Norwegian’s newest Prima Plus cruise ship is rumored to be named Norwegian Aura, with some suggesting it could be the biggest and longest ship in Norwegian’s entire fleet.
In a recent post made in the r/NCL Reddit community, a user uploaded an image that appears to be a promotional render labeling the ship as “Norwegian Aura” and describing it as “Norwegian’s largest and longest ship.”
The image also references a 2027 debut and notes that bookings are expected to open on January 15, prompting expectations that an official announcement could be imminent. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line filed to trademark “Norwegian Aura” back in September 2025, aligning with today’s leaked image.
So what exactly do we know about Norwegian Aura — and why are cruisers already scrambling to learn more? Let’s break down everything we know so far.
Why “Aura” fits Norwegian’s recent direction
According to cruise fans monitoring backend booking systems and early web activity, the name Norwegian Aura has begun appearing in search results for NCL — a classic sign that a new ship announcement may be imminent.
In addition, ByteSizeCruises on YouTube also shared the reveal of Norwegian’s newest ship name as Norwegian Aura.
In the video, ByteSizeCruises reveals:
“We have some cruise news about NCL. In just a few days, on January 15, 2026, we are going to have a sale on the brand-new Norwegian cruise ship. It is going to be NCL Aura!”
While unconfirmed from the cruise line, the ship is widely believed to be part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s next evolution of the Prima Class, possibly falling into the Prima Plus category alongside Norwegian Aqua (2025) and Norwegian Luna (2026).
If the name is confirmed, Norwegian Aura would align closely with Norwegian’s recent naming strategy, which favors short, modern, experience-driven names such as Aqua, Luna, Prima and Viva.
The term “aura” suggests atmosphere and presence, which are concepts that fit well with Norwegian’s emphasis on onboard entertainment, contemporary design, and immersive guest experiences.
The biggest Prima Plus class ship? What the rumors suggest
One of the most talked-about details from the Reddit discussion is Norwegian Aura’s potential size. The leaked image shows “Norwegian’s Largest and Longest Ship” in the promotional banner.
In the Reddit comment section, some cruise fans speculate that Norwegian Aura could be approximately 20% larger than the first Prima Class ships. For reference, the original Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva ships are the smallest in the Prima class, while NCL Aqua and NCL Luna were designed to be about 10% bigger for Prima Plus.
If that turns out to be accurate, it would mean more public spaces, expanded pool and outdoor deck areas, larger entertainment venues, and likely new dining or bar concepts.
Norwegian Cruise Line has been refining the Prima design with each new ship, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see NCL Aura debut with noticeable upgrades and design improvements.
In particular, crowding has been a common complaint on Prima class ships, so hopefully a revamped design could alleviate some crowds, lines, and bottlenecks commonly found onboard. Moreover, an expanded pool deck with more space to swim and lounge would be a welcomed change for many.
What “largest and longest” would mean for Norwegian
If Norwegian Aura is ultimately marketed as the cruise line’s largest and longest ship, it would represent a notable shift in fleet strategy.
Currently, Norwegian’s biggest ships are its Breakaway Plus–class vessels, including Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Joy. These ships measure approximately 169,000 gross tons and span about 1,094 feet in length.
By comparison, Norwegian’s newer Prima-class ships were intentionally designed to be smaller, offering more space per guest at around 143,500 gross tons, while the expanded Prima Plus class, led by Norwegian Aqua, increases to roughly 156,000 gross tons.
For Norwegian Aura to surpass Encore and claim the title of Norwegian’s largest and longest ship, it would need to exceed the size and length of the Breakaway Plus class—potentially signaling either a heavily stretched Prima-based platform.
What could Norwegian Aura offer onboard?
While nothing has been confirmed, here’s what cruisers are hoping to see based on NCL’s recent ship trends:
Enhanced outdoor spaces
Prima Class ships are known for their wraparound promenades and oceanfront seating. Norwegian Aura could take that concept even further with additional infinity pools, shaded lounge areas, or multi-level outdoor decks.
New dining concepts
NCL often introduces at least one new dining venue on each new ship class iteration. Norwegian Aura could debut a fresh specialty restaurant or evolve existing favorites like Onda by Scarpetta or Indulge Food Hall.
Upgraded entertainment
Rather than traditional Broadway shows, newer NCL ships focus on immersive, tech-forward entertainment. Norwegian Aura may continue this trend with interactive shows, digital experiences, or new nightlife concepts.
Refined accommodations
From solo studios to Haven suites, Norwegian Aura could offer an improved stateroom layout with more storage, better bathrooms, and upgraded finishes.
Where would Norwegian Aura sail?
If bookings truly open in January 2026, it would line up perfectly with a 2027 inaugural season, likely starting with:
- Caribbean sailings
- Transatlantic inaugural crossings
- Possibly Europe or Northern Europe itineraries
Inaugural sailings are extremely popular with cruise enthusiasts, which explains why the rumor alone is already generating so much attention. However, it’s unknown at this time where Norwegian would deploy Norwegian Aura for her inaugural season.
Rumors of NCL Aura could be confirmed soon
Until Norwegian Cruise Line makes an official announcement, everything about Norwegian Aura should be treated as speculation. That said, all signs point to something new coming, and if Norwegian Aura does debut in 2027, it could be one of NCL’s most exciting ships yet.
Cruise fans have become very good at spotting early signs of new ship launches — and in many cases, Reddit speculation has proven accurate months before official announcements.
The appearance of the Norwegian Aura name, combined with timing that matches NCL’s current ship rollout schedule, makes this rumor especially compelling. Stay tuned to Candid Cruise and Travel to find out more!
