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31st Oct 2026 | 8 nights | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Aqua
Why do we love this cruise holiday? A journey like this begins with time in Miami, where an included overnight stay offers a relaxed introduction before sailing into the warm waters of the Western Caribbean. The route takes in colourful ports such as Cozumel, Roatán and Costa Maya, each known for bright coastlines and easy going island character. Along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, there is the opportunity to explore the famous Mayan ruins, where ancient cities and temples bring centuries of history to life. With flights and a Miami stay included, it comes together as a smooth and well planned way to enjoy a week of sunshine, history, culture and coastal scenery in one straightforward escape.
What's included?
Want to go all-inclusive on your cruise? Ask our team about Norwegian's great value Free At Sea package.
Cruise Circle Collection packages adhere to our 7 point charter:
The adventure starts with a flight out.
A night in Miami before your cruise to start the holiday right.
Harvest Caye isn't a private island, per se. What the small island is, however, is a private port built by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in conjunction with the Belize government for its three brands -- Norwegian, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas -- to use on Western Caribbean itineraries. The attractively landscaped port offers much that will appeal to visitors, including four bars, a four-segment zipline (including a thrilling Superman-style segment), a ropes course, exclusive beachfront villas and poolside cabanas, a 7-acre beach with 2,500 loungers, a nature center with three tours daily, a lagoon with kayaks and pedal boats, and an outpost of Jimmy Buffett-affiliated LandShark Bar & Grill that boasts a swim-up bar in a 15,000-square-foot pool. If you'd like to leave the island, there are a variety of ship-sponsored shore excursion options to the mainland, including a few to see Mayan ruins or go snorkeling or diving on the country's famed coral reef. You can also take the ferry on your own to Placencia, a touristy beach town on the mainland of Belize. One thing that cruisers must know is that the agreement with the Belize government means that dining and drinks packages do not carry over to Harvest Caye, and all food and drink must be paid for in cash or with a credit card; U.S. and Belizean dollars are both accepted. There are no ATMs on the island, so if you're paying cash, stock up in a port ahead of Harvest Caye or use your ship's ATM. You can charge activities and shore excursions to your onboard account, if you book in advance or on the ship.
Although Cozumel is Mexico's largest Caribbean island (and its most populated), it wasn't until the 1960's that this once-sleepy fishing village became a tourist attraction in its own right, following a documentary in which Jacques Cousteau declared it one of the most beautiful areas in the world for scuba diving. These days, Cozumel is a major cruise port that welcomes more than 4 million cruise passengers each year and as many as eight ships per day. But even with all this progress, Cozumel has held onto its non-touristy side; only one-third of the island has been developed, leaving large stretches of pristine jungle and sandy beaches basically untouched. Yes, it's true: There's much more to Cozumel than duty-free shopping. (That being said, Cozumel offers darn good deals on jewelry, Mexican handicrafts, T-shirts and other souvenirs, mostly in the main town of San Miguel.) This small island, measuring just 28 miles long and 10 miles wide, lies off the coast of the country's Yucatan peninsula and offers incredibly diverse options for water sports-lovers, partly because of its proximity to spectacular coral reefs. Along with snorkeling, beach bumming and boating, scuba diving is one of the biggest draws to this sunny destination. Cozumel owns a rich history. In fact, the island derives its name from the Mayan civilization that settled there approximately 2,000 years ago. According to Mayan legend, Cozumel was the home of Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility. It's said that when religious temples were dedicated to her, she sent her favorite bird -- the swallow -- as a sign of her gratitude. For this reason, the people called the island "Cuzamil" -- Mayan for "Land of the Swallows." Several important Mayan sites, such as San Gervasio and El Cedral, populate the island. Even better preserved ones are on the accessible mainland; Chichen Itza and Tulum are hot spots for daytrips and shore excursions.
If you build it, they will come. Costa Maya, located on a peninsula along Mexico's Caribbean coast (about 100 miles south of Playa del Carmen), feels like a private island created from scratch expressly for cruisers. That's because it was; developers created the port terminal/faux village complex not far from the Belize border solely to woo cruise lines, and everything -- from the manmade malecon, a beachfront pedestrian path in nearby Mahahual, to the beach club used for shore excursions -- has been created with passengers in mind. The port itself, which opened for business in 2001 and was rebuilt after Hurricane Dean in 2007, features myriad facilities in its village -- pools, restaurants, a spa, shops and a small beach (though it's too rocky to swim). The port developers also own a club and water sports area on Uvero Beach, which is actually away from the terminal and is typically used by cruise lines as a shore excursion option. Besides the amenities that tourists see, developers took care of the essentials outside the village including brick-paved roads, concrete cottages for employees (who all come from elsewhere) and a water-sanitation system. (Yes, it is safe to drink water within the Costa Maya confines.) Beyond that, the folks who created Costa Maya also invested in and remade Mahahual (also known as Majahual), a one-time fishing village of 200 people that's about a 45-minute walk or $8 cab ride away. An attractive malecon anchors a row of seaside hotels, restaurants, dive shops and beach clubs that serve fresh ceviche and offer water activities along lovely white sand beaches with shallow surf (perfect for families). Although development is restricted to low-rise buildings, Mahahual's growth has attracted a small group of entrepreneurs, including a sizable Italian community, interested in making the town the "next Tulum." For travelers who just want to get into the "don't worry, be happy" mindset, the appeal of the area's beach clubs, usually with free Wi-Fi and the lure of cheap beach massages, can pretty much consume the day. Those who want to venture further have intriguing options, too. The region is home to some lesser-known (but still important) Mayan ruins. The site most cruise passengers come here to see is Chacchoben, a city dating to around 350 A.D.; some excursions focus solely on Mayan food and culture. Bacalar lagoon offers kayaking and swimming in the Cenote Azul, and there's also a Spanish fortress you can tour. While Costa Maya might look sleepy at a glance, there's something for everyone in this corner of the Caribbean -- and it only keeps growing.
Take your scheduled flight to the UK after your cruise.
The legacy continues with renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri constructing this next-generation Prima Plus Class. Building upon the award-winning experiences of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua sets new standards and delivers brand-new guest experiences, with an overall 10 percent size and capacity increase from its sister ships. Spanning 1,056 feet long, 156,300 gross tons and accommodating 3,571 guests at double occupancy, Norwegian Aqua offers more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship.
Norwegian Aqua showcases a lively and colourful hull art design by NCL's first-ever major female hull artist, Allison Hueman. World-renowned for her street art and global brand collaborations, including Nike, L’Oreal and Google, Hueman’s distinctive art style is a blend of ethereal realism. Norwegian Aqua's design, entitled “Where the Sky Meets the Sea,” is curated by Goldman Global Arts and evokes modern mythology through colourful mashups of abstract and figurative representations of sea and sky, ruled by ancient goddesses.
Norwegian Aqua premieres the world's first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster. Complete with exhilarating dual slides and a magnetic lift that propels adventurous guests through two different courses, this NCL-exclusive experience features three stories of exciting twists and turns around the ship's funnel. The new Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor, offers a variety of interactive guest activities by day and then transforms into a nightclub in the evening. Guests continue to enjoy some of their favourite Prima Class experiences aboard Norwegian Aqua, including The Drop, NCL's 10-story free-fall slide, and the Stadium, a now-expanded game space offering complimentary activities.
NCL’s family-favourite Splash Academy, for children ages three to 12, returns to Norwegian Aqua. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 engage in fun, age-appropriate activities at Entourage, NCL’s signature teen club with its own dedicated space. Guests looking to spend their days lounging at sea enjoy Norwegian Aqua's infinity edge pool with expanded seating, and for the first time in NCL's fleet, day beds are available on the main pool deck for guests to lounge and relax. For an elevated and adults-only experience, the expanded Vibe Beach Club offers more lounge seating. With additional outdoor spaces, guests spend their days exploring and enjoying NCL's most expansive Ocean Boulevard to date, the outdoor walkway that wraps around the entire ship, complete with Oceanwalk, a glass bridge that offers great photo opportunities; Infinity Beach, featuring expanded vistas and intimate pools overlooking each side of the ship; and La Terrazza, the open-air lounge with sweeping sea views.
Norwegian Aqua elevates dining at sea with an impressive collection of venues that celebrate global flavours, fresh ingredients and contemporary design. Guests discover a mix of beloved NCL favourites and exciting new concepts, each crafted to create memorable culinary moments throughout their voyage. From vibrant casual spots to refined speciality restaurants, the ship caters to every palate. Indulging in fresh seafood, perfectly grilled steaks or expertly prepared international dishes becomes part of the daily rhythm on board, with each venue offering its own distinct atmosphere and menu.
The ship’s spacious design also enhances the dining experience, with more outdoor seating than ever before, allowing guests to savour al fresco meals accompanied by sweeping sea views. Ocean Boulevard welcomes diners to enjoy elevated outdoor eateries, while stylish indoor venues serve everything from comforting classics to bold new creations. Whether guests are enjoying a leisurely breakfast, a relaxed lunch or an indulgent evening meal, Norwegian Aqua delivers a culinary journey that matches the innovation and vibrancy found throughout the rest of the ship.
Boasting NCL’s first-ever Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites, Norwegian Aqua offers all-new luxurious accommodations in the brand’s premium keycard-access-only complex, The Haven by Norwegian®. These four two-story spacious suites feature separate living and dining areas; three bathrooms; a sprawling balcony; and three bedrooms, two of which include a king-size bed, with the master offering floor-to-ceiling windows for breathtaking ocean views.
The Haven aboard Norwegian Aqua features the largest Haven complex in the fleet with 123 well-appointed suites, including access to an expansive, dedicated sundeck; a serene infinity pool overlooking the ship’s stern; an outdoor spa complete with a glass-walled sauna and cold room; two hot tubs; a private lounge; an exclusive bar pouring rare spirits and vintages; and sweeping sea views available from every public space. Haven guests continue to enjoy 24-hour butler service and a dedicated concierge team.
Active families, picky eaters, and couples/groups who love to bar hop
People who can't stand crowds, or those seeking a relaxed onboard environment
Norwegian cruise ships draw a diverse crowd, though the majority of passengers on ships sailing to the Caribbean and in Alaska and Hawaii hail from North America. You'll find a decent number of people from other English-speaking countries, and smaller numbers from South America and Europe. On European cruises, North Americans still dominate but you'll find more people from the United Kingdom and other European countries. You'll find plenty of young families onboard Norwegian ships, especially during holidays and school breaks. However, the line's newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, is less family-friendly than the line's other ships, with all the kids clubs on the lowest levels of the ship and onboard entertainment that is decidedly adult. Generally speaking, Norwegian Cruise Line attracts mostly middle-aged and older couples, as well as groups of friends of all ages.
Norwegian Cruise Line maintains a casual atmosphere onboard; during the day, casual wear is the norm. There's no formal dress code at night either, though most people do change into something slightly less casual for dinner. Additionally, some of the speciality extra-fee restaurants do require long pants, collared shirts and closed-toe shoes. Most evenings you'll see men in dark jeans or khakis and collared shirts, and women in blouses with slacks or skirts, or sundresses. Don't be surprised if you see people in shorts in the main dining rooms. Norwegian doesn't have any formal nights, but there is an optional Norwegian's Night Out at least once per sailing, for which passengers are encouraged to dress up. You'll rarely see a tux or gown, but suits and cocktail dresses are not unheard of. Norwegian ships also typically hold several themed nights (glow party, '70s or '80s, etc.) during a typical sailing. You might want to bring a few appropriate items, such as white clothing for the glow and white parties or bell bottoms for '70s night.
No. Unless you have an all-inclusive dining or beverage package (which you can buy), you'll have to pay extra for most gratuities, speciality dining, room service, all drinks (alcoholic and non, except water, select juices at breakfast, and coffee and tea), shore excursions, visits to the spa and any retail purchases, including photos. On the newest ships, you'll also have to pay for some of the entertainment options and even some of the top-deck fun: On Norwegian Bliss, for example, the laser tag and go-karts cost extra.
On warm-weather cruises, the main pool is the line's most popular spot onboard. On ships with water slides, ropes courses, go-kart tracks and laser tag, these are also popular and often require a wait of up to 30 minutes or more. Inside, you'll find activities that range from trivia, bingo and Deal or No Deal during the day to song-and-dance revues or Broadway shows in the theatre and live music or cabaret shows in the evening. Norwegian ships also have a lively bar nightlife. There's also an always-busy casino, which opens when the ship is out to sea.
