CRUISE ships only seem to be getting bigger and better and a huge one is launching from Europe next year.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship yet, named the Norwegian Aura, will set sail from Barcelona next summer.
The seven-day sailing from Barcelona in May 2027 will travel to Valetta, Salerno and Rome, before heading to its homeport in Miami in June.
The ship will be 344 metres long and be able to host up to 3,840 guests.
Onboard, the ship will have a number of attractions including the fleet’s first Ocean Heights attraction which will span three decks.
As a part of this, there will be a duelling mat racer waterslide, Aura Free Fall slide, The Wave pendulum-style raft ride and the Drop dry slide.
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Also at Ocean Heights, passengers will find a ropes course, a 7.6 metre climbing wall and an amusement park style area called Aura Midway.
On the ropes course, which sits 24 metres above the ship, passengers can make their way down the side of the ship – if they’re brave enough.
There will be play areas for various ages too, with an aqua park for children including a splash pad, interactive water features and family waterslides.
In addition to all of this, Ocean heights will also have mini golf and an overhanging cabana.
In total, the ship will feature six slides at sea – three waterslides, one dry slide and two waterslides in the Kids’ Aqua Park.
For those who prefer to miss out on adrenaline, then there is a funfair too, with traditional games, prizes and competitions.
Compared to other ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, the Norwegian Aura will have more outdoor space.
For example, on Ocean Boulevard, passengers can grab a bite to eat whilst taking in the view of the sea.
It is also where the ship’s coastal hideaway – Infinity Beach – can be found, as well as hot tubs and an outdoor bar.
At Vibe Beach Club, adults can sprawl across day beds and loungers – as well as escape kids for some time.
For another outdoor space, passengers can explore Horizon Park, which will be located at the very top of the ship.
Here, there will be lawn games and live music.
The Haven is the ship’s “elevated retreat’ with large suites including two-bedroom family villas with a large balcony and the three-bed duplex with two king beds, three bathrooms and a large balcony.
All guests of The Haven will also get access to the private restaurant by the same name, bar, lounge, pool and sundeck as well as a 24-hour butler and concierge service.
Other rooms on the ship include ocean-view rooms, balcony rooms, studios and suites.
Deck plans of the ship currently have a lot of areas that simply state ‘to come’.
However, there are a few areas that have names on the deck plans.
These include Adventure Alley and Little Explorer’s Cay on Deck 8.
On Deck 16 there is also the Haven Restaurant, Haven Bar, a sauna and an ice room.
Featured itineraries include a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean, from Miami.
The ship will call at Miami, Florida; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, before returning to Miami.
This cruise currently costs from £1,084 per person.
For more cruise news, these are five of the best cruise deals around Europe and the Caribbean.
Plus, our pick of the eight best cruises for both hot and cold weather – from Caribbean sailings to Icelandic glacier tours.