Heidi BucoloFor our recent cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand-new Norwegian Aqua, we stayed in a balcony stateroom. Given that Norwegian’s Prima-class ships feature some of the largest balcony cabins in contemporary cruising, we were eager to see how this Norwegian Aqua balcony room would compare to other ships we’ve sailed on recently. Did it deliver on comfort and space? Find out in our latest Norwegian Aqua balcony cabin review.
Norwegian Aqua Balcony Cabin Quick Facts
- Cabin Number: 10736
- Category: Ocean View Balcony
- Size: 231 sq ft interior + 45 sq ft balcony
- Location: Deck 10, forward starboard
- Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
- Price: We paid $1,700 for 5-day cruise
- Best For: Couples seeking a balance of extra space, ocean access, and value
- Our Verdict: Excellent value with noticeably more space than competitor balcony cabins and upscale finishes throughout
Why We Chose a Norwegian Aqua Balcony Room
Since this was a short getaway to celebrate our 100th cruise, we wanted a comfortable cabin that would serve as our home base for the voyage but not break the bank. Thus, we booked a guaranteed balcony room and were assigned stateroom 10736 for this Norwegian Aqua sailing. Reviewing the deck plans, this starboard balcony cabin is located forward of the forward elevators on Deck 10.
According to Norwegian Cruise Line‘s website, a balcony stateroom on this ship is approximately 231 square feet with a 45-square-foot balcony and sleeps 2 guests. Offering considerably more space than comparable staterooms on competitor cruise lines, we appreciated the extra room and thoughtful layout.
Being on Deck 10, this cabin is close to many of the indoor amenities, with a majority of the dining and entertainment venues a short walk or elevator ride down to Decks 6 through 8. Despite not having smart elevators on the ship, it was still a quick ride up to the top deck attractions as well.
The rooms on Norwegian Aqua feature modern styling with elegant finishes, providing a more sophisticated feel than typical cruise ship cabins. The color palette, though not as cheerful as other ships in this class, is refined and contemporary.
Layout of a Norwegian Aqua Balcony Cabin
Immediately entering our Norwegian Aqua balcony room, the bathroom was to the right. Across from the bathroom were three closet areas providing ample storage. Beyond the bathroom and closet was a loveseat to the right and the desk to the left.
The bed was on the right (forward) wall, positioned closer to the balcony, which is our preferred configuration. There was a small nightstand on each side of the bed.
Finally, there was the balcony. At 45 square feet, the size is what we have come to expect from modern mega-ships, with enough room for two upgraded chairs and a small table.
The finishes in the cabin featured darker tones than Norwegian Prima, with light wood and mostly brown and dark blue accents. While not as bright, the room still felt upscale and inviting.
Inside Our Norwegian Aqua Balcony Cabin
Bathroom
The bathroom in this Norwegian Aqua balcony cabin is a welcomed upgrade. It’s more spacious than typical cruise ship bathrooms and features one of the largest showers at sea in a standard cabin.
There is also ample counter space and storage, with several shelves for toiletries both above and below the sink. In terms of storage, it always helps that we bring a hanging shoe organizer where we store many toiletries and other small items.
The shower is rectangular with a glass door. It includes a shampoo dispenser and shower gel dispenser along with two small shelves and a shave bar. The shower head also has adjustable spa-like features. The overall design makes it feel roomier than standard cruise ship showers.
Closet
The closet in this stateroom offered more than sufficient storage for our 5-day cruise. Three closet areas provided ample space for unpacking. The closet nearest the room’s entrance features a full-length clothes bar, perfect for hanging longer dresses and pants.
The additional two closets each contain a clothes bar at the top and metal basket drawers at the bottom, which we used to store packing cubes with undergarments and shoes.
The one thing we didn’t like was that the hangers couldn’t be interchanged between the closets.
Main Cabin Area
The main cabin area of this Norwegian Aqua balcony room makes efficient use of space. The bed provided adequate comfort and we had no issues falling asleep after our long days and nights on the ship.
There are nightstands on each side of the bed, one with two shelves and the other with two cubbies for storage. Across from the bed is the television. We also appreciated the USB outlets near the bed for charging our phones at night. One side of the bed has a power outlet along with a USB and USB-C in the light fixture; the other side has a USB and USB-C in the light fixture but no power outlet.
The sitting area includes a loveseat that was a comfortable spot for us to unwind during the afternoon, but there was no side table or cocktail table. Across from the loveseat, a rather small desk completes the arrangement.
At the desk, there is one European outlet, one U.S. outlet, USB, and USB-C charging options. Though, it doesn’t offer much storage besides the mini-fridge that we used to keep our two cases of water cold during the voyage. It also features a stool instead of a chair with back support. Nonetheless, it served as a place to get ready in the morning.
Balcony
The balcony in this Norwegian Aqua balcony room measures 45 square feet and provides a nice outdoor area with upgraded furniture that was more comfortable than the basic chairs found on many cruise lines. It’s always a great spot to enjoy the ocean breezes and watch our sail into and out of ports of call.
This space felt pretty typical in terms of size, with enough room for two chairs and the small table.
Recap of Our Norwegian Aqua Balcony Cabin Review
We were more than happy with our Norwegian Aqua balcony cabin. At 231 square feet, it provided ample space, storage, and comfort during our trip, along with direct access to ocean views and fresh air. When compared to other cruise lines, NCL’s Prima-class ships offer a competitve edge when it comes to size; they are certainly more spacious!
As the newest ship in the fleet, this stateroom was a comfortable and stylish accommodation for our cruise. The room featured upscale finishes and elegant touches, particularly evident in the bathroom. It also featured modern amenities like USB outlets near the bed for charging multiple devices.
When it comes to location, this cabin is pretty far forward. While it didn’t bother us, those who are prone to motion sickness may want to consider something more midship. However, we never experienced any noise issues during our stay.
For the price (we paid just under $1700 for our 5-day sailing), a Norwegian Aqua balcony cabin is well worth the upgrade. It provides the perfect mix of size and value, offering all the necessary amenities and access to a balcony without breaking the budget. Although, even the more modest accommodations on Norwegian Aqua, like an inside or ocean view cabin, are roomier and better appointed than you’ll find on most other ships.
Of course, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of cabin types at varying price points, ranging from interior staterooms to luxurious suites in The Haven to suit every traveler’s taste and budget. If you’re considering a cruise on Norwegian Aqua, you can’t go wrong with a balcony room or really any of the accommodations on the ship.
Norwegian Aqua Cabin Tour
Pros of a Norwegian Aqua Balcony Room
- 231 square feet is larger than comparable balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or MSC
- One of the largest showers at sea in a standard cabin
- Upgraded, comfortable balcony furniture
- Modern, upscale finishes throughout
- Competitively priced
Cons of a Norwegian Aqua Balcony Room
- Hangers can’t be interchanged between the three closets
- No cocktail table or side table in the sitting area
- Desk features a stool instead of a chair with back support
- Limited desk storage beyond the mini-fridge
- Still more expensive than an inside or ocean view cabin
Comments
Have you sailed in a Norwegian Aqua balcony room? What is your preferred cabin category when you cruise? Drop us an anchor below with your reviews of Norwegian Cruise Line staterooms.
