Skip the Scramble for Sun Loungers: How Norwegian's Latest Cruise Ship Sets a New Standard
On a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line Earlier this month, I observed the waves crashing against the coastline near Brest, France. Perched in an elegant armchair positioned at one end of the Penrose Atrium aboard the latest addition to their fleet, the Norwegian Aqua, I managed to secure what seemed like an ideal vantage point despite the bustling atmosphere during the busy morning hours. It didn’t happen by coincidence. The atrium is part of multiple zones that the cruise company enlarged on Aqua, which was the inaugural vessel for their Prima Plus Class series. To increase its size beyond those in the standard Prima Class—like the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva—the ship had two sections measuring 11 meters (36 feet) each appended to it, as stated by Mark Kansley, who serves as the line’s top executive overseeing hotel operations. We had some leeway regarding the placement of those sections, and I believe we took our guests' preferences into account," he said t...