Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima is rocking the boat

A cruise ship is not just a mode of transport, it’s an entire destination all its own. This I discovered on my first-ever cruise earlier this year, departing from Iceland and heading for the Netherlands aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima.

Picture: Deidre Loots

I knew cruise ships were large, but the Prima absolutely blew my mind. She is 294 m long, and homes 3 099 guests and 1 506 crew members. It’s fair to say this floating resort feels like a little city with its variety of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and activities.

READ: Norwegian Cruise Line welcomes newest ship in Prima class

Get to know the Prima 

Picture: NCL

Here are some activities and dining venues you can expect onboard.

For fun’s sake

-Guests can take a 360° seaside stroll along the new Ocean Boulevard right around the ship.

-A variety of swimming pools, (including some infinity pools) and hot tubs means that water babies are covered.

-The Drop, at 10 stories high, is one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s fastest rides at sea. This freefall ride is terrifying and over too quickly at the same time. Or race a friend on The Rush, the dueling slides.

The Drop had me let out some blood-curdling screams. Picture: Anita Froneman

-The Wave is a fun waterslide that lets you hop on a tube and away you go.

-The Galaxy Pavilion is a virtual reality and games arcade paradise.

-The three-story theater hosts brilliant shows and transforms into a spectacular Vegas-style nightclub after midnight.

-Hit up the go-karts on the world’s first three-level race track at sea.

-The three-story, glass-walled atrium is a breathtaking space with lounges and bars overlooking the ocean.

-The spa and fitness centre will keep your training programme on course and ensure out-of-this-world relaxation with world-class treatments and facilities.

Eat your heart out

-Hudson’s has floor-to-ceiling windows and serves classic crowd favourites.

-Surfside Cafe serves mainly seafood and is open all day.

-The Local Bar & Grill serves casual American-style dining and drinks and is open 24/7.

-Indulge Food Hall has a few different food stations with flavours from around the world, from India to Italy.

-The Commodore Room serves fine dining, European-style.

The Commodore Room. Picture: Deidre Loots

-Specialty dining restaurants that are not complimentary and need to be booked in advance include Hasuki with divine Japanese cuisine, Le Bistro with the best from France, Los Lobos is your Mexican go-to and Palomar serves fantastic Mediterranean cuisine.

Cabins

Picture: NCL

All the cabins are modern and spacious, with a lounge area, desk, fridge and coffee station. Stylish, airy and inviting. Bathrooms are designed to optimise space effectively and have everything you need. Various different cabins are on offer from inside to balcony and cater to couples and single travellers as well as families.

Suites with bigger living areas and bigger balconies are also available, as well as Prima‘s luxury accommodation section, The Haven which is completely secluded from the rest of the ship.

Snapshots from port stops

Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland is a natural hot spring. Picture: Anita Froneman

The Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England boasts some popular beaches. Picture: Anita Froneman

Le Havre in France is a pretty little town, with, of course, French lavender. Picture: Anita Froneman

Amsterdam did not disappoint. Picture: Anita Froneman

Set sail

Go on your own adventure with the Norwegian Prima.

7-day cruise: From New York to Bermuda 

Dates: April – May 2023

Rates: From $749 (around R12 836) pp

Set sail to Bermuda on Norwegian Prima. In Norfolk, tour the USS Wisconsin – a retired battleship that is now a museum, and visit the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial for a deeper dive into wartime memorabilia. Take in the sights of the Big Apple, from the chic SoHo District and Greenwich Village, to the 9/11 Memorial and Empire State Building.

With two overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard, you have plenty of time to explore Bermuda. Build your first-ever pink sandcastle at Horseshoe Bay Beach and then sail into the mystery of the infamous Bermuda Triangle on a glass-bottom boat evening cruise.

View more and book here.