Marco recently headed to Iceland, to spend a few days in the world’s northernmost capital city Reykjavík, ahead of the official naming ceremony of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Prima. The first vessel in this new class of ships then set sail on its pre-inaugural sailing from Reykjavik to Amsterdam.
Itinerary
Reykjavik – Cork (Cobh) – Le Havre – Amsterdam
Tell us about your pre-cruise stay in Reykjavik
Iceland’s capital Reykjavik serves as the perfect base to explore this stunning country. Our go-to hotel is the Midgardur by Center Hotels, which is just a short walk into town and is also located by bus stop 13 which is a convenient meeting point for many of the tours which you want to book in order to make the most of your time in Iceland. Whether you’re heading out on a Golden Circle tour which takes in Iceland’s three most popular natural attractions: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, or heading to one of the country’s spectacular geothermal pools such as the iconic Blue Lagoon, you’ll be in awe of the scenery that you will encounter along the way!
How was the embarkation process with Norwegian Cruise Line?
Embarkation for cruise holidays keeps getting easier and easier by the day. The NCL app makes the check-in process extremely simple. After a quick check of the vaccination status and a passport check, you were handed your keycard and it was time to get onboard. Being able to complete the muster and safety information video prior to arrival, as well as once you are in the cabin really streamlines embarkation day, without the need to congregate at a set time in large crowds. If you haven’t downloaded the cruise line’s app for your next cruise holiday then please do so before you go as it will undoubtedly improve your overall holiday experience.
Tell us about the accommodation on Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Prima offers some of the most spacious accommodations we’ve ever experienced at sea for a mainstream cruise line, the size and quality of the cabins were certainly very impressive.
The balcony cabin which was my home for the duration of the voyage included a spacious bathroom, plenty of storage and a large, extremely comfortable bed as well as a sofa. Unlike most other cruise ship beds you can see under which gives an even large sense of space to the cabin.
The balcony furniture is particularly impressive with sturdy chairs featuring comfy cushions, gone are the days of cheap, uncomfortable balcony furniture, Norwegian Prima’s offering will certainly make you want to upgrade from an inside or oceanview cabin.
The decor is bright and fresh with light woods which is in keeping with the rest of the ship. A controversial measure which some loyal Norwegian Cruise Line fans may find upsetting is the change to the carpets in the hallways! The swimming fish which point you in the direction of the front of the ship have been banished, replaced by more subtle triangles which indicate in which direction the forward of the vessel is.
How did you find the ship in general?
We’re sure you’ll be equally impressed by the feel of the ship in general. You can tell immediately that there was a lot of thought put into the design of the public areas and the ship flows nicely as you move between venues. The ship is certainly built to spend its time in warm climates as the outdoor areas are particularly impressive. My favourite space was the aft of deck 8 which features the beautiful Soleil Bar, the perfect place to grab a drink before dinner as you watch the sunset. On either side of the ship, you’ll find two infinity pools as well as plenty of loungers on which to soak up the sun.
If you’re looking to relax in even more luxurious surroundings why not purchase a pass for the Vibe Beach Club which is located on deck 17. This adult-only area has two large hot tubs which look out on either side of the ship, along with plush daybeds and sun loungers.
What was the food & beverage like on Norwegian Prima?
Norwegian Prima has really elevated the food and beverage offering that you would expect from a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. One of the standout venues is the brand new Indulge Food Hall, a casual eatery which opens for a grab-and-go style breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner service. Simply find a table and you can order food from a tablet, you’ll have 8 different stalls to try choose from. The Garden serves healthy soups and salads, The Latin Quarter specialises in delicious Latin American dishes (the tuna tostadas are a must try!), Nudls is the place to choose if you’re after some fresh pasta whilst meat lovers will want to try out Q Texas Smokehouse! The Seaside Rotisserie has a range of meat dishes such as porchetta, lamb chops and even duck, whilst Tapas as the name suggests has small dishes including delicious manchego cheese and serrano hams. The standout eatery in the food hall, and certainly the most popular, was Tamara. As you enter the food hall you’ll be greeted by two impressive tandoor ovens where you’ll see freshly made naan bread. The chicken tikka and short rib dosas are fantastic must-try dishes, we’re sure you’ll be trying the dishes from Tamara on more than one occasion during your trip!
Norwegian Cruise Line fans will be glad to know that The Local Bar & Grill, Norwegian Prima’s classic pub offering serves up classic favourites such as the Reuben sandwich, fish and chips, and of course amazing chicken wings. The two main dining rooms can be found on decks 6 and 7. The Commodore Room feels like a more intimate venue, whilst the expansive Hudson’s, located at the aft of ship offers incredible 270-degree views from its floor-to-ceiling windows. High up on deck 17, Surfside Café & Grill is Norwegian Prima’s casual buffet restaurant and the choices here throughout the voyage were plentiful. There are 8 speciality restaurants onboard however we were only able to try out Cagney’s Steakhouse which never disappoints. If you haven’t tried them before you must order the Parmesan-dusted truffle fries!
What is the entertainment like on Norwegian Prima?
Norwegian Prima features a first for Norwegian Cruise Line, with a multifunctional theatre space, the Prima Theater & Club which can be transformed depending on the necessity. It’s very impressive how in so little time the tiered seating can be collapsed to turn the venue into a fully-fledged nightclub. The space is extremely flexible, for example, one evening Kool & The Gang performed and the seating was set further back to allow a dancefloor in front of the stage for those wanting to have a boogie.
Norwegian Cruise Line has long been known for the fabulous Broadway-style shows, and on Norwegian Prima you’ll be able to experience a brand new show, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Dance to the Disco Queen’s greatest hits as you journey through the amazing life of Donna Summer, this is a show which will certainly be fully booked every night so make sure you pre-book your seats as soon as you get onboard.
On deck 18 you’ll find a host of outdoor entertainment options for all the family, from crazy golf to interactive darts (think Flight Club at sea!), and even The Stadium which is packed with a variety of games such as shuffleboard, table football, table tennis and more! There is of course also the three-level go-kart track which is always very popular so make sure you book your spot when you get onboard.
Does Norwegian Prima offer any fitness & recreational facilities?
The one place where Norwegian Prima does fall down slightly is in terms of its fitness facilities. As a runner it was disappointing that there is no running track, however, considering how regularly I’ve seen running tracks used on other ships I’m really not surprised. The gym itself is slightly disappointing, yes the views over the bow of the ship are impressive, but the low ceilings and small space do not make it feel like an inviting space to exercise in. The two studios (one for spin classes and the other for yoga/pilates) are also on the small side meaning classes are likely to sell out quickly.
The spa and thermal suite on the other hand looked spectacular. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to relax in the spa but speaking to other guests who had they were very impressed by this area of the ship which features new experiences such as an ice room and an infrared sauna.
For the thrill seekers amongst us, there are 3 dry slides and an adrenaline-fuelling wet slide, whilst the top deck features a three-level go-kart track which is a must for everyone.
Norwegian Prima: Pre-Innaugural Sailing Itinerary
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland’s capital provided the perfect backdrop for the naming ceremony celebrations of Norwegian Prima. The cruise port is just a short bus ride into town or you can even walk along the waterfront path that leads all the way to the Harpa Concert Hall which is where the first night’s festivities took place. This striking building, set at the water’s edge, in the heart of Reykjavik was the setting for a night of Icelandic dance, music and celebration of this incredible country, which also featured a performance by Iceland’s Symphony Orchestra, as well as Icelandic pop superstar Briet.
Following an overnight onboard we had a full day to enjoy the city before the official naming ceremony in the evening. If you’re looking to keep fit or simply enjoy Iceland’s geothermal waters, the cruise port is just a short walk away from Laugardalslaug, the city’s largest outdoor heated pool with extensive facilities including numerous hot tubs and steam baths.
Our time in Iceland came to an end shortly after pop icon Katy Perry officially named Norwegian Prima and performed many of her hits songs before all guests had the chance to enjoy a special gala dinner as we sailed away just as the sun was setting.
Cork (Cobh), Ireland
The port of Cobh, just half an hour south of the city of Cork in Ireland made for a very pleasant stop with the late summer sun shining on the brightly coloured buildings. Cobh was the final port of call for the Titanic before she set out across the Atlantic on the last leg of her fatal, maiden voyage. You’ll be able to check out the visitor experience located in the historic White Star Line Building, or if you’re feeling energetic climb up the hill to visit Cobh Cathedral which is actually the tallest church in Ireland and one of the country’s tallest buildings.
Of course no stop would be complete without sampling some of the local delicacies, however, don’t expect to be downing a pint of Guiness here, you’ll find that most of the locals will be drinking Beamish, the stout of choice in these parts.
Le Havre, France
Le Havre is the gateway to the French capital Paris, as well as the beaches and the historic World War II sites of Normandy, with numerous excursions available. I would recommend pre-booking an excursion as the city itself is not the prettiest. However, if you are looking to explore and stay local why not head down to the waterfront. The pebble beach is not the most attractive you’ll ever see, however the beachfront restaurants serve up some fantastic seafood with some cracking lunchtime deals, how can you leave this part of the world without sampling some classic Moules marinière?!
If you’re looking to bring home some local produce pass by Les Halles Centrales, Le Havre’s market, with plenty of delicious, local cheeses and cured meats to choose from.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Our pre-inaugural voyage concluded in Amsterdam with an overnight onboard. Passing through the locks at IJmuiden, at the mouth of the North Sea Canal, you’ll spend a couple of hours navigating your way to the centre of Amsterdam, with a mixture of picturesque countryside and not-so-beautiful industrial areas passing you by.
Once in Amsterdam we docked at the cruise terminal in the heart of the city, from here you’re just a short walk to Central Station and the rest of the city, making it a perfect base from which to explore the many canals and waterways, you’ll soon realise why the city is nicknamed the “Venice of the North”.