Norwegian Cruise Line began accepting reservations on October 20, 2026, for its new Prima-class ship Norwegian Bella, which will commence 7-night round-trip voyages in the Mediterranean starting May 2028 from the Port of Barcelona, Spain. The itineraries will include key ports such as Civitavecchia (Rome gateway), Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Salerno (Amalfi Coast), Marseille, and Palma de Mallorca.
Norwegian Bella Dimensions and Builder
Norwegian Bella measures approximately 1,129 feet in length and has a gross tonnage near 170,000 GT, making it one of the largest vessels in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet alongside Norwegian Aura. The ship can accommodate 3,921 passengers at double occupancy. The vessel was built
by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and represents the sixth and final ship in NCL’s Prima-class series.
Onboard Design and Amenities
The ship features enhanced outdoor areas, including Ocean Heights, a multi-level open-air complex spanning decks 18 to 21 that transforms from a sunlit activity zone into a nighttime social space with LED lighting. Norwegian Bella’s Ocean Boulevard on deck 8 is larger than previous Prima-class promenades and includes Infinity Beach with infinity pools, hot tubs, and an outdoor bar. The pool deck is expanded by 15% compared to earlier sister ships Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna.
Family-friendly amenities include Little Explorers’ Cay for toddlers, Adventure
Alley for children ages 6-10, Surf’s Bay teen retreat, and a Kids’ Aqua Park with water slides. Adults can use the Vibe Beach Club, an exclusive area with infinity hot tubs and an oceanfront bar. The ship offers 159 private suites in The Haven by Norwegian, a ship-within-a-ship concept with dedicated restaurants, bars, private elevators, priority embarkation, and butler and concierge services.
Itinerary and Mediterranean Focus
Norwegian Bella will operate voyages in the western and central Mediterranean region from Barcelona. The cruise route includes stops in major cultural destinations such as Rome via Civitavecchia, Florence and Pisa via Livorno, Salerno near the Amalfi Coast,
Marseille in France, and Palma de Mallorca. Norwegian Cruise Line emphasizes the appeal of these bucket-list ports to its guests.
Travel Costs and Port Considerations
Travellers from the United States booking Norwegian Bella should plan for additional transatlantic airfare expenses to reach the Port of Barcelona, as these are not bundled with the cruise fare. The Port of Barcelona, Europe’s busiest cruise home port with nearly 3.7 million passengers handled in 2024, reduced its cruise terminal capacity by eliminating two cruise terminals in 2025 to manage overtourism, potentially limiting future cruise berths for visiting ships like Norwegian Bella.
Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line,
described Norwegian Bella as the “culmination of our award-winning Prima Class,” highlighting improvements based on guest feedback, including larger outdoor spaces and diverse venue offerings. Australian contemporary artist George Rose created the ship’s hull artwork, which incorporates vibrant color and organic forms to evoke exploration and discovery. Rose said her design aims to reflect the excitement of travel and become part of guest memories on European cruises.
Bookings for Norwegian Bella are available through Norwegian Cruise Line’s official website ncl.com. Early reservations are advised, especially for suites within The Haven, which may have limited availability. Norwegian Bella expands on features
offered in previous Prima-class ships, combining enhanced outdoor areas, family entertainment, and luxury accommodations in one vessel to serve a wide range of travelers.
