Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), a global cruise travel innovator with a 57-year history of breaking boundaries, recently unveiled the evolution of its Prima Class with the all-new Norwegian Aqua, the first of the expanded Prima Plus Class setting sail in April 2025.
Increased focus on guest experience
The legacy continues with renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri constructing this next-generation Prima Plus Class. Building upon the award-winning experiences of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua will set new standards and deliver brand-new guest experiences. These include an overall 10 percent size and capacity increase from its sister ships. Spanning 1,056 feet long, 156,300 gross tons and accommodating 3,571 guests at double occupancy, Norwegian Aqua will offer more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship.
“Norwegian Aqua is a true testament of fusing together what represents the future of our Brand 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 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.”
World’s-first hybrid coaster and exhilarating top deck thrills
Norwegian Aqua will premiere the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster. Exhilarating dual slides and a magnetic lift will propel adventurous guests through two different courses. This NCL exclusive experience will feature three stories of exciting twists and turns around the ship’s funnel.
The new Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor, will offer a variety of interactive guest activities by day before transforming into a nightclub in the evening. Guests will also be able to continue to enjoy The Drop, NCL’s 10-story free-fall slide, and the Stadium, a now expanded game space offering complimentary activities.
Largest NCL haven complex and the most spacious accommodations at sea
Debuting NCL’s first-ever Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites, Norwegian Aqua will offer all-new luxurious accommodations in the Brand’s premium keycard-access-only-complex, The Haven by Norwegian®. These four two-story spacious suites feature separate living and dining areas; three bathrooms; a sprawling balcony; and three bedrooms. Two of these will include a king size bed, with the master offering floor-to-ceiling windows for breathtaking ocean views. The Haven aboard Norwegian Aqua will offer the largest Haven complex in the fleet with 123 well-appointed suites.
This exclusive space will include 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; exclusive bar pouring rare spirits and vintages; and sweeping sea views available from every public space. Haven guests will continue to enjoy 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge team.
Norwegian Aqua will offer a variety of the most spacious accommodations in the fleet including inside, ocean view and balcony category staterooms. Solo travelers will continue to enjoy NCL’s signature Studio staterooms. These are priced and designed with solo travelers in mind and include private keycard access to a dedicated Studio Lounge. The ship will also feature the Company’s latest solo stateroom expanded categories, solo inside, solo oceanview and solo balcony. Altogether, these offer more space and variety of accommodations to single cruisers at reduced fares lower than the cost of paying double occupancy.
More wide-open space for the whole family
NCL’s family-favorite Splash Academy, for children ages three to 12, will return to Norwegian Aqua. Adolescents aged 13 to 17, can engage in fun, age-appropriate activities at Entourage, NCL’s signature teen club. This will have its own dedicated space.
Guests looking to spend their days lounging at sea will enjoy Norwegian Aqua’s infinity edge pool with expanded seating. For the first time in NCL’s fleet, day beds will be available on the main pool deck for guests to lounge and relax in. For an elevated and adults-only experience, the expanded Vibe Beach Club will also offer more lounge seating.
With additional outdoor spaces, guests can spend their days exploring and enjoying NCL’s most expansive Ocean Boulevard to-date. This outdoor walkway wraps around the entire ship. Along this route, passengers will be able to enjoy Oceanwalk, a glass bridge that offers great photo opportunities; Infinity Beach featuring expanded vistas and intimate pools overlooking each side of the ship; and La Terrazza, the open-air lounge with sweeping sea views.
An exterior unlike any other
Norwegian Aqua will showcase a lively and colorful hull art designed by NCL’s first-ever major female hull artist, Allison Hueman. World-renowned for her street art and global brand collaborations, including Nike, L’Oreal 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 colorful mashups of abstract and figurative representations of sea and sky, ruled by ancient goddesses.
“I’m honored, not only to be the first major female hull artist for Norwegian Cruise Line, but to also know that my artwork will be roaming the seas touching different parts of the world,” said Allison Hueman, 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.”
About Norwegian Cruise Line
As an innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 57 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, its fleet of 19 contemporary ships sail to 400 of the world’s most desirable destinations. Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.
Want more of this?
Check out the Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) Design Expo Americas blog for more design insights and the latest industry updates. CSI Design Expo Americas is the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the buyers and suppliers of the cruise design industry. The next event will be taking place on 3 – 4 June 2025 alongside Hotel & Resort Design South and Cruise Xperience Innovation Summit at the Miami Beach Convention Center.