Meet the Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest ship—the first of six ships in the line’s next class of vessels, Prima Class. The new Norwegian Prima is open for booking starting today…and advisors, there’s a chance you can sail on one of the inaugural sailings.
Prima Class marks the brand’s first class of ships in nearly 10 years and will launch a plethora of new and upgraded experiences, including an elevated Haven oasis.
“Prima is a gorgeous, elegant, and excellent example of our brand evolution,” says Katina Athanasiou, chief sales officer for Norwegian Cruise Line.
With voyages beginning in summer 2022, Norwegian Prima will be 965 ft. long, 142,500 gross tons and able to accommodate 3,215 guests at double occupancy. The vessel will offer guests new itineraries, more wide-open spaces, an updated design and a variety of new experiences.
“Despite not having sailed in more than a year, we never stopped working and innovating, we never once pressed pause,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, in a press release statement. “In fact, we doubled down on our brand investment in order to deliver unforgettable guest experiences that go well beyond expectations. Not only will we begin cruising this July, we’re so proud and so incredibly happy to announce the start of an exciting new chapter as we introduce the Prima Class and the first ship in a line of unrivaled vessels with Norwegian Prima.”
Sommer continued, “An exemplary representation of our brand evolution, bringing together our ‘guest first’ philosophy and our spirit of innovation, Norwegian Prima personifies everything our guests love about NCL and raises the bar. This brand-new class of ships is truly designed to put our guests first.”
The vessel, built in Marghera, Italy by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, features hull artwork designed by Italian graffiti artist Manuel Di Rita, known as “Peeta.” For the first time on any NCL vessel, the hull art extends to the forward superstructure of the ship. Architects who helped design Norwegian Prima include Italian designer Piero Lissoni and architectural firms Rockwell Group, SMC Design, Tillberg Design of Sweden, YSA DESIGN and Miami-based Studio Dado.
“The name Prima, which means first in Italian, is a natural fit that ties into our legacy of firsts in the industry and a fitting tribute to our new Italian shipbuilding partners at Fincantieri,” added Sommer.
“We are very honored to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line for the development of its next class of ships,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “Norwegian Prima marks the beginning of our collaboration, which will see the delivery of six next-generation vessels that are designed to take guest experiences to a new level focusing on elevated, spacious and thoughtful design. As we emerge from this global crisis, this announcement marks a strong sign of hope for the cruise sector and is a testament to Fincantieri’s global leadership role in the industry.”
More Wide-Open Spaces and Elevated Experiences
“We innovated with purpose and created Norwegian Prima to push the boundaries of conventional cruising, offering our guests more wide-open spaces, thoughtful art and design and world-class service which places our guests at the heart of it all,” added Sommer.
According to NCL, Norwegian Prima will offer the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any new cruise ship in the contemporary and premium cruise category. She will offer the largest variety of suite categories available at sea with 13 suite categories and 107 total suites, as well as the largest 3-bedroom suites of any new cruise ship and the brand’s largest-ever inside, oceanview and balcony staterooms, including the brand’s largest-ever bathrooms and showers for standard stateroom categories. Norwegian Prima will also offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship including more total pool deck space than any other ship in NCL’s fleet, as well as multiple infinity pools and outdoor walkways.
Athanasiou added that, “The space indoor increased space ratio to 36 percent more per guest than other cruise lines. Prima offers the most spacious guestrooms, largest inside oceanview and balcony cabins on board our brand, which allows for bigger bathrooms and showers for standard guestrooms.”
The Elevated Haven By Norwegian
The Haven by Norwegian on Norwegian Prima has been elevated to offer the brand’s most exclusive suite complex. The ultra-premium keycard-only access ship-within-a-ship concept provides guests with private amenities, dedicated services and the most luxurious accommodations on board. For the first time, the cruise line relocated all 107 Haven suites to the aft within close proximity of private elevators exclusively reserved for Haven guests. These elevators rise directly into The Haven public areas on decks 16 and 17. The new Haven design is more open to the sea than ever before as now every public area in The Haven offers sea and destination views.
“Rather than an indoor pool [like other Haven areas], we have a Haven Courtyard with a new Haven Sundeck with an infinity pool that looks over the back of the ship and the wake,” added Athanasiou. “Inside, oceanview and balcony cabins are 50 percent larger. Haven moved from most forward to most aft to expand exterior views and use the large space.”
In addition, the new Haven Courtyard features a new outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room.
Outdoor Living on Ocean Boulevard
NCL has also reimagined The Waterfront by doubling the space and adding a greater variety of experiences and dining options than ever before by introducing Ocean Boulevard.
Located on deck eight, Ocean Boulevard at 44,000 sq. ft. long, wraps around the entire deck, allowing guests to walk around the entire ship and experience the ocean views and numerous outdoor activities.
Global Cuisine with Indulge Food Hall
As part of the new experiences offered on Ocean Boulevard, NCL introduced the brand’s first-ever upscale open-air marketplace, Indulge Food Hall, which offers visitors diverse menu items from a variety of culinary venues, as well as a mix of indoor and outdoor seating.
The new food hall was designed to offer various cuisines throughout 11 venues including Coco’s, serving artisan sweet treats; Q Texas Smokehouse, offering American Southern comfort food; and Starbucks. Indulge will unveil first-ever dining venues including Seaside Rotisserie, offering a wide array of rotisserie-cooked dishes; Nudls, a noodle emporium serving noodle dishes from around the world, from Italian to Thai cuisines; Tamara, preparing classic Indian dishes and multiple vegetarian food options; The Latin Quarter, serving classic Latin food; Tapas Food Truck, cooking Latin-inspired street food; Garden Kitchen, where guest can order customized salads; Just Desserts, featuring classic dessert items such as pies and cakes, plus Just Ice Cream.
Hybrid Dining on Ocean Boulevard
Adding to the culinary offerings available on Norwegian Prima’s Ocean Boulevard, the site will host three additional indoor and outdoor dining venues including Onda By Scarpetta, Los Lobos and The Local Bar & Grill. Onda by Scarpetta, which debuted on Norwegian Encore in 2019 and is available on Norwegian Spirit. The venue will feature a modern design and expansive indoor and outdoor ocean views. Los Lobos, the Brand’s premium Mexican restaurant, returns on Norwegian Prima offering traditional Mexican fare. The revamped Local Bar & Grill set in an upscale beach club atmosphere will feature live music where guests can enjoy cocktails and classic Americana cuisine.
Ocean Boulevard: The Concourse, Infinity Beach, Oceanwalk and La Terraza
Created to be a destination in and of itself within Norwegian Prima and furthering the guest experiences available on Ocean Boulevard, the cruise line unveiled additional firsts for the brand including The Concourse, an outdoor sculpture garden with six installations designed by Alexander Krivosheiw featuring immersive art inspired by ancient mythology and contemporary abstract forms. The sculptures feature effects that change as the sun sets, making them perfect for photo-ops. Guests can also relax at Infinity Beach featuring two infinity pools, one located on each side of the ship. The two Oceanwalk glass bridges, also new to the brand, will provide guests with photographic views. La Terraza, an open-air lounge, features a cozy retreat for visitors to catch stellar sea views.
Itineraries on Norwegian Prima
Summer 2022: Northern Europe and The UK
Following a string of inaugural cruises and beginning August 2022, Norwegian Prima will be sailing in Northern Europe. From Aug. 17 to Sept. 13, 2022, she will sail a series of 8-day voyages from Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Copenhagen, Denmark, offering guests the opportunity to explore the continent’s Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords and Baltic regions.
Fall/Winter 2022: Bermuda and The Caribbean
On Sept. 23, Norwegian Prima will depart Southampton, England, on a 12-day transatlantic voyage visiting Lerwick, Scotland with an overnight in Reykjavik, Iceland, before arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and ending her journey in New York to commence a 5-day roundtrip itinerary on Oct. 10 to Bermuda, where she will make her debut as the newest ship sailing the fall and winter season.
On Oct. 15, she will depart from New York on a 12-day immersive Caribbean itinerary where for the first time ever for NCL, the vessel will visit Galveston, TX. She will have calls to Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Oranjestad, Aruba, with all visits featuring between nine and 10 in-port hours.
On Oct. 31, Norwegian Prima will kickstart her Caribbean season departing from Galveston, TX, to Miami on an 11-day itinerary with visits to Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire, and the line’s private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. From Nov. 19 to Dec. 3, Norwegian Prima will sail from Miami offering three, 7-day Western Caribbean cruises visiting Harvest Caye, the line’s private resort destination in Belize, in addition to other notable ports including Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan Island, Honduras.
Fall/Winter 2022-2023: Western Caribbean Voyages Homeporting from Port Canaveral
From Dec. 11, 2022, to March 19, 2023, Norwegian Prima will homeport in Port Canaveral, sailing 15 roundtrip Western Caribbean voyages featuring 5-, 7-, and 9-day port-rich itineraries visiting notable destinations, including Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and NCL’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas.
Spring 2023: Bermuda
Starting March 28 to May 7, Norwegian Prima will sail a mini-season of 5- and mostly 7-day roundtrip Bermuda voyages from New York. She will call at Norfolk, Virginia. The vessel will also sail to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, where itineraries include one or two overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard to allow flexibility for guests to explore its shops, restaurants and beaches on their own time.
Spring and Summer 2023: Northern Europe
On May 14, Norwegian Prima heads back to Iceland and Northern Europe, departing on an 11-day transatlantic journey from New York City to Reykjavik, Iceland, visiting Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, before making calls to several immersive Icelandic ports, including Akureyri, which resides on the longest fjord in Iceland and Isafjordur, where guests can take in Icelandic Viking history and unspoiled natural marvels. The voyage culminates in Reykjavik with an overnight stay, where guests can partake in the experiences of Iceland’s capital and largest city featuring contemporary art, a growing culinary scene and thriving music culture while also maintaining a connection to the great outdoors with geothermal springs and whale watching activities.
From May 25 to Sept. 7, Norwegian Prima’s summer 2023 season will offer a mix of 10 and 11-day Norway and Iceland sailings from Reykjavik, Iceland, and Southampton, England, featuring extensive port time between nine and 14 in-port hours to offer guests an immersive experience. Throughout her voyage, guests will have the unique opportunity to cruise through the remarkable Heritage Fjords, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where Norwegian Prima will be one of the few ships that meet the criteria to sail in these environmentally protected waters. Other bucket-list worthy destinations include a call to Geiranger, Norway, featuring 14 hours in port where guests can visit Norway’s most famous fjord, Geiranger Fjord, an awe-inspiring deep blue UNESCO protected nine-mile fjord surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush vegetation. The world famous Seven Sisters and The Bridal Veil waterfalls are just two of the numerous cascades that run down the steep mountainside throughout Geiranger Fjord. Norwegian Prima will also call to Olden, Norway, and feature 10-hours in port with access to the Briksdal Glacier, a branch of the famous Jostedal Glacier, where guests can partake in hikes and nature trails.
On Sept. 17, Norwegian Prima concludes her summer 2023 season with a 14-day roundtrip voyage from Southampton, England, featuring between 7- and 10 in-port hours with calls to Dublin, Ireland; Isafjordur and Akureyri, Iceland, with an overnight in Reykjavik; and visits to Geiranger, Olden, and Stavanger, Norway.
Agent Giveaway
If you’re thinking you can’t wait to experience this ship, Athanasiou told us that Norwegian is launching a giveaway for agents. The cruise line will be giving away 100 staterooms on Norwegian Prima for every one travel advisors sell on deposit through June 30. Advisors will receive an entry for a complimentary cruise on one of the inaugural sailings. Stay tuned, as more information and perks will be announced for the line’s 10-year anniversary celebration.
For more information, visit ncl.com.
Also check out, “Travel Advisors—Reset, Refocus with NCL,” and “Norwegian to Restart Operations in Barcelona & Rome.”
