Norwegian Aqua cruise evaluate: All of the ship has to supply passengers

At a look

• It is large on leisure and outside enjoyable with an industry-first, waterslide-roller coaster and Prince present.
• Room varieties vary from tiny solo cabins to multiroom and duplex suites.
• The upscale vibe might be at odds with a number of extra-fee sights.

Norwegian Aqua has many personalities, and I am unable to determine if that is genius or complicated.

The 156,300-ton, 3,571-passenger ship shouldn’t be Norwegian Cruise Line’s greatest, however it’s an expanded model of Norwegian Prima and Viva (the earlier two new builds). Like these ships, its design conveys a muted magnificence with trendy styling and impartial colours. The three-deck atrium will wow you with its refined attractiveness, and the ship’s a number of pool areas bring to mind upscale resorts.

However search for out of your seashore membership lounger, and you may see the fun-loving aspect of the ship. Two brightly coloured tubes encircle the ship’s funnel; this placing architectural function is Norwegian Aqua’s hybrid waterslide-roller coaster attraction. This high central space of the ship is rollicking with free-spirited enjoyable — minigolf, multideck drop slides, a retro-meets-virtual-reality arcade and a high-tech sports activities courtroom with disco vibes.

Contained in the ship, Norwegian’s dedication to onboard leisure is obvious. Its versatile theater converts from a club-like live performance venue to at least one with conventional stadium seating, and its reveals pay tribute to Prince and Fleetwood Mac. The intimate basement membership scene at Syd Norman’s Pour Home is at all times standing room solely, and The Improv attracts cruisers in with visitor comedians and themed dance events.

But for all of the ship’s refined look, it is nonetheless a mass-market vessel with a variety of nickel and diming for extras. The buffet and pool deck appear small — maybe to push passengers to pay for passes to Vibe Seashore Membership, the spa’s thermal suite or the ship’s many specialty eating places. Its “Extra at Sea” fare inclusions are usually reductions quite than freebies, however with out them, I am unsure I would pay $40 per individual for a Mexican dinner or $50 for Thai. Even the minigolf prices further on Norwegian Aqua (although the Aqua Slidecoaster is refreshingly free). The Aqua Sport Room can be positive to enthrall teenagers and bankrupt dad and mom.

Is Norwegian Aqua too fancy for your loved ones trip or the right mix of refined environment and high-energy all-day exercise? The ultimate verdict is yours.

Norwegian Aqua cabins and suites

Norwegian Aqua has 15 major cabin and suite varieties, starting from tiny, windowless Studio cabins that accommodate a solo traveler to 2 2,100-square-foot Premier Proprietor’s Suites that sleep eight in extremely luxurious lodging inside the Haven suite advanced.

Normal cabins embrace the Studios, windowless inside cabins that may sleep two to 4 company, ocean-view cabins with image home windows and balcony cabins with personal verandas. The 73 Studios — discovered on decks 12 and 13 — are inside a keycard-access-only part of the ship and permit company to take pleasure in an unique lounge with hangout area, snacks and drink dispensers.

Remember that the Studio bogs have glass partitions, presumably to make the cabin really feel extra spacious. So, plan on internet hosting associates elsewhere on board, or issues might get awkward. Six subcategories of suites and penthouses sit exterior The Haven and supply further privileges however not all the perks that Haven company obtain.

The Haven is Norwegian’s suite enclave with a personal restaurant, indoor lounge, sauna and ice room, outside pool and solar deck accessible solely for Haven company. The four-deck space is accessible solely by keycard and has its personal personal elevator. Suites are primarily on decks 14 and 15, with the restaurant, lounge and solar deck on decks 16 and 17.

Amongst its 123 suites are 25 Proprietor’s Suites (cut up amongst 4 sizes and layouts), 38 two- and three-bedroom Household Suites and 60 penthouses. They vary in measurement from 368 sq. ft for a Haven Penthouse with a balcony as much as 2,100 sq. ft or the Premier Proprietor’s Suite. The brand new three-bedroom Haven Duplex Suite affords 979 sq. ft of area.

Haven perks embrace concierge and butler service, precedence embarkation and disembarkation, precedence restaurant and leisure reservations, in-room eating from specialty eating places, complimentary in-suite films and room service, and plush bathrobes and slippers to be used on board.

My cabin was a balcony cabin with a minimalist, trendy look. It felt spacious for 2, but it surely may need felt extra cramped with a 3rd individual sleeping within the room’s sofabed.

Cabin highlights for me have been plentiful energy retailers by the mattress and the desk/vainness (together with U.S. 100V, European 220V, USB and USB-C), plentiful rest room storage and a shaving bar within the bathe, a minifridge, a full-length mirror and a sequence of round hooks on the wall for hanging hats, jackets or towels.

I appreciated the 2 deep drawers in my nightstand, however the different bedside desk solely had two slender cabinets (unfair for the individual on that aspect of the mattress).

The king mattress can cut up into twins, however the mattress was extraordinarily agency, doubtless as a result of I used to be the primary individual to sleep on it. I requested room service for a mattress topper, which made the mattress far more comfy.

Norwegian might enhance the in-room storage scenario by changing the shallow pull-out wire basket cabinets with commonplace drawers or cabinets and by including extra hangers to the full-length closet for attire (or changing the fastened hangers with ones that company can transfer between the three hanging areas). Nonetheless, two individuals will discover loads of area to retailer their belongings, and the beds are tall sufficient to tuck suitcases beneath.

Our balcony had two wicker-style chairs and a drinks desk — a step up from the metallic ones you discover on some mass-market cruise strains.

Norwegian Aqua eating places

Norwegian Cruise Line is understood for its eating selection, however the majority of its dinner choices are extra-fee eating places. Nevertheless, your “Extra at Sea” package deal provides you with a couple of discounted meals, so between that credit score and the complimentary venues, you do not have to spend a ton on eating.

The 2 bigger complimentary eating places are The Commodore Room on Deck 6 and Hudson’s on Deck 9. Each supply the identical menu at dinner; Hudson’s is open for breakfast and lunch. Passengers booked into the lavish suites of the Haven might take their meals on the upscale Haven Restaurant, included of their fare.

Surfside is the poolside buffet on Deck 17. It serves three meals a day and has indoor and outside seating (in addition to a soft-serve ice cream machine). At peak occasions, the buffet was crowded, with slender walkways and fewer stations than I would count on for a ship of this measurement.

Indulge Meals Corridor on Deck 8 aft may begin out as your secret lunch spot on embarkation day, however your shipmates will quickly uncover its attraction, bringing crowds at prime eating occasions. It is like a Meals Corridor on land: You may order from venues serving tapas, Indian dishes, noodles, vegetarian, barbecue, Latin/Mexican meals, rotisserie and dessert by way of a pill. Nevertheless, in case you sit on the bar for any explicit meals outlet, you possibly can solely order from that menu.

The Native Bar and Grill on Deck 8 serves a limited-menu sit-down sizzling breakfast within the morning and a menu of pub grub all day and into the night time — to fulfill your burger, rooster wing, pretzel chunk and nacho wants.

All the opposite eating places include a surcharge ($40, $50 or $60 per individual). With the “Extra at Sea” inclusions, you successfully pay $20 per individual for every meal in your package deal.

Cagney’s Steakhouse (discovered on each NCL ship) and the French Le Bistro (discovered on practically each NCL ship) are Norwegian’s signature eating places.

Palomar serves upscale Mediterranean seafood, and Los Lobos dishes out Mexican delicacies in an simply missed spot.

Lovers of Asian delicacies have a number of choices on board, together with Nama Sushi, Hasuki (a hibachi restaurant) and Sukothai (Norwegian Aqua’s first-in-fleet Thai restaurant).

Sukothai’s menu is interesting with all of your favourite Thai appetizers, 4 sorts of curry and the pad Thai dish that impressed NCL to create the restaurant within the first place. Whereas my rooster satay was cooked completely and never dry, everybody’s major dishes wanted small enhancements. I would give the restaurant a bit extra time to come back into its personal.

Onda by Scarpetta is one in every of my favourite venues on board, and you will discover it simply off the atrium. The venue’s design is as interesting as its menu. Select from gourmand pizzas (particularly the ricotta-stuffed-crust Macellaio pizza), decadent pastas (NCL’s president swears by the spaghetti) and meaty entrees (like veal Milanese). You is likely to be tempted to complete with tiramisu, however the butterscotch budino is a should.

Room service prices further for all NCL company besides these staying in suites and The Haven. It is accessible 24/7 and is priced per supply, not per merchandise. Continental breakfast is half the worth of sizzling breakfast or the all-day eating menu.

Norwegian Aqua bars and lounges

Most company on Norwegian Aqua are doubtless to decide on the road’s “Open Bar” package deal, accessible at a reduction by NCL’s “Extra at Sea” inclusion package deal. So it is a good factor the ship affords a wide range of bars to quench everybody’s thirst.

The Metropolitan Bar on Deck 7 — a occurring spot with dwell music close to a number of eating places — is essentially the most notable bar on board. It makes a speciality of biodynamic wines and sustainable craft cocktails, utilizing banana peels, pineapple rinds and rancid croissants as elements for drinks made with sustainably produced liquors. My croissant mai tai was candy however scrumptious.

If you happen to’re eating on Deck 6, you possibly can seize a pre- or post-dinner drink on the tiny Swirl Wine Bar or the bigger, darker Whiskey Bar. Or head to the Penrose Bar on the alternative aspect of the deck, by the on line casino and atrium.

On the high of the atrium is the Belvedere Bar, which makes a speciality of bottled cocktails. The Native Bar Bar & Grill is open late and is the place to observe a recreation whereas munching on bar snacks. Indulge Meals Corridor has bars in each its indoor and outside areas.

You will additionally discover bars within the Statement Lounge, Aqua Theater, the pool space, Vibe Seashore Membership, The Improv and Syd Norman’s leisure venues and the Bull’s Eye.

The Starbucks within the Deck 7 atrium space is at all times buzzing and is a superb assembly spot when your group will get cut up up. The Humidor on Deck 7 is the onboard spot to smoke cigars.

Norwegian Aqua actions

The standout attraction on Norwegian Aqua is its hybrid curler coaster-waterslide known as the Aqua Slidecoaster. Its twin waterslide tubes dominate the highest deck in the midst of the ship. The experience combines the magnetic accelerator of a contemporary curler coaster with a water raft experience, and it is ridiculously enjoyable. It is also free.

The ship’s high decks are chopped up into a wide range of play areas and haven’t got fairly the streamlined really feel of extra conventional cruise ships. Deck 17 is residence to the ship’s major pool and two infinity sizzling tubs. It is extra spacious than the identical space on Norwegian Prima and Viva, but it surely feels small for a ship of this measurement that is dedicated to warm-weather cruising.

One deck up from the pool is the Youngsters’ Aqua Park, the place little ones can take pleasure in water sprayers and mini waterslides.

If you happen to’re a sizzling tubber or sunbather who desires to keep away from crowds, you should purchase a go to the adults-only (18 or older) Vibe Seashore Membership behind the ship on Deck 17.

The Haven crowd has its personal unique solar deck with pool and sizzling tubs on decks 16 and 17.

The enjoyable continues on Deck 18, the place you may discover Tee Time (12-hole minigolf for an additional payment), The Stadium (free outside video games together with desk tennis, bean bag toss and foosball), and the Bull’s Eye Bar, which options tech-enhanced darts video games.

You will additionally discover the doorway to The Drop, a dry slide that spirals down the aspect of the ship to Deck 8. If you happen to’re claustrophobic, you may wish to keep away from this slender tube slide the place you step right into a capsule and look ahead to the ground to drop out from underneath you.

Preserve heading up for the ship’s pickleball courtroom and Glow Court docket — a sports activities courtroom with a high-tech LED sports activities flooring.

For indoor enjoyable, the Aqua Sport Zone on Deck 17 affords an array of video, digital actuality and different video games (some without cost and a few for a payment). The ship’s leisure will even program a wide range of day by day actions all through the ship, together with trivia video games, a homicide thriller, karaoke, artwork and dance lessons, and household occasions.

You will discover extra alfresco leisure and extra pool and lounge area on the Deck 8 promenade. The aft part known as Infinity Seashore with infinity swimming pools on both aspect of the ship. The 2 sides meet behind the ship with the Indulge Outside Lounge and affiliated Soleil Bar.

On the opposite aspect of Infinity Seashore, do not miss the Ocean Stroll, which has glass walkways that permit guests to see the ocean beneath.

Norwegian Cruise Line can be identified for its leisure, and Aqua doesn’t disappoint. The principle Aqua Theater on decks 6-8 hosts musical performances with the ship’s ensemble and visitor entertainers; the ship’s signature present is the concert-style “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” created in partnership with the late singer’s property. We additionally cherished the intimate Fleetwood Mac tribute, “Rumors.”

The versatile venue can rework from a typical stadium-style seating association to a nightclub-style dance flooring with balcony seating for late-night dance and occasion occasions.

You will discover further musical acts at Syd Norman’s Pour Home on Deck 7 and comedy and late-night theme events at The Improv on Deck 6. The ship’s on line casino — with VIP and smoking rooms, slots and desk video games — can be on Deck 6.

If you happen to’re on the lookout for pampering, the Mandara Spa and Salon is on decks 15 and 16. E book a remedy or purchase a go to the attractive thermal suite, which has heated loungers, water remedy swimming pools and a sequence of therapeutic rooms together with an ice room, clay sauna, steam room and salt room.

All the way in which on the entrance of the spa on Deck 16, the Pulse Health Room affords ocean views as you stretch, run, cycle or elevate weights.

Lastly, in case you’re on the lookout for remedy of the retail type, you may discover the ship’s outlets primarily on Deck 8; they promote every thing from brand objects, trip put on and requirements, alcohol, jewellery, watches, sun shades and pre-owned designer baggage.

All visitor companies (together with future cruise and shore tour gross sales) are within the attractive atrium on Deck 7.

Norwegian Aqua itineraries and pricing

Norwegian Aqua will sail seven-night cruises from Port Canaveral (close to Orlando) to the Jap Caribbean by August 2025. It would then reposition to New York to supply five-night Bermuda cruises by September. Come October, it can transfer to a brand new Florida residence port, Miami, for weeklong Jap Caribbean sailings by April 2026. It would then return to New York for weeklong Bermuda cruises earlier than heading again to Miami and the Caribbean.

Fares begin at $883 primarily based on double occupancy.

Norwegian Aqua for households

Norwegian Aqua gives the look of a extra adult-focused cruise ship, but it surely affords many sights for households with youngsters. Adventurous youngsters and teenagers will love the Aqua Slide Coaster and The Drop, and households can take pleasure in video games at Tee Time, the Sport Zone, Glow Court docket and The Stadium collectively (although charges may apply). Leisure workers will even arrange family-focused programming across the ship.

Dad and mom can drop their youngsters off for supervised play at Splash Academy on Deck 15, and teenagers can hand around in their very own membership on Deck 14. (Each are in the midst of cabin decks.) Mother or father-supervised play time is scheduled day by day for youths youthful than 3. Additional-fee group babysitting is obtainable from 10 p.m. to midnight for youths ages 3-12.

The three-section Splash Academy area is a big multipurpose room with an space devoted to the littlest cruisers (ages 3 to five), a online game room and a play space with a video wall. It appeared small for a ship of this measurement, however Splash Academy wouldn’t give me a most occupancy or point out in the event that they anticipated points on cruises throughout holidays and faculty trip occasions.

Norwegian Aqua accessibility

Norwegian Aqua affords accessible lodging — which embrace extensive door frames, roll-in showers, bathe benches, high-rise bogs and handrails within the bathe and bathroom space — within the following classes:

• 21 Inside Staterooms
• Eight Ocean-view Staterooms
• 16 Balcony Staterooms
• Two Suite Staterooms

The principle pool and The Haven pool have chairlifts, and there are accessible bogs in most public areas.

Backside line

Norwegian Aqua is certainly a ship for {couples} and associates on the lookout for a resort-style pool expertise by day and a high-octane night with dinner, drinks and a present or membership each night time. However it can additionally swimsuit households, particularly these with older youngsters, who will adore its top-deck sights.

Simply be sure to perceive the prices and inclusion of your “Extra at Sea” package deal and plan for all the additional splurges you’re positive to make on board.

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