Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that its newest ship, the Norwegian Aura, will have the fleet's most expansive thermal suite and an Indian specialty restaurant.
The Mandara Spa will have 15 wellness experiences in its thermal suite, 11 of which are new for NCL. One of those will be a sensory rain pool that simulates both calm natural waters, a tropical rainfall and a thunderstorm with lightning.
Other experiences include a snow cave, where powder snow will cover the walls for cold therapy; an experience that simulates being under a waterfall; a foot spa; a blue glow suite, with blue light designed for post-travel recovery; and guided hot and cold plunges.
The spa will also feature a pool, salt room, aromatic steam room, Finnish sauna, charcoal sauna, meditation lounge and zen lounge as well as 24 treatment rooms, a salon and a skin lab.
New dining venues
The new Indian specialty restaurant will be called Tamara and will serve dishes such as lamb biryani and short rib dosa. It will have an open-view kitchen and a design inspired by North Indian temples and courtyards.
NCL decided to create an Indian restaurant after its Indian dishes at the Indulge Food Hall proved overwhelmingly popular, according to the cruise line.
The Aura will also have a new complimentary dining space called the Panorama Room, which will use LED displays and audio to transport guests "through ever-changing landscapes, artwork and scenic environments as they dine."
Other dining venues on the Aura will be familiar: Le Bistro, Sukhothai, Palomar, Onda, Cagney's Steakhouse, Hasuki and Nama will return with new designs, and some will be expanded.
The complimentary Indulge Food Hall and Local Bar and Grill will also return, and Surfside Cafe will be expanded. The main dining room, Hudson's, and the bar and restaurant in the Haven will have a new design.
Penrose Bar and Atrium will feature a dedicated stage and more than double the seating as previous ships. Metropolitan Bar, Swirl Wine Bar, Belvedere Bar and Whiskey Bar will be designed to be more open spaces.
Carnival games for cruisers
Meanwhile, the game and activity zone, Ocean Heights, will take in six slides, the Aura Ropes Course, the Moon Climber obstacle course, a nine-hole mini golf course and the Aura Midway carnival games area.
NCL will debut overhanging cabanas on the Aura, which will overlook the adults-only Vibe Beach Club.
The Aura will launch next spring with a seven-day sailing from Trieste, Italy, on 21 May. It will then cross the Atlantic to sail from Miami for the summer, offering seven-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries. In the winter, it will sail the Western Caribbean.
Source: Travel Weekly