PRIMED & READY

Norwegian Reveals Details and Sales Tips for Its New Class of Ship: ‘Prima’

 

Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima
Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima

Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled the first details of the first ship in its first new class of ships in a decade. The double ‘first’ inspired the name of the ship and the class: Prima, Italian for ‘first’.

Bookings open 12MAY for Prima’s 2022 inaugural season, including itineraries in Northern Europe, the UK, Caribbean and Bermuda.

PRIMA FROM A CANADIAN SALES PERSPECTIVE

Derek Lloyd
Derek Lloyd, Vice President of Agency Sales, North America, Norwegian Cruise Line

Derek Lloyd, Vice President of Agency Sales, North America, adds a Canadian perspective to the opening of sales for NCL’s new ship, telling Open Jaw, “I personally, being based in Toronto, can relate!  I know that we aren’t as far ahead as we’d like to be, but, the day is coming when we will be able to travel again outside of Canada.  I’m hopeful it’ll be soon, but don’t forget the Prima starts sailing in the summer of 2022 – so it’s actually the perfect ship to talk to your clients about as certainly by then we’ll be out exploring the world again.  I know I certainly dream about travelling again, and when I look at the bookings from Canada for 2022 and 2023 I’m obviously not alone – clients are booking.  We all just need to be conscious of the fact that different people are in different places in terms of their comfort in when they think they’ll be able to travel, so now is the time to inspire!

“As always, Canadians love the value and ease that Norwegian offers via our Free at Sea program.  Make sure that you’re talking about the benefits of what the program offers – it’s not just about the dollar value of the inclusions, but about the ease of knowing up front what their vacation will cost.  It’s the closest thing to the all-inclusives that the market knows so well!

He added that the line’s agent incentive should benefit Canadian advisors, too. “As we launch the Prima, we are announcing an Inaugural Giveaway just for our Travel Partners.  The booking window is through June 30th, so again, focus on selling the Prima’s 2022 and 2023 sailings when Canadians feel confident that they’ll be able to sail.”

GAMECHANGER

Prima accommodates 3,215 guests and ups the NCL experience with more wide-open spaces, innovative design, and a variety of new experiences.

Open Jaw's Lynn Elmhirst spoke on camera with NCL’s Chief Sales Officer, Katina Athanasiou, who revealed some of the ‘firsts’ on the new ship – and how the line has set up Prima’s inaugural season and sales to benefit travel advisors.

HERE'S OPEN JAW’S VIDEO INTRODUCING THE PRIMA

 

Wide-Open Spaces

NCL says Prima will offer the highest staffing levels and space ratio of any new cruise ship in the contemporary and premium cruise categories with some of the largest accommodations for the line, as well as “the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship including more total pool deck space than any other ship in NCL’s fleet as well as multiple infinity pools and vast outdoor walkways.”

Enhanced Haven

On Prima, the ‘ship-within-a-ship’ Haven will span eight decks of suites and public areas, private amenities, dedicated services and the most luxurious accommodations

on board.

For the first time, the Cruise Line relocated all 107 Haven suites to the aft near the private elevators exclusively reserved for Haven guests, which rise directly into The Haven public areas on decks 16 and 17.

NCL evolved The Haven's design to be more open to the sea than ever before. For the first time, every public area in The Haven offers stunning sea and destination views. The Haven Courtyard on Norwegian Prima has been transformed into an expansive Haven Sundeck, boasting a stunning new infinity pool overlooking the ship's wake and a new outdoor spa with a glass-walled sauna and cold room.

All public areas and suites in The Haven have been designed by Piero Lissoni, one of Italy’s preeminent designers. Lissoni provided an elegant and sophisticated design to The Haven Sundeck, The Haven Restaurant, The Haven Lounge & Bar and the Outdoor Spa: Sauna and Cold Room.

Norwegian Cruise Line's PrimaOutdoor Living on Ocean Boulevard

On Prima, NCL reimagined its The Waterfront by doubling the space and adding a experiences and dining options by introducing Ocean Boulevard.

Located on deck eight, Ocean Boulevard at 44,000 square feet long, wraps around the entire deck, allowing guests to walk around the entire ship and experience amazing ocean views while having the choice to partake in numerous outdoor activities.

Global Cuisine with Indulge Food Hall

On Ocean Boulevard, NCL introduces the Brand’s first-ever upscale open-air marketplace with Indulge Food Hall, with diverse menu items from a variety of culinary venues as well as a mix of indoor and outdoor seating.

Its 11 venues include returning guest culinary favorites Coco’s, serving artisan sweet treats; Q Texas Smokehouse, boasting delicious American Southern comfort food and barbecue; and Starbucks.

Indulge will also unveil first-ever dining venues including Seaside Rotisserie; Nudls, serving noodle dishes from around the world, from Italian to Thai cuisines; Tamara, preparing classic Indian dishes and multiple vegetarian food options; The Latin Quarter, serving classic Latin food with a twist; Tapas Food Truck, cooking elevated Spanish-inspired street food; Garden Kitchen, where guest can order customized salads with more than two dozen ingredients to choose from; Just Desserts, featuring classic dessert items such as pies and cakes and Just Ice Cream serving all guest favorite ice cream flavors and over-the-top decadent creations.

Hybrid Dining on Ocean Boulevard

Ocean Boulevard will also host three additional dining venues offering both indoor and outdoor seating including:

Onda by Scarpetta, which debuted on Norwegian Encore in 2019 and also available on Norwegian Spirit, showcasing the modern Italian cuisine that land-based, award-winning Scarpetta restaurants are recognized;

Los Lobos, the Brand’s premium Mexican restaurant, returns on Norwegian Prima to boast traditional Mexican flavors with modern flair set in a contemporary atmosphere; and

Local Bar & Grill, revamped in an upscale beach club atmosphere will showcase live music where guests can relax and enjoy cocktails and classic Americana cuisine.

Ocean Boulevard Lifestyle: The Concourse, Infinity Beach, Oceanwalk and La Terraza

Additional “firsts” for the Brand include The Concourse, an outdoor sculpture garden features an art wall designed by famed artist David Harber and six installations designed by Alexander Krivosheiw featuring immersive art inspired by ancient mythology and contemporary abstract forms. The seven sculptures, valued at over $2 million, offer stunning effects that change as the sun sets, making them perfect for photos and social media posts.

Guests can also relax at Infinity Beach featuring two infinity pools, one located on each side of the ship and close to the ocean surface, which is an industry-design first that allows pool-goers to take in the vastness of the ocean while soaking in the open air.

The two Oceanwalk glass bridges, also new to Norwegian, will provide guests with photographic, breathtaking views that will make them feel as if they are walking on air over the water.

La Terraza, an open-air lounge, features a quaint retreat for visitors to catch stellar forward-facing sea views.

Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima

Bucket-List Itineraries Summer 2022 – Fall 2023 on Prima

Summer 2022: Northern Europe and The UK

Following a string of inaugural cruises and beginning August 2022, Norwegian Prima will be the newest ship embarking in Northern Europe. From Aug. 17 to Sept. 13, 2022, she will sail a series of eight-day voyages from Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Copenhagen, Denmark, offering guests the opportunity to explore the continent’s Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords and Baltic regions.

Fall/Winter 2022: Bermuda and The Caribbean

On Sept. 23, Norwegian Prima will depart Southampton, England, on a 12-day transatlantic voyage visiting Lerwick, Scotland with an overnight in Reykjavik, Iceland, before arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and ending her journey in New York to commence a five-day roundtrip itinerary on Oct. 10 to Bermuda, where she will make her debut as the newest ship sailing the fall and winter season. On Oct. 15, she will depart from New York on a 12-day open-jaw immersive Caribbean itinerary where she will be the newest ship in the region and for the first time ever for NCL, the vessel will visit Galveston, TX. She will have calls to Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Oranjestad, Aruba, with all visits featuring between nine and 10 in-port hours. On Oct. 31, Norwegian Prima will kickstart her Caribbean season departing from Galveston, TX, to Miami on an 11-day itinerary with visits to Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire, and the Company’s recently enhanced private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. From Nov. 19 to Dec. 3, Norwegian Prima will sail from Miami offering three, seven-day Western Caribbean cruises visiting Harvest Caye, the Company’s private resort destination in Belize, in addition to other notable ports including Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan Island, Honduras.

Fall/Winter 2022-2023: Western Caribbean Voyages Homeporting from Orlando, Fla. (Port Canaveral)

From Dec. 11, 2022, to March 19, 2023, Norwegian Prima will homeport in Orlando, Fla. (Port Canaveral), sailing 15 roundtrip Western Caribbean voyages featuring five, seven, and nine-day port-rich itineraries visiting notable destinations, including Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and NCL’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas.

Spring 2023: Bermuda

Starting March 28 to May 7, 2023,  Norwegian Prima will sail a mini-season of five and mostly seven-day roundtrip Bermuda voyages from New York. She will call at Norfolk, Virginia – the gateway to Virginia Beach and the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg. The vessel will also sail to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, where itineraries include one or two overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard to allow flexibility for guests to explore its shops, restaurants and pristine beaches on their own time.

Spring and Summer 2023: Northern Europe

On May 14, Norwegian Prima heads back to Iceland and Northern Europe, departing on an 11-day transatlantic journey from New York City to Reykjavik, Iceland, visiting Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, before making calls to several immersive Icelandic ports, including Akureyri, which resides on the longest fjord in Iceland and Isafjordur, where guests can take in Icelandic Viking history and unspoiled natural marvels. The voyage culminates in Reykjavik with an overnight stay, where guests can partake in the cosmopolitan experiences of Iceland’s capital and largest city featuring contemporary art, a growing culinary scene and thriving music culture while also maintaining a connection to the great outdoors with geothermal springs and whale watching activities.

From May 25 to Sept. 7, Norwegian Prima’s summer 2023 season will offer a mix of 10 and 11-day Norway and Iceland sailings from Reykjavik, Iceland, and Southampton, England, featuring extensive port time between nine and 14 in-port hours to offer guests an immersive experience. Throughout her voyage, guests will have the unique opportunity to cruise through the remarkable Heritage Fjords, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where Norwegian Prima will be one of the few ships that meet the criteria to sail in these environmentally protected waters. Other bucket-list worthy destinations include a call to Geiranger, Norway, featuring 14 hours in port where guests can visit Norway’s most famous fjord, Geiranger Fjord, an awe-inspiring deep blue UNESCO protected nine-mile fjord surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush vegetation. The world famous Seven Sisters and The Bridal Veil waterfalls are just two of the numerous cascades that run down the steep mountainside throughout Geiranger Fjord. Norwegian Prima will also call to Olden, Norway, and feature 10-hours in port with access to the jaw-dropping Briksdal Glacier, a branch of the famous Jostedal Glacier, where guests can partake in once-in-a-lifetime hikes and nature trails.

On Sept. 17, 2023, Norwegian Prima concludes her summer 2023 season with a 14-day roundtrip voyage from Southampton, England, featuring between seven and 10 in-port hours with notable calls to Dublin, Ireland; Isafjordur and Akureyri, Iceland, with an overnight in Reykjavik; and visits to Geiranger, Olden, and Stavanger, Norway.

 

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