I sailed on Norwegian's giant new cruise ship. It's one of my new favorites — and strong competition against Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

Norwegian debuted its latest ship, Norwegian Aqua, in March.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

• Norwegian Cruise Line debuted its newest, Norwegian Aqua, in April.
• The 4,482-guest ship is my new favorite, marrying luxury with amusement park-like amenities.
• Aqua has a stellar food hall, a waterslide roller coaster, and a high-tech mini-golf course.

When you think of an upscale cruise, you might think of the likes of Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, or even the Ritz-Carlton.