Norwegian Prima is to sail from Southampton in 2025

The ship, launched this summer as the first of six Prima-class vessels will operate a series of 10 and 11 “open jaw” cruises between Southampton and Reykjavik from May to September 2025.

The news comes after Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive Harry Sommer confirmed in August that a Prima-class ship would be based in Southampton.

Norwegian Prima’s 2025 itineraries from Southampton will include trips to Geiranger in Norway’s fjords, as well as ports such as Alesund, Flam and Bergen, plus Iceland, Zeebrugge in Belgium and Amsterdam.

The ship, which will sail from the US in 2023 and 2024, offers attractions such as the largest racetrack at sea, increased deck space and a three-deck theatre that converts to a nightclub.

NCL made the announcement as part of the release of its winter 2024/25 and summer 2025 programmes in Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska.

The line’s European deployment plans also include basing Norwegian Viva from Athens between May and November 2025. Viva will be the second Prima-class ship when it debuts next summer.

Meanwhile Norwegian Breakaway will sail a series of round-trip itineraries from Barcelona between April and October 2025.

Sommer said: “Our itineraries are designed to provide longer port hours and fewer sea days to truly allow our guests the opportunity to dive into the cultures and destinations they are visiting.”

Before heading to the UK in 2025, Norwegian Prima will operate a series of round-trip itineraries from New York to the Caribbean in winter 2024/25.

Norwegian Cruise Line has delayed the launch of the second Prima-class vessel Norwegian Viva

As a result, the vessel’s sailings from 3 July 2023 through 17 August 2023 have been cancelled.

In response, the line has repositioned Norwegian Getaway to take over Viva’s cancelled European voyages.

A spokesperson said: “Guests can rebook on Norwegian Getaway and receive a 20% discount on the voyage fare paid, or they can receive a full refund.

“Guests choosing either option will receive a 10% discount valid for any future sailing bookable from 23 August 2022 through 31 December 2024. We appreciate the understanding of our guests and travel partners.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Tweaks Prima Class Delivery Schedule

Norwegian Cruise Line is making changes to its upcoming ship delivery schedule, citing shipyard delays due to supply chain constraints. 

The Miami-based cruise line will now not get a new Prima Plus class ship in 2024, and instead round out the Prima class with Prima Plus class deliveries in 2025, 2026 and 2027, with 2026 featuring two new ship debuts, according to an investor presentation.

Originally, the company was set to get a single Prima Plus class ship in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.

With the new Norwegian Prima debuting this past summer, the Norwegian Viva follows in 2023.

The Prima Plus class then rounds out the series of new Norwegian Cruise Line ships from Fincantieri, with four more ships scheduled for delivery. The Prima Plus ships are also bigger, going from 3,215 berths to 3,550 per ship.