Norwegian Cruise Line reveals name, sailings for its first Prima Plus ship
The first ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus class will be called the Norwegian Aqua and debut at Port Canaveral in April 2025, the line said.
The ship, which like its two Prima class predecessors will be built by Fincantieri, will include new experiences not found on other Prima class ships. Those include a three-story hybrid roller coaster and waterslide with two courses; the line’s first three-bedroom duplex suites in The Haven; and a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor that converts into a nightclub in the evening.
The Aqua will also have more capacity. The line’s Prima Plus class represents a revision of the original class design: Executives at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said in February they would slow the release of final four Prima-class ships to equip them with the option to use green methanol and build the ships larger.
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The Aqua and its yet-unnamed sister ship, expected to follow in 2026, will be about 10% larger and include 10% more capacity than the earlier Prima class ships. The Aqua will be 156,300 gross tons, up from the 143,500 gross ton Norwegian Prima. The new ship is expected to accommodate 3,571 guests at double capacity, compared to the 3,099 on the Prima.
The final two ships in the class will be built with a 20% increase in gross tonnage over the Prima, making them the largest ships in the fleet at about 171,000 gross tons. Those ships, which will be capable of running on diesel and methanol, are scheduled to debut in 2027 and 2028.
Aqua features
The Haven complex aboard the Aqua will be the largest in the fleet with 123 suites, including four two-story suites that will feature separate living and dining areas; three bathrooms; a balcony; and three bedrooms, two with king-size beds. Floor-to-ceiling windows are another feature of the suites.
The Aqua will also offer solo inside, solo oceanview and solo balcony cabins.
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Hull art is being designed by the line’s first female hull artist, Allison Hueman, best known for her street art and collaborations with global brands, including Nike, L’Oreal and Google.
The ship will kick off with seven-day Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, calling at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. The ship will follow that with five- and seven-day sailings to Bermuda from New York from August through October 2025 before offering five- and seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami beginning in October 2025.
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