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.
Beautiful screen outside the Observation Lounge.
Passengers already having fun before the ship left Port CanaveralVibe Beach Club. Pay per day and usually sold out.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 pastryHudson’s dining room. Shrimp alfredo with mushroomsLe 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 beautifulReally cool sculpture for great photo opportunity on Ocean Blvd.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 deckWe 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 10714Early 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 tubsBowling 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. WOWPalomar. 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 bestLe Bistro. Filet mignon
Port : Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Welcome to Puerto Plata
overlooking the city of Puerto PlataUmbrella StreetPolanco, a local Dominican restaurant.Inside of our restaurant. We shared some delicious shrimp ceviche
It was a very hot, humid day, and to say I was tempted to enjoy this fountain is an understatement.Wall art. Who can resist angel wings 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.
The original FortPink AlleyOur 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
Waiting in line on the pier for our excursion group to head out. We are on a catamaran snorkeling trip to St John’s
St Thomas BVIWonderful day on the water
Maybe my vacation home???
Champaign cruise on the Adventuress with Captain Sam and first mates Jalyn and Trevon
Pulling into Honeymoon Bay, St Johns for some snorkeling and beach time. Snorkeling was OK. I couldn’t get my phone to cooperate. The water and the beach were perfect.
Port: Road Town, Tortola, BVI
Watching the sunrise. An early morning excursion. Meet on the pier at 6:45 am !!!!close up of this magnificent home built into/on top of this rock island.Peter’s Bay. Lodging at this resort starts $8k a weekinteresting rock formationsThis 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
Heading out on our 2-hour boat tour around many of the 60 islands that make up British Virgin Islands.Salt Island is most notable for the wreck of the Royal Mail packet steamer, RMS Rhone which sank in a hurricane on 29 October 1867 after she was driven back on Salt Island while attempting to head to safety at sea. Most of the ship’s crew were lost. The sunken ship is supposed to be the best diving spot in BVICane Garden Bay
Welcome to Tortola, BVIThe colors of the water and the texture of the rocks were indescribably beautiful.Close up of the salt pond. It dries up during the dry season. Then they go in and collect the salt. The population of the island hasn’t been more than three people since at least 1980. They pay an annual rent to the King of the United Kingdom, delivered to the Governor, of a one-pound bag of salt.Cane Garden BayNCL Aqua docked in Road Town
Port: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
We needed to tender in since the new dock isn’t expected to be completed until December (maybe). It is a large island with lots of space and activities,our spot for the day. Umbrella rental $29, but worth every penny. Clam shells are available, but sold out quickly. There are also cabanas and villas available to rent.
Safe & easy walkways throughout the whole area. There are bars and a BBQ restaurant, all included. Entertainment crew from the ship come ashore and music is everywhere. There are retail stores. Lots of places to explore.
One of the beaches. Lots of chairs. Sugar white sand. Calm, clear, Caribbean blue water. Rentals – jet skis, paddle boards, kayaks, floats
Miscellaneous pictures
and we are off again on a new adventure
Waiting to leave Port Canaveral from our balcony cabin. Check out the beautiful design of this ship.
sunrise as we head to the portShe is beautiful
Beach at Port CanaveralAs God painted the sky, we are grateful for another day
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