Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), one of the world’s leading cruise operators, held the official naming ceremony for its newest vessel, Norwegian Aqua, at its terminal in PortMiami, USA. The new ship marks the 20th vessel in the NCL fleet and is the first of the next-generation Prima Plus class, an enhanced evolution of the Norwegian Prima and Viva series.
Norwegian Aqua is 10% larger than its predecessors, measuring approximately 321.8 meters in length, with a gross tonnage of 156,300 GT and a double occupancy capacity of 3,571 guests.
NCL also announced plans to expand its family-friendly cruise program to include its private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The ship’s maiden voyage will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, sailing week-long itineraries through the Eastern Caribbean until August 2025. Destinations include Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), and a stop at NCL’s private island.
From August to October 2025, Norwegian Aqua will operate a series of five- and seven-day warm-weather cruises from New York to Bermuda, before returning to Miami for seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from October 2025 through April 2026, once again featuring calls to Great Stirrup Cay.
