New and Now: Why We Love the Norwegian Prima (and Viva!)

The Prima was the first of six new ships set to launch by 2027

The cruising community was abuzz when Norwegian Cruise Line announced the next generation of its fleet back in 2017. Six ships would join the lineup over the course of five years, between 2022 and 2027. They would be luxurious and sleek, with all of the modern amenities and flexibility that travelers had come to expect from Norwegian, elevated further in both scale and quality.

The first to hit the water was the Prima in summer 2022, followed by the Viva just this August.

These ships both hold more than 3,000 passengers and 1,500 crewmembers across 20 decks. Guests can fill their tanks at nearly 20 restaurants, food counters, bars and lounges, before taking it outside for some vitamin D.

On deck, the Prima is home to the two fastest dry slides at sea, as well as an aqua park, tidal wave water slide, and a number of infinity pools and hot tubs. It even boasts the first three-level racetrack at sea.

Dueling dry slides make the Prima an adrenaline junkie’s dream.

The Prima also steps away from standard cruise ship fare, helping to redefine dining on the open ocean. In addition to a beloved buffet and two luxurious main dining rooms, guests can choose from 11 global stations at Indulge Food Hall, as well as a menu of specialty dining options ranging from classic French fare and teppanyaki, to sustainable craft cocktails and crowd-favorite Cagney’s steakhouse.

Several of our agents had the opportunity to experience the Prima during the Inaugural Sailings, and were especially impressed by the dining options onboard.

MVT Agent Jess still thinks about how unique Indulge Food Hall was to have aboard a ship.

“You sit at a table with a tablet, and can order from a variety of different cuisines that are all brought right to your table,” she said. “You get the best part of a buffet – getting to sample a lot of different options – combined with the ease of a traditional sit-down restaurant.”

Agent Candice was equally sold on the food hall, noting the large variety and how much fun it was to try a little bit of everything the menus had to offer. Indulge is an excellent option if you’re dining with a group, or have a taste for a variety of flavors. Choose anything from a garden salad to street noodles, tapas to tikka masala, pulled pork and beyond. Possibly the best part? Indulge is one of the complimentary dining options on board, so you can come back time and time again to keep your taste buds guessing.

Agent Sandra made sure not to dine in just one spot. “The dining rooms are absolutely gorgeous, and having the wake of the ocean right outside of your window as you eat lunch was just so beautiful,” she said.

“I also had the privilege of using my specialty dining credit at Cagney’s. One thing that stood out was that they present you with a box of different steak knives and basically ask you to pick your weapon of choice.”

Between specialty dining, the main dining rooms and casual eateries, the Prima truly had something to satisfy all tastes in a variety of modern settings.

For Sandra, the Prima was the first time she’d ever been on a cruise. “I was walking on with eyes wide open,” she said. “I was extremely excited and nervous, I didn’t know what to expect.”

What Sandra found was a modern city-at-sea, with exciting options left and right, and a luxurious stateroom to call home.

“I had always heard that staterooms could be a little small, however, the Prima balcony room was very spacious,” she said, explaining how everything from the balcony to the bathroom and even the décor made for a very comfortable stay.

Jess, who is no stranger to cruising, was also sure to note the roomy accommodations, especially compared to other ships she’s experienced. She also explained how deck areas were a step above, making pool time even more relaxing and enjoyable.

“I’ll admit, the Prima made me fall in love with cruising.” – Sandra

There’s something extra-special about sailing on a new ship, built for the modern-day cruiser, which is why we’ve added itineraries for both to our Magical Voyages roster for 2024.

Come aboard the Viva this March and set sail from San Juan to exotic Eastern Caribbean destinations like Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Maarten and the Virgin Islands. Dip your toes in crystal-clear waters and walk along white-sand beaches before returning “home” to the newest ship in the fleet.

If you’d rather head west, embark from Galveston aboard the Prima and head to adventurous ports in Mexico, Belize and Honduras, with plenty of time at sea to explore the ship.

Magical Voyages was created as a way to bring bucket list ships and destinations within reach for our clients. Be sure to ask our agents about their experiences on the Norwegian Prima, and how to make it a reality for your next cruise vacation.