Norwegian Cruise Line has launched its 20th ship, Norwegian Aqua, which is the first of three Prima Plus Class vessels. Travel Gossip Editor-in-Chief Linsey McNeill joined its three-night christening cruise from Miami to find out what it’s like.
If you’re familiar with Norwegian’s Prima Class ships, you’ll feel at home on Norwegian Aqua, it’s very similar, with the same neutral colour pallet, most of the same restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, and a similar layout, but with a couple of big changes and a few subtle tweaks.
For those who haven’t experienced the Prima Class ships, you can read our review of Norwegian Prima here.
The main thing to note is that Aqua is 10% larger than Prima and Viva and NCL has been keen to emphasise how much more spacious she feels. That might be true, but passenger capacity has also been increased, by 16% to 3,511 at double occupancy, so it will only be once the ship sails with a full payload that we’ll know for sure.
Built for warm-weather cruising, Aqua certainly has oodles of outdoor space, and the main pool area has been expanded, using some of the footprint that was taken up by the popular – but vast and noisy – three-deck go-kart on Prima and Viva.
Other outdoor spaces include the adult-only Vibe Beach Club, above left, (access costs $269 per person per week, a cabana costs $659), a small infinity pool on either side of the ship, and the Ocean Boulevard, a walkway that wraps round deck 8, providing lots of comfy seating areas and outdoor dining for the Indulge Food Hall and the The Local Bar & Grill, which are complimentary, and the speciality restaurants Onda by Scarpetta and Los Lobos.
What else has changed?
Aqua’s wow attraction is a ‘world first’ Slidecoaster, a cross between a rollercoaster and a waterslide, which is already proving to be a hit. Worth noting is that it’s included in the cruise fare and guests can ride as often as they like.
The Galaxy Pavilion on the Prima Class ships has been replaced with the Aqua Game Zone, which has a mix of retro arcade games, virtual reality challenges and interactive gaming experiences. There’s an extra cost to play.
Also new is the free-to-use Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor that adapts for different ball games during the day and transforms into a club at night.
What about the cabins?
They’re bigger. NCL says balconies are typically 17% larger than the rest of its fleet and bathrooms are 10% bigger.
My balcony cabin, on deck 14, was certainly spacious, with lots of storage, including a full-size wardrobe, and the shower room was far from pokey. Welcome modern touches include the addition of both USB C and USB A charging ports.
Any cabins to avoid?
There’s a ride called The Drop, which skims past several balconies on the port side of the ship, possibly obstructing the view. Light sleepers should also avoid cabins immediately above late-night music venues, such as the Aqua Theatre that turns into a club after the evening performances.
What about the dining?
You won’t starve on Aqua, that’s for sure. Of the 17 dining options onboard, five are included in the cruise fare so there’s plenty of choice.
All the venues are beautifully decorated, especially Hudson’s and the Commodore Room, and not too large. The menus are inventive, the service swift, but I felt the food wasn’t as good as on Prima. At the risk of sounding like Goldilocks, my scallop starter in Hudson’s was overcooked and too salty, the beef in the surf-and-turf was also overdone, my Bircher muesli at breakfast was too sweet, the creole rice and plantain chips in the Surfside lunch buffet too dry and bland.
The best food I found was in the Indulge Food Hall, a great concept where you can order on a tablet from 10 different food stations from Pad Thai noodles to Indian Curry to tapas to Mediterranean salads, and, new on Aqua, plant-based dishes from Planterie. The food is tasty and the portions small and light so you can mix and match different flavours. The Goddess Bowl from the Mediterranean menu was delicious.
In addition to the complimentary dining, there are eight speciality restaurants, including NCL’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai, which incur a supplement. I dined at the Italian Onda, which was nice, but not exceptional.
Any unique selling points?
Aqua’s Mandara Spa is stupendous. Similar to Prima and Aqua, it includes a hydrotherapy pool, several different types of sauna, including a new clay sauna, which has replaced the infrared on the other ships, a steam room, ice cave and a sea-facing relaxation area. Day passes cost $99. Top tip: Book before you board because they sell out fast. Prices for the spa treatments are punchy, but I was treated to a divine 50-minute Elemis Ultimate Facial and I think it was worth the $249 price tag. Don’t forget that 20% tax is added to all the spa’s published prices.
Not to be missed is a new musical production introduced as part of NCL’s move towards shorter, 45-minute shows, Revolution: A Celebration of Prince, in the cool Aqua Theater. It’s by far the best performance I’ve seen on a ship. Top tip: Watch it from the dance floor, on deck 6, for an immersive experience.
What’s included in the fare?
NCL’s lead in fares are pretty good value, but if clients plan to use the wifi, like a few drinks and intend to do shore excursions, they might want to opt for the More at Sea package, which comes with or without unlimited drinks, fast Starlink wifi, plus three speciality restaurants a week (check) in addition to the included dining, credit for shore excursions in every port, and staff gratuities. Prices for the upgrade vary.
Who would Aqua suit?
With entertainment for all ages, including a kids splash zone for little ones, and the Glow Court and Aqua Game Zone for older children, plus a choice of interconnecting cabins, Norwegian Aqua would be a great choice for multi-generation families looking for a good value Caribbean cruise on an action-packed fun, relaxed but classy ship.
Aqua also a good option for single travellers as there are 73 solo cabins, with access to a private lounge to mingle with other singletons, and it would work well for groups of friends who enjoy dining out, musical theatre, clubbing or gaming.
For clients looking for a more intimate cruise but with all the facilities of a big ship, Norwegian Aqua has Haven, NCL’s private access ‘ship within a ship’, which offers guests next-level luxury. It has its own outdoor deck, with a bar and a small but spectacular infinity pool, a separate indoor bar, lounge, restaurant and library. It’s bigger than on other ships, with 123 cabins, all of which come with 24-hour butler service.
Any niggles?
I missed having a bathrobe in my balcony cabin and Brits might not like the fact there are no tea or coffee-making facilities in the cabins either.
Where is Aqua sailing?
Based out of Port Canaveral Florida this summer, it will operate a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises; during the autumn it will operate five- and seven-day cruises to Bermuda from New York City; and in the winter it will return to Miami to sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyages. A seven-day cruise in December starts from £1203pp based on two people sharing a balcony cabin.
