My Personal Experience Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Brand-New Ship the Luna: Q&A Edition

Posted on by boscovstravel

In March 2026, one of our Boscov’s Travel employees went on an inaugural cruise onboard the brand-new Norwegian Luna! Read her incredible experience below:

Norwegian Luna

Q: With Norwegian Luna being the newest Prima Plus class ship, was this your first time sailing with NCL or have you experienced their other classes? – A: This was not my first time cruising with Norwegian. My NCL journey actually started about 12 years ago when I sailed to the Bahamas on the Norwegian Breakaway with my husband’s extended family—a group ranging from an 11-month-old to 65+. More recently, in April 2025, I enjoyed a two-night preview of the Norwegian Aqua (the Luna’s sister ship), where the ship stayed docked for the event.

 Q: Where did you sail from and where did you go? – A: We sailed from Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. On my last cruise, we actually had to skip this stop because rough seas made tendering impossible. This time, however, we finally got to experience the island thanks to the new pier—no more tendering required!

Balcony Stateroom

Balcony Stateroom

Balcony Stateroom

Q: The Luna features some upgraded stateroom designs, which category did you stay in and how was the space? – A: We stayed in a forward-facing balcony cabin and it was very spacious and well equipped. There is nice space under the bed to store your luggage and three closets (two with sliding doors and one open) to store your clothing and personal belongings. Truthfully, the bed was the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in.

Q: What did you love most about the ship? – A: I absolutely loved the decor and layout of the ship. In my opinion, the Prima Plus class is the perfect size—neither too big nor too small. Because this series was built in Italy, you can see many luxurious touches in the finishes. The dining experiences were equally impressive; the food was truly phenomenal.

Q: If you had to describe the “personality” of the Luna in just three words, what would they be? – A: Glamorous, Playful and Immersive.

Norwegian Luna Hull Art: “La Luna“

Q: The hull art is stunning! Did you learn anything about the artist, ELLE, or the meaning behind the “La Luna” mural on the bow? – A: The story behind the Norwegian Luna’s hull art is fascinating. NCL commissioned world-renowned street artist ELLE to create the bow mural, titled “La Luna.” She designed the piece to represent the magnetic pull of the moon—a symbol of curiosity, emotion, and adventure. By blending dreamlike imagery with flowing cosmic shapes, the art perfectly captures the romance of the sea. If you look closely, you’ll even find intricate constellations woven into the design, serving as a beautiful tribute to the wonder of a starlit night at sea.

Hasuki

Q: Which restaurant on the Luna is a “must-visit” for future cruisers? – A: I especially loved the atmosphere at Hasuki—and the food was incredibly fresh and flavorful, too. The chef provides such fun, playful entertainment, all while preparing your dinner right before your eyes.

 Indulge Food Hall

Q: The Luna introduced new dining concepts like Sukhothai (Thai) and the Indulge Food Hall. Did you get a chance to try these new additions? – A: I was able to experience the Indulge Food Hall. Personally, the logistics of getting your food aren’t my favorite, but I loved the idea of trying dishes from different parts of the world. The food really was great.

Vibe Beach Club

Q: From the Observation Lounge to the Metropolitan Bar, where was your favorite spot to grab a signature cocktail? – A: My favorite spot for a cocktail was the Vibe Beach Club. Imagine an adults-only outdoor oasis with comfortable loungers and the sun on your face—add a Mango Meltdown in your hand, and you have the perfect, relaxing atmosphere.

Aqua Slidecoaster

Q: Let’s talk thrills! Did you brave the new Aqua Slidecoaster or The Drop dry-slide? – A: ’m always up for a little thrill, so I absolutely tried the Aqua Slidecoaster and The Drop. On the Luna, the Aqua Slidecoaster felt faster through the tunnels than the one on the Aqua, which I thought was a nice update. The Drop was also super fun—I love it when adults can feel like kids again!

ELTON: A Celebration of Elton John™

Q: Between the Broadway-style theater and the interactive venues, what was your absolute favorite entertainment experience? – A: The high-energy Elton John tribute was my favorite entertainment experience, with the Eagles tribute coming in a close second. It was really neat to see how they incorporated real footage of Elton into the show; the talent of the performers was truly exceptional.

Tee Time

Q: Was there a specific “Luna Exclusive” feature or technology you’ve never seen on any other ship before? – A: Although I didn’t get to try it myself, the Swirl Wine Bar offers a virtual reality wine tour that several people onboard raved about. I also really enjoyed the interactive mini-golf course, Tee Time, which uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) golf balls to automatically track your strokes. Another cool find: some of the bars, like the Whiskey Bar, are experimenting with ‘clear cocktails.’ They use the exact flavors of traditional drinks—so your Bloody Mary tastes authentic, but looks crystal clear!

 Q: Is there any “insider secret” about the ship that passengers might miss if they don’t know where to look? – A: I really appreciated the water bottle filling stations in the buffet—the water is actually chilled and refreshing. They’ve also upgraded the traditional buffet pizza with a wood-fire oven, which makes a huge difference in quality. One quick insider tip: the bathroom waste cans are tucked inside the cabinet doors to save space, so don’t be confused if you don’t see one on the floor!

Great Stirrup Cay Pier

Q: You mentioned you visited Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island. How has the island experience evolved with the new pier and amenities? – A: Being able to walk straight onto the island without tendering is a huge upgrade for Great Stirrup Cay, making the transition on and off the ship a total breeze. My favorite spot was the 28,000-square-foot heated pool, which features a swim-up bar and plenty of room to either swim or lounge the day away.

Pool at Great Stirrup Cay

Q: We know there’s a new tram system on the island. How easy was it to get around to places like Silver Cove or the Vibe Shore Club? – A: The tram is a great addition for getting around the island. From the welcome center, you can hop on a tram that takes you to several key locations. It’s worth noting that to reach Silver Cove or Vibe Shore Club, you currently need to transfer to a second tram. After a full day onshore, using the tram to avoid the steep incline of the bridge on the way back is a total lifesaver!

 Q: Is there anything else we did not discuss that you would like to mention? – A: Based on feedback from previous Prima-class ships, NCL made some brilliant design updates to the Norwegian Luna. They added a new exterior staircase that connects the pool deck to the top decks—a smart move that means you no longer have to cut through the buffet. They also increased the number of interior staircases to improve guest flow and accessibility. Best of all, the beloved ‘fish’ are back on the stateroom hallway carpets to help you easily find which direction is forward!

Norwegian Luna Inaugural Sailing Welcome Sign

Q: Would you sail on the Luna again? – A: Yes! I have always been a fan of the Norwegian Cruise Line brand. They consistently provide an excellent cruise vacation and a fantastic overall value.

Does this incredible experience incline you to sail on the Norwegian Luna? Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit https://www.boscovstravel.com/cruises/norwegian/index.html to learn more.

 

Our Personal Experience Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Brand-New Ship the Aqua: Q&A Edition

Posted on by boscovstravel

In April 2025, some of our Boscov’s Travel employees stayed onboard the brand-new Norwegian Aqua! Read their incredible experience below:

Norwegian Aqua

Q: Was this your first time on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship? – A: We had a variety of travelers with us ranging from first time cruisers – even first-time cruisers with Norwegian Cruise Line – all the way up to seasoned pros. It was really fun to watch how everyone interacted with one another. We were able to gain and give advice where needed, and of course, learn all there was to know to bring information back to our clients.

Q: What was the first thing that wowed you when you stepped onboard? – A: When stepping onto the Norwegian Aqua, we were floored/awed/taken back by the elegance and refined style of the ship, truly giving the ship a ‘modern relaxed feel.’ We noticed the lighting on the ship – even from one deck to another – really aided to the atmosphere, whether it be relaxing with a cocktail at the Belvedere Bar or bright lights shining your way around the shops. We couldn’t help but also notice how spacious and clean the ship was too. Great first impression!
Insider information: the Prima class was built in Italy, compared to the Breakaway class in Germany. We think this was smart and will aid in the ship feeling modern for years and years to come.

Penrose Atrium

Q: Describe the atmosphere and vibe of the ship in three words. – A: 1. Upscale 2. Luxurious 3. Serene

Q: What stateroom did you stay in? – A: As mentioned, we had a variety of travelers with us for this trip staying in a variety of staterooms ranging from Oceanview all the way up to a 2-Bedroom Family Villa in The Haven. Even with the variety, everyone had similar feedback that they could not believe how spacious the cabins and the bathrooms felt (a huge plus in our books)! There is ample amount of room to fit all your belongings and for them to stay organized as well.

Balcony Stateroom

Q: What was your favorite onboard entertainment? – We absolutely love the Broadway-styled shows onboard! Our top favorites were Revolution: A Celebration of Prince and Elements: The World Expanded. The latter show had incredible dancing, magic and acrobatics. The show incorporated the different elements: wind, water, fire, and even snow! Both shows had such great energy and we highly recommend them.

Aqua Theater

Q: What was your favorite restaurant onboard? What dish did you enjoy the most? – We all have our own favorite restaurant from the cruise including:

– Hasuki was a great hibachi-styled restaurant. The food was flavorful, colorful and fresh, but the headliner had to be the great entertainment from the staff preparing the food.

Hasuki

– Hudson’s Dining Room is one of the main dining rooms onboard. One of our travelers raved about the amazing menu with ‘the best braised short ribs I’ve ever had!’ And of course, crème brulee to top it off.

Hudson’s Dining Room

– Sukhothai is the new Thai restaurant onboard. We were told this restaurant was developed from a fan favorite, the Thai Cashew Chicken dish, and offers a range of authentic Thai cuisines. A lot of our group dined here one evening and had mixed reviews on whether it was worth the specialty dining cover charge or not.

Sukhothai

– Palomar is the Mediterranean restaurant onboard focusing on fresh fish and seafood. One employee dined here and had rave reviews. The floor to ceiling windows added a beautiful backdrop to the meal, service was excellent, and food was out of this world. Our recommendations are the Grilled Prawns and Greek Village Salad for appetizers, and the Filet Mignon for an entrée (the Lemon-Herb Maître d’ Butter ::drool::). We also recommend trying one of every dessert for the table with the Galaktoboureko being a surprise favorite of the table.

Palomar

Q: What was your favorite bar onboard? Was there a go to drink? – Our group had samplings from each bar onboard and tended to hop around between the Belvedere Bar, the Penrose Bar and the Local Bar & Grill. We liked the atmosphere/vibes at these bars and had plenty of space to hangout and sit. The Local Bar & Grill will be your go-to late-night spot and we recommend the cheese fries (don’t feel silly asking for 3 or 4 orders, they are on the smaller side and go fast). The weather wasn’t the best, otherwise, we would have enjoyed the multiple outdoor bars. Our go to drinks onboard – and some new fan favorites – included gin and tonics with a lime and a lemon, dark ‘n’ stormy, the classic Aperol spritz, whiskey on the rocks, etc.

Belvedere Bar

Q: What activities did you do onboard and which was your favorite? – It seemed like our group was able to cover the whole ship collectively, which was nice because for being onboard for just a day and a half, a single person wouldn’t be able to see all the offerings. Our favorite activities included the:

– Sail Away Party

– 90s Party

– Miniature Golf – Tee Time

– Pickleball

– Shooting hoops on the Glow Court

– The Improv at Sea Comedy Club

Tee Time

Pickleball Court

Glow Court

The Improv at Sea Comedy Club

Q: Was there anything on the ship you’ve never seen before? Tell us about everything new! – Mentioned above was the new Thai restaurant, Sukhothai, and Norwegian also introduced another restaurant to their Indulge Food Hall concept, Planterie, as well as Swirl. Planterie is Norwegian Cruise Line’s first dedicated plant-based venue and offers bowls and other healthy options like the Mediterranean Goddess Bowl with spiced vegetables, tabbouleh, and honey-roasted carrots, and the Southwest Bowl with smoked tempeh. Swirl is a wine lounge onboard the Aqua and offers a wine-by-the-glass menu and a selection of rare and premium vintages. This is a perfect place to cozy up to your partner and enjoy some wine together.


Indulge Food Hall

Q: How was the all-new Aqua Slidecoaster? – The Aqua Slidecoaster was so very fun and such a cool experience! The Aqua Slidecoaster is a new addition to Norwegian and is the world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide! We had a few brave souls within our group try this new activity in chilly weather (some went in clothing, some were extra brave and did it in their bathing suits). We are a thrill type of group so we collectively agreed the best part was the sendoff with the mechanical arm. After the sendoff, you then get to enjoy the standard leisure waterslide. Even if you aren’t a rollercoaster person, we still recommend trying the Aqua Slidecoaster out as it wasn’t overly intense.

Aqua Slidecoaster

View of the Aqua Slidecoaster from Vibe Beach Club

Q: What was your favorite spot to relax and unwind on the ship? –  A great place to kick back and relax is the Observation Lounge. It’s a beautiful enclosed lounge with comfortable seating to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful views. And of course, the Penrose Atrium is the prime spot to be while enjoying a cocktail and people watching. If the weather was nicer, we would have enjoyed the Vibe Beach Club (the adults-only section onboard; admission fees apply). And if you are lucky enjoy to stay in The Haven, absolutely take advantage of the sauna and hot tubs on the sundeck.

Vibe Beach Club

Q: How was the service from the crew throughout your time onboard? – Outstanding! The crew onboard was very friendly and above and beyond accommodating. Through our trade training onboard, we learned that they select the crew based on having previous experience onboard that type of ship class. No matter what the question or request, the crew was available and eager to help.

Q: What did you love most about the ship? – It sounds cliché, but we truly loved it all. The layout, style and finishes of the ship, the spacious accommodations, the dining venues, the outdoor areas (including the infinity pools and hot tubs), the accommodating staff. We are excited to share this ship with our clients knowing they will have an enjoyable vacation on an incredible product.

Q: Would you sail on the Aqua again? – Absolutely.

Does this incredible experience incline you to sail on the Norwegian Aqua? Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit https://www.boscovstravel.com/cruises/norwegian/index.html to learn more.