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.
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