Smooth Sailing: An Accessible Escape on Norwegian Aqua

Overall atmosphere

We were immediately struck by the Norwegian Aqua’s airy and open feel. The ship was made larger than its sister ships, Prima and Viva, and we could really feel that extra space in the crowds. The multi-story Penrose Atrium and the expanded pool deck also felt wonderfully spacious. We especially loved the 360-degree Ocean Boulevard, which was perfect for a leisurely, breathtaking seaside stroll but also had numerous spots to eat and layout.

The overall vibe of the ship felt like an upscale yet incredibly fun resort. It was lively and energetic in the main activity areas, but we had no trouble finding a quiet corner to relax, as there are lots of fun spots to sit and hang out both inside and out. Having been on Norwegian multiple times, we felt that this ship took the classic vibe to a whole new level.

Norwegian Aqua in all its glory.

Accommodations

The staterooms on the Norwegian Aqua are a clear highlight, offering a wider variety of options and more space than previous ships. We stayed in an accessible balcony cabin this time. While the cabin was functionally excellent, we found the decor to be a bit bland for a brand-new ship. However, standard balcony cabins are larger than on previous Norwegian ships and the bathrooms are also notably bigger, so this is a welcome change.

It’s worth noting that if you book a balcony cabin, cabin selection is critical. Some balcony cabins on the ship have views that overlook the Ocean Boulevard deck below, which is not ideal for privacy and balcony lounging.

Accessible balcony cabin.

Accessible cabin bathroom.

For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, The Haven is a private “ship-within-a-ship” that has also been expanded. While we did not stay in the Haven this time, we did on our last Norwegian cruise and found the concept to be a fantastic experience. It features exclusive access to a larger sundeck, a private lounge, private restaurant, and all-new, spacious suites, including a three-bedroom duplex suite.

Dining & drinks

The dining experience on the Norwegian Aqua is a fantastic mix of complimentary and specialty venues. One of the biggest wins is the Indulge Food Hall, which was fantastic for a complimentary casual eats venue.

Complimentary venues

Indulge Food Hall: This is a standout and a huge pro. It’s a modern food market with multiple stations offering a wide array of global cuisines, from Indian to Latin American. We ate here multiple times and loved the food. You order everything from a tablet and the food is delivered to your table, making it a fast and exciting experience. We would have loved to have seen a rotating menu, but the food that they did have was tasty.

The food options include:

• Q Texas Smokehouse: Classic barbecue with brisket, ribs, and southern fixings.

• Nudls: A noodle bar with a variety of Asian and Italian-inspired dishes.

• Tamara: Indian favorites like chicken tikka masala and sag paneer.

• Latin Quarter: Tostadas, fresh guacamole, and shrimp cocktail.

• Surfside Cafe & Grill: Mediterranean-style rotisserie meats and sides.

• Planterie: A brand-new plant-based venue, a huge pro for vegan and vegetarian guests, offering a variety of fresh and flavorful bowls.

• Just Desserts: A rotating selection of sweet treats, from cheesecake to fruit tarts.

Hudson’s Main Dining Room: We did not eat dinner here but did have breakfast, and the views were spectacular with the 270-degree panoramic ocean views.

The Local Bar & Grill: A pro is that this is a 24-hour venue offering classic pub fare like burgers and fish and chips, perfect for a late-night snack. The con is that it can get very busy and loud during peak hours.

Surfside Cafe & Grill: We found the buffet to be smaller than on other ships, probably because they also had the Indulge Food Hall as a food option. It offered standard buffet options but was a spot we normally avoided. The Surfside Cafe was part of the walkway from the elevators to the pool deck, so it was crowded quite often. This made the Indulge Food Hall a more relaxed and appealing alternative.

Beautiful restaurants.

Specialty dining (for an extra fee)

• Sukhothai: This is the ship’s brand-new Thai specialty restaurant, the first we have ever seen on any cruise ship. While we appreciated the new option, we found the Thai food to be average, so it didn’t quite reach the same heights as the other specialty venues.

• Cagney’s Steakhouse: This is a classic and reliable choice, known for its high-quality steaks and the service was excellent. One note, the views from this restaurant are mostly blocked by the tenders outside, which was an odd decision.

• Onda by Scarpetta: This venue offers modern, upscale Italian cuisine and was evidently very popular because we were unable to get a reservation.

• Los Lobos: This restaurant was one of our favorites. It provides traditional Mexican flavors, and the table-side guacamole and the queso were absolutely amazing (seriously, we are still craving both of them).

• Hasuki: The teppanyaki restaurant on the ship and another one of our favorites. It’s an entertaining experience where chefs prepare your meal with flair right at your table, and our chef had a ton of personality and made the dinner a blast.

• Palomar: This new upscale Mediterranean restaurant has a focus on fresh seafood. The fish was great, and while the service was attentive, it wasn’t quite as stand-out as the other restaurants.

The food overall in the specialty restaurants was uniformly excellent. As for the drink experience, we noticed that the menus were focused on classic cocktails, which sometimes made off-menu requests, like an espresso martini, a bit challenging. The drink menu was mostly the same throughout the restaurants and bars, so they did not have any specialty drinks for each restaurant and/or bar.

A nice option was the onboard Starbucks, which was a welcome convenience for a morning coffee run (and many times an afternoon energy boost).

Entertainment & activities

The entertainment on the Norwegian Aqua is a clear departure from the traditional Broadway-style shows of the past, focusing instead on high-energy, nostalgic productions.

The headline show, “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” is an innovative production that immerses you in the music and energy of the iconic artist. During the show, they clear out the area around the stage so it’s standing room only, creating a more interactive, concert-like experience. There is no traditional story arc, but the dancing and singing are fantastic. The other major show, “Rumors”, celebrates the music of Fleetwood Mac. It was a solid performance and a perfect tribute for any fan of the band.

In addition to the shows, the ship features a hybrid rollercoaster and water slide, the Aqua Slidecoaster, which was fun but not amazing.

For those who prioritize peace and quiet, the ship offers plenty of secluded retreats, most notably the stunning thermal suite. This magnificent spa is truly the best we have ever seen on a cruise ship. It features a two-story waterfall, a vitality pool, a flotation salt pool, and a variety of saunas, including a charcoal and clay sauna, as well as a snow room. We especially enjoyed the two dozen heated tile loungers, which were perfect for relaxing and staring out to sea.

Another option for a peaceful escape is the Vibe Beach Club, a private, adults-only sundeck that is available for an extra charge and is a great way to get away from the crowds.

Thermal suite with multiple relaxing options.

Service & crew

The service and crew on the Norwegian Aqua are generally friendly and hard-working. The crew’s approach is slightly different from the proactive style on some other ships, but they are always happy to help when you need them.

While we were surprised by the change to no longer have turn-down service, we later found out that Norwegian had rolled this out in 2023 fleetwide. While we don’t need turn-down service, it always felt like a bit of a treat to come back to your cabin freshened up with fresh towels, so it’s something to be aware of.

Accessibility

The Norwegian Aqua was designed with wheelchair accessibility as a key consideration. We found it easy to navigate throughout the ship, with flat thresholds leading to the outer decks and ample accessible public restrooms with power doors. The ship also has pool lifts available for guests, but there was not one for the thermal suite pool.

While the main showroom’s wheelchair seating was limited, there were plenty of seating options for guests with other mobility issues who could still stand and walk. We also did not find any bars with a lowered section designed for wheelchair users or people who like to sit at dining height, a feature seen on some other newer ships.

The ship’s open design truly shines in areas like the Ocean Boulevard. This space is easy to navigate and offers a variety of seating and quiet lounging areas. The wider spaces overall make it easy for wheelchairs to move around. The ship also offers a variety of accessible staterooms, including options in The Haven.

The vast majority of the ship’s public spaces, from dining venues to activity areas to the spa, are accessible. Overall, the Norwegian Aqua provides a well-designed and inclusive experience for guests with mobility challenges.

The Norwegian Aqua is an excellent choice for a wide range of travelers, but it’s particularly well-suited for multigenerational families and couples who appreciate a dynamic and modern cruise experience. It’s also a fantastic option for foodies who desire a high-quality, varied dining scene without the commitment of a luxury cruise line, thanks to the excellent variety and number of specialty restaurants. The ship’s emphasis on open spaces, an impressive casual food hall, and the high-energy entertainment make it a winner.

The thermal suite is an absolute highlight of the ship and well worth the price, and we highly recommend it as we found ourselves going there every day to enjoy the facilities.

For those seeking more exclusivity and privacy while still enjoying the ship’s public offerings, The Haven is a great choice with the “ship-within-a-ship” concept. The Norwegian Aqua truly takes the classic Norwegian vibe and elevates it to a whole new level.

Having been on many cruises, we’ve learned a lot about what makes a trip truly special, and we’d love to share that personal experience with you! Whether you’re wondering about the best ship for a family with accessibility needs, or how to pick the perfect cabin, or which cruise line is best suited for your interests, we’re here to help you plan your dream vacation. Let’s find the perfect cruise for you.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruise page.