Norwegian Aqua Begins Inaugural Caribbean Season from Port Canaveral
Norwegian Aqua in Port Canaveral © Norwegian Cruise Line
“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
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, officially began her inaugural Caribbean season from Port Canaveral, Florida on April 26, 2025. Approximately 3,700 guests embarked on the first sailing, marking the start of a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries through August 2025.
Ports of call include Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. Great Stirrup Cay is undergoing a major expansion detailed here, with new pools, a splash zone, a swim-up bar, and a multi-ship pier opening later in 2025.
“Port Canaveral is an attractive cruise destination with a variety of attractions in the surrounding area for guests to extend their vacation. Launching just in time for summer, Norwegian Aqua is designed to offer fun-in-the-sun voyages year-round.”
David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line.
New Features and Activities on Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Aqua introduces several first-at-sea experiences, including the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, spanning three decks. Guests can also enjoy Glow Court, an LED-floored digital sports complex that transforms into a nightclub after dark, and the Aqua Game Zone featuring retro arcade games, VR experiences, and carnival-style attractions.
Entertainment options include “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” an in-house production celebrating Prince’s music, and “Elements: The World Expanded,” an enhanced version of one of NCL’s signature shows blending acrobatics, magic, and visual effects. The ship also features live game shows like The Price is Right LIVE.
Dining and Lounge Offerings
Onboard, guests have access to 17 dining options, including the new specialty Thai restaurant, Sukhothai, and the first plant-based food hall, Indulge. More details on all restaurant options can be found in our Norwegian Aqua Restaurant Guide.
There are also 18 bars and lounges, including Metropolitan Bar, NCL’s sustainable craft cocktail venue.
Pools, Spa, and Relaxation
Norwegian Aqua features an expanded main pool deck and a larger adults-only Vibe Beach Club. Mandara Spa offers a thermal suite with heated loungers, an ice room, steam room, and multiple saunas, including a new clay sauna.
Prima Plus Class Overview
Norwegian Aqua is the first ship in NCL’s Prima Plus Class, 10% larger than Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. The ship spans 1,056 feet and accommodates 3,571 guests at double occupancy, featuring more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary ship. See our full Norwegian Aqua ship tour for a complete walkthrough.
“We are excited to welcome Norwegian Aqua to our homeport fleet. Port Canaveral is the ideal homeport for this new Prima Plus Class ship, with easy access for guests driving in.”
Captain John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral
Future Itineraries
After her Port Canaveral season, Norwegian Aqua will reposition to New York City from August through October 2025 for Bermuda cruises, then move to Miami for Eastern Caribbean sailings from October 2025 to April 2026.
About Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral, situated on Florida’s Space Coast, ranks as the world’s second-busiest cruise port, following PortMiami. In March 2025, it achieved a record 925,994 passenger movements, marking a 16% increase over the previous year. The port projects 8.4 million passenger movements for fiscal year 2025, up from 7.6 million in 2024.
Currently, 16 cruise ships from major lines—including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, MSC, Princess, and Celebrity—homeport at Port Canaveral. The port’s accessibility, especially for drive-in guests, and its proximity to Orlando’s attractions contribute to its popularity.
