Norwegian Aura Floated Out at Fincantieri

Norwegian Aura Floated Out at Fincantieri

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) floated out the Norwegian Aura during a ceremony held on April 16 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

Now that the external hull construction is complete and the ship has touched water for the first time, work will continue on the ship’s interior development, according to a statement.

Said to be the largest vessel in company’s history, the ship is set to debut in May 2027.

“Norwegian Aura’s float out is a proud and meaningful moment for our entire team. She builds on the legacy of our award-winning Prima Class while taking our commitment to thoughtfully designed guest‑first experiences even further,” said NCL President Marc Kazlauskas.

“Created in close partnership with Fincantieri, the ship is purposefully constructed to deliver an elevated, multi‑generational vacation experience, with expansive outdoor spaces like Ocean Heights, that bring families and friends together for fun-filled days.”

Nearly 1,130 feet long and weighing approximately 170,000 tons, the ship will feature over 1,970 staterooms accommodating around 3,880 guests at double occupancy.

“Norwegian Aura’s float out marks a highly symbolic and operationally significant milestone in our shared journey with Norwegian Cruise Line,” noted Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division.

“This vessel reflects the strength of a long-standing partnership and our ability to turn design vision and innovation into tangible solutions, helping to redefine onboard experience for future generations of guests.”

The Norwegian Aura will set sail on her maiden voyage on May 21, 2027, with a seven-day Mediterranean voyage departing from Trieste, Italy and calling to ports in Italy and Malta.

After that, she will embark on a 14-day transatlantic crossing to the United States.

Costa World Cruise Departs from Trieste on Deliziosa

Costa World Cruise Departs from Trieste on Deliziosa

Costa Cruises announced that its 142-day World Cruise sailing departed on Friday from Trieste (Italy) aboard the Costa Deliziosa. The sailing will conclude on April 11, 2026, in Trieste.

The company said in a press release that the sailing will offer guests its most extensive world cruise ever, featuring over four and a half months of sailing to discover 51 destinations in 33 countries. The voyage will cross five continents and three oceans.

In 142 days, the Costa Deliziosa will complete a circumnavigation of the globe, sailing westward. From Italy, the ship will cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic to the Caribbean, visiting France, Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands before reaching Barbados.

After transiting the Panama Canal, the ship will explore the heart of Latin America, including Peru, Chile and Easter Island.

The itinerary continues across the vast Pacific Ocean to the Pitcairn Islands, French Polynesia, the Samoan Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, as well as Australia.

From there, the route heads north to Papua New Guinea and Japan, including Tokyo, Kobe and Nagasaki, then onward to South Korea.

Sailing west again, guests will visit Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.

The ship then sails to Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius, and then heads to Southern Africa.

Costa added that it will offer a rich program of land experiences, with over 200 shore excursions. Iconic highlights include Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat and Victoria Falls.

Guests will celebrate Christmas and New Year on the festively decorated ship, with dedicated shows and musical parties, and the ship will offer an international culinary offering created exclusively for the World Cruise.

Each week, Costa’s Michelin-starred chef partners will serve a signature dish. There will also be entertainment inspired by the cultures of visited countries, themed lectures and wellness spaces.

Costa will offer two world cruises departing in 2026: In October, the Costa Serena will depart from Tokyo to Buenos Aires for a 66-day world cruise across Asia, Oceania and South America.

In November, the Costa Deliziosa will return with an exclusive 139-day itinerary featuring destinations in North America, Hawaii and the private island of Half Moon Cay.

Oceania Cruises Floats Out New Ship Allura In Italy

Oceania Cruises celebrated the float out of its new ship, the Allura, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy.

The 1,200-guest ship was floated from the drydock and moved to the fitting-out berth to begin outfitting interiors, the company announced.

The Allura was blessed by the shipyard’s chaplain, Father Stefano and christened by Caterina Romeo, a designer in Fincantieri’s technical department.

“Our hearts and minds are with the entire team at Fincantieri as they mourn the passing of General Graziano,” stated Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises.

“The float out is an important moment for all at Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri, as we progress closer to Allura joining our family. Now that we have completed her shell, we are excited to get started on her interior. We have lots of exciting enhancements on Allura, our eighth vessel, further elevating our offerings and firmly cementing Oceania Cruises as the only ultra-premium cruise brand.”

The Allura will enter service from Trieste, Italy, on July 18, 2025, sailing to Athens, Greece, and visiting Rijeka, Croatia; Ravenna, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Kotor, Montenegro. After her summer season in the Mediterranean, the Allura will sail to Canada and New England for a series of voyages in North America before her inaugural winter season in the Caribbean, homeporting in Miami.