I am going on the Aqua September 2025 NYC to Bermuda. Love that my solo oceanview still includes the studio lounge access. My only plans on Bermuda are the afternoon tea excursion and to see some pink sand. Other than that, I wanna use the outdoor space on Aqua as much as possible. Can’t wait!
Travelling on the Prima in April, I'm super stressed about the small spaces, lack of loungers and crowded venues, hence, battles of space, tables and access. Seems like the Aqua, although adding 10% more space is adding almost 20% more guests, so kind of a wash. Was drawn to the decor and vibe so we'll see if this is my first and last time on a Prima Class ship. Sailed on the Bliss last year and loved it.
We went on the Prima in Jan of 2023 and while I loved the ship itself, especially Ocean Blvd, it was definitely too crowded inside. We took our kids and while they loved the infinity pools, dry slide, galaxy pavilion and splash academy… they didn’t really have much else to do on the ship. This ship is definitely catered more towards adults which is not a bad thing. We’re going on the Aqua in fall of 2025 and I actually can’t wait. The kids and I are looking forward to that aqua coaster! Lol
We also took a transatlantic trip on the Prima from Barcelona to nyc in November 2023 and loved it. Only complaint is they could have used more shows and entertainment options. The only bway show was the Donna summer musical and I think they only showed that. 2 or 3 nights out of 11
Went on a Western Caribbean cruise on Viva last month (Dec 23). This was our 1st cruise and we absolutely loved it. For just the wife and myself or any couples the Prima class is great, and would book another cruise on the class again if we are going as just a couple, but can say it doesn't seem to be set up for younger kids as much. Our next cruise will be us bringing the kids with and activities that would suit a 5/6 year old and then a toddler.
This review is 1000% accurate. Grants review comes as no surprise to me. I sailed the Prima November 2022. The ship is beautiful, the staff amazing, and the food fantastic. As noted by grant the food hall was excellent. So many great things about this ship but the venues are too small, and main pool poorly designed. I have sailed NCL exclusively for over 35 years and this was my least enjoyable cruise. As a platinum member we were unable to make dinner reservations at most restaurants, had to see shows at 6:30 at night, were never able to enter the comedy lounge or the live music venue due to their tiny size. The staff did their best, but you could see their frustration with a ship that did not work no matter how hard they tried. Will never sail this class ship again. The experienced soured us, so taking a break from NCL for a while.
Hi Lowkey Deadpool 👋 That's very exciting! I can't wait to hear what you think of this new ship. I may have a new Aqua video coming soon 😉 Please stay tuned!
Grant, I am not sure any ship can fix NCL for me. Their core problem is sales and customer service staff flat out lie to guests. My own Rubicon was when I purchased a double loyalty point cruise and only after I sailed was I informed I was not eligible for double points on that sailing (so I got 9 instead of the promised 18). If I had booked and paid for it 24 hours later, I would have been. I appealed this as far as I could, but really the was the last straw after many customer service failures. Love the ships and crew, but much happier with the customer experience I am getting elsewhere.
@@sportsMike87 The loyalty points just happened to be the straw that broke the camel's back. They screwed up a LOT before we got to that one. You would think that putting my kids on a different airline then me would have done it, but no I was a sucker and went back for more. Loyalty points was the thing that pushed me over the edge, it is also the thing that if they ever cared to fix it I would consider giving NCL another chance (god I am a pushover).
I just went on the Norwegian Vibe which would be the sister ship to the Aqua. We were on a Europe trip that was amazing. Our cruise was 3400 capacity of 3500 and really I never felt that the ship was over poullation. We did do specialty dinning so maybe we did not feel the rush of dinner. The ship was amazing!!!!!!
New subscriber here. I thought your comments on the Prima were spot on. I sailed this ship last May, and I really loved the ship, but the venues are a bit small. We loved the theater turned nightclub, and the Studio 54 vibe was really fun. I sailed the Joy in Haven, which really spoiled us, but the cost for this luxury was a bit much on Prima. To soften the sting of not being in Haven, we purchased the Vibe beach club pass, which was completely worth it!! The only downside was the weather could have been a bit warmer, which would have made enjoying the beautiful outdoor spaces so much better! Overall, however, I really love NCL and look forward to sailing the Aqua in August 2025.
Forgot to mention, I hope the water coaster allows single riders like the AquaDuck on DCL. If not, I might have to meet up with a fellow solo traveler to ride with me!
Me and my partner we are going to take a vacation on the Prima in November for 11 days for 11 nights or however it goes we just put a deposit down on it so we’re looking forward to it as leaving from New York and going to the Caribbean and thank you for this video.
We sailed on a very full Pr1ma in March of 2023, and despite being beyond full at double occupancy we really enjoyed everything the ship had to offer. We did not have any issues with the food, loved the outdoor deck 8 walk around the entire ship, really enjoyed the 75 minute Donna Summer show, as well as all the other entertainment options. It was a Caribbean cruise, so we did not have ice/snow issues on the outdoor decks. We even really enjoyed the electric go-karts. The first night sailing there were definitely issues getting everyone in the dining rooms as people were working out where they would eat. But that lasted a single night. The a-la-carte restaurant with the “food trucks” at the back of deck 8 was absolutely brilliant. We really enjoyed our cruise on the ship even if Jamaica was rained out and Grand Cayman was too wavy too tender - both reflecting poor weather that NCL is not responsible for, despite people getting annoyed with NCL for making certain decisions.
I was on the Prima last year and was very disappointed in the ship. Hudson’s was the best thing about the ship. The elevator doors closed to fast and I missed several elevators. The wait staff and room stewards were wonderful, the Latitudes representative was rude. My husband and I are Diamond loyalty status and she was the worst one by far. From now on I’ll stick to the smaller ships, the Jewel class is as crowded as I want.
I was not aware there is a further class beyond Prima in current development. I have a Prima cruise booked for September 2025 disembarking in Iceland, so I hope we don't have the same fate with weather that you showed in the video. I look forward to what will soon be an "older" fleet design when we set sail from Reykjavik.
Hello my friend! I have added the Aqua to my trip wish list, but it will probably need to wait a while before I go. In the meantime, I am booked on the POA for February of 2025. Do to work schedule and other commitments, that is the soonest I could go. I am concerned about the "new" solo cabins in different levels. (inside, OV, Balcony, suite) I was already booked on POA in a balcony, and as soon as the bookings opened up for that ship in October, I called and had my reservation adjusted to a solo balcony. I was shocked that the pricing did not drop by half. In fact, it only came down about $500 USD. I was moved from a mid-ship balcony to a foward, and dropped 2 levels down. (from deck 9 to deck 7). The location change wasn't terrible, as I am now in front of the lifeboats. We may not be paying a full single supplement, but it is not as price conscience as they advertise it to be. As for the Aqua, the slide coaster in an interesting concept in addition to the convertable theater. I will be watching for reviews on both to see how well it works once the ship begins to sail. In the meantime, I will just keep watching for updates from you! As always, sunshine smiles from me in LA to you. I keep watching the weather in your neck of the woods, and I know it's beginning to chill down. 🥰🌞💖🤗
Hi Lee Ann 👋 Thanks for sharing your news! Hawaii is still a dream of mine, one day! Thanks for sharing your experience with the new pricing for the solo class of cabins. I was looking recently and also noticed some funny things with the prices, but I thought this may be the way the Black Friday promos were being applied. I'm looking at some 2024 plans and will also be keeping a close eye on how this works out in practice, because I love a good deal! Sending smiles back your way!! (it is definitely getting chilly so looking forward to some warmer weather on my cruise in just over a week!)
Grant, thanks for the information. I sailed the Prima back in February, I enjoyed the trip and the ship met my needs. I have an NCL cruise currently booked for May of 2025. I am/will be booking the Aqua for 2025. I always think It's exciting to experience a new ship and I'm looking forward to the new changes that are coming. I'm will be waiting a couple of months before booking, hoping that a couple of ports will be added to the current list.
Veteran NCL cruisers here and recently had an 11 day cruise on the Prima. I would say the balcony cabins were spacious and as nice as any we have been in. The comedy club and Syd Norman's were small and crowded, as was the buffet, which to me, is inexcusable. NCL has data from its other larger ships on how many people per thousand (or percentages) are at any venue at any time. How do you design a ship for 3200 passengers and think that only 70 would want to see a comedy show? How is that even possible? The upper deck swimming pool area is far too small for the number of people that would like to be there, and enjoy the music and the sun. Even people, who can use the Beach Club or the Haven, want to be there for the music, and there is no way enough room. The outdoor area on deck 8 is very nice for quiet sunning, reading and enjoying a beverage, but does not pull enough people away from the top deck to avoid crowding. The theater was fine for the shows and the seat were more comfortable than on other ships. The nightclub was well done there. The biggest disappointment is the atrium. The style is clean and elegant, but the layout and functionality is horrible. The front and center position in the atrium is a stairway, with flanking elevators. The small performance stage is tucked back in the port corner on the on deck 6, so no one on decks 7 and 8 can see the performers. The seating area on 6 was small and the staff had to put out folding chairs. A couple of times, they made a small "stage" in front of the stairway, and when the performers were there, people lined all 3 decks to listen and watch and enjoy the show. This is how an atrium should be done and has been on all the other 23 ships we have been on. there is also no food available at the atrium, just Starbucks. Other ships have the Local or O'Sheehan's so people can hang out there for a long time. If I were in charge and was managing a billion dollar project like that, the marine architect, and every executive who sign off on such ridiculous design elements, would be fired.
Your right about the destinations with the design of Ocean Blvd. We love the observation lounge on Encore and Bliss for Alaska and cant imagine going on the Prima or VIVA to cold destinations. We are booked on the first sailing of the AQUA in 2025 from South Hampton to Boston. We have been on the Prima inagural to Miami from Galveston in 2022, two hurricanes along the way and we lost two of the destinations, Cozumel and the private island. Tha did not discourage us from booking the VIVA in the med. We did 21 days in November 2023 on the VIVA from Italy all the way to Miami. Loved the VIVA even more then the Prima. It totaly depends on what type of cruiser you are and if you can manage your expectations. Had alot of the same crew whom open new ships so that was an unexpected suprise. We love brand new ships and found no problem getting into venues if you plan correctly. We move opposite of the crowd and pick the times when people are off the ship to schedule some activities. Like go carts on port days. Technically all of the worst complaints are for the people who have to be entertained and cant book thier times in time on the first day. We dont live by the pool so the size of the pool does not matter nor should it. We pick NCL so we can set our own schedule, adjust to unexpected changes and just overall enjoy our balcony cabin. Its amazing how much people who dont seem to understand what the ship provides, seem to be the ones who complain the most and post negative reviews about the ships design. I find myself getting mad more at complainers then hurricanes that change which ports we get to go to. If you want a big pool and 5000 too many people the go to Royal.
Great video. I've been on 6 cruises, but only on 1 NCL ship the Gem. I like the smaller ships, and I was looking forward to the medium-sized ships NCL was coming out with.
Considering this cruise ship for May 2025, but given what is currently happening with the Princess Sun' s launch, I am hesitant to book something that close to an inaugural launch date.
Any idea of the cabin layouts? Balcony, club balcony, suites? Are the bathrooms and balconies larger than the breakaway plus? Thank you for the videos! I subscribed.
You know, we did the Prima back in 10/22 and we thought it was pretty good but a few venues did require you to get there early or you'd miss out. We could manage and wanted to go back on a Prima class but scheduling didn't work out. However, we are very much interested in the Aqua class so we have booked on the Aqua in May 2025. Oh yeah....
Having sailed on Prima and booked for the Viva one thing NCL absolutely nailed was the Haven. The Haven spaces are amazing and worth every penny in my opinion. If I wasn't staying in the Haven I would certainly feel differently. The mail pool on the Prima is comically small and sandwiched next to the stupid go-kart track. So much of the main deck is taken up with pay-to-play stuff it's kind of insulting. Indulge food hall is awesome but during lunch time on a sea day it would be nearly impossible to find a single seat.
I liked the Prima, sailed her twice both in the Haven…a few things I would like to see on Aqua is a much larger indulge eating space with longer hours of operation for lunch, much larger theater and Comedy space as both are extremely small. Also entertainment aboard has gone downhill. The last Prima sailing they didn’t have ANY comedy shows which really shocked me.
Viva has The Stadium as well. It's in the same area where the mini golf and dart games are, but includes free things like ping pong (in a cylinder) and table-shuffleboard, whatever that's called. All totally separate from Galaxy Pavillion, which is one deck lower.
No I'm not a NCL fan anymore. My last cruise they really screwed my son and I in our cabin and in the c- food on the ship. So it would take more than a new ship to interest me.
Count you blessings. We used NCL air travel and they put our kids on a different airline then us. Then they wanted us to pay the cancelation and rebooking fees to sort it. Nope. I have no trust with NCL.
Hi J.W. 👋 Thank you so much! Lots goes into making each video behind the scenes so I really appreciate the gratitude! I have another Aqua video coming soon so please keep your eyes peel for that one. I hope you're having a beautiful day!
While on the prima, they would rather have the party outside. The theater was used only once for a small/short party, no sitting or tables available. That new area for eating was mostly closed or packed full... writing while waiting to disembark the Carnival Celebration in Miami. The spaces are awesome, 2 comedy rooms. We found availability on sitting everywhere, including the main pool. Norwegian food is still much better 😋
Frequent loyal NCL Haven cruisers. 6 Breakaway / Breakaway plus Havens and most recently the Prima Haven Spain to NYC. Transatlantic. I agree that the Prima class is not a cold or cooler temperature ship. The Prima Haven has an outdoor pool. The Breakaways have an indoor Haven Pool . The Breakaways have the Ocean Blue premium resturant which is fabulous, the Prima does not. The Prima has the Polyomar premium resturant which is excellent but smaller. The public buffet is much smaller on Prima. I didnt like the Cigar smoking lounge on the Prima, as much as the Breakaway class ship. The Breakaway Cigar lounge has big windows to view the Sea, while the Prima Cigar lounge has none. Minor issue. But overall I love the Prima Haven & we love NCL. The Haven only elevators are great on Prima. The Haven resturant and lounge on Prima is much bigger and much nicer imo. We did not ever experiance seating at the shows problem as Haven guest get escorted to the shows by Consigniers service. The Haven open areas on Prima blow the Breakaway class away. We are planning a Mediterranean cruise on Aqua in 2025, just dont know which one yet. Liked and subscribed 👍
Hopefully they will have more entertainment then just one production show on a 12 day cruise. And needs better venue spaces for music abd comedy show areas. We’re going on the viva here in October for our Mediterranean cruise hoeing there’s more entertainment as well even though I know it’s going to be the same ship as Prima.
Hi Grant… do u have a video on Cruise insurance. So I had this situation… where a 5 day cruise to Bermuda from NYC became a cruise to nowhere as the ship could not dock at Bermuda due weather one hour before scheduled dock time. Is there any insurance which covers such situations? Or is that all part of the fine print that we don’t read. 😀
Hey Grant, Can someone explain to me how the '2nd Guest Free' offer works? I feel I'm getting click baited into it when a price showing 1500 quick add up to 4500 in the total amount due. And there is still a price breakdown cost of Guest 1 and 2. So how is this 2nd Guest free?
Went on Encor, even that had too small venues ( most notable, comedy and the Beatle shows). don't like the pay only areas as well. Making the heaven will only make this worse. It will make the steerage class even more looked down on. More of an iteinery based cruise ( Panama canal is next) than cruising just for cruising, so the slides, laser tag, and go carts don't entice me at all. Will cruise ( or try) to do on their older smaller ships.
The issue with the Prima class is they are priced out of the avg loyal NCL price point. Frank N who created this class to move the price point up and was personally the one who canceled the entertainment is now FINALLY GONE. He nearly pissed off the entire loyal NCL cruiser. Good riddance. Now bring back back Kinky boots, Six, Prisella Queen of the Desert plus others. Completely burned out on Burn the Floor and Choir of man.
OK. I will try to explain my main complain about Norwegian company. They try to deprive you of EASY access to getting services that they sold to you. Everything that you expect to receive is really hard to get. Meals: long lines, small free venues, closed at 10 pm . Entertainment: long lines, low quality or small venues, closed around 10 pm. Boredom is a king. After 10 you do not have many choices. You may drink by the bar or go back to your room. Norwegian thinks that staying in the room, ordering movies on TV and ordering room service is the best vacation for us peasants 😢. If you have kids or diabetes and want to have a small snack after 10 pm, you have to order extremely unhealthy snack. Everything is closed (with exception for one! small restaurant). No choices. Majority of good reviews are written either by the company related people… or people from Europe. They are more tolerant to bad service. Here, in the USA, we expect a good service. Smug Norwegian wants us to fight in the lines for ship’s services or do not provide them to us at all. If you do not request, room service won’t even check your room. 😢 No wonder, more and more people prefer smaller ships with bigger venues or go to different companies.
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I am going on the Aqua September 2025 NYC to Bermuda. Love that my solo oceanview still includes the studio lounge access. My only plans on Bermuda are the afternoon tea excursion and to see some pink sand. Other than that, I wanna use the outdoor space on Aqua as much as possible. Can’t wait!
I also going that same time just to see the ship
I just booked the Aqua cruise to Bermuda for next August. Staying in the Haven.
Travelling on the Prima in April, I'm super stressed about the small spaces, lack of loungers and crowded venues, hence, battles of space, tables and access. Seems like the Aqua, although adding 10% more space is adding almost 20% more guests, so kind of a wash. Was drawn to the decor and vibe so we'll see if this is my first and last time on a Prima Class ship. Sailed on the Bliss last year and loved it.
We went on the Prima in Jan of 2023 and while I loved the ship itself, especially Ocean Blvd, it was definitely too crowded inside. We took our kids and while they loved the infinity pools, dry slide, galaxy pavilion and splash academy… they didn’t really have much else to do on the ship. This ship is definitely catered more towards adults which is not a bad thing. We’re going on the Aqua in fall of 2025 and I actually can’t wait. The kids and I are looking forward to that aqua coaster! Lol
We also took a transatlantic trip on the Prima from Barcelona to nyc in November 2023 and loved it. Only complaint is they could have used more shows and entertainment options. The only bway show was the Donna summer musical and I think they only showed that. 2 or 3 nights out of 11
Went on a Western Caribbean cruise on Viva last month (Dec 23). This was our 1st cruise and we absolutely loved it. For just the wife and myself or any couples the Prima class is great, and would book another cruise on the class again if we are going as just a couple, but can say it doesn't seem to be set up for younger kids as much. Our next cruise will be us bringing the kids with and activities that would suit a 5/6 year old and then a toddler.
This review is 1000% accurate. Grants review comes as no surprise to me. I sailed the Prima November 2022. The ship is beautiful, the staff amazing, and the food fantastic. As noted by grant the food hall was excellent. So many great things about this ship but the venues are too small, and main pool poorly designed. I have sailed NCL exclusively for over 35 years and this was my least enjoyable cruise. As a platinum member we were unable to make dinner reservations at most restaurants, had to see shows at 6:30 at night, were never able to enter the comedy lounge or the live music venue due to their tiny size. The staff did their best, but you could see their frustration with a ship that did not work no matter how hard they tried. Will never sail this class ship again. The experienced soured us, so taking a break from NCL for a while.
I know I am taking a break from Princess. I want to see inexpensive destinations on Norwegian.
Booked for June 2025. I hope the make the AquaCoaster complimentary and not an extra fee like the gokarts.
Hey Grant, I’m booked on the inaugural sailing out of Port Canaveral in April of 2025! I can’t wait!!!
Just booked one for my anniversary at the end of April. It would be the first time on a cruise ship older than 2010🤣🤣 I’m so excited 🙌🏿🙌🏿
Hi Lowkey Deadpool 👋 That's very exciting! I can't wait to hear what you think of this new ship. I may have a new Aqua video coming soon 😉 Please stay tuned!
Grant, I am not sure any ship can fix NCL for me. Their core problem is sales and customer service staff flat out lie to guests. My own Rubicon was when I purchased a double loyalty point cruise and only after I sailed was I informed I was not eligible for double points on that sailing (so I got 9 instead of the promised 18). If I had booked and paid for it 24 hours later, I would have been. I appealed this as far as I could, but really the was the last straw after many customer service failures. Love the ships and crew, but much happier with the customer experience I am getting elsewhere.
if your sailing just for loyalty points it’s not going to be fun
@@sportsMike87 The loyalty points just happened to be the straw that broke the camel's back. They screwed up a LOT before we got to that one. You would think that putting my kids on a different airline then me would have done it, but no I was a sucker and went back for more. Loyalty points was the thing that pushed me over the edge, it is also the thing that if they ever cared to fix it I would consider giving NCL another chance (god I am a pushover).
What loyalty? Corporate Greediness is main slogan. Norwegian has become non cruisers oriented.
We are going on the Aqua in May 2025 - can’t wait and thank you for the updates on the ship!!!
I just went on the Norwegian Vibe which would be the sister ship to the Aqua. We were on a Europe trip that was amazing. Our cruise was 3400 capacity of 3500 and really I never felt that the ship was over poullation. We did do specialty dinning so maybe we did not feel the rush of dinner. The ship was amazing!!!!!!
Norwegian Viva oops
New subscriber here. I thought your comments on the Prima were spot on. I sailed this ship last May, and I really loved the ship, but the venues are a bit small. We loved the theater turned nightclub, and the Studio 54 vibe was really fun. I sailed the Joy in Haven, which really spoiled us, but the cost for this luxury was a bit much on Prima. To soften the sting of not being in Haven, we purchased the Vibe beach club pass, which was completely worth it!! The only downside was the weather could have been a bit warmer, which would have made enjoying the beautiful outdoor spaces so much better! Overall, however, I really love NCL and look forward to sailing the Aqua in August 2025.
Forgot to mention, I hope the water coaster allows single riders like the AquaDuck on DCL. If not, I might have to meet up with a fellow solo traveler to ride with me!
Me and my partner we are going to take a vacation on the Prima in November for 11 days for 11 nights or however it goes we just put a deposit down on it so we’re looking forward to it as leaving from New York and going to the Caribbean and thank you for this video.
We sailed on a very full Pr1ma in March of 2023, and despite being beyond full at double occupancy we really enjoyed everything the ship had to offer. We did not have any issues with the food, loved the outdoor deck 8 walk around the entire ship, really enjoyed the 75 minute Donna Summer show, as well as all the other entertainment options. It was a Caribbean cruise, so we did not have ice/snow issues on the outdoor decks. We even really enjoyed the electric go-karts. The first night sailing there were definitely issues getting everyone in the dining rooms as people were working out where they would eat. But that lasted a single night. The a-la-carte restaurant with the “food trucks” at the back of deck 8 was absolutely brilliant. We really enjoyed our cruise on the ship even if Jamaica was rained out and Grand Cayman was too wavy too tender - both reflecting poor weather that NCL is not responsible for, despite people getting annoyed with NCL for making certain decisions.
Are you from Europe?
I was on the Prima last year and was very disappointed in the ship. Hudson’s was the best thing about the ship. The elevator doors closed to fast and I missed several elevators. The wait staff and room stewards were wonderful, the Latitudes representative was rude. My husband and I are Diamond loyalty status and she was the worst one by far. From now on I’ll stick to the smaller ships, the Jewel class is as crowded as I want.
I’m booked on the first sailing it’s transatlantic from London to Boston 4/2025
I was not aware there is a further class beyond Prima in current development. I have a Prima cruise booked for September 2025 disembarking in Iceland, so I hope we don't have the same fate with weather that you showed in the video. I look forward to what will soon be an "older" fleet design when we set sail from Reykjavik.
Hello my friend! I have added the Aqua to my trip wish list, but it will probably need to wait a while before I go. In the meantime, I am booked on the POA for February of 2025. Do to work schedule and other commitments, that is the soonest I could go. I am concerned about the "new" solo cabins in different levels. (inside, OV, Balcony, suite) I was already booked on POA in a balcony, and as soon as the bookings opened up for that ship in October, I called and had my reservation adjusted to a solo balcony. I was shocked that the pricing did not drop by half. In fact, it only came down about $500 USD. I was moved from a mid-ship balcony to a foward, and dropped 2 levels down. (from deck 9 to deck 7). The location change wasn't terrible, as I am now in front of the lifeboats. We may not be paying a full single supplement, but it is not as price conscience as they advertise it to be. As for the Aqua, the slide coaster in an interesting concept in addition to the convertable theater. I will be watching for reviews on both to see how well it works once the ship begins to sail. In the meantime, I will just keep watching for updates from you! As always, sunshine smiles from me in LA to you. I keep watching the weather in your neck of the woods, and I know it's beginning to chill down. 🥰🌞💖🤗
Hi Lee Ann 👋 Thanks for sharing your news! Hawaii is still a dream of mine, one day! Thanks for sharing your experience with the new pricing for the solo class of cabins. I was looking recently and also noticed some funny things with the prices, but I thought this may be the way the Black Friday promos were being applied. I'm looking at some 2024 plans and will also be keeping a close eye on how this works out in practice, because I love a good deal! Sending smiles back your way!! (it is definitely getting chilly so looking forward to some warmer weather on my cruise in just over a week!)
Grant, thanks for the information. I sailed the Prima back in February, I enjoyed the trip and the ship met my needs.
I have an NCL cruise currently booked for May of 2025. I am/will be booking the Aqua for 2025. I always think It's exciting to experience a new ship and I'm looking forward to the new changes that are coming.
I'm will be waiting a couple of months before booking, hoping that a couple of ports will be added to the current list.
Hi Grant! I'm booked as a solo on the Aqua August 2-9 2025!! I can't wait! Sooooooo excited!!!!!!! I love your videos!
Veteran NCL cruisers here and recently had an 11 day cruise on the Prima. I would say the balcony cabins were spacious and as nice as any we have been in. The comedy club and Syd Norman's were small and crowded, as was the buffet, which to me, is inexcusable. NCL has data from its other larger ships on how many people per thousand (or percentages) are at any venue at any time. How do you design a ship for 3200 passengers and think that only 70 would want to see a comedy show? How is that even possible?
The upper deck swimming pool area is far too small for the number of people that would like to be there, and enjoy the music and the sun. Even people, who can use the Beach Club or the Haven, want to be there for the music, and there is no way enough room. The outdoor area on deck 8 is very nice for quiet sunning, reading and enjoying a beverage, but does not pull enough people away from the top deck to avoid crowding.
The theater was fine for the shows and the seat were more comfortable than on other ships. The nightclub was well done there.
The biggest disappointment is the atrium. The style is clean and elegant, but the layout and functionality is horrible. The front and center position in the atrium is a stairway, with flanking elevators. The small performance stage is tucked back in the port corner on the on deck 6, so no one on decks 7 and 8 can see the performers. The seating area on 6 was small and the staff had to put out folding chairs. A couple of times, they made a small "stage" in front of the stairway, and when the performers were there, people lined all 3 decks to listen and watch and enjoy the show. This is how an atrium should be done and has been on all the other 23 ships we have been on. there is also no food available at the atrium, just Starbucks. Other ships have the Local or O'Sheehan's so people can hang out there for a long time.
If I were in charge and was managing a billion dollar project like that, the marine architect, and every executive who sign off on such ridiculous design elements, would be fired.
Your right about the destinations with the design of Ocean Blvd. We love the observation lounge on Encore and Bliss for Alaska and cant imagine going on the Prima or VIVA to cold destinations. We are booked on the first sailing of the AQUA in 2025 from South Hampton to Boston. We have been on the Prima inagural to Miami from Galveston in 2022, two hurricanes along the way and we lost two of the destinations, Cozumel and the private island. Tha did not discourage us from booking the VIVA in the med. We did 21 days in November 2023 on the VIVA from Italy all the way to Miami. Loved the VIVA even more then the Prima. It totaly depends on what type of cruiser you are and if you can manage your expectations. Had alot of the same crew whom open new ships so that was an unexpected suprise. We love brand new ships and found no problem getting into venues if you plan correctly. We move opposite of the crowd and pick the times when people are off the ship to schedule some activities. Like go carts on port days. Technically all of the worst complaints are for the people who have to be entertained and cant book thier times in time on the first day. We dont live by the pool so the size of the pool does not matter nor should it. We pick NCL so we can set our own schedule, adjust to unexpected changes and just overall enjoy our balcony cabin. Its amazing how much people who dont seem to understand what the ship provides, seem to be the ones who complain the most and post negative reviews about the ships design. I find myself getting mad more at complainers then hurricanes that change which ports we get to go to. If you want a big pool and 5000 too many people the go to Royal.
Great video. I've been on 6 cruises, but only on 1 NCL ship the Gem. I like the smaller ships, and I was looking forward to the medium-sized ships NCL was coming out with.
Considering this cruise ship for May 2025, but given what is currently happening with the Princess Sun' s launch, I am hesitant to book something that close to an inaugural launch date.
Any idea of the cabin layouts? Balcony, club balcony, suites? Are the bathrooms and balconies larger than the breakaway plus? Thank you for the videos! I subscribed.
You know, we did the Prima back in 10/22 and we thought it was pretty good but a few venues did require you to get there early or you'd miss out. We could manage and wanted to go back on a Prima class but scheduling didn't work out. However, we are very much interested in the Aqua class so we have booked on the Aqua in May 2025. Oh yeah....
I’m excited. I’m booked for July 2025
Having sailed on Prima and booked for the Viva one thing NCL absolutely nailed was the Haven. The Haven spaces are amazing and worth every penny in my opinion. If I wasn't staying in the Haven I would certainly feel differently. The mail pool on the Prima is comically small and sandwiched next to the stupid go-kart track. So much of the main deck is taken up with pay-to-play stuff it's kind of insulting. Indulge food hall is awesome but during lunch time on a sea day it would be nearly impossible to find a single seat.
I liked the Prima, sailed her twice both in the Haven…a few things I would like to see on Aqua is a much larger indulge eating space with longer hours of operation for lunch, much larger theater and Comedy space as both are extremely small. Also entertainment aboard has gone downhill. The last Prima sailing they didn’t have ANY comedy shows which really shocked me.
Viva has The Stadium as well. It's in the same area where the mini golf and dart games are, but includes free things like ping pong (in a cylinder) and table-shuffleboard, whatever that's called. All totally separate from Galaxy Pavillion, which is one deck lower.
No I'm not a NCL fan anymore. My last cruise they really screwed my son and I in our cabin and in the c- food on the ship. So it would take more than a new ship to interest me.
Count you blessings. We used NCL air travel and they put our kids on a different airline then us. Then they wanted us to pay the cancelation and rebooking fees to sort it. Nope. I have no trust with NCL.
NCL food is a crap shoot. Some meals are okay, but others are poor.
Grant thanks for making this video. Have you been on the prima or viva? Are you planning on sailing on the aqua?
Excellent job on the video!
Hi J.W. 👋 Thank you so much! Lots goes into making each video behind the scenes so I really appreciate the gratitude! I have another Aqua video coming soon so please keep your eyes peel for that one. I hope you're having a beautiful day!
were on march sailing will be first out of port canaveral on maiden voyage from us
While on the prima, they would rather have the party outside. The theater was used only once for a small/short party, no sitting or tables available.
That new area for eating was mostly closed or packed full... writing while waiting to disembark the Carnival Celebration in Miami. The spaces are awesome, 2 comedy rooms. We found availability on sitting everywhere, including the main pool. Norwegian food is still much better 😋
Frequent loyal NCL Haven cruisers. 6 Breakaway / Breakaway plus Havens and most recently the Prima Haven Spain to NYC. Transatlantic.
I agree that the Prima class is not a cold or cooler temperature ship. The Prima Haven has an outdoor pool. The Breakaways have an indoor Haven Pool .
The Breakaways have the Ocean Blue premium resturant which is fabulous, the Prima does not. The Prima has the Polyomar premium resturant which is excellent but smaller.
The public buffet is much smaller on Prima.
I didnt like the Cigar smoking lounge on the Prima, as much as the Breakaway class ship. The Breakaway Cigar lounge has big windows to view the Sea, while the Prima Cigar lounge has none. Minor issue.
But overall I love the Prima Haven & we love NCL.
The Haven only elevators are great on Prima.
The Haven resturant and lounge on Prima is much bigger and much nicer imo.
We did not ever experiance seating at the shows problem as Haven guest get escorted to the shows by Consigniers service.
The Haven open areas on Prima blow the Breakaway class away.
We are planning a Mediterranean cruise on Aqua in 2025, just dont know which one yet.
Liked and subscribed 👍
Sounds awesome where do I sign up for next summer 2025
Looks like fun for family 's
Booked on the Aqua for November 2025 out of Miami. Solo studio.
I booked that cruise in August 2025 to bermuda, I have a studio solo stateroom
We’re taking the Viva on a Greek isles cruise next year and we just booked the Aqua from NYC so I’m hoping these both are great es t!
I’m excited to see this one!
I'll do the aqua coaster with you, Grant! 😜
Hi MaryStrawyberry 👋 Aren't you just a peach!
Hopefully they will have more entertainment then just one production show on a 12 day cruise. And needs better venue spaces for music abd comedy show areas. We’re going on the viva here in October for our Mediterranean cruise hoeing there’s more entertainment as well even though I know it’s going to be the same ship as Prima.
Do THEY STILL PLAN TO HAVE THE Vibe?
So has the aqua addressed the difficulties of getting into shows and specialty dining or not? Thanks
they have note fixed any of the issues people have with the current ships.
Hi Grant… do u have a video on Cruise insurance. So I had this situation… where a 5 day cruise to Bermuda from NYC became a cruise to nowhere as the ship could not dock at Bermuda due weather one hour before scheduled dock time. Is there any insurance which covers such situations? Or is that all part of the fine print that we don’t read. 😀
Hey Grant, Can someone explain to me how the '2nd Guest Free' offer works? I feel I'm getting click baited into it when a price showing 1500 quick add up to 4500 in the total amount due. And there is still a price breakdown cost of Guest 1 and 2. So how is this 2nd Guest free?
solo travelers !!!! finally !!! AQUA !!!!
I have seen the Star of Norwegian
But still waiting for Norwegian Wish
I beg my pardon and insist on the answer
Grant, How much is that Fish?
Hi Sergey 👋 I hope that you already know this, but the fish is priceless 😜🫶
Glad they don’t go massive like the other cruise lines.
Went on Encor, even that had too small venues ( most notable, comedy and the Beatle shows). don't like the pay only areas as well. Making the heaven will only make this worse. It will make the steerage class even more looked down on.
More of an iteinery based cruise ( Panama canal is next) than cruising just for cruising, so the slides, laser tag, and go carts don't entice me at all. Will cruise ( or try) to do on their older smaller ships.
So the Aqua is 10% larger but also has 15% more guests? 😂
With buffet crammed into 17 deck (instead of much bigger lower decks)?
A water coaster? Not necessary
Will pass on a cruise ship that has more than 22-2300 people.
The issue with the Prima class is they are priced out of the avg loyal NCL price point. Frank N who created this class to move the price point up and was personally the one who canceled the entertainment is now FINALLY GONE. He nearly pissed off the entire loyal NCL cruiser. Good riddance. Now bring back back Kinky boots, Six, Prisella Queen of the Desert plus others. Completely burned out on Burn the Floor and Choir of man.
Agree. NCL took a turn for the worse under FDR. So much better under Kevin Sheehan. FDR should live out the rest of his life in a hole for all i care.
People want space.
OK. I will try to explain my main complain about Norwegian company. They try to deprive you of EASY access to getting services that they sold to you. Everything that you expect to receive is really hard to get. Meals: long lines, small free venues, closed at 10 pm . Entertainment: long lines, low quality or small venues, closed around 10 pm. Boredom is a king. After 10 you do not have many choices. You may drink by the bar or go back to your room. Norwegian thinks that staying in the room, ordering movies on TV and ordering room service is the best vacation for us peasants 😢. If you have kids or diabetes and want to have a small snack after 10 pm, you have to order extremely unhealthy snack. Everything is closed (with exception for one! small restaurant). No choices. Majority of good reviews are written either by the company related people… or people from Europe. They are more tolerant to bad service. Here, in the USA, we expect a good service. Smug Norwegian wants us to fight in the lines for ship’s services or do not provide them to us at all. If you do not request, room service won’t even check your room. 😢 No wonder, more and more people prefer smaller ships with bigger venues or go to different companies.
these mega ships with all their stacked decks and minimal funnel designs are just ugly, the ships of yesteryear look so much better and classier.
We did NOT like the Prima!
Why not?
We LOVED the Prima 😂
Why?
What was it that you didn’t like about it because I actually liked it?
We loved it. 😂