Norwegian Cruise Line reveals all-new dining experiences aboard Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed new dining and bar concepts debuting aboard Norwegian Aqua, its third vessel in the Prima class, and the first in the expanded Prima Plus iteration.

Norwegian Aqua will boast three brand-new restaurants including Sukhothai, Norwegian’s first-ever Thai specialty restaurant; an upscale Swirl Wine Bar; and Planterie, the cruise line’s first dedicated plant-based restaurant.

There will also be a range of guest favourites that have become mainstays of Norwegian Cruise Line, from the Metropolitan cocktail bar to the Surfside Café near the main pool, and the swanky Belvedere Bar, and Cagney’s steakhouse.

“Discovering new flavours and dining experiences is such a memorable part of any vacation, especially when you share it with those who matter most to you,” said David J. Herrera, President, Norwegian Cruise Line. 

“Expanding on our award-winning food and beverage program, we’re looking forward to bringing new concepts to life aboard Norwegian Aqua, while continuing to deliver on the variety of available offerings and value that NCL delivers,” he added.

New dining and bar concepts

Sukhothai, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first-ever Thai specialty restaurant, will debut aboard Norwegian Aqua, offering an eclectic menu with authentic, traditional offerings with creative, dynamic flavours. 

Guests can look forward to a new spin on traditional staples, such as Thai Cashew Chicken; Salt and Pepper Prawns; Thai Grilled Steak Salad; a variety of complementing curries and more. 

When guests walk into Sukhothai on deck 17, they will be greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere of bamboo and rice paper pendant lights; a striking geometric patterned floor; and colourful furniture transporting diners to the culturally rich country of Thailand.

Planterie, will debut in the Indulge Food Hall, offering plant-based bowls and other healthy options, with dishes such as the Southwest Bowl with smoked tempeh, and the Mediterranean Goddess Bowl filled with delicious, spiced vegetables, tabbouleh and honey-roasted carrots. 

Offering indoor and outdoor seating, Indulge Food Hall will boast a brand-new design by New York-based firm, Rockwell Group, with 10 food stations drawing inspiration from international food marketplaces from around the world. 

Swirl Wine Bar, a contemporary wine lounge, will be located on Deck 6 between the popular Whiskey Bar and Hasuki, the hibachi-style restaurant. The hidden enclave will feature a comprehensive wine-by-the-glass menu, and an extensive list of rare and premium vintages. 

Designed by the Miami-based Studio DADO firm, the venue’s architecture is inspired by the captivating beauty and curvature of the geologically stunning Antelope Canyon in Arizona.

Re-imagined guest favourites 

From new designs to expanded seating, Norwegian Aqua will feature enhanced restaurants and lounges that previously debuted aboard the Prima Class. 

The Commodore Room will now feature a rustic yet luxurious design inspired by its sea-faring namesake, transporting guests to the Golden Age of ocean travel with antique wood furnishings; leather banquettes; floors that mimic the lines of a pier; and stone accents, all with a delicate, modern touch.   

Metropolitan, a cocktail bar Inspired by the art deco and mid-century modern areas of New York City, will return aboard Norwegian Aqua and boast a distinct new design from other Prima Class vessels. Relocating from mid-ship to the aft of deck seven, the bar will now feature a grand piano and a small entertainment space for guests to enjoy live music with their Sail & Sustain cocktails, biodynamic wines and sustainably produced liquors.

Nama Sushi and Sashimi, which first debuted on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, will now feature a fresh, lively design by Studio DADO, with a new color palette that draws inspiration from the vibrant world of Manga art. Guests can expect a playful dining experience surrounded by bold colours of lime green and black.

Surfside Café will boast floor-to-ceiling windows, providing guests with scenic views as they enjoy an expansive and diverse buffet-style dining experience. Featuring a new design by London-based design firm, A.D. Associates, the three-meal a day venue will showcase warm colors, sunset tones and timeless color palettes. 

Palomar, the upscale, Mediterranean seafood dining venue of the Prima Class, will feature an elevated design with natural materials, such as rope and wood accents complemented by pops of blue and dark purple shades.

Whiskey Bar will relocate to Deck 6 near the brand-new Swirl Wine Bar, while Belvedere Bar will move to Deck 8 at the heart of the atrium, where guests can revel in night caps and nightly entertainment.  

Penrose Bar and Waves Pool Barwill also feature new designs, and venues such as The Local Bar & Grill, NCL’s 24-hour pub-style restaurant, Hasuki, a lively Japanese hibachi experience, and Cagney’s, NCL’s signature upscale American steakhouse, will be expanded to accommodate even more guests.

Returning guest favourites

Not everything aboard Norwegian Aqua will be new, or remimagined. In addition to unveiling new food and beverage experiences and designs, guest-favorite restaurants will return, such as Hudson’s, the elevated, main complimentary dining room offering 270⁰ of scenic views; Le Bistro, the high-end French restaurant inspired by the Palace of Versailles; Los Lobos, the contemporary, authentic Mexican dining venue with outdoor seating; and Onda by Scarpetta, the upscale Italian restaurant, which also offers al fresco dining on Ocean Boulevard.

Set to be the 20^th ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, Norwegian Aqua will feature a range of diversions beyond food, including the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster; the Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor; and NCL’s first-ever Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites in the Brand’s premium keycard-access-only-complex, The Haven by Norwegian.

Beginning April 2025, Norwegian Aqua will sail seven-day Caribbean itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Flordia, featuring calls to the tropical island destinations of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. 

Following the ship’s Caribbean season, from August 2025 through October 2025, Norwegian Aqua will offer five and seven-day voyages to Bermuda from New York City and then cruise five and seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami, beginning October 2025 through April 2026.