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Business Insider
25-05-2025
- Business Insider
I sailed alone on Norwegian's latest giant cruise ship and was surprised how easy it was as a solo traveler
Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship, Norwegian Aqua, is great for both families and lone cruisers. The ship has 93 single-person cabins and plenty of solo-friendly amenities. The cruise line has been championing the solo cruise boom. Sailing alone on a giant cruise ship doesn't have to feel like a socially isolating act of family vacation defiance. In fact, Norwegian's latest vessel wants you to go solo. The 4,482-guest Norwegian Aqua prides itself on being a floating resort for families to lounge together, be it the daybeds littered over the infinity pools or the plush group seating near the Metropolitan bar's live pianist. However, if you look closely, you'll notice there are as many options — if not more — for people going alone. After all, the adrenaline-pumping 10-floor dry slide can only accommodate one rider at a time. There's one sure sign Norwegian is vying for solo cruisers: Its new ship has 93 single-person cabins. Cruise lines compensate for lost revenue on double-occupancy cabins by slapping an often hefty "single supplement" fee on solo cruisers' fares. To bypass this, look for specially designated single traveler cabins. There are 73 of these 94-square-foot, windowless rooms. These relatively small and affordable cabins start at $1,880 for a weeklong Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, this summer — which is about $600 cheaper than a standard inside cabin with the supplementary fee. There's no room for a living room. For that, go to the Studio Lounge, a large social space exclusive to these solo sailors. However, like their cabin counterparts, you won't find any natural light down here. If you'd rather loaf under the sun, you could pay for Vibe Beach Club. However, you are on a kid-friendly cruise with a surplus of catered facilities. So if you can't beat them, join them. Most of these family amenities are also secretly great for solitary travelers (minus the cluster of outdoor activities at the Stadium, unless you can finesse playing "beer" pong and shuffleboard alone). No need to ride the Aqua Slidecoaster with a stranger. I've been on plenty of solo cruises for work, so I understand the hate for waterslides that require two riders. (You're telling me I have to share my raft with a random kid?!) Thankfully, Norwegian Aqua's hybrid waterslide-roller coaster accommodates single and double riders. Plus, riding alone means no one has to hear you shriek when the robot arm launches you upward of 31 miles per hour into the waterslide. The multi-purpose, LED-lit sports court can accommodate several players. Or, you're welcome to go alone if you don't want to bicker over the activity of choice. The same goes for the arcade's two-lane bowling alley — so long as you're OK with an audience of children pausing their virtual reality games to judge your performance — and the mini-golf course, which automatically tracks your putts-per-hole. No need to fear eating in solitude. The ship has 15 dining options, half of which are complimentary. These include the familiar cruise buffet, two main dining rooms, and American pub grub from Local Bar and Grill. The food hall has 10 varied stalls, from Indian to Spanish tapas to Texan barbecue. Don't let decision paralysis stop you from living your lunch dreams. The portions are relatively small, so you don't need to eat family-style to try multiple dishes. Plus, there are plenty of communal tables that make eating alone feel casual. Grab a snack at the Observation Lounge. Most guests go there to enjoy a quiet cocktail with ocean views. However, the lounge has an underrated feature: a tiny café-like buffet with small bites such as Brie sandwiches and cookies. Grab a quiche and a soft leather seat for a relaxing mid-day solitude snack. Or, if you're feeling chattier, sit at one of the couches and strike up a conversation with your seatmate. Going to the theater doesn't have to feel like a socially isolating experience. "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince" could be the most engaging show you'll go to alone. You could grab a seat on the upper decks, but I recommend heading to the bottom, standing room-only floor. Small, lilypad-like stages move throughout the performance to create an ever-changing set, corralling the standing viewers while providing plenty of room to sing, dance, mingle, and mix along to the Prince cover songs. It'll feel more like a concert than a traditional seated show, although there are plenty of those if you prefer. None of the other theater shows are interactive, save for "The Price is Right Live." "Elements: The World Expanded" is Norwegian's Cirque du Soleil dupe, while "Syd Norman's Presents: Rumours" is another cover show showcasing Fleetwood Mac's magnum opus album. Or, if you really hate going without company, make friends at the Studio Lounge and drag them with you. Dancing to Prince with your new chums will surely make for a memorable solo vacation.
Trade Arabia
20-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
NCL christens Norwegian Aqua, expands Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has officially christened its new vessel, the Norwegian Aqua, in Miami and announced plans to reimagine Great Stirrup Cay, its private island in the Bahamas. 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
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@
Forbes
30-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Norwegian Aqua Debuts: 10 Big Changes From Norwegian Prima And Viva Ships
Norwegian Aqua is the first ship to feature a female hull artist. NCL Norwegian Aqua is the third in the line's Prima Class of ships and the 20th in its fleet, but this vessel is quite different from its predecessors. Not only is it 10% larger, but it also boasts several new amenities and features that are not the same as Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, which launched in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Why is Aqua different than the first two? For starters, the way Norwegian places these ship orders to the shipyard is in pairs. While Prima was being built, Viva was already under its own design phase. To make them notably different is more of a challenge. Aqua and its sibling ship Luna are far enough down the line to incorporate guest and crew feedback into their construction. Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna are sister ships, and the next two to emerge from the Prima Class of ships for NCL. NCL This allows the brand to remove features that may not have been particularly popular or efficient and replace them with new concepts that improve upon the ship. As a result, Norwegian refers to this new subset of ships internally as Prima Plus ships. Here are 10 ways that Norwegian Aqua differs from Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, and why you may notice some changes, but not others. Norwegian Aqua has a larger pool and sundeck. NCL The race track was a headline-grabbing feature of the first two ships (and nothing new for Norwegian). But, it took up quite a bit of landscape on the ship, and it was only used for certain periods of the day. In addition, while it was being used, it could only serve a small number of guests at the time. This was a significant tradeoff for space and use. At the same time, many wondered why the size of the main pool was so small. Aboard Aqua, things are different. In place of the race track, the ship had more space to play with allowing for more amenities that served more people and made better use of the space. Norwegian Aqua has two additional sections that expand its cabin count and onboard footprint. NCL The pool and pool deck are larger, which are sure to be popular on the Caribbean sailings the ship will make during its inaugural summer season. If you're wondering how a ship gets 10% larger, it's not by adding an extra deck. Instead, two central 36-foot long sections were added to its midsection extending its length. Vibe Beach Club is an adults-only space. NCL Many of the space enhancements to the ship were made in the public areas and top decks. This was intentional to permit more entertainment space for guests, especially when it comes to relaxation time in the sun. Vibe Beach Club is the adults-only sun deck has doubled in size allowing for more lounge chairs with more plush cushions. Whirlpools and cabanas are also available on the 16th floor space, which also has its own private bar. Guests can pay for special access to quieter area. This is the first hybrid roller coaster and water slide at sea. NCL While slides are nothing new to Norwegian's first two Prima Class ships, Norwegian Aqua has the first blended roller coaster and water slide at sea. Its introduction was another benefit of removing the racetrack as it takes up some, but not all, of the same footprint wrapping around the ship's funnel. This is in addition to the ten-story dry slide that dangles off the edge of the ship. Unlike Prima and Viva, there is now only one dry slide instead of two, which leads to more deck space by the infinity-edge pools on the other side. The ride accelerates and decelerates like a roller coaster. NCL Brave travelers don bathing suits and hop aboard special rafts that follow the same acceleration-deceleration technology of a roller coaster. It's a splashy and panoramic experience that changes by the day depending upon the port where the ship is that day. The best part: it's free. Previously, the race track that it replaces carried a surcharge to enjoy it. It will also be able to accommodate more guests at a time than the racetrack making more efficient use of space. Indulge Food Hall now has a new plant-based option. NCL A quintessential part about any cruise is the food and beverage experience. And Norwegian is no stranger for making waves when it comes to where and how travelers dine. It was the catalyst for freestyle dining and introduced the idea of dining when hungry instead of at set times in its main restaurant. The Commodore Room, one of the main, included restaurants, is now twice as big as before. This is just one of several restaurants, each with a different theme, that are part of the included package. A rendering of the new Sukhothai restaurant aboard Norwegian Aqua NCL The specialty dining venues have also seen a small shakeup. In place of its Asian-Latin fusion outlet Food Republic, a new Thai restaurant, Sukhothai, joins the lineup of restaurants that a charge a fee for an upgraded experience. These also include a sushi restaurant, hibachi grill, American steakhouse, Mexican restaurant and Italian Onda by Scarpetta. And that hibachi grill is the largest teppanyaki restaurant in the Norwegian fleet, an indication of its popularity, now offering nine tables for large groups. The Belvedere Bar aboard the new Norwegian Aqua NCL Another important feature for any cruise is where to find a drink. There is a new wine bar, and one of the main cocktail bars was made larger to accommodate a grand piano and small place for live entertainment. There are plans for some of the bars to do double duty during the day, even when not pouring drinks. They can be used for special talks, trivia games or other hosted activities. Nama is back by popular demand for its sushi and sashimi menu, and the teppanyaki restaurant on board is larger than any other Norwegian ship. NCL The Local Bar & Grill, which is akin to a sports bar, has more seating space and more screens airing a global variety of games and matches. The swing chairs on earlier ships, highly popular albeit taking up a lot of space, were replaced with more group seating. This venue is open 24 hours a day with a menu of complimentary bar snacks like pretzel bites with spicy mustard, bowls of chili and burgers. Starbucks, which is part of the larger Penrose Atrium, also enjoys more seating space with double-height windows overlooking the passing scenery. The first Prince-inspired show at sea takes place aboard Aqua. The line worked closely with the performer's production and legacy preservation teams to create an in-house tribute to his music and life. "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince' is a complimentary show that takes place at least once during each sailing. Actor Eric Stonestreet, who stars in ABC's Modern Family, is the ship's godfather. NCL This is all in addition to the other onboard entertainment that takes place in the theater each evening. They range from special entertainers that join the ship for different sailings, like comedians and magicians, to the brand's own musical revue. For Aqua, the latter has been upgraded to include more acrobatics and magic features. The popular Fleetwood Mac tribute in one of the bars also returns to Norwegian Aqua, as does 'The Price is Right LIVE on NCL,' a game show modeled after its namesake TV series, awarding passengers real prizes. The glow court for nighttime basketball play NCL Although the cruise line's research found that the more recognizable the music and shows, the higher the guest satisfaction, Aqua does not feature a headline Broadway show the way Viva did with 'Beetlejuice.' According to the cruise line, feedback shows that 'visual spectacle' and easy-to-follow narratives are top of mind for customers. Norwegian believes that travelers are less interested in investing in a longer-form Broadway plot line and prefer something that entertains immediately, even if they arrive a bit late for the show, for example. The Mediterranean bowl at Planterie in Indulge Food Hall NCL Tapping into the growing interest in healthy and vegetarian dining, the ship offers more plant-based options on the menu than before. It is especially notable in Indulge Food Hall, where guests place orders from various food stands via tabletop tablets to have them delivered to their seat. Instead of a salad station on the first two ships, Aqua has Planterie, a plant-based venue serving salads and grain bowls with a variety of proteins like tofu and tempeh. A duplex suite in The Haven NCL The Haven, which is the hotel-within-a-hotel concept on the top decks of the ship, features its own private dining room, bar, lounge and pool areas. This has always been a popular upgrade on its ships, and so much so, that Aqua features more Haven cabins. There are now 123 suites, up from 107, to cater to the growing premium demand. The newest suite on the ship now has three bedrooms and spreads across two levels. This is Norwegian Aqua's self-declared "selfie statue." NCL And as with every Norwegian ship, the artwork is different throughout the interiors. From grand sculptures along the exterior decks to art on the stairway landings, it is all chosen particularly to highlight emerging artists. The cruise line also stands out for painting its ship hulls in dramatic colors and patterns making each vessel unique in its lineup. Think of it like an airline's livery, which is distinctive in its own right. This is the first time that a female artist (Allison Hueman) designs the ship's exterior art. She is particularly known for her street art around the world. Aqua Pulse fitness center stocks Technogym equipment. NCL Aqua relies exclusively on marine gas oil, which distinguishes it from its previous ships that used a blend. This means Aqua has no scrubbers or scrubber towers. With a lower sulfur content and more energy-efficient operations, marine gas oil is a focus for the line's newer ships. A new feature on board allows the bridge to see real-time regulatory information regarding the environment. This could include a whale passage that is active during the time of the sailing that they need to avoid or new local rules recently put into place at a particular port. This is a first for Norwegian.
