There’s a particular convenience to boarding a cruise ship in the heart of Manhattan. Without leaving the city, you can walk onto a vessel in the Hudson River and be on their way to Bermuda’s pink-sand beaches in a matter of hours. That’s the promise of Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, which has just launched its first sailings from New York City.

From now through October 2025, the ship will offer five- and seven-day round-trip itineraries to Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard, marking the start of its inaugural New York deployment.

The seasonal program highlights the convenience of sailing directly from Manhattan, giving guests easy access to Bermuda’s pink-sand beaches and turquoise waters with the flexibility to choose between weeklong getaways or shorter escapes.

“New York is an incredibly important market for us, so we’re excited to showcase our newest ship from here,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “We look forward to our guests enjoying all the onboard experiences Norwegian Aqua has to offer with their loved ones before relaxing on the pink sandy beaches and dipping into the clear blue waters of Bermuda.”

Onboard Highlights

Norwegian Aqua introduces a series of new attractions, including the Aqua Slidecoaster — a hybrid roller coaster and waterslide billed as the longest and fastest at sea — and the Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor. Families can spend time in the Aqua Game Zone, which blends retro arcade machines with virtual reality experiences, while those seeking a quieter pace can head to the expanded pool deck or Vibe Beach Club, an adults-only retreat with cabanas, hot tubs, and a private bar.

The ship also features the Mandara Spa and Salon, complete with a thermal suite offering ocean-view saunas, sensory showers, and heated loungers. In the evenings, guests can dine at one of 17 onboard restaurants before catching original productions like Revolution: A Celebration of Prince or Elements: The World Expanded, inspired by earth, wind, fire, and water.

Bermuda and Beyond

Each sailing includes extended time in Bermuda, with opportunities for overnight stays. Guests can snorkel, explore the island’s historic sites, or simply enjoy the coastline before returning to Aqua for dining and nightlife.

Following her New York season, Norwegian Aqua will reposition to Miami from October 2025 through April 2026, offering Caribbean and Bahamas voyages ranging from four to seven days. These itineraries include calls at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, which is undergoing major enhancements including a new pier, a heated pool, expanded cabanas, and a waterpark scheduled for completion in summer 2026, as Caribbean Journal reported.

The ship will then return to New York for an extended Bermuda program from April to October 2026.