New Norwegian Cruise Line Mega Ship Set to Depart from Miami

A massive new Norwegian Cruise Line vessel is slated to debut in 2026 and has just been named, along with its future port.

Currently being built at Fincantieri's shipyard in Marghera, Italy, the 3,550-passenger ship will be named Norwegian Luna, as announced by Norwegian President David Herrera during a recent preview event at the shipyard.

Starting April 4, 2026, it will offer weekly sailings to the Caribbean from Miami, he noted.

Weighing in at 156,300 gross tons, Norwegian Luna will rank as the fifth-largest ship ever constructed by Norwegian.

This ship is a sibling to the Norwegian Aqua, another upcoming Norwegian vessel currently being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, set to launch in March 2025.

Both Norwegian Luna and Norwegian Aqua are larger iterations of Norwegian's previous two ships, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, featuring new and enhanced venues.

One of the standout attractions on both Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna will be a groundbreaking hybrid roller coaster and waterslide known as the Aqua Slidecoaster.

"This is definitely going to be the highlight that everyone will be buzzing about," Herrera remarked during the preview event that showcased Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna in the works.

At the preview event, numerous travel agency executives and media representatives were treated to an exclusive look at the impressive water attraction being constructed on top of the Norwegian Aqua.

Featuring an impressive design, the dual blue and aquamarine slides twist around the ship's superstructure, reaching heights of three decks. This attraction, which employs magnets to launch riders at exhilarating speeds, is promoted as the longest and fastest water experience ever on a cruise ship.

Similar to Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Luna will also include a digital sports complex called the Glow Court, which serves as an interactive play area during the day and transforms into a vibrant nightclub at night.

During the event, Norwegian revealed that Norwegian Luna will commence its inaugural Caribbean season on April 4, 2026, featuring two seven-night Western Caribbean voyages departing from Miami, visiting Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize, the brand's exclusive resort destination.

Following that, Norwegian Luna will offer a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami, stopping at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic; Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's exclusive island in the Bahamas.

Norwegian's Herrera also disclosed that the ship's hull artwork will be created by Elle, a street artist from California who attended the event in Italy to witness Norwegian Luna's construction.

"It’s an amazing privilege," Elle expressed after her introduction to the audience. "Experiencing this magnificent ship coming to life exceeds my wildest dreams."