Norwegian Cruise Line will debut its new Prima-class ship the Norwegian Aqua from Port Canaveral in 2025.
The ship, the first of what the line calls its Prima Plus class, is an expanded sister ship to Norwegian Prima, which sailed out of Port Canaveral last winter and Norwegian Viva, which is sailing from Miami and Puerto Rico this winter.
Among the ship highlights will be what the line says is the first hybrid coaster at sea, a digital sports complex and the first three-bedroom duplex suites for the cruise line in its exclusive area called The Haven. It will also feature the line’s first hull art design by a female artist, Allison Hueman, whose style the line describes as a blend of ethereal realism.
The ship will sail seven-night Caribbean itineraries beginning April 2025 with stops such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and the line’s private Bahamas island Great Stirrup Cay.
Bookings opened Thursday for the new voyages at ncl.com. Beginning in August, the ship will migrate to New York, and then venture to Miami for sailings from October 2025 to April 2026.
The ship is 10% larger than Prima and Viva, coming in at 1,056 feet long, 156,300 gross tons and a 3,571-passenger capacity based on double occupancy. It’s still smaller than the line’s popular Breakaway Plus class ships Escape, Joy, Bliss and Encore.
The line says the ship, which will be constructed at the Fincantieri shipyards in Italy, will feature more outdoor space and higher staffing levels than any other 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 Norwegian Cruise Line President David J. Herrera in a press release.
Hueman’s hull design is titled “Where the Sky Meets the Sea,” and is described by the line as a mashup of sea and sky representations, both abstract and figurative, all 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,” she said in the release. “It’s incredibly special for me to partner with a brand that believes in the magical connection between art and exploration.”
Among the new features will be the Aqua Slidecoaster, dual slides that are a mix of roller coaster and waterslides that feature a magnetic lift to send riders through two different courses traversing three decks and venturing about the ship’s funnel.
Also new to the ship is the Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor that will offer daytime play and turn into a nightclub in the evening.
Returning features found on Prima and Viva include The Drop, a 10-story free-fall dry slide and an expanded gaming space called the Stadium with foosball, ping-pong and other activities.
Carving out more exclusive space for suite guests, the ship will have the largest version of the Haven yet with 123 suites including four two-story, three-bedroom duplex suites with separate living rooms and dining areas, three bathrooms, three bedrooms and large balconies.
Haven guests get their own sundeck, infinity pool, outdoor spa with glass-walled sauna and cold room, two hot tubs, private lounge, exclusive bar, 24-hour butler service, and a dedicated concierge team.
The rest of the ship will feature inside, ocean view and balcony staterooms including studio staterooms for solo travelers, with price points lower than having to pay double the fare.
The lower deck outdoor walkway known as Ocean Boulevard that wraps around the entire ship will be the largest yet for the line including glass bridges with views down to the ocean on both sides.
