Norwegian unveiled plans for a new cruise ship — complete with a roller coaster waterslide and night club to take on Royal Caribbean

19.09.2024 - 15:23 / insider.com / Royal Caribbean

If you're tired of only hearing about ultra-large cruise ships or ultra-expensive small ones, Norwegian Cruise Line has the answer.

On Wednesday, the popular cruise company unveiled details of Norwegian Luna, its next Prima Plus Class ship.

The upcoming vessel, Norwegian's 21st, would have family-friendly amenities like infinity pools, a high-tech sports court, and a cross between a roller coaster and waterslide.

The cruise liner is scheduled to kick off its maiden season in April 2026 with weeklong Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Miami.

At 1,056 feet long and 156,300 gross tons, Luna would be larger than the company's preceding Prima Class vessels but smaller than any ships its competitor, Royal Caribbean, has debuted over the last 15 years.

If you don't love giant cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's dazzling mega-ships could make for an overwhelming vacation.

The largest, Icon of the Seas, is 1,1960 feet long and 250,800 gross tons. It may be packed with family-friendly activities like a waterpark and an ice skating rink, but you'll have to share these amenities with another 7,599 guests.

Two of Royal Caribbean's less sizable cruise ships are also scheduled for Miami cruises in 2026. But by then, the newer of the two, Independence of the Seas, will already be 18 years old.

So, if you want to cruise out of Miami but prefer a new, large-but-not-too-large vessel, the 3,550-guest Norwegian Luna could be a great option for you and your family.

The ship is expected to be identical to Norwegian's upcoming Norwegian Aqua, scheduled to debut in March 2025. The pair of floating resorts won't have as many attractions as Icon of the Seas, but they would still hold their ground in the family-friendly cruise industry.

Like Aqua, Luna would have signature Norwegian amenities such as a 10-station food hall, a 10-story-tall dry slide, and Ocean Boulevard, an open-air walkway with restaurants, pools, and lounges.

Young children would have a water playground while adults have an al fresco lounge with infinity hot tubs.

Along with a new Thai restaurant, wine bar, and plant-based eatery, Aqua and Luna would also debut two firsts for the cruise line: the Aqua Slidecoaster and the Glow Court. Norwegian calls the former a cross between a roller coaster and a waterslide, and the latter a high-tech sports court that turns into a nightclub at sundown.

The ships may not have as expensive or playful cabins as Royal Caribbean's $100,000-a-week Ultimate Family Townhouse. But they would debut Norwegian's new two-story, three-bedroom Haven suites complete with a living and dining room, butler service, and access to an exclusive outdoor lounge.

Norwegian Luna's maiden season fares range from $1,400 per person for an interior cabin to