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USA Today
31-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Don't fight over poolside space: Why Norwegian went bigger with its newest cruise ship
Don't fight over poolside space: Why Norwegian went bigger with its newest cruise ship Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, is the first in the line's Prima Plus Class and is 10% larger than its predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. Aqua features expanded public spaces, including a larger atrium, more outer deck space, and a bigger Vibe Beach Club. The ship also boasts new Haven suites, bringing the total number to 123, and a new lounge, Swirl Wine Bar. On a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line earlier this month, I watched the waves crash off the coast of Brest, France. Sitting in a plush chair in a corner of the Penrose Atrium on the line's newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, I snagged what felt like a prime spot even on a busy morning. That's not necessarily by chance. The atrium is one of several areas the cruise line expanded on Aqua, the first in the line's Prima Plus Class. Two 11-meter (36-foot) blocks were added to the ship to make it larger than Prima Class vessels Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, according to Mark Kansley, the line's senior vice president of Hotel Operations. 'We had some flexibility on where we would place those blocks, and I think we listened to our guests,' he told USA TODAY on board. 'It was very, very important that we gave them sufficient space throughout the ship.' Aqua, which welcomed its first passengers this month, is 10% bigger than its Prima Class predecessors – but that feels like more than it sounds. Here's what to know. How does Norwegian Aqua compare to Prima and Viva? While Aqua retains the aesthetic of Prima and Viva – an understated, modern look and a largely blue-and-beige color palette – there are several major distinctions. In addition to enlarging the atrium, which houses Starbucks and is a hub of activity, the cruise line removed a retail store from its seventh deck, which opened up much more seating in front of expansive windows. Norwegian also heard from guests on Prima and Viva that they wanted more outer deck space, including at the pool, according to Kansley. Aqua will sail in the Caribbean with 'more fun-in-the-sun' itineraries, he said. 'So, it made sense to increase the pool deck.' The pool area felt spacious during a March preview cruise, with room for rows of loungers, infinity hot tubs and large day beds. The adults-only Vibe Beach Club, also located on Deck 17, is about 45% bigger. The ship's increased size also enabled the cruise line to add more cabins, including its first Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites spanning two stories. The Haven, the line's upscale ship-within-a-ship concept, increased from 107 suites on Prima and Viva to 123 on Aqua amid 'extremely high' demand, Kansley said. In some cases, the updates are less quantifiable and more about how the ship feels. 'Just the flow of the vessel is so much more guest-centric,' Kansley said. 'It's intuitive.' By contrast, the flow of Prima and Viva 'could be challenging until you got to know your way around the ship.' I usually expect to get lost at some point when exploring a new cruise ship, but during my five-night stay on Aqua – which has 20 decks and can accommodate around 3,600 guests at double occupancy – I only got turned around once. And while Norwegian scaled up from Prima and Viva, the ship is still smaller than those in the line's Breakaway Plus Class. What else is new on Norwegian Aqua? Sukhothai: After the pad Thai at Nudls in Indulge Food Hall proved to be a best-seller on previous ships, Norwegian created an entire Thai specialty restaurant, Kansley said. Sukhothai, which costs $40 per guest, served the classic rice noodle dish alongside others like red curry with roasted duck, tom kha gai chicken soup and mango sticky rice. After the pad Thai at Nudls in Indulge Food Hall proved to be a best-seller on previous ships, Norwegian created an entire Thai specialty restaurant, Kansley said. Sukhothai, which costs $40 per guest, served the classic rice noodle dish alongside others like red curry with roasted duck, tom kha gai chicken soup and mango sticky rice. Planterie: Rather than just a few vegetarian or vegan dishes, Aqua has an entire plant-based eatery. Located inside Indulge, the complimentary venue's Hawaiian bowl with sweet potato glass noodles, grilled pineapple slaw, cucumber salad and a ginger tahini sauce was a highlight (guests can also add tempeh, falafel and more). Other menu items include lemon lentil soup and a Mediterranean Goddess bowl with quinoa and kale tabbouleh, hummus, kalamata olives, honey sweet potato and chickpeas. Rather than just a few vegetarian or vegan dishes, Aqua has an entire plant-based eatery. Located inside Indulge, the complimentary venue's Hawaiian bowl with sweet potato glass noodles, grilled pineapple slaw, cucumber salad and a ginger tahini sauce was a highlight (guests can also add tempeh, falafel and more). Other menu items include lemon lentil soup and a Mediterranean Goddess bowl with quinoa and kale tabbouleh, hummus, kalamata olives, honey sweet potato and chickpeas. Swirl Wine Bar: Guests might have to go looking for this lounge, tucked into a cozy space on Deck 6 near the ship's Whiskey Bar. The bar features wines by the glass, a menu that features rare and premium vintages and a sleek design inspired by Arizona's Antelope Canyon, from Miami firm Studio DADO. Read more about the new activities on board, like the Aqua Slidecoaster, by clicking here. Where will Norwegian Aqua sail? Following a transatlantic cruise that departed from Southampton, England, last week, the ship will sail on Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries with home ports in Miami, the Orlando-area Port Canaveral and New York through March 2027. Available cruises on Aqua currently start at $335 per person based on double occupancy, according to Norwegian's website. The fares include accommodations, many meals onboard, live entertainment and more. The reporter on this story received access to this event from Norwegian Cruise Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
USA Today
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Goodbye go-karts: Norwegian's new ship has a water ride like nothing you've seen at sea
Goodbye go-karts: Norwegian's new ship has a water ride like nothing you've seen at sea Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Norwegian Cruise Line's Aqua Slidecoaster is a new attraction that combines a roller coaster and a water slide. The ride is included in the cruise fare and is open to guests who meet the height and weight requirements. Other new activities on board Norwegian Aqua include a Prince tribute show, an interactive sports court, and a revamped arcade and virtual reality area. LISBON, Portugal —Sitting in a raft at the top of a cruise ship, I heard a mechanical trilling getting louder behind me. A mechanism that looked like robot arms got closer until they reached the back of my seat, pushing me upwards through rushing water until I reached a closed portion of the slide. Then, momentum took over. I twisted, turned and splashed for the next 40 seconds or so, gripping tight to the handles of the blue inflatable. I came out the other side wet, colder in the gusty spring weather and ready for another turn. I had stepped onto Norwegian Cruise Line's Aqua Slidecoaster – a combination roller coaster and water slide – and a conveyor belt delivered me to the bottom of a ramp with the Lisbon skyline to my left. The attraction aboard the line's newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, replaced the go-kart track found on others in the fleet, including Prima Class vessels Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. 'But we have them on five ships, and it was time to try something else,' Mark Kansley, Norwegian's Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, told USA TODAY. The line was also looking for a 'first,' he said. 'We wanted something that had never been done before on ships.' The ride is one of several new activities on board – the first in the line's Prima Plus Class – which sailed its maiden voyage earlier this month ahead of its first revenue sailing on March 28. Who can ride Norwegian Cruise Line's Aqua Slidecoaster? Any guest who meets the height and weight requirements can ride (they must be at least 4 feet tall, for example). However, the attraction is not recommended for guests with pacemakers, defibrillators or certain other conditions. There are no age requirements. Passengers can ride solo or double-up in the same raft. How much does the Aqua Slidecoaster cost? The ride is included in the cruise fare. What other new activities does Norwegian Aqua have? Revolution: A Celebration of Prince: Set to Prince's music, the hour-long show is a spectacle of powerful vocals, choreography and moving stage pieces that puts guests on the dance floor. 'This isn't an impersonation show,' said Bryan Anthony White, Vice President of Entertainment Production at the line's parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 'We are really doing a full theatrical tribute, which is something that NCL has wanted to do for a very long time.' The show was developed in partnership with Broadway choreographer and director Patricia Wilcox. Set to Prince's music, the hour-long show is a spectacle of powerful vocals, choreography and moving stage pieces that puts guests on the dance floor. 'This isn't an impersonation show,' said Bryan Anthony White, Vice President of Entertainment Production at the line's parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 'We are really doing a full theatrical tribute, which is something that NCL has wanted to do for a very long time.' The show was developed in partnership with Broadway choreographer and director Patricia Wilcox. Glow Court: The multipurpose sports court features an interactive LED floor that allows guests to immerse themselves in games like Wall Ball, where players use soccer balls to destroy a digital wall, and Stomp, where they have to stomp on and eliminate colored markers in the given time. At night, the space transforms into a nightclub. The multipurpose sports court features an interactive LED floor that allows guests to immerse themselves in games like Wall Ball, where players use soccer balls to destroy a digital wall, and Stomp, where they have to stomp on and eliminate colored markers in the given time. At night, the space transforms into a nightclub. Aqua Game Zone: An evolution of the line's Galaxy Pavilion and arcade offerings, the new area near the top of the ship combines virtual reality offerings with old-school games. Take a simulated Space Walk and then play Mario Bros or the Bean Bag Toss. Some games are complimentary, while others cost extra. Guests can buy one-day or full-voyage passes for $25 per person each day (those are capped at $175 for itineraries of seven or more days). An evolution of the line's Galaxy Pavilion and arcade offerings, the new area near the top of the ship combines virtual reality offerings with old-school games. Take a simulated Space Walk and then play Mario Bros or the Bean Bag Toss. Some games are complimentary, while others cost extra. Guests can buy one-day or full-voyage passes for $25 per person each day (those are capped at $175 for itineraries of seven or more days). Elements: The World Expanded: A revamped version of one of the line's most popular shows is debuting on Aqua, as well. The production centers around earth, water, wind and fire, and was also crafted with Wilcox, a longtime Norwegian collaborator. 'I think certainly what I strive for in 'Elements' is to feel something, and the same thing in 'Revolution,' is that we give (the audience) a big spectacle, but we should also take away a kind of human connection,' she said. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter with USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
