7 nights on Norwegian Aqua (NCL’s newest 2025 cruise ship) … and we did zero specialty restaurants. The big question: can the included food and activities actually carry a full week?
We go day by day through the rhythm of the ship, the ports, and the best included bites … plus the real pivot when Great Stirrup Cay gets canceled. Cruise travel adventure is possible without extra expenses.
Itinerary (as sailed):
Miami, Florida
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (Damajagua Waterfalls)
St. Thomas, USVI (Magens Bay)
Tortola, BVI (Virgin Gorda … The Baths)
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (canceled)
Bonus Adventures:
Miami Beach day
Everglades airboat day
Replicate-Worthy highlights:
Pretzel roll breakfast sandwich (Hudson’s)
Nutella creme brulee (Hudson’s)
Read our article:
✨ https://replicatethemagic.com/travel/cruises/norwegian-aqua-7-night-caribbean-review/ ✨
What you’ll get in this review:
* Our no-specialty-dining game plan (Hudson’s, Indulge Food Hall, The Local, buffet)
* The Aqua Slidecoaster experience (twice)
* Room thoughts from a Large Oceanview stateroom
* Port day notes (Damajagua, Magens Bay, Virgin Gorda Baths)
* The sea day pivot when the plan changes
Links mentioned:
Norwegian Aqua (NCL): https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ships/norwegian-aqua
Great Stirrup Cay (NCL): https://www.ncl.com/great-stirrup-cay
SlideCoaster (Wiegand): https://www.wiegandwaterrides.de/en/products/raft-slides/slide-coaster/
27 Waterfalls of Damajagua (official): https://27waterfalls.org/
Magens Bay (official): https://magensbayauthority.org/
The Baths National Park (BVI): https://www.bvinpt.org/the-baths
If you enjoyed this, like and subscribe to Replicate the Magic.
Question for you:
If you’ve sailed Aqua (or Prima/Viva), what was your most Replicate-Worthy bite? Will you be sailing on Luna in 2026?
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
04:53 Day 1: Miami (USA)
15:05 Day 2: At Sea
23:20 Day 3: Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)
27:41 Day 4: St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands)
33:57 Day 5: Tortola (British Virgin Islands)
39:10 Day 6: At Sea
45:11 Day 7: Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas)
48:30 Debarkation Day (Miami)
49:49 Takeaways
Filmed: December 2025
#NorwegianAqua #NCL #CruiseReview #CaribbeanCruise #ReplicateTheMagic

12 Comments
Question: If you’ve sailed Aqua (or Prima/Viva), what was your most Replicate-Worthy bite? Will you be sailing the Luna in 2026?
If you enjoyed the review, please like and subscribe to Replicate the Magic … it really helps more people find these honest, day-by-day breakdowns.
And here’s the white noise machine we mentioned in the video: https://amzn.to/490FqJK (it’s an affiliate link that helps our channel)
great review. sailing Aqua in February
Great soundtrack!! Looks like you had an amazing time, but jeesh, you really missed out by skipping the specialty restaurants…
Hello there guys !! I’m new to your channel, cruising & therefore NCL & the Aqua . We sail Feb. 1- 8th . SO looking forward to the experience !! 🎉🎉🎉. When I go into the NCL app I am not seeing directions to the Freestyle Daily planner. Is this something that is available AFTER we board ? ❤❤
❤❤❤❤d this video & your energy 🎉🎉🎉
Incredible video guys! Best travel video I've ever seen. Post it on the NCL subreddit
NCL doesn't want filming during the shows because they have the worst shows. RC is way better,
What a beautifully made video. My clients sailed November 30, which may have been your sailing as well. I feel like I sailed as well based on your detailed video.
this was the best visual review of the aqua. Would have liked visuals of all the bars but still an awesome videos. Nice to see the offering for the free dining room as others have covered the specialty restaurants. Liked the visuals of the two excursions which we are considering for both. My sister is currently on the ship and will be sending notes as well. Looks like a great trip
Looks like fun ❤🎉! How much$? Thank u for your video 🎉❤.
Do you guys think the cruise 🛳 has food that is gluten free and dairy free? 😀❤
How come you guys didn't show the gym, lol 😆! I need it just watching all that food! 49:09