Norwegian Cruise Line Taking on Norwegian Aqua from Fincantieri

(eap) Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has taken delivery of Norwegian Aqua, the 20^th ship in its fleet and the first ship in the “Prima Plus Class”, from the Italian Fincantieri shipyard. As Norwegian Aqua prepares for her maiden voyage, Norwegian Luna reaches a significant construction milestone with her departure from dry dock.

Building on the design of the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva ships, Norwegian Aqua is ten percent larger and offers new experiences. These include the “Aqua Slidecoaster” (an innovative combination of roller coaster and water slide by wiegand.waterrides), the “Aqua Game Zone” (an entertainment area with retro arcade and VR games) and the “Glow Court” (a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor). Guests can also look forward to a series of evening shows and selected dining options such as the Thai specialty restaurant Sukhothai.

© Norwegian Cruise Line

“Norwegian Aqua is more than just a ship – it’s a promise to our guests that we will continue to push boundaries and offer more at sea,” says David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line. “From exciting 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. All while cruising the Caribbean, Bermuda and our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, where we remain focused on investing in the guest experience.”

“Norwegian Aqua is a testament to the solid and enduring partnership between Norwegian Cruise Line and Fincantieri, which was recently reaffirmed with the historic order of the four largest ships our group has ever built for the brand,” emphasizes Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri. “This ship embodies our shared commitment to technological innovation and excellence and is another milestone in a thriving cruise industry in which Fincantieri continues to lead the way. It is an honor to bring another groundbreaking ship to life and we look forward to continuing our partnership with all the exciting projects to come.” 

Norwegian Aqua will set sail on a transatlantic voyage from Southampton, UK, on March 28, 2025, and arrive in Boston and New York City on April 4 this year. The ship will then be officially christened in a festive ceremony on April 13. In its first year of operation, Norwegian Aqua will go on journeys from Miami and Port Canaveral (near Orlando) as well as New York City. ■