Some moments in this job remind me exactly why I fell in love with travel in the first place — and sailing on the brand-new Norwegian Aqua was one of them.

As Cruise Director at Thorne Travel, I spend my days immersed in itineraries, ships, and all things ocean-bound. But recently, I had the chance to step away from the desk and step aboard this incredible new ship – and it was nothing short of spectacular. Even better? I got to share the experience with my amazing colleague Christiane.

Now, Christiane and I go way back. We both started out as travel consultants at Thorne Travel, helping people plan dream holidays before we even dreamed we’d be managing departments and leading teams of our own. Life’s been a whirlwind since those early days, so being able to spend a few days reconnecting, reminiscing, and experiencing something so exciting together felt a bit like coming full circle.

First Impressions: Welcome Aboard

From the moment we stepped onto Norwegian Aqua, it was clear she’s not your average cruise ship. The design is sharp, fresh, and bursting with personality. Think floor-to-ceiling windows, elegant yet playful decor, and spaces that feel like they were made to be explored.

We dropped our bags, grabbed a coffee (ok it was cocktails), and set off to see what all the buzz was about.

The Thrills Begin (Quite Literally)

It didn’t take us long to find the Aqua Slidecoaster — yes, you read that right. This is the world’s first hybrid waterslide and rollercoaster at sea, and let me tell you, it’s just as wild as it sounds. We laughed, screamed, and possibly messed up our hair for the rest of the day. Worth it? Absolutely.

From there, it was non-stop. Live music in every corner. Broadway-style shows that wouldn’t look out of place in the West End. Game nights, comedy, dancing… You could stay up all night and never run out of things to do (we may have tested this theory…).

Food Glorious Food

And the food? Oh the food. We made it our mission to try something new at every meal — all in the name of research, of course. One night we dined on perfectly grilled seafood under the stars, the next we were twirling chopsticks at the ship’s sleek teppanyaki spot.

The Food Hall was a favourite of ours – quick, casual, and bursting with flavour. We even found time for a proper afternoon tea (because we are, after all, professionals).

The Quiet Moments

Some of the best memories, though, came in the quieter moments. Floating in the infinity pool, watching the sun dip into the ocean with a glass of wine in hand. Wandering through the spa after a long day and just breathe. Norwegian Aqua knows how to bring the wow-factor, but it also knows when to slow things down.

There was one evening when Christiane and I sat out on deck, no noise except the sea, and chatted about how far we’d come – not just in miles, but in our journey with Thorne Travel. That moment stayed with me.

Why It Matters

This trip reminded me why we’re more than just a travel agency. At Thorne Travel, we’re a team of travel and cruise experts who live what we offer. We’ve sailed the ships, we’ve tasted the menus, we’ve stayed in the cabins – and we use that experience to guide our customers to the right cruise for them.

You won’t get generic advice from us. You’ll get first-hand knowledge, honest insight, and the kind of personal touches that only come from real passion and real experience.

So whether you’re dreaming of your first cruise or your fiftieth, whether it’s the Caribbean, the Med, or a brand-new ship like Norwegian Aqua, you’ll always find someone at Thorne Travel who’s been there, done that, and (probably) got the towel animal to prove it.

Final Thoughts

Sailing on Norwegian Aqua with Christiane wasn’t just a work trip. It was a reminder of everything I love about cruising – the adventure, the connection, the escape. It reminded me why we do what we do. And I honestly can’t wait to help others experience it too.

If you’re thinking about a cruise – whether it’s for the thrills, the food, the sunsets or all of the above – come and have a chat with us.

We’ve got the answers. We’ve lived it. And we’d love to help you set sail.