The arrival of Norwegian Prima in August 2022 has increased NCL’s total fleet to 18 ships – with more still to come. Norwegian Viva is due in August 2023 and four more Prima-class ships will follow, all with the same pared-back contemporary design.
Prima’s interiors are a trendy combination of light greys, off-white and light wood giving off Ibizan vibe with lots of Instagrammable sofas and day beds for lounging on.
While the decor has been largely toned down from the at times, very colourful American spread that used to mark the NCL ships out, the ship is still packed with the adrenalin-pumping fun (electric go-karts, 10-deck slides and a virtual reality games room) that makes NCL a winner with families and the younger cruise market.
All Covid protocols have been removed onboard bar hand sanitising stations in the public areas. You don’t need a PCR test before embarkation or even to be fully vaccinated – NCL is open to everyone!
From Prima Speedway to Tee Time’s interactive mini golf – there’s a massive choice of onboard activities to make your days at sea fly by.
NCL gained popularity for its freestyle cruising ethos. This continues to be the overarching theme onboard Prima with many dining options – from quieter dining in Hudsons, with 270-degree sea views, or a more lively option, such as the busy Indulge Food Hall with street food stalls or the Surfside Cafe buffet.
Evening entertainment also caters for varying tastes: Prima theatre has shortened West End musicals while Improv at Sea has stand-up comedians and there’s rock ‘n’ roll at Syd Norman’s Pouring Bar.
Families are all part of the mix, with children’s clubs that cater for most ages, a kids’ aqua park on the sundeck, a water-slide and loads of other paid-for entertainment including Prima Speedway and Galaxy Pavilion’s virtual reality games.
If you’re looking for the ‘wow factor’ there’s nothing that can beat The Drop, the world’s first free-fall slide at sea – taking you from deck 17 to deck 7 super-fast.
If you’re not an adrenalin junkie, the sofas, hanging basket seats and double day beds and infinity pools along deck 8’s promenade should provide the peace and quiet you crave.
Building on that Ibiza-vibe, you can spend the day in the over-18s Vibe Beach Club which has loungers, two infinity hot tubs and a bar.
According to NCL the 107 Haven Suites – where Katy Perry and her husband Orlando Bloom stayed after the christening – are extremely popular and sell out fast.
The Haven suites have access to their own lounge, restaurant, infinity pool, sauna and ice room.
Next to this, the balcony staterooms are top sellers with comfortable kingsize beds, a sofabed, good-sized bathroom with shower, a wardrobe, a fridge and a TV.
The standard balcony cabins have plenty of room for two people with some boasting interconnecting rooms and others having wheelchair access.
To see onboard Prima – go follow us on INSTAGRAM where Sarah will be posting her insider view from onboard.
