Norwegian Aqua

The Expanded Pool and Whirlpool Spaces: Deck 17 on Norwegian Aqua has undergone some welcome upgrades, although guests whose main objective is pool time may still find that the spaces fall short of those offered by other mainstream cruise competitors. The Main Pool and the adults-only Vibe Beach Club both have more real estate than on Prima and Viva, thanks to the ship's extended length and the removal of two slides, The Wave and The Rush. The Main Pool now features a slightly larger pool, more sun loungers, and two more spacious whirlpools, while Vibe Beach Club retains the same layout with a round bar and two infinity-edge whirlpools but now also has more sun loungers. The side-facing pools on deck 8's Infinity Beach are similar to those on the two older ships.

The Music Scene: Norwegian Aqua's nightly entertainment options hit some high notes. One of the production shows in the Aqua Theater & Club is "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince," which covers the late artist's chart-topping hits — with the option to sit theater-style or stand and dance in front of the stage. In addition, the popular live performance of "Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Experience" has moved from Syd Norman's Pour House, an atmospheric but always crowded 1970s-inspired club venue, to the Aqua Theater, with cast members costumed to channel the legendary band. While the retro-cool factor of seeing the entire album performed in the more intimate Syd Norman's has been lost, the comfort of theater seating and the added production value have refreshed the show for repeat cruisers — plus, classic rock fans can still catch the "Sail Away" performance by the same band members in Syd's on the cruise's first night. Music fans can also hit the dancefloor in the Aqua Theater during a '90s Party or gather in Syd Norman's for an '80s prom-themed music set.

Airy and Spacious Accommodations: As on Prima and Viva, the staterooms on Aqua feature modern décor in neutral beige and pale wood tones accented by touches of aqua blue, here in a vivid wall mural that complements the swirling motifs found throughout the ship. The majority are 231- to 358-square-foot Balcony Staterooms, sleeping two to four guests, while the 48 Club Balcony Suites are even more spacious at 241 to 412 square feet. 

The two exceptions to airy and spacious are the ship's smallest Inside Staterooms, which are a cozy 160 square feet, and the 73 Studios, which, at just 94 square feet, are designed for solo travelers. Snug but smartly designed, these feature access to the Studio Lounge for socializing with other singles.

Indulge Food Hall and Indulge Sun Deck: A guest favorite since its debut on Prima, Indulge Food Hall on deck 8 offers dozens of dishes that guests order via tablet. Options range from Asian and Italian specialties from Nudls and flavorful Indian dishes from Tamara to tostadas and guacamole from the Latin Quarter and fried green tomatoes and brisket from Q Texas Smokehouse. New on Aqua: Planterie, which offers a plant-based menu of healthy bowls, soups, and salads. Indulge Sun Deck, just outside, features chic and comfortable seating and is a lovely place to enjoy Sail Away.

"More at Sea" Inclusions: In late 2024, Norwegian transitioned from its "Free at Sea" promotion to "More at Sea," which allows guests to book cruises that include an unlimited open-bar beverage package, specialty dining (one to five dinners based on cruise length and category booked), 150 minutes of Wi-Fi, and a $50 shore excursion credit per port (for one guest). Norwegian's daily service charge is not included in "More at Sea" but can be prepaid.

Ample Restaurant Options: Aqua offers a wide array of dining venues, several of which feature both indoor and outdoor seating. Five are complimentary: Surfside Café & Grill for buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the Local Bar & Grill for a 24-hour pub menu and bar snacks; Hudson's and the Commodore Room for a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner with dinner menus that change nightly; and Indulge Food Hall, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Specialty dining options are the new Sukhothai restaurant featuring Thai cuisine (it replaces Food Republic) and established venues Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Onda by Scarpetta, Palomar, Los Lobos, Nama Sushi, and Hasuki. There's also a Starbucks in the Penrose Atrium.

The Haven: Norwegian's elegant ship-within-a-ship enclave, located aft on decks 10 to 16 and accessed via private elevators, is a bit larger than on Prima and Viva. Aqua's Haven features 123 suites that range from 368 to 2,100 square feet and have amenities like 24-hour butler service; concierge service for booking dining, entertainment, shore excursions, etc.; a personal escort on and off the ship at embarkation; and access to two exclusive sundecks with an aft infinity pool and whirlpools, a private lounge, and The Haven Restaurant. 

Families with Tweens & Teens: Aqua's top three decks are designed with kids and families in mind (and keep most of the action and noise concentrated in these spaces). In addition to the Aqua Slidecoaster, there's the new Glow Court, a digital sports complex on deck 20 with an interactive LED floor that offers a variety of games and transitions to a dance club at night. 

Other activities on decks 18 to 20 are Tee Time mini-golf, a pickleball court, The Drop dry slide, and The Stadium for ping pong, foosball, and more. One deck below is the Aqua Game Zone, which is filled with a mix of old-school arcade machines and virtual reality gaming (known on Prima and Viva as Galaxy Pavilion but missing the escape room). Aqua also features an Entourage teen lounge on deck 14 (which its two older siblings lacked) and a Splash Academy kids club (ages 3-12) on deck 15.

Those Seeking the Best of Large and Small Ships: While Norwegian Aqua is a large mainstream ship, the fact that it features The Haven allows anyone seeking a more intimate and upscale cruise experience to enjoy exclusive spaces and services while also having access to the entertainment and specialty dining venues around the rest of the ship. 

There's No Indoor Pool — and the Adults-Only Sun Deck Isn't Free: Guests who book a Norwegian Aqua sailing during cooler weather won't find an indoor pool — unless they want to pay for a day pass ($99 per person) to access the Mandara Spa's thermal area, which features a heated and jetted pool as well as an array of steam rooms and saunas and a forward-facing relaxation area with heated loungers. In addition, the only adults-only pool option, Vibe Beach Club, requires an extra fee (either daily or for the entire cruise).

All Specialty Restaurants Aren't Created Equal: Norwegian's cover charge for specialty dining (which has replaced a la carte pricing) is $40 to $60 per person for a dinner of two appetizer selections, an entrée, and a dessert. But in Mediterranean-inspired Palomar, for example, three of the six seafood entrees require an extra $25 charge beyond the $60 cover charge. 

Other $60 per person options are Le Bistro, Hasuki, and Cagney's. At the other end, Onda by Scarpetta and Los Lobos charge just $40 per person, while Nama Sushi is $50 per person (and the four courses include generous portions of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese specialties, so it's really easy to order too much food for two people). Also worth keeping in mind: Even if you get included specialty dinners with a "More at Sea" booking, you'll pay a 20% service charge on those specialty dining meals, which will be added to your cruise fare at the time of booking.