New Norwegian Aqua Floats Out At Fincantieri

Norwegian Cruise Line and its partners at Fincantieri celebrated the float out of the Norwegian Aqua from the drydock at the shipyard in Marghera (Venice), Italy.

This marks the completion of the external work on the ship ahead of its April 2025 debut.

As per maritime tradition, two ceremonial coins were welded into the Norwegian Aqua, which historically symbolized an offering to gods and goddesses of the sea in exchange for good luck and safe passage. The ceremony was followed by a blessing by a local chaplain and celebratory champagne breaking across the ship’s hull.

“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-favourite features of the award-winning vessels of this class, the 10 per cent 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 a length that spans 1,056 feet, the Norwegian Aqua will be 10 per cent larger than the first two Prima Class ships. The ship will also offer luxurious accommodations in The Haven by Norwegian®, including the line’s first-ever Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites.  

 “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,” said 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.”

Norwegian Aqua to Debut in 2025 Out of Port Canaveral

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today unveiled the evolution of the Prima Class with the all-new Norwegian Aqua, the first of the expanded Prima Plus Class setting sail in April 2025.

Starting today, guests can book Norwegian Aqua’s first voyages to the Caribbean with seven-day itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Fla.

Voyages include calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas.

The company said that the Norwegian Aqua will set new standards and deliver brand-new guest experiences to be discovered with an overall 10 percent size and capacity increase from its sister ships. Spanning 1,056 feet long,156,300 gross tons and accommodating 3,571 guests at double occupancy, Norwegian Aqua will offer more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new cruise ship.

“Norwegian Aqua is a true testament of fusing together what represents the future of our Brand as the first ship in the Prima Plus Class, and our commitment to pushing the boundaries in guest-first experiences that will make new waves at sea,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Named for both the beautiful shades of blue from the ocean and our connection to the sea, Norwegian Aqua will feature new, elevated and exhilarating offerings that once again showcase NCL as the innovator in the industry and as a key contributor to a new era of cruising.”

Norwegian Aqua will showcase a lively and colourful hull art design by NCL’s first-ever major female hull artist, Allison Hueman. World-renowned for her street art and global brand collaborations, including Nike, L’Oreal and Google, Hueman’s distinctive art style is a blend of ethereal realism. Norwegian Aqua’s design, entitled “Where the Sky Meets the Sea,” is curated by Goldman Global Arts and evokes modern mythology through colourful mashups of abstract and figurative representations of sea and sky, ruled by ancient goddesses.

“I’m honored, not only to be the first major female hull artist for Norwegian Cruise Line, but to also know that my artwork will be roaming the seas touching different parts of the world,” said Allison Hueman, Filipino-American multidisciplinary artist. “It’s incredibly special for me to partner with a brand that believes in the magical connection between art and exploration.”