---

November 11, 2022

Norwegian Cruise Line –  Norwegian Prima

23rd Sept to 5th Oct 2022, Cruise number 59

Cabin number: 14744 – Mid ship , Deck -14: Club Balcony Cabin   
Total pax: 3215, Crew: 1450 Decks: 22

Cruise for 12 nights.

Ports of Call listed: Southampton / at sea / Lerwick (Scotland) / at sea / Reykjavik / Reykjavik / 4 nights at sea / Halifax (CN) / at sea / NYC

Actual Ports of Call: Southampton / 3 nights at sea / Reykjavik / Reykjavik / 4 nights at sea / Halifax (CN) / at sea / NYC

Early Autumn North Atlantic crossing is not for the faint heart ed. Great that NCL did not insist on masks however a few kept them on. All pretesting to board made for a very swift seamless check in and boarding at the NCL terminal. The ship had only been operational for 4 weeks prior but did not expect so many issues, more about them later.

On arrival into the atrium, it is most definitely not the norm you would see looking up, as it is spacious and sliced out into three levels creating an open welcoming space with good quality furnishings and a real change from the NCL bank of elevators which dominate all other ships. Along with retail outlets on each floor you have guest services, excursion desks, IT helpdesk and many more in house service centres. Not to forget the large bars one on each level.

Our Club Balcony cabin was ready from 1pm and luggage all arrived by 4pm. Our cabin Steward Roman JR Abat was on hand to introduce himself and throughout our stay keeping our cabin in perfect order and delivering the wonderful treats we had in the cabin fresh and on time. His attention to detail along with charming personality made for wonderful hospitality. The cabins are a welcome change to the norm on NCL with much more sq metre than before and really well decorated interior. The shower must be one of the largest I have seen in any balcony class to date.

The dining options are immense, Hudson’s one of the main dining rooms you able to take in 270-degree views while dining located in the aft of the ship overlooking the stern. The other main dining room for a more upscale experience is The Commodore Room. Both venues have the same extensive fixed main dining menu that offers a good variety. The menu also features a build-your-own pasta option where guests can request a tailor-made dish by selecting their choice of pasta, sauce and toppings for more than 24 meal combinations. The menu also includes a “Specialities” section from which cruisers can select a dish from one of the ship’s speciality dining restaurants which is chargeable. Other restaurants to eat in without cover charges is the Local pub and Grill, Surf-side Café and the Indulge food hall which has 11 different menus to choose from and the service is prompt and always ready to eat.

Wonderful staffing all around but stand out was Roselan (Rosie) – assistant Maitre D and Priscilla – restaurant assistant both in Hudson’s and Indulge Food Hall.

The speciality restaurants again don’t hold many covers. But were always full. Plenty to choose from in 8 different styled restaurants.

The variety of bars around the ship are pleasant and intimate not large maximum seating of between 40 and 50, again making for standing around and not many seats especially when its 6c outside and raining. NCL is continuing its experiment on sustainable cocktails however bold and to be admired not many people enjoy them.  The music in the bars is very mediocre for exception of Syd Normans if you can get in (always pre booked and full). The lower atrium has a corner for musicians to play, sadly this then resembles a more busker style of performance as they rock up plug in and play.

Sadly, the entertainment team did not meet up to expectations and standards expected especially as it was an Inaugural Atlantic crossing. The Cruise Director was lost in action and only appeared on a daily brief on the in house tv channel.  A two thirds full cruise ship and a very lack lustre entertainment team is not good. Along with the theatre not being used to its capacity they could have had 24 performances over the 12 nights but yet only used it 12 times in total. Thus, in a 900-seat theatre it is pretty clear then to all that not all your passengers will see all the shows on offer. The headliner show being Summer the Donna Summer Musical from Broadway. This was put on 3 times in 12 days. Along with a variety of very mediocre acts on the other nights. No real productions just groups singing and a pretty good Violinist from Hungary.

The lounge acts in the “improv at sea “and Syd Normans could have been moved to the theatre with ease as they were a lot better than some of the main acts in theatre. Both these venues you had to book tickets for along with all the shows in theatre thus many people never got to see what was on offer. We for one tried every night to get tickets for improv at sea and Syd Norman’s but to no avail as each venue only holds 50 people again far too small.

Even as this was the Inaugural Atlantic Crossing nothing special in ports of arrival or from the cruise line or even onboard by the Cruise Director and team. This was the over whelming feeling from many I spoke to on excursions and on board. Bit of a damp squid.

The excursions where well-structured and presented. However, the chaos that reigned on our arrival in Iceland and to get everyone off and to the correct excursions was like a school playground with no one in charge and not one person from NCL guest services /excursions/ entertainment once you had managed to get off the ship. Unbelievable mess, however, this seems to have slightly improved a week later on arrival in Halifax.

Overall, an improved looking product with amazing interior décor and exterior design. However, the interior has been compromised by the vast exterior which does not make up for the lack of seating and productions/ entertainment to keep the full cruise liners guests occupied.

Don’t miss more updates, opinions and reviews of Norwegian Cruise Line on Cruising Journal with photos, videos and cruises on offer!

Craig Stembridge

Comments