Norwegian Aqua

May 17-24, 2025 Eastern Caribbean

  • Port Canaveral Florida
  • Puerto Plata Dominican Republic
  • St. Thomas US Virgin Islands
  • Tortola British Virgin Islands
  • Great Stirup Cay Bahamas
  • Port Canaveral Florida

Come along and enjoy the exploration of the newest NCL Prima-plus class ship. Inauguration in 2025, 156,300 gross tons, carrying 3,571 passengers (double occupancy.

Welcome to the Norwegian Cruise Line Aqua. All I can say is AMAZING !!!! This post is going to be a bit different. Instead of days, I will post ship pictures and then port pictures.

Passengers already having fun before the ship left Port Canaveral
Cosmopolitan Bar opposite Cagney’s. Great music all the time.
One side of the laundry is for clothing, crew and passenger. The other side is for sheets, linens & towels. The laundry runs two 10-hour shifts, 10 laundry crew, 1 maintenance and 1 supervisor per shift
Machine that dried, folded and stacked all the pool towels. They have a similar but double the size machine for the sheets and table linens. It takes two crew members to feed the sheets in.
My favorite wine glass at Cagney’s. We were so hungry that I didn’t take pictures, but we both had our “usual”. I had filet mignon and Patrick had prime rib.
Patrick enjoying his margarita.
Hudson’s dining room. Baked brie with apple slices, in almond encrusted pastry
Hudson’s dining room. Shrimp alfredo with mushrooms
Le Bistro. Coq au vin
Model of the Aqua, outside the Observation Lounge. Built in 2025, 1,056 feet long, 156,300 tonnage, 3,571 passengers at double occupancy (but a lot of cabins had 3 & 4 guests). 15 restaurants, 18 bars, Mandara Spa, Pulse fitness center, Ocean Boulevard, Infinity Beach, 6 cabin accommodations and the Haven.
She is beautiful
side view of Aqua Coaster. We finally got on it the last day. It was so much fun. The start is fast, the water and tubes were HOT, until about halfway through, then just warm. Also in the center is “The Drop” slide, which I did not do !!
Nighttime on the pool deck
We did the ship tour. Most areas I couldn’t take pictures. But I could in the laundry. Hot mangles and steamer “bag”
Aqua theater was very nice and comfy seating. The bottom area (deck 6) would turn into the Club after the last show of the night. It took crew about 15 minutes to fold up every seat and then they collapsed back into each other to clear the floor. Tonight was supposed to be “The Revolution: tribute to Prince”, but evidently the lead got hurt and the show was cancelled. So, they moved the 2 comedians from the Improve into the bigger theater.
“Elements” in the theater. Excellent dancing (no singing). Even Patrick said he like it !!!
Palomar. Chocolate Mousse roll with chocolate gelato and cheesecake in a jar.
Delicious 😋
Mexican ceviche with avocado
Hudson’s dining room. Jambalaya
Le Bistro. Roasted pork chop. Looked more like a tomahawk chop.
Balcony cabin 10714
Early morning shot with empty pool deck during daily cleaning, This is the largest area of pool deck that I’ve seen on any ship. Great pool bar. Two nice size hot tubs
Bowling alley in the Arcade. Sorry I didn’t get more pictures. It is a paradise for gamers (but not cheap $$) Also there was a cool putt-putt ($5 and worth it). Pickleball court, Basketball court,.
I want one !!!! Put on top, shirt, some dresses … push a button …. bag blows up with steam and perfectly presses whatever item is on it. BOOM !!!!
Great show. I didn’t know what to expect, but it didn’t disappoint. Neither of us got called to participate but they did give away great prizes.
Finale of Elements. Outstanding performers, backdrops, video, lighting, special effects. WOW
Palomar. Salt encrusted with sliced lemons and spices whole fish for two, baked for 35 minutes. The presentation was exceptional. The server de-boned and served perfect filets. We did not order this, our neighboring table did, but we got to enjoy the show. They both said it was the best fish that they ever had.
Los Lobos. Table service guacamole. Oh so good.
Angelina at the Belvidere Bar with Casa Azul Tequila. She was a great bartender. Also great music.
Le Bistro. French Onion soup. The best
Le Bistro. Filet mignon

Port : Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

overlooking the city of Puerto Plata
Polanco, a local Dominican restaurant.
Inside of our restaurant. We shared some delicious shrimp ceviche
We used Viator today. I highly recommend Highlights of Puerto Plata with E&J (customizable). They sent numerous emails to ask up when we wanted to be picked up. Eddy was waiting for us and we had a wonderful 3 1/2 hours. He offered suggestions and asked us what we wanted to do. Patrick asked for empanadas and we stopped at a small bakery (?) They were delicious and only $1 each.
Our view from our table. Eddy explained a lot of Dominican history. And we shared lots of pictures, his daughters and our grandkids. He was so enjoyable.
One stop was at the Amber Museum. There are many in Puerta Plata, this was a small, free admission one in town. A guide takes you through and explains the history of amber and also Larimar, a stone only found in the Dominican Republic. I have a bit of Amber, but was really interested in the Larimar. And I found this ring that actually flips over and I got both stones. The picture doesn’t do it justice. It is so pretty. Thank you Patrick for the gift. Also a necklace with both stones.

Port: Charlotte Amelie, St. Thomas, USVI

St Thomas BVI
Wonderful day on the water
Champaign cruise on the Adventuress with Captain Sam and first mates Jalyn and Trevon

Port: Road Town, Tortola, BVI

Peter’s Bay. Lodging at this resort starts $8k a week
interesting rock formations
This is for our granddaughter Chloe. She is the one responsible for this website existing. It was at Pusser Landing where we got off the tour boat and onto very interesting 20 passenger, open air vehicles to finish our tour by land.
Another bay on the WILD ride back to the ship
Cane Garden Bay
Welcome to Tortola, BVI
Cane Garden Bay
NCL Aqua docked in Road Town

Port: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Miscellaneous pictures

Waiting to leave Port Canaveral from our balcony cabin. Check out the beautiful design of this ship.

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