Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) unveiled the all-new Norwegian Aqua, the first of the extended Prima Plus Class, which will start sailing in April 2025.

Travellers can book Norwegian Aqua’s inaugural Caribbean voyage with seven-day itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, one of the world’s most popular cruise ports. Calls include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s own island in the Bahamas.

Fincantieri, the renowned Italian shipbuilder, is constructing the next-generation Prima Plus Class. Norwegian Aqua will set new standards while offering brand-new guest experiences to be discovered, building on the award-winning experiences of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, with an overall 10% size and capacity increase from its sister ships. Norwegian Aqua will have the largest outdoor space and highest staffing level of any contemporary cruise ship, measuring 1,056 feet long, 156,300 gross tonnes, and accommodating 3,571 guests at double occupancy.

“Norwegian Aqua is a true testament of fusing what represents the future of NCL 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 and CEO 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.”

Allison Hueman, NCL’s first major female hull artist, will showcase a vibrant and colourful hull art design on Norwegian Aqua. World-renowned for her street art global and brand collaborations, including Nike, L’Oréal and Google, Hueman’s distinctive art style is a blend of ethereal realism. Norwegian Aqua’s design, entitled “Where the Sky Meets the Sea,” is curated by Goldman Global Arts and evokes modern mythology through colourful mashups of abstract and figurative representations of sea and sky, ruled by ancient goddesses.

“I’m honoured to be the first major female hull artist for Norwegian Cruise Line, but also to know that my artwork will be roaming the seas, touching different parts of the world,” said Allison Hueman, a Filipino-American multidisciplinary artist. “It’s incredibly special for me to partner with a brand that believes in the magical connection between art and exploration.”

WORLD’S-FIRST HYBRID COASTER AND EXHILARATING TOP DECK THRILLS

The Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, will premiere at Norwegian Aqua. This NCL unique experience will feature three levels of exciting twists and turns around the ship’s funnel, with exhilarating twin slides and a magnetic lift that propels daring passengers through two separate courses.

The new Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor, will host various interactive guest activities throughout the day and convert into a nightclub at night. Guests will also be able to continue enjoying their favourite Prima Class experiences on Norwegian Aqua, including The Drop, NCL’s 10-story free-fall slide, and the Stadium, a newly extended gaming room with complimentary activities.

LARGEST NCL HAVEN COMPLEX AND THE MOST SPACIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS AT SEA

Norwegian Aqua will include NCL’s first-ever three-bedroom duplex Haven Suites, as well as all-new luxurious suites in NCL’s premium keycard-access-only complex, The Haven by Norwegian®. These four two-story large suites have separate living and dining spaces, three bathrooms, an expansive terrace, and three bedrooms, two of which have king-size beds, while the master has floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning ocean views.

The Haven is on board. With 123 well-appointed suites, Norwegian Aqua will have the largest Haven complex in the fleet, including access to an expansive, dedicated sundeck; a serene infinity pool overlooking the ship’s stern; an outdoor spa complete with a glass-walled sauna and cold room; two hot tubs; a private lounge; an exclusive bar pouring rare spirits and vintages; and sweeping sea views available from every public space. Haven guests will continue to receive butler service and a specialised concierge crew around the clock.

Norwegian Aqua will provide the most spacious accommodations in the fleet, including inside, oceanview, and balcony category staterooms. At the same time, solo travellers will continue to enjoy NCL’s signature Studio staterooms, which are priced and designed with the solo traveller in mind and include private keycard access to a dedicated Studio Lounge. The ship will also have the Company’s latest solo cabin extended categories, solo inside, solo ocean view, and solo balcony, providing single cruisers with greater space and accommodations at lower costs than paying double occupancy.

MORE WIDE-OPEN SPACE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Splash Academy, a family favourite for children ages three to twelve, will return to Norwegian Aqua. Entourage NCL’s unique teen club, which will have its own dedicated space, will provide age-appropriate activities and entertainment for adolescents aged 13 to 17.

Guests who like to spend their days resting at sea will appreciate Norwegian Aqua’s infinity edge pool with increased seating and, for the first time in NCL’s fleet, day beds on the main pool deck to lay and unwind on.

The new Vibe Beach Club will offer more lounge seating for an elevated and adult-only experience. Guests can spend their days exploring and enjoying NCL’s most expansive Ocean Boulevard to date, the outdoor walkway that wraps around the entire ship, complete with Oceanwalk, a glass bridge situated on each side of the ship that offers excellent photo opportunities; Infinity Beach, which features expanded views and intimate pools overlooking each side of the ship; and La Terrazza, the open-air lounge with sweeping sea views.

FUN IN THE SUN ITINERARIES ALL-YEAR-ROUND 

Norwegian Aqua will sail on five and seven-day voyages to Bermuda from New York City from August 2025 to October 2025, following a series of seven-day Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida. Beginning in October 2025, the ship will cruise five and seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami, the “Cruise Capital of the World,” through April 2026.

New and additional features and highly anticipated guest experiences aboard Norwegian Aqua will be unveiled in the upcoming year.