By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) first Prima Plus-class ship will debut with the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, the brand’s largest-ever Haven complex, and many more innovations in April 2025.
To be constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the 156,300gt Norwegian Aqua will be 10 per cent larger than its sisters, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, and deliver new guest experiences. The ship will be 1,056 feet long and will be able to accommodate 3,571 guests at double occupancy, which NCL claims means it will offer “more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship”.
“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 NCL. “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.”
The ship will offer several experiences that debuted on the Prima-class ships, as well as new additions such as the Aqua Slidecoaster, a three-storey hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide that will feature dual slides and a magnetic lift that propels guests through two different courses around the ship's funnel. Other highlights will include a new digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor that turns into a nightclub, NCL’s most expansive Ocean Boulevard to date, Infinity Beach featuring pools overlooking each side of the ship, La Terrazza open-air lounge, an expanded adults-only Vibe Beach Club, the Splash Academy for young children, the Entourage club for teenagers, an infinity-edge pool with expanded seating, and for the first time in NCL’s fleet, day beds on the main pool deck.
NCL will also upgrade accommodation onboard Norwegian Aqua, including some of the most spacious staterooms in the fleet and the brand’s first three-bedroom Duplex Haven Suites. In total, there will be four of the two-storey suites, all of which will feature separate living and dining areas, three bathrooms, an expansive balcony, and three bedrooms.
The Haven complex onboard Norwegian Aqua will be the largest in the fleet with 123 suites, an expansive sundeck, an infinity pool overlooking the ship’s stern, an outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room, two hot tubs, a private lounge and a bar.
Norwegian Aqua will feature hull art curated by Goldman Global Arts and designed by Allison Hueman, a Filipino-American artist known for her street art and collaborations with brands such as Nike, L’Oreal and Google. Hueman’s “Where the Sky Meets the Sea” artwork is designed to “evoke modern mythology through colourful mashups of abstract and figurative representations of sea and sky, ruled by ancient goddesses”.
“I’m honoured, not only to be the first major female hull artist for NCL but to also know that my artwork will be roaming the seas touching different parts of the world,” said Hueman, a multidisciplinary artist. “It’s incredibly special for me to partner with a brand that believes in the magical connection between art and exploration.”
Norwegian Aqua will begin service in April 2025 with a series of seven-day itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida, to destinations in the Caribbean, including Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private Bahamian island.
In August, the ship will reposition to New York City to sail five and seven-day voyages to Bermuda and in October, it will start operating five and seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami, Florida.