NEWS SPECIAL REPORT on Norwegian Prima’s inaugural cruise. Natalie Marsh joins the sailing from Iceland to Ireland
NCL hails Prima for sales surge N
orwegian Cruise Line hailed an upturn in sales in the past month, with the launch in late August
of Norwegian Prima helping lift the line’s bookings above the same period in 2019. Chief executive Harry Sommer
reported strong pent-up demand for cruise holidays since the pandemic, with some loyal NCL guests who used to cruise once or twice a year now choosing to do so every month. “For the last three weeks, our
[worldwide] bookings for 2022 are actually higher than the same weeks in 2019 across all three of our brands [NCL, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises] by a measurable amount,” said Sommer, addressing media on board Prima last week. “We are very pleased with the trajectory.” Sommer added that the UK – the
line’s third-biggest market after the US and Canada – was also performing well, saying: “We’re now at levels higher than 2019 in the UK market.” He was also optimistic about 2023. “If current trends continue, 2023
Harry Sommer
Godmother Katy Perry christened Norwegian Prima in Reykjavik
will absolutely be a record – with the caveat being if current trends continue,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a really good future.” Norwegian Prima is the first of six ships in the line’s new Prima class. The second, Norwegian Viva, is due to be delivered next August.
AGENTS’ VIEWS
Chris Gardner,
Cruise.co.uk “Prima is a great step up for NCL. There are really good public spaces and the food’s amazing. I
really like the Observation Lounge because it’s very relaxed; you can get drinks, food and just look out to the open ocean. The food hall is also great.”
Simone Clark,
Iglu.com “She’s modern and very stylish and I love the fact there are so many small, intimate areas. It’s
a beautiful design. I like the Ocean Boulevard where you walk around the ship, and there are lots of surprises everywhere, like outdoor dining and a sculpture park, and the walkway turns to glass in some places.”
Dame Irene Hays, Hays Travel “I really like the Observation Lounge. If you’re wanting to sit and have a private meeting, there’s a
space to do that. If there are a group of you who want to have a drink, there’s a place to do that too. The views are sensational. And I love the sculpture walk.”
Gill Williams, The Travel Village “The food is stunning, and the variety of dining options will
suit all tastes. I love the concept of Indulge [the food hall] and its street market-type food. One of my highlights was Syd Norman’s Pour House bar and the rock band – it was an incredible atmosphere, and the place was rocking!”
“Viva will be very similar to this
ship, but I think from ship number three onwards, there’ll be changes,” Sommer said. “But we are committed to this
premium, elegant footprint.” Sommer stressed how much the company values the trade, noting
its recent commitment to providing 10,000 cabins for agent partners across Prima’s inaugural sailings. “I can say without hesitation,
without caveat whatsoever, that [travel agents] are a cornerstone to the success of this company. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Norwegian Prima’s Ocean Boulevard
travelweekly.co.uk
8 SEPTEMBER 2022
11
PICTURES: NCL/Getty Images/Tristan Fewings; Alive Coverage; Christian Santiago
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