Get ready for watery thrills on Norwegian Cruise Line’s next new ship.
The Miami-based cruise brand said Thursday that its next ship – Norwegian Aqua – will feature an epic, one-of-a-kind “hybrid roller coaster and water slide” ride that swirls around the upper deck.
Called the Aqua Slidecoaster, the three-story attraction will feature dual slides and a magnetic elevator that propels riders through two different courses. The line says the ride will revolve around the ship’s funnel as riders sail across the ship’s upper deck high above the sea.
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In addition to the watery roller coaster experience, Norwegian Aqua will have a new digital sports complex called Glow Court, which features an interactive LED floor. It will be home to a variety of interactive guest activities during the day and transform into a nightclub at night.
Designed to carry 3,571 passengers at double occupancy (when sailing with two passengers per cabin), Norwegian Aqua will be a larger version of the two Prima Class ships the line has rolled out over the past 14 months, freeing up space is for new and expanded attractions.
Related: Why I Loved the New Norwegian Prima – and You Will Too
Each of the previous Prima Class ships carried 3,099 passengers at double occupancy.
At 156,300 gross tons, Norwegian Aqua will be approximately 10% larger than the first two Prima Class ships (Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva). The company calls it a Prima Plus Class ship to distinguish it from the previous ships.
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Norwegian currently has 19 ships in its fleet and, assuming it does not retire any of its older ships in the next two years, will have 20 ships with the arrival of Norwegian Aqua.
Norwegian said Thursday that Norwegian Aqua’s first sailing will take place in April 2025. The ship will initially be based in Port Canaveral, Florida, for seven-night sailings to the Caribbean.
Port visits on the ship’s initial itineraries include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norway’s private island in the Bahamas.
The ship is currently under construction at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
“Norwegian Aqua is a true testament to merging what the future of our brand represents as the first ship in the Prima Plus class, and our commitment to pushing the boundaries in guest-first experiences that will create new waves at sea ,” said Norwegian Cruise. Line Chairman David J. Herrera said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line’s 9 ship types, explained
Herrera added that the ship will provide “new, high-quality and exciting offerings that once again showcase NCL as the industry innovator and a key contributor to a new era of cruise.”
Attractions old and new
In addition to the new water coaster and digital sports complex, which have never previously appeared on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, Norwegian Aqua will feature some of the classic attractions already found on the first new Prima Class ships. These include The Drop, a 10-storey free-fall slide, and the Stadium, a play area that will be expanded on Norwegian Aqua.
Norwegian also announced Thursday that Norwegian Aqua will have the largest Port Complex of any of its ships and the most spacious accommodations the line has ever offered.
The Haven is a luxury suite complex on many Norwegian ships that offers an elevated suite experience with private dining and private lounge and deck areas.
The Haven complex at Norwegian Aqua will include 123 suites featuring the first-ever three-bedroom duplex Haven suites. There will be four in total – all two stories high with separate living and dining areas; three bathrooms; an expansive balcony; and three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms have king-size beds, while the master bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows for stunning ocean views.
Other features of The Haven complex at Norwegian Aqua include an extensive, dedicated sundeck; an infinity pool overlooking the ship’s stern; an outdoor spa complete with a glass-walled sauna and cooling room; two hot tubs; a private lounge; an exclusive bar serving rare spirits and vintages.
As is the norm for The Haven complexes on Norwegian ships, the keycard-accessible complex will come with a 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge team.
Among other planned features for Norwegian Aqua, as announced Thursday:
- A special teen club room called Entourage for passengers aged 13 to 17
- An infinity pool with extensive seating and – for the first time on a Norwegian ship – sunbeds on the large pool deck
- An extensive, extra-paid Vibe Beach Club on the top deck of the ship with more lounge chairs
- More outdoor spaces generally across the ship’s open decks, including an extensive Ocean Boulevard that wraps around the ship
- A glass bridge on each side of the ship providing an opportunity for photos of the sea
- La Terrazza, an open-air lounge with beautiful sea views
In addition, Norwegian said Norwegian Aqua will feature a colorful hull art design by street artist Allison Hueman.
Following an initial series of sailings to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Norwegian Aqua will move to New York in August 2025 for a series of five- and seven-day voyages to Bermuda through October 2025.
Norwegian Aqua will then sail five- and seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami from October 2025 through April 2026.
All newly announced sailings open for bookings on Thursday.
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