A first for Norwegian Cruise Line: The US cruise line has taken delivery of the first newbuild of the enlarged Prima Plus class.
The Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri has now celebrated the delivery of the “Norwegian Aqua” at the Marghera shipyard.
With 156,300 GT and a length of around 322 m, the “Norwegian Aqua” is 10% larger than the first two ships in the Prima class, the “Norwegian Prima” and the “Norwegian Viva”, which were also built by Fincantieri, according to the shipping company.
It offers guests “expansive spaces, meticulous design and unique new experiences, including the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, the Glow Court, an innovative digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor and the Aqua Game Zone, a multifunctional entertainment area with immersive games and virtual reality,” according to NCL’s description. In addition, the “Norwegian Aqua” has the largest 360-degree outdoor promenade ever built, the so-called Ocean Boulevard.
NCL just announced another order recently
In addition to the delivery of the “Norwegian Aqua”, on which more than 4,000 people, including Fincantieri employees and partner companies, have been working on board in recent months, the shipyard in Marghera is preparing for another important milestone: the launch ceremony of the “Norwegian Luna”, the sister ship of the “Norwegian Aqua”, which is scheduled to set sail in spring 2026.
A double event which, according to the two companies, confirms “the close relationship between Fincantieri and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings”, just a few weeks after the announcement of the order for four cruise ships with an estimated capacity of 226,000 GT , described as “historic”.
The order is estimated to be worth more than $4 billion. The ships will be built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, with the first unit to be delivered in 2030 and the others to follow in 2032, 2034 and 2036. With over 5,100 berths (226,000 GT), the new units will be the largest ever built for NCL. There will be space for more than 8,300 people on board, including the crew.
