Thrill alert: Norwegian Cruise Line's next new ship to have an epic 'hybrid rollercoaster'
Get ready for watery thrills on Norwegian Cruise Line's next new ship.
The Miami-based cruise brand on Thursday said its next vessel to debut — Norwegian Aqua — will have an epic, first-of-its-kind "hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide" ride swirling around its top deck.
To be called the Aqua Slidecoaster, the three-story-high attraction will incorporate dual slides and a magnetic lift that propels riders through two different courses. The line says the ride will twist around the ship's funnel as riders careen across the top deck of the ship high above the sea.
In addition to the watery coaster experience, Norwegian Aqua will have a new-for-the-line digital sports complex called Glow Court that boasts an interactive LED floor. It'll be home to a variety of interactive guest activities by day and then transform into a nightclub in the evening.
Designed to carry 3,571 passengers at double occupancy (when sailing with two passengers per cabin), Norwegian Aqua will be a bigger version of the two Prima Class vessels that the line has rolled out over the past 14 months, giving it room for new and expanded attractions.
Related: Why I loved the new Norwegian Prima — and you will, too
Each of the earlier Prima Class vessels carried 3,099 passengers at double occupancy.
At 156,300 gross tons, Norwegian Aqua will be about 10% bigger than the first two Prima Class ships (Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva). The line is calling it a Prima Plus Class vessel to differentiate it from the earlier ships.
Norwegian currently has 19 ships in its fleet and, assuming it doesn't retire any of its older vessels in the next two years, will have 20 ships with the arrival of Norwegian Aqua.
Norwegian on Thursday said Norwegian Aqua's first sailing will take place in April 2025. It'll initially be based in Port Canaveral, Florida, for seven-night sailings to the Caribbean.
Port calls on the ship's initial itineraries will include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas.
The ship is currently under construction at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
“Norwegian Aqua is a true testament of fusing together what represents the future of our Brand as the first ship in the Prima Plus Class, and our commitment to pushing the boundaries in guest-first experiences that will make new waves at sea,” Norwegian Cruise Line President David J. Herrera said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
Related: The 9 types of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained
Herrera added that the ship will feature "new, elevated and exhilarating offerings that once again showcase NCL as the innovator in the industry and as a key contributor to a new era of cruising.”
Attractions old and new
In addition to the new water coaster and digital sports complex, which haven't appeared on Norwegian Cruise Line ships before, Norwegian Aqua will have several of the classic attractions already found on the first Prima Class ships. These include The Drop, a 10-story free-fall slide, and the Stadium, a game space that will be expanded on Norwegian Aqua.
Norwegian on Thursday also revealed that Norwegian Aqua will have the largest Haven complex of any of its ships and the most spacious accommodations the line has ever offered.
The Haven is a luxury suite complex on many Norwegian ships that offers an elevated experience with private dining and private lounge and deck areas.
The Haven complex on Norwegian Aqua will include 123 suites that feature the line's first three-bedroom duplex Haven suites. There will be four total — all two stories high with separate living and dining areas, three bathrooms, a sprawling balcony and three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms will have a king-size bed, with the primary bedroom offering floor-to-ceiling windows for stunning ocean views.
Other features of The Haven complex on Norwegian Aqua will include an expansive, dedicated sundeck, an infinity pool overlooking the ship’s stern, an outdoor spa complete with a glass-walled sauna and cold room, two hot tubs, a private lounge, and an exclusive bar pouring rare spirits and vintages.
As is the norm for The Haven complexes on Norwegian ships, the keycard-accessed complex will come with 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge team.
Among other features planned for Norwegian Aqua, as announced Thursday:
- A dedicated teen club called Entourage for passengers ages 13 to 17
- An infinity-edge pool with expanded seating and — for the first time on a Norwegian ship — daybeds on the main pool deck
- An expanded, extra-charge Vibe Beach Club on the ship's top deck with more lounge seating
- More outdoor spaces in general across the open decks of the ship, including an expanded Ocean Boulevard wrapping around the vessel
- A glass bridge on each side of the ship that will offer a chance for photos of the sea
- La Terrazza, an open-air lounge with sweeping sea views
In addition, Norwegian said Norwegian Aqua will showcase a colorful hull art design by street artist Allison Hueman.
After an initial series of sailings to the Caribbean out of Port Canaveral, Norwegian Aqua will move to New York in August 2025 for a series of five- and seven-day voyages to Bermuda through October 2025.
Norwegian Aqua will then sail five- and seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries out of Miami from October 2025 through April 2026.
All of the newly announced sailings opened for bookings Thursday.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.