Norwegian Aqua

The 2025-built Norwegian Aqua cruise ship is the first unit in the PRIMA PLUS series and the third of six PRIMA-Class NCL liners constructed in Italy by Fincantieri (Marghera Yard/Venice, Italy). Of the same design (Aqua’s sistership) is Luna (2026). Aqua’s sisterships by design also include the 10% smaller (142500 GT) Prima (2022) and Viva (2023), as well as the 10% larger (172000 GT) Aura (2027) and TBN6 (2028).

The vessel (IMO number 9824007) is Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311001559) and registered in Nassau.

NCL’s preceding BREAKAWAY PLUS-Class ships were all built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

Norwegian Aqua’s hull artwork was created by the Filipino-American graffiti artist Allison Hueman, world-renowned for her street art and global collaborations with brands such as Nike, L’Oreal, and Google. The hull design, titled “Where the Sky Meets the Sea,” is mythology-themed. The project was curated by Goldman Global Arts Gallery LLC (founded in 2015) with co-owners Jessica Goldman Srebnick and Peter Tunney.

History – construction and ownership

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH). Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, NCL is publicly traded on NASDAQ (NYSE-listed in New York City). NCLH’s major shareholders include Apollo Global Management (USA), Genting Group (Malaysia), and TPG Capital (USA).

In 2017, NCL held a global cruise market share of 8.7% (passengers) and 8.4% (revenue).

NCLH (shipowner) owns the brands NCL, Oceania, and RSSC-Regent.

Decks and Cabins

Norwegian Aqua staterooms (1760 total) are available in seven types: The Haven Suites (123 total), Suites, Club Balcony Suites (Mini-Suites), Balcony, Oceanview, Interior staterooms, and Studios (single-occupancy cabins with no single supplement).

The NCL PRIMA PLUS design features 19 suite categories, including the fleet’s first 3-bedroom Duplex Suites, along with NCL’s largest-ever Inside, Oceanview, and Balcony staterooms.

The ship also offers ADA-certified, wheelchair-accessible cabins.

The smallest category is the T1 Studio (95 ft2 / 9 m2). Studio guests have exclusive access to the Studio Lounge. Norwegian Aqua additionally introduces three new single-occupancy cabin categories (Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview, Solo Balcony) available at fares lower than standard double-occupancy cabins.

Inside staterooms measure 160-255 ft2 (15-24 m2). Oceanview cabins feature a large round window and are offered as Standard (185 ft2 / 17 m2), Large (235 ft2 / 22 m2), and Family (235-370 ft2 / 22-34 m2). Balcony cabins range from 230-360 ft2 (21-34 m2), with balconies sized 45-100 ft2 (4-9 m2).

Among the largest accommodations are NCL’s first “The Haven Three-Bedroom Duplex Suites” (category H8), designed by Piero Lissoni. These two-level suites feature three bedrooms with King-size beds, floor-to-ceiling windows, and large private terraces.

The vessel has 20 decks, of which 16 are passenger-accessible and nine contain cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

NCL’s PRIMA-class design offers expanded indoor and outdoor public spaces, reduced passenger capacity (compared to BREAKAWAY and BREAKAWAY PLUS classes), new dining and entertainment concepts, 35 dining venues and bars/lounges (including seven fleet-first food venues), and enhanced service levels.

The Waterfront concept has been reimagined and doubled in size on Ocean Boulevard. The 360-degree Promenade (44000 ft2 / 4090 m2) fully encircles Deck 8, offering unobstructed seaviews and hosting multiple venues. Ocean Boulevard includes two infinity pools, Oceanwalk glass bridges, Indulge Food Hall (NCL’s first open-air marketplace), and The Concourse (an outdoor sculpture garden with selfie installations by Alexander Krivosheiw and David Harber).

Penrose Atrium is NCL’s first three-level atrium (Decks 6-7-8). This glass-walled space offers panoramic sea views and features futuristic architecture, a 3-ton crystal chandelier (custom-built by Lasvit, constellation-themed), a topographic-style wall artwork, retail shops, and bars (including Starbucks, Whiskey Bar, Penrose Bar, and the Aqua Casino bar).

Below is the full list of Norwegian Aqua’s restaurants and food bars.

• The Commodore Room and Hudson’s (Main Dining Rooms, complimentary fine dining) offer revamped fixed menus featuring international dishes, vegetarian/vegan meals, build-your-own pasta (24 combinations), and a Specialties menu with selections from various specialty restaurants.
• "Los Lobos Cantina" (new for NCL; à la carte) serves classic Mexican cuisine with indoor/outdoor seating, including tableside guacamole, fresh tortillas, Tacos Al Pastor, Chicken Enchiladas de Mole, and handcrafted cocktails.
• "Onda by Scarpetta" (specialty Italian, reservations-only) features indoor/outdoor seating, large tables, and a casual atmosphere with gourmet Italian cuisine, wines, pizzas, house-made pasta, seafood, salads, breads, and desserts. Waterfront terrace seating is available.
• "Coco’s" (patisserie) offers artisan desserts.
• "Seaside Rotisserie" serves grilled and spit-roasted meats.
• "Nudls" offers noodle dishes and global street food.
• "Tamara" features classic Indian cuisine and vegetarian options.
• "Tapas Food Truck" offers Spanish street food.
• "Q Texas Smokehouse" serves Southern U.S. comfort food and barbecue.
• "The Local Bar & Grill" provides classic American dishes and cocktails in a beach-club setting.
• "Garden Kitchen" allows guests to build custom salads with 12+ ingredients.
• "The Concourse" (midship-starboard) showcases premium outdoor sculptures by David Harber and selfie installations by Harber and Krivosheiw; the seven sculptures are valued at USD 2+ million (~EUR 1.7M).
• "La Terraza" is an open-air lounge with forward-facing views.
• "Infinity Beach" (sundeck) has two infinity pools and two Oceanwalk glass bridges, both firsts for NCL.
• Palomar (Mediterranean seafood specialty restaurant)
• Hasuki (Japanese hibachi specialty restaurant)
• Le Bistro (French specialty restaurant)
• Cagney's Steakhouse (Certified Angus Beef, reservations-only); also open for breakfast and lunch exclusively for suite guests.
• Food Republic (Asian-fusion specialty restaurant with à-la-carte menu and iPad ordering)
• Observation Lounge & Bar (with telescopes)
• Humidor Cigar Lounge
• The Belvedere Bar (cocktail lounge)
• Surfside Cafe and Surfside Grill (buffet and made-to-order casual dining)

Deck 8’s aft “Indulge Food Hall” (with a Firepit) is an open-air marketplace featuring 11 eateries, 120 menu items (across breakfast, lunch, dinner), Luna Bar, Indulge Outdoor Lounge, Soleil Bar, Waves Pool Bar, and Starbucks seating.

Sukhothai (Deck 17) is NCL’s first Thai specialty restaurant, offering authentic cuisine in a design blending traditional and contemporary aesthetics.

Planterie (Deck 8, within Indulge) is NCL’s first plant-based eatery.

Swirl Wine Bar (Deck 6) is a Studio Dado-designed wine lounge themed on Antelope Canyon, offering wines by the glass.

Metropolitan Bar (Deck 7 aft) is NCL’s first sustainable bar, serving zero-waste cocktails, eco-friendly spirits, and biodynamic wines. It also features “Every Wing Has a Silver Lining,” a dynamic 16-m digital butterfly art installation by Dominic Harris.

Nama (Japanese sashimi and sushi bar) is redesigned with manga-inspired décor.

Both Main Dining Rooms (Decks 6 and 7 aft) feature enhanced menus with international dishes, vegetarian/vegan options, build-your-own pasta, and a Specialties menu.

Additional dining venues include “The Latin Quarter,” “Just Desserts,” and “Just Ice Cream.”

"The Haven by Norwegian" (designed by Piero Lissoni & Partners) spans eight decks and groups exclusive suites and private venues in the aft section.

The Haven features 107 Suites, two private elevators, and floor-to-ceiling ocean views throughout all public areas.

The multi-level Haven Sundeck (Decks 16–18) offers infinity pools, Jacuzzis, showers, padded loungers, an outdoor Spa (glass-walled sauna and cold room), Concierge, an outdoor restaurant, and an outdoor lounge/bar.

Guests enjoy complimentary 24-hour butler service.

The ship’s wellness complex includes the Mandara Spa and Pulse Fitness Center.

• The Gym features state-of-the-art equipment, an Aerobics Studio, Performance Recovery Room, and classes including spinning, yoga, pilates, TRX, cardio, and strength training.
• The Spa offers a charcoal sauna, two-deck waterfall, Salt Room, Steam Room, Ice Room, Infrared Sauna, Finnish Sauna, Experiential Showers, Vitality Pool, Flotation Salt Pool, Relaxation Lounge (22 heated loungers), 20 treatment rooms, and changing areas.

New NCL spa services include acoustic/vibrational therapies (Gharieni Welnamis and Wellmassage5D beds), Ocean Spa Wave Massage, Zero Gravity Wellness Massage, and ELEMIS Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap treatments.

The 3-deck Aqua Park has two swimming pools, five multi-level waterslides (Ocean Loop), two racing slides (The Rush), a freefall dry slide (The Drop), the surf-style “Tidal Wave” slide, four Jacuzzis, a pool bar, and a large sundeck.

Vibe Beach Club (adults-only, surcharge) features two infinity whirlpools, a pool bar, sunbathing areas, and private cabanas.

Syd Norman’s Pour House is a rock-and-roll-themed lounge offering live band music.

Headliners Comedy Club presents “The Second City,” “Howl At The Moon,” “The Improv at Sea,” and “Science of Comedy.”

The Aqua Theater & Club spans three decks with a large stage, dance floor, customizable seating, LED moving screen, UHD media, and nightclub transformation in the evenings. Sensoria Theatre hosts enrichment lectures, bingo, trivia, and nighttime entertainment.

• "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince" – exclusive 75-minute theatrical concert.
• "Elements: The World Expanded" – enhanced acrobatics-and-magic production inspired by the four elements.
• "LIVE on NCL" interactive game shows, including “The Price is Right,” “Supermarket Sweep,” “Press Your Luck,” and “Beat the Clock.”

Aqua’s interactive productions are the first at sea to transform the theater into a full-scale nightclub. Entertainment is developed in partnership with Fremantle (London-based subsidiary of RTL Group). Other offerings include "Beetlejuice The Musical" and "Press Your Luck LIVE."

Unlike BREAKAWAY, BREAKAWAY PLUS, and PRIMA ships, PRIMA PLUS vessels replace the Speedway racetrack with the Aqua Slidecoaster (a hybrid waterslide-rollercoaster with magnetic drive).

NCL Aqua also features “The Rush” (dueling dry slides) and “The Drop” (freefall dry slide).

The AQUA Game Zone (expanded Galaxy Pavilion) is an indoor virtual-reality and gaming complex.

• 14 total attractions, including four new simulators and two Escape Rooms.
• Topgolf Swing Suite (fleet-first), powered by Full Swing Golf technology.
• "The Bull’s Eye" – competitive darts gaming with automated scoring and instant replays.

"Tee Time" interactive mini-golf features a 9-hole course.

Additional lounges, clubs, and entertainment venues include:

• Aqua Theater & Club
• Penrose Atrium
• Penrose Bar
• Cruise Next, Sales Office, Shore Excursions & Guest Services
• Casino (VIP & Smoking)
• Belvedere Bar
• Entourage (teen club)
• Splash Academy (children 3-12; Nickelodeon-themed programs, interactive floor, consoles, cinema, crafts, parades), Guppies Nursery (6 months–2 years), Kid’s Aqua Park
• The Stadium (shuffleboard, subsoccer, pickleball, beer pong)
• I-Connect Internet Café, Art Gallery
• Whiskey Bar
• The Gateway mini-mall
• Beauty by Design & Aficionados (cosmetics/fragrances, luxury brands; duty-free savings up to 50%)

Additional retail shops include Roberto Coin, Effy Jewelry, Timeless Luxury & Fine Watches, Pandora, The Zone & Eye Style, Tech @ Sea, and Perspectives Photo Studio & Gallery.

NCL fleet-first and expanded venues

AQUA Game Zone expands on Galaxy Pavilion, offering immersive VR (Space Racing, Beat Hero), retro games (Pac-Man, Donkey Kong), and interactive gaming.

Glow Court is a digitally enhanced sports complex with an LED floor that transitions from daytime sports to nighttime nightclub.

Bull’s Eye Bar adds full-service bar amenities to interactive darts.

Tee Time Mini-Golf (12 holes) is 2.5 times larger than on Prima and Viva, spanning two decks. NCL Luna additionally features a dedicated Pickleball Court.

The Mandara Spa & Salon is redesigned with a grand staircase, expanded Thermal Suite, new wellness offerings (clay sauna, thalassotherapy loungers, IV therapy), enlarged Salt Pool, Ice Room, and expanded Fitness Center with dedicated class studios.

Penrose Bar and Waves Pool Bar are redesigned, while The Local Bar & Grill, Hasuki, and Cagney’s are enlarged.

Itineraries

Norwegian Aqua’s inaugural season begins with the Maiden Voyage on March 28, 2025. The inaugural revenue sailing is a direct 7-day Transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Boston with no intermediate ports (RepositionCruises.com).

The 2025 Caribbean season is homeport-based in Port Canaveral/Orlando, Florida, starting April 26, 2025. The 7-day roundtrips visit Puerto Plata, Road Town (Tortola), Charlotte Amalie, and Great Stirrup Cay.

In August–September 2025, Norwegian Aqua is homeported in New York City for 5- and 7-day itineraries to Bermuda (King’s Wharf/Royal Naval Dockyard).

From October 2025 through April 2026, the ship operates 5- and 7-day Eastern Caribbean roundtrips from Miami, Florida.

On February 16, 2017, the shipowner NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd) signed an order with Fincantieri for four NCL LEONARDO Class units (renamed “NCL PRIMA” in 2021) for the NCL brand.

• The newbuilds were scheduled for delivery between 2022 and 2025 (one ship per year), with an option for two additional units. On July 12, 2018, NCLH exercised this option and ordered two more vessels (the PRIMA PLUS series), currently scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 (initially planned for 2026 and 2027).
• The NCLH–Fincantieri agreement was backed by CDP (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA, an 1850-founded investment bank based in Turin) and SACE SpA (Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero, Italy’s Export Credit Agency founded in 1977).
• All shipbuilding contracts were signed by Frank Del Rio (NCLH’s President and CEO) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri SpA’s CEO).

For the seven PRIMA ships, NCL trademarked the names Aqua, Bella, Luna, Ombra, Prima, Vela, Viva, and Ultima (all prefixed with “Norwegian”).

The vessel’s name (Norwegian Aqua) was officially revealed on November 2, 2023.

The ship’s namesake is A-Rosa Cruises’ riverboat Arosa Aqua (built in 2009).

As with all units in the series, Norwegian Aqua was constructed by Fincantieri at the Marghera Yard near Venice, Italy.

The next YouTube video is NCL’s official release featuring renderings of the PRIMA-class vessel.

The ship (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6300) is powered by five main Wärtsilä diesel engines: three 8L46 (8-cylinder) units and two 12V46 (12-cylinder) units, plus one Caterpillar diesel generator (model 3516C HD) and six Alfa Laval auxiliary boilers (one oil/gas-fired and five exhaust gas–heated).

The diesel-electric propulsion system includes three bow thrusters (Brunvoll FU115) and two aft thrusters (ABB Azipod XO).

The registered shipowner is LEONARDO THREE LTD (a subsidiary of NCLH), and the listed ship manager is NCL BAHAMAS LTD.

For the PRIMA PLUS ships’ interior designs, NCL and Fincantieri contracted the renowned firms AD Associates (London, UK), SMC Design (London, UK), Rockwell Group (New York City, USA), Studio Dado (Coral Gables, Florida, USA), and Piero Lissoni (Lissoni & Partners, Italy).

The vessel was launched/floated out from drydock on April 23, 2024, at the Marghera yard, and officially delivered by Fincantieri to NCLH on March 13, 2025. Both events were attended by David J. Herrera (NCL’s President) and Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division’s General Manager). The delivery documents were signed by Harry Sommer (NCLH’s President and CEO).

On November 20, 2024, NCL announced that the ship’s godfather would be Eric Allen Stonestreet (born 1971, American actor best known for the role of Cameron Tucker in ABC’s sitcom Modern Family). The christening ceremony took place on April 13, 2025, in PortMiami.

Inaugural itineraries 2025

Norwegian Aqua’s inaugural season (regions, destinations, homeports, and itineraries) was announced by NCL in November 2023.

The following tables show the ship’s first voyages by region and homeport, with indicative per-person prices (USD) based on double occupancy.

(MAIDEN VOYAGE) 7-day Westbound Transatlantic crossing from Europe/UK to the USA ($1450)

(Inaugural Caribbean cruise) 5-day “Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay and Bimini” itinerary ($950)

(Inaugural sailing from Port Canaveral/homeport) 7-day “Caribbean, Great Stirrup Cay and Dominican Republic” itinerary ($1150)

(First departure from NYC) 5-day “Bermuda Royal Naval Dockyard” itinerary ($900)

(First Caribbean cruise with seasonal homeporting in Miami) 7-day “Caribbean, Great Stirrup Cay and Dominican Republic” itinerary ($1050)

Godspeed!