For those who love cruising, then all the means of ship constructing might fascinate you as a lot as us. That’s why we had been thrilled once we had been invited by Norwegian Cruise Line to go to the Fincantieri shipyard to see the development progress of NCL’s latest cruise ship. Now, we’re again and wish to share this unique Norwegian Aqua first look with you.
Norwegian Aqua: Our Unique First Look from the Shipyard
Norwegian Aqua is Norwegian Cruise Line‘s latest cruise ship set to debut in April 2025. This 156K gross ton ship is the primary in NCL’s Prima Plus class of vessels, with sister ships Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, and the newly named Norwegian Luna (debuting in 2026).
Whereas we’ve sailed on the earlier Prima class ships, we had been intrigued by a number of the modifications made to this new ship. Norwegian Aqua will likely be dwelling to some firsts at sea in addition to some relocated and redesigned areas to handle a number of the pain-points on these earlier vessels.
That is made doable by the truth that Norwegian Aqua is 10% bigger when it comes to dimension and capability than her sister ships with the addition of two 11-meter sections. Spanning 1,056 toes lengthy, she’s going to accommodate 3,571 visitors at double occupancy. Additional, Norwegian Aqua will provide extra outside house and the best staffing ranges of any new modern cruise ship.
Recognized for colourful hull artwork, NCL’s new ship will characteristic the design “Where the Sky Meets the Sea” by the primary main feminine hull artist, Allison Hueman.
Aqua Slidecoaster
Maybe probably the most thrilling new addition to Norwegian Aqua is the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster. With twin slides and magnetic lifts, this attraction will characteristic two distinctive experiences propelling visitors at as much as 30 mph in two-person rafts.
The Aqua Slidecoaster would be the longest and quickest slides at sea. So, all of the thrillseekers on the market positively gained’t wish to miss this new attraction. Changing the Speedway on different Prima ships, these slides will characteristic three tales of twists and turns across the ship’s funnel.
The small print like top and weight necessities are nonetheless within the works, however we had been instructed that this exercise will likely be complimentary.
Different High Deck Points of interest
On the very prime of the ship on Deck 20, Norwegian Aqua may even characteristic a brand new Glow Courtroom. This digital sports activities complicated may have an LED ground. This house will provide a wide range of interactive actions through the day after which rework right into a nightclub within the night.
The Drop slide will make a return on Norwegian Aqua as effectively. Debuting on Prima, The Drop is the primary free-fall slide on the earth. This dry slide plunges 10 tales, reaching the best G-forces of any cruise line. It too is a complimentary attraction.
The Stadium may also be discovered on Norwegian Aqua with a brand new expanded house providing a wide range of complimentary actions.
When analyzing the Norwegian Aqua deck plans, the 2 prime deck sights which might be nonetheless lacking embrace the Tee Time mini-golf and the Bull’s Eye dart lounge. Thus, it stays to be seen whether or not the ship will characteristic these for-fee actions.
We additionally suspect that the brand new Glow Courtroom might take the place of the Galaxy Pavilion beforehand discovered on Deck 17 close to the Commentary Lounge on Prima and Viva because the gaming complicated is presently absent on deck plans (and it’s not too long ago been eliminated on Norwegian Pleasure).
Nonetheless, the Aqua Slidecoaster does formally take the place of The Rush and The Wave slides. This may even make room for an expanded youngsters aquapark on Deck 18.
One of many complaints of the earlier Prima ships was the omission of a devoted teenagers membership. Nicely, Entourage makes a return on Norwegian Aqua. Children aged 13-17 can get pleasure from their very own house now on Deck 14.
New and Reimagined Eating and Bars
One of many issues we love about Norwegian Cruise Line is its eating lineup. Whereas we’re unhappy to see one in all our favorites go, we’re excited to take a look at all the brand new and reimagined food and drinks areas coming to Norwegian Aqua.
Sukhothai
The largest new addition is Sukhothai, NCL’s first-ever Thai specialty restaurant. Sadly, this restaurant will take the place of Meals Republic on Deck 17. This new specialty eating venue will provide menu objects like Thai Cashew Hen, Salt and Pepper Prawns, and Thai Grilled Steak Salad.
The environment is described as “a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary Thai design elements” with options like bamboo and rice paper pendant lights and a geometrical patterned ground.
Planterie
One in all our favourite additions to the NCL eating lineup is the Indulge Meals Corridor. The Indulge Meals Corridor affords 10 meals stations with delicacies from all over the world in a quick-service fashion setting. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we visited this house on a number of events throughout our cruises.
Along with favorites like Nudls, Tamara, and Q Texas Smokehouse, Planterie will make its debut. Planterie is NCL’s first devoted eatery providing a full plant-based menu. It’s going to characteristic plant-based bowls and different wholesome choices.
Returning Favorites
In relation to specialty eating places, all the opposite favorites will return to Norwegian Aqua. Nonetheless, some will transfer to new places. Palomar will characteristic the identical Mediterranean seafood alternatives in an upscale setting on Deck 17. Deck 8 would be the dwelling of Onda by Scarpetta and Los Lobos.
Cagney’s, NCL’s signature steakhouse, will transfer upstairs to Deck 7 throughout the best way from the Metropolitan Bar and can accommodate much more visitors. In flip, Le Bistro may even relocate, taking the place of Hasuki on Deck 7 throughout from Nami Sushi. Don’t fear, the favored teppanyaki location isn’t going away! It’s simply shifting all the way down to Deck 6 to permit for extra space. The truth is, it will likely be the largest iteration but with much more hibachi tables.
In relation to complimentary eating, visitors can nonetheless benefit from the Surfside Cafe and Grill on the pool deck. The Native Bar and Grill additionally returns in the identical location on Deck 8 however with much more house.
Hudson’s and The Commodore Room would be the two essential eating rooms as soon as once more. Nonetheless, The Commodore Room will likely be expanded to supply elevated seating capability.
Up to date Bar Areas
On Norwegian Aqua, there will likely be one utterly new bar idea. Swirl Wine Bar will likely be positioned on Deck 6. This hidden enclave will characteristic a complete wine-by-the-glass menu and an intensive checklist of uncommon and premium vintages.
The Metropolitan Bar, NCL’s Sail & Maintain cocktail bar, will boast a brand new design. The bar will now characteristic a piano and a small leisure house for reside performances for visitors to get pleasure from whereas sipping their sustainable cocktails, just like the croissant mai tai, and biodynamic wines. We’re glad to see this house get a makeover as it’s a massive space that appeared underutilized throughout our earlier sailings.
One other change up on Norwegian Aqua, the Whiskey Bar and Belvedere Bar will swap places. This transformation makes full sense to us. Shifting from Deck 8 within the Penrose Atrium, the Whiskey Bar will shift all the way down to Deck 6 close to Hasuki and The Commodore Room. This extra out-of-the-way location will enable the bar to deal with delivering refined spirits. The Belvedere Bar will transfer as much as Deck 8 with a brand new design, permitting for ocean views and entrance row seats to all of the nighttime motion within the Penrose Atrium.
New Leisure
Throughout our shipyard go to, we bought a sneak peek on the latest present to affix the Norwegian Cruise Line leisure lineup. Revolution: A Celebration of Prince will debut on Norwegian Aqua. Shifting in direction of the leisure mannequin of all unique productions, this new present will likely be a concert-like expertise celebrating the music of the long-lasting artist. With hits like “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Purple Rain”, visitors are positive to be singing and dancing alongside throughout this hour manufacturing present.
The second signature manufacturing reimagined for Norwegian Aqua is Parts: The World Expanded. Parts has develop into one in all NCL’s highest-rated visitor reveals of all time and is featured throughout 4 ships within the fleet. Thus, the present is being revamped right into a better-than-ever, extra immersive model. It’s going to characteristic magic, aerial acrobatics, music, and dance.
These two productions will happen within the 3-story transformational Aqua Theater & Membership. This dyanmic theater can rework right into a Vegas-style nightclub that includes an expansive dance ground, interactive chandeliers, and state-of-the-art lighting. The venue may even characteristic three events: 90s Occasion, Livin’ La Vida Loca, and Pop Life (which can happen after the Prince present and be reminescient of the early ages of MTV), together with a brand-new Welcome Aboard Present.
Different returning reveals embrace The Worth is Proper LIVE on NCL recreation present and Syd Norman’s Presents: Rumours. This Fleetwood Mac tribute expertise will likely be provided within the Aqua Theater & Membership to accommodate extra visitors.
The favored leisure areas, Syd Norman’s Pour Home (which can characteristic a brand new R&B expertise) and an expanded Improv at Sea Comedy Membership, may even return on Norwegian Aqua. Although, the precise places of those venues haven’t been confirmed on deck plans simply but. What is understood is that the comedy membership will likely be redesigned so the stage is not on the finish of a quite lengthy and slender house.
Improved Out of doors Areas
One knock on Norwegian Cruise Line ships has all the time been the pool deck. Even on earlier Prima class ships, the world felt small and quite closed off. Now, with the elimination of the Speedway and the additional house, Norwegian Aqua will characteristic an improved pool deck. For the primary time, day beds will likely be accessible close to the primary pool for visitors to get pleasure from as effectively.
After strolling this unfinished outside deck throughout our shipyard tour, it actually felt extra spacious. So, we will’t wait to see the completed product.
One other enhancement is the expanded Vibe Seaside Membership. This elevated, adult-only house will likely be bigger, in truth, practically twice as massive.
Additional, the Deck 8 Ocean Boulevard has been enhanced to supply much more outside house on Norwegian Aqua. Because the largest-to-date, this totally wrap-around promenade will characteristic extra seating (by eliminating The Rush slides touchdown space), the Oceanwalk glass bridges, Infinity Seaside with its infinity edge swimming pools, the La Terrazza lounge house, and the Soleil Bar on the aft of this deck.
Largest Haven Complicated
Lastly, Norwegian Aqua may have the most important Haven complicated at sea. This ship-within-a-ship idea will characteristic 123 well-appointed suites. They may all have entry to an expansive sundeck with an infinity pool, an outside sauna and chilly room, and two scorching tubs. The Haven additionally incorporates a personal lounge, unique bars, and a restaurant.
To not point out, Norwegian Aqua will debut the first-ever 3-bedroom Duplex Haven Suites. These two-story suites have separate dwelling and eating areas, three loos, a sprawling balcony, and three bedrooms.
Outdoors The Haven, Norwegian Aqua will provide a wide range of probably the most spacious lodging within the fleet. These embrace solo, inside, ocean view, and balcony class staterooms.
Norwegian Aqua Itineraries
When she units sail, Norwegian Aqua will provide 7-day itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida. From August via October of 2025, the ship will place to New York for 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda. Then, she’s going to sail Japanese Caribbean itineraries from Miami via April 2026.
Feedback
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