Norwegian Aqua

Aqua’s main pool deck is one of the biggest changes from Prima and Viva. There’s no slide taking up space, so Danny estimates there’s about twice as much deck space, with loungers wrapping all the way around. Gentle stairs lead into the pool, a shallow ledge lets you sit and cool off, and a large screen shows movies and sports. Infinity hot tubs sit on either side, and Waves Pool Bar is anchored in the middle.

The Aqua Game Zone blends Norwegian’s arcade and Galaxy Pavilion ideas into one big space, with virtual reality games, racing and basketball games, skee-ball, mini bowling and classic arcade cabinets. Up top, The Stadium has three shuffleboard courts, cornhole, ping pong, foosball and a dedicated pickleball court. Tee Time is an interactive mini golf course over two decks that registers your ball and keeps score, and the Bullseye Bar has darts.

The Haven is Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship for suite guests, with pre-cruise concierge planning, priority boarding, and 24-hour butler service. A private elevator bank serves the Haven. Aqua’s Haven Lounge and Bar are larger than on Prima and Viva, and Danny calls the bar Cheers at sea. The Haven Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with expanded alfresco seating. The sun deck has an infinity pool at the aft, an ice room and sauna, and an adults-only upper deck with hot tubs.

The Mandara Spa has a full barbershop, a beauty salon with manicures and pedicures, and a med spa with IV therapy and acupuncture. The Thermal Suite is a separate pass. It includes a thalassotherapy pool with bubble loungers, heated stone loungers, and a thermal lounge facing forward over the sea. The circuit runs through an aromatic steam room, charcoal and Finnish saunas, an experiential shower, a clay sauna, a salt room and an ice room.

Indulge Food Hall is Norwegian’s food hall concept, with an iPad at every table so each person can order from a different spot. Each eatery makes three or four dishes and changes its menu for lunch and dinner. Tamara serves Indian food from tandoor ovens you can watch. There’s also Nudls, Q Texas Smokehouse, Latin Quarter, Seaside Rotisserie, a Tapas truck, desserts and Planterie, Norwegian’s first plant-based venue. Outside, the Soleil Bar faces the wake.

Infinity Beach stretches along both sides of Deck 8. It has a shallow pool with daybeds set right in the water, first come first served, plus an infinity pool that looks out over the side of the ship. Ocean Boulevard wraps around the whole deck like a walking track. Along the way you’ll find the glass-floored Ocean Walk, La Terrazza, The Wave art piece, and outdoor seating for The Local, Onda and Los Lobos.

Danny says there’s no better place on the high seas to watch a show. The Aqua Theater & Club headlines Revolution: A Celebration of Prince, the first Prince show at sea, along with Elements: The World Expanded, game shows, guest stars and comedians. Seating runs from the front of the stage to a mezzanine and stadium-style rows. Later in the evening, the seats pull back and the room turns into a nightclub, with bars just outside.

Onda by Scarpetta serves handmade pastas, pizzas from a pizza oven and standout desserts, with outdoor tables on Ocean Boulevard. Aqua’s other specialty choices include Palomar, known for its whole fish baked in a block of salt and filleted tableside, Sukhothai for Thai, Los Lobos with tableside guacamole, Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Nama sushi and Hasuki teppanyaki. Hudson’s and the Commodore Room are the complimentary main dining rooms.