One year on from the launch of Norwegian Aqua, we step onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest vessel to see whether the operator’s groundbreaking Prima Plus class still packs a punch, and what that means for agents looking to match clients with the right ship

Second ships in a new class don’t have the luxury of surprise. Just over 12 months after Norwegian Cruise Line launched its Prima Plus class trailblazer Norwegian Aqua, the company returns with Norwegian Luna. Having been lucky enough to be among the first to experience its predecessor, I’m eager to see what – if anything – NCL has learned from the ship’s debut season.

My journey of discovery begins in PortMiami, where I follow the throngs of excited journalists and travel industry execs down the gangway and into the glistening atrium. I head to my Family Balcony Stateroom to get settled and feel at home amidst a design that feels instantly reminiscent of Aqua.

The sleek grey and metallic touches still feel modern, while art inspired by the ship’s hull stretches across the wall behind the bed, adding a flourish of colour to the room. Even for a family of four, the cabin offers plenty of room thanks to a large double bed with space beneath for luggage and a double sofa bed. Rarely do you find this much room in a four-berth cabin on a ship this size.

The bathroom is spacious with a large walk-in shower and the storage is impeccable – so much so I have no use for an entire wardrobe for my three-night cruise. A nice touch is the amount of power sockets. A problem I find often while cruising is not enough power to charge multiple devices, but that clearly isn’t an issue onboard Luna.

My belly is rumbling after a day of travel, so I make a beeline for the Indulge Food Hall, NCL’s fresh take on the traditional cruise buffet which debuted last year. An iPad secured to my table invites me to browse through a selection of street food-style eateries, ranging from French and Indian cuisine to Thai food and tapas.

Having been instructed to order as much as I like, I proceed to hog wild on the pulled pork sandwich and crispy fried okra from Texas Smokehouse and order a selection of vegetable pakoras from Tamara for good measure.

Belly full, I head back to PortMiami for the ship’s christening presentation in time to see ELLE, the ship’s hull artist, accept her crown as Luna’s godmother. The crowd cheers as a champagne bottle crashes ceremoniously into her 1,056-foot canvas, confirming the ship’s addition to NCL’s fleet.

Marc Kazlauskas, president of NCL, then explains how Luna represents the evolution of the brand. “Norwegian Luna is the perfect ship for multigenerational travellers looking for a warm vacation in the tropics. With itineraries designed to bring guests to Great Stirrup Cay, our private island in the Bahamas, they will have the opportunity to experience first‑hand the highly anticipated offerings that our guests are raving about.”

Luna is perfect for multigenerational travellers looking for a vacation in the tropics

We head back onboard for a gala dinner celebration in Hudson’s, the ship’s main complimentary dining option. Light furnishing and wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows set the scene for an enjoyable first meal onboard.

The views are stunning, and the food is even better. We are served a four-course gala menu, including tuna sashimi, lechon croquettes, citrus and herb roasted chicken and tropical profiteroles. The food is well-prepared, light but filling and the embodiment of Norwegian’s onboard offering – modern and suitable for all tastes.

After dinner we head to the Luna Theatre to experience one of the line’s new shows, Elton, an all-singing, all‑dancing tribute to the Grammy-winning rock and roll legend. Bright lights and even brighter costumes collide as the cast check off hits from his diamond-encrusted catalogue, mingling with the guests and encouraging people to sing to their hearts’ content.

“Every single sequin is hand-sewn onto the costumes, so you can imagine the love and care that went into a show like Elton,” says NCL’s senior manager of theatrical production, Mike Sheffield. “It takes two years to get a show to stage on a cruise ship, which is compounded even further when you’re working on a brand new ship that hasn’t been built yet.”

Another new production, HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder, showcases the theatre’s West End-level tech and is a high-energy, all-ages spectacle with twists and flips that leave you wondering, “How on earth did they do that?” Offering shows that will delight the whole family was a task for Bryan Anthony White, vice president of entertainment production for NCL.

“Creating the entertainment lineup for Norwegian Luna has been an incredible journey,” he says. “We’re fortunate to partner with the most innovative and respected creators in the industry, so we can keep raising the bar and giving our guests the world-class entertainment NCL is known for.”

Elton is an all-singing, all-dancing tribute to the Grammy-winning rock and roll legend

As someone who likes to balance holiday excess with a few calorie-torching workouts, I’m easily impressed by a good onboard gym. Any fears that the fitness offering was an afterthought for the ship’s design team are laid to rest when I visit the Pulse Fitness Centre the next morning.

A crescent of treadmills and cross trainers have been thoughtfully placed next to ocean-facing windows. Beside them are a set of TRX bands suspended from the ceiling for aerobic workouts and through the free weights section, I spot a HIIT class in full flow.

As with Aqua, to access it you need to pass through the Mandara Spa, which is the ideal post-workout treat. I opt for a visit to the thermal suite, where hot stone beds and sweeping sea views help bring me back to life. There are dozens of treatments available in the spa, too, including IV boosters, teeth whitening, deep tissue massages and hot and cold sauna rooms.

Afterwards, I grab a coffee in the Observation Lounge with NCL’s UK and Ireland chief, Gary Anslow. “Aqua worked really well,” he says. “There are a few décor changes, we’ve added a few things on the top deck and improved the flow in the Surfside Cafe, but we have kept the popular things, like the Aqua Slidecoaster and the Mandara Spa.”

The new additions Anslow is referring to are top-deck attractions like Luna Midway – a high-energy space packed with carnival-like games – and the Moon Walker ropes course suspended above the Glow Court, all of which hint at a shift towards a more playful, multigenerational onboard dynamic.

“It’s more about small, nuanced differences rather than huge changes. We will have the opportunity to make some more changes again in 2027 when Norwegian Aura launches. It will be 10 per cent bigger than Luna and Aqua, which is really exciting.”

The ship offers high-energy entertainment, flexible dining and innovative spaces

The one and only stop on the christening sailing is a visit to NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. The 268-acre destination features white-sand beaches, a 19th‑century lighthouse turned zipline, oceanfront pools, dining options, a tram service and an adults-only retreat. This summer, NCL will open the Great Tides Waterpark, featuring 19 slides, cliff jumps and an 800-foot lazy river.

Despite only stopping for a short period due to high winds – even the Bahamas isn’t exempt from adverse weather conditions – it’s clear to see how Great Stirrup Cay complements the ship experience.

Take the adults-only Vibe Shore Club, for example, which mirrors the sophisticated atmosphere of its onboard counterpart, Vibe Beach Club. What’s more, all onboard inclusions, such as food and drink, carry over to the island too, so guests can leave their wallets in their stateroom.

Back on board, I head to the Belvedere Bar for a pre-dinner drink, surveying the impressive line of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails before ordering a zesty ‘nojito’.

My final meal is spent at Sukhotai, the ship’s Thai restaurant and one of seven speciality options, all of which come with a £50pp cover charge. I treat myself to the spring rolls and chicken satay to start, which are served with an aromatic sweet chilli sauce, followed by a Thai green chicken curry.

As I look around the restaurant, I recognise the same excitement on guests’ faces from my time on Norwegian Aqua a year ago. And while the focus has very much been on refinement over reinvention, capturing that effervescence and transferring it to Norwegian Luna isn’t easy.

Ultimately, Norwegian Luna is less about reinvention and more about refinement of a proven product. NCL has taken the aspects that have already resonated with guests on Aqua and sharpened them, smoothing out the edges while layering in thoughtful additions – like Luna Midway, Moon Walker and new theatre shows – that broaden its appeal.

For agents, that clarity of proposition is invaluable. The ship offers a balance of high-energy entertainment, flexible dining and innovative spaces which cater equally well to families, couples and groups.

What stands out most is how seamlessly the onboard and onshore experiences connect. Great Stirrup Cay doesn’t feel like an add-on; it feels like an extension of the ship. This creates an easy sell, particularly for clients who want variety without complexity.

Luna is the ideal choice for first-time cruisers looking for a modern, accessible introduction to the sector, as well as repeat guests seeking familiarity with a twist. It’s also ideal for families wanting shared experiences, couples who value flexibility over formality, and groups who appreciate variety without having to over-plan.

In a crowded newbuild market, Norwegian Luna proves that evolution, when executed well, can be just as compelling as revolution.