NCL’s newest and most ambitious ship christened at PortMiami last week, ushering in a new era of multigenerational cruising — complete with a Las Vegas-inspired late-night show and the world’s fastest slides at sea.
Miami has always been a city that knows how to throw a party and last Friday, the sea itself got in on the action. Norwegian Cruise Line officially christened its newest ship, Norwegian Luna, at PortMiami on March 27, 2026, drawing more than 2,000 guests to witness a maritime tradition that dates back centuries: the blessing of a vessel before she begins her life at sea.
The ceremony was held at NCL’s LEED Gold Certified terminal and anchored by a special appearance from the ship’s godmother and hull artist, ELLE — a celebrated street artist whose vivid, cosmos-inspired mural now wraps the entire 1,056-foot vessel. The event culminated with the ceremonial breaking of the bottle across the ship’s hull, bestowing blessings and safe travels for all who sail aboard her.
“Norwegian Luna represents the evolution of NCL a brand built on freedom, flexibility and delivering experiences that resonate with every type of traveler. Curated to deliver attractions for families with the NCL-exclusive Aqua Slidecoaster, and the all-new Moon Climber and Luna Midway activities; as well as adult-only experiences like the late-night production of ‘LunaTique,’ Norwegian Luna is the perfect ship for multigenerational travelers looking for a warm vacation in the tropics. With itineraries designed to bring guests to Great Stirrup Cay, our private island in the Bahamas, they will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the highly anticipated offerings that our guests are raving about.” — Marc Kazlauskas, President, Norwegian Cruise Line
A Ship Built for Everyone
At a guest capacity of 3,565, Norwegian Luna belongs to NCL’s Prima Class — a design philosophy built around intentional, wide-open spaces and experiences that let travelers craft their own vacation. She carries on the legacy of sister ship Norwegian Aqua, including the headline-grabbing Aqua Slidecoaster — the longest and fastest slides at sea, with dual slides and a magnetic lift that launches riders through two exhilarating courses.
New for Norwegian Luna are several family-first additions: Luna Midway, a carnival-style outdoor amusement area; Moon Climber, a multi-level obstacle course for kids and adults alike; and Horizon Park, a complimentary lawn game and recreation area across the top decks. The ship also features the Glow Court digital sports complex and the Luna Game Zone, stocked with classic arcade games and virtual reality experiences.
With 17 dining options spanning more than 15 cuisines, guests can choose from modern Italian at Onda by Scarpetta, authentic Thai at Sukhothai, classic French at Le Bistro, and much more. Eighteen bars and lounges — including the Whiskey Bar, Belvedere Bar, and the Sail and Sustain cocktail bar, Metropolitan Bar — round out the onboard experience.
After Dark: LunaTique and World-Class Entertainment
When the sun dips below the horizon, Norwegian Luna transforms. Guests 21 and older can slip into LunaTique, an exclusive late-night experience at The Improv at Sea that blends Las Vegas energy with specialty cocktails, bold visuals, and character-driven performances in an intimate setting.
The evening lineup also includes “Elton: A Celebration of Elton John™,” the multimedia spectacle “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder,” and Syd Norman’s Pour House presenting “A Tribute to Eagles” on the Luna Theater mainstage. For younger guests, “Sea of Discovery! An Under-the-Sea Festival” is an original, in-house-developed glow-filled field day experience built specifically for children.
The Art of the Hull: ELLE’s ‘La Luna’
Few elements of Norwegian Luna generate as much conversation as what’s painted on her exterior. ELLE created the ship’s signature hull artwork — a sweeping dreamscape titled ‘La Luna’ — exploring humanity’s enduring relationship with the cosmos and the moon’s rhythmic pull.
“Celebrating Norwegian Luna as the ship’s godmother is an incredible honor, and creating ‘La Luna’ has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. The moon has always symbolized connection, rhythm and transformation, forces that mirror the journeys we take in our own lives. I hope every guest feels a sense of wonder and possibility as Norwegian Luna carries them toward new horizons.” — ELLE, Godmother & Hull Artist, Norwegian Luna
Where She’s Headed
From April 2026 through April 2027, Norwegian Luna sails Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, stopping at NCL’s two private resort destinations: Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize. Great Stirrup Cay recently debuted the Great Life Lagoon swim-up bar complex and the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, with the nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark — boasting 19 waterslides and first-of-their-kind cliffside jumps — set to open this summer.
From April through October 2027, Norwegian Luna heads to New York for four- and seven-day Bermuda itineraries, with overnight stays and flexible port time for beach days, ATV rides, cave dives, and catamaran excursions along those iconic pink sandy shores.
“The christening of Norwegian Luna marks an important milestone for our Company and a moment of great pride for our entire team. I look forward to the remarkable experiences she will deliver and to the exciting future ahead for our brand and our guests.” — John W. Chidsey, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
Itineraries on Norwegian Luna are available now at ncl.com, through a travel professional, or by calling 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784).