Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, along with its partners at Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilding company, today commemorated a major construction milestone with the float out of Norwegian Aqua
, the first of the expanded Prima Plus Class, from its dry dock at the shipyard in Marghera (Venice), Italy. This marks the first time the vessel made contact with the water and signifies the completion of the external work done on the ship, readying it for its April 2025 debut.
To celebrate this milestone, two ceremonial coins were welded into Norwegian Aqua in maritime tradition, symbolising an offering to ancient gods and goddesses of the sea in exchange for good luck and safe passage for the vessel. The ceremony was followed by a blessing by a local chaplain and celebratory champagne breaking across the ship’s hull.
David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line, said, “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. Building upon the guest-favourite features of the award-winning vessels of this class, the 10% 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.”
At 156,300 gross tons and 1,056 feet long, Norwegian Aqua will be 10% larger than the first two Prima Class vessels. This expansion allows for more innovative offerings, including the world’s first-ever hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster; a new digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor, Glow Court; and NCL’s most expansive 360-degree outdoor promenade, Ocean Boulevard, to date. The ship will also feature luxurious accommodations in The Haven by Norwegian®, including NCL’s first-ever Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites.
Construction continues on Norwegian Aqua until its debut in April 2025, where the ship will sail seven-day Caribbean itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Fla. Following the ship’s Caribbean season, Norwegian Aqua will offer five and seven-day voyages to Bermuda from New York City from August 2025 through October 2025 and then cruise five and seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami, the “Cruise Capital of the World,” beginning October 2025 through April 2026.
Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Merchant Ships Division, Fincantieri, expressed his excitement about the significant moment shared with Norwegian Cruise Line. The float out of Norwegian Aqua represents a new chapter in their long-lasting partnership. He emphasised their pride in being part of this transformative journey, where innovation is a cornerstone of their industrial plan, pushing boundaries and elevating industry standards.
“The Prima Class is a true brand evolution,” said Kansley. “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 or explore while on vacation.”
The Prima Plus Class is the next thrilling chapter in NCL’s evolution, promising to deliver an even more enhanced guest experience. This new class of ships will continue to offer the intimate and elevated spaces that guests have come to appreciate, providing more opportunities for relaxation and exploration on board.
“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,” Kansley added.
This announcement underscores NCL’s commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction as it continues to push the boundaries of global cruise travel. With the introduction of the Prima Plus Class, guests can look forward to even more unforgettable cruise experiences in the future.
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