It’s something quite memorable to be the first guest on a new ship. The first to smell the fresh leather sofas, to look out to sea from the gleaming deck, or to feast in one of the 17 just-opened specialty restaurants. The experience allows you to truly appreciate the work that has gone into building the latest addition to the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) fleet.
Costing $1.4 billion, Norwegian Aqua set sail on its maiden voyage from the Port of Lisbon earlier this year. Twenty decks high and adorned with an explosion of colourful artwork by NCLs first-ever female hull artist, Allison Hueman, this incredible vessel dominated Lisbon’s shoreline.
While waiting to sail, we sat in NCL’s first specialty Thai restaurant, Sukhothai, overlooking the iconic red rooftops of Lisbon’s oldest neigh-bourhoods. Both setting and dining didn’t disappoint. Sukhothai offers a rich culinary journey inspired by Thailand’s vibrant cuisine in an elegant, modern setting. For starters, there’s a choice of salt-and-pepper prawns or tom kha gai, a wonderfully authentic Thai chicken and coconut soup. For mains, yellow, green or red chicken or beef curry are on offer or indulge in one of the house specialities such as fried red snapper topped with fresh mango, red onions, toasted cashews and spicy lime sauce.
Another first for NCL is Planterie, the brand’s debut plant-based eatery at Indulge Food Hall. Here you can feast on a variety of delicious plant-based bowls as well as vegan soups.
As with other Prima Class liners in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, The Haven is a must for discerning guests looking for a more exclusive space. Private elevators, reserved solely for The Haven guests, take you to your exclusive suite. Enjoy access to The Haven’s luxury bar and a fine-dining restaurant serving unique signature dishes. The exclusive space allows guests a private sanctuary while retaining their access to the host of facilities onboard the ship – there’s something on offer for everyone.
The kids and young at heart can enjoy the thrill of the Aqua Slide-coaster – the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide – offering two exhilarating and unique ride experiences as the longest and fastest slides at sea. You’ll definitely visit more than once! Sportier types have access to the cutting-edge Glow Court, a next-generation digital sports complex featuring an interactive LED floor that seamlessly adapts for different games during the day and transforms into a club at night. Additionally, the Aqua Game Zone reimagines NCL’s beloved Galaxy Pavilion, providing entertainment for all ages with a mix of retro arcade games, immersive virtual reality challenges, and interactive gaming experiences.
Of course, there are other reasons to leave the comfort of The Haven. The ship offers many world-class shows onboard, most notably Revolution: A Celebration of Prince delivers an immersive theatrical experience that pays tribute to the legendary artist’s greatest hits. Guests can also enjoy Elements: The World Expanded, an enhanced version of NCL’s top-rated show, blending acrobatics, magic and stunning visuals inspired by the four elements.
The Mandara Spa and Salon is another highlight and one you won’t want to miss. The serenity you can experience from the state-of-the-art pools, a two-storey waterfall or one of the multiple detoxifying saunas and steam rooms is unrivalled in terms of a spa offering. There are also specialty treatments like the zero-gravity wellness massage. Cosmetic offerings include skin-tightening treatments, dermal fillers and wrinkle treatments, as well as body sculpting and contouring treatments, all an easy walk from your cabin.
To further enhance the guest experience, NCL has upgraded its ‘Free At Sea’ package to ‘More At Sea,’ which will provide even more benefits and premium inclusions. As one would expect from NCL, there’s an array of exceptional itineraries in the offing, including sailing the Caribbean and Bahamas from New York, Miami and the Dominican Republic. The excitement of journeying to new destinations, the exceptional cuisine and entertainment on board, and the convenience of only having to unpack your suitcase once makes travelling on NCL’s newest ship something to add to your bucket list.
