Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has opened bookings for Norwegian Bella, its next newbuild, which is scheduled to begin 7-day round-trip Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona in May 2028. Measuring ~1,129 feet in length and 170,000 gross tons, the ship will accommodate 3,921 passengers at double occupancy, placing it alongside Norwegian Aura as the largest vessel in the company’s fleet.
The inaugural season will include calls at destinations such as Rome, Florence and Salerno in Italy, Marseille in France and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. The ship is being built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with interiors designed by AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, SMC Design and Studio Dado.
NCL President Marc Kazlauskas said Norwegian Bella would bring together popular features developed across the Prima Class, with expanded outdoor areas, family attractions and spaces for relaxation. The vessel will offer experiences similar to those planned for Norwegian Aura, scheduled for delivery in May 2027 and deployment in the Caribbean, while Norwegian Bella will operate in Europe.
Expanded Outdoor Attractions and Family Facilities
Ocean Heights, spanning decks 18 to 21, will serve as a multi-level outdoor activity complex that transitions from daytime recreation to evening entertainment featuring lighting effects and LED projections. Attractions will include Eclipse Racers, the Bella Free Fall waterslide, the Wave raft slide, the 10-deck-high dry slide The Drop, a ropes course, the Bella Midway carnival-style area, a nine-hole mini-golf course and the Moon Climber adventure course.
Ocean Boulevard, the ship’s promenade on deck 8, will feature additional seating compared with Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, along with hot tubs and an outdoor bar. Its Infinity Beach area will include infinity pools, daybeds and further relaxation facilities.
Dedicated children’s areas will include Little Explorers’ Cay for ages 2 to 6 and Adventure Alley for ages 6 to 10, while teenagers will have a separate social space called Surf’s Bay.
The pool deck will be more than 15% larger than those on Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna. Facilities will include an infinity hot tub, an LED entertainment screen, a redesigned children’s splash park and two family waterslides: The Party Slide and Infinity Loop. Horizon Park on deck 19 will provide outdoor lounging areas and lawn games. Adults seeking a quieter environment will have access to the Vibe Beach Club, featuring infinity hot tubs, a central oceanfront bar, sun loungers and daybeds.
Accommodation and The Haven
Norwegian Bella will feature nearly 2,000 staterooms, ranging from inside cabins and studios to balcony accommodation, catering to individual travellers, families and multigenerational groups.
The ship will also include 159 suites within The Haven by Norwegian, the company’s keycard-access ship-within-a-ship complex designed by Piero Lissoni. Located aft, the area will feature private elevators, an infinity pool, two hot tubs, an outdoor sauna, a cold room and separate family-friendly and adults-only spaces. Guests will have access to a private restaurant, bar and lounge, as well as 24-hour butler and concierge services and priority embarkation, disembarkation and reservations.
Hull Artwork by Australian Artist George Rose
The vessel will feature original hull artwork by Australian contemporary artist George Rose, whose work includes large-scale murals and botanical compositions. Her international projects have included collaborations with cultural institutions and brands such as Instagram, Nike and TikTok.
Rose said the design was intended to reflect the sense of discovery associated with travel through vibrant colours, organic forms and a feeling of movement. The artwork will continue NCL’s practice of commissioning distinctive designs for its ships’ hulls.