With more room than its two sister ships, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest vessel will feature several new and redesigned dining options when it arrives at Port Canaveral next spring.

Norwegian Aqua is the first of what the line is calling its Prima Plus class, 10% larger than 2021’s Prima and 2023’s Viva. The ship comes in at 1,056 feet long, 156,300 gross tons and a 3,571-passenger capacity based on double occupancy. That’s still smaller than the line’s popular Breakaway Plus class ships Escape, Joy, Bliss and Encore.

Still, the extra room means a shift of some returning venues found on Prima and Viva and the introduction of three new offerings.

At the top of the list is the line’s first dedicated Thai venue called Sukhothai, a specialty restaurant headed to Deck 17 with items such as Thai cashew chicken, salt and pepper prawns and Thai grilled steak salad. There also will be a variety of curries. The venue’s design comes from SMC Design firm out of London aiming to blend traditional and contemporary Thai elements, according to the line.

“(Guests) will be greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere of bamboo and rice paper pendant lights; a striking geometric patterned floor; and colorful furniture transporting diners to the culturally rich country of Thailand,” according to a press release.

It joins a pair of returning Asian fare venues, the Japanese hibachi Hasuki as well as relatively new offering Nama Sushi and Sashimi, which is found on both Prima and Viva, but will feature an updated look on Aqua. Nama’s design from NCL-favorite designers Studio DADO out of Miami will draw from Manga art.

“Guests can expect a playful dining experience surrounded by bold colors of lime green and black,” the line stated.

Planterie is a second new food offering that will actually be one of 10 cuisines to be offered at returning food hall concept Indulge Food Hall on Deck 8. The menu will be all plant-based bowls and other healthy options, the line’s first dedicated eatery with a full plant-based menu. Example items include the Southwest Bowl with smoked tempeh and the Mediterranean Goddess Bowl with spiced vegetables, tabbouleh and honey-roasted carrots.

Indulge Food Hall will get a design makeover by New York’s Rockwell Group going for deep wood accents and gold and metal furnishings. It’s one of the more popular and free options on board both Prima and Viva with both indoor and outdoor seating, and a reputation for getting cruisers their food fast. They sit down, order food using tablets from among all the available offerings such as Mediterranean tapas, barbecue and dessert.

Another new venue will be dedicated to wine. The Swirl Wine Bar also designed by Studio DADO will be “tucked away” on Deck 6.

“The hidden enclave will feature a comprehensive wine-by-the-glass menu, and an extensive list of rare and premium vintages,” the line stated. “The venue’s architecture is inspired by the captivating beauty and curvature of the geologically stunning Antelope Canyon in Arizona, with warm color hues complemented by cascading horizontal lines and serene blue touches create a perfectly inviting and enchanting space for guests to unwind.”

The sustainable-themed Metropolitan bar will be getting a new and larger home with new design as well, courtesy of Studio DADO. Moving from mid-ship to the aft on Deck 7, it will now feature a grand piano and small stage for live music with an art-deco design from mid-1900s New York.

Studio DADO is also reworking the complimentary dining space, the Commodore Room, with a more rustic sea-fairing theme.

“Paying homage to the imaginative narrative of the captain’s room, the venue will transport guests to the past times of maritime sophistication with antique wood furnishings; leather banquettes; floors that mimic the lines of a pier; and incredible stone accents, all with a delicate, modern touch,” the line stated.

Other venues getting makeover for Aqua include the Surfside Cafe buffet and Mediterranean seafood option Palomar as well as the Penrose Bar and Waves Pool Bar. The Whiskey Bar and Belvedere Bar are also migrating to new spaces on the ship.

The increased space also means more seating for Hasuki, The Local Bar & Grill and steakhouse Cagney’s.

The ship will also see the return of free venue Hudson’s with its 270-degree views as well as specialty venues French restaurant Le Bistro, Mexican restaurant Los Lobos and Italian restaurant Onda by Scarpetta.

Aqua will begin seven-night sailing of Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral beginning in April 2025 before migrating to New York in August and then back to Florida, but sailing out of Miami from October 2025-April 2026.

Among the ship highlights will be what the line says is the first hybrid coaster at sea, a digital sports complex and the first three-bedroom duplex suites for the cruise line in its exclusive area called The Haven.

Set to become NCL’s 20th ship in its fleet, construction continues at the Fincantieri shipyards in Italy, and it marks the first of four planned ships in the Prima Plus class through 2028.

NCL’s parent company recently announced it was also working to secure funding for what would be the biggest class of ship ever for the line at more than 200,000 gross tons with four ships on order from 2030-2036.