Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship Norwegian Aqua has officially welcomed its first guests in Europe. The ship is hosting over 2,000 invited guests to experience the vessel and its many offerings, embarking on a voyage from Lisbon to Southampton.

This is the first of a five-part inaugural series, which will conclude in Miami. The official christening voyage will take place next month. As the first ship in the Prima Plus Class, Norwegian Aqua builds on the legacy of the Prima Class.

“This is a milestone moment for Norwegian Cruise Line as we set sail aboard Norwegian Aqua, a ship designed to offer our guests MORE – more wide-open space, more thrills, more culinary experiences, and more immersive entertainment,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “During this inaugural season, we look forward to welcoming our travel partners from around the world and to give them the exclusivity of being the first to experience our newest product and to fully understand how guests can ‘Experience More at Sea’ with us.”

One highlight of Norwegian Aqua is the thrilling Aqua Slidecoaster — a hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide. Passengers can also enjoy the cutting-edge Glow Court, a digital sports complex featuring an interactive LED floor that adapts for different games throughout the day and transforms to a club at night. The Aqua Game Zone reimagines NCL’s Galaxy Pavilion, offering a mix of retro arcade games, virtual reality challenges, and interactive gaming experiences.

Entertainment aboard Norwegian Aqua includes “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” and “Elements: The World Expanded,” which is an enhanced version of NCL’s top-rated “Elements” show.

Among the ship’s 17 new and returning restaurants is Sukhothai, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first Thai specialty restaurant, and Planterie, the line’s debut plant-based eatery at Indulge Food Hall.

Following her inaugural voyage, Norwegian Aqua will embark on a transatlantic cruise to Miami, where she will be christened on April 13th by actor Eric Stonestreet, who is serving as the vessel’s godfather. Aqua will then homeport in Miami, Port Canaveral, and New York City, offering Bahamas, Caribbean, and Bermuda cruises until March 2027.

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Norwegian Cruise Line has officially taken delivery of its new upcoming ship Norwegian Aqua — the first vessel in its next-gen Prima Plus Class. The ship was handed over during a ceremony at Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.

NCL also celebrated another major milestone, as the following ship, Norwegian Luna, was floated out. The float out signifies the completion of external work on the ship, and marks the first time it makes contact with water. Norwegian Luna will move to the floating dock previously occupied by Norwegian Aqua for interior construction and furnishings. The vessel is scheduled to debut next spring.

Norwegian Aqua

Building on the foundation of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua is 10 percent larger in size and capacity. It comes in at 156,300 gross tons and can carry 3,571 guests at double occupancy. Aqua blends Prima class features such as the staterooms, experiences, and entertainment, but with new enhancements.

On Norwegian Aqua, guests will be able to enjoy a diverse variety of industry and brand-first experiences, including the Aqua Slidecoaster — a fusion between a rollercoaster and waterslide. There’s also the Aqua Game Zone, an interactive entertainment space filled with games and challenges. The Glow Court, a high-tech digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor, plays host to fun games by day and a dance club at night.

Food lovers can indulge in a mix of new and signature dining experiences, including the debut of specialty dining venue Sukhothai. Guest favorites include Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro. The popular Indulge Food Hall will feature the new Planterie — an eatery serving plant-based bowls and healthy options for lunch and dinner.

At night, guests can enjoy entertainment such as “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” and an enhanced version of NCL’s popular show “Elements” called “Elements: The World Expanded.”

Norwegian Aqua Itineraries

After operating a series of inaugural European sailings, Norwegian Aqua will embark on a transatlantic journey from Southampton, England on March 28th. She will arrive to the U.S. on April 4, 2025 for two inaugural events in Boston and New York City. On April 13th, the ship will be christened in Miami during a ceremony with NCL brand ambassador and Norwegian Aqua godfather Eric Stonestreet. The Emmy Award-winning actor is best known for his portrayal of Cameron Tucker in Modern Family.

During her first year of service, Norwegian Aqua will sail from Miami and Port Canaveral, as well as New York City. Departing from Florida, the ship will offer short Bahamas cruises as well as seven-day Caribbean itineraries to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and NCL’s private island Great Stirrup Cay.

Sailing from New York City in August and September, Norwegian Aqua will offer Bermuda cruises during the peak summer season.

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Norwegian Cruise Line has announced four new, original entertainment productions that will be coming to nine ships in its fleet: “Red, White, & British,” “Bring Back the 90s,” “ICONS: The Bands,” and “Ignite the Night.”

The shows will debut throughout this year and into September on Norwegian Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Gem, Getaway, Jewel, Joy, and Prima. They were created in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ Creative Studios in Tampa, Florida, and feature collaborations with highly-acclaimed creative partners.

Guided by consumer insights and direct guest feedback, Norwegian Cruise Line’s new entertainment strategy focuses on offering guests more of what they love — captivating stories, recognizable and timeless music, and visual spectacle. The new programming model provides passengers with additional access to quality entertainment, with more productions expanding outside of the main theater.

Red, White, & British

The brand-new British tribute show was developed in partnership with longtime NCL collaborator Burn the Floor, an Australian-born collective of world-renowned ballroom champions. The production celebrates iconic British musical performers and artists who have taken the U.S. airwaves by storm.

The high-energy show will also feature a “glam rock” section paying tribute to influential rock ‘n’ roll trendsetters like David Bowie and Queen, along with a dynamic video design and eye-catching costumes. To kick off the Europe summer season, “Red, White, & British” will make its debut on Norwegian Breakaway starting with the ship’s March 14th cruise following a dry dock. The show will then premiere on Norwegian Epic‘s May 14th sailing and Norwegian Prima‘s August 24th voyage.

Visionary director, Jenn Rapp, will bring the production to life. She previously served as the Associate Director of “Jersey Boys” on Norwegian Bliss and has worked on shows including “America’s Got Talent” and “The Illusionist.” Joining Rapp is NCL’s talented set designer, James Kronzer, who most notably designed sets for over 300 stand-up comedy specials across the world’s biggest streaming services like HBO and Netflix as well as for the soon-to-debut shows aboard Norwegian Aqua, “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” and “Elements: The World Expanded.” Additionally, champion dancers and longtime NCL Partners, Peta Roby and Jason Gilkison serve as Burn the Floor’s creative team who have brought “Burn the Floor” shows to life throughout the years aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Getaway, Epic, Jewel, and Prima.

Bring Back the 90s

“Bring Back the 90s,” another all-new original show, has been created by critically-acclaimed and multi-award-winning theater artist and director Scott Weinstein. The show, which is debuting on Norwegian Getaway‘s current March 2nd sailing, takes guests on a nostalgic “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired journey through iconic moments of the 90s. The show includes songs from artists like Alanis Morissette, Salt-N-Pepa, and Destiny’s Child.

As NCL’s first offering dedicated entirely to the music of the decade, this 50-minute high-energy show features dynamic vignettes that celebrate 90s fashion, pop culture, music, and memorable trends. In another exciting first for NCL, the production features a collaboration with acclaimed DJ duo The Hood Internet, who have crafted mashups that bring the era’s music to life in fresh and unexpected ways.

Choreography is by James Alonso White, known for his work with shows like “Sesame Street” and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with assistance from Nycole Altchiler, who most recently worked on Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short N’ Sweet” tour. Norwegian Getaway is currently sailing in the Caribbean from New Orleans through April, followed by Bermuda voyages from New York this summer between May and August. The show will also debut on Norwegian Joy during her July 7th Alaska sailing from Seattle where she’ll homeport through September 2025.

ICONS: The Bands

Premiering aboard Norwegian Encore during her March 30th Panama Canal cruise, “ICONS: The Bands” is an immersive concert-style experience that brings to life the hits by legendary bands that defined generations. The show will enhance the experience with tributes to the soaring harmonies, riffs, and powerful anthems of some of the greatest bands of all time.

The production will feature the nine-person cast of the ship’s guest-favorite show “Choir of Man,” ensuring great quality and high energy. The director and choreographer, Stacy Walker, whose credits include international icons from the late and great Michael Jackson and global-star Lady Gaga, will bring the production to life. The production will also premiere aboard Norwegian Escape’s May 25th Caribbean sailing from Miami.

Ignite the Night

“Ignite the Night” is debuting aboard Norwegian Jewel during the ship’s current March 2nd Caribbean cruise from Tampa. The show, choreographed by “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer and celebrity, Britt Stewart, blends the visual appeal of television’s most iconic awards shows and red carpet events, promising an evening of high-energy excitement. “Ignite the Night” will later debut on Norwegian Gem’s Canada & New England sailings from Quebec City, Canada on Sept. 5th.

Entertainment Outside the Main Theater

Norwegian Cruise Line’s entertainment team has curated new entertainment outside of the main theater to include more cast interactions and an increase in live music throughout more venues — including an expansion into youth and family entertainment.

NCL is also surprising guests with spontaneous “Mini Moments of More” — entertainment pop-ups across its fleet. These will include flash mob performances by the pool, in dining rooms, in atriums, and more. The surprise and delight pop-ups occur every day and are a creative collaboration between the performers and Norwegian Cruise Line’s corporate entertainment team.

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Popular comedian Nate Bargatze and cruise festival company Sixthman have announced a new comedy cruise called “Nateland at Sea.” The voyage will take place from February 5-9, 2026 aboard Norwegian Jewel from Tampa to Costa Maya.

Nateland at Sea will include three stand-up performances by Bargatze, live tapings of his Nateland podcast, and sets from comedians including John Crist, Aaron Weber, Dusty Slay, Derrick Stroup, Brian Bates, and Greg Warren. Additional events will include:

• A Southern Spelling Bee
• Magic performances by Nate’s father, Stephen Bargatze
• Bargatze Bowl (a Super Bowl watch party)
• Bellyflop competition
• Themed nights

More performers and events will be announced at a later date.

Beyond the activities and events on board, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy Costa Maya, Mexico. Activities there will include hitting the beach, trying local cuisine, and exploring Mayan ruins. Shore excursions will open for booking four to six weeks prior to the cruise.

Pre-sale sign-ups are now open, with the first round closing on Sunday, February 9th. The final round will close on February 16th. Public sales will begin on February 19th at natelandatsea.com. Deposits are $100 per person, with automatic monthly billing before June 8th. The first 500 bookings will receive an exclusive onboard photo opportunity with Bargatze.

For a list of additional comedians who will be performing throughout the sailing, or for more information on the cruise itself, visit natelandatsea.com.

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Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced today that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has ordered four new mega ships. The vessels, which will be about the size of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, will be part of the company’s Norwegian Cruise Line brand. Though an exact figure has not been released, the value of the order exceeds 2 billion U.S. dollars.

Each ship will be approximately 226,000 gross tons — the largest cruise ships ever built for Norwegian Cruise Line. They’ll be constructed at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard, with the first ship scheduled for a 2030 delivery. The others are slated to follow in 2032, 2034, and 2036.

NCL’s upcoming mega ships will include over 5,100 berths, each able to accommodate over 8,300 people including crew. They will be designed according to the highest standards of comfort and technology, and will also include many features included with sustainability in mind.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s two newest ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, were also constructed by Fincantieri. The company is also building the first vessel in the Prima Plus class, Norwegian Aqua, which is set for delivery this April.

In addition, three other vessels for NCL are already in various stages of design and construction by the shipbuilder.

NCL’s current largest cruise ship is Norwegian Encore, which comes in at just under 170,000 gross tons. This means that the line is making a huge jump from its current largest ship to the ones in this order, with a whopping 56,000 gross ton difference. It will be interesting to see the design for these vessels, which will no doubt be a huge change from any of the current designs in the fleet.

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With a new year always comes change, and NCL has recently announced quite a few. If you’re finding it difficult to keep track, we detail the five big changes coming to Norwegian Cruise Line in 2025 and what they mean for your upcoming cruise. This way, you can plan appropriately.

Changes Coming to Norwegian Cruise Line in 2025

No More Free at Sea

If you’ve cruised with NCL before then you are probably familiar with the popular Free at Sea promotion. This promotion basically gave cruisers a number of “free” perks when booking based on their cabin category and length of sailing. These perks often included a drink package, specialty dining, WiFi, and shore excursion credit.

Well, one of the Norwegian Cruise Line changes coming in 2025 is the elimination of Free at Sea. Don’t worry though, it’s being replaced with the very similar More at Sea. Norwegian’s More at Sea applies to all cruises booked on or after 10/1/2024 for sailings January 1, 2025 and beyond.

More at Sea still includes an unlimited open bar, specialty dining, WiFi, shore excursion credit, free 3rd and 4th guest, and free airfare for 2nd guest on select sailings. But, there are a few differences between the two packages. These differences mainly apply to the open bar, specialty dining, and WiFi perks.

With the open bar, guests can now get more premium spirits as there is no longer a $15 drink limit. In terms of the specialty dining, guests may actually get more credits depending on the length of their sailing. And, all guests in the stateroom now receive WiFi minutes as opposed to just guest 1 & 2.

However, it will cost you more as well! Instead of paying the 20% service charge on these packages, guests will now pay a flat fee.

Get a FULL breakdown of Norwegian’s More at Sea in our complete guide!

Changes to Drink Packages

Another one of the big Norwegian Cruise Line changes coming in 2025 has to do with drink packages. And we’re not too happy about this one!

It is true that the Premium drink package, or the unlimited open bar that comes with More at Sea, has been enhanced. NCL boasts that it will include 45% more premium brands, and there is also no more $15 beverage cap. Guests will also receive 20% off bottles of champagne and wine, Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or Flights purchased on board, along with unlimited soft drinks and juices. 

However, bottled water and specialty coffee are still NOT part of this package. And the worst part is that guests no longer have the option to upgrade. Norwegian Cruise Line is eliminating its Premium Plus beverage package and its Free at Sea Plus upgrade option.

With the popular Free at Sea Plus, guests could upgrade their free perks to a more premium level for $49 per person, per day. This included unlimited WiFi, a Premium Plus beverage package, additional specialty dining, and additional shore excursion credit. This is the option we always chose because we drink a lot of bottled water and specialty coffee. Plus, the free WiFi minutes don’t go very far.

In 2025, guests will have to purchase separate WiFi plans, Starbucks packages, and/or bottled water delivered to their staterooms when cruising with NCL. Honestly, we’ve never understood why Norwegian Cruise Line is the ONLY cruise line that doesn’t include bottled water in its drink packages.

No More Specialty Dining Packages

Not only are there changes coming to drink packages in 2025, there are also changes to Norwegian Cruise Line’s specialty dining packages. In fact, the cruise line is doing away with dining packages completely!

Let’s first start by saying that there have been some enhancements made to the specialty dining inclusion with More at Sea. For example, guests sailing in a balcony or above stateroom now get three specialty dining meals on 7-night cruises vs. two with Free at Sea. Guests can also order up to three appetizers and desserts for no additional fees. Extra entree charges will still apply.

And, there are several complimentary dining options that are already part of the Norwegian cruise fare.

However, guests will no longer be able to purchase additional specialty dining nights to supplement those meals received with More at Sea.

Guests who would like to dine at specialty restaurants beyond the number of dining nights included with the More at Sea (or guests who are not taking advantage of More At Sea) can eat at specialty restaurants by paying the cover charge at the respective restaurants.

Pricing Changes at Specialty Restaurants

The good (and bad) news is that the pricing at specialty restaurants is another one of the Norwegian Cruise Line changes coming in 2025.

Norwegian Cruise Line is reverting back to flat fee cover charges instead of its current a la carte pricing at specialty restaurants. For most guests and restaurants, this is probably an advantage. More in line with other cruise lines, guests will now pay a set fee for appetizers, one entree, and desserts instead of worrying about racking up a huge bill.

On the flip side, guests will no longer be able to “snack” at more casual restaurants like Food Republic, Los Lobos, or Q Texas Smokehouse as they’ll need to pay the same cover charge per person regardless of how much they order.

The new cover charges for NCL specialty restaurants starting in 2025 are as follows:

• Steak, Teppanyaki, French, and Seafood have a $60 cover charge.
• Brazil, Asian, Food Republic, and Sushi have a $50 cover charge.
• Italian, BBQ, Pincho, and Mexican have a $40 cover charge.

Launch of Norwegian Aqua With New-to-Fleet Features

While we may not be happy about some of the other NCL changes in 2025, new cruise ships are always a good thing!

NCL is adding another ship to its fleet in the new year, Norwegian Aqua, debuting in April 2025. This 156K gross ton ship is the first in NCL’s Prima Plus class, with sister ships Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, and Norwegian Luna (2026). Norwegian Aqua will feature an enhanced pool deck, a more spacious Vibe Beach Club, the largest Haven complex at sea, and so much more.

Norwegian Aqua will be home to some firsts at sea as well as some relocated and redesigned spaces. Perhaps the most exciting new addition to Norwegian Aqua is the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster. The Aqua Slidecoaster will be the longest and fastest slides at sea.

The ship will also feature a new Glow Court and Game Zone, now complimentary Bull’s Eye dart games alongside a new bar, a 2-level Tee Time mini golf course, an expanded Stadium and pickleball court, and The Drop slide.

When it comes to dining, Norwegian Aqua will feature a few new-to-fleet venues. Sukhothai is NCL’s first-ever Thai specialty restaurant, and Planterie will make its debut in the Indulge Food Hall. All of the other popular specialty restaurants will also return to Norwegian Aqua, with some in new locations though.

The sustainable Metropolitan Bar has also been redesigned to accommodate a piano and live musical performances. Further, the Whiskey Bar and Belvedere Bar will swap locations. Moving from Deck 8 in the Penrose Atrium, the Whiskey Bar will shift down to a more out-of-the-way location on Deck 6. This will allow the bar to focus on delivering refined spirits. 

To round out its offerings, Norwegian Aqua will debut some brand-new entertainment too. Revolution: A Celebration of Prince is a concert-like experience celebrating the music of this iconic artist. The second signature production reimagined for Norwegian Aqua is Elements: The World Expanded. There will also be parties, The Price is Right LIVE on NCL game show, and Syd Norman’s Presents: Rumours in the theater, and an expanded comedy club to name to few.

To learn more about Norwegian Aqua , see our first look live from the shipyard!

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Jennifer is a physician and travel blogger who has been traveling the world for 20 years. Whether cruising turquoise waters or trekking jungles for gorilla sightings, travel is her fuel. Her blog, Jennifer’s Path (jenniferspath.org), is your one-stop shop for captivating stories and savvy travel tips, guaranteed to spark wanderlust and inspire your next adventure!

We found a great deal on an amazing itinerary on the Norwegian Pearl for a 9-night Greek Islands cruise from Venice, Italy to Athens, Greece for just over $3100 per person in a family balcony stateroom. This price included the “Free at Sea” program (More at Sea as of 2025), giving us a limited beverage package, 2 specialty dining meals per person, $50 shore excursion credit per day per stateroom, and 150 minutes of free wifi. 

We had never sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line and were excited to give them a try! They have fantastic itineraries and a decent reputation. We are Diamond level with Royal Caribbean and have cruised on several other lines, so we have a lot to compare NCL to… did they measure up? Read my Norwegian Pearl review to find out!

My Norwegian Pearl Review

After checking out of our hotel in Venice, we took a private water taxi to the St. Lucia train station. A direct train ride from Venice to Trieste took approximately two hours, offering scenic views along the way. Upon arrival in Trieste, crowds made it difficult to catch a cab or uber, so we walked the mile or so to the cruise terminal. From there, a shuttle bus transported us to our embarkation point for the Norwegian Pearl, at pier 57.

Unfortunately, our trip started off on the wrong foot. Embarkation was chaotic, with hundreds of passengers milling about outside the terminal. Despite paying for priority access, we experienced no noticeable benefits.

Nonetheless, we boarded the ship with an open mind. We were ready to experience NCL for the first time and all the amazing ports of call along the way.

The Norwegian Pearl is a mid-sized ship which can hold up to 2344 passengers and 1072 crew members. It was refurbished in 2021, but it did not feel particularly new or modern.

The ship’s Crystal Atrium, though beautiful, lacked the grandeur of larger cruise ships. Its open-air design and glass sculpture created a pleasant atmosphere. The Atrium Bar, Starbucks, and comfortable seating areas made it a central hub for socializing and entertainment. The Chihuly glass sculpture and convenient location of guest services added to its appeal.

Dining on Norwegian Pearl

When it comes to dining on Norwegian Pearl, there are a number of complimentary spots along with several specialty restaurants. We tried a mix of the two during our nine days onboard the ship. Some were wins and others were letdowns.

Complimentary Restaurants

Garden Cafe

Overall, I was disappointed with the food in this Norwegian Pearl buffet. On other cruises I’ve taken, the buffet is a gathering place full of a wide selection of international dishes. Typically, the food at the buffet is good but not great, but you can always find something you like. 

On Norwegian Pearl, there was a limited selection, and what they had was not visually appealing or flavorful. Though, I have to give credit where credit is due- the desserts not only looked beautiful, but they were delicious! We have not found this to be true on other cruise lines.

Further, the space itself was poorly designed and always felt crowded. The food was crammed into one elongate room, resulting in lines, hordes of hungry people, and an overall feeling of grumpiness. During peak meal times, I’d just swoop in and grab a slice of pizza so I could get out and avoid elbowing anyone. When I did dine in, I spent so much time prowling for a table that my food would be cold by the time I sat down.

O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill

O’Sheehan’s was the only 24 hour dining option, and take away was generally not allowed. The menu consisted of bar food and, while the selection was limited, the quality was generally pretty good. The burgers, fries, and appetizers were solid, even if unhealthy choices. Breakfast was consistently good, and we enjoyed ours at the bar seating overlooking the Crystal Atrium.

The Lotus Garden

The Lotus Garden is a complimentary Asian fusion restaurant that also has sushi at an additional surcharge, and a sake bar. We are connoisseurs of Asian food (my husband’s family is from Vietnam), and this food missed the mark completely unfortunately.

Summer Palace

Summer Palace was one of the main dining rooms. This was your typical grand, cavernous cruise ship dining room. The decor was apparently based on a neoclassical Russian palace. It was opulent with paintings of stern women and proud czars donning the walls.

Indigo

Indigo was the second main dining room and, in my opinion, was superior to the Summer Palace. The vibe was more intimate, more like a fine dining restaurant and less like a cruise ship main dining room. The decor was elegant but more cozy, in tones of navy and lavender. The walls were adorned with art deco images of American landmarks and cities. 

Yet, the food and service could have been better.

Specialty Dining

Teppanyaki

Teppanyaki is always fun. The food tends to be similar across the board and is consistently good. We did not dine here during our cruise, but the chefs appeared to put on a great show, and the people we talked to were very pleased. 

Le Bistro

We were very excited to try Le Bistro after reading reviews and perusing the menu on the NCL website ahead of our cruise. Our appetizers and desserts were very good, but we were disappointed in the main courses. I had the sea bass, which I typically love, but it was dry and overcooked. Still, the decor and ambience were nice, and the service was good. 

Cagney’s Steakhouse

Cagney’s is Norwegian Pearl’s upscale steakhouse, and we did enjoy our meal here. I had the thick cut bacon as an appetizer and the filet mignon with chimichurri, and both were quite good.

Moderno Churrascaria

Moderno is Norwegian Pearl’s churrascaria, or Brazilian steakhouse. This was an overall excellent experience! Waiters circulate with meat on a stick, serving guests rodizio style. They had all the favorites, from picanha to pork belly, and the meats were cooked and seasoned to perfection. The “salad bar”, similar to other Brazilian steakhouses we had visited, was vast and contained cold cuts, cheeses, cooked vegetables, salad, and more.

Further, the service here was attentive, warm, and friendly. This was our best experience onboard Norwegian Pearl!

La Cucina

La Cucina, the Italian restaurant onboard, was another win! With a selection of Italian favorites and great service, I highly recommend dining here during your cruise. Their carbonara was a family favorite!

Norwegian Pearl Bars and Lounges

• Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar
• Shaker’s Martini and Cocktail Bar
• Malting’s Beer & Whiskey Bar
• The Corona Cigar Club
• Sugarcane Mojito Bar
• Sky High Bar and Grill
• Topsiders Bar and Grill
• The Bliss Ultra Lounge
• Spinnaker Lounge

While distinct, Magnum’s Champagne and Wine Bar, Shaker’s Martini and Cocktail Bar, and Malting’s Beer & Whiskey Bar shared a common space. Each focused on a specific type of drink, with the whiskey bar offering a notable selection. The whiskey bar had a separate seating area, while the other two bars featured a larger, open space with comfortable seating and a dance floor.

Located out of the way inside of Moderno, the Sugarcane Mojito Bar offered a selection of mojitos, caipirinhas, and other interesting cocktails to make use of your drink package.

The Bliss Ultra Lounge space was a standout for me! I loved the layout of the main night club onboard. The heart of the lounge was a large dance floor, with a stage at one end and lots of comfy seating at the other, with the main bar behind that. Flanking this main area were bowling lanes! More lateral to the bowling lanes were cozy conversation areas and partitioned off more private seating areas. I loved the vibe of this space, and we enjoyed several nights of terrible (and sometimes less terrible) karaoke here. The bartenders were attentive, prompt, and creative.

The Spinnaker Lounge was another venue with a dance floor, stage, seating, and bar. Shows were held here, and the space transformed into a dance club in the evenings. I loved the set up of this lounge too. There’s a central, round dance floor with a stage on one side and comfy seating around the rest.

Entertainment 

We enjoyed the entertainment onboard Norwegian Pearl as well. The Stardust Theater was nice and never felt crowded. The performers were skilled and well-trained, and the sound quality and lighting were top notch. We particularly enjoyed the magician, and caught both of his shows.

Onboard Activities

While not as extensive as some of the newer ships in the NCL fleet, Norwegian Pearl has lots of onboard activities for adults and kids alike. There are rock climbing walls, shuffleboard, a sports court (volleyball, basketball, tennis), a jogging/walking track, and more. More of an inside type? There’s a library, a card room (the “lifestyle room”) which is stocked with board and card games, an art gallery, a casino, an arcade, a chapel, and an internet cafe.

The Gym 

We try to keep it together and keep our fitness on track when cruising, and the Norwegian Pearl made this easy for us. The gym was pretty spacious and had a cable machine, dumbbells, a few weight machines, and numerous cardio machines lining the windows. A large fitness studio offered classes for an upcharge, including yoga, spin, and body sculpt. Personal trainers were available for private bookings as well.

The Spa

The spa staff was warm and friendly. They offered a broad selection of treatments which were priced around the industry standard for cruise ship spa services. The facilities were beautiful, serene, and elegant. As is typical of cruise ship spa staff, they upsell you hard, even while getting a massage.

Further, you can purchase passes to the thermal suite if you need an escape from the crowds, where you can relax in heated stone loungers, enjoy the hot tubs or thalassotherapy pool, and sweat it out in the sauna before chilling out in the icy plunge pool.

The Pools

The pools are located on deck 12. There are two, and one is designated as “adults only”. Each has two hot tubs, and there is a covered round stage by the adults’ pool. There is ample seating around the pools, and we never had trouble finding loungers which is often an issue on cruise ships. Along the covered sides, you’ll find daybeds and conversation groupings. Additionally, lots of dining tables are placed at the end of the pool closest to the bar and grill. 

I liked the set up for the pools. Although they were a bit small, they had shallow edges for seating, and you could find spots in the sun or shade. 

Kids’ Activities

There is something for kids of every age onboard!

• Deck 15 hosts an open play space called “Guppies”, where parents can play with their 6-month to 3-year old kiddos.
• Splash Academy is meant for kids age 3-12 years, and you are able to drop them off. 
• Entourage is for kids age 13-17 and has games, movies, sports, and parties at their dedicated dance club. 

Registration is necessary for all kids programs.

Norwegian Pearl Review – Staterooms

Norwegian offers a wide range of staterooms to suit your needs and budget. From cozy inside cabins to luxurious penthouse suites, there’s an option for everyone. If you’re traveling with a big family, you might want to check out the 3-bedroom family suite that can accommodate up to 8 people!

Want to experience the ultimate in luxury? The Haven is Norwegian’s exclusive area for suite guests, offering a private pool, hot tub, restaurant, lounge, and sun decks. Haven guests also enjoy dedicated concierge service and 24/7 butler service.

We opted for a family balcony stateroom during this trip. While it wasn’t as fancy as the Haven, it was still a comfortable space for our family. The room had two twin beds that could be pushed together, a sofa bed, and a pullman bed.

The room was a bit narrow, which made it feel a bit cramped. The bathroom was a decent size, with a large shower and a separate toilet. There was also a vanity area with a mirror and shelves.

The balcony was small, but provided a nice outdoor space for us to watch the world go by.

Overall, we were happy with our stateroom. It provided us with a comfortable place to relax and enjoy our cruise.

Norwegian Pearl Review – Ports of Call

Norwegian Cruise Line shines with its itineraries! During my 9-day cruise, we visited eight ports of call. This port intensive itinerary is what most appealed to my family.

Trieste, Italy

This cruise began in Trieste, which is close-ish to Venice. We stayed in Venice and took the 2 hour train ride to Trieste on embarkation day. Trieste is a lovely town, so you may consider spending a night or two here before the cruise. 

Ravenna, Italy

Ravenna is beautiful. Walk around the medieval village, take in the stunning mosaics, or head back to Venice, Murano, or Burano.

Rijeka, Croatia

Our original port was Koper, Slovenia. We were disappointed until we realized there were similar tour offerings from Rijeka. We booked a tour through Shore Excursions Group which took us to the Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle. It was a big bus coach tour, which is not ideal, but the tour was nice. The sites were unique and gorgeous, and the countryside very scenic.

Zadar, Croatia

Zadar is a pretty cool town, with a newer area and a walled old city. We booked the tuk tuk tour through the cruise line. While the novelty of riding in a tuk tuk was fun, we really didn’t learn or see a lot. I would suggest going further afield and seeing the landscape, possibly doing a hike at Krka National Park.

Kotor, Montenegro

We booked a bike tour through Shore Excursions Group, and they never showed up. So, we found a tout on our way out of the port who sold us a private boat ride to see the major sites- the blue cave, the submarine tunnel, and our Lady of the Rock. It was a rough ride, but lots of fun. It was nice to have our own boat. The town of Kotor was very cute, and worth exploring. 

Dubrovnik, Croatia

My family opted for the Game of Thrones tour through the cruise line. They enjoyed it, although it was a bit cheesy. The city itself was gorgeous. Get out and explore, whether you take a walking tour or get out of town for water sports or wine tasting.

Corfu, Greece

We booked the 4X4 tour of Corfu through the cruise line and had a blast! They were Suzuki Jimneys, and they were comfortable and fine to drive. Most of the driving was on paved roads, so the description was a little misleading. The scenery and small villages were stunning and idyllic, and the snacks we had along the way flavorful.

Santorini, Greece

We booked a private tour of Santorini through Shore Excursions Group and had a great time! Our guide was fantastic, and the tour itself was enjoyable. We visited a winery, museum, and some of the island’s main sights.

However, the island is overwhelmed by cruise ship crowds, and the cable car and traffic can be chaotic. If you ever visit Santorini, I’d suggest a land-based tour or a private catamaran trip to avoid the crowds.

Mykonos, Greece

This port was the highlight of our cruise. Neither the cruise line nor Shore Excursions Group had excursions that interested us, so we went with Mykonos Kayak. I cannot recommend these guys highly enough! They were punctual and took us for a lovely kayak tour, including snorkeling, snacks, and an education about the culture, flora, and fauna of Mykonos.

Disembarkation in Piraeus, Greece

We disembarked in Piraeus, just outside of Athens. I highly recommend arranging a tour or driver, rather than counting on a taxi or uber. There were hordes of people waiting for both, while our driver stood in the center of the arrival plaza with a sign bearing our name, and whisked us away for a coastline drive to the Temple of Poseidon.

Overall Impressions: Norwegian Pearl Review

In summary, our cruise on Norwegian Pearl was a mixed bag. The food was bland, uninventive, and often difficult to access. The service was lackluster, and the ship felt crowded in many places, particularly the buffet.

However, we did enjoy the Churrascaria, La Cucina, the onboard entertainment and activities, and the ports of call. 

We did pay for the “Priority Access Pass”, which supposedly gives you priority embarkation, spa credit, priority tender boarding, and priority disembarkation. However, you are limited on which spa services you can use the credit for. Priority embarkation and disembarkation were also useless- embarkation was a mess and who wants to get off extra-early?? Priority tender access was nice. Worth it? Nah.

Overall, I likely won’t travel with Norwegian again unless I find an irresistible itinerary or a screaming deal on a suite in the Haven!

However, it is important to note that Norwegian Pearl is an older ship, and the cruise line has many newer ships that may appeal to families with attractions like waterslides and go-karts. NCL also offers a more flexible “Freestyle” approach to cruising which some travelers may enjoy.

Comments

Do you have any Norwegian Pearl reviews to share? Have you sailed on this NCL cruise ship? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line.

The post I Took My First NCL Cruise, and Share My Thoughts in This Norwegian Pearl Review appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.

With the excitement of a new year comes anticipation of brand-new cruise ships. As with most other years, there’s a slew of exciting new vessels coming in 2025. These include Celebrity’s final Edge-class ship Celebrity Xcel, Disney’s first purpose-built vessel for Asia, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship, and more. To help with your vacation planning, here are our picks for the 11 most exciting new cruise ships debuting in 2025.

11 New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2025

Allura

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Oceania Cruises / Allura Class
Size: 67,000 gross tons / 1,200 guests

Allura is the second ship in Oceania Cruises’ Allura class, following the debut of Vista in 2023. Part of a culinary-focused cruise line, Allura will feature many of the same restaurants as Vista. These include Ember serving reimagined American classics, Terrace Cafe, the new Crêperie, and Aquamar Kitchen — which features a menu of healthier options. The vessel will also house an expansive Culinary Center, which will include the new Chef’s Studio where onboard chef instructors will share their expertise.

All 612 of the staterooms on Allura will feature balconies, including six brand-new Concierge Level Solo Veranda staterooms. A variety of suite categories will also be available on the ship, as well as both Veranda and French Veranda cabins.

Other features of Allura include the Artist Loft where guests can take art classes, the Aquamar Spa with a spa sundeck, the Vitality fitness center with complimentary exercise classes, and multiple bars and lounges.

Allura is scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean for her inaugural season. The ship will then head to the Caribbean for the winter 2025-2026 season.

Brilliant Lady

Scheduled debut date: September 2025
Line: Virgin Voyages
Size: 110,000 gross tons / 2,770 guests

The fourth ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, Brilliant Lady has been patiently waiting for her debut since delivery earlier this year. While most aspects of Brilliant Lady will be similar to her predecessors, some will be different. Notably, she is the first Virgin ship built to be able to transit the Panama Canal. This is due to her width ( the ‘beam’ in maritime terms) and ability to move the lifeboats inward during transit. She will also be the first Virgin Voyages ship to sail in Alaska.

The ship will feature the cabins that guests have come to know and love, including interior (Insider), oceanview (Sea View), and balcony (Sea Terrace) staterooms that feature a hammock. However, new to Brilliant Lady will be a new Sea Terrace category that features two hammocks on the balcony. The suite categories RockStar Quarters and Mega RockStar Quarters will also be available.

Specific details on how similar (or different) dining on board Brilliant Lady will be compared to her sister ships has not yet been announced. The line has said that concepts from its Eat and Drink Festival will be found on board, which included an Asian Night Market and a cocktail treasure hunt across several bars on board. Otherwise, it’s safe to assume that the ship will feature the same restaurants including Razzle Dazzle, Gunbae Korean BBQ, The Galley fast-casual fare, The Wake steakhouse, and more.

Virgin Voyages has also said that it will be introducing new music, comedy, and entertainment options aboard Brilliant Lady. Other features of the vessel will include The Dock aft sundeck and bar complete with daybeds, as well as the adjacent indoor Dock House with comfy seating and a laid-back atmosphere. Virgin’s iconic Scarlet Night and Pajama Party will also be found on Brilliant Lady. Additionally, guests can enoy The Manor nightclub, Redemption Spa, and The Red Room — a transformational entertainment venue.

Brilliant Lady will debut in NYC, offering Canada/New England and Bermuda voyages before homeporting in Miami to operate Caribbean cruises through the winter. In spring 2026, the ship will sail to Mexico and California from Los Angeles before heading up to Seattle to offer Alaska cruises through the summer.

Celebrity Xcel

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Celebrity Cruises / Edge Class
Size: 141,420 gross tons / 3,260 guests

Celebrity Xcel will be the fifth and final ship in Celebrity’s Edge class. It will feature many of the same venues and experiences as the other Edge-class ships, with some slight changes. One such change will be a larger Rooftop Garden, including an expansion over the side of the ship. The Grand Plaza (atrium) has been redesigned to let in more natural light as well. Celebrity has also hinted that there will be more entertainment options and parties on Xcel.

Favorite spots on board will include the multi-level aft Sunset Bar, the Magic Carpet cantilevered platform, a spa with SEA Thermal Suite, and The Retreat ship-within-a-ship complex. Like the two latest Edge-class ships (Beyond and Ascent), it will feature a fine dining restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud, in addition to all the other favorites. The plant and light-filled multi-purpose venue Eden, complete with a bar, restaurant, and lounge, will also be found on Xcel.

When she sets sail, Celebrity Xcel will cruise from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

Disney Adventure

Scheduled debut date: 2025 (month TBA)
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Global Class
Size: 208,000 gross tons / ~ 6,000 guests

Another one of the new cruise ships debuting in 2025, Disney Adventure will be the first mega ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. It’s also the line’s first purpose-built ship for the Asian market. The vessel will feature Disney Imagination Garden, a central open-air garden complete with Disney character topiaries, interior-facing balcony cabins, an Avengers-themed stage show, and a three-story storybook castle art piece. The space will also include two casual restaurants: Mowgli’s Eatery serving Indian cuisine and Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, offering up dishes inspired by the flavors of the Pacific and Asia.

The ship will also feature Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, and Wayfinder Bay where guests can shop, dine, and be entertained in areas inspired by their favorite Disney characters. Not to mention, there’s Marvel Landing with all-new super hero experiences and Toy Story Place with interactive play areas.

Disney Adventure will sail from Singapore, offering three and four-night cruises to nowhere. These voyages will spend the entire cruise at sea with no ports. As part of this collaboration between Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board, the ship will sail from Marina Bay Cruise Center for at least five years.

Disney Destiny

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Wish Class
Size: 144,000 gross tons / ~ 2,508 guests

Following the launch of Disney Treasure in late 2024, Disney Destiny will be the third vessel in the Triton class along with Disney Wish. These three new DCL ships will bring the total Disney Cruise Line fleet up to 8 vesels. The theme for many spaces on the ship will be heroes and villains, including classic Disney heroes and villains as well as characters from the Marvel Universe. It will feature a Black Panther-inspired Grand Hall (atrium) as well as an all-new lounge inspired by Doctor Strange.

Staterooms on the ship will include the exclusive Destiny Tower Suite — a one-of-a-kind accommodation in the funnel themed to Iron Man. Disney Destiny will also offer Hero Suites inspired by Hercules as well as Incredibles-themed IncrediSuites. Other staterooms will be similar to what Disney guests are used to, with most featuring Disney’s signature split-bathroom concept.

The three rotational main dining rooms on Destiny will feature two returning venues: Worlds of Marvel and 1923. The third restaurant will be the line’s first Lion King-themed dining room, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King. As guests eat, they’ll enjoy a musical journey through the movie’s soundtrack. Disney Destiny’s confectionery will be themed to Edna Mode from Incredibles, and the ship will also feature two cafes inspired by Megara from Hercules and Merida from Brave.

Other features will include a Haunted Mansion bar and a Pirates of the Caribbean themed bar. The ship’s two upscale specialty restaurants will be Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The AquaMouse water attraction will be on board with a brand-new villains-themed storyline, and an immersive Oceaneer Club for kids with themes including Marvel Super Heroes, Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and more.

Disney Destiny will sail from Fort Lauderdale, offering an inaugural season of four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and western Caribbean.

A Bit More on Disney Treasure

While technically launching in December 2024, most guests likely won’t get the chance to sail on Disney Treasure until 2025. This second ship in the Triton class is themed for adventure and exploration. Disney Treasure will tell stories of adventure not only from classic Disney movies but (for the first time ever) also from widely popular theme park attractions.

Disney Treasure showcases Captain Hook and Peter Pan at the stern. Aladdin and Jasmine on a magic carpet adorn the Grand Hall. The three main dining rooms will include Worlds of Marvel with a second show “Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix”, the all-new Plaza de Coco, and 1923. The Haunted Mansion Parlor will replace Hyperspace Lounge and the Skipper Society lounge themed after the Jungle Cruise attraction will replace The Bayou. This ship will also debut a brand-new Moana-inspired show called The Tale of Moana.

Disney Treasure will sail 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean out of Port Canaveral.

Luminara

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Size: 46,750 gross tons / 452 guests

Luminara will be the third vessel in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet, following Evrima and Ilma. Design for the all-suite, all-balcony cabins has been inspired by a private yacht. It will feature five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa. An expanded marina will provide guests direct access to the sea.

Among the upper-suite categories will be new accommodations called The Residential Suites. They feature a separate living and dining area, a double vanity bathroom with soaking tub and separate shower, and a walk-in closet. Other suite categories on the ship include the Terrace Suites (the lowest category with its own seating area), the Signature Suites with a small separate living and dining area and a soaking tub, and the large Concierge Suites with a separate living and dining area, double vanity bathroom with soaking tub, and a balcony with al fresco dining area, outdoor shower, and hot tub.

Luminara will spend summer 2025 operating mostly seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean. The ship will spend winter 2025-2026 sailing in Asia.

MSC World America

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: MSC Cruises / World Class
Size: 215,863 gross tons / 5,200 guests

MSC World America will be the second World-class ship for MSC Cruises, following MSC World Europa. Like its name implies, MSC World America will homeport in the U.S., sailing seven-day cruises from Miami to the eastern and western Caribbean. This class of ships is a completey new design for the cruise line.

The mega ship will feature seven districts, including Family Aventura featuring The Harbour outdoor park with a ropes course, an 11-story slide, and a new swinging attraction called the Cliffhanger. Other districts are Aqua Deck with the ship’s two main pools and The Terraces featuring nine restaurants and bars and a comedy club, among others.

MSC World America will also feature a massive MSC Yacht Club. This luxurious ship-within-a-ship is dedicated to guests in Yacht Club accommodations and includes its own sundeck, lounge, and restaurant.

Restaurant and bar highlights on MSC World America will include The Gin Project, Italian restaurant Eataly, Paxos Greek restaurant, Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki, Emporium coffee bar, Hola! Tacos and Cantina, and the Jean-Phillipe Chocolate Shop and Café.

Accommodation options on MSC World America will be extensive, including the standard interior, oceanview, and balcony cabins; a number of non-Yacht Club suite categories (including one with a hot tub); and Yacht Club accommodations ranging from interiors to Owner’s Suites.

Norwegian Aqua

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: Norwegian Cruise Line / Prima Plus Class
Size: 156,300 gross tons / 3,571 guests

Norwegian Aqua, the third in NCL’s Prima class, will be 10 percent larger than her predecessors — Norwegian Prima and Viva — and feature some slight differences. Notably, this ship will not feature a go-kart racetrack. Instead, it will include a new thrill ride, the Aqua Slidecoaster. This part hybrid roller coaster and waterslide wraps around the funnel and can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Aqua will also include the line’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai (which is replacing Food Republic from the sister ships). The vessel’s adults-only sundeck Vibe Beach Club, the main pool deck, and the Ocean Boulevard waterfront promenade will be much larger and offer even more outdoor space. The teppanyaki restaurant, Hasuki, and the Metropolitan cocktail bar are also enlarged, the latter of which will now feature a grand piano and entertainment space.

Other highlights of Norwegian Aqua will include The Drop dry slide, an expanded Stadium, and a new Glow Court. Additional dining options include the Indulge Food Hall with its various stations offering a variety of cuisine as well as favorites like Cagney’s and Le Bistro. The ship will also feature Syd Norman’s Pour House, Improv at Sea (with a larger space), and a new production show themed to Prince and his music.

Norwegian Aqua will also feature The Haven, a luxury ship-within-a-ship complex. Alongside the same suite categories on other ships in the NCL fleet, The Haven will also include a brand-new three-bedroom duplex suite. Also on the ship are NCL’s famous studio staterooms for solo travelers, complete with an exclusive lounge.

When she sets sail, Norwegian Aqua will offer 7-day itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida. From August through October of 2025, the ship will position to New York for 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda. Then, she will sail Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 2026.

Star of the Seas

Scheduled debut date: August 2025
Line / ship class: Royal Caribbean International / Icon Class
Size: 250,800 gross tons / 5,610 guests

Royal Caribbean is continuing its Icon class with the debut of Star of the Seas. This ship will now be the largest cruise ship in the world upon its debut. Like Icon of the Seas, the vessel will feature eight neighborhoods. It will feature many of the same venues and amenities including Category 6 waterpark, Crown’s Edge thrill ride, Absolute Zero ice skating rink, the AquaDome with indoor AquaTheater, and The Hideaway adults-only deck with suspended infinity pool. Star will also feature the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood complete with The Lemon Post family bar and the plant-filled Central Park area.

Unlike Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas won’t feature a New York City-themed supper club. Instead, the Chicago-themed Lincoln Park Supper Club will replace the Empire Supper Club. Other returning dining spots will include Chops Grille, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, AquaDome Market food hall, and the casual Basecamp.

Further, the ship will have a huge variety of staterooms, including the Surfside Family Suites with a separate room for the kids. Both traditional and infinite balcony cabins will also be available. The massive three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse is complete with an in-suite slide and “backyard” with direct access to the Surfside neighborhood.

While there haven’t been any entertainment announcements yet, the Back to the Future Musical is rumored to be the new signature show.

Star of the Seas will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Star Princess

Scheduled debut date: October 2025
Line / ship class: Princess Cruises / Sphere Class
Size: 178,000 gross tons / 4,300 guests

The second ship in Princess’ Sphere class, Star Princess will offer many of the same features aboard Sun Princess. It will include The Dome, a glass-paneled venue that serves as both a solarium and entertainment space. The ship’s piazza will also feature a glass spherical shape that is visible from the outside of the ship. What Princess calls the “most technically advanced theater at sea,” the Arena, will also be on Star Princess.

Restaurants found on board will include The Butcher’s Block steakhouse, Umai Teppanyaki, Makato Ocean, and returning favorites like Crown Grill and Sabatini’s. Spellbound by Magic Castle — a part-dining, part-entertainment experience is also part of the entertainment lineup on Star Princess.

Suites on the ship will include the new Cabana Mini-Suites with private cabanas for the first time in the Princess fleet, Sky Suites which feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a separate seating area, and more. All suites are part of the Sanctuary Collection, which includes access to an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and sundeck with pool. Other accommodations include multiple balcony categories — including one with access to The Sanctuary amenities — plus standard oceanview and interior cabins.

Star Princess will offer two Mediterranean voyages in October 2025 before setting sail for Fort Lauderdale. From Florida, the ship will operate seven and 14-night Caribbean voyages through the winter. It will then reposition to Seattle for a 2026 summer season of sailings to Alaska.

Viking Vesta

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Viking / Ocean ship
Size: 54,300 gross tons / 998 guests

Viking Vesta is a continuation of Viking’s now-large fleet of ocean ships. Though, it will be a bit larger than the others that are currently sailing. For reference, Viking’s current ocean ships are just under 48,000 gross tons and carry 930 guests each. Despite the slightly larger size, Viking Vesta will still be nearly identical to the other vessels on the guest-facing side. The larger size is to accommodate new hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Features will include The Nordic Spa with thermal suite and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant. Also on board are the Torshavn bar and music lounge and World Cafe buffet. The outdoor Aquavit Terrace features al fresco dining and an aft infinity pool. The light-filled Wintergarden near the main pool is the venue for daily afternoon tea. The cozy Explorer’s Lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows, and Mamsen’s serves waffles and split pea soup. Viking Vesta also includes a sports deck.

Like all Viking ocean ships, Viking Vesta will offer a nearly all-inclusive cruise experience. Besides accommodations, all dining and non-alcoholic beverages like water and specialty coffee are part of the cruise fare. Other drink inclusions are beer, wine, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. A shore excursion in each port of call, basic WiFi, access to the thermal suite, and room service are also complimentary.

Viking Vesta will sail in the Mediterranean, offering a variety of mostly seven to 21-day voyages. She will sail from various homeports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Piraeus (Athens).

Note: Passenger capacity figures are based on double occupancy.

Comments

Do you have plans to sail on any of these new cruise ships debuting in 2025? Which of these ships are you most excited to check out? Drop us an anchor below to share your cruise plans for the new year.

The post The Best New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2025 appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.

Norwegian Cruise Line just rolled out a completely new program called More At Sea, replacing the former Free at Sea. What is it? What does it include? How does it compare? We cover all the details in this complete guide to Norwegian More at Sea.

What is Norwegian More at Sea? Everything You Need to Know About This New Cruise Package

If you have sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line before then you are probably familiar with the brand’s very popular Free at Sea promotion. This promotion entitled guests to free perks like drink packages, specialty dining, WiFi, kids sail free (or 3rd & 4th guests sail free), and more.

This promotion offered guests a more all-inclusive experience, paying the majority of their cruise costs upfront so they didn’t have to worry about the bill at the end of the cruise. However, the biggest complaint with Norwegian’s Free at Sea is that it wasn’t “really free”. Guests still had to pay the gratuities on the drink package and specialty dining package which could run you around $200 in total per person.

Our Complete Guide to Norwegian More at Sea

Thus, cue the rebranding of Free at Sea to Norwegian’s new More at Sea program. The popular Free at Sea package has been restructured and renamed, but don’t worry, it’s generally the same with a few changes to give guests even “more value”.

While other cruise lines now offer cruise only rates with these packages being an additional charge, NCL’s More at Sea is still the base fare. Really, the only way to get a cruise only rate is to book the Sail Away rate which does not allow for room selection. However, guests can opt out of the “free” open bar and/or specialty dining if they choose, thereby eliminating the need to pay the additional surcharges.

What are the Norwegian More at Sea inclusions?

Norwegian’s More at Sea will still include an unlimited open bar, specialty dining, WiFi, and shore excursion credits. Free 3rd and 4th guests and free airfare for second guest is also available on select voyages.

The number of perks that cruisers receive does vary based on the current promotion and the stateroom category booked. Usually, guests can get up to 5 free perks. Occasionally, there are up to 6 perks if airfare is part of the current promotion. Guests sailing in The Haven always receive the highest number of perks available for that voyage.

It is important to read the fine print at the time of your booking though as the terms of the promotion can change. For instance, some categories like Studio and Inside have qualified for less perks in the past. Further, the cheapest fares are usually “Sail Away” rates, or guaranteed rates, and these are often excluded from the promotion.

All perks included in this offer have no monetary value. Thus, if you opt to decline any of the entitled perks (which you can), you will not receive a refund nor can you gift it to someone else.

Further, it varies as to how many guests in the stateroom receive each perk. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line’s More at Sea provides drink packages to all guests but dining packages only to the first 2 guests on the reservation.

Unlimited Open Bar

With Norwegian’s More at Sea, guests will still receive an unlimited open bar, or the Premium Drink Package. However, NCL boasts that it will include 45% more premium brands like Grey Goose, Casamigos,
Woodford Reserve, and more! There is also no more $15 beverage cap.

Guests will also receive 20% off bottles of champagne and wine, Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or Flights purchased on board, along with unlimited soft drinks and juices. Unfortunately, unlike most other cruise lines, bottled water and specialty coffee are still NOT part of this package. Starbucks and bottled water packages are available to purchase for an additional charge.

This More at Sea perk is applicable to guests 1-8 (aged 21+) on the reservation when guests 1 and 2 select the beverage package. If guest(s) 1-2 are under 21 years of age, they will receive the Soda Package. If guest(s) 3-8 is under 21 years of age, they will NOT get the Soda Package as a substitution. We’ve never understood this. Why would NCL give alcohol packages to all guests but not the much cheaper soda packages?

With the new More at Sea, no changes have been made to the number of drinks a guest can purchase. Unlike brands like Carnival, guests can consume an “unlimited” number of alcoholic beverages. Of course, staff do have the right to refuse service to those who do not consume responsibly.

Further, eligible guests are only allowed two beverages per transaction. Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Guests will need to pay for any beverages not included in the More At Sea; they’ll receive $15 off drinks in the Connoisseur Collection. Though, guests who have the beverage package as part of the More At Sea promotion will not have to pay a corkage fee if bringing a bottle(s) of wine onboard.

This Unlimited Open Bar perk does not include: Connoisseur’s Collection, Wine and Spirit Experiences, tastings or flights, Starbucks, Ice Bars, room service, package sales, bottled water, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated super premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, fresh squeezed juices, wine dispenser, energy drinks, or vending machines.

Further, guests can not use the drink package at Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues. Though, it does work at Great Stirrup Cay.

The retail value of this perk is $763 per person for a 7-day cruise. (Based on Premium Beverage Package pricing.)

Guests will need to pay an additional cost for the More At Sea Beverage Package and/or Soda Package prior to their cruise. Prices below are per person, per day:

• $30 for 1-7 nights
• $27 for 8-11 nights
• $23 for 12+ nights
• $12.50 for soda packages

Specialty Dining

When it comes to specialty dining, NCL is giving some guests a bit more as well with it’s new More at Sea package. Guests sailing in a balcony or above stateroom now get three specialty dining meals on 7-night cruises.

The breakdown for Studio, Inside, and Oceanview staterooms is as follows:

• 3-7 nights – 1 meal, plus $20 fee
• 8-11 nights – 2 meals, plus $40 fee
• 12+ nights – 3 meals, plus $60 fee

The breakdown for Balcony and above staterooms is as follows:

• 3 nights – 1 meal, plus $20 fee
• 4-6 nights – 2 meals, plus $40 fee
• 7 nights – 3 meals, plus $60 fee
• 8-11 nights – 4 meals, plus $80 fee
• 12+ nights – 5 meals, plus $100 fee

While this was always an unwritten rule of sorts, NCL is now publicly stating that guests can also order up to three appetizers and desserts for no additional fees. Extra entree charges will still apply.

This Norwegian’s More at Sea perk is applicable only to guests 1 and 2 on the reservation. Guests 3-8 will not receive these specialty dining meals. Children under the age of 18, who are the second guest in the reservation, will not pay for the dining package.

Guests can make reservations via MyNCL, NCL’s mobile app, by calling the reservations department at 800-327-7030, or once onboard the ship.

The retail value of this perk is $139 per person for those staying in a balcony on a 7-day cruise. (Based on previous dining package pricing.)

Can I still purchase additional specialty dining credits?

Norwegian Cruise Line will no longer offer specialty dining packages for purchase. Thus, guests will no longer be able to purchase additional specialty dining nights to supplement those received with More at Sea.

Guests who would like to dine at specialty restaurants beyond the number of dining nights included with the More at Sea (or guests who are not taking advantage of More At Sea) can eat at specialty restaurants by paying the cover charge at the respective restaurants.

Yes, NCL is reverting back to cover charges vs. a la carte pricing for its onboard specialty restaurants. The new cover charges for NCL specialty restaurants are as follows:

• Steak, Teppanyaki, French, and Seafood have a $60 cover charge.
• Brazil, Asian, Food Republic, and Sushi have a $50 cover charge.
• Italian, BBQ, Pincho, and Mexican have a $40 cover charge.

WiFi

Similar to the former Free at Sea, Norwegian’s More at Sea still only entitles guests to a certain number of free WiFi minutes unlike other brands that offer unlimited internet packages. However, guests will get more minutes per stateroom and faster internet speeds powered by Starlink.

These WiFi minutes are now applicable to ALL guests in the stateroom. Each guest will receive one login which they can use on one device at a time. On NCL, guests can switch between devices simply by logging off of one and then logging onto the other.

The breakdown of WiFi minutes is based on the length of the cruise and is as follows:

• 3-6 nights – 75 minutes per guest
• 7+ nights – 150 minutes per guest

This free WiFi is limited to the number of minutes listed above and does not allow for streaming.

If guests want additional WiFi, packages are available for purchase. The packages include the Voyage WiFi Pass (1.5MBPS) for $29.99 per stateroom per day and the Streaming Voyage Wi-Fi Pass (5 MBPS) for $39.99 per stateroom per day. Only when upgrading WiFi to one of these packages, guests can add extra devices for $5 per device per day, available for purchase once onboard.

Of note, the WiFi is not available at Great Stirrup Cay or Harvest Caye.

The retail value of this perk is not exactly comparable because there are only unlimited packages available when purchasing outside of More at Sea. These start at $29.99 per day.

Shore Excursion Credit

The shore excursion credit that is part of Norwegian’s new More at Sea package remains unchanged from Free at Sea. But, we would have liked NCL to give us “more” for this perk too, as it doesn’t cover much. It offers a $50 credit per port ONLY to guest one on the reservation. If the first guest purchases tickets for other guests, the shore excursion credit will not apply to such tickets.

For those new to cruising, a “shore excursion” can refer to any number of different activities that occur at each port of call. Cruise shore excursions occur off of the ship and are completed during the hours you are docked at the port. They give cruisers the opportunity to maximize their time ashore while eliminating some of the leg work of planning (tickets, transportation, etc.) for a DIY tour. These tours are usually designed to highlight the best attractions that the area has to offer. They also guarantee that the ship will not leave without you if you are late to return from the tour.

Guests can use this credit to purchase any tour offered by the cruise line. If the tour is less than $50, guests will not receive a refund for the difference. If the tour is more than $50, the guest will be responsible to pay the difference.

Latitude member discounts are combinable with this perk. Though, the $50 shore excursion credit does not apply to equipment rentals in Great Stirrup Cay or Harvest Caye ports of call. Pre-cruise and post-cruise land tours are not eligible for this promotion nor are private and/or custom shore excursions.

The retail value of this perk is based on the number of ports of call on your itinerary. So, if we assume most 7-day cruises have 3 to 4 ports of call, it would be $150-$200.

Free 3rd and 4th Guest

With this More at Sea perk, guests 3 and 4 sailing in the same stateroom as guests 1 & 2 sail free or for $99 on select sail dates. Guests should visit NCL’s website for full terms and conditions at the time of booking as this promotion may vary.

This offer is only applicable on select sailings as well. Thus, popular times of the year like school breaks and holidays are not usually part of the promotion.

If there are guests 5-8 in a reservation, those guests will pay prevailing fares.

Free Airfare for 2nd Guest

For select 7+ night sailings and destinations, the second guest on a reservation may receive free airfare with the purchase of airfare for the first guest. You’ll also want to visit NCL’s website for the specific terms and conditions at the time of your booking.

Generally speaking, the offer is not applicable on Sail Away rates and does not apply to guests 3-8 on a reservation. These guests will pay full promotional airfare amount. Solo guests will receive 50% off Norwegian Cruise Line’s promotional airfare pricing each way. Further, this air offer applies to economy, round-trip flights from select departure gateways only.

Additional Terms and Conditions:

• Reservations must be made more than 110 days prior to sailing to qualify.
• Air gateways are capacity controlled and subject to availability.
• For Domestic flights, Norwegian Cruise Line will book guests’ airfare with a maximum of one connection when possible; air schedules permitting.
• For International flights, Norwegian Cruise Line will book guests’ airfare with a maximum of two connections when possible; air schedules permitting.
• If flying from the West Coast to the East Coast of the U.S., NCL reserves an overnight flight allowing you plenty of time to get to your destination city.
• For cruises concluding on the East Coast of the US, you may be reserved on a flight that departs up to 10:30 p.m. depending on available inventory.
• For cruises concluding on the West Coast of the U.S., guests returning home to a city located on the East Coast or central U.S. may be reserved on a flight that departs up to 11:59 p.m. depending on available inventory.
• Guests embarking or disembarking in PortMiami may be reserved on flights arriving or departing at Miami International Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
• Ground transportation is available at the same cost for both airports.
• Guests embarking or disembarking in Manhattan Cruise Terminal (New York City) may be reserved on flights arriving or departing at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Ground transportation is available at the same cost for the three airports.
• Guests embarking or disembarking in Quebec City may be reserved on flights arriving or departing from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to ensure the most convenient schedule.
• Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to choose the air carrier, routing, and city airport from each gateway city and reserves the right to substitute commuter service and/or charter air service for scheduled air carriers without prior notice.

Norwegian More at Sea Additional Terms and Conditions

Norwegian’s More at Sea applies to all cruises booked on or after October 1st for sailings January 1, 2025 and beyond. Guests sailing in 2025 and beyond, who booked prior to October 1, 2024, will enjoy both their current Free at Sea benefits plus the new More At Sea beverage package at no additional cost. All guests sailing in 2024 will enjoy their current Free At Sea benefits. 

• Any reservation created on or after October 1, 2024 for sailing January 1, 2025 and beyond is eligible for More at Sea.
• More at Sea is valid on 3+ night sailings.
• More At Sea choice(s) must be selected at least 24 hours prior to sailing and cannot be changed on board.
• Promotion is not applicable to Traditional Groups
• This promotion is not applicable on the land portion of Cruisetours.
• Components included in this offer have no monetary value, are non-refundable and non-transferable.

How is Norwegian More at Sea different than the former Free at Sea promotion?

When it comes to comparing the new More at Sea vs. Free at Sea packages, they are mostly the same with a few key differences. These differences apply to the open bar, specialty dining, and WiFi perks.

With regard to the Open Bar, the main differences are as follows:

• More premium brands are included in the package.
• There’s no more $15 drink limit.
• But, there’s no longer a Premium Plus drink package or ability to pay to upgrade. This means guests can NOT pay extra to have unlimited bottled water and specialty coffee included in their drink package.

With regard to Specialty Dining, the main differences are as follows:

• Depending on your stateroom category, you may actually get more free meals. For instance, Balcony and above guests received 2 free meals for 7-11 night cruises with Free at Sea. Now, they receive 3 meals for 7-night cruises and 4 meals for 8-11 night cruises.
• There’s no longer the ability to purchase add-on specialty dining packages for additional meals.
• Specialty dining pricing for additional meals has changed from a la carte to flat-fee cover charges.
• Guests can order up to 3 appetizers and 3 desserts at specialty restaurants for no added fee.

When it comes to the WiFi packages, the minutes have stayed the same except for those on 12+ day voyages. These guests have actually been downgraded from 300 minutes to 150 minutes. The enhancements are as follows:

• All guests in the stateroom now receive a login as opposed to just the first and second guest as previous.
• WiFi is now powered by Starlink for faster speeds.

What about Free at Sea Plus? Upgrades to the Premium Plus Beverage Package?

With Norwegian’s former Free at Sea promotion, there was the option to upgrade to Free at Sea Plus. Guests could upgrade their free perks to a more premium level for $49 per person, per day.

The Free at Sea Plus package included Unlimited WiFi (no streaming) for Guests 1&2, Premium Plus beverage package for Guests 1&2, Two additional specialty dining meals for Guests 1&2, and Additional $50 shore excursion credit per tour for Guest 2.

However, with the rollout of the new More at Sea, Free at Sea Plus is no longer available. Guests will no longer have the upgrade option.

Or, guests could choose to upgrade just the “free drink package” to the Premium Plus drink package for $29 per person, per day. This NCL drink package included the addition of all Starbucks coffee & specialty drinks, all top-shelf cocktails & spirits, all beer, champagne, and wine by the glass, select premium bottles of champagne and wine with dinner and 40% off all other bottles, unlimited soft drinks and juices, and unlimited still & sparkling bottled water.

This too is also sunsetting with the new More at Sea. All previously upgraded beverage packages will be removed and the original form of payment will be refunded. Starbucks and bottled water will not be part of the More At Sea Beverage Package. Separate Starbucks and bottled water packages will be available for purchase.

Now, this is a huge detriment for us as we drink a lot of bottled water and specialty coffee on a cruise. While we get charging extra for Starbucks drinks, we’ve never understood why Norwegian Cruise Line is the ONLY cruise line that doesn’t include bottled water in its drink packages. Let’s give guests unlimited free alcohol but no water. How does this make sense?

The price of the Unlimited Starbucks package is $16.50 per person, per day, and all qualifying individuals in the stateroom must purchase it.

Water package prices range from $19.95 for 12 half liter bottles to $49.95 for 48 half liter bottles. While this probably works out to be cheaper than the former upgraded drink package in the long run, it’s really the hassle of having to remember to take this bottled water with you from your cabin or end up having to pay while on the pool deck or at a bar.

Does Norwegian More at Sea include gratuities?

Unlike some other cruise lines’ packages, NCL’s More at Sea does not typically include gratuities as one of its perks.

The current rates for NCL cruise gratuities are as follows:

• $25 for guests staying in the Haven and Suites
• $20 for all other staterooms, Club Balcony Suites and below

Is Norwegian Cruise Line’s More at Sea good for all itineraries?

Generally speaking, NCL’s Free at Sea is applicable to all sailings of 3 nights or greater. Chartered sailings and land portions of Cruisetours are the exceptions.

Hawaii sailings offer a slightly modified More at Sea promotion. The Hawaii Beverage Package is applicable to Pride of America sailings only, for guests 1-8 on the reservation. Though, there is no substitute for the package if guests cannot consume all beverages included.

This More At Sea Hawaii Beverage Package includes a variety of alcoholic beverages, excluding drinks in the Connoisseur’s Collection. It also includes fountain soda, freshly squeezed juice, bottled water (still and sparkling), non-alcoholic beer, and specialty coffee (limited to dining rooms only). It does not include specialty coffee outside of the restaurants, room service, mini bar purchases, or vending machines.

Eligible guests can get two beverages per person, per transaction. Packages are personal to the individual, may not be shared, are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Further, guests need to pay the additional costs of the More At Sea Hawaii Beverage Package prior to the cruise. These are: $30 per person, per day for 1-7 nights; $27 for 8-11 nights; and $23 for 12+ nights. However, when booking through the Australia office, additional costs related to More At Sea Hawaii Beverage Package are part of the fare.

The purchase of any alcoholic drinks within the Hawaii Beverage Package may, in certain individual circumstances, be restricted in accordance with Hawaii’s Intoxicating Liquor Law and applicable local rules and regulations.

Is Norwegian’s More at Sea Worth It?

If you know us, you know we love to crunch numbers to determine the real value of cruise offerings. So, we did a little math to decide if Norwegian’s More at Sea is worth it. Is is a better deal than Free at Sea?

If you take a typical 7-day cruise, the former 20% gratuity for the drink package was $152.60 for each guest. This price has now increased to $210 per person for the same 7-day cruise with More at Sea. This is an over 35% increase in price to get some additional premium spirits.

Similarly, the 20% service charge on a specialty dining package with Free at Sea was $19.80 for a 7-day cruise in a balcony cabin (2 meals). Now, the price has increased to $60 for the 3-meal plan on a 7-day cruise. While you are getting an extra meal, you’re paying over $40 additional (which is essentially paying for that meal based on new cover charge prices).

We also did some cruise price comparisons. We looked at pricing on September 30th and October 1st for a few different sailings across ships and itineraries. The good news is that of the five example cruises we chose, all prices were exactly the same. So, it doesn’t appear that NCL has raised prices to accommodate this new offering above the aforementioned. Of course, this doesn’t mean that pricing couldn’t trend up over time.

So, based on our calculations, guests are paying about $100 more for More at Sea than Free at Sea for a 7-day cruise in a balcony cabin or around $78 more for a 3-day cruise. At the end of the day, most guests would probably consider this a wash, as you are getting some additional benefits as mentioned previously in this post for this small increase in price.

For us, the biggest disappointment is the elimination of the Premium Plus Beverage Package/Free at Sea Plus. It was convenient to bundle all the upgrades into one package. Now, we’ll have to upgrade WiFi and make Starbucks and bottled water purchases all separately.

Comments

What do you think of Norwegian’s More at Sea? Do you like the new More at Sea package better than Free at Sea? Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on this new NCL offering.

The post Norwegian More at Sea: Are You Really Getting More or Just Paying More With This New Cruise Package? appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.

If you love cruising, then the entire process of ship building may fascinate you as much as us. That’s why we were thrilled when we were invited by Norwegian Cruise Line to visit the Fincantieri shipyard to see the construction progress of NCL’s newest cruise ship. Now, we’re back and want to share this exclusive Norwegian Aqua first look with you.

Norwegian Aqua: Our Exclusive First Look from the Shipyard

Norwegian Aqua is Norwegian Cruise Line‘s newest cruise ship set to debut in April 2025. This 156K gross ton ship is the first in NCL’s Prima Plus class of vessels, with sister ships Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, and the newly named Norwegian Luna (debuting in 2026).

While we’ve sailed on the previous Prima class ships, we were intrigued by some of the changes made to this new ship. Norwegian Aqua will be home to some firsts at sea as well as some relocated and redesigned spaces to address some of the pain-points on these previous vessels.

This is made possible by the fact that Norwegian Aqua is 10% larger in terms of size and capacity than her sister ships with the addition of two 11-meter sections. Spanning 1,056 feet long, she will accommodate 3,571 guests at double occupancy. Further, Norwegian Aqua will offer more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship. 

Known for colorful hull art, NCL’s new ship will feature the design “Where the Sky Meets the Sea” by the first major female hull artist, Allison Hueman.

Aqua Slidecoaster

Perhaps the most exciting new addition to Norwegian Aqua is the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster. With dual slides and magnetic lifts, this attraction will feature two unique experiences propelling guests at up to 30 mph in two-person rafts.

The Aqua Slidecoaster will be the longest and fastest slides at sea. So, all the thrillseekers out there definitely won’t want to miss this new attraction. Replacing the Speedway on other Prima ships, these slides will feature three stories of twists and turns around the ship’s funnel.

The details like height and weight requirements are still in the works, but we were told that this activity will be complimentary.

Other Top Deck Attractions

At the very top of the ship on Deck 20, Norwegian Aqua will also feature a new Glow Court. This digital sports complex will have an LED floor. This space will offer a variety of interactive activities during the day and then transform into a nightclub in the evening. 

The Drop slide will make a return on Norwegian Aqua as well. Debuting on Prima, The Drop is the first free-fall slide in the world. This dry slide plunges 10 stories, reaching the highest G-forces of any cruise line. It too is a complimentary attraction.

The Stadium can also be found on Norwegian Aqua with a new expanded space offering a variety of complimentary activities.

When examining the Norwegian Aqua deck plans, the two top deck attractions that are still missing include the Tee Time mini-golf and the Bull’s Eye dart lounge. Thus, it remains to be seen whether the ship will feature these for-fee activities.

We also suspect that the new Glow Court may take the place of the Galaxy Pavilion previously found on Deck 17 near the Observation Lounge on Prima and Viva as the gaming complex is presently absent on deck plans (and it’s recently been removed on Norwegian Joy).

However, the Aqua Slidecoaster does officially take the place of The Rush and The Wave slides. This will also make room for an expanded kids aquapark on Deck 18.

One of the complaints of the previous Prima ships was the omission of a dedicated teens club. Well, Entourage makes a return on Norwegian Aqua. Kids aged 13-17 can enjoy their own space now on Deck 14.

New and Reimagined Dining and Bars

One of the things we love about Norwegian Cruise Line is its dining lineup. While we are sad to see one of our favorites go, we’re excited to check out all the new and reimagined food and drink spaces coming to Norwegian Aqua.

Sukhothai

The biggest new addition is Sukhothai, NCL’s first-ever Thai specialty restaurant. Unfortunately, this restaurant will take the place of Food Republic on Deck 17. This new specialty dining venue will offer menu items like Thai Cashew Chicken, Salt and Pepper Prawns, and Thai Grilled Steak Salad.

The atmosphere is described as “a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary Thai design elements” with features like bamboo and rice paper pendant lights and a geometric patterned floor.

Planterie

One of our favorite additions to the NCL dining lineup is the Indulge Food Hall. The Indulge Food Hall offers 10 food stations with cuisine from around the world in a quick-service style setting. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we visited this space on multiple occasions during our cruises.

In addition to favorites like Nudls, Tamara, and Q Texas Smokehouse, Planterie will make its debut. Planterie is NCL’s first dedicated eatery offering a full plant-based menu. It will feature plant-based bowls and other healthy options.

Returning Favorites

When it comes to specialty restaurants, all the other favorites will return to Norwegian Aqua. However, some will move to new locations. Palomar will feature the same Mediterranean seafood selections in an upscale setting on Deck 17. Deck 8 will be the home of Onda by Scarpetta and Los Lobos.

Cagney’s, NCL’s signature steakhouse, will move upstairs to Deck 7 across the way from the Metropolitan Bar and will accommodate even more guests. In turn, Le Bistro will also relocate, taking the place of Hasuki on Deck 7 across from Nami Sushi. Don’t worry, the popular teppanyaki location isn’t going away! It’s just moving down to Deck 6 to allow for more space. In fact, it will be the biggest iteration yet with even more hibachi tables.

When it comes to complimentary dining, guests can still enjoy the Surfside Cafe and Grill on the pool deck. The Local Bar and Grill also returns in the same location on Deck 8 but with even more space.

Hudson’s and The Commodore Room will be the two main dining rooms once again. However, The Commodore Room will be expanded to offer increased seating capacity.

Updated Bar Spaces

On Norwegian Aqua, there will be one completely new bar concept. Swirl Wine Bar will be located on Deck 6. This hidden enclave will feature a comprehensive wine-by-the-glass menu and an extensive list of rare and premium vintages.

The Metropolitan Bar, NCL’s  Sail & Sustain cocktail bar, will boast a new design. The bar will now feature a piano and a small entertainment space for live performances for guests to enjoy while sipping their sustainable cocktails, like the croissant mai tai, and biodynamic wines. We are glad to see this space get a makeover as it is a large area that seemed underutilized during our previous sailings.

Another change up on Norwegian Aqua, the Whiskey Bar and Belvedere Bar will swap locations. This change makes complete sense to us. Moving from Deck 8 in the Penrose Atrium, the Whiskey Bar will shift down to Deck 6 near Hasuki and The Commodore Room. This more out-of-the-way location will allow the bar to focus on delivering refined spirits. The Belvedere Bar will move up to Deck 8 with a new design, allowing for ocean views and front row seats to all the nighttime action in the Penrose Atrium.

New Entertainment

During our shipyard visit, we got a sneak peek at the newest show to join the Norwegian Cruise Line entertainment lineup. Revolution: A Celebration of Prince will debut on Norwegian Aqua. Shifting towards the entertainment model of all original productions, this new show will be a concert-like experience celebrating the music of the iconic artist. With hits like “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Purple Rain”, guests are sure to be singing and dancing along during this hour production show.

The second signature production reimagined for Norwegian Aqua is Elements: The World Expanded. Elements has become one of NCL’s highest-rated guest shows of all time and is featured across four ships in the fleet. Thus, the show is being revamped into a better-than-ever, more immersive version. It will feature magic, aerial acrobatics, music, and dance.

These two productions will take place in the 3-story transformational Aqua Theater & Club. This dyanmic theater can transform into a Vegas-style nightclub featuring an expansive dance floor, interactive chandeliers, and state-of-the-art lighting. The venue will also feature three parties: 90s Party, Livin’ La Vida Loca, and Pop Life (which will take place after the Prince show and be reminescient of the early ages of MTV), along with a brand-new Welcome Aboard Show.

Other returning shows include The Price is Right LIVE on NCL game show and Syd Norman’s Presents: Rumours. This Fleetwood Mac tribute experience will be offered in the Aqua Theater & Club to accommodate more guests.

The popular entertainment spaces, Syd Norman’s Pour House (which will feature a new R&B experience) and an expanded Improv at Sea Comedy Club, will also return on Norwegian Aqua. Though, the exact locations of these venues have not been confirmed on deck plans just yet. What is known is that the comedy club will be redesigned so the stage is no longer at the end of a rather long and narrow space.

Improved Outdoor Spaces

One knock on Norwegian Cruise Line ships has always been the pool deck. Even on earlier Prima class ships, the area felt small and rather closed off. Now, with the elimination of the Speedway and the extra space, Norwegian Aqua will feature an improved pool deck. For the first time, day beds will be available near the main pool for guests to enjoy as well.

After walking this unfinished outdoor deck during our shipyard tour, it certainly felt more spacious. So, we can’t wait to see the finished product.

Another enhancement is the expanded Vibe Beach Club. This elevated, adult-only space will be larger, in fact, nearly twice as big.

Further, the Deck 8 Ocean Boulevard has been enhanced to offer even more outdoor space on Norwegian Aqua. As the largest-to-date, this fully wrap-around promenade will feature more seating (by eliminating The Rush slides landing area), the Oceanwalk glass bridges, Infinity Beach with its infinity edge pools, the La Terrazza lounge space, and the Soleil Bar at the aft of this deck.

Largest Haven Complex

Finally, Norwegian Aqua will have the largest Haven complex at sea. This ship-within-a-ship concept will feature 123 well-appointed suites. They will all have access to an expansive sundeck with an infinity pool, an outdoor sauna and cold room, and two hot tubs. The Haven also features a private lounge, exclusive bars, and a restaurant.

Not to mention, Norwegian Aqua will debut the first-ever 3-bedroom Duplex Haven Suites. These two-story suites have separate living and dining areas, three bathrooms, a sprawling balcony, and three bedrooms.

Outside The Haven, Norwegian Aqua will offer a variety of the most spacious accommodations in the fleet. These include solo, inside, ocean view, and balcony category staterooms.

Norwegian Aqua Itineraries

When she sets sail, Norwegian Aqua will offer 7-day itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida. From August through October of 2025, the ship will position to New York for 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda. Then, she will sail Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 2026.

Comments

Do you have plans to sail on Norwegian Aqua? What do you think of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship? Drop us an anchor below to share what you are most excited about on this new NCL cruise ship.

The post We Just Returned from the Shipyard and Give You Our Exclusive First Look at Norwegian Aqua appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.