NEWS SPECIAL REPORT


Norwegian Aqua is NCL’s first Prima Plus Class ship PICTURE: Giuliano Koren


N


orwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship feels “dramatically bigger” and “more


premium” than other vessels in its class and will appeal to families and multigenerational groups, according to agents on its maiden voyage. NCL hosted 1,500 agents


on an inaugural sailing on board Norwegian Aqua, the first of two Prima Plus Class ships which are 10% larger than the line’s two Prima Class vessels. Jason Krimmel, NCL vice-


president and chief international sales and marketing officer, explained the line had “taken learnings” from previous Prima ships to use the additional space on Aqua in the most effective way. He also confirmed the two ships


set to launch after Aqua’s sister ship Norwegian Luna joins the fleet next year will be 10% bigger again as the line aims to add more dining and entertainment venues.


Agents’ verdicts Agents were impressed by Aqua. Jonny Peat, senior commercial manager at The Advantage Travel Partnership, said he and other


10 3 APRIL 2025


Advantage members thought the ship was “more premium” than its predecessors. He said: “There is a lot of


product out there, but there’s real confidence to be able to go back to people and say this is a real premium family product.” Nicki Tempest-Mitchell,


managing director of Barrhead Travel, said the ship “absolutely ticks the box” for families due to the range of venues and activities on board. “This ship is perfect for that


multi-gen experience as I can imagine my family really connecting and playing games together here,” she said. Travel Counsellors agent John


Ryrie said Aqua offered an “intimate” experience despite being a large ship with capacity for more than 3,500 passengers. “There aren’t those huge bars and venues that you have to go in [on some ships], and I think that’s a selling point that people need to get across to sell Norwegian and this ship,” he said. Ryrie also believes there is more


to entice luxury clients as Aqua’s The Haven area, which has been expanded to 159 suites, is more like “a boutique luxury hotel experience”.


Gary Anslow, NCL regional


vice-president and head of UK & Ireland, told agents the line would be expanding its regional sales team with a new recruit for the Scotland and northeast area, where it sees “a


massive opportunity”. The expansion will be supported by increased marketing investment, which Krimmel promised “will always” include a call to action for the trade.


NCL tips extra selling opportunities


Norwegian Cruise Line anticipates UK agents will benefit from “additional opportunities” to sell European sailings this summer due to a drop in transatlantic airlift and US passenger numbers. Jason Krimmel told agents on a segment of


Norwegian Aqua’s inaugural sailing to expect more capacity to become available in the coming weeks as several US airlines cut flights to the continent. “We are going to have some additional Europe opportunities [for this


Jason Krimmel


year], and we will have clarity around that in the next week or so,” Krimmel said. “The reason is because US airlines – United and Delta in particular – have announced that they are cutting back on some published services into Europe, so the pendulum will swing over to the UK and central Europe teams to fill that remaining capacity.” Krimmel added there would be some “attractive rates” in the short-term


for specific sailings, but stressed the line’s focus was still on longer-term bookings for next year and beyond.


travelweekly.co.uk


Agents praise Aqua NCL sales chiefs outline opportunities on board new ship Norwegian Aqua. Ella Sagar reports


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