ALL-NEW NORWEGIAN AQUA DEBUTS AS THE NEWEST SHIP IN PORT CANAVERAL FOR THE SPRING/SUMMER CRUISE SEASON

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Norwegian Cruise Line's new Prima Plus ship expands capacity by 10%, with strategic seasonal deployments maximizing revenue potential across high-demand markets.

Norwegian Cruise Line's debut of Norwegian Aqua at Port Canaveral represents a significant capacity expansion with perfect summer season timing. As the first of the Prima Plus Class, this vessel is 10% larger than sister ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, accommodating 3,571 guests at double occupancy. The multi-port deployment strategy is particularly noteworthy—Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral through August 2025, Bermuda sailings from New York through October 2025, and Miami-based Caribbean itineraries through April 2026—optimizing seasonal demand across diverse geographic markets.

The vessel's premium features, including the innovative Aqua Slidecoaster, 17 dining venues and 18 bars and lounges, position it for enhanced onboard revenue generation. NCL's new "More At Sea" package, providing bundled amenities with "savings of over 75%," represents a strategic pricing approach that could positively impact overall passenger spending while offering perceived value.

The planned enhancements to Great Stirrup Cay with a new multi-ship pier, expanded pool areas, and family-friendly attractions further strengthen NCL's private destination offerings, a key competitive differentiator in the Caribbean market. This comprehensive approach to both vessel and destination development demonstrates NCL's integrated growth strategy in the post-pandemic cruise landscape.

Norwegian Aqua introduces industry-first attractions targeting families while maintaining adult spaces, positioning NCL strategically in the competitive contemporary cruise segment.

Norwegian Aqua's debut showcases NCL's evolution in the contemporary cruise segment with multiple industry-first innovations. The hallmark Aqua Slidecoaster—the world's first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide—is already generating "growing social media buzz" according to the release. The new Glow Court digital sports complex and Aqua Game Zone with multi-generational appeal directly target the family market while expanded adults-only areas like Vibe Beach Club preserve experiences for different demographics.

Port Canaveral's selection as the inaugural homeport strategically leverages central Florida's drive market accessibility, which Port CEO John Murray highlighted as "easy in/easy out access." The operational decision to maintain "the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship" signals a service-quality focus that could enhance guest satisfaction metrics.

The entertainment programming, including the headlining "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince" production that has "already been met with rave reviews," demonstrates investment in distinctive entertainment offerings. Similarly, the introduction of NCL's first Thai restaurant (Sukhothai) and first plant-based eatery (Indulge) reflects adaptation to evolving consumer dietary preferences.

The coinciding introduction of the "More At Sea" package with premium beverage brands, specialty dining, and shore excursion credits represents an integrated approach to simplifying the booking process while potentially increasing total guest spend.

04/28/2025 - 11:10 AM

– Norwegian Aqua is Sailing Seven-Day Fun-in-the-Sun Caribbean Voyages Now Through August 2025, Including Visits to Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's Private Island Destination in the Bahamas –

– Norwegian Cruise Line's Newest Ship Features the Growing Viral Sensation the Aqua Slidecoaster – the World's First Hybrid Roller Coaster and Waterslide – and MORE Innovative Experiences for the Whole Family –

– For B-roll and Additional Assets of Norwegian Aqua, Please Visit the Press Kit Here –

MIAMI, April 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Norwegian Cruise Lin e ® (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, celebrated the debut of the all-new Norwegian Aqua to Port Canaveral, Fla. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, where she commenced her inaugural season of round-trip Caribbean cruises as the newest ship in port.

This past weekend, approximately 3,700 guests embarked on Norwegian Aqua's first week-long voyage to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fla., her initial homeport since her official debut earlier this month. Just in time for the summer travel season, Norwegian Aqua will offer a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailings through August 2025 with calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, the Company's private island in the Bahamas which will debut new amenities for the whole family beginning late 2025. With the upcoming enhancements to the island, guests will enjoy easy access with a new multi-ship pier; an expansive area for guests to soak up the warm Bahamian sun complete with an oversized heated pool; experiences for the whole family including a splash zone with fun water fountains and features for children; as well as a swim-up bar for guests who want to keep enjoying their unlimited open bar package off the ship.

"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 boasts many first-in-the-industry activities including the hallmark top-deck attraction, The Aqua Slidecoaster. The world's first-ever hybrid waterslide and roller coaster continues to generate growing social media buzz with a high-speed powered launch that propels adventurous guests through dual slides that race across three decks. Guests can also enjoy the brand-new Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor offering unique and interactive games by day and transforming into an electric club by night. For activities the whole family can enjoy together, the new Aqua Game Zone has multigenerational appeal with retro arcade games such as Ms. Pacman and Mario Brothers, complemented by new-age virtual reality experiences and classic carnival games.

The entertainment doesn't stop there. Guests will not want to miss the headlining production of "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince," an immersive theatrical concert experience created in-house with top industry talent, honoring the multi-Grammy^® Award-nominated and winner Prince. The show has already been met with rave reviews for its contagious energy, featuring many of the icon's greatest hits including "Purple Rain," "Kiss," "When Doves Cry," "1999" and MORE! Other main stage productions include "Elements: The World Expanded," an enhanced version of NCL's top-rated show, blending acrobatics, magic and stunning visuals inspired by the four elements – earth, wind, fire and water; as well as interactive game show such as the "Price is Right LIVE."

For those who travel for the love of food, they will be challenged to try all 17 dining options on board, including NCL's premiering specialty Thai restaurant, Sukhothai, and the brand's first-ever plant-based eatery in the 10-station food hall, Indulge. Norwegian Aqua also features 18 bars and lounges, including Metropolitan Bar, the industry's first sustainable craft cocktail bar.

Offering something for everyone, Norwegian Aqua features an array of spaces to unwind including the newly expanded pool-deck and the adults-only Vibe Beach Club, now more spacious than ever before. For even MORE tranquility, guests can visit the Mandara Spa and Salon for invigorating spa services or a trip to the thermal suite which features heated loungers, an ice room, steam room and a variety of saunas including the new clay sauna.

With a 10% increase in size and capacity from sister ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua is the first of the Prima Plus Class. Featuring more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship, Norwegian Aqua spans 1,056 feet long and accommodates 3,571 guests at double occupancy.

"We have a great partnership with NCL and are excited to welcome Norwegian Aqua to our homeport fleet," said Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. "Port Canaveral is the ideal homeport for this new Prima-Plus class ship, especially with more guests driving in to take advantage of our easy in/easy out access. Our team looks forward to providing NCL's guests with the customer-focused experience that has made our Port a cruise industry leader."

Following the ship's first season in Port Canaveral, she will sail a series of five and seven-day warm-weather voyages to Bermuda from New York City from August 2025 through October 2025 before returning to Miami for a season of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises between October 2025 and April 2026.

For guests planning their next cruise vacation aboard Norwegian Aqua or any ship in NCL's fleet the Company's brand-new program, More At Sea™, provides travelers more value with unlimited open bar featuring premium beverage brands such as Casamigos Tequila, Woodford Reserve, Grey Goose Vodka and more; as well as specialty dining meals; high-speed Wi-Fi minutes; and $50 shore excursion credits at every port of call. More At Sea delivers guests an incredible value with savings of over 75%. The package also includes free airfare for the second guest and kids sail free on select sailings. For more details on NCL's new More At Sea offering, visit www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/more-at-sea. For b-roll and additional assets of Norwegian Aqua, please visit the press kit here.

For more information about the Company's award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 58 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the opportunity to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, the company invites guests to 'Experience More at Sea' by providing them with more to see, more to do, more to enjoy, and more value on their vacation. To further deliver guests with more value, NCL's 'More At Sea™' package provides added benefits and inclusions such as unlimited open bar; specialty dining credits; high-speed Wi-Fi; shore excursions credits; as well as free airfare and third and fourth guests sail free on select sailings. Its fleet of 20 contemporary ships sail to nearly 350 of the world's most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company's private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize. Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodations across the fleet, including solo-traveler staterooms, club balcony suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company's ship-within-a-ship concept. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

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PublicRelations@ncl.com