NCL goes all out for Norwegian Prima’s entertainment and onboard experiences
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled the multifaceted entertainment and onboard experiences available on the new Norwegian Prima.
The first of six ships within NCL’s all-new Prima Class and debuting with record-breaking sales when it was announced in May, Norwegian Prima will feature Tony Award-nominated musical Summer: The Donna Summer Musical as its interactive headlining act.
The ship will also showcase numerous cruise industry firsts and new-to-brand elevated onboard experiences when it sets sail in the northern hemisphere summer of 2022, including the world’s first venue that transforms from a three-story theatre into a Vegas-style nightclub, freefall drop dry slides and the largest racetrack at sea.
“We’re not just elevating the guest experience, we’re giving it an adrenaline rush and multisensory overload,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive of NCL.
“When we launched Norwegian Prima, we aimed at going beyond expectations, providing our guests with more wide-open spaces, elevated service, thoughtful design and a variety of unforgettable experiences, and this latest unveiling of our entertainment and onboard activities line-up is going to have the wow factor they’ve yearned for in a much-anticipated cruise vacation.”
For the most extreme adrenaline rush at sea, Norwegian Prima will debut The Drop, the world’s first freefall dry slide, where guests will experience a 10-story plunge reaching the highest G-forces of any cruise line; more Gs than an accelerating F1 race car.
The edge-of-your-seat experience takes a competitive turn with The Rush, featuring duelling dry slides where guests can race each other for the ultimate in bragging rights.
As the only cruise line to offer go-karts at sea, NCL will up the ante on Norwegian Prima, offering the largest and first-ever three-level racetrack with the Prima Speedway.
Featuring a longer straight section or stretch with a racetrack of more than 420 metres and 22 per cent larger than the current racetrack on Norwegian Encore, the speedway will now go around and through the funnel of the ship, and boasts 14 nail-biting turns where 15 drivers can simultaneously race on the open ocean, reaching speeds of more than 50 kilometres per hour.
After racers have completed their ultimate thrill ride, they can unwind at the new Prima Speedway Bar located beneath the racetrack.
NCL’s popular indoor virtual gaming complex, The Galaxy Pavilion, levels up to offer guests 14 attractions to choose from, including four new hyper-immersive simulator experiences only available on Norwegian Prima, two different escape rooms, and a Topgolf Swing Suite, showcasing the only Topgolf Swing Suite available at sea.
The Topgolf Swing Suite will deliver an immersive gaming and social experience, featuring a variety of Topgolf games, world-renowned virtual golf courses and multi-player games.
The Topgolf Swing Suite is powered by Full Swing golf simulator technology – the same simulator used by PGA Tour pros such as Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm.
From the powerhouse production team that brought Jersey Boys with current residence on Norwegian Bliss comes Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
This is the story of Donna Summer’s meteoric rise from a young starlet to the queen of disco featuring a score of more than 20 of Summer’s mega disco hits including “Bad Girl,” “Last Dance,” and “Hot Stuff”.
The 75-minute immersive production will be a first at sea where the theatre itself transforms into a full disco and guests can become a part of the show and dance to Summer’s all-time disco medleys.
Taking guests from the disco glam of Summer to the neon lights of Light Balance Universe featuring Light Balance, the golden buzzer winner from America’s Got Talent, the dance crew will bring their jaw-dropping visual effects and style to Norwegian Prima.
Guests will experience high-energy choreography and acrobatics while partaking in a multisensory light spectacular.
All of Norwegian Prima’s headline acts will take centre stage in this ground-breaking transformational theatre.
The three-story venue, designed to seamlessly convert the space from a state-of-the-art performance stage to an expansive dance floor, will feature a customisable seating layout and moving LED screen that lowers from the ceiling and is nearly half the size of the venue.
The extravagant high-energy nightclub’s SENSORIA theme provides clubgoers with an out-of-body experience where they can dance late into the night and enjoy a kaleidoscope of high-energy music and innovative special effects.
Norwegian Prima will debut The Bull’s Eye, an elevated twist on the classic game of darts featuring a sophisticated video tracking system that automatically calculates each guest’s score, and even offers instant game replays.
NCL will introduce Tee Time, a supercharged version of minigolf, where guests can enjoy nine interactive holes set among a Vegas-style backdrop and even have a chance to win prizes.
Making its splashing first appearance on Norwegian Prima as part of the ship’s Aqua Park and Main Pool area will be the brand’s first Tidal Wave waterslide featuring gushing surf where guests can ride an innertube to catch the perfect wave.
Guests looking to relax can do so in either one of two infinity hot tubs or under the area’s cascading water feature.
Vibe Beach Club, NCL’s adult-only area, returns on Norwegian Prima, providing enhanced experiences including a dedicated bar and two infinity hot tubs where guests can enjoy the ocean’s horizon at leisure.
Syd Norman’s Pour House, the onboard guest-favourite classic rock club, makes its comeback on Norwegian Prima after the concept initially debuted on Norwegian Breakaway in 2018.
The venue features a stellar house band playing the greatest rock songs of all time, from Aerosmith to Led Zeppelin.
There will be laughs on the high seas with The Improv at Sea comedy club showcasing stand-up performances against an intellectual tongue-in-cheek ‘Science of Comedy’ theme.
With voyages beginning in the northern hemisphere summer of 2022, Norwegian Prima will be 294 metres long, more than142,000 gross tonnes and able to accommodate 3,215 guests at double occupancy.
Last chance to register for NCL’s Walk for Wellness challenge
NCL is counting down to its second annual Walk for Wellness challenge and calling out for final registrations, which close on Thursday 30 September.
The popular initiative celebrates wellbeing within the travel industry and launches on Friday 1 October to coincide with a number of mental health events taking place throughout the month, including World Mental Health Day on Sunday 10 October.
Already, over 850 travel industry members have registered to get active and track their steps towards a combined goal of 100,000 kilometres via a free mobile app, while taking part in fun weekly challenges and connecting with their peers in the travel community along the way.
“Our goal is to improve the wellbeing of as many trade partners as possible in Australia and New Zealand, so if you’ve been thinking about signing up but haven’t yet, now is the time”, said NCL’s AUNZ sales director, Damian Borg.
“There’s even an NCL cruise on offer as part of our incredible prizes, but you’ve got to be in it to win it!”
The challenge will award over 50 prizes to agents throughout, including an Apple Watch Series 6, Bose Wireless earphones, Endota Spa gift cards, virtual gym subscriptions, cash gift cards and Partners First Rewards points.
Agents who sign up can also secure their place at NCL’s exclusive Walk for Wellness livestream yoga class on 13 October, as well as the opportunity to go on a virtual walk with agents’ local NCL business development manager.
Featured image source: Norwegian Cruise Line
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
cruise line cruise ship Donna Summer harry sommer Light Balance Light Balance Universe mental health NCL norwegian cruise line Norwegian Prima onboard experiences Prima Class SENSORIA Tee Time The Bull’s Eye The Drop The Rush Tidal Wave Vibe Beach Club Walk for WellnessLatest News
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