Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Aqua
- Cruises
- 15
- From
- $299
Ship comparison
Norwegian Aqua vs Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Viva
- Cruises
- 40
- From
- $371
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Norwegian Aqua is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,571 passengers, in service since 2025. Norwegian Viva is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 3,223 passengers, in service since 2023.
Choose Norwegian Aqua if you want better-rated entertainment, a more romantic trip or a lower starting fare: it outscores Norwegian Viva for entertainment (8.0 vs 6.0) and romantic (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $299 (vs $371).
Choose Norwegian Viva if you want more of a party, a more family-friendly ship or more culture: it outscores Norwegian Aqua for party (7.0 vs 2.0), family friendly (9.0 vs 8.0) and cultural (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Norwegian Aqua | Norwegian Viva | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2023 |
| Gross tonnage | 142,500 | 142,500 |
| Passengers | 3,571 | 3,223 |
| Crew | 1,388 | 1,506 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 | 2.1 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 39.9 | 44.2 (better) |
| Decks | 20 | 20 |
| Length | 962 ft | 965 ft |
| Beam | 133 ft | 133 ft |
| Speed | 28 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 (better) | 7 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 15 | 40 |
| Upcoming sailings | 139 | 115 |
| Cruise lengths | 2–7 nights | 3–17 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $299 (better) | $371 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Norwegian Aqua leads on 2 of the ten, Norwegian Viva on 3, with 5 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Aqua is Norwegian Cruise Line’s next-generation Prima Plus class ship — a more family-friendly evolution of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva ... and 10% larger in size and capacity.
Sailing now
15 cruises on sale, from $299.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Viva
The 3,223-passenger Norwegian Viva debuted in July 2023 and sails the Greek Isles and Mediterranean in spring to fall and Caribbean itineraries in winter.
Sailing now
40 cruises on sale, from $371.
Questions
Norwegian Aqua or Norwegian Viva?
Which is bigger, Norwegian Aqua or Norwegian Viva?
They are the same size, 142,500 gross tons each. Norwegian Aqua carries 3,571 passengers and Norwegian Viva carries 3,223.
Which ship is newer, Norwegian Aqua or Norwegian Viva?
Norwegian Aqua is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2023 for Norwegian Viva.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Viva, with 44.2 gross tons per passenger against 39.9 on Norwegian Aqua. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Norwegian Viva, with one crew member for every 2.1 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Norwegian Aqua.
Which is better for families?
Norwegian Viva scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Norwegian Aqua.
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