Fodor’s Expert Review

Ship Overview

Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruise StyleMainstream
Ship SizeLarge
Price Range$$
Sails To

Nor...stinations

Norway, France, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Bermuda, and other destinations
Sails From

Ice...stinations

Iceland, London, Spain, New York, Orlando, and other destinations
Duration10-14 days

Norwegian Prima is the first ship in Norwegian’s new Prima Class. It’s an elevated cruise ship experience for the brand, which has 17 ships across eight different categories. Prima, which has a passenger capacity of 3,215, was added to the fleet in 2022 and was custom-built by the brand in Italy ahead of setting sail for its maiden voyage in August. Read More

The ship itself is completely different from any other ship in the Norwegian lineup with its eight specialty dining restaurants, three-level go-kart track, interactive mini golf course, 10-story tall slides, and more. While Prima encourages guests to take advantage of its popular port stops, the ship also offers passengers a wide range of activities to do while onboard during sea days as well.

In addition, the modern design aesthetic and new additions to the ship (such as the redesigned Atrium and Palomar restaurant) are likely to appeal to seasoned and green cruise travelers alike.

Prima typically sails around the Mediterranean stopping in ports in Norway, Iceland, France, and Spain, but it also has some transatlantic crossings and routes around the Caribbean. All of Prima’s voyages feature multi-destination itineraries. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Pros
Cons
Ample activities and entertainment onboard the ship 
Lots of choices when it comes to dining and imbibing
Prima offers an upscale experience that’s different from other NCL ships
Fees onboard the ship can feel tedious
No laundry facilities, only laundry service, which is pricey
Not all rooms have a balcony or window

What to expect on board

Staterooms & Cabins

Editor Rating
Cabins
Accessibility

Cabins are typically made for two to four people yet vary in size, ranging from 160 square feet to 2,100 square feet. Overall, the cabins are decently sized; however, they could do with a bit more closet space. Most rooms are outfitted with a queen bed that can be converted into two separate twin beds for a single person. The rooms range in price, with inside and studio staterooms at the lower end of the totem pole and the luxe haven suites at the other end. An inside stateroom is indoors; studio staterooms are intended for the solo traveler; ocean-view rooms provide window views; and balcony rooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private balcony.

Each room has a flat-screen TV, a small writing desk, USB-ports, a hairdryer, and thermostat-controlled air conditioner. Bathrooms are equipped with a walk-in shower and toiletries from Norwegian. Most of the cabins have outside views. The exception is the studio or interior rooms—the least expensive room categories. 

The ship also has three different suite categories, beginning with the club balcony suite, which features floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, a balcony, a couch seating area, and one queen-size bed that can be converted into two twin beds. Club balcony suites begin with the forward-facing club balcony suite, the smallest in the category, and go all the way up to the club balcony suite, which includes a large balcony. Suites have a private bedroom and seating area, along with a private butler and concierge service, while The Haven suites have access to private Haven facilities, private hot tubs, and extra-large balconies. 

Prima provides accessible staterooms, which have the addition of shower stools, toilet seat risers, grab bars, and handrails and range in size from. In addition, all the social areas on the ship (bars, restaurants, etc.) are designed to be accessible to all passengers. The crew is also willing to work to accommodate most accessibility requests onboard.  

Food & Drink

Editor Rating
Dining
Bars

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available in five restaurants, The Local Bar & Grill, Hudson’s, Indulge Food Hall, Surfside Cafe and Grill, and The Commodore Room. The Haven Restaurant, which is only accessible for Haven Suite members, is also considered a main dining restaurant for those staying in the room category.

Indulge Food Hall is the cruise line’s first open-air food market with made-to-order options available across 11 different regional cuisines, including Indian and barbecue.

 Breakfast is served buffet style in Surfside Cafe and Grill with options like fresh fruit, cheeses, baked goods, multiple egg options, and breakfast meats. Made-to-order options are available in Indulge Food Hall, The Local Bar & Grill, Hudson’s, and The Haven. Lunch is available buffet style in the Surfside Cafe and Grill though a la carte options can be ordered at Hudson’s, The Commodore Room, and the Local Bar & Grill. Menu options vary from lunch to dinner and include choices like sandwiches, salads, soups, and burgers. Each evening, the menu at the main dining restaurants is the same at every venue for each meal, with the exception of Indulge Food Hall and The Local Bar & Grill.

Buffet items change daily but guests can expect a pasta and pizza station, tacos, and a salad bar. In addition, The Local Bar & Grill and room service are available 24 hours a day with different menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night bites. 

There are also eight specialty restaurants onboard: Cagney’s Steakhouse, Food Republic, featuring a creative fusion menu, Hasuki, a hibachi restaurant, Le Bistro, Norwegian’s signature French restaurant, Los Lobos, a Mexican restaurant with classic dishes, Nama Sushi & Sashimi, and Onda by Scarpetta, an Italian spot, in addition to Palomar, Norwegian’s first ever Mediterranean restaurant. 

Dietary restrictions are accommodated at each meal as long as you inform the restaurant in advance. The main dining options are included in the cruise fare; however, speciality dining is an additional charge. 

Prima has 13 different bars with unique themes and cocktails available at each. The Metropolitan Bar serves craft cocktails, many of them made with syrups derived from day-old croissants, used coffee grounds, or leftover watermelon rinds in a nod to sustainability and a commitment to reduce waste.

Prima Speedway is another place to grab a drink after taking to the three-level Go Kart track, and both Whiskey Bar and Penrose Bar are fine places to enjoy an aperitif or a nightcap, depending.

Alcoholic beverages cost about $15, but drink packages may be more economical. The Unlimited Open Bar Package is priced at $109 per day and includes select premium drinks, soft drinks, juices, and unlimited water bottles, or the Premium Plus Beverage Package. At $138 per day, it includes top-shelf spirits and Starbucks coffee.

Entertainment

Editor Rating

The ship’s entertainment options are varied and intended to appeal to cruisers of all ages. Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, a Broadway show, The Price is Right, a rendition of the popular TV-game show, The Improv at Sea, featuring interactive comedy routines, and Syd Norman’s Pour House, a music venue with different rock-themed nights from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, are among the highlights. Live music or a DJ are highlights of the Theater on certain nights.

Prima also excels in daytime distractions, including Tee Time, an interactive technology-immersive mini golf course, the aforementioned Prima Speedway, The Drop & The Rush, two 10-story slides, and Galaxy Pavilion, a virtual reality arcade.

Activities like the Prima Speedway, Galaxy Pavillion, and Tee Time aren’t included in the base cost of the cruise, though an unlimited pass might make sense if you plan on hitting up the Galaxy Pavilion on the regular. that can be purchased for each activity.

The ship also features a sculpture garden called The Concourse and Vibe Beach Club, and a variety of lounges and spaces for guests to enjoy. 

Spa & Fitness

Editor Rating

The Mandara Spa offers massages, facials, and a full-service salon. All services are available for a supplementary charge. Guests may also purchase a Thermal Suite Pass, which includes access to the Thermal Suite, a selection of eight different treatment rooms with a variety of temperatures (including the first charcoal sauna at sea), and other spa facilities. Included in the cost of the cruise, however, is access to the Pulse Fitness Center. The fitness center itself is well equipped with plenty of state-of-the-art machines like treadmills and ellipticals, as well as weight machines and free weights. It also offers spin and yoga classes for an additional fee. 

Key cruising tips

Health & Safety

Prima doesn’t require guests over 12 to be vaccinated. All guests who are unvaccinated or under the age of 12 are required to get a medically supervised negative PCR or Antigen tests within 72 hours prior to their embarkation in order to board. Masks are optional onboard the ship for both crew and passengers. 

Dress Code

The dress code on board is largely cruise casual. During the day, jeans and T-shirts are standard. Bare feet, flip flops, baseball caps, swimwear, visors, and ripped jeans aren’t permitted in the main dining room or specialty restaurants. On certain nights, dinner is a dressier affair with smart casual attire requested. 

Junior Cruisers

Prima is designed to be enjoyed by all ages, including children. The ship features a Guppies Nursery, Splash Academy, and Entourage with activities for children ages 6 months to 17 years old. There is also a Kids Aqua Park onboard. 

Service

Service onboard is fantastic. The staff is willing to go above and beyond to help accommodate any requests while you’re onboard to ensure you are enjoying your time spent cruising with Norwegian. 

Tipping

Tipping is included in the cost of the cruise and all supplementary activities.

QUICK FACTS

SHIP STATS
Entered Service
2022
Number of Cabins
1,586
Passenger Capacity
3,099
Crew Members
1,506
Passengers to Crew Ratio
2.06
Gross Tons
143535
Width
135 feet
Length
965 feet

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