Sarah Bretz, ContributorNorwegian Cruise Line has announced the debut of Norwegian Aqua in Port Canaveral, where she will spend the next few months operating seven-night voyages to the Caribbean.
This past weekend, around 3,700 guests embarked on the vessel’s first weeklong voyage to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, her initial homeport since her official debut earlier this month. Just in time for the summer season, Aqua will sail seven-night eastern Caribbean sailings into August with calls to Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay — NCL’s private island in the Bahamas.
“We are so thrilled to have Norwegian Aqua homeport in Port Canaveral for her inaugural season of Caribbean voyages,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Port Canaveral is an attractive cruise destination with a variety of attractions in the surrounding area for guests to extend their cruise vacation, and easy access by plane, train or automobile. Launching just in time for summer, Norwegian Aqua is designed to offer fun-in-the-sun voyages year-round with outdoor activities for guests looking for thrills, or who simply want to chill. We’re excited to have her begin her cruise journey with our partners at Port Canaveral!”
Norwegian Aqua features many first-in-the-industry activities including its hallmark top-deck attraction, The Aqua Slidecoaster. The hybrid waterslide-roller coaster features a high-speed powered launch that propels guests through dual slides that race across three decks. Also onboard is the Glow Court digital sports court and the new Aqua Game Zone with retro arcade games, classic carnival games, and high-tech virtual reality experiences.
Entertainment on board include the headlining production “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” “Elements: The World Expanded,” and “Price is Right LIVE.”
Elsewhere, the vessel features NCL’s first specialty Thai restaurant Sukhothai, as well as its first plant-based eatery in the Indulge Food Hall. When it’s time to relax, passengers can enjoy the expanded pool deck or the more spacious Vibe Beach Club, or hit up the spa’s thermal suite with a new clay sauna.
Norwegian Aqua is 10 percent larger in size and capacity from sister ships Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, and is the first in the Prima Plus class. Following a season of sailings from Port Canaveral, Aqua will offer five and seven-night cruises to Bermuda from New York City through October before heading to Miami for a season of seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises into April 2026.
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