When it comes to cruising in style, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima-class ships are designed to elevate every expectation. As seasoned Platinum NCL cruisers, we’ve sailed on many ships, but Prima has truly captured our hearts. From the moment you step onboard, it’s clear this isn’t just a cruise, it’s a boutique hotel at sea, crafted for travelers who appreciate elegance, innovation, and impeccable service.
It was enjoyable having a brand new, amped up ship to sail this itinerary. Though I’ll admit with the amount of outdoor seating and entertainment, a large part of the ship goes unused for the first half of this sailing. Nevertheless, Prima’s design is a breath of fresh sea air. With sleek, modern lines and a spacious layout, the ship feels open, serene, and refreshing. Whether you’re lounging indoors or soaking up the sun outside, the balance of space and style is simply unmatched.
For this sailing, we chose a forward Family Suite with a Large Balcony. The suite featured a queen bed and a double sofa instead of an upper and lower berth, so our son enjoyed his own interior cabin just a few doors down. Both rooms were bright, airy, and beautifully appointed with a contemporary design that felt more like a luxury hotel than a cruise cabin.
Staying in a suite elevated our experience in every way. Our butler ensured we had everything we needed (and surprised us with daily treats), while the Concierge Team made dining, spa, and activity reservations effortless. Daily breakfast and lunch at Cagney’s Steakhouse meant no buffet battles, just relaxed, refined dining. If you’re considering a suite or higher, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a game-changer.
And yes, I will always advocate for a balcony cabin – even in cooler climates. Our forward-facing suite gave us front-row views of Norway’s majestic fjords and the fascinating lock system in Amsterdam. More on this in a future post.
Thanks to the More at Sea promotion, Mr. FamTrav and I enjoyed four Specialty Dining experiences. While each was delightful, Palomar, the Mediterranean restaurant, was a standout. So much so, we opted to dine there twice. The flavors, the ambiance, the service, it was all exceptional!
Dining on Prima has been reimagined. The traditional buffet has taken a backseat to the innovative Indulge Food Hall, a vibrant space with global cuisine from Latin America, India, and Italy. You order from a tablet at your table and mix and match from any of the venues.
Of course, the Main Dining Rooms and the 24/7 Local Bar and Grill are always there when you crave something classic.
Entertainment onboard is abundant and diverse. The Galaxy Pavilion ($), with its immersive VR experiences and simulators, was a hit with the teens. We always grab unlimited passes on day one as they sell out quickly. We also tackled one of the two escape rooms ($) early in the cruise and had a blast. Unfortunately, we waited too long to book the second one, and not even our Concierge could snag us a spot. Lesson learned!
Outdoor fun is weather-dependent, but when the sun shines, the options are endless. The Prima Speedway ($) is a thrilling, tri-level racetrack that’s as fun as it sounds. The Stadium offers complimentary games like shuffleboard, pickleball, and even beer pong. We tried the dueling slides, The Rush, and while we didn’t exactly zoom through them, the laughter was worth it. The Drop, a free-fall slide, looked more intense. We’ll save that for next time.
As we sailed into warmer weather, Tee Time ($) mini golf and The Bull’s Eye ($) darts became popular hangouts. And of course, there’s the pool deck, Vibe Beach Club ($), The Wave waterslide, Kids Aqua Park, Splash Academy for the little ones, Entourage for teens, and our personal favorite, trivia. We play a lot of trivia on cruises. Wins? Not so many. But we have fun trying!
One of the best decisions Mr. FamTrav and I made was investing in Thermal Passes at the Mandara Spa. The serene space, complete with saunas, steam rooms, thalassotherapy pools, and heated loungers with panoramic views, became our daily retreat. It’s now a must for every sailing.
While we didn’t choose this cruise for the nighttime entertainment, we were pleasantly surprised. Game shows like The Price is Right were a blast, the magic show had us laughing more than the comedy act, and Bossa Nova Beat delivered Broadway-level performances.
From start to finish, this sailing was nothing short of spectacular. Prima has set a new standard for cruising, and I can’t wait to help you experience it for yourself.
Next, I’ll review each port and the activities we did there. You don’t want to miss it!
To Reykjavík and Beyond! / Norwegian Prima / Ísafjörður: Iceland’s Hidden Fjord Gem / Chasing the Midnight Sun in Akureyri / Exploring Ålesund: Norway’s Most Striking Seaside City / Flåm, Norway: A Fairytale Tucked Between the Fjords / Where Mist Meets Magic: Bergen’s Quiet Grace / Wandering Amsterdam: A Day of Reflection, Beauty, and Shopping / Belgian Fam and London Icons: Cruise Finale
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