6 of Norwegian Prima’s greatest assets

With the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any premium ship, Norwegian Prima made history as the first major cruise ship to be christened in Reykjavik last month. Sara Macefield checked it out

Norwegian Cruise Line always prides itself on doing things differently, and never more so than when there’s a sparkling new ship to show off.

So it proved with Norwegian Prima when its godmother, global pop sensation Katy Perry, sprinkled her stardust on the naming celebrations in Reykjavik with a rousing live performance.

Not only was this the first mainstream cruise ship to be named in the Icelandic capital, but Norwegian Prima is also NCL’s first new class of ship in nearly a decade, and is set to be followed by five more between now and 2027.

This 3,100-passenger vessel has sailed into service, not just with the usual clutch of innovative frills, but with a definitively upmarket tone that sets it apart from the rest of the fleet and promises to elevate the NCL brand.

Dialling up the fun factor

This wouldn’t be a true NCL ship without the wild and wacky. Fun features include the largest Speedway go-kart racetrack in the fleet and a clutch of slides including The Drop, billed as the world’s first, free fall dry slide which sends riders plummeting 10 decks; dual Rush slides where daredevils race each other; and a tidal wave waterslide. In addition to the one main pool are countless hot tubs and a kids’ aqua park, while zombies and werewolves rule in the Galaxy virtual gaming complex that also features escape rooms. An outdoor deck games zone includes everything from table football to pickle ball, and a debut electronic take on darts called Bull’s Eye.

Racy number: the Speedway go-kart track spans three decks

Cool, classy spaces

These are inside and out, with a wraparound promenade deck of alfresco dining spots, an outdoor sculpture park of weird and wonderful abstract creations (perfect for those social media posts) plus comely lounging areas with Balinese beds, squashy sofas and hanging chairs complemented by two infinity pools. I loved the exclusive feel of the Vibe Beach Club, though this haven of indulgence with its own bar and dual hot tubs comes with a charge. At the ship’s hub is the Penrose Atrium (NCL’s first over three decks): its smooth lines and ivory colour palette make it a study in subtle sophistication rather than full-on glamour.

Sea and be seen: Vibe Beach Club

Spiced-up entertainment

Prima’s main production shows have taken on a new dimension thanks to its multi-purpose theatre – the first of any major cruise line – which converts into a nightclub. With The Donna Summer Musical being the launch show, the disco vibe continues with the seating area transforming into a dance floor as a tribute to iconic New York nightspot Studio 54. Guests can also catch all-action gameshows in here, including The Price is Right and Supermarket Sweep. Live bands command the stage in Syd Norman’s Pour House with its pub-like atmosphere, while Improv at Sea promises a barrel load of laughs with stand-up comedy acts.

The Haven private sundeck

A new-look Haven

The remodelled Haven – NCL’s exclusive ship within a ship complex – offers the widest selection of suite types of any NCL ship, with 107 suites in eight categories and ranging across eight decks. The decor has been elevated with darker and more earthy tones, while menus in the 138-seat restaurant have been upgraded. However, the piece de resistance is the private sundeck. Gone is the former enclosed pool area where you couldn’t even see the sea, replaced by an open deck with superb views off the back of the ship and a beautiful infinity pool as its centrepiece. A massive improvement.

Palomar specialty seafood restaurant

Upscale restaurants

Leading the clutch of new dining spots, including the Palomar seafood speciality restaurant and contemporary-style sushi house Nama, is the novel Indulge Food Hall with its street-style stands serving tasty small plates of tapas, curries and grilled meats. Prima also sees the return of old favourites, but with a more upmarket take. Hasuki is the elevated teppanyaki restaurant, while steakhouse Cagney’s, Mexican Los Lobos and the French Le Bistro return in more upscale surroundings – catch the extravagant chandeliers in Le Bistro, said to cost $75,000 each. Main dining rooms The Commodore Room and Hudson’s have a select, stylish ambience that gives them the feel of speciality venues.

Find your zen in the Mandara Spa

Sumptuous spa treats

The Mandara Spa is a sybaritic sanctuary that you’ll never want to leave, and one of the best I’ve tried with its luxuriant ‘Experiential Journey’ – a passageway of hedonistic thermal suites including a salt room, infrared sauna and the first charcoal sauna at sea. The experiential showers with snazzy water jets, a teeth-chattering ice room and floatation salt pool are further temptations, along with a spacious relaxation lounge offering panoramic views off the front of the ship and rows of comfy heated beds. Time spent here drifts by in a soporific haze, fully justifying the $99 day pass fee.