Norwegian Cruise Line Takes Delivery of Newest Ship, Norwegian Aqua
by Daniel McCarthy
NCL’s Herrera and Marco Lunardi, Senior Vice President Marghera Shipyard of Fincantieri.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship is well on its way to the water.
The cruise line announced Wednesday that it had officially taken delivery of Norwegian Aqua from Fincantieri, which constructed the ship at its Marghera shipyard in Italy. Norwegian President David J. Herrera, along with the team from Fincantieri, was on hand for the ceremony.
“Norwegian Aqua is more than just a ship—it’s a commitment to our guests that we will continue to push boundaries and deliver MORE at sea,” Herrera said. “From thrilling attractions like the Aqua Slidecoaster to the debut of Sukhothai, our first Thai specialty restaurant, Norwegian Aqua is designed to create unforgettable moments for the whole family
Aqua joins the Norwegian fleet as its 20th overall ship and the first in its Prima Plus class. The ship is 10% larger than Norwegian’s Prima-class ships, which include Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, with more wide-open space that the cruise line says will allow guests to connect more deeply with the ocean.
The ship will feature even more amenities and experiences than the Prima-class ships, including the all-new Aqua Slidecoaster, a first-of-its-kind hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, and a new lavish accommodation category in The Haven — the 979-square-foot Three-Bedroom Duplex Suite with Large Balcony, Norwegian’s first two-story accommodation.
Earlier this year, TMR got a preview of the ship’s entertainment lineup, highlighted by the new “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” show.
Aqua will sail a series of inaugural voyages in Europe before heading to the U.S. via a transatlantic journey from Southampton on March 28. It will make its U.S. debut in April 2025, with its first year of service including itineraries from Miami and Port Canaveral that feature stops at Great Stirrup Cay.
Aqua will then sail from New York City in August and September, offering Bermuda itineraries during the summer that include overnight stays on the island.
Norwegian has already unveiled that Eric Stonestreet, best known for his role as Cameron Tucker on “Modern Family,” will be the ship’s godfather.
