Norwegian Aqua has arrived, and she’s not just making waves—she’s making more of everything. More space to roam, more cutting-edge design, more ways to turn a cruise into an experience. As the first vessel in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus Class, she’s dialling it all up, and Karryon is onboard to see just how far she goes. Over the next few days, we’ll be meeting the crew, tasting more of the menus, exploring more of the ship, and hurtling down the world’s first Aqua Slidecoaster—because when it comes to cruising, why settle for less when you can have more?
Day 5: Prince, Prince, Prince
It’s amazing what a difference a little calm can make. After a few days of Atlantic swell and steady ship sway, Day 5 brought smooth sailing. And with it, a collective exhale from everyone onboard.
Feeling the pulse
The morning began at the Pulse Fitness Centre. With the ship now slicing through the ocean rather than bouncing over it, it finally felt safe to hit the treadmill without fear of being flung sideways. The gym itself is well equipped—rows of cardio machines, weight stations, a separate group fitness studio—and offers panoramic views of the open sea, which is a motivating enough backdrop even if your motivation is lacking.
Dinner at Cagney’s
For dinner, we headed to Cagney’s, Norwegian Aqua’s signature steakhouse. It’s a favourite among regular cruisers, and for good reason. While it’s known for its prime cuts and classic American-style sides, there was also a solid line-up of vegetarian and vegan options available—making it easy for everyone to enjoy the experience. Alongside Hudson’s and Commodore Room, Cagney’s rounded out the top picks of the voyage when it came to dining.
A night with Prince
But the standout of the day—and arguably the cruise—was Revolution: A Celebration of Prince, a full-scale tribute staged in Aqua Theatre. Prince was never just a musician. He was movement, mood, a silhouette in strobe light and velvet. And this show got that.
Somewhere between Little Red Corvette and When Doves Cry, I remembered dancing to Prince in a too-small living room with friends in the Philippines I no longer see. It was the height of the bedazzling era and we’d spend hot afternoons decorating our denim jackets in homage to Prince. Music does that. It collapses time, folds it like linen, puts you back in moments you thought were done with you.
The vocals hit like gospel, their moves like muscle memory, and the wardrobe? High collars, purple and sequins everywhere.
Later in grey cool of London’s Shoreditch, I remembered the haze of dry ice and falsetto, and bought a coat Prince would appreciate. The kind that arrives before and leave an impression in its wake. And totally impractical.
It wasn’t nostalgia—it was ignition. The best kind of tribute doesn’t point back. It pulls you forward.
While the show is technically seated, the theatre’s floor converts into a space where guests can get up, dance, and be part of the action. And those who took the opportunity had the best seat in the house. From Let’s Go Crazy to Kiss, the floor crowd became part of the show.
It was bold, brilliant and impossible not to move to. A little like Prince himself.
Day 4: Spa Day plus
Day 4 aboard Norwegian Aqua brought our first full day at sea. The swell had settled a little—or maybe we were just getting our sea legs—but the weather was still grey, gusty, and definitely not luring anyone out onto the sun deck. Fortunately, this ship was built for days like these—and as the most spacious ship at sea (offering up to 36% more space per guest than comparable cruise lines), Norwegian Aqua makes being indoors feel like anything but confinement.
A spa day at sea
First stop: Mandara Spa & Salon. It’s a sanctuary tucked away on Deck 16, and it couldn’t have been more welcome. The thermal suite is the real draw here—heated loungers, a salt room, steam and sauna, and a thalassotherapy pool that makes you forget the ocean outside is doing its best impression of a washing machine. There’s also a full salon menu if you’re in the mood for a sea-day spruce-up. Book early in the cruise especially for special event dinners as slots fill quickly.
Game on in the Aqua Game Zone
The Aqua Game Zone aboard Norwegian Aqua is an interactive entertainment space designed for guests of all ages. It offers a blend of retro arcade games like Donkey Kong and Ms. Pac-Man, alongside state-of-the-art virtual reality experiences. Whether you’re aiming for a high score on a classic game or immersing yourself in a VR adventure, the Game Zone provides for a fun wet weather activity.
Working (or not) at sea
For those needing to check in with the office there’s no shortage of spaces to do so. The Observation Lounge remains the ship’s best all-rounder: equally suited for remote work, card games or catching up with friends over a drink and afternoon tea. There’s Wi-Fi, wall-to-wall windows, and plenty of quiet corners to claim for a few hours. Not a bad ‘office’ if you ask us.
Cocktails with a conscience
Of course, a day at sea wouldn’t be complete without a stop at one of Norwegian Aqua’s many bars. While each has its charm, a personal favourite is The Metropolitan Bar—a stylish space that serves up sustainable cocktails made with zero-waste ingredients and eco-conscious spirits. The Cucumber Cool, in particular, is a refreshing standout: light, crisp, and just the thing to sip while watching the waves roll by (from inside, naturally).
Welcome aboard… finally
Although this cruise is a special sailing, we were treated to a preview performance of the Welcome Aboard Show—the entertainment sampler that usually kicks off every new itinerary. It’s a slick mix of live music, high-energy dance, and acrobatics designed to show off the ship’s entertainment firepower. Even if you’ve cruised before, it’s a handy way to get your bearings on what to see (and book early).
We followed that up with a quick visit to one of the evening comedy shows—a dry, sharp set that landed well with the international crowd onboard. A good laugh, a comfortable seat, and just enough sway from the ocean to lull us back to bed.
The storm may have hung around, but so did the comfort, distraction and entertainment—and for a day spent entirely indoors, it didn’t feel like we missed a thing.
Day 3: The calm before the storm
Breakfast with a view
We woke to a gorgeous sunny day in Lisbon. And started Day 3 aboard Norwegian Aqua with breakfast at Hudson’s, the ship’s main dining hall that continues to defy expectations. With its floor-to-ceiling windows (and for now sweeping views of the Tagus River), it feels far more like a specialty restaurant than a standard dining venue. The service is smooth, the menu extensive, and the morning light spilling in from Lisbon outside makes for a pretty spectacular start to the day.
Making the most of Lisbon
We’re still in Lisbon—thanks to the weather that reshuffled our itinerary—and it’s hard to complain when the port is so conveniently located. From here, it’s a quick walk to some of Lisbon’s most iconic spots: the historic Alfama district, the grand Praca do Comercio, the Time Out Market for a local bite, or the famous Tram 28 which winds through the city’s most scenic streets.
Lisbon is also a dream for plant-based travellers. With some unexpected extra time on land, I ventured out to try two standout vegan spots: Kong, which puts a fresh spin on international favourites, and AO 26 – Vegan Food Project, where I got to sample a plant-based take on the classic Portuguese food. Loved the bifana. Usually a pork sandwich, this version was all flavour, none of the meat.
Departure day vibes
With rain moving in during the afternoon, we sought shelter (and a good vantage point) at the ship’s Observation Lounge. It’s one of Norwegian Aqua’s most relaxing spaces—a warm, modern hideaway with panoramic views—perfect for watching our delayed departure. Just after 5:30pm, we finally pulled away from the dock, Lisbon slowly slipping from view as we headed into open water.
That’s when the motion kicked in.
Weathering the waves
While I don’t normally suffer from seasickness, the swells made me second-guess things. A quick trip to Guest Services sorted me out with seasickness tablets—no fuss, no judgment, just help when you need it. Crisis (potentially) averted.
Dinner that night was at Onda by Scarpetta, Norwegian Aqua’s Italian-inspired specialty restaurant. Everything on the menu looked tempting, but the standout for me was the white peach sorbet—light, fragrant, and the perfect palate cleanser for a slightly queasy evening.
Beatles and bedtime
Later, we wandered into Syd Norman’s Pour House just in time for A Tribute to the Beatles. It’s part rock show, part sing-along, and entirely fun. Afterward, with the ship rolling beneath us and raindrops streaking the balcony glass, we were well and truly rocked to sleep by the Atlantic.
Tomorrow, a new day and—ready or not—a full day at sea.
Day 2: More everything, please.
Breakfast with a view (and a sing-along)
We head to Surfside Café (otherwise known as Thue Buffet) to start the day—coffee, carbs, and a front-row seat to the calm waters of the Tagus River, blissfully unaware of the chaos of the open Atlantic just beyond. While the waters within Lisbon’s harbour were relatively serene, we knew that out there, the Atlantic swells were still putting on a show.
The breakfast itself was solid, with an array of choices from fresh pastries to made-to-order omelettes, but the real energy came from the crew. If anyone arrived groggy, they weren’t leaving that way. Between their infectious enthusiasm and a surprise breakfast sing-along, the crew had us grinning before our first sip of coffee. Jet lag? What jet lag?
Exploring the ship’s outdoor spaces
Determined to justify the extra pastries, we set out to explore Norwegian Aqua’s outdoor spaces, stretching our sea legs on a ship that’s 10% bigger than her Prima Class sisters and making every square metre count. As the largest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Class, she is about 10% bigger than her sister ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, and you feel that extra space most on deck. The expanded Ocean Boulevard wraps around the ship, offering more room for ocean views, alfresco dining, and just sitting back and watching the sea roll by.
Lunch at Hudson’s—main dining, elevated
Hudson’s is Norwegian Aqua’s main dining hall, but don’t let that title fool you—it feels anything but standard. The space itself is so sleek and airy you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d wandered into a specialty restaurant. Floor-to-ceiling windows mean you can stare at the horizon while contemplating your next course. The menu rotates daily, offering a mix of classic cruise fare and more inventive dishes. The service and setting were so good that I made a mental note to return for breakfast tomorrow.
Joining the Australian media contingent for lunch were NCL’s Ben Angell (Vice President & Managing Director, APAC), Damian Borg (Director of Sales, AU & NZ), and Angela Middleton (Senior Manager of Marketing, APAC). A treat to see them in their natural habitat, and to see firsthand how deeply they live and breathe the product. As they casually recalled the challenge of balancing everyone’s needs on a family holiday, they seamlessly—and almost unconsciously—sold us on cruising all over again. Turns out, when you believe in the product, the pitch writes itself.
An afternoon in Lisbon: LX Factory
With a few unexpected extra hours in Lisbon, we made a beeline for LX Factory, one of the city’s most creative hubs. Set in a repurposed 19th-century industrial complex, it’s now a lively mix of independent boutiques, art spaces, bookstores, and cafes. If you’re after unique Portuguese design pieces, vintage finds, or just a great pastel de nata, this is the place. Street art lines the walls, and there’s always something happening, whether it’s a pop-up market or live music. The best part? The ship is docked so close to the action that within minutes, you can be sipping an espresso at a quirky bookstore or debating which street art mural is most Instagram-worthy.
Back onboard for dinner at Le Bistro
With barely enough time to dust the Lisbon off our shoes, we made a beeline for Le Bistro, Norwegian Aqua’s French specialty restaurant—because if you can’t have Paris, a decadent meal at sea is the next best thing. Light yet refined, the menu features a mix of traditional and modern French dishes.
Closing the night with Rumours
The day wrapped up in Norwegian Aqua’s Aqua Theatre, where the ship’s entertainment team was putting on Rumours—a full live performance of Fleetwood Mac’s seminal 1977 album, which has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and earned a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rock albums of all time, Rumours gave us tracks like Go Your Own Way, Dreams, Don’t Stop and The Chain. But the night didn’t end there. The show evolved from a concert into a full-blown celebration, proving once again that some albums aren’t just meant to be listened to—they’re meant to be experienced.
As we watched, the Aqua Theatre transformed into a full-fledged dance floor, the seats disappearing to make way for an energetic crowd ready to sing, sway, and relive all the best bits of the 90s for the Crazy, Sexy, Cool 90s Party, a high-energy throwback to the era of boy bands, girl power, and iconic dance anthems. With an infectious playlist spanning everything from TLC and Britney Spears to Nirvana and the Spice Girls, it didn’t take long for the crowd to get into full party mode. The theatre morphed into a neon-soaked time warp where guests embraced the nostalgia, belting out lyrics they somehow still knew by heart and proving that the 90s never really left us—they just got better lighting.
Tomorrow? More ship, more Lisbon, and more reasons to love an extended stay in port.
Day 1: Boarding
A smooth start at Lisbon Cruise Terminal
After a weather-induced delay that kept eager passengers (and an equally eager crew) waiting in some fairly wavy conditions, the moment to board Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest Prima-class ship, the Norwegian Aqua had arrived.
Despite the weather hiccups, embarkation at Lisbon Cruise Terminal, located along the Tagus River near the historic city centre, was impressively efficient. Designed to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships, the terminal boasts modern facilities and streamlined check-in procedures that made the process smooth and hassle-free.
Given its location and easy access to Lisbon’s historic centre, the terminal gives cruisers the rare impression—especially on a ship the size of Norwegian Aqua—that they’re almost in a river cruise port, seamlessly blending ocean cruising with the convenience of a city-centre docking. Check-in was a breeze, and before we knew it, we were stepping onto Norwegian Aqua for the very first time.
And from our first interaction with the crew—who had been bobbing about longer than we had—was absolutely buzzing. First cruise. First guests. First everything. And the enthusiasm was contagious.
But the best thing? Our bags beat us to our room.
A warm welcome to our room
At our Balcony Stateroom, we were greeted by the effortlessly charming Yogendra, a hospitality pro who could teach a masterclass in warm welcomes. With the kind of smooth confidence that only comes from experience (but never feels routine), he walked us through the stateroom essentials—how to adjust the mood lighting, where to squirrel away our ever-growing stash of holiday purchases, and the best-kept secret of any well-designed cruise cabin: hidden storage spots. Then, with a grin and a knowing nod, he left us to take in the real showstopper—the sweeping view of Lisbon’s rooftops and the glistening Tagus River. If first impressions count, this one had already won us over.
First stop: Dinner at Sukhothai
Before we’d even had time to fully appreciate the stateroom’s plush bedding (or the fact that we were among the first passengers to be using everything), our stomachs rumbled for dinner and we were off to Sukhothai, Norwegian Aqua’s newest specialty restaurant. The menu promised modern takes on Thai classics, and it delivered.
A fragrant green curry? Check. A perfectly balanced pad thai? Of course. And then came the desserts. We were jetlagged, full and about ready to get up from our table when the staff almost insisted we have the dessert. Unable to decide, we ordered three desserts between the two of us: the khao niew mamuang (mango with sticky rice), the khanom chan (a steamed pandan pudding topped with coconut sauce, coconut chips and sesame) which I loved, and my absolute favourite, the lychee sorbet served with candied ginger. If you eat nothing else on the Norwegian Aqua, let this be it.
Settling in for the night
With full bellies and a solid first day behind us, we headed back to our stateroom. The bed was calling, and with Lisbon twinkling outside our window, we had the best view in the house. Tomorrow, we’ll dive deeper into what Norwegian Aqua has in store—because if today is anything to go by, it’s going to be one memorable maiden voyage.
