On March 20th, the Port of Lisbon welcomed the first call of the Norwegian Aqua.
Lisbon was chosen to be part of the preparatory voyages leading up to the official inaugural voyage, scheduled for March 28th between Southampton and Boston.
“It is a great honor and prestige for Lisbon to be chosen once again as one of the destinations for the inaugural voyages of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, one of the major operators that visits us, which reflects the trust in the Port of Lisbon,” said Carlos Correia, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of Lisbon Authority (APL).
A Benchmark on Environmental Sustainability
The Norwegian Aqua stands out as a benchmark in environmental sustainability, being equipped with cutting-edge alternative technologies, including a NOx Reduction System (SCR), which significantly reduces the environmental impact of the ship.
Carlos Correia emphasized that “the Norwegian Aqua is proof of the cruise industry’s capacity for innovation, which continues to invest in fleet expansion, improving passenger experiences, and environmental sustainability. Alongside this global industry investment, APL will also continue to develop a series of actions aimed at the decarbonization of cruise activities towards sustainability, as well as actions to foster a positive and collaborative relationship between cruise companies and the community.”
Exclusive Onboard Experiences
The Norwegian Aqua will offer passengers truly unique experiences, with highlights including the Aqua Slidecoaster, the world’s first three-story hybrid water roller coaster, combining dual water slides with a magnetic elevator that propels passengers along two different courses.
Visitors can also enjoy an innovative digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor, the Glow Court, and witness the world premiere of the musical show “Revolution: a celebration of Prince.”
The ship features an impressive artwork on its hull, “Where the Sky Meets the Sea,” designed by Filipino American artist Allison Hueman and produced by Goldman Global Arts, evoking modern mythology through colorful representations of the sea and sky.
With a 10% increase in size compared to its sister ships, the Norwegian Aqua is the first ship of the
Prima Plus Class in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. At 322 meters long and 156,300 tons, it can accommodate 3,571 passengers in double occupancy and 3,424 at full occupancy, distributed across 1,760 cabins on nine of its 20 decks, with a crew of 1,388.
The Norwegian Aqua joins its sister ships, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, strengthening the excellence of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and reaffirming Lisbon as a premier cruise destination globally.
To mark Lisbon’s inclusion in the inaugural voyage of the Norwegian Aqua, the Port of Lisbon will continue its tradition by presenting Captain Robert Lundberg with the customary commemorative plaque. The ship was escorted by tugboats from Portugs in a ceremony marking the second of 18 cruise ships expected to make their first call at the Port of Lisbon in 2025.
