Cruise ship review: Norwegian Aqua takes cruise fun to the next level

Once the ship is well into operation, this will be a near-perfect cruise for those who love a larger, “bells and whistles” experience.

How do you take the best of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva and improve it? That was the question designers of the all-new Norwegian Aqua faced when they took on feedback from passengers aboard their two previous Prima Class vessels.

The result could even eclipse the beauty of the ports she visits. Norwegian Aqua – the first in NCL’s Prima Plus Class – is set to homeport in Miami and New York City with a slew of Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda itineraries until March 2027.

The lowdown

With a 3571-guest capacity, Aqua is 10 per cent bigger than its predecessors, making for more space (particularly around the pool decks and atrium) and more opportunities for fun. New additions include the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster/waterslide attraction, and a digital sports complex with LED flooring that glows after dark and transforms from sports ground to nightclub (Glow Court). New, too, is the replacement of the Free at Sea package with More at Sea offering enhanced amenities such as an unlimited open bar, more specialty dining inclusions and fast wi-fi.

Twenty decks stretching over 322m in length might seem overwhelming, but spaces appear to have been designed around every type of cruiser.

The layout

Twenty decks stretching over 322m in length might seem overwhelming, but spaces appear to have been designed around every type of cruiser, and the larger, quieter main pool and deck area on Deck 17 is a welcome addition. Many activities – the arcade, Glow Court, minigolf, Aqua Slidecoaster and the Drop slide – are on the top decks, while Decks 6, 7 and 8 house the three-storey Penrose Atrium around which you’ll find many of the ship’s boutiques, lounges and services. Enjoy teatime at the Observation Lounge, sip Martinis in intimate bars such as Whiskey Bar and Swirl, and relax in the infinity hot tubs at the adults-only private retreat Vibe Beach Club, and you could believe you’re on a much smaller, luxury ship.

Balcony staterooms are spacious and the shower is among the biggest at sea. Picture: Supplied.

The cabins

The Haven, NCL’s exclusive 112-room enclave, is 15 per cent larger on Aqua and has the line’s first two-storey, three-bedroom Duplex Suites. But with the rise of solo travel, we’re all about their Studios. The vessel has 73 of these 9sqm rooms for cruisers on their own. Balcony, Suite, Oceanview, Inside and Club Balcony Suite round out the list. Balcony staterooms are spacious and the shower is among the biggest at sea (extra points for all the drawers and compartments in the bathroom). Accessible rooms are available in all categories.

The Aqua Slidecoaster. Picture: Supplied.

Amenities

Younger members of the family are in heaven with Aqua Game Zone, an all-new gaming experience showcasing everything from virtual reality to retro arcade games. The Kids’ Aqua Park, the 10-storey Drop (and the Aqua Slidecoaster), the Glow Court and host of age-specific clubs keep kids entertained all day. Kidults, too, are looked after with Tee Time, an interactive minigolf area 2.5 times bigger than on Prima and Viva, scone o’clock (4.30pm) at the Observation Lounge, two pools (one infinity-edge) and Mandra Spa, where the Thermal Suite is a must. It features a steam room, salt room, ice room and charcoal sauna, as well as the first clay sauna at sea. Forward-facing Pulse Fitness Centre ensures those in workout classes enjoy 270-degree ocean views.

Nothing says “epicurean adventure” quite like 17 restaurants and 18 bars and lounges.

Food and drink

Nothing says “epicurean adventure” quite like 17 restaurants and 18 bars and lounges. At Indulge Food Hall, dishes such as the crowd-pleasing tikka masala and poke bowls from NCL’s debut plant-based eaterie, Planterie, are ordered from tabletop iPads, but be sure to book at specialty restaurants Nama and Cagney’s Steakhouse. The main dining rooms, Hudson’s and The Commodore Room, are a pleasure, the former best for breakfast and the latter at dinner. Don’t miss a sustainable craft cocktail at Metropolitan.

Don’t miss a sustainable craft cocktail at Metropolitan.

Entertainment

The three-storey Aqua Theatre & Club’s Revolution: A Celebration of Prince (easily one of the best shows at sea) and Rumours (a Fleetwood Mac tribute) deliver all the hits before the space transforms into a nightclub. Trivia is held across many of the lounges, while The Improv at Sea is a dedicated space for stand-up comedy.

Shore thing

While we weren’t able to experience these on our sailing, some of the more eye-catching excursions advertised for Aqua include swimming with pigs on a Bahamian beach and a volcanic mud bath in Saint Lucia.

The thermal suite on Norwegian Aqua has twice as many heated loungers than its predecessors.

What’s hot

The thermal suite on Norwegian Aqua has twice as many heated loungers than its predecessors. It’s the perfect place to spend a day with a book.

What’s not

Our stateroom door didn’t shut automatically so we often arrived back to find the door still open (until we got into the habit of pulling it tight and double-checking).

Aqua is 10 per cent bigger than its predecessors, making for more space and more opportunities for fun. Picture: Supplied.

The verdict - 8/10

A few grooves still need to be polished, but once issues are ironed out and the ship is well into operation, this will be a near-perfect cruise for those who love a larger, “bells and whistles” experience.

The writer was a guest of NCL. Norwegian Aqua departs Miami on seven-day Caribbean: Bahamas and Dominican Republic itineraries from October 12, 2025 to April 5, 2026. Prices start at $2520.

Originally published as Cruise ship review: Norwegian Aqua takes cruise fun to the next level