Norwegian Reveals the Looks and Tastes of its New Prima Class

Norwegian Prima is coming in August--Rendering from Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is showcasing its future in a sneak peek at the first of six new Prima Class ships.

A three-level atrium and seven new places to dine are among additions that will join a revamped main dining room concept and guest favorites such as Le Bistro and Cagney’s Steak House on Norwegian Prima coming in August and Norwegian Viva, due in 2023.

“We’ve been innovators in the food and beverage space for more than three decades, becoming the first cruise line to offer specialty dining and the first to introduce our Freestyle Cruising concept that allows our guests to vacation their way by giving them the choice to decide when and where they dine,” said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and CEO,  at a shipyard tour.

Wraparound view in dining room on Norwegian Prima–Rendering courtesy Norwegian Cruise line

New choices for dining

Making its debut on Norwegian Prima is the Mediterranean seafood specialty restaurant Palomar, which the line says will offer a relaxing atmosphere and gourmet Mediterranean cuisine made with simple, yet sophisticated ingredients.

The Surfside Café and Surfside Grill located on Deck 17 will feature self-serve casual dining, and items prepared “a la minute” upon guest request.

Two venues are Japanese-inspired. Hasuki, the line’s new elevated take on the traditional hibachi-style eatery features a décor of handcrafted pottery and Japanese artwork. NCL’s new contemporary sushi house Nama will offer sushi and sashimi dishes prepared by master chefs.

Norwegian Prima’s Commodore Room rendering from Norwegian Cruise Line

The main dining venues have been futurized as well. The new main dining room Hudson’s that features 270-degree views overlooking the stern. Guests can opt for comfortable surroundings of The Commodore Room.

Both locations will boast a revamped extensive fixed menu that offers guests more variety to sample global dishes from Spanish Paella and Italian mussels prepared in a white wine sauce to fully vegetarian options such as mushroom risotto and cauliflower piccata. The new menu will also boast a build-your-own-pasta section where guests can request a tailor-made Italian classic pasta dish by selecting their choice of pasta, sauce, and topping, providing more than 24 meal combinations.

New takes on imbibing

Metropolitan Bar is described as the line’s first sustainable bar. Part of NCL’s Sail and Sustain initiative, it will feature what the line calls: “responsibly crafted zero-waste cocktails prepared with surplus ingredients as well as offer a fully sustainable spirits menu and biodynamic wines.” As an example, the signature cocktail the Primadonna, is made using surplus banana peels from the breakfast menu with Flor De Cana rum that is produced in with 100% renewable energy.

Other new bar and lounge options on Norwegian Prima and Viva include The Belvedere Bar, a contemporary cocktail lounge featuring crafted cocktails with a fresh take on classic drinks.

Norwegian Prima’s three-level atrium–Rendering from Norwegian Cruise Line

Artistic atrium

The Penrose Atrium will be the line’s first three-story atrium. Designed by Miami-based Studio Dado, the space features a massive chandelier built by Czech lighting design firm Lasvit. The installation was inspired by constellations and features moving light fixtures weighing a total of 7,300 pounds. Lining the Penrose Atrium will be a three-deck-high light feature that will convey the feeling of the sun rising on the horizon and surround a three-level wall art piece that will resemble a topographic map.

Retail spaces and high-end luxury shops will also be located throughout the Penrose Atrium’s three levels, including the Brand’s newest Starbucks coffee house. Penrose will also be home to the decanter-inspired Whiskey Bar offering guests a curated selection of drinks and the Prima Casino and The Penrose Bar, featuring video poker machines.

Wallace Immen is executive editor of The Cruisington Times

About Wallace Immen 784 Articles
Wallace Immen is Executive Editor of The Cruisington Times, the Best in Cruising, Travel, Food and Fun. He's sailed on all of the world's seas to ports in over 100 countries and travelled on every continent.