Norwegian Luna Delivery: Fincantieri Hands Over Norwegian Cruise Line’s New Prima Plus Ship

The Norwegian Luna delivery has officially taken place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, marking another milestone in the long-standing partnership between the Italian shipbuilder and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). The vessel becomes the second ship in the expanded Prima Plus class, following the delivery of her sister ship Norwegian Aqua in 2025. 

The ceremony brought together executives from both companies and highlighted the continued growth of Norwegian Cruise Line’s next-generation fleet. With innovative attractions, expanded outdoor spaces, and a refined design, Norwegian Luna represents the evolution of NCL’s Prima-class concept.

Delivery Ceremony at Fincantieri’s Marghera Shipyard

The handover ceremony took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, one of the world’s leading cruise ship construction facilities. Among the attendees were Biagio Mazzotta, Chairman of Fincantieri, and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Merchant Ships Division. Norwegian Cruise Line and its parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. were represented by Marc Kazlauskas, President of NCL, Patrik Dahlgren, Executive Vice President and Chief Vessel Operations & Newbuild Officer, and Daniel S. Farkas, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. 

The Norwegian Luna delivery reflects years of collaboration between the two companies. Over the last months of construction, approximately 3,000 workers, including Fincantieri employees and partner companies, were involved in completing the ship before its official handover.

Marc Kazlauskas, President of Norwegian Cruise Line

We are thrilled to welcome Norwegian Luna to our fleet and to welcome our first guests aboard next week. As our newest ship, Norwegian Luna is a powerful reflection of NCL’s ‘It’s Different Out Here’ brand ethos. She delivers freedom, flexibility and thoughtfully curated experiences, allowing guests to enjoy their vacation exactly how they want, with ease. This ship represents the continued evolution of our vision and the incredible work behind an award-winning class of ships. We are deeply appreciative of the world-class architects and designers, as well as our talented partners at Fincantieri who brought Norwegian Luna to life. We’re proud to continue this strong partnership as we look ahead to building more exceptional NCL vessels together over the next decade.

A Larger Evolution of the Prima Class

Norwegian Luna belongs to the Prima Plus class, an enhanced evolution of the Prima-class ships introduced earlier in the decade. With a gross tonnage of approximately 156,000 tons, a length of about 321 meters, and the capacity to accommodate around 3,550 guests, the ship is roughly 10% larger than the original Prima-class vessels Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, both also built by Fincantieri. 

The design focuses heavily on space, openness, and immersive experiences for guests. Norwegian Cruise Line has continued its strategy of blending luxury, entertainment, and innovative attractions in order to compete with other major cruise brands.

New Attractions and Guest Experiences

One of the most talked-about features aboard Norwegian Luna is the Aqua Slidecoaster, an industry-first hybrid attraction combining a roller coaster with a waterslide. This adrenaline-filled experience builds on NCL’s push to introduce unique entertainment features at sea.

The ship will also introduce several other attractions, including:

• Glow Court – a digital sports complex featuring an interactive LED floor designed for games and immersive entertainment.
• Luna Midway – an open-air amusement area inspired by classic carnival games.
• Moon Climber – a multi-level climbing and obstacle course designed for families and adventure seekers.

Together, these attractions aim to deliver a theme-park-like entertainment experience at sea while maintaining the upscale atmosphere that defines the Prima-class design philosophy.

Ocean Boulevard Returns as a Signature Feature

A defining element of the Prima-class ships is the Ocean Boulevard, and Norwegian Luna continues this concept on an even larger scale. The promenade is one of the largest outdoor 360-degree walkways ever built on a cruise ship, offering guests uninterrupted sea views and multiple venues along the perimeter of the vessel.

Ocean Boulevard combines restaurants, lounges, art installations, infinity pools, and relaxation areas into a continuous outdoor experience. The concept has been widely praised by cruise industry observers for bringing passengers closer to the ocean.

Strengthening the Fincantieri–NCL Partnership

The Norwegian Luna delivery comes only weeks after Fincantieri and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced a major agreement for the construction of three next-generation cruise ships. One of these vessels will be built specifically for Norwegian Cruise Line and will join the four ships already included in a previous order announced in February 2025.

These future ships are scheduled for delivery between 2030 and 2037, highlighting the long-term strategic relationship between the two companies. 

This agreement reinforces Fincantieri’s position as a global leader in cruise ship construction while ensuring Norwegian Cruise Line continues expanding and modernizing its fleet.

You can read about it in our article here.

Fincantieri’s Leadership in Cruise Shipbuilding

Fincantieri remains one of the most important shipbuilding groups in the world and a global leader in cruise ship construction. With more than 230 years of history and over 7,000 vessels built, the company operates 18 shipyards worldwide and employs over 23,000 people, with its main industrial and management operations located in Italy. 

The group has played a key role in shaping the modern cruise industry, delivering some of the most technologically advanced and innovative ships currently sailing.

Looking Ahead for Norwegian Luna

Following the Norwegian Luna delivery, the ship will undergo final preparations before entering service for Norwegian Cruise Line. Once operational, the vessel is expected to play a major role in the company’s deployment strategy, offering itineraries designed to highlight the ship’s outdoor-focused design and entertainment offerings.

As the second Prima Plus ship to join the fleet, Norwegian Luna demonstrates how cruise lines continue pushing the boundaries of onboard experiences. With cutting-edge attractions, larger public spaces, and an emphasis on outdoor living, the vessel represents the next chapter in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet evolution.

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