Norwegian Cruise Line has officially welcomed its newest ship, Norwegian Luna, into the fleet, with the vessel now preparing to begin service in the Caribbean later this month.
The 156,000 gross ton ship was handed over at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard near Venice, becoming the 21st vessel in the line’s fleet. Norwegian Luna is the second ship in the expanded Prima Plus Class, a larger evolution of the Prima Class concept first introduced earlier in the decade.
At 1,053 feet in length, the ship accommodates 3,565 guests at double occupancy across 1,809 staterooms. She’s around 10 per cent larger than her Prima Class predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, placing her among the largest ships currently sailing for the brand.
“We are proud to deliver Norwegian Luna, a ship that truly reflects our ability to interpret and anticipate the evolution of the global cruise industry,
“The Prima Plus Class sets a new benchmark for the industry, thanks to cutting-edge design solutions and a level of construction excellence showcased by our Marghera shipyard,”
Luigi Matarazzo, general manager Merchant Ships division, Fincantieri.
Around 3,000 workers were involved in the construction and outfitting of the ship, according to the Italian shipbuilder.
Marc Kazlauskas, president of NCL, said the company is ready to introduce the vessel to guests.
“As our newest ship, Norwegian Luna is a powerful reflection of NCL’s ‘It’s Different Out Here’ brand ethos. She delivers freedom, flexibility, and thoughtfully curated experiences, allowing guests to enjoy their vacation exactly how they want, with ease.
“We are thrilled to welcome Norwegian Luna to our fleet and to welcome our first guests aboard next week,”
The ceremony was attended by senior executives from both companies, including Biagio Mazzotta, chairman of Fincantieri, Patrik Dahlgren, executive vice president and chief vessel operations and newbuild officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., and Daniel S. Farkas, executive vice president and general counsel at NCLH.
Norwegian Luna’s captain, Robert Lundberg, formally took command of the vessel as she departed the yard.
Caribbean Deployment And US Debut
Following delivery, Norwegian Luna is scheduled to depart Civitavecchia on 10th March for a transatlantic crossing. She is due to arrive in Miami on 23rd March 2026, ahead of her official christening ceremony at PortMiami on 27th March 2026.
During her inaugural year, the ship will operate a combination of short Bahamas sailings and longer Caribbean cruises. Three and four night voyages to the Bahamas will be offered alongside seven night Caribbean itineraries.
Between 11th April and 7th November 2026, Norwegian Luna will focus on Eastern Caribbean cruises, with calls including Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas.
Great Stirrup Cay is currently undergoing a series of enhancements, including the construction of a new pier, an expanded pool area and the addition of the Great Tides Waterpark, which is expected to open in summer 2026.
From November 2026, the ship will reposition to Western Caribbean routes, visiting Roatan in Honduras, Cozumel in Mexico and Harvest Caye, Norwegian’s private resort destination off the coast of Belize.
In April 2027, Norwegian Luna will begin seasonal sailings from New York City, offering four to seven night Bermuda cruises that include overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
On board, guests will find 17 dining venues and 18 bars and lounges, along with a range of attractions including the Aqua Slidecoaster, described as a hybrid rollercoaster style waterslide.
Further Fleet Expansion On The Horizon
Norwegian Luna follows Norwegian Aqua, which entered service in 2025 as the first ship in the Prima Plus Class. The delivery continues a long standing partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. and Fincantieri.
The two companies recently signed an agreement covering three additional next generation cruise ships, scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2037. The order underlines NCLH’s long term fleet growth strategy as it looks to introduce larger, more feature rich vessels across its brands in the coming decade.
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