining theater production titled “Elton: A Celebration of Elton John.” Another featured show, “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder,” is described as a multimedia performance incorporating cirque-style acrobatics and contemporary dance.

Syd Norman’s Pour House returns with a new tribute show focused on the music of The Eagles. For guests seeking quieter areas, Norwegian Luna also includes the Mandara Spa and the adults-only Vibe Beach Club.

Hull artwork “La Luna” ties the ship’s theme to the voyage

Norwegian Luna’s exterior design features hull artwork titled “La Luna,” created by street artist ELLE. The design includes a large moon motif on the bow, with additional elements extending along the ship’s side, including moonbeams, clouds, birds, and zodiac imagery.

ELLE connected the visual theme to the experience of travel on the ship. “When people are getting on Norwegian Luna, they’re embarking on a voyage, and I wanted the ship’s artwork to reflect this,” she said. “I wanted it to be an epic voyage on the side, an adventure.”

Miami debut, then Caribbean rotations and a New York deployment

After departing Europe, Norwegian Luna is set to cross the Atlantic from Rome (Civitavecchia) toward Florida, arriving at PortMiami on March 23, 2026. Norwegian Cruise Line has scheduled the ship’s christening for March 27, 2026, aligning with the ship’s debut events in Miami.

During its first year of service, Norwegian Luna will homeport in Miami, operating a mix of three- and four-day Bahamas sailings along with seven-day Caribbean itineraries. The schedules include calls at Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destination in the Bahamas, which recently added a pier intended to reduce the need for tender operations. The destination has also added a large pool and other amenities, and is slated to open the 19-slide Great Tides Waterpark in summer.

• April 11 through November 7, 2026: The ship is scheduled to visit Eastern Caribbean ports including Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, alongside Great Stirrup Cay.
• Beginning in November 2026: Norwegian Luna is expected to shift to Western Caribbean itineraries with calls including Roatán (Bay Islands), Cozumel, and Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private destination off the coast of Belize.
• Starting in 2027: Norwegian Luna is scheduled to debut in New York City on April 6, 2027, sailing four- to seven-day Bermuda voyages that include overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

With delivery complete, Norwegian Luna’s immediate next step is its transatlantic repositioning to Miami ahead of late-March 2026 debut events, followed by a first year built around short Bahamas cruises and weeklong Caribbean sailings before additional itinerary shifts later in 2026 and the planned New York deployment in 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What class is Norwegian Luna, and how does it compare to other Norwegian Cruise Line ships?

Norwegian Luna is a Prima Plus-class ship and the second vessel in that class, following Norwegian Aqua. Norwegian Cruise Line has described the Prima Plus ships as about 10% larger than Norwegian Prima (2022) and Norwegian Viva (2023), while smaller than the line’s Breakaway Plus ships such as Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore.

When will Norwegian Luna arrive in Miami and be christened?

Norwegian Luna is scheduled to arrive at PortMiami on March 23, 2026, with a christening set for March 27, 2026, at PortMiami.

What is the Aqua Slidecoaster on Norwegian Luna?

The Aqua Slidecoaster is a hybrid waterslide and roller coaster that uses a magnetic lift and splits into two slide paths that descend three decks while wrapping around the ship’s funnel area. The developer, Wiegand.Waterrides, has said the ride includes high acceleration, direction changes, an uphill launch sequence, and speeds reaching 50 km/h before transitioning into a sliding section.

Where will Norwegian Luna sail in 2026 and 2027?

In 2026, Norwegian Luna is set to homeport in Miami, operating three- and four-day Bahamas voyages and seven-day Caribbean itineraries, with an Eastern Caribbean schedule listed from April 11 through November 7 before an expected shift to Western Caribbean itineraries beginning in November 2026. The ship is also scheduled to begin Bermuda voyages from New York City on April 6, 2027, with overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard.