ONBOARD NORWEGIAN AQUA — Norwegian Cruise Line officially christened its 20th vessel – Norwegian Aqua – inside NCL’s cruise terminal at Port of Miami by two-time Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet (of Modern Family fame).

Although following the same blueprint as the first two Prima class ships Norwegian Prima and Viva, Aqua is 10% larger than her sisters and includes several enhancements. The 156,300-gross registered tons, 3,571-guests (double occupancy) ship is therefore designated as Prima-Plus class.

In his welcoming address during the naming ceremony, NCL President David J. Herrera proclaimed that with every new ship, NCL strives to “provide guests the freedom and flexibility to create their own best vacation by offering them so much more to do.”

The keyword ʻMoreʻ appears throughout Aqua’s launch campaign, as a result, the ship introduces many new as well as refreshed elements.

RETURNING FAVOURITES

Aqua offers 17 dining venues and 18 bars and lounges, which Prima-class fans will appreciate. The zero-waste Metropolitan sustainable bar is back, as are The Belvedere and the Whiskey Bar – although their locations have been swapped.

All of the specialty restaurants have returned, such as Le Bistro (French), Cagney’s Steakhouse, Onda by Scarpetta (Italian), Palomar (seafood), Los Lobos (Mexican), Nama (sushi), and Hasuki (Teppanyaki).

WHATʻS NEW & DIFFERENT

The most talked-about attraction on Deck 20 that replaces the iconic Race Track on the previous two Prima class ships is the Aqua Slidecoaster – the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide at sea. The two-person ride whisks adrenaline seekers through twists and turns spanning three storeys.

Aqua’s headline show is the electrifying ʻRevolution: A Celebration of Prince.ʻ Travelweek attended the high-octane, energetic performance by four different vocalists and a talented dance troupe and agrees that it is a must-see for Prince fans.

Aqua also features the new Glow Court, a sports complex powered by a digital LED floor that changes for different games, and the space turns into a nightclub in the evenings.

The pool deck has been expanded with new daybeds and additional lounging space. The outdoor sculpture garden at The Concourse on Deck 8 has been replaced by additional sun beds, with the whimsical Aqua Selfie Sculpture to provide photo ops.

On the dining front, Aqua introduces Sukhothai, the first Thai restaurant for the brand, inspired by passenger feedback. The popular Indulge Food Hall has been expanded to seat 300, with a new plant-based station called Planterie, which we also tried out and enjoyed.

Accommodations onboard Aqua remain the same, although most now have larger balconies and bathrooms. New onboard is the Three-Bedroom Duplex Suite inside The Haven by Norwegian, an exclusive enclave of top-tier suites. At 979 square feet, the suite isn’t the largest onboard but can accommodate up to six.

NCL also announced expansion plans for its private retreat Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. The island will receive a new pier that will eliminate the need for tendering, a tram service to transport guests, a 61,000-square-foot pool area, and a new adults-only Vibe Beach Club with private cabanas. More amenities will be revealed in the coming months.

A NOD TO TRAVEL ADVISORS

Glow Court

John Chernesky, NCL’s Senior VP Sales, North America, expressed his appreciation for travel advisors: “We’re incredibly proud of our ongoing work with each of you. Our goal is to be the best brand you ever worked with, to be the easiest and the most open for collaboration.”

NCLʻs trade-friendly initiatives include improving its advisor booking tools, back-of-house systems, and the speed of problem resolutions. Chernesky said that in the two years since he has been with NCL, the company has made progress towards that goal: “We were C students, then last year we were B- students, and I’m hoping for B+, maybe an A- this year.”

When asked about any downturn in bookings from Canadian guests due to the political climate, Derek Lloyd, NCL’s VP Strategic and National Accounts, said they have not seen any significant difference in demand, but rather, the hesitancy is due to a concern for the economy.

“Canadians love to travel and they are incredibly value-driven,” said Katie Kania, Senior Director, Field Sales, North America. “It really comes down to the right price, the right destination and the right value.“

To that end, there are currently 80 sailings throughout 2025 in all destinations offering Canadian dollars at par.

Norwegian Aqua will be sailing to the Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral until August 2025, when she will reposition to New York City to offer Bermuda cruises until October. She will then return to Miami and sail to the Eastern Caribbean until spring 2026.