Port Canaveral Welcomes NCL’s Newest Ship, Norwegian Aqua
3,571-Passenger, Prima Plus class ship to operate week-long Cruises visiting top Caribbean and Bahamian destinations
Norwegian Aqua’s inaugural sailing from Port Canaveral with a water cannon salute from Canaveral Fire Rescue’s Fireboat2 and the St. Johns tugboat from Marine Towing as she sailed out of the port
(Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
PORT CANAVERAL, FL - April 28, 2025 – Port Canaveral this weekend welcomed Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Prima-Plus Class ship, Norwegian Aqua, which will operate a seasonal schedule of week-long cruises from her new homeport to beautiful destinations in the Caribbean and Bahamas.
“We have a great partnership with NCL and are excited to welcome Norwegian Aqua to our homeport fleet,” said Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “Port Canaveral is the ideal homeport for this new Prima-Plus class ship, especially with more guests driving in to take advantage of our easy in/easy out access. Our team looks forward to providing their guests with the customer-focused experience that has made our Port a cruise industry leader.”
“We are so thrilled to have Norwegian Aqua homeport in Port Canaveral for her inaugural season of Caribbean voyages,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Port Canaveral is an attractive cruise destination with a variety of attractions in the surrounding area for guests to extend their cruise vacation, and easy access by plane, train or automobile. Launching just in time for summer, Norwegian Aqua is designed to offer fun-in-the-sun voyages year-round with outdoor activities for guests looking for thrills, or who simply want to chill. We’re excited to have her begin her cruise journey with our partners at Port Canaveral!”
Diane Luensmann, Port Canaveral’s Vice President of Government and Strategic Communications (L), and David German, Port Canaveral’s Vice President of Cruise Business Development (Middle), joined Norwegian Aqua Captain Ashutosh Chandra (R) for a traditional maritime plaque exchange in the ship’s Observation Lounge\
(Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
In keeping with maritime tradition, Port Canaveral officials welcomed Norwegian Aqua Captain Ashutosh Chandra with a commemorative plaque to acknowledge the ship’s inaugural arrival to the Port.
On its new Port Canaveral-based schedule, Norwegian Aqua will depart every Saturday on seven-day sailings to the Caribbean and Bahamas through August 2025. Featured ports include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private Bahamian island which is being upgraded to include a variety of enhanced guest experiences later this year.
Norwegian Aqua Hudson’s dining room with Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 8 in the background
(Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
Representing a 10% increase in size and capacity from sister ships Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua is the first of the Prima Plus Class vessels. Featuring more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship, Norwegian Aqua spans 1,056 feet long and accommodates 3,571 guests at double occupancy.
Norwegian Aqua docked at Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 10 (Photo: Canaveral Port Authority)
Norwegian Aqua boasts many cruise industry firsts highlighted by the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first-ever hybrid waterslide and roller coaster and a new digital sports complex called Glow Court. In addition to 17 dining options, including a 10-station food hall, Norwegian Aqua will offer a wide variety of entertainment options including “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” an immersive theatrical honoring the multi-Grammy Award- winner Prince and interactive game experiences like the Price is Right LIVE, among numerous other amenities and facilities on board.
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