Norwegian Cruise Line hosted more than 2,000 guests, including UK travel agents, on the inaugural sailing of its newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, this week.
The 3,571-passenger ship is the 20th for NCL and the first of four planned Prima Plus class vessels.
“This was a milestone moment for Norwegian Cruise Line as we set sail aboard Norwegian Aqua, a ship designed to offer our guests more – more wide-open space, more thrills, more culinary experiences, and more immersive entertainment,” said NCL President David J. Herrera.
“During this inaugural season, we look forward to welcoming our travel partners from around the world and to give them the exclusivity of being the first to experience our newest product and to fully understand how guests can ‘experience more at sea’ with us.”
Following its maiden voyage, from Lisbon to Southampton, Aqua picked up more guests from the UK travel industry for a short cruise to Bruges, after which it will cross the Atlantic to Miami for an official naming ceremony on 13 April by Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet, the ship’s godfather.
Norwegian Aqua includes new features, such as an Aqua Slidecoaster – the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide; Glow Court, a digital sports complex featuring an interactive LED floor that adapts for different games during the day and transforms into a club at night; and the Aqua Game Zone, which is a reimagined version of NCL’s Galaxy Pavilion games arcade.
Onboard entertainment includes an immersive theatrical concert experience, ‘Revolution: A Celebration of Prince’, which pays tribute to the late pop artist’s greatest hits, and an acrobatics and magic show called ‘Elements: The World Expanded’.
The ship has 17 restaurants, including NCL’s first Thai speciality restaurant, Sukhothai, and Planterie, its debut plant-based eatery at Indulge Food Hall. There are also 18 bars and lounges.
It will homeport in Miami and Port Canaveral, as well as New York City, offering Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda itineraries until March 2027.
