Norwegian Cruise Line has officially named its sixth and final Prima Class vessel Norwegian Bella, with bookings now open for the ship’s inaugural Mediterranean season beginning in May 2028.
The 170,000-gross-tonne vessel will homeport from Barcelona, offering primarily seven-night roundtrip voyages featuring vibrant hull art by Australian contemporary artist George Rose.
The announcement, made on 20th October 2026, marks a significant milestone for Norwegian Cruise Line as it concludes the Prima Class series that has redefined the company’s fleet offerings. Norwegian Bella represents the culmination of years of guest feedback and design innovation that began with Norwegian Prima’s debut in 2022.
The Prima Class has become Norwegian’s flagship product line, introducing revolutionary features such as Ocean Boulevard, the three-deck Infinity Beach, and an expanded Haven sanctuary. Each successive ship in the class has refined these concepts based on operational experience and passenger preferences.
Inaugural Mediterranean Programme From Barcelona
Norwegian Bella will launch her cruise career from Barcelona, Spain, operating predominantly seven-night Mediterranean itineraries throughout her maiden season. The carefully curated routes will call at some of the region’s most sought-after ports, including Salerno, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Marseille, La Spezia, and Palma de Mallorca, with specific destinations varying by departure date.
The cruise line has also scheduled a five-night positioning voyage departing Malta on 2nd May 2028, which may well serve as the vessel’s first passenger sailing. This shorter itinerary includes an overnight stay in Malta before departing the following morning, with calls at Salerno and Civitavecchia before arriving in Barcelona.
Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet designated which specific sailing will be celebrated as the official maiden voyage. Industry practice typically sees cruise lines hosting special events and distributing commemorative items across multiple early sailings during a ship’s inaugural season, allowing more guests to participate in the celebration.
Construction Progress At Fincantieri Shipyard
Norwegian Bella is currently taking shape at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, alongside her sister ship Norwegian Aura, which is scheduled for delivery in May 2027. The Italian shipbuilding facility has a longstanding relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line, having constructed numerous vessels for the brand over the past two decades.
At 1,129 feet in length, Norwegian Bella will accommodate 3,921 guests at double occupancy, making her the largest ship in Norwegian’s fleet upon debut. This distinction will be shared with Norwegian Aura and the four earlier Prima Class vessels that preceded them.
However, this title will be temporary, as Norwegian Cruise Line has already placed orders for an entirely new, larger ship class with expected deliv
Leave a Reply