10 best things to do on the Norwegian Aqua cruise ship

On board NCL’s first Prima Plus Class ship for its inaugural voyage, we discover its (many) highlights.

There’s no doubt about it, Norwegian Aqua - a 3,571-guest capacity vessel 10 per cent larger than its predecessors - is a beauty.  

After all, this is the ship designed around feedback Norwegian Cruise Line have received regarding their previous two vessels, Prima and Viva, resulting in a more sophisticated product that looks more in line with the luxury cruising market.

We made light work of discovering some of the truly standout experiences Norwegian Aqua has to offer:

1. Ride the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide

Prefer your waterslides to be high-octane? Presenting the all-new Aqua Slidecoaster, a groundbreaking attraction that first feels as though you’re being pushed at great force into another dimension before unfurling in a series of high-speed twists and drops. Is it for everyone? Probably not, but it’s a two-person ride so you won’t have to go it alone. 

2. Try the chicken tikka at Indulge

The Indulge Food Hall in itself is a fantastic concept, with diners ordering Mexican, Thai, Indian or even plant-based dishes from the all-new Planterie from a screen stationed at their respective tables. While Planterie and Thai remain huge hits (specialty restaurant Sukothai was installed in the ship on account of the cuisine’s popularity with passengers), it’s the chicken tikka that has everyone -including NCL execs - talking (and rightfully so). 

3. Unleash your inner Prince

Your sexy rendition of Little Red Corvette deserves a bigger audience than what you see reflected back at you in the bathroom mirror. Happily, NCL Aqua’s Revolution: A Celebration of Prince is THE show at sea to immerse yourself in Le Purple One’s songs and dance routines. Those attending the show on Lv 7 of the Aqua Theatre & Club can sit back and be a spectator, but those on Lv 6 are invited to get right into the production and gyrate among the dancers as they make their way though hits such as Kiss and When Doves Cry. Side note? You don’t want to miss Rumors: A Fleetwood Mac Experience either. 

4. Get yourself a Thermal Suite Pass

You can’t not recommend a treatment at Mandara Spa & Salon where treatments such as rose quartz therapies and deep-tissue massages are played out in  22 soothing treatment rooms. If you can only extend yourself to one thing however, make it a Thermal Suite Pass, which buys you a whole day to enjoy a collection of experiences which include a salt room, charcoal sauna, steam room and the first clay sauna at sea. Our advice? Take along a book and hunker down on one of the hot stone loungers (happily, Norwegian Aqua offers twice as many of these beds as Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva). 

High end pampering at the Mandara Spa.

5. Enjoy a sustainable cocktail

The all-new Swirl Wine Bar might be making noise for its blends taken from vineyards around the globe, but it’s The Metropolitan - one of 18 bars and lounges aboard the ship - that won hearts on our sailing. This is largely due to its impressive menu of sustainable craft cocktails, as well as its layout which is significantly larger than what you’ll find on the other NCL ships. We became obsessed with the Cucumber Cool - ridiculously refreshing. 

6. Book a suite at The Haven

It’s a rare cruiser who doesn’t love the concept of a resort within a ship concept, and NCL’s The Haven delivers with a private enclave that’s not only 15 per cent larger than the one you’ll find on Prima, but offers the brand new Haven Duplex Suite featuring three bedrooms and three bathrooms (there are four of them). Personal concierge, 24-hour butler service and of course, all of those spaces (infinity pool, the Haven Lounge & Bar, the Haven Restaurant etc) are all exclusively for guests of The Haven.

Haven’t quite got the funds for The Haven? All is not lost, the staterooms on Norwegian Aqua are all more spacious than ever and while the Studios continue to be a popular choice for solo travellers, we couldn’t all stop talking about the size of the cabins’ bathrooms (among some of the biggest we’ve ever seen and plenty of cupboards and drawers to boot). 

7. Enjoy scone-o-clock at the Observation Lounge

Travelling for bleisure? The Observation Lounge, located on Deck 17, is where you’ll want to be - particularly at 4.30pm when the scones (both plain and raisin) are brought out to be enjoyed with a cup of coffee and ocean views that stretch on forever. Add comfortable lounges and armchairs, plus plenty of charging ports to the mix, and you’ve got one of the best offices in the world. 

You'll find us poolside. Picture: NCL

8. Make a booking at Nama Sushi 

Whether you’re after a traditional steakhouse, a teppanyaki restaurant or perhaps the romance of a French restaurant, Norwegian Aqua’s specialty restaurants have the globe covered. Whatever you do, don’t miss making a booking at Nama which serves super-fresh sushi and sashimi in a minimalist environment. 

It doesn’t have to stop at one speciality restaurant, of course. NCL’s More at Sea promotion allows guests to choose up to five enhanced perks and happily, these can easily be spent on onboard Italian, French, Mexican or more. 

Japanese cuisine is served at Nama Shasimi and Sushi.

9. Enjoy breakfast at Hudson’s

Offering 17 restaurants, there’s no shortage of spaces to greet the day, but rather than following the queues to the Surfside Cafe buffet, head instead to Hudson’s Dining Room, where breakfast favourites are served beside floor-to-ceiling windows offering 270-degree views of the ocean. It’s surprisingly quiet here earlier in the day and is easily our pick for THE place to get an avo on toast.

10. Relive your childhood 

Let’s not beat around the bush: sometimes, adulting can suck. Why not flash back to your childhood (for an hour or two, anyway) by strapping up your laces for some down time in Glow Court, a high-tech LED sports floor, or by revisiting all the classic arcade games at Aqua Game Zone? It has everything from virtual reality experiences to retro games we all know and love.

Shoot some hoops on the coolest court on the ocean.

Norwegian Aqua will homeport in Miami, Florida and New York City, offering Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda itineraries until March 2027. 

The writer was a guest of NCL.

Originally published as 10 best things to do on the Norwegian Aqua cruise ship