- Norwegian Aqua, the first Prima Plus-class cruise ship, has been delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
- Built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, the vessel cost approximately $850 million (£657 million).
- Maiden voyage set for 26 April, a seven-night Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has officially taken delivery of Norwegian Aqua, the first in its new Prima Plus-class of cruise ships. The handover took place at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Venice, where more than 4,000 workers contributed to its construction.
With an estimated price tag of $850 million (£657 million), Norwegian Aqua is the largest ship in NCL’s fleet, boasting a gross tonnage of 156,300 and a length of approximately 322 meters—making it 10% larger than its Prima-class predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
Innovative Features and Upcoming Launch
The ship is scheduled for its maiden voyage on 26 April, setting sail on a seven-night Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral. Passengers aboard Norwegian Aqua will experience cutting-edge features, including:
- Slidecoaster – The world’s first hybrid roller coaster with a water slide.
- Glow Court – An interactive digital sports complex.
- Ocean Boulevard – A 360-degree outdoor promenade offering panoramic ocean views.
David J Herrera, president of NCL, said: “Norwegian Aqua is more than just a ship – it’s a commitment to our guests that we will continue to push boundaries and deliver more at sea.”
”From thrilling attractions like the Aqua Slidecoaster to the debut of Sukhothai, our first Thai specialty restaurant, Norwegian Aqua is designed to create unforgettable moments for the whole family while cruising to the Caribbean, Bermuda and our private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, where we remain focused and excited about investing in the guest experience.”
Making Way for Norwegian Luna
With Norwegian Aqua now delivered, its sister ship, Norwegian Luna, had its float-out on 14 March. Luna has now moved into the floating dock previously occupied by Aqua and is set for launch in spring 2026.
Fincantieri is also working on four additional cruise ships for NCL, set to be among the largest at sea, with the first of these scheduled for delivery in 2030.
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Source: AOL
