Norwegian Bella, NCL's Final Prima Ship, Debuts May 2028

Norwegian Cruise Line announced the name of its sixth and final Prima class ship, Norwegian Bella, on October 20, 2026. The new vessel is scheduled to debut with Mediterranean sailings in May 2028.

Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, stated that Norwegian Bella represents a milestone moment for the fleet. The ship will be the largest in the NCL fleet upon its debut, joined in that distinction by the forthcoming Norwegian Aura.

Ship Size and Capacity

Norwegian Bella will measure approximately 1,129 feet in length and register 170,000 gross tons. At double occupancy, it will accommodate 3,921 guests across nearly 2,000 staterooms. Among these accommodations are 159 luxury suites located within The Haven private complex.

The Haven offers exclusive amenities including private elevators, a sundeck with an infinity pool, two hot tubs, an outdoor sauna and cold room, a dedicated restaurant and lounge, and 24-hour butler and concierge service.

Mediterranean Itineraries

The ship's inaugural season will feature primarily seven-night Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona, Spain. Its scheduled ports include Salerno, Civitavecchia for Rome, Livorno for Florence, Marseille, La Spezia for Cinque Terre, and Palma de Mallorca.

A shorter five-night inaugural voyage from Malta to Barcelona is also scheduled, departing on May 2, 2028. This sailing includes an overnight stay in Malta and will be the first official voyage to welcome guests aboard Norwegian Bella.

Ocean Heights Adventure Zone

A major new feature is the Ocean Heights adventure zone. This open-air complex spans four decks, from deck 18 to deck 21. It integrates a waterpark with multiple waterslides, a nine-hole mini golf course, and the Moon Climber ropes course. The area also uses LED projections and immersive lighting for evening entertainment.

One standout attraction is The Drop, a dry slide that plunges down ten decks within the ship. The adjacent expanded pool deck will be more than 15 percent larger than those on earlier Prima Plus vessels, Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.

Expanded Onboard Amenities

Additional public spaces aim to enhance the guest experience. Ocean Boulevard wraps around the ship's exterior, offering extra seating and infinity pools with ocean views. For adults seeking a quieter retreat, the Vibe Beach Club provides an exclusive atmosphere with an oceanfront bar, infinity hot tubs, and comfortable day beds.

The ship's distinctive exterior will feature hull art designed by Australian contemporary artist George Rose. Norwegian Bella follows the earlier Prima class launches of Norwegian Prima in 2022 and Norwegian Viva in 2023. It completes the Prima Plus tier, which includes Norwegian Aqua launched in 2024, Norwegian Luna in 2025, and Norwegian Aura set for 2027.

Looking beyond the Prima class, Norwegian Cruise Line has plans for a new series of vessels. The first of these is scheduled for delivery in 2030, with three more to follow in 2032, 2034, and 2036. Each will be approximately 226,000 tons, making them the largest ever built for the line, though slightly smaller than the world's current largest cruise ship. They are designed to accommodate over 5,100 cabins for a total of 8,300 passengers and crew combined. Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The company's focus now turns to Norwegian Bella's debut in the Mediterranean in May 2028.