The Mediterranean will set the stage for the European debut of Norwegian Bella, the new ship from Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which is scheduled to enter service in May 2028. The company has announced that bookings are now open for the ship’s inaugural itineraries, featuring seven-day round-trip cruises from Barcelona, designed to take guests to some of the Mediterranean’s most captivating destinations.
Measuring approximately 344 metres in length, with a gross tonnage of 170,000 and a capacity of 3,921 guests at double occupancy, Norwegian Bella will join Norwegian Aura as one of the largest ships in the NCL fleet. She will be the sixth and final ship in the Prima Class, a series through which the company has focused on open spaces, diverse entertainment options and greater freedom for guests to shape their onboard experience.
The inaugural season’s itineraries will include calls at Rome, Florence and Salerno in Italy, Marseille in France, and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. The programme will showcase some of the Mediterranean’s most sought-after destinations, with Barcelona serving as both the embarkation and disembarkation port.
“Norwegian Bella marks a milestone moment for our fleet as the culmination of our award-winning Prima Class,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “The ship brings together some of our guests’ most highly sought-after experiences, combining expanded outdoor spaces, family-friendly attractions and venues designed for relaxation and socialising. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to give guests the freedom and flexibility to enjoy their holiday exactly as they wish.”
Among Norwegian Bella’s standout features will be Ocean Heights, a multi-level open-air complex spanning decks 18 through 21, designed to transform throughout the day. During daylight hours, it will serve as an activity-packed playground for thrill-seekers, before evolving into a vibrant social hub at night, illuminated by immersive lighting and LED projections.
The attractions will include the Eclipse Racers, Bella Free Fall and The Wave waterslides, the latter accommodating up to four riders on a raft. Guests will also be able to experience The Drop, the signature dry slide of the Prima Class, which sends riders down ten decks in just seconds. Rounding out the offering are the Bella Ropes Course, an adventure ropes course; Bella Midway, inspired by traditional carnival attractions; a nine-hole mini-golf course; and Moon Climber, a multi-level adventure course that can be tackled without a harness.
On deck 8, Ocean Boulevard will wrap around the entire ship, remaining one of the defining features of the Prima Class. On board Norwegian Bella, the promenade will offer additional seating compared with Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, alongside hot tubs and an outdoor bar. At the heart of the experience will be Infinity Beach, featuring infinity pools, sun loungers, hot tubs and a full-service bar overlooking the sea.
Families will also be well catered for. Little Explorers’ Cay will welcome children aged two to six with a playhouse and slides, while Adventure Alley will be designed for children aged six to ten, featuring tunnels, crawl spaces and ocean-inspired adventure areas. Teenagers, meanwhile, will have their own dedicated hangout at Surf’s Bay, a social space featuring a striking surf-themed photo installation, perfect for capturing memorable holiday pictures.
The pool deck on Norwegian Bella will be more than 15% larger than those on Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna. The expanded space will feature additional seating, an infinity hot tub and a large LED entertainment screen.
Younger guests will be able to enjoy the Kids’ Aqua Park, featuring a redesigned splash pad and interactive water features. Nearby, two waterslides will offer fun for the whole family: The Party Slide, a wide, shallow slide ideal for sharing with family and friends, and Infinity Loop, featuring a figure-eight layout. On deck 19, Horizon Park will provide additional sunbathing areas and spaces for outdoor games.
Guests seeking a more tranquil setting can retreat to Vibe Beach Club, the adults-only venue featuring infinity hot tubs, an oceanfront bar, sun loungers and daybeds, as well as dedicated relaxation areas.
The accommodation offering will comprise nearly 2,000 staterooms, ranging from inside staterooms and studios for solo travellers to balcony staterooms. This variety of options is designed to meet the needs of couples, families and multigenerational groups.
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, Norwegian Bella will feature 159 suites within The Haven by Norwegian, NCL’s exclusive, keycard-accessible “ship-within-a-ship” concept. Designed by Piero Lissoni and located aft, The Haven will offer private elevators, a sundeck with an infinity pool, two hot tubs, an outdoor sauna and a cold room. The spaces will include separate areas for families and adults. Guests will also enjoy access to a private restaurant and bar serving exclusive menus, a dedicated lounge, 24-hour butler and concierge service, as well as priority embarkation, disembarkation and reservations.
A striking new hull design by Australian contemporary artist George Rose will also set Norwegian Bella apart visually. The project continues NCL’s tradition of collaborating with internationally renowned artists to create distinctive works of art that make the ships in its fleet instantly recognisable.
Known for her bold murals and vibrant botanical compositions, Rose creates works that blend art and design through fluid gradients, organic forms and nature-inspired motifs. Over the course of her more than 15-year career, she has worked with international cultural institutions and organisations, including STRAAT Museum in Amsterdam, the Australian Embassy in Indonesia and Colab Gallery in Germany, as well as global brands such as Instagram, Nike and TikTok.
Rose explained that designing the hull artwork for Norwegian Bella offered an opportunity to capture the sense of wonder inspired by travel. Through vibrant colours, organic forms and a strong sense of movement, she sought to convey the excitement of exploration and discovery.
Norwegian Bella will be built by Fincantieri, as will Norwegian Aura, which is scheduled for delivery in May 2027. The two ships will bring the company’s latest guest experiences to two strategic markets: Norwegian Bella will sail in Europe, while Norwegian Aura will be deployed in the Caribbean. The ships’ interiors will be designed by a distinguished group of international studios and designers: AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, SMC Design and Studio Dado.
With Norwegian Bella, NCL will complete the development of its Prima Class, bringing together entertainment, open-air spaces, family-friendly attractions and premium services. Scheduled to debut in May 2028, the ship will strengthen the company’s presence in the Mediterranean, offering weekly itineraries from Barcelona and an onboard experience designed to combine destination discovery with a varied and flexible holiday experience.
Gabriele Bassi
