by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 2:05 PM ET, Tue April 23, 2024
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, has reached a key construction milestone: It was floated out from its dry dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy today, touching water for the first time.
"We are excited to celebrate another milestone with our partners at Fincantieri, who are integral to the Prima Class journey and supporting us in evolving the amazing experience we design and deliver for our guests,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Building upon the guest-favorite features of the award-winning vessels of this class, the 10 percent increase in space provides us with more flexibility to deliver more offerings and more beautifully designed venues for our guests to relax and explore on board Norwegian Aqua.”
The 3,571-passenger ship, which is scheduled to debut next April, will be the first in Norwegian’s larger Prima Plus Class of vessels.
The 156,300-gross-ton ship will be 1,056 feet long and will feature a wide array of amenities, including the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor and a large 360-degree outdoor promenade.
Guests will also be able to choose from several types of accommodations, including the line’s first three-bedroom suites.
“The Prima Class is a true evolution of the brand,” says Mark Kansley, senior vice president of hotel operations of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We hear from our guests following every cruise, and they appreciate the intimate nature and greater variety of elevated spaces throughout the ship for them to relax in or explore while on vacation. We are excited to soon deliver on this next chapter of our evolution—the Prima Plus Class—and bring our guests along on our journey.”
When finished, Norwegian Aqua will offer 7-day Caribbean cruises departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. Later in 2025, it will offer 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda departing from New York City. From October 2025 through April 2026, it will sail 5- and 7-day Eastern Caribbean voyages from Miami.
To celebrate the float out, crews welded two ceremonial coins onto the ship, which represent an offering to ancient gods and goddesses of the sea in exchange for good luck and safe passage. A local chaplain also said a blessing, and a bottle of Champagne was smashed across the hull.
“We are excited to mark this significant moment with Norwegian Cruise Line as we witness the float out of Norwegian Aqua, which represents a new chapter in our long-lasting partnership,” says Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division. “We are proud to be part of this transformative journey in which innovation, a cornerstone of our industrial plan, is one of our key points, as we strive to push boundaries and elevate industry standards."
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