There's nothing more exciting in the cruise world than a new cruise ship.
Norwegian Cruise Line is riding the waves of its recent success after launching two Prima Class ships. As of mid-2024, NCL has eight ships on order, four of which will be part of their largest class of ships ever!
Here's a breakdown of everything new and exciting coming to Norwegian's fleet over the next decade!
Norwegian Aqua (March 2025)
Setting sail in March 2025, Norwegian Aqua will be NCL's first-ever Prima Plus Class ship, measuring 10% larger than Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. The 156,300 gross registered tons (GRT) vessel will be the first in the fleet to feature a three-story hybrid roller coaster/waterslide, replacing the go-kart track that first debuted on Norwegian Joy in 2017.
"Norwegian Aqua is a true testament of fusing together what represents the future of our Brand as the first ship in the Prima Plus Class, and our commitment to pushing the boundaries in guest-first experiences that will make new waves at sea,” said David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line.
Other new attractions include the Glow Court, a high-tech LED sports floor engineered for immersive play during the day before being transformed into a nightclub, and two-story, three-bedroom suites within The Haven, Norwegian's "ship-within-a-ship" concept. These luxurious accommodations will be outfitted with separate living and dining areas, three bedrooms and bathrooms, and a spacious balcony.
Norwegian is planning on adding new culinary adventures to Norwegian Aqua, too, including their first upscale Thai restaurant at sea, a dedicated plant-based venue, and a new wine bar. At Sukhothai on Deck 17, guests can enjoy an eclectic menu with dishes like Thai Cashew Chicken, Salt and Pepper Prawns, Thai Grilled Steak Salad, a variety of curries, and more.
There are plenty of returning favorites that loyal NCL guests can look forward to, such as The Vibe Beach Club, a 10-story free-fall slide, an enlarged Ocean Boulevard, and complimentary youth programming within Splash Academy and Entourage.
Three unnamed Prima Plus Class cruise ships (2026, 2027, and 2028)
Following Norwegian Aqua, NCL plans on adding three more ships to the Prima Plus Class, with the latter two being even larger than Norwegian Aqua. Little details have been revealed about the ships other than the estimated gross registered tonnage, with the fifth and sixth Prima Plus Class vessels measuring around 169,000 GRT.
We'll update this page as Norwegian shares more!
Four ships part of a brand-new class (2030, 2032, 2034, and 2036)
Norwegian Encore holds the title of Norwegian's largest ship at 169,116 GRT—until the launch of NCL's newest class in 2030. The four new massive ships are estimated to be 200,000 GRT, the largest they've ever constructed. The order, however, is subject to financing, which is expected to be completed this year.
As with the three Prima Plus Class ships estimated to be delivered in 2026, 2027, and 2028, no details about the new class have been revealed other than the GRT. We'll update this page to include any new information shared by the cruise line.
Read more: Norwegian Cruise Line just ordered four massive cruise ships
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
