Sue at Sea

Hopping on board a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel is a dream come true and on most traveller’s bucket lists! NCL is an award-winning cruise line designed to give you the ultimate experience at sea. Boasting 3 levels with more to do on a ship than you could ever think of and the best part - you can also enjoy Free Open Bar, Free Specialty Dining, Free Excursions, and much more.

Sue Garrett, from Flight Centre SA HQ, was one of the lucky few to experience the beauty of the Norwegian Prima on her inaugural cruise out of Reykjavik, Iceland in late August. Sue shared all about her trip and how this once in a lifetime experience turned this newbie cruisegoer into a cruise lover for life!

How was the ship?

The Norwegian Prima is incredible! We arrived early to get on board, and right from the check in, our experience was beyond expectation. When I first embarked, I was blown away by the sheer size of her. We could not wait to dump our bags and get exploring, which we did, and it took us about 6 hours of wandering from deck to deck to see the whole vessel! The experiences on board were way beyond our expectation too. The speedway (a 3-level racetrack), the "Drop and Rush" slide, the outdoor pool areas, the Infinity Beach, mini golf, the ocean walk, paddle ball courts, the Galaxy Pavilion (Immerse yourself in the virtual world - a high-tech wonderland for the whole family) are just a handful of the jawdropping experiences on offer.

And then of course all the food. There is a choice of 5 dining experiences included in your cruise package PLUS a choice of 8 specialty restaurants. Oh and of course more bars than I can count!

What were the cabins like?

Bearing in mind I had never been on a cruise before, I had imagined the cabins on any cruise to be tiny. But not on the Prima! Our stateroom was huge and just so well appointed. The design of the cabin allowed for every space to be fully optimized and of course the balcony, with the ocean views, made the space seem even larger than it was.

What was your favorite thing about the ship?

Without a question the Indulge Food Hall. What a brilliant concept and the first of its kind at sea. You can dine around the world with cuisine from India, Latin America, Italy and well just about everywhere! You truly must experience this concept to understand how exceptional it is. The gym on board is state of the art and was the best place to be to work off all the excellent food - and then repeat!

The other thing that I really feel sets the Norwegian Prima apart is the crew on board. They were truly exceptional, and it was evident that they loved working on board as much as we as guests loved being on board.

Tell us about the entertainment on the ship?

Apart from the daily activities that are available as mentioned above, the evening entertainment never left us looking for something to do. The Prima's theatre is the first venue in the world (at sea) that transforms from a three-story theatre to a Vegas style nightclub by night. It is amazing and the technology used to transform this space is insane as all the seats from the theatre magically retract!

We got to enjoy The Donna Summer Musical, Kool & The Gang as well as Chaka Khan in this venue. We spent several hours at the Improv at Sea too - the home for stand-up comedians, and we also were audience to The Fleetwood Mac revival in the PourHouse. You certainly will never get bored on board! There is something for everyone.

How were the excursions?

The choice on offer for day excursions was brilliant and so well organized. In every port we got to experience the food and culture of a different country. I would recommend booking in advance as the popular choices sell out quickly and you don't want to miss out.

Tips for anyone considering going on a cruise

• Book shore excursions in advance
• Book specialty restaurants in advance
• Always carry your room key as this is linked to your passport and guest details
• You don't need to leave tips at bars or restaurants as this is included in your service charges (obviously for exceptional service, tipping is appreciated)
• Turn your phone onto airplane mode once on board as you connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi, and you don't want any roaming data surprises
• Be ready for last-minute itinerary changes as there are many reasons why a ship may not be able to dock in port (weather, port maintenance etc.)
• Visit Guest Services in the early morning or late at night to avoid queues
• Pack seasick medication just in case - you never know when bad weather may hit and you might be susceptible to seasickness
• Pack good walking shoes as you need to explore when you get into port

Fancy having your own experience at sea? Browse NCL’s range of incredible cruises here.