VESSEL REVIEW | Norwegian Aqua – Norwegian Cruise Line newbuild offers larger spaces for enhanced guest experiences
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) recently took delivery of the 20th ship in its fleet and the first in a new cruise ship class, following construction at Fincantieri's shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
The Lloyd's Register-classed Norwegian Aqua is 10 per cent larger than the company's most recent cruise ships, measuring 1,056 feet (321.8 metres) in length with a gross tonnage of over 154,000 and accommodation for 3,571 guests at double occupancy.
The propulsion arrangement consists of two 14,400hp (10,700kW) engines that drive azimuthing podded thrusters to deliver a service speed of just over 20 knots.
Space for additional amenities
“This increase in size was intentional – designed to deliver more wide open spaces, thoughtful ship design as well as unmatched experiences,” Fincantieri told Baird Maritime. “Among its standout features is a larger atrium with a more open layout, additional seating areas, and floor-to-ceiling sea views on both sides of the ship.”
The builder added that Norwegian Aqua also offers the most outdoor space of any new cruise ship, including an enlarged pool deck and an enhanced version of NCL’s signature 360-degree outdoor promenade located on deck eight close to the ocean.
“The ship’s expanded dimensions also accommodate several amenities, including the world’s first-ever hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea and a state-of-the-art digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor.”
The combination rollercoaster/waterslide consists of two slides measuring 856 feet (261 metres) and 889 feet (271 metres), respectively, and a rollercoaster with a magnetic linear synchronous motor launch track, which accelerates guests to up to 50 km/h. Fincantieri said these features make the attraction the longest slide at sea with the fastest acceleration launch worldwide.
The ship boasts what Fincantieri said is, “a reimagined version” of NCL's popular virtual reality entertainment area found on some of the companies other ships.
Compared to her earlier sisters Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua features a larger area luxury suite section with 123 suites as well as the first three-bedroom duplex suites to be fitted on an NCL ship.
“The overall expectation was to set a new benchmark in cruise ship design, combining innovation, comfort, and exclusivity,” said Fincantieri.
A successful, collaborative effort
One of the main challenges Fincantieri encountered in designing the vessel was coordinating and aligning the input from multiple technical departments, each with their own priorities, requirements, and operational needs.
“Different entities often had conflicting expectations, making it difficult to satisfy everyone simultaneously. Finding a balanced solution that represented a compromise acceptable to all parties required ongoing dialogue, flexibility, and a deep understanding of each department's perspective.
“The key was not only to integrate these diverse requirements into a coherent design but also to ensure that all the contractual requirements were met.”
The design of the combination rollercoaster/waterslide also posed a significant challenge, as such a feature had not been incorporated on earlier ships.
“It required close collaboration between all the technical parts to ensure the structure could be safely integrated onto the ship's deck without compromising stability or performance, meeting the owner's expectation,” Fincantieri told Baird Maritime.
It also became imperative for Fincantieri to manage the large number of people working on board. With numerous contractors engaged in different activities, from technical systems and safety checks to interior design, the builder needed to ensure smooth coordination in the same area.
The builder said the timing of each activity is crucial, as any delay or overlap in activities can disrupt the workflow and impact on the quality and timely delivery of the final result.
“Designing and building this vessel taught us the importance of early and continuous collaboration across all technical departments and partners involved,” said Fincantieri. “With so many innovative features being introduced for the first time, we learned that flexibility, proactive problem-solving, and clear communication are essential from the very beginning.
“It also reinforced the value of detailed planning when integrating new technologies and guest experiences into a complex marine environment. These lessons will be crucial in future builds, especially as cruise ships continue to evolve toward more customised, immersive, and technically demanding designs.”
During her first year of service, Norwegian Aqua will sail from Miami and Port Canaveral, as well as New York City. Departing from Florida ports, the ship will offer short voyages to the Bahamas as well as seven-day Caribbean itineraries.
