5 Things I Liked About Norwegian Aqua – and 4 I’m Not Sold On

TMR‘s Dori Saltzman recently returned for three nights onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua, the line’s first Prima-Plus Class of ship (technically, its third Prima Class vessel), where she had two days to experience all the 3,571-passenger ship has to offer.

Though mostly the same as Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, there are some notable differences and executives were quick to point out that Aqua fits in perfectly with NCL’s new focus on “more,” from more space in favorite venues to more activities, entertainment, and dining to enjoy.

“The optionality and the freedom and the flexibility to, in essence, customize your cruise, that is part of what more means,” said David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, during a media briefing onboard. “When you walk on this Prima-Plus Class ship for the first time, you feel it. There’ more space. There are more venues on the top deck. There are more options for food, more bars.”

While we didn’t get to experience everything the ship has to offer, we gave it a good try. Here’s what we liked about Norwegian Aqua, along with the few things we don’t think NCL got right.

What TMR Liked About Norwegian Aqua

1. Extra Space

Norwegian Aqua is 10% bigger than Prima and Viva, but that space is not distributed equally around the ship. Instead, NCL thoughtfully chose specific areas of the ship to concentrate the extra space in. Some of the spots, like the atrium, The Local, and the pool deck, were problem spots on Prima and Viva where overcrowding was a regular issue.

Particularly in the atrium where NCL relocated some of the retail that used to take up valuable space, the spaciousness is immediately apparent. I also felt it on the bar side of The Local, which on Prima and Viva is quite narrow. Seeing as going through this area is also the only way to get to the Indulge Food Hall, it was often uncomfortably busy. Same was true on the pool deck, which had to share space with the Go-Kart racetrack. With that removed on Aqua, there’s lots more room for loungers.

Another area where extra space can be felt is in stateroom bathrooms, which are 11% larger than on Prima and Viva. Balconies are also 17% bigger (though I admit, I never made it out onto the balcony).

The Haven also benefitted from extra space. Norwegian Aqua’s The Haven is 15% bigger than the venue on Prima and Viva, with 123 cabins vs. 107.

All in all, Norwegian Cruise Line did a good job allocating the extra space to areas that needed it, giving the ship an airier feel.

2. Iconic Entertainment

While Norwegian Aqua is the first new ship in the fleet to debut without a Broadway show (something NCL is unfortunately moving away from), the line is leaning into entertainment driven by some of the most iconic singers and bands of all time.

On Aqua, the marquis show is “Revolution,” which is a celebration of everything Prince, with over-the-top costumes (so much sequence!), high-energy dancing, and a sampling of both beloved and B-side Prince songs.  

I believe the show will be a hit, particularly with Boomers, Gen X, and older Millennials as it plays into the nostalgia that many feel for the 1980s.

It is not, however, as high-quality as the Broadway shows were. Most importantly, the talent is the same cast that’s used for most of the other mainstage shows, which is never as good as a Broadway cast. (The cast in a Broadway show at sea goes through a much rigorous audition process and receives Broadway touring credit.) Secondly, there’s no story to follow, so if you’re not a Prince fan, there’s nothing else to resonate with.

The best show onboard, by far, is another one that leans into iconic entertainers. “Rumors,” which debuted as a side show located in Syd Norman’s Pour House, is a performance of all the songs on the Fleetwod Mac “Rumors” album. It’s been moved into the main theater because of its popularity. The singers who were cast specifically for this show and to emulate the band’s members are fantastic. In between songs, each cast member takes a turn telling the story of the album and the drama behind the scenes.

Taking the place of “Rumors” in Syd Norman’s is “A Tribute to Michaels Jackson,” yet another show that leverages an iconic entertainer and plays on the nostalgia of Boomers, Gen X, and older Millennials. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to this one-time performance, but if it’s even half as good as “Rumors,” it’s sure to be a hit.

3. Aqua Slidecoaster

When NCL announced this first-of-its-kind hybrid rollercoaster/waterslide, I admit I wasn’t that impressed. The line has always had waterslides on its newest ships and they’ve never really been anything that special. Plus, how do you actually make a waterslide as exciting as a rollercoaster – or the line’s Go-Kart racetrack, (which NCL removed from Aqua to open up space on the top decks and get rid of excess weight).

I was wrong.

The Aqua Slidecoaster is one of the most fun “rides” at sea I’ve come across in a long time. It starts with a mechanical arm essentially slingshotting you up a steep incline and into the water part of the ride. That first turn is exhilarating and you get properly splashed. After the first turn, the ride slows down a bit, with brightly colored twists and turns that feel almost leisurely after the highspeed start.

I did it twice and would have happily kept going except the line (which has no shade) had gotten long and I had forgotten to put sunscreen on.

The Aqua Slidecoaster is free to ride and everyone – of all ages – will enjoy it.

4. Indulge Food Hall

One of NCL’s best-ever dining concepts, the Indulge Food Hall is back on Norwegian Aqua, this time with an additional plant-based option called Planterie.

For anyone not familiar with Indulge, the complimentary eatery is essentially a giant food court with nearly a dozen “stalls,” each with a different type of food from barbeque to Asian noodles to tapas to desserts and more. Diners order what they want from any of the venues via tablets and the food is delivered in less than 10 minutes.

With limited time onboard, Planterie was the only menu I got to enjoy at Indulge this time around. I loved the Mediterranean bowl with panko fried tofu. If I’d had more time, I would have liked to try out a couple of the other bowls (they’re pretty small) and a soup.

5. The Game Zone

The Game Zone, which replaces the Galaxy Pavilion on Norwegian Prima and Viva, is a lot of fun. From virtual reality “rides” with some 30 scenarios to try out to classic arcade games and duckpin bowling, there is lots to keep kids (of all ages!) entertained.

I spent probably close to two hours trying out several of the VR scenarios and bowling with media friends onboard my preview sailing. It was a blast, and I’d have happily gone back for more play time.

However, there is one big caveat to my love of The Game Zone. As a special guest on the preview sailing, all the attractions inside were free. That is not the case with regular sailings. Each VR ride costs $5. The duckpin bowling is $7 per person for a game. All of the arcade games have their own individual charges. For a family with kids – and particularly teenagers – those charges can add up quickly. Be sure to let your clients know to budget for the games, set limits with their kids, and take advantage of any price bundles that NCL might offer.

(For games that cost nothing, families can check out The Stadium, which has different types of ping pong and other non-electric games. The Glow Court, which replaces the sports court found on most ships, also costs extra if families want to take advantage of the electronic aspects of the space.)

What TMR Didn’t Like on Norwegian Aqua

1. Dated Entertainment

Up until a year ago, my immediate answer to questions about the best entertainment at sea was always Norwegian Cruise Line. The Boadway shows on its newest ships were, hands down, the best shows. Sadly, Norwegian has made it clear that it is moving away from these shows.

Replacements like “Revolution” (mentioned above), while not of the same quality, should still be enjoyable options for most guests. On the other hand, investing money in some of the shows that already exist, like the enhancements to “Elements” that we got to experience snippets of, is just giving cruisers more of the “same old.”

As a cruise expert, I look for what’s new and exciting when “new” entertainment is rolled out on a cruise ship. I expect at least some of what I see to be something I’ve never seen before. What we got to experience of “Elements” (performer injuries stopped the full preview) was derivative of all the other “cirque”-lite shows we’ve seen on ships before. The newest elements, created specifically for Aqua (according to the show’s creator) were the most boring.

With that said, I am not your average cruise guest and someone who hasn’t seen a dozen or more of these types of shows might be entertained.

2. The Drop

The Aqua Slidecoaster isn’t the only thrill ride onboard Norwegian Aqua. The Drop is a dry slide that sends riders down 10-stories in a free-fall style experience. Having been on other slides that were either a dry slide (think The Abyss on Royal Caribbean) or water-based drop slides, I didn’t think The Drop would be that different.

Unfortunately for me, it was. About halfway down, the ride causes your body to vibrate, primarily, in your head and neck area. I wasn’t the only one to come down and complain of a headache afterward, but it’s almost a week later and I’m still feeling the pain in my neck and shoulders.

To be fair, there is a sign that says anyone with neck and back problems shouldn’t do The Drop. But I didn’t have neck or back problems before I did it. I do now. I honestly would not recommend The Drop to anyone 40 or older. I just don’t think the 30-seconds is worth the risk.

3. Sukhothai

Another new dining venue onboard Norwegian Aqua is Sukhothai, a Thai restaurant that NCL decided to add after the Pad Thai in Indulge Food Hall was consistently rated one of the best meals onboard Norwegian Prima and Viva. Knowing that, I had the Pad Thai and enjoyed it.

Had I dined at Sukhothai in a vacuum, this restaurant would be listed in the things I loved section of this piece. However, several others I spoke to who also dined at Sukhothai were disappointed in their meals with all telling me that the food wasn’t flavorful or spicy enough.

As someone who is not a Thai cuisine aficionado – or a fan of Thai spices in general – I would not have known this was an issue. As I said, I enjoyed my Pad Tahi, but true fans of Thai food might find the menu items here too bland.

4. Stateroom Metal Baskets

I’m not going to claim that NCL was specifically listening to me in 2023 when I pointed out some of the changes – bigger The Local and more pool deck space – that I wished it would make when it’s third Prima Class ship came out. But considering the line did make those changes, I’m going to bring back up one of my least favorite things about the Prima Class ships – the metal baskets in the staterooms that have replaced wooden drawers.

They’re impractical and a peril to delicate fabrics. I wasn’t a fan when they first debuted on Prima and I’m still not a fan.