A Travel Counsellors Take on Norwegian Aqua Day 1

A Travel Counsellor’s Take on Norwegian Aqua: My 3-Night Educational Cruise to Zeebrugge and Bruges – Day 1 As a UK-based travel counsellor, I’ve travelled far and wide but never really experienced much of cruising, so when Gary Anslow from Norwegian Cruise Line invited me on a 3-day educational cruise aboard their brand-new Norwegian Aqua, I couldn’t say no. Launched in March 2025 as the first of the Prima Plus Class, this ship promised to redefine cruising, and I was eager to see it firsthand to better advise my customers. Departing Southampton on March 25, 2025, with a stop in Zeebrugge for a day in Bruges, this short but immersive trip gave me a front-row seat to Aqua’s innovations and Belgium’s medieval charm. Here’s my professional take on this unforgettable journey. Day 1: Boarding in Southampton – A Travel Counsellor’s First Impressions I caught the train to Southampton, and NCL had a coach waiting to whisk us to the ship—a quick 10-minute journey. Stepping aboard Norwegian Aqua at Southampton’s port felt like a privilege; boarding was a breeze. I only had hand luggage, so I kept it with me, but porters were efficiently whisking people’s bags to their rooms. At 156,300 gross tons and over 1,000 feet long, this ship is a step up from its Prima Class siblings, Norwegian Prima and Viva. As part of the educational group, I joined fellow travel professionals for a warm crew welcome—their high staff-to-guest ratio immediately stood out. The ship’s hull, painted with Allison Hueman’s “Where the Sky Meets the Sea” artwork, hinted at the creativity inside. The Penrose Atrium buzzed with a boutique-hotel vibe: marble accents, rich tones, and a sense of space rare on cruises. I checked into my lovely new balcony stateroom, which included two lower beds that convert to a queen, a sitting area, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a private balcony with amazing views—check out my video! The shower pressure was fantastic, which is unusual for a ship this size. Then it was time to explore. I headed to Deck 17 for the sail-away party—a lively affair with blaring music, flowing cocktails, and passengers dancing as we departed Southampton. It was a great chance to meet and network with fellow Travel Counsellors (about 100 of us were onboard). Our first evening at sea was fantastic, letting me explore as both a professional and a guest. We ate at The Commodore Room, the main dining venue included in the cruise fare offering a mix of classic and fresh dishes. Located on Deck 6, it’s larger than similar spots on earlier Prima-class ships, with more seating to ease wait times. The daily-changing menu featured options like seafood, steaks, and desserts like chocolate lava cake. It’s dinner-only with a casual dress code, following Norwegian’s “Freestyle Dining” style, and boasts a rustic-luxury vibe with ocean views. The lamb cutlets were delicious, paired with a nice wine choice. From there, we headed to the ship’s Aqua Theatre, where we caught "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince"—and it was electric. The Aqua Theater & Club was buzzing as the show kicked off, turning into a full-on Prince party. The lead singers owned the stage, belting out “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Purple Rain” with soul, and bought a fierce energy to “Delirious.” The backing dancers were fantastic, weaving around cool symbol-shaped set pieces. I watched from my seat while many passengers “went crazy” on the dancefloor. The last stop of the evening had to be the Whiskey Bar. Tucked away on Deck 6 near the new Swirl Wine Bar, it’s got a quieter, refined vibe compared to the ship’s livelier spots. Stay tuned for Day 2 at sea tomorrow when I really got chance to explore this stunning ship!