Preview: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) most recent Prima-class sister ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, have been sailing the seas since 2022 and this past August, respectively.

And now, NCL has begun selling what will be the first of a slightly larger Prima Plus-class ship: Norwegian Aqua.

Set to debut in 2025, Norwegian Aqua will be 10% larger in overall size and capacity than its previously launched sister ships, accommodating 3,571 guests at double occupancy and offering more outdoor space. Initial sailings will explore the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fla., with week-long voyages beginning in April 2025 and stopping in destinations like Puerto Plata, the Domincan Republic and St. Thomas. Afterward, the ship will make five- and seven-day sailings to Bermuda from New York City (August to October 2025), followed by five- and seven-day Eastern Caribbean routes from Miami, Fla. (October 2025 to April 2026).

"Norwegian Aqua is a true testament of fusing together what represents the future of our brand as the first ship in the Prima Plus class, and our commitment to pushing the boundaries in guest-first experiences that will make new waves at sea," said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. "Named for both the beautiful shades of blue from the ocean and our connection to the sea, Norwegian Aqua will feature new, elevated and exhilarating offerings that once again showcase NCL as the innovator in the industry and as a key contributor to a new era of cruising.”

Aqua’s hull art will be completed by Allison Hueman, the first female artist ever employed by NCL for this work; Hueman is known for her international street art and global collaborations with brands like Nike and L’Oreal. In a statement, NCL said that the ship’s design will evoke “modern mythology through colorful mashups of abstract and figurative representations of sea and sky, ruled by ancient goddesses.”

Editor's Note: This story was last updated on April 16, 2024, to reflect new details from the line.

Accommodations Coming to Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Aqua’s deck plan includes The Haven, NLC’s signature ship-within-a-ship complex known for its high-end suites. But Aqua will still stand out from the crowd with the line’s first three-bedroom Duplex Haven Suites. Each of these two-story accommodations will offer distinct living and dining areas, an expansive private balcony and three bathrooms, plus a primary bedroom with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. Aqua’s Haven complex is the largest of its kind with 123 suites total, plus an exclusive sundeck, infinity pool, two whirlpools, an outdoor spa with sauna and cold room, a private lounge, and a bar and restaurant.

Rounding out the shipboard staterooms are inside, ocean view and balcony category cabins, plus studio staterooms (inside, ocean view and balcony) for solo travelers.

Activities Onboard Norwegian Aqua

Instead of the go-cart track that’s onboard Prima and Viva, Aqua will offer Norwegian’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, Aqua Slidecoaster. Encircling the smokestack of the new vessel, dual slides will offer thrilling twists and turns as it traverses three levels. And nestled nearby will be the new Glow Court digital sports arena, which will tout an interactive LED floor for various daytime activities and evening nightclub action. And, like its sister ships, Aqua will be home to game space The Stadium (now expanded with complimentary activities) and The Drop, a 10-story, free-fall dry slide.

Below will be a reprised, adults-only and fee-based Vibe Beach Club. Or, on the main pool deck, clients can enjoy new day beds. Lower still, the enlarged Ocean Boulevard promenade deck will again contain two additional infinity pools and expanded seating at Infinity Beach, along with the glass-floored Oceanwalk, which is part of a walkway that wraps around the entire ship. For a lounge space with epic ocean views, cruisers can head to La Terrazza.

Travelers ages 3 to 12 years old will enjoy activities at Splash Academy, while those ages 13 to 17 can have their own fun at the separate Entourage teens club; these two venues are combined onboard Prima and Viva.

New and Enhanced Dining Venues

As a larger sister ship to the preceding Prima and Viva, Aqua will introduce three new dining and beverage options onboard: Sukhothai, the line’s first-ever Thai specialty restaurant; its inaugural plant-based Planterie eatery and the upscale Swirl Wine Bar.

On deck 17, Sukhothai will feature the likes of Thai cashew chicken, salt and pepper prawns, Thai grilled steak salad, several curries and more amid traditional and modern Thai decor. Meanwhile, Planterie will be showcased in the line's returning indoor/outdoor Indulge Food Hall on deck eight, with options such as a Southwest bowl with smoked tempeh or a Mediterranean goddess bowl with spiced vegetables, tabbouleh and honey-roasted carrots. And Swirl Wine Bar will be positioned on deck six between the newly relocated Whiskey Bar and Hasuki hibachi-style restaurant with an expanded wine-by-the-glass menu, as well as rare and premium vintages. The Belvedere Bar, meanwhile, will be repositioned to the central atrium.

Also set to be enhanced is one of the ship’s main dining rooms. The Commodore Room will receive a “rustic yet luxurious design inspired by its sea-faring namesake,” according to the line. Elsewhere, the Metropolitan bar (serving the line’s signature “Sail & Sustain” cocktails) will be reprised, but shifting from its previous midship thoroughfare to the stern of deck seven, where it will include a dedicated entertainment space for live music.

Plus, Nama Sushi and Sashimi (which debuted with the Prima class) will be updated with a fresh color palette inspired by Manga art. On deck 17, the redesigned Surfside Cafe will again be available as a buffet offering for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And opposite, Palomar will return as a specialty seafood venue.

Also set for an aesthetic refresh are the Penrose Bar and Waves Pool Bar, while the 24/7 Local Bar & Grill, the aforementioned Hasuki and Cagney’s steakhouse will be expanded with greater capacities.

Last, but not least, are guest-favorite Hudson’s scenic main dining room, Le Bistro for specialty French cuisine, Los Lobos for gourmet Mexican food and the alfresco Onda by Scarpetta for elevated Italian flavors.