On Location: Big vibes – Norwegian Aqua expands on style & substance

STORY BY DIANE TIERNEY 

On the top deck of Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Aqua cruise ship is a crowning glory – the world’s first hybrid waterslide rollercoaster called the Aqua Slidecoaster.

It offers chills and thrills for 3,571 passengers and also represents a new twist on Norwegian’s Prima Class of ships.

The exciting, dual-slide Slidecoaster has passengers sit in a two-person raft and wait in anticipation for a mechanical arm to push them up a steep incline and then propel them into the slide for the fast, swirling ride to the bottom.

The ride lasts about 60 seconds and can reach speeds of about 31 mph/50 kph.

PAX was on location for Aqua’s U.S. debut in New York from April 6-9 to experience this new ship and its 17 restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, new shows and more.

“Plus size” fun at sea

Aqua is in a Prima Class sub-category referred to as Prima Plus – and she showcases the beautiful benefits of being “plus size” in every way. 

“Our goal is to make every ship a little bit nicer than the last one,” said NCL President David Herrera during an executive panel discussion for travel advisors and media. “This ship is 10 per cent bigger in size than the other two [Prima and Viva] and I think you’ll feel it in areas like the top deck where there are a lot more loungers, as well as in the atrium.”

The ship is about 25 metres longer and the extra space is also noticeable in its overall traffic flow.

Even with an extra 350 passenger capacity, it doesn’t feel crowded at the busiest times.

The larger space also aligns with NCL’s “More at Sea” program.

It includes offerings such as beverage packages that include more premium brands, dining packages that include more appetizers and desserts, and more minutes on Wi-Fi packages.

Life outdoors

For those who like a thrill ride without getting wet, the drop dry slide provides an unforgettable G-force free-fall down a vertical 10-storey spiral slide.

Basketball and soccer fans will enjoy the Glow Court that combines LED floor lighting effects while playing. At night, the space is transformed into a night club.

At the Stadium, guests can enjoy interactive darts at Bull’s Eye Bar and interactive mini-golf called Tee Time that’s twice as big as on her sister ships. There’s also air hockey, ping pong, shuffleboard and a pickleball court.

Aqua has four outdoor pools with some being infinity style on the sides and at the aft (the latter for Haven guests). The main pool has a new ankle-deep moat surrounding it and bigger TV screen above.

There are also six hot tubs and a kid’s waterpark. The Vibe Beach Club area is for adults only.

Ocean Walk features a 360-degree promenade experience of ocean views that wrap around the entire ship, including glass floor bridges with a view of the waves below.

Sip & sail

There are about 18 bars and lounges and many include entertainment.

Christian Pratsch, NCL’s vice president of food and beverage said, “I highly encourage you to go to the new Swirl Wine Bar. It’s a gem that’s an intimate space with a great selection of premium wines by the glass or by the bottle.”

The ever-popular Metropolitan Bar is also larger than its sisters and has a grand piano.

New ways to dine

Complimentary dining options has a new offering at the busy Indulge Food Hall that features many unique eateries.

Pratsch said, “We are very proud to have included a new offering called the Planterie. Our guests’ feedback said that we needed more plant-forward offerings.”

Other venues include the Hudson’s main dining room, Local Bar & Grill and Surfside Cafe & Grill.

“The Indulge Food Hall has been like an incubator for us and that’s when we found out that Pad Thai food was most popular,” said Pratsch.

So, a new, specialty restaurant called Sukhothai was created and offers authentic Thai cuisine.

Other specialty dining venues include favourites such as Cagney’s Steakhouse, Onda by Scarpetta, Hasuki (Teppanyaki), Nama (sushi), Palomar (Mediterranean), Le Bistro and Los Lobos (Mexican).

That’s entertainment

Bryan White, NCL’s vice president of entertainment, said, “Our research showed that our guests want music that is easy to recognize and artists that they know – not an artist that they’ve never heard of. And for shows, that want storylines that are not complex and don’t have a lot of characters.”

Two new shows were launched. “Elements: The World Expanded” combines the best of talented dancers, incredible acrobats and a truly amazing magician. The show received a well-deserved standing ovation.

The concert-style “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” was another hit and had an area near the stage where passengers could stand or dance.

Many more shows are being developed.

“We’re currently working on 112 different new or refreshed shows and experiences, so we're taking all of the feedback and embarking on an ambitious campaign over the next 16 months to really make sure we're investing in our entertainment,” said White.

Game Zone is a large arcade with many unique virtual reality rides and classic arcade games. A casino is also on board.

The Mandara Spa and Salon also offers both popular and medi-spa treatments and has a jetted pool with waterfall walls. Specialty spaces range from ice and salt rooms to a new clay sauna.

Larger staterooms 

Julie Valeriote, senior director of entertainment, who moderated the panel discussion, added, “We also offer ‘more’ with the staterooms. Our balcony staterooms are about 17 per cent larger and the bathrooms are 11 per cent larger than the average size of staterooms in our fleet.”

The private enclave Haven area – that has its own staterooms, bar, lounge, restaurant, pool and deck space – has expanded to 123 suites, rather than the 107 suites on Prima and Viva.

The Haven was also moved to the aft to provide panoramic views.

Concierge and butler service is available along with priority reservations for entertainment and other services.

“We cannot wait for our guests to experience ‘more’ to do and ‘more’ to enjoy with everything she has to offer for the whole family,” said Herrera.

Over the weekend, Norwegian Aqua's christening ceremony took place in Miami with a special appearance by Norwegian Aqua's godfather, two-time Emmy Award-winning actor, Eric Stonestreet.

Development plans for Great Stirrup Cay

Norwegian Aqua will now head to Port Canaveral, Florida for a season of seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailings through August 2025 with calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and NCL's private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. 

Norwegian, over the weekend, announced plans to build out new amenities and enhancements at Great Stirrup Cay. The upgrades are set to debut in the fourth quarter of 2025 alongside the completion of a new multi-ship pier.

READ MORE: Norwegian to deliver more at reimagined Great Stirrup Cay

The enhancements include the addition of a new welcome centre, a new extensive pool area with swim-up bar, family splash pad and poolside cabanas, and an island-wide tram system designed to support seamless exploration of the island. 

Several onboard premium concepts featured in Norwegian ships will also come to the island, including the adults-only Vibe Beach Club and Horizon Park, a recreation and lawn games area.

From August 2025 through October 2025, Aqua will sail a series of five and seven-day warm-weather voyages to Bermuda from New York City before returning to Miami for a season of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises between October 2025 through April 2026, calling again to Great Stirrup Cay.

Diane Tierney has been on 97 cruises to 57 countries and is known as Cruiseguru on Instagram.

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