Norwegian Prima Cruise - What Went Wrong? Honest Review

[@ambarpicon3530]

We did a Mediterranean cruise on the Prima in 2023 and it was fabulous! It was just 2 of us, and no issues with getting reservations for anything or crowding. IMO you're going to have logistical challenges with large groups anywhere, and that might have played a huge factor in your review. We did a balcony room, and it met all our needs. Sure, there are the extra charges here and there, but they were quality products/services in my opinion. We had such a great experience with the vibe, food, activities, excursions, and entertainment, really all around, that I compare all the cruise ships to this one and they just don't seem as nice. Just sharing since I was surprised by your review. Bottom line, we all need to consider for ourselves what will make our cruise great. Happy cruising!

[@rodneyscales2648]

Thank You for your thorough review. I thought the Theater was alright. I went upstairs to see all the shows whether I was on the waitlist or not. You are definitely right about all the other venues. I am not waiting over a hour in line to see a show in Syd Norman. The food was very good. The show that I saw in the theater was very good. I’m going on the Aqua in March. I heard that they remedied a lot of these concerns.

[@richking2980]

Was on the Prima in 2023. Your review is spot on.

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

Thanks, it’s unfortunate that a lot of people relate to it. We had such high hopes for this ship and its sister ships, but it was just off.

[@jimelliott7560]

Josh, I'm a little incredulous with your Prima review. My cost for Prima, Viva, any of the Breakaway ships vs RCCL is ALWAYS lower: drinkpackage, specialty dining vs paying for that on RCCL. And we always book Vibe. We get a better service experience than RCCL. Prima has small venues and that can be frustrating. But the actual nickel and dime conversation is a little off. Base fare compared to other lines allows you to choose your cruise experience by paying for darts, mini golf, race track. C'mon...,look at the aesthetic of Prima compared to RCCL.

[@jimelliott7560]

And Josh, I watched your Travel agent Prima visit a few years ago. I will state I don't feel Prima is set up for large groups; it's a much more intimate ship, set up to spread the passengers across the ship. Any chance that your review reflected the stress and challenges of large grouo coordination? Not easy pleasing everyone! Finally, there is no way i would travel this ship in a cold weather itinerary. Inside areas are too small to accomodafe the passenger count.

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

Hi Jim! Thank you for your comment! There’s no doubt that Prima is a stunning and beautiful ship! It’s certainly designed more so for the Caribbean and should probably stay in the warm weather regions. I wouldn’t concede to the nickel and dime comment. Gokarts, minigolf, darts, and the Galaxy quest all cost extra and they take up an immense amount of space. If those were something else that wasn’t a paid experience there would be more included space. Vibe is a great option, but again it’s another paid space. Compared to RCCL. There’s virtually no pay to play spaces and in our opinion people are able spread out much easier spread out across the ship. If NCL were able to put Flo riders on their ships, they would cost extra lol. Thats how they operate. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just not for everyone. We still enjoy NCL and will sail with them again in the future. We had a great time on the EPIC last year in the med which a lot of people hate 🤷

[@jimelliott7560]

@@travelwithjoshandtaylor I get it. But I still feel the cost of an NCL ship us cheaper than RCCL. If I want to ride go carts or pay for additional areas like Vibe, I'm still coming iut with better pricing than Royal.

[@NicholasCebanu]

@@jimelliott7560 How does Normotim help with maintaining a healthy weight?

[@Nascar318is]

I was on this ship… oh wait it was the viva! They are identical! Deck 8 rocked. Spot on! Lido was brutal.. I would not want to do these ships in the Caribbean! We did a 9 day on the viva in the med and never ate at the buffet which I loved.

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

That’s great! We love the med!

[@marykatewyant4804]

It's a beautiful ship, but I agree with the space issue. Also, I was not too fond of the Indulge hours. I would recommend this ship for this northern Europe itinerary but would not book it for a warm-weather vacation. The shows were not great. Royal Caribbean has far superior paid dining options (in my opinion). Some of the best staff at the whiskey bar!

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

Miss you both! Totally agree!

[@esperanzas30]

On 08/03/25 I'm boarding the Prima, I hope it's better than what you say I've done 5 cruises and I'm not an expert but I do see the differences... I'll tell you Someone to be able to tell things about the ship on the route through Europe, I'm Spanish and it's more aimed at Spanish or Spanish-speaking people, like dinners, are they very demanding on clothing? I'm going to Iceland and I can't take a lot of clothes, especially clothes that I'll wear one night, or how do I disembark in ports? Do they speak Spanish on the ship? I find people who say that if others have the basics? Do they have the dining room menus in Spanish? What happens on the ship the next day, they usually leave it in your cabin, do they give it to you in Spanish?.......

[@bethmichael762]

Looks very elegant

[@Stacy-pz9rr]

I was thinking about Norwegian for an Alaskan cruise , are they all this away with the nickel and dime thing , I’ll like to prepay for things I know I’m going to use or do , kinda like planning Disney trips , plan and pay then it’s time to play . I don’t like extras I haven’t planned on Thanks for the honest review ❤fromTx

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

Hi Stacy! We did the NCL Encore last year in Alaska, there is a playlist you can watch for an idea. Unfortunately most of the NCL fleet is a pay to play experience. Royal Caribbean has some great ships that go to Alaska. We hosted a group cruise to Alaska on Ovation of the Seas in July 2022 and had a great time! You can also give Princess Cruises a try which has one of the highest rated cruise lines that go through Alaska and are priced about the same as NCL and RC.

[@jamespugh]

Nice run down. Why NcL looked at a over priced line skipped by some.

[@charliedurham4248]

Indulge is also included at dinner

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

Thanks, we missed it always going to the main dining room or buffet!

[@charliedurham4248]

@@travelwithjoshandtaylor , it is probably my favorite included option on any cruise ship right now. I was on the same itinerary in June. If the entertainment spaces were bigger, it would really solve a lot of the ship's problems. I dislike the go karts strongly. Not bc they aren't fun, but just too much space. Also, the Prima is clearly a warm weather ship. The outdoor spaces are fantastic, but not really used in Northern Europe.

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

@charliedurham4248 absolutely agree with all of that! Great Caribbean ship, spaces need to be larger and while we also enjoyed the go karts, your right it takes up to much space. I think our favorite cold weather ship is Royal Caribbeans Ovation of the seas. Pool and adult only areas are encased in glass. You can enjoy the hot tubs and still see the mountains in Alaska.

[@charliedurham4248]

@@travelwithjoshandtaylor , thanks for the Ovation comment. That might be on my radar for an Alaska cruise!

[@jeannel7255]

After many cruises on NCL going on Celebrity again wasn’t impressed the first time but believe now more mature believe it’s a great choice.

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

They are great options!

[@katelynneprosser1607]

I couldn't agree more! A beautiful ship, but it definitely lacked in space, entertainment and "things to do". The Local could be great, just needs more seating. However, dining and the service was impeccable!

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

Bring on the Pride of America!

[@katelynneprosser1607]

@@travelwithjoshandtaylor Cheers to that!!

[@anthonyr7208]

I personally love NCL I’m just not a fan of this class of ship…

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

We really enjoy NCL as well. This class of ship just isn’t for us too

[@MagikIggy]

I like Prima. Been on the ship 3 times. No problem at all. My fourth sailing is booked.

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

That’s great! Everyone is different and for us this ship was just a bit off for us so we thought it was important to share our experience since we’ve been on it twice. Have a great time on your next sailing!

[@MagikIggy]

@ A thanks guys! Enjoy your future sailings and adventures!

[@scotttravels517]

You got it right prima is bad I like friend house in California a designer did the house it looks great but just terrible it was set of party but it doesn’t work for party kitchen awful nothing works tons of wasted space Sid’s should be Starbucks and Sid go to this empty bar in back that hold 150 but is empty with no music

[@generynkewicz4871]

First ever cruise was on the Viva. Ship/cabin were nice to ok. Food sucked. NCL sucks. Crew were nice though. Never, ever again. NCL screwed us on the airfare, boarding was a nightmare, entertainment was crap, nickel and diming to the extreme, app sucked. Tender ports were terrible. Overall just awful. At best it was 2 out 10.

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

Have you sailed another cruise line since then? We really enjoyed Royal Caribbean and the occasional Disney cruise in the Caribbean.

[@generynkewicz4871]

Just got back from EU with Virgin 10 out 10. Incredible from boarding to disembarking.

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

@@generynkewicz4871 awesome! We have yet to try a virgin voyages. Everyone keeps telling us we should do one.

[@n.m.4023]

Won’t go on Norwegian after they boasted about how much they can get out of customers. Greed

[@travelwithjoshandtaylor]

They definitely charge for just about everything on board when other cruise lines include it in the base price.