Norwegian Aqua Entertainment Options Revealed

September 16, 2024 Randy Young

Last Updated on September 22, 2024

Norwegian’s newest ship, the Norwegian Aqua, is seven months away, and as the maiden voyage draws closer, we keep learning more and more about this ship. Today, Norwegian filled in the biggest remaining gap, the entertainment that will be onboard the Aqua.

Aqua Theater

Norwegian Aqua will have the same 3-story multiple-purpose theater as soon as on the Prima and Viva. This innovative theater can transform into a dance club, a traditional theater, and variations in between. With great site lines, comfortable seating, and amazing video and lighting, this design is one of the best convertible theaters at sea.

No Broadway Show on the Norwegian Aqua

In news that shouldn’t be surprising, Norwegian’s newest ship will not launch with a Broadway show, the first ship to launch without one in over a decade. Norwegian has announced they’re moving away from Broadway productions and instead focusing on alternative (cheaper) entertainment.

Prince Musical Review

On the Aqua, they’re introducing a new show Revolution, a Celebration of Prince. It’s an hour-long show developed in-house by Norwegian’s production company along with Prince Legacy LLC and Primary Wave Music.

The show will celebrate the music and life of Prince with a fully immersive experience. It’ll feature traditional theater seating in the Aqua Theater and a dance floor. (Note: please stop doing this setup, Norwegian; no one wants to stand on the dance floor for the concert. Watching the entertainment staff try to get guests on the dance floor during Ocean Music Fest is painful).

The Price is Right Live

The Price is Right Live also comes to the Aqua after appearing on the Prima but skipping the Viva in favor of Press Your Luck. During the show, contestants are called out of the audience to play live on stage. Unlike the Deal or No Deal or Wheel of Fortune games, there is no cost to play The Price is Right Live.

Elements: The World Expanded

Elements: The World Expanded is an updated version of the Elements show that has played on the Spirit, Dawn, Jade, and Joy and, according to Norwegian, is its highest guest-rated show. It’s a Cirque du Soleil-style show that combines aerial acrobatics, music, and dance. It’s inspired by the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire.

Nightclub Programming

After the stage performances are over, the seating disappears, and the space becomes the Aqua Club. The Aqua will have three, night club-themed experiences.

90s Party
Livin’ La Viva Local
Pop Life

The Welcome Aboard Show / Ocean Music Fest

Ocean Music Fest is billed as a “musical festival at sea.” This show can be found on several ships across the Norwegian fleet. During this performance, musicians who play around the ship at night get their moment on the big stage to perform hits. On the Aqua, they’re combining it with The Welcome Board Show, where the dangers and musicians provide a preview of what will be coming throughout the sailing.

Syd Normans Pour House

Syd Normans Pour House, the rock night club, will return to the Aqua. The venue is themed after rock clubs on LA’s Sunset Strip and has a “hole in the wall” vibe. Here, you’ll find performances from the incredible Syd Normans Band. Unfortunately, on the Prima-class ships so far, the space has been far too small, holding less than 100 people. It appears to be larger on the Aqua, but Norwegian hasn’t confirmed that yet.

One thing they did confirm is that the most popular of Syd Norman’s performances, the Rumors show, will be in the large Aqua Theater. During this show, the band goes through the whole Fleetwood Mac Rumors album. It is by far their most popular performance, and getting to see it is a challenge because of the small space at Syd Normans. Now, in the larger theater, over 700 people will be able to see it, meaning you won’t have to wait in line for an hour to see it.

Improv Comedy Club

The Improve Comedy Club will also return on the Aqua. It’ll be in a new location that’s larger with more seating. It was desperately needed as the Improv Comedy Club on the Prima and Viva was way too small, holding around 75 people. Like its predecessors, the Improv Comedy Club on the Aqua will likely have stand-up comedy, not improv comedy like the name implies.

Are Norwegian Aqua’s Entertainment Options Enough?

norwegian aqua side — Norwegian Aqua combined high-class with family elements for a multi-generational cruise ship.

One of the biggest complaints about Norwegian Prima and Viva’s offerings has been not enough entertainment. Will the follow-up ship be able to improve that? The larger spaces on the comedy club and Syd Normans, and moving Rumors to the big theater should help. It also helps that the Aqua will be sailing 5- to 7-night sailings, while the Prima and Viva often sailed longer itineraries, which meant more entertainment would be needed. If the Prince and Elements shows are as well produced and developed as Norwegian’s Broadway shows used to be, then the Aqua might come out as a winner when it comes to entertainment.