Norwegian takes delivery of first $850 million Prima Plus-class cruise ship
Norwegian Aqua has hit the water for the first time ahead of its maiden cruise in April.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) took delivery of its latest ship this week during a ceremony at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Venice, where more than 4,000 people have worked to construct the vessel.
It is estimated to have cost $850 million (£657 million) to build.
Norwegian Aqua is the first in the next-generation Prima Plus-class ship and is the largest in the fleet.
With a gross tonnage of 156,300 and a length of approximately 322 metres, Norwegian Aqua is 10 per cent bigger than the first two ships in the Prima class, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
Norwegian Aqua' s first voyage is scheduled for 26 April, a seven-night Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral.
Once onboard, passengers will discover features such as Slidecoaster, the world's first hybrid roller coaster with a water slide, and an interactive digital sports complex called Glow Court. They can also relax on the ship's Ocean Boulevard, a 360-degree outdoor promenade.
David J Herrera, president of NCL, said: '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.
'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 while cruising to the Caribbean, Bermuda and our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, where we remain focused and excited about investing in the guest experience.'
The delivery has made space for sister ship Norwegian Luna, which had its float out today (14 March).
It will move to the floating dock previously occupied by Norwegian Aqua to be ready for launch in spring 2026.
The Fincantieri shipyard is also currently working on four new cruise ships for NCL that will be among the largest at sea, with the first to be delivered in 2030.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Iconic car brand's new £155k EV ‘is a complete flop' after iconic model loved by celebs is reinvented
The new electric version of the iconic SUV has been massively outsold by its petrol and diesel counterparts BRAKE IT DOWN Iconic car brand's new £155k EV 'is a complete flop' after iconic model loved by celebs is reinvented Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STAFF at Mercedes have admitted that the electric version of an SUV popular with celebrities has been a "complete flop". The German manufacturer had high hopes for the £154,810 EV, but it has not had the desired impact on the car market. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The G-Wagon has proved popular with the super-rich Credit: simon thompson 6 The electric version of the G-Class has been branded a "complete flop" Credit: Getty 6 The original G-Wagon has sold more than seven times its electric counterpart Credit: Justin Leighton 2025 An electric version of the popular Mercedes G-Class - often referred to as the G-Wagon - has not proved successful among customers. Reports show that, since the G 580 was introduced in April last year, the original G-Wagon has almost seven times more sales than its electric counterpart. German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that one Mercedes executive had labelled the motor a "complete flop". They added: "The car is sitting like lead at dealers. It's a complete flop." Read more in Motors 'MODERN ART' Shoppers gobsmacked after smash leaves one motor mounted on top of another Another manager admitted the volume of sales for the "niche" EV had been "very low". It is understood that only 1,450 electric G-Wagons had been sold over a 12-month period, compared to 9,700 sales of the regular version. Despite having the same silhouette, the G 580 has proved difficult to sell against its iconic predecessor, which is substantially cheaper. The latter retails from £133,500, which is £20,000 less than its electric alternative. Customers have also been put off by the EV's EPA-certified range, which sits at just 239 miles from a single charge. And it could affect Mercedes plans for a downsized version, the "Little G", which is set to be released in 2027. Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move It was initially rumoured to be an EV-only model, but the motor giants might have to rethink these plans following the damning data and offer the vehicles with combustion engines. First designed in the 1970s, the G-Wagon was originally conceived as a military vehicle. But it has garnered a reputation for ferrying around famous faces and the super-rich, including Megan Fox, Britney Spears and Kendall Jenner. Speaking to Motor1, Mercedes' Markus Nast, global communications manager for compacts, midsizers, and the G-Class, said the company was "prepared for all market scenarios". He added: "Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine. "Our customers decide what suits them best. This also applies for the G-Class." The G 580 features a three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function, which can drag the car through ditches and ravines. It can reach 62mph in less than five seconds, with a top speed of 112mph. 6 The electric motor can reach 62mph in 4.7 seconds Credit: simon thompson 6 Reports show that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the car market Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 6 The G-Class has garnered a reputation for ferrying around famous faces Credit: simon thompson Like a regular G-Wagon, the electric G has a ladder-frame chassis with low-range, off-road gearing and trick suspension. And with an impressive 587hp, the three-tonne tank is as quick as a Porsche Cayman off the line. But reports have shown that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the market, with customers still favouring the iconic original motor. The Sun contacted Mercedes for comment.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Norwegian Cruise passenger falls into sea and ship detached from pier after being battered by strong winds
A Norwegian Cruise Line passenger was knocked into the water as strong winds caused the ship to blow away from the pier. The passenger was trying to disembark the Norwegian Epic in Catania, Sicily, on May 30, when a strong gust of wind knocked the ship away from the pier, causing the passenger to topple into the water. 'On duty crew members were able to immediately assist the guest from the water and see that they were evaluated by the medical team,' a spokesperson for the cruise line told USA Today. 'It was determined that they sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for further examination and treatment,' the spokesperson added. At the time, wind gusts were up to 45 mph, according to AccuWeather. After the passenger's fall, the ship stopped allowing passengers to disembark until the weather improved and it could resume docking. 'During this interruption, our crew were actively attending to our guests until they were able to re-embark the ship,' the spokesperson added. 'As always the safety of our guests and crew is our top priority.' The ship is currently on a 10-day excursion that started in Rome with stops in Italy, Greece, Malta and France, according to CruiseMapper. The incident is not the first time wind has caused issues on cruise ships. In February 2024, Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Magic ship struck a pier in Jamaica during high winds. In November 2024, a Royal Caribbean ship suffered severe damage inside after bad weather rocked the vessel as it traveled from Barcelona to Miami. The 'unexpected wind gust' caused the ship to jerk, sending glass bottles smashing and furniture toppling. One passenger was injured in that incident.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Horror as Norwegian Cruise Line guest falls into water while ship breaks away from pier
A cruise trip descended into horror and chaos after the ship broke away from the pier, sending a guest plunging into the water. The incident occurred on May 30 while the Norwegian Epic cruise was docked at a port in Catania, Sicily. Video footage captured by passengers aboard the cruise revealed the ship bumping into the pier, creating a loud booming sound. Onlookers could be heard gasping in shock as the boat separated from the pier, with one witness directing others to 'watch out.' A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed in a statement to USA Today that the passenger was attempting to leave the ship when it broke from the pier. 'On duty crew members were able to immediately assist the guest from the water and see that they were evaluated by the medical team,' the statement continued. 'It was determined that they sustained minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital for further examination and treatment.' The statement added that crew members stopped disembarkation efforts and noted that the weather impacted the ship's ability to safely dock. 'During this interruption, our crew were actively attending to our guests until they were able to re-embark the ship. As always the safety of our guests and crew is our top priority.' reached out to the cruise line for additional comment, but didn't immediately hear back. The Norwegian Epic was embarking on a European trip with stops in Italy, Greece, Malta, and France. The ship departed from Civitavecchia, Rome, on May 24, making three stops in Greece and one in Malta before docking in Catania on May 30, according to Cruise Mapper. Despite the hiccup, the cruise's path returned on its designated course and docked in Naples on May 31. Some passengers on the ship shared their experience during the disruption, with one writing on Facebook, 'We were lucky the ship was able to come back and get us after what happened.' 'We have never had this happen. We re-boarded 5 hours late. ZERO COMMUNICATION from NCL.' 'WELLLLL… isn't this special?! Our ship, Norwegian Cruise Line's Epic, broke loose from its moorings on the dock in Catania, Italy just awhile ago, around 1:00pm Italy time,' another shared in a Facebook post. 'People on the ramps getting back onto the ship fell into the water. All ropes snapped with loud bangs.' 'Our ship is now out in the ocean and we are stuck between the entry building and the dock. We watched all of the lines holding the boat snap like twigs,' the post continued. Wind gusts in Catania were over 30 mph when the boat separated from the pier, Fox Weather reported. Wind speeds were strong for the spring season in Italy, with the average speed under 10 mph in May.
