Norwegian Bella Opens for Booking Ahead of 2028 Mediterranean Debut from Barcelona

Norwegian Cruise Line’s final Prima Class ship will offer seven-night European itineraries, expanded outdoor attractions and 159 Haven suites.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Norwegian Bella is open for booking for seven-night round-trip Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona starting in May 2028.
• NCL says the 170,000-gross-ton ship will offer expanded pool and open-air entertainment areas, including Ocean Heights and Ocean Boulevard.
• The Haven premium enclave will include 159 suites and private facilities.
• The ship, under construction by Fincantieri, will be the final vessel in NCL's Prima Class.

Norwegian Cruise Line has opened bookings for Norwegian Bella, a new ship scheduled to begin sailing seven-night round-trip Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona in May 2028. The launch puts NCL’s final Prima Class vessel on a European itinerary from the outset, giving travellers an early opportunity to reserve cruises calling at destinations in Spain, France and Italy.

According to NCL’s October 20 announcement, the ship will visit ports serving Rome, Florence and Salerno in Italy, as well as Marseille in France and Palma de Mallorca in Spain. Travellers should consult individual sailing details for the precise port sequence and shore-excursion arrangements.

At approximately 1,129 feet long and 170,000 gross tons, Norwegian Bella will join sister ship Norwegian Aura among the largest ships in the fleet. The launch announcement quotes capacity at 3,921 guests at double occupancy, although NCL’s ship information page currently lists 3,901; the company has not explained that discrepancy. Both ships are being constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Norwegian Aura is scheduled for delivery in May 2027 and is planned for Caribbean service.

New entertainment spaces designed around outdoor living

Four decks of activities will be grouped around Ocean Heights, the ship’s open-air entertainment area spanning decks 18 to 21. Planned attractions include the side-by-side Eclipse Racers slides, Bella Free Fall, the four-rider raft slide The Wave and The Drop, a dry slide descending ten decks. A ropes course, fairground-style Bella Midway, nine-hole miniature golf course and harness-free Moon Climber course add further options for families and groups.

On deck eight, the wraparound Ocean Boulevard promenade will include additional seating, hot tubs and an outdoor bar. Infinity Beach will provide infinity pools and daybeds. Separate play areas will cater to children aged two to six at Little Explorers’ Cay, ages six to ten at Adventure Alley, and teenagers at Surf’s Bay.

NCL says the main pool deck will be more than 15 per cent larger than those aboard Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna, with additional seating, an infinity hot tub and an LED screen. The ship will also feature a Kids’ Aqua Park, two family waterslides named The Party Slide and Infinity Loop, lawn games at Horizon Park and an adults-only Vibe Beach Club with hot tubs and an oceanfront bar.

Nearly 2,000 staterooms and an expanded Haven enclave

Accommodation will range from studios and inside rooms to balcony cabins and suites, with nearly 2,000 staterooms planned overall. The ship’s premium Haven by Norwegian area, designed by Piero Lissoni, will comprise 159 suites with a private sundeck, infinity pool, two hot tubs, sauna, cold room, restaurant, bar and lounge. Haven services will include butler and concierge assistance around the clock and priority arrangements for embarking and reservations.

Interiors across the new vessel are being developed with AD Associates, Piero Lissoni, Rockwell Group, SMC Design and Studio Dado. Australian contemporary artist George Rose has created the ship’s brightly coloured, nature-inspired hull design, extending NCL’s practice of commissioning original artwork for its vessels.

Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, said the ship draws on innovations and passenger feedback accumulated during the Prima Class programme, with a focus on outdoor spaces and experiences for different age groups.

The 2028 debut is still more than a year away, and the features described are planned rather than operating amenities. Guests considering the inaugural season can check the Norwegian Bella ship page and NCL’s main website for current availability, fares, cabin choices and itinerary details.