Norwegian Luna cruise ship a near mirror to Aqua

Norwegian Cruise Line has returned to Miami with its newest ship, Norwegian Luna, sailing seven-night Caribbean voyages for the next year.

While it’s a sister ship to 2025’s Norwegian Aqua, with a near-mirror layout, the lunar theme runs strong on board and sets it apart.

A massive astronaut prop glows during the Luna Eclipse Party...

A massive astronaut prop glows during the Luna Eclipse Party on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 29, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

Space-themed video enhances the Luna Eclipse Party on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 29, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The signature sculpture of a crescent moon is seen on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship during a media preview sailing on March 29, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

Blue lights illuminate the top decks of Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship Norwegian Luna after its arrival to PortMiami on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The Glow Court lights up for basketball, soccer and other interactive games on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 27, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The Luna Game Zone on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 28, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The Miami skyline is seen in the background as Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship Norwegian Luna is docked at PortMiami on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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A massive astronaut prop glows during the Luna Eclipse Party on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 29, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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That includes a celestial sculpture, an eclipse dance party, a moon-themed obstacle course and a jaw-dropping performance of “Rocket Man” as part of the ship’s signature Elton John show.

The 156,000-gross-ton, 3,565-passenger vessel is now the second ship in NCL’s Prima-plus class, larger versions of 2022’s Norwegian Prima and 2023’s Viva.

All four have, among their signature designs, a wraparound walkway on Deck 8 with the popular Indulge food court, infinity pools, an arsenal of lounging options, glass see-through walkways, and other distractions.

The Norwegian Luna cruise ship docks at Norwegian Cruise Line's...

The Norwegian Luna cruise ship docks at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private Bahamas island Great Stirrup Cay on March 29, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The artwork of ELLE, a street artist that came to fame as a New York graffiti artist, is seen on the hull of the Norwegian Luna cruise ship docked at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private Bahamas island Great Stirrup Cay on March 29, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The Drop is a dry slide that sends riders from Deck 18 to Deck 8 on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 28, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The Norwegian Luna is docked at PortMiami’s Terminal B on Friday, March 27, 2026 ahead of its christening event. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

Deck 8 features two see-through glass walkways on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 28, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The wraparound walkway of Deck 8 features a bevy of seating options on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 28, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

The Norwegian Luna is docked at PortMiami’s Terminal B on Friday, March 27, 2026 ahead of its christening event. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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The Norwegian Luna cruise ship docks at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private Bahamas island Great Stirrup Cay on March 29, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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All four also feature a skewed atrium design in the center of the ship, which, while taking away a focal point like a massive chandelier one might find on other ships, does offer up an architecturally unique layout that allows for both crowded milling, especially in front of the Starbucks, but also quieter corners.

Those who have sailed on the three similar ships will still find things they love, and the new offerings should make for a memorable sailing.

Here are some of the highlights:

Riders are hurtled up into the Aqua Slidecoaster on board...

Riders are hurtled up into the Aqua Slidecoaster on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing out of Miami on March 28, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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Riders are hurtled up into the Aqua Slidecoaster on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing out of Miami on March 28, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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Aqua Slidecoaster: This popular water slide that debuted on Aqua is back for more on Prima, launching riders like a roller coaster shot up at 31 mph for an adrenaline shot that then comes down quickly for an enjoyable jaunt through a 600-foot-long, colorful tube run. It’s not as long as Disney’s AquaDuck water coaster found on Dream and Fantasy, but it does kick up the thrill factor.

Riders sit in seated rafts with one or two passengers and get slowly hauled up a ramp before a massive, mechanical arm comes down, makes contact with the back of the raft and sends riders yelping up into the run. It’s one of the most rewarding water rides at sea for those seeking some excitement.

The marquee show on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship...

The marquee show on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship is “Elton: A Celebration of Elton John” seen during a media preview sailing on March 27, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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The marquee show on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship is “Elton: A Celebration of Elton John” seen during a media preview sailing on March 27, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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“Elton: A Celebration of Elton John”: NCL has ended its slew of Broadway partnerships at sea, but has leaned heavily into original theatrical productions, including a Prince-themed show on Aqua. For Luna, though, they have put forth a worthy offering celebrating music like “Tiny Dancer” and “Benny and the Jets.”

The incorporation of imagery and video from archive Elton footage with a quartet of singers doing justice to his music amid unique, light-up piano props was already memorable, but then an aerialist dressed in a space suit steals the show with massive screen projections of the moon and galaxies in a majestic rendering of “Rocket Man.” It was an admirable rendition that had people talking after the show.

One of the productions on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship is “Syd Norman’s Presents: A Tribute to the Eagles,” seen during a media preview sailing on March 28. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

Also on stage: While Aqua had a theatrical production of a popular Fleetwood Mac show that got too big for the crowds at its rock ‘n’ roll venue Syd Norman’s on board, NCL skipped debuting an Eagles retrospective on the club level and went right to the theater. The show gives fans of The Eagles a selection of hits from “Take It Easy” to “Hotel California,” with the band’s history filtering in between songs. Again, the quartet of singers does the music justice, but the band, especially the guitarist, earned the standing ovation from the crowd.

Aerialists perform during the original production,

Aerialists perform during the original production, “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder” on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship seen during a media preview sailing on March 29, 2026. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

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Also worth checking out is the acrobatic and laser-heavy “HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder,” which leans into lighting and smoke effects set to ethereal music. A massive trampoline makes a surprise entrance to the stage, but the highlight is an aerialist ballet duet that did not disappoint.

One of the productions on board the Norwegian Luna cruise ship is the 21-and-older “LunaTique Pop Circus” seen during a media preview sailing on March 28. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

For fans of ribald: Some of the same theatrical crew dive into risqué humor for “LunaTique Pop Circus,” with a troupe of morally questionable performers taking over the ship’s comedy club. At least two of them had memorable mustaches.

The show is for those 21 and older, as it runs through popular songs that are married to four alcoholic beverages, none of which have tame names. The third drink tastes a lot like popcorn. The show also invites audience participation, so be careful where you sit. You might get smacked with a feathery whip and punished.

The Norwegian Luna godmother and hull artist ELLE, who came to fame as a New York graffiti artist, poses on the dock at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private Bahamas island Great Stirrup Cay on March 29. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

A grand hull: NCL ships are known for their hull artwork designed by famous artists, including Guy Harvey, Wyland and Peter Max. The Luna hull, though, is among the most dialed-in thematically from an artist named ELLE, who made her name in New York as a graffiti artist and now paints murals in cities around the world.

NCL later named her as the godmother to the ship, and her design, titled “La Luna,” features egrets, the stars of the zodiac and a massive moon. It sets the tone for the ship’s lunar theme and offers a stunning visual as passengers board and disembark.

The Swirl wine bar venue makes its second appearance on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, seen on board the Norwegian Luna during a media preview sailing on March 28. (Richard Tribou/Orlando Sentinel)

Oldies but goldies: Some of the best parts of any NCL sailing are the food and beverage options on board, with 17 restaurants, bars and lounges: The ship brings back the new wine bar Swirls and Thai venue Sukothai that both debuted on Aqua. Other recent venues back on board include the Metropolitan bar with its menu of sustainable cocktails and sushi option Nama. Also on board is the succulent Italian restaurant Onda by Scarpetta and an elegant French option, Le Bistro. Those are among the specialty, extra-cost options that also include steakhouse, Mediterranean and teppanyaki restaurants.

But the free food has some hidden treats, such as the chicken salad sandwich and carrot cake at gastropub The Local, the wood-fired pizza at the buffet and the Indian food at the food hall, such as the naan bread made in a real tandoori oven.

And if you didn’t like dessert, you can always get a soft-serve ice cream on the top deck.

Maybe enjoy it under the moonlight.

Norwegian Luna cruise ship a near mirror to Aqua

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