Norwegian Prima. Cabin Reviews and Cabins To Avoid (Real Photos

If you are taking a cruise on Norwegian Prima you may be wondering which cabin would suit you.

I have just disembarked a cruise on Norwegian Prima after a wonderful trip to Bermuda. We sailed from New York City, a great experience.

Whilst I stayed in a midship balcony cabin, there are plenty of other options to suit every traveller’s budget. In this guide, we will explore the options.

In This Post, We Explore:

Inside Cabins
Outside Cabins
Balcony Cabins
Suite Cabins
Solo or “Studio” cabins
Other things to consider

We will also look at cabins to avoid.

Inside Cabin – Norwegian Prima Review

Inside Cabins usually sleep two people and are between 160-255 ft2 / 15-24 m2 in size. The size depends on the exact location.

There are 385 inside cabins on the Norwegian Prima. As the name suggests, you have no window or view of the ocean.

Inside cabins are normally the cheapest cabins available onboard cruise ships.

Cabins normally have a double bed, which can easily be converted into two singles depending on your needs.

Just speak to your cabin steward if you need the bed configuration changed, they are always happy to help.

There are inside cabins available that accommodate four passengers These inside cabins have two “Pullman” beds that pull down from the ceiling.

Things I Liked About The Inside Cabins:

They are a good size for an inside cabin
The amount of storage space and drawers within the main cabin itself.
A very good-sized bathroom with a large sink and shower cubicle with a glass door.
The modern styling – light and bright, and every available space is well-utilised.
Lots of power outlets, USBs to plug in my phone, chargers etc.

Things I Didn’t like:

I really struggled to find anything I didn’t like about the inside cabins on Norwegian Prima!

They have been carefully designed to use every available space. If I had to find fault, the only things I could mention would be:

The bathroom door has a very strong spring that immediately slams shut the moment you let go. You have to shut it gently, or risk disturbing your sleeping cabin mates, or your Cabin neighbours!
If you have a cabin with an interconnecting door to the next cabin, you may have noise issues, they aren’t well insulated.
No tea or coffee-making facilities – which as a British person, I really miss!

To find out more about noise issues in cruise ship cabins, read the article below:

Are Cruise Ship Cabins Soundproof? (Thin Walls, Balconies and Travelling Sound)

Outside Cabins – Norwegian Prima Review

The outside cabins on Norwegian Prima are almost identical to the inside cabins in style and design.

The average size of a standard oceanview cabin is around 185 ft2 / 17 m2.

There are 58 standard ocean-view cabins onboard.

Norwegian also offers the option of larger, “Family” Ocean view cabins

As the name suggests, these are larger at around 235-370 ft2 / 22-34 m2

These cabins have a full-sized sofa bed to accommodate the third and fourth guests in the cabin if needed.

Oceanview cabins are the next step up to an inside cabin and are a good choice if you think you would miss having natural light.

It is a cheaper option than a balcony suite cabin but still gives you views of the ocean – albeit with no actual outside space.

Things I liked about the Oceanview Cabins

Standard Oceanviews are a good size, and there is also the option to book a family/larger Oceanview
The amount of storage space and drawers within the main cabin itself.
A very good-sized bathroom with a large sink and shower cubicle with a glass door.
The modern styling – it’s light and bright, and every available space is well-utilised.
Lots of power outlets, USBs to plug in my phone, chargers etc.

Things I Didn’t like:

I really struggled to find anything I didn’t like about the Oceanview cabins on Norwegian Prima!

They have been carefully designed to use every available space. If I had to find fault, the only things I could mention would be:

If you have a cabin with an interconnecting door to the next cabin, you may have noise issues, they aren’t well insulated.
The bathroom door has a very strong spring that immediately slams shut the moment you let go. You have to shut it gently, or risk disturbing your sleeping cabin mate, or your Cabin neighbours!
No tea or coffee-making facilities – which as a British person, I really miss!
If you have four passengers sleeping on a double bed and a sofa bed, the floor area is cramped. You may struggle to get to the bathroom at night without waking your cabinmates!

Balcony Cabins – Norwegian Prima Review

When I first walked into my balcony cabin I genuinely had to check the deck plans to make sure that I had been assigned the standard balcony cabin that I had booked!

The cabin felt so bright, open and spacious. I wondered if it was actually a larger, Club Balcony suite.

I’ve stayed in mini-suites on other ships in the past that felt far smaller than our standard balcony cabin on Norwegian Prima.

The size of Prima’s balcony cabins is larger than that on many other cruise ships.

Prima’s standard balcony cabins measure roughly between 230 and 355 sq ft. (21-34m2) Ours felt very large and spacious.

It had two very comfortable, padded chairs and a small table out on the balcony.

Things that I liked about My Balcony Cabin

They are more spacious than many other balcony cabins that I have stayed in.
The amount of storage space and drawers within the main cabin itself. There was also lots of space under the bed.
A very good-sized bathroom with a large sink and shower cubicle with a glass door.
The modern styling – it’s light and bright, and every available space is well-utilised.
Lots of power outlets, USBs to plug in my phone, chargers etc.

Things that I didn’t like:

We had a cabin with an interconnecting door to the next cabin. It wasn’t well insulated, and we could hear the family in the next-door cabin quite clearly
The bathroom door has a very strong spring that immediately slams shut the moment you let go. You have to shut it gently, or risk disturbing your sleeping cabin mate, or your Cabin neighbours!
No tea or coffee-making facilities – which as a British person, I really miss!

For a more in-depth review of my balcony cabin on Norwegian Prima, check out this video:

Solo Cabins / Studio cabins on Norwegian Prima

People often ask me which cruise line I would recommend for solo passengers.

Often cruisers who are single have to pay double the fare, as they have no one to share with. This seems rather unfair!

Traditionally, the cruise lines knew they could sell that cabin for more money to two guests sharing. They had no incentive to offer a reduction in price to solo travellers.

Recently there has been a surge in interest in passengers wanting to travel solo. There are solo cruiser groups that arrange cruises for solo passengers. Cruise lines are now starting to make changes to accommodate this market.

Norwegian is a cruise line that welcomes and accommodates solo passengers. It offers cabins specifically for them, with no single supplement payable.

They offer “studio” cabins that contain everything a solo cruiser could want – with no Single Supplement to be paid!

As well as your own cabin, there is a “studio Lounge” where cruisers can meet up with other singles for a drink and a chat. A really great option for those travelling alone, but who want to meet some new people!

Norwegian Says Studio Cabins have :

“Private keycard access complex comprised of staterooms specifically designed and priced for the solo traveller. Featuring a full-size bed and separate area for your bathroom in almost 95 square feet of living space.
Norwegian Cruise Line

Solo cruisers have access to the private Studio Lounge where they can meet other solo travellers.

No single supplement is charged by Norwegian for these specially designed cabins.

These studio cabins are inside cabins, so have no ocean view.

Norwegian Prima Suites

There is a range of different suites that you can book on Norwegian Prima.

The size of these suites varies greatly, with the largest, the Owner’s Suite, being a massive 2100 ft2 / 195 m2.

It is located at the back of deck 14, sleeps up to eight people and has a balcony area of 830 ft2 / 77 m2!

Unfortunately, it is a little out of my price range!

Norwegian offers a whole range of suites – some can sleep up to eight people!

The smallest is a more modest “Club Balcony Suite” accommodating two guests. This is approximately 240-270 ft2 / 22-25 m2 in size.

I have never stayed in a large suite on a cruise ship, although I have been lucky enough to be invited to look at the suites of friends who have!

Do Norwegian Prima Cabins come with Bathrobes?

In standard cabins, robes are not provided. Nor are slippers.

Robes are only available in Haven and Spa suites.

Do The Cabins on Norwegian Prima have TVs?

All cabins have interactive flat-screen TVs.

You can find out what is going on onboard, check your onboard account or just watch TV and movies.

Do The Cabins on Norwegian Prima have Kettles?

No. As with many other large American cruise lines, Norwegian doesn’t provide kettles and coffee makers in the cabins.

British cruise lines like P&O, ships sailing out of the UK, or those who cater to lots of UK guests often provide kettles with tea and coffee-making facilities.

This is something I really miss when they aren’t provided. I like to have a cup of tea in bed in the mornings before I start the day!

Do The Cabins on Norwegian Prima have Safes?

Yes, all cabins come with safes so you can lock your valuables away.

You will find this safe in the wardrobe/closet area.

Cabins to Avoid – Norwegian Prima

If you suffer from motion sickness, I would avoid a cabin right at the front or right at the back of the ship.

If you suffer from motion sickness, It is always better to have a cabin in the middle and slightly lower down where any movement of the ship will be felt less.

Cabins at the front of Deck 9 are right above the Prima Theatre & Club. It could disturb you if late-night shows and activities are taking place there.

You will hear the noise or the beat of any music played there, so avoid these cabins if you go to bed early or are a light sleeper.

A number of cabins have views of the ship’s massive slides!

“The Rush” and “The Drop” run right past some of the balcony cabins, obstructing their views.

Avoid these cabins if you are concerned about the noise from these guests sliding by!

This can affect any cabin between decks 9 and 16 – so carefully study the deck plan – or use a good travel agent to help book the perfect cabin for you.

If you are booking from the UK, USA or Canada why not let us help you book your perfect cruise?

Book a Cruise

Should You Book a Guaranteed Cabin?

I normally would choose a “guaranteed cabin” to save money, and let the cruise line pick the location.

I didn’t pick my cabin location for this trip – but I think I was very fortunate to get a mid-ship cabin. It was a good, central location and suited us well.

We stayed in Standard Balcony Cabin number 13730

This was a work trip so Norwegian Cruise Line picked my cabin for me on this occasion.

I am perfectly happy and able to walk great distances, and nothing much disturbs my sleep – so cabin location isn’t that important for me.

Not everyone is the same though, and I perfectly understand people choosing their cabins very carefully.

To learn more about guaranteed cabins and if it’s worth paying extra to pick your location, check out this post next: I Always Book Guaranteed Cabins on Cruise Ships – (Photo Examples, Regrets & More)

Would I Recommend Cabins on Norwegian Prima?

I would definitely recommend the cabins onboard Norwegian Prima!

They felt new and modern. Our cabin was spacious, always spotlessly clean and very comfortable.

Norwegian has obviously put a great deal of time and effort into the cabin design. They make the most of every available space.

The bathrooms also have much more space than other cruise ships I have sailed on.

Before You Go

We had a wonderful trip on Norwegian Prima! I enjoyed the destination, the staff were wonderful, and It was lovely to sail on a large modern ship like this.

It was a total contrast to my previous cruise with the much more traditional British cruise line Fred Olsen.

To find out more about my adventure to see the Northern Lights on this more traditional cruise ship, watch the video below: