New era for Norwegian Cruise Line begins with Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Prima, the first of Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) fleet of six Prima-class ships, was delivered at Fincantieri's shipyard in Marghera, Venice on Friday, 29 July.

The Norwegian Prima’s five other sister ships are expected to have their deliveries scheduled through 2027.

Gracing the ship’s milestone event were Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd; Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line; Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri; and other prominent figures under NCLH and Fincantieri.

Following the ship’s delivery celebration was the traditional flag exchange ceremony.

“Today we usher in a thrilling new era in cruising as we celebrate the delivery of Norwegian Prima, the long-anticipated first ship in our extraordinary new Prima Class. She is a true testament to our Guest First philosophy as well as our commitment to deliver unforgettable experiences that exceed expectations,” said Sommer. “We thank our wonderful partners at Fincantieri, whose coveted craftsmanship, expertise, and dedication, helped bring Norwegian Prima to life. We cannot wait to welcome our guests on board.”

[From left]: Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division, Fincantieri and Harry Sommer, President and CEO, NCL taking delivery of Norwegian Prima. Photo Credit: NCL

Spanning 294m long with a capacity for 3,300 guests, cruisers can expect wide-open spaces, a variety of F&B options, and the first three-level go-kart track at sea, alongside the world’s first freefall dry slide featuring a 10-storey plunge experience that reaches more G-forces than an accelerating F1 race car.

At its christening ceremony in Rejkjavik, Iceland on 27 August, popstar Katy Perry who has been appointed Norwegian Prima’s godmother, will bless and officially name the ship, and perform several of her hit songs. Following which, Norwegian Prima will set sail on its eight-day maiden voyage to Amsterdam.

After its inaugural sailing, Norwegian Prima will sail a series of eight-day voyages from Amsterdam and Copenhagen, offering guests the opportunity to explore Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords. She’ll then sail Bermuda from 10 October 2022; Caribbean itineraries from 15 October 2022; and Western Caribbean voyages from 11 December 2022 to 19 March 2023, before returning to Bermuda from 28 March to 7 May 2023. She’ll then offer cruises to Northern Europe from 14 May through 17 September 2023.