Thrill alert: Norwegian Cruise Line's next new ship to have an epic 'hybrid rollercoaster'

02.11.2023 - 15:45 / thepointsguy.com / David J.Herrera

Get ready for watery thrills on Norwegian Cruise Line's next new ship.

The Miami-based cruise brand on Thursday said its next vessel to debut — Norwegian Aqua — will have an epic, first-of-its-kind "hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide" ride swirling around its top deck.

To be called the Aqua Slidecoaster, the three-story-high attraction will incorporate dual slides and a magnetic lift that propels riders through two different courses. The line says the ride will twist around the ship's funnel as riders careen across the top deck of the ship high above the sea.

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In addition to the watery coaster experience, Norwegian Aqua will have a new-for-the-line digital sports complex called Glow Court that boasts an interactive LED floor. It'll be home to a variety of interactive guest activities by day and then transform into a nightclub in the evening.

Designed to carry 3,571 passengers at double occupancy (when sailing with two passengers per cabin), Norwegian Aqua will be a bigger version of the two Prima Class vessels that the line has rolled out over the past 14 months, giving it room for new and expanded attractions.

Related: Why I loved the new Norwegian Prima — and you will, too

Each of the earlier Prima Class vessels carried 3,099 passengers at double occupancy.

At 156,300 gross tons, Norwegian Aqua will be about 10% bigger than the first two Prima Class ships (Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva). The line is calling it a Prima Plus Class vessel to differentiate it from the earlier ships.

Norwegian currently has 19 ships in its fleet and, assuming it doesn't retire any of its older vessels in the next two years, will have 20 ships with the arrival of Norwegian Aqua.

Norwegian on Thursday said Norwegian Aqua's first sailing will take place in April 2025. It'll initially be based in Port Canaveral, Florida, for seven-night sailings to the Caribbean.

Port calls on the ship's initial itineraries will include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas.

The ship is currently under construction at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

"Norwegian Aqua is a true testament of fusing together what represents the future of our Brand as the first ship in the Prima Plus Class, and our commitment to pushing the boundaries in guest-first experiences that will make new waves at sea," Norwegian Cruise Line President David J. Herrera said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

Related: The 9 types of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained

Herrera added that the ship will feature "new, elevated and exhilarating offerings