We recently sailed on the Norwegian Aqua, expecting a great experience based on our positive trips on Norwegian’s older ships. Unfortunately, this cruise did not meet our expectations.
To begin with, we were initially assigned an ADA room, which we did not request. We were then moved to another cabin, but it was located next to a housekeeping room. Every morning we were disturbed by noise from staff accessing cleaning supplies, which made it difficult to rest.
On the first day, we dined in one of the complimentary dining rooms, where the soup was cold and the rest of the meal was only lukewarm. Throughout the cruise, the food quality was inconsistent—sometimes good, but often not served hot, which took away from the overall dining experience.
The ship accommodates around 3,500 guests, yet the entertainment options felt limited. In order to attend a show, you had to arrive at least an hour and a half early just to secure a seat. The atrium and Improv areas were small and felt cramped, lacking the open and spacious design we’ve experienced on other Norwegian ships. Overall, the ship felt narrow and more enclosed.
On the final day, when there is usually a celebratory atmosphere, there was only one show and a game show available. The rest of the ship had minimal activity, with only soft background music in the bar areas.
We have taken several Norwegian Cruise Line vacations in the past and truly enjoyed them, which made this experience especially disappointing. Based on this trip, we would not sail on this ship again and are reconsidering future cruises on newer NCL ships.
Claim your business profile now and gain access to all features and respond to customer reviews.
Cruise ship deals for Alaska, Hawaii, Bahamas, Europe, or a Caribbean cruise. Explore weekend getaways and find great cruise ship specials and enjoy Freestyle cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line.
