Latest news with #Plus-class
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I stayed in the exclusive VIP area of Norwegian's new cruise ship: Here's what $5,150 gets you
Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship, Norwegian Aqua, has a section exclusive to its highest-paying guests. The Haven includes 123 suites and a private restaurant, bar, lounge, and two-floor pool deck. These high-end cabins start at $5,150 per person for a weeklong cruise this summer. The amenities on Norwegian's new ship are fairly routine, at least as mass-market cruises go. There's a water playground for toddlers, and a hybrid roller coaster-waterslide for taller kids. There's an LED sports court for groups of hoop-shooting teens and a pickleball court for groups of weaker-kneed adults. But the two-month-old Aqua has one secret that most of the ship's guests can't — or won't be allowed to — catch a glimpse of: the Haven. The Haven is a mini luxury ship hidden within the walls of the massive vessel. The Haven is a collection of Norwegian Aqua's highest-end suites with access to an exclusive lounge. On paper, this shared space has all the amenities of a typical cruise (like a pool and restaurant), except quieter, upscale, and more service-forward. This exclusivity has been a big selling point for a cruise line that doesn't usually target luxury travelers. The company increased its count of Haven cabins from 107 on its previous Prima-class ships to 123 on the new Prima Plus-class Norwegian Aqua. Demand is outpacing the expansion. About 9% of Norwegian Aqua's 1,387 cabins are in The Haven. The limited inventory means they're in hot demand. These high-end accommodations are reserved faster than other stateroom categories — often about four months before sailing, the cruise line told Business Insider. The Haven is sold out for about half of the ship's seven-day Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, this summer. A 'haven' from what? Noise, crowds, and, maybe more subliminally, the less wealthy. The most affordable Haven option left for this summer, a balcony cabin in early August, starts at about $5,150 per person. The cost is steep compared to a standard (albeit smaller) non-Haven balcony stateroom, which is about $1,900 per person on the same voyage. Is paying almost triple the price for a somewhat similar accommodation worth it? Well, it depends on how much you value exclusivity and service. The Haven Lounge is gated from the rest of the ship behind keycard-activated glass doors. Life past these doors feels less like a commercial cruise and more like a luxury ship. The contemporary lounge is grounded with bright, neutral decor. It's as trendy (à la some statement furniture) as it is cozy (with plenty of couches and decorative books). Find the concierge desk if you need to make a spa reservation. Or, if you're looking for a peaceful afternoon, snag one of the windowside seats and a drink from the bar. The watering hole is hard to miss, with an opulent art deco elan that commands a glimpse or two from any passerby. Bespoke beverages from a bespoke bar. You could indulge in a sugary margarita. But why bother with the conventional when the drinks here are nothing like those outside the Haven? For one (or four), it uses in-house infused vermouths, liqueurs, spirits, and bitters. And if you're feeling especially daring, you could ask the bartenders to create a customized cocktail based on your ideal base and taste (refreshing versus spirit-forward, classic versus adventurous). If you're feeling peckish, head to the adjacent restaurant. No need to restlessly queue up at the main breakfast buffet for some lukewarm bacon. In the morning, the Haven Restaurant serves classics like eggs Benedict and other options like shrimp toast — all to be paired with a line-up of pastries and cold cuts from a small buffet. Enjoy your lunch at one of the outdoor tables. Satisfy your afternoon hunger with a fried seafood platter, lobster bisque, or Brie burger. For dinner, head back for steak tartare, porcini risotto, and more lobster, this time in the appetizer deviled eggs and entrée surf and turf (with filet mignon, of course). Nap off the food coma at the two-floor pool deck. There are no hard plastic poolside chaises here. Every lounge chair is topped with a thick cushion and garnished with a head pillow. If you're lucky, you can snag one of the cabanas (at no additional cost, unlike the cabanas out there). The outdoor lounge also has a bar. If standing up requires too much energy, wait for a waiter to request your order. Cool off in the infinity pool. Or warm up in the two hot tubs on the top deck, where you'll find more lounge seating. If you're temperature-confused, hop between the private sauna and ice room. The Haven's location at the aft of the ship is strategic. Its rear positioning blocks the chill from incoming headwinds while providing unobstructed ocean views from the infinity pool. It may be inconvenient for guests who want to access amenities at the front of the ship (such as the theater and Observation Lounge). Luckily, the private Haven keycard-activated elevators help expedite the journey. Plus, there's no need to rush when you get priority for almost everything. The Haven's amenities don't stop at the elevator doors. In addition to this exclusive space, Haven guests also have a cabin butler, reserved seating for theater shows, and priority embarkation, debarkation, and tendering — an underrated benefit when visiting Norwegian's private island, which will require taking a tender to shore until a pier is completed at the end of the year. That alone could make the Haven worth every penny. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
I stayed in the exclusive VIP area of Norwegian's new cruise ship: Here's what $5,150 gets you
Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship, Norwegian Aqua, has a section exclusive to its highest-paying guests. The Haven includes 123 suites and a private restaurant, bar, lounge, and two-floor pool deck. These high-end cabins start at $5,150 per person for a weeklong cruise this summer. The amenities on Norwegian's new ship are fairly routine, at least as mass-market cruises go. There's a water playground for toddlers, and a hybrid roller coaster-waterslide for taller kids. There's an LED sports court for groups of hoop-shooting teens and a pickleball court for groups of weaker-kneed adults. But the two-month-old Aqua has one secret that most of the ship's guests can't — or won't be allowed to — catch a glimpse of: the Haven. The Haven is a mini luxury ship hidden within the walls of the massive vessel. The Haven is a collection of Norwegian Aqua's highest-end suites with access to an exclusive lounge. On paper, this shared space has all the amenities of a typical cruise (like a pool and restaurant), except quieter, upscale, and more service-forward. This exclusivity has been a big selling point for a cruise line that doesn't usually target luxury travelers. The company increased its count of Haven cabins from 107 on its previous Prima-class ships to 123 on the new Prima Plus-class Norwegian Aqua. Demand is outpacing the expansion. About 9% of Norwegian Aqua's 1,387 cabins are in The Haven. The limited inventory means they're in hot demand. These high-end accommodations are reserved faster than other stateroom categories — often about four months before sailing, the cruise line told Business Insider. The Haven is sold out for about half of the ship's seven-day Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, this summer. A 'haven' from what? Noise, crowds, and, maybe more subliminally, the less wealthy. The most affordable Haven option left for this summer, a balcony cabin in early August, starts at about $5,150 per person. The cost is steep compared to a standard (albeit smaller) non-Haven balcony stateroom, which is about $1,900 per person on the same voyage. Is paying almost triple the price for a somewhat similar accommodation worth it? Well, it depends on how much you value exclusivity and service. The Haven Lounge is gated from the rest of the ship behind keycard-activated glass doors. Life past these doors feels less like a commercial cruise and more like a luxury ship. The contemporary lounge is grounded with bright, neutral decor. It's as trendy (à la some statement furniture) as it is cozy (with plenty of couches and decorative books). Find the concierge desk if you need to make a spa reservation. Or, if you're looking for a peaceful afternoon, snag one of the windowside seats and a drink from the bar. The watering hole is hard to miss, with an opulent art deco elan that commands a glimpse or two from any passerby. Bespoke beverages from a bespoke bar. You could indulge in a sugary margarita. But why bother with the conventional when the drinks here are nothing like those outside the Haven? For one (or four), it uses in-house infused vermouths, liqueurs, spirits, and bitters. And if you're feeling especially daring, you could ask the bartenders to create a customized cocktail based on your ideal base and taste (refreshing versus spirit-forward, classic versus adventurous). If you're feeling peckish, head to the adjacent restaurant. No need to restlessly queue up at the main breakfast buffet for some lukewarm bacon. In the morning, the Haven Restaurant serves classics like eggs Benedict and other options like shrimp toast — all to be paired with a line-up of pastries and cold cuts from a small buffet. Enjoy your lunch at one of the outdoor tables. Satisfy your afternoon hunger with a fried seafood platter, lobster bisque, or Brie burger. For dinner, head back for steak tartare, porcini risotto, and more lobster, this time in the appetizer deviled eggs and entrée surf and turf (with filet mignon, of course). Nap off the food coma at the two-floor pool deck. There are no hard plastic poolside chaises here. Every lounge chair is topped with a thick cushion and garnished with a head pillow. If you're lucky, you can snag one of the cabanas (at no additional cost, unlike the cabanas out there). The outdoor lounge also has a bar. If standing up requires too much energy, wait for a waiter to request your order. Cool off in the infinity pool. Or warm up in the two hot tubs on the top deck, where you'll find more lounge seating. If you're temperature-confused, hop between the private sauna and ice room. The Haven's location at the aft of the ship is strategic. Its rear positioning blocks the chill from incoming headwinds while providing unobstructed ocean views from the infinity pool. It may be inconvenient for guests who want to access amenities at the front of the ship (such as the theater and Observation Lounge). Luckily, the private Haven keycard-activated elevators help expedite the journey. Plus, there's no need to rush when you get priority for almost everything. The Haven's amenities don't stop at the elevator doors. In addition to this exclusive space, Haven guests also have a cabin butler, reserved seating for theater shows, and priority embarkation, debarkation, and tendering — an underrated benefit when visiting Norwegian's private island, which will require taking a tender to shore until a pier is completed at the end of the year. That alone could make the Haven worth every penny.
Business Insider
13-05-2025
- Business Insider
I sailed on Norwegian's giant new cruise ship. It's one of my new favorites — and strong competition against Royal Caribbean and Carnival.
On paper, the 156,300-gross-ton Norwegian Aqua is similar to any other commercial cruise ship. Its 20 decks, colorful hull, and protruding spaghetti-like waterslide-roller coaster are hard to miss from the streets of its homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida. The 1,056-foot-long Prima Plus-class vessel is 10% larger than its Prima class predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Viva. It can accommodate up to 4,482 guests, with its 1,387 cabins ranging from tiny 94-square-foot solo studios to mammoth eight-person, 2,100 square-foot suites with butlers and balconies. But despite its size, Norwegian Aqua feels more like a boutique ship. In 2025, it starts at $773 per person for a five-day round-trip Bermuda cruise from New York. Competitor Royal Caribbean has perfected the art of building colorful cruises with distinctively disparate 'neighborhoods.' By shedding thematic cohesion, Royal Caribbean's vessels create different areas for different guests, making them feel more like floating cities. Norwegian's latest project has similarly diverse amenities. But instead of creating contrasting districts with vastly different themes, every public space exudes a clean, bright, modern design. It forgoes the garish, kaleidoscopic, and at times campy decor travelers might associate with large family ships in favor of a neutral and subtly sophisticated interior that opens seamlessly into its outdoor spaces — of which there are plenty. During my complimentary three-night test voyage in mid-April, the ship was sailing at half its full capacity. It's so well designed, I thought it was only a quarter full. It looks like its upscale sister brands, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, without sacrificing the entertainment of its mass-market purpose. In addition to kids' clubs, Norwegian Aqua keeps families entertained with a 10-story drop slide, high-tech dart boards, and a kids' water playground. A large, family-friendly cruise wouldn't be complete without a waterslide. The Aqua Slidecoaster does double duty as a slide and a roller coaster. The Slidecoaster's robot arm launches riders upward of 31 miles per hour into the waterslide tubes. Once inside (and after you stop screaming), it slows down significantly, with a pace more akin to a quick lazy river. It's jolting and entertaining — a great replacement for Norwegian's go-kart course, notably absent from the ship. Plus, it's free, a rarity for cruise ship crown jewels. Cruise staples like a sports court, arcade, and mini-golf course have also been modernized on Aqua. What the Glow Court lacks in size, it makes up for in versatility. Its LED floors and walls instantly transform according to the participant's choice of sport and activity. The 12-hole mini-golf course is similarly flashy. Cameras track and log the participants' putts, forgoing the need for a do-it-yourself scorecard. It also automatically stores the ball after the final hole, so you only have to return your putter. However, a go-around will cost $5 per player. Afterward, hit up the juiced-up arcade. Again, it's not free. And the variety of VR headset rides, claw machines, arcade games, and tiny bowling lanes is sure to dent the wallets of families with excitable children. On the bright side, the Stadium, an open-air collection of activities such as shuffleboard and "beer" pong, is free. Adults get the Vibe Beach Club. Time to drop the youngsters off at the kids' club? Hit the pickleball court to increase your heart rate. If you'd rather relax, there's always the spa with facials costing upward of $300. Or, head to Vibe Beach Club. The adult-only outdoor reprieve has lounge chairs, hot tubs, and drinks. However, it does cost $270 for a seven-day pass. If you hate lounging near children, it might be worth the cost. But there are plenty of other places to loiter under the sun, be it the pool deck or the Ocean Boulevard walkway with infinity pools and daybeds. The luxury of choice also extends to dining. For something new, you could pay $50 to try Norwegian's first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai. The papaya salad and red curry with roasted duck met expectations, although neither was as spicy as they were hyped to be. That said, your meal will likely be cheaper (and just as good) at your local Thai restaurant. Aqua has 7 complimentary restaurants. Or, if you're being generous, 17 — Indulge Food Hall has 10 stations, including Spanish tapas, noodles, and plant-based bowls, that can be ordered using tableside digital tablets. The Lanzhou beef and dan dan noodles were pleasantly authentic (as in, I choked on the chili oil in the beef noodle soup a few times). The same goes for the Indian stall, as expected from a kitchen with a tandoor. Order from the veggie-friendly Planterie for a lighter meal. The Hawaiian bowl was nutty and balanced. For protein, consider a side of the tempeh, which is prepared with a sweet barbecue sauce. Or, try the cóctel de mariscos from The Latin Quarter, brisket from Q Texas Smokehouse, or picanha from Seaside Rotisserie — you can order from different stalls simultaneously. Indulge is quick and convenient, with enough options to satisfy a family of fussy eaters. If I could eat there every day, I would. Aqua has two ritzy main dining rooms for a more formal sit-down dinner. There's also a classic cruise ship buffet. But be warned, it's smaller than expected. Instead, grab a Brie sandwich and a cookie from the Observation Lounge. Or head to Local for bar food comforts like pretzels and burgers. They'll pair great with an ice-cold beer. There are 16 other places to grab a beverage on Aqua, whether a glass of prosecco or a Starbucks Frappuccino. Swirl is Norwegian's first wine bar. One bartender told me it had access to every bottle on board the ship, while another said orange wine is exclusive to the Mediterranean restaurant. You're better off sipping at another bar if you barely know the difference between a riesling and a Chenin Blanc. Go to Metropolitan for live music with a dark, classy ambiance. There's also a whiskey bar for, well, whiskey enthusiasts, and a humidor lounge for cigar indulgers. Venues like the pool, improv club, and live music hub, Syd Norman's Pour House, have places to drink, too. Syd Norman's isn't to be mistaken with the theater show 'Syd Norman's Presents: Rumours.' During the performance, a cover band runs through Fleetwood Mac's iconic album while dropping bits of trivia about each song. It's much less theatrical than the "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince" show, which is chock-full of lightweight hip thrusts, colorful costumes, and lilypad-like platforms that rotate around the standing room floor to create an ever-changing set. For a more showy show, there's "Elements: The World Expanded, which features magicians and Cirque du Soleil-like acrobats. So yes, while Norwegian Aqua looks like an upscale cruise ship for retirees, it's really a great option for families. Norwegian's latest ship leans into the "floating amusement park" cruise trend without overwhelming guests. It strikes an artful balance between curating a posh atmosphere and including amenities to satisfy multigenerational families. It's as relaxing (infinity pools with daybeds and hidden nooks with ocean views) as it is fun (ping pong, darts, and Aqua Slidecoaster). While there are plenty of paywalls (be it the adult-only lounge or mini-golf), all of the complimentary options are sufficient, if not better. Will you have to wait in line for the free Aqua Slidecoaster? Yes. Will you feel FOMO if you skip the upcharged arcade? Maybe. Will you return to the food hall more than once if you don't want to pay for specialty dining? Yes — and I'll be jealous if you do.
