Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship Norwegian Aqua was christened in Miami by its godfather, Modern Family star and two-time Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet, on Sunday.
At the ceremony in PortMiami, some 2,000 guests were also treated to a preview of NCL’s newest in-house production of Revolution: A Celebration of Prince.
And NCL President David J. Herrera exclusively revealed details of the cruise line’s planned enhancements to its private island in the Caribbean, Great Stirrup Cay.
Debuting in the fourth quarter of this year, phase one of the enhancement project will include a large, heated pool with a swim-up bar and a kids splash zone.
It will also incorporate features from NCL’s ships, such as an adult-only Vibe Beach Club, with private cabanas and loungers, and Horizon Park, a family-friendly area providing lawn-style games, which recently debuted on Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway.
A new relaxation area will provide hammocks, as well as other Tiki-inspired amenities and experiences yet to be revealed, said NCL.
The first phase will be open at the same time as a new multi-ship pier, which will allow two ships to visit the island at the same time. Currently, NCL ships drop anchor offshore and transfer passengers to the island by tender. This means that in choppy weather, ships sometimes can’t stop at the popular port.
“Never again will we miss GSC,” said David. “It is a very special time for all of us at NCL – we are welcoming a new incredible ship into our fleet with the christening of the stunning and action-packed, Norwegian Aqua, and we are doing so alongside her godfather, Eric Stonestreet, who perfectly embodies the authenticity of what it means for our guests to ‘Experience More at Sea’,” he added.
Eric (inset, left) said: “As a new cruiser who has a deep passion for travel, it is absolutely spectacular to see the amazing features and experiences that travelers and their families can enjoy aboard Norwegian Aqua, including the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster!”
The ship sets sail on Monday for a short, round-trip christening cruise to Great Stirrup Cay, after which it will relocate to Port Canaveral Florida to operate a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises.
From August till October, Norwegian Aqua will be based in New York City, operating a series of five- and seven-day cruises to Bermuda, before returning to Miami for the winter, where it will operate seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyages, calling again to Great Stirrup Cay.
Travel Gossip will feature of full review of NCL Aqua in its first dedicated cruise newsletter, which will land on Thursday. To keep up to date with the latest cruise news, sign up here.
