NCL christens Norwegian Aqua, expands Great Stirrup Cay
The new experiences will debut in the fourth quarter of 2025, including an expansive pool area with a dedicated bar and kids splash zone.
The company's history of providing guests with variety of choice and freedom to design their best vacation has led to additional plans to be revealed in the future, highlighting how NCL will deliver more relaxation, family activities, and ways to vacation on the island with dedicated areas for guests of all ages.
The ceremony, which took place at the Company's LEED Gold Certified terminal at PortMiami, included a special appearance by Norwegian Aqua godfather and two-time Emmy Award-winning actor, Eric Stonestreet.
Over 2,000 guests attended the event, which included a preview of the Company's newest in-house production of "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince," the world's first-ever theatrical concert experience honoring the multi-Grammy Award nominated and winner Prince.
NCL President David Herrera unveiled the company's plans to expand the offerings at Great Stirrup Cay, one of NCL's top guest-rated ports, with new experiences that will deliver more to do and enjoy for guests of all ages.
The island's development plans also include extending guest-favorite onboard experiences to Great Stirrup Cay, including a new Vibe Beach Club, Horizon Park, and a relaxation area with swaying hammocks.
Herrera emphasised that these enhancements are just the beginning, and there is much more NCL is reimagining to complement the island's current offering and reaffirm the company's promise to deliver more of what guests love about cruising with NCL.
'It is a very special time for all of us at NCL – we are welcoming a new incredible ship into our fleet with the christening of the stunning and action-packed, Norwegian Aqua, and we are doing so alongside her godfather, Eric Stonestreet, who perfectly embodies the authenticity of what it means for our guests to 'Experience More at Sea,'' said Herrera. 'In addition, we are unveiling that Great Stirrup Cay is getting even greater with MORE to do! Later this year we will launch new experiences for our guests to enjoy on this already incredible private island. And now with our newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, entering into the market with voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, it is the perfect time to start planning your next warm-weather vacation.'
'As a new cruiser who has a deep passion for travel, it is absolutely spectacular to see the amazing features and experiences that travelers and their families can enjoy aboard Norwegian Aqua, including the world's first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster!' said Eric Stonestreet, two-time Emmy Award-winning actor. 'The team at Norwegian Cruise Line, onboard and ashore, are the very best of the best, and I am honored to serve as the godfather of the beautiful Norwegian Aqua. As part of the NCL family, I can't wait for guests to 'Experience More at Sea' with NCL and create unforgettable memories with their families as I look forward to doing with mine as well!' -TradeArabia News Service
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Massive Waterpark at Its Private Island in the Bahamas
Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL) is transforming its private island, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, with exciting new experiences for guests. The highlight is the Great Tides Waterpark, set to open in summer 2026, covering nearly six acres and packed with adventures for the whole family. The expanded island offerings include cliff jumps, jet karts, swim-up bars, splash zones, and more, designed to give both kids and adults more freedom to explore and enjoy 'The Great Life!' at Great Stirrup Cay. 'Great Stirrup Cay has always been a standout part of the Norwegian Cruise Line experience,' said David J. Herrera, president of NCL. 'At 270 acres, our private island gives us the perfect space to reinvent what guests can do and enjoy. Whether you're relaxing by the new heated pool, racing down waterslides with your kids, or enjoying a hammock by the ocean, we're bringing more of what our guests love ashore. I can't wait to welcome everyone to the ultimate private island in the Caribbean.' A Waterpark Like No Other Great Tides Waterpark will feature 19 waterslides, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, a 9,000-square-foot kids' splash zone, and the cruise industry's first cliffside jumps. The centerpiece, the Tidal Tower, rises 170 feet and includes eight thrilling slides, including two tall inner-tube slides for heart-pumping excitement. Other attractions include racing slides, spiraling tube slides, and convenient conveyer belts to carry rafts to the top. Families and thrill-seekers can also enjoy Cliffside Cove, with racer slides, 10- and 15-foot cliff jumps, and the Caribbean's only family slide where four guests can ride together. For a more relaxed experience, guests can sip cocktails at The Grotto Bar, tucked under the family slide. Kids will love the 9,000-square-foot splash zone, featuring a 40-foot tipping bucket, mini slides, and interactive water features. The dynamic river offers a faster, more exciting experience than a typical lazy river, complete with an illuminated grotto tunnel for a magical, multi-sensory journey. Well-placed cabanas provide premium access to the waterpark's family-friendly areas. With these new attractions, Great Stirrup Cay is set to offer more adventure, more relaxation, and unforgettable memories for everyone visiting NCL's private island.
Daily Tribune
30-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
AI bands signal new era for music business
A rising tide of artificial intelligence (AI) bands is ushering in a new era where work will be scarcer for musicians. Whether it's Velvet Sundown's 1970s-style rock or country music projects "Aventhis" and "The Devil Inside," bands whose members are pure AI creations are seeing more than a million plays on streaming giant Spotify. No major streaming service clearly labels tracks that come entirely from AI, except France's Deezer. Meanwhile, the producers of these songs tend to be unreachable. "I feel like we're at a place where nobody is really talking about it, but we are feeling it," said music producer, composer and performer Leo Sidran. "There is going to be a lot of music released that we can't really tell who made it or how it was made." The Oscar-winning artist sees the rise of AI music as perhaps a sign of how "generic and formulaic" genres have become. AI highlights the chasm between music people listen to "passively" while doing other things and "active" listening in which fans care about what artists convey, said producer and composer Yung Spielburg on the Imagine AI Live podcast. Spielburg believes musicians will win out over AI with "active" listeners but will be under pressure when it comes to tunes people play in the background while cooking dinner or performing mundane tasks. If listeners can't discern which tunes are AI-made, publishers and labels will likely opt for synthetic bands that don't earn royalties, Spielburg predicted. "AI is already in the music business and it's not going away because it is cheap and convenient," said Mathieu Gendreau, associate professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, who is also a music industry executive. "That will make it even more difficult for musicians to make a living." Music streaming platforms already fill playlists with mood music attributed to artists about whom no information can be found, according to University of Rochester School of Music professor Dennis DeSantis. Meanwhile, AI-generated soundtracks have become tempting, cost-saving options in movies, television shows, ads, shops, elevators and other venues, DeSantis added. AI takes all? Composer Sidran says he and his music industry peers have seen a sharp slowdown in work coming their way since late last year. "I suspect that AI is a big part of the reason," said Sidran, host of "The Third Story" podcast. "I get the feeling that a lot of the clients that would come to me for original music, or even music from a library of our work, are using AI to solve those problems." Technology has repeatedly helped shape the music industry, from electric guitars and synthesizers to multi-track recording and voice modulators. Unlike such technologies that gave artists new tools and techniques, AI could lead to the "eradication of the chance of sustainability for the vast majority of artists," warned George Howard, a professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. "AI is a far different challenge than any other historical technological innovation," Howard said. "And one that will likely be zero-sum." Howard hopes courts will side with artists in the numerous legal battles with generative AI giants whose models imitate their styles or works. Gendreau sees AI music as being here to stay and teaches students to be entrepreneurs as well as artists in order to survive in the business. Sidran advises musicians to highlight what makes them unique, avoiding the expected in their works because "AI will have done it."
Bahrain This Week
28-07-2025
- Bahrain This Week
NBB Crowns First Luxury Villa Winner in Thara'a June Prize
The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) is pleased to announce Mahmood Ali Zainal as the winner of the June Thara'a Prize Account draw, awarding a luxurious villa in the Al Naseem development in Diyar Al Muharraq. The official handover took place on 17th July, where the winner was celebrated for winning his stunning new home. The draw was conducted on 15th July in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC), as well as internal and external auditors to ensure full transparency and compliance. Commenting on the occasion, Mr Subah Abdullatif Al Zayani, Chief Executive – Retail Banking at NBB, said, 'Thara'a reflects our commitment towards rewarding financial responsibility with life-changing prizes. Presenting a home to one of our loyal customers is a powerful reminder of the real value of saving, and we are proud to be a part of this special milestone in Mr. Zainal's life. We look forward to celebrating many more winners throughout the year. ' The Thara'a Prize Account continues to be a trusted choice for savers in Bahrain, offering them the opportunity to win 5 seafront villas and cash prizes of over USD 3,000,000 in raffle draws organised throughout the year.
