Visually appealing, but functionally it really misses the mark.

Item: Norwegian Prima
Rating: 2.4
Author: 1Beachsidebob

Norwegian Prima Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

1Beachsidebob

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 8

Helpful Votes: 309

Overall rating:

2.4 out of 5

7 Night Caribbean: Great Stirrup Cay & Cozumel (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 23, 2022

Ship: Norwegian Prima

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 5738

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

NOT a ship for kids. NOT a ship for sports fans. NOT a ship for buffet lovers. NOT a ship for sun worshippers. I wouldn't even say this is a good ship for food lovers, but unlike the other points, some might differ with me on the food issue. This is more of a quiet resort style ship for couples who aren't looking to do much and do not carry high expectations. Hopefully they will rework some things before releasing future versions of Prima class ships. As it stands how however, we almost certainly won't get on a Prima class ship again. I had high hopes and we had been looking at Viva and Prima for a Mediterranean cruise in 2024, but this cruise aboard Prima helped us rule that out.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

We had a 9:30am time and once they finally opened the space for check in, things went well. We got on just before 11am. The process is much more cumbersome than some other cruise lines.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

We ate at hudsons many times during the week and enjoyed the environment and staff. We typically don't eat in the main dining rooms, but on this ship the buffet is tiny and overcrowded and we truly only were able to access it once the entire week because it was overrun. Also, the Local is small and just not as enjoyable as O'Sheehans on other NCL ships. The Local bar is often overcrowded, plus it's located in a hallway and just not an enjoyable experience. The pool bar was over crowded. The aft deck 8 bar where I thought I would spend much of my week was hardly ever open. The Speedway bar is bland, but kind of a hidden gem becasue of the view, but it also had very limited hours. There really isn't a casino bar on this ship even though the Penrose bar is adjacent to the casino. It was difficult to get a drink there becasue it was servicing the atrium. The only bar that we found enjoyable was the Whiskey Bar.

The Local Bar & Grill

1 out of 5

This was one of the biggest disappointments. The bar is in a hallway and people are often 2 or 3 deep trying to get a drink. It's quicker to go elsewhere. It's not good for watching sports. The restaurant portion was just a big room with tables, nothing exciting and it didn't have the vibe that O'Sheehans has on other ships. Often there was a line waiting to get in and sometimes that was because it was a time of the day when there was nothing else open, not even a pizza or hot dog stand. It was a bit disappointing.

Onda By Scarpetta

3 out of 5

Pizza was good. We had just expected a more traditional Italian menu, but there were only a couple of things that either of us would eat. Others really enjoyed this venue, so maybe it was just us.

Hudson's Main Dining Room

4 out of 5

Awesome views, great service, good food. We normally never go to the MDR, but on this ship it seemed like the only way to get a decent meal and be able to relax without fighting for a place to sit. The menu doesn't rotate, but there was enough on it to keep us happy during the times we were there. We very much enjoyed this venue.

Indulge Food Hall

2 out of 5

This is a gimmicky space. Small, crowded, tough to find a seat. It's a cute concept, but a real pain in the butt when you're crusing with 3,400 other people. I imagine the concept might wane in coming years and I could potentially see the Local Bar and Grill moved here, which would actually be quite awesome and a much better use of space. The Local is disfunctional in its current location and form.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

My wife made the comment when looking at the daily planner each day, "there's a lot going on, but nothing to do". It took me a minute, but after looking at it, there really isn't much going on. Pools are all too small and of course the elusive chair pigs were out on this ship as well leaving their droppings all over the furniture and then disappearing for many hours at a time. I think it was worse on this ship than others because no staff members patrolled it and there were no signs discouraging the behavior. There's really not a lot going on and the venues are all very small.

Ocean Boulevard

3 out of 5

Very nice concept, but a lot of dead space that didn't get used. The pool areas are small just like all the other venues and chair pigs who left their droppings on chairs made sure there was hardly anywhere for people to sit, even though the little piglets didn't ever seem to be at their seats. The aft bar was hardly open or staffed and it's a very cluttered area. I had thought I'd spend most of the cruise at the aft bar, but in 7 days, I got a beer there once and never sat down. The fabrics on some of the aft seating are already wearing and starting to fade and there are a lot of black soot marks on the seating. Again, a very nice concept and hopfully they will improve things going forward.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

First - This is not a ship for anyone interested in watching sports. There are too many other options out there that are much better for that. They only have the Local bar area which is in a hallway and almost always overcrowded with people. Rumors in Syd Normans was the best show on board, but you need to get there an hour to 1.5 hours in advance and get in line or you're going to be standing shoulder to shoulder the entire time. They should really put that show in the main theater instead. Neither of the headliner shows were great. Donna Summer was long, but ok I suppose. Noise Boys was ok, but just strange as a cruise ship show. The comedians were ok I suppose, but nothing to write home about. We went to the adult versions. Next to the band performing Fleetwood Mac Rumors, Price is Right was the most entertaining thing for us.

Children's Programs

We don't have kids, but that said, this is DEFINITELY NOT A SHIP FOR KIDS. There are much better options for families out there. Don't let your kids down by sticking them on this ship. Despite the gimmicks such as slides, go carts and virtual reality, the true reality is that these things don't live up to the hype and what do your kids do the other 99% of the time...

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Staff at the Whiskey Bar were excellent. The other bars were way overcrowded and it took forever to get a drink (if you did get one). Service in Hudsons was very good. We'll never rate the staff poorly. We're thankful they are there.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

It's a new ship, so cleanliness wasn't an issue at all, but the ship layout is a mess. Very chopped up. Venues are all way too small for the amount of people on the ship. A number of the specialty restaurants seemed to have little traffic and may be wasted space. You also get a feeling that NCL is creating different classes of people on this ship between the Haven and Vibe Beach Club.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Size, visual appeal, bed, storage, bathroom and shower were all great. Might even be the best of any cruise ship we've been on. The bathroom and shower size were excellent.

Ship tip

Go directly to the theater port side, deck six and get in line to register for shows and dining immediately after you board the ship. Smokers probably won't appreciate the lack of accomodations for them. We are not smokers, but we have smoking friends and would never bring them on this ship. RCCL and Celebrity are much better at accomodating smokers. Also, while this ship is visually appealing, I just can't recommend it in its current form. If you've cruised much in the past, you probably won't be happy with all of its short comings.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida Did not visit port

This isn't a port of call.

Thumbs Up 0

Cozumel, Mexico

1 out of 5

It rained all day, but we've been to this port before and it's a nice place to visit. We like to do the Cozumel Bar Hop. I only rated this low to get the true cruise review rating closer to where it needs to be. We love Cozumel.

Thumbs Up 0

George Town, Grand Cayman

1 out of 5

Great port if you're able to tender and get there. This trip the seas were too rough, so we didn't get to experience it. I only rated this low to get the true cruise review rating closer to where it needs to be. We love Grand Cayman.

Thumbs Up 0

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

1 out of 5

Jamaica always lets us down and we would both say it's our least favorite cruise port of all the cruise ports we've ever visited. We got off the ship to walk around town and find a local bar/restaurant for lunch and to support the locals vs. the cruise port vendors, but we could not walk 10 feet without being hassled by someone. After getting 3 blocks into the city and away from the port, we decided to turn around and go back to the ship. The behavior of the locals just chased us away. It's the same old thing each time.

Thumbs Up 0

Great Stirrup Cay (Cruise Line Private Island), Bahamas

1 out of 5

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

We got in line at around 6:45am with our luggage and were in our vehicle leaving the parking ramp at 7:55am. Not bad, but there could have been better instructions for those who just aren't used to this process because it seemed like others were complaining a lot.

Traveler Photos

Chair pig droppings, there was a lot of this behavior and with such small pool areas, it created frustrations for honest cruisers.

8 Comments

Dumfy75 1 year ago

I’ve seen many complaints about the smoke being too much on other NCL ships, this one gets complaints about the lack of smoking areas - they can’t win!

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donald1lane 1 year ago

Based on the pictures posted, this is a ship that I want to be on. My understanding is that it is designed for sunbathers. Can't wait to be on it in 130 days.

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Oops sorry 😞 thanks

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cubfan0725 1 year ago

I don't cruise to watch sports.And no sympathy for smokers. I will board the ship Sunday with an open mind and just relax at the Vibe.

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jpmato16 1 year ago

Was on Prima thanksgiving week. Had spectacular time with my wife and 11 y/o son. Lots of people having a great time watching sports at the local, but I don’t go on cruises to watch sports. Food was spectacular. Didn’t eat at the buffet once, as it’s not my vibe. So many great food options onboard. The layout was easy to maneuver, after a day or two.

Thumbs Up 1

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javawoody 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your feedback. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations.

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CruzeFan 1 year ago

Lots of mixed reviews on the new ships from NCL, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Some love them, others hate them. Luckily, there are other ships and other cruise lines to choose from.

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Other reviews of this sailing

My least favorite NCL ship.

Not Prima at all

Prima - Never Again