Ship review: Norwegian Aqua

We take a closer look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s third Prima Plus class ship, Norwegian Aqua, during a three-night return sailing from Southampton via Zeebrugge, Belgium, following the ship’s launch in April 2025.

The vessel boasts 20 decks and has a capacity for 3,571 passengers across 1,760 cabins, supported by 1,388 crew members. Onboard you’ll find the world’s first waterslide-come-rollercoaster, the Aqua Slidecoaster, as well as the line’s first wine bar, Swirl, a whisky bar, a three-deck theatre, a bowling alley and even a Starbucks. The ship is well-stocked to keep travellers of all ages entertained, which makes it a great option for multi-generational family bookings.

Style & character: 5/5

Having made its debut earlier this year, Norwegian Aqua has a sleek yet modern look with light panelling, blue and cream carpets and plush furnishings.

The ship is an art collector's dream. Unique designs, which are available to purchase onboard, adorn the walls around every turn and on deck 7, guests will find Ocean Boulevard, a wraparound outside area with plush seats and large hand-made sculptures.

The hull of the ship features a striking design titled Where the Sky Meets the Sea by Alison Hueman, NCL’s first major female hull artist. The design blends vibrant colours with abstract elements to create a colourful and visually striking end product. 

Cabins: 5/5

Inside my The Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa, I find two bedrooms, one with a king-sized bed, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom, and the other with a large double bed and its own bathroom. In the living room, there is a double sofa bed, a seating area, a mini-bar and a TV. The large balcony has two recliner seats and a table, and chairs. I also had access to the exclusive Haven Restaurant and Lounge, as well as concierge and 24-hour butler service.

The ship also offers 73 solo cabins, with each offering access to the Studio Lounge – a private, keycard-accessed space where individuals can relax and meet other like-minded travellers.

All cabins include a TV, hairdryer, large bed, safe, a bathrobe and slippers and ample storage.

Food & drink: 5/5

Onboard, you will find 16 dining choices, including traditional a la carte restaurants and a re-imagined casual eatery, the Indulge Food Hall. Here, you can order dozens of international cuisines from an iPad at their table, with plates arriving within minutes.

You can wander through the area to watch each station’s chefs whip up dishes like chicken tikka skewers, BBQ ribs and nachos before ordering whichever dish takes their fancy. My honey-glazed chicken wings arrived so quickly, it was as if I had gone to collect the ready-made plate for myself.

Speciality restaurants include the line’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai, Nama Sushi and plant-based offering Planterie.

Service & facilities: 4/5

The crew are attentive, fun and helpful. I frequently stopped to talk to the crew, who were more than happy to assist. All public areas are spotless, and there are plenty of touchpoints throughout the ship if someone needs assistance.

The gym is well-stocked and maintained. Here you’ll find multiple treadmills, free weights, cable machines, a Smith machine and a spin room. There are multiple personal trainers on hand for support. 

Entertainment & excursions: 4/5

Entertainment options range from quizzes in the Cosmopolitan Bar to West End-style tributes to the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Prince. There’s also an improv comedy club, as well as wine and whisky tasting experiences in the respective dedicated bars.

Despite not taking part in excursions due to time constraints, NCL offers a range of guided and self-guided trips in each port it visits. All of which can be booked from the handy NCL app, which was intuitive and simple to get to grips with.

Value for money: 5/5

At its base level, all NCL’s itineraries include meals, accommodation and entertainment. But with the line’s new More at Sea proposition, you can receive unlimited premium alcoholic beverages, a speciality dining booking, enhanced wi-fi, shore excursion credit, and third and fourth guests go free from just £149 per person based on a 3-4 day cruise.

Facilities

• Gym
• Three-deck Mandara Spa
• 20+ restaurants
• 17 lounges/bars
• 5 swimming pools
• 9 Jacuzzis
• Starbucks
• Boutique shopping gallery
• 5 waterslides

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