My Review of the NCL Prima

What I Loved

Entertainment
The shows on board were excellent. Rumours, the Fleetwood Mac tribute, was phenomenal! It played twice in the Prima Theatre, and while the theatre filled up quickly, I found that getting in line about 15 minutes before the doors opened was enough to get a seat. Burn the Floor was another favorite—Latin-style dancing and singing set to reimagined rock classics like Stairway to Heaven and Oye Como Va. This one required reservations through the NCL app, and I was glad I booked it right away because it sold out fast.

Dining
There were so many food options. The Local was open 24/7, serving breakfast in the morning and sports bar staples like wings and hot dogs the rest of the day. Indulge Food Hall offered a creative mix of “food truck style” bites with tablet ordering, plus outdoor seating. One of the best perks was the specialty dining package—three nights at places like Cagney’s Steakhouse were included in my fare. My advice: make reservations 60–90 days in advance, or immediately when you board, because they go fast.

Elevators
I know it sounds funny to highlight elevators, but on most ships they’re crowded and slow. On the Prima, they were quick and rarely packed—even on port days. It made getting around so much easier.

Activities
There’s something for everyone—go-kart racing on the top deck, putt-putt, darts, pickleball, trivia games, VR in the Galaxy Pavilion, and more. The ship also had two gorgeous infinity hot tubs (about 5 feet deep) and two standard hot tubs near the main pool.

Observation Lounge

Though smaller than on other NCL ships, it was a relaxing spot to enjoy ocean views, play a game, or grab a light bite. Pastries were served in the morning and sandwiches in the afternoon.

Ship Design
The Prima is stunning. Staterooms are comfortable, public areas are stylish, and although the ship isn’t as long as Breakaway-class vessels, it rises 20 decks high. I also enjoyed walking the full loop outside on Deck 8 since there isn’t a jogging track.

Embarkation Day
I appreciated that NCL provided a place to store luggage while waiting for staterooms to be ready. It made exploring the ship on day one much easier.

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Things to Consider

Venue Sizes
The Prima Theatre seats about 300 guests—smaller than on other ships. Syd Norman’s and the Improv only seat around 65 each, so you really need to line up at least an hour early to get in. Sometimes these smaller venues weren’t even being used when they could have been, which felt like a missed opportunity.

Crowded Atrium
Some events were held in the central atrium, but the space was small and often got overcrowded, which made it tough to move around.

Observation Lounge Capacity
On rainy or cold days, the lounge filled up quickly and got noisy. Not a dealbreaker, but something to know.

Exclusive Areas
The very front of the ship is reserved for Haven suite guests, and the aft pool deck is taken up by the adults-only Vibe Beach Club (which requires an extra fee and sells out fast). This limits some of the public spaces, especially for budget-conscious cruisers.

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My Final Take

The NCL Prima impressed me with its food, entertainment, and activities. The ship is sleek and modern, and I never ran out of things to do. The tradeoff is that many of the venues are smaller, and some prime spaces are reserved for suite or Vibe guests.

My advice? Plan ahead—reserve your shows and dining early—and you’ll have a fantastic time aboard this beautiful ship.