We sailed on an older Norwegian ship and a newer one. The big changes show how the cruise line is evolving to compete with Royal Caribbean and Carnival.
October 6, 20240
Rains’ husband took advantage of the free mojitos.
Taylor Rains/Business Insider
Breakaway had 14 bars and lounges. Rain’s top pick was Skyy Vodka Ice Bar, a boozy cryo-chamber-like room with equally chilled drinks, warmed only by the provided colorful coats.
A 30-minute time slot costs $15 per person.
Prima didn’t have an ice-cold bar. But it did have four more options than Breakaway, including a watering hole by the go-kart track (don’t drink and drive!) and a luxurious lounge that serves cocktails with liqueurs and syrups made from onboard food scraps.
Where Prima excelled was its open-air decks.
Breakaway’s 2020 refurbishment added more open-air spaces and the rock hall.
Taylor Rains/Business Insider
The 11-year-old Breakaway’s buffet, theater performances, and enjoyable programming delivered a back-to-basic style of cruising — great for travelers who prefer the classics.
However, despite its recent refurbishment in 2020, the ship lacked the high-tech amenities and obvious luxury of two-year-old Prima.
If you’re looking for exciting family activities, Norwegian’s newest ships are, as expected, the obvious choice.
Norwegian Prima pool deck.
Brittany Chang/Business Insider
Prima’s virtual reality arcade, a thrilling go-kart course, and uniquely immersive mini-golf course stand out in an amenity-filled mass-market cruise industry.
Just be ready to splurge on the most enticing activities and pay for its pricier fare.
Prima’s least expensive seven-day cruise starts at about $920 per person for a Caribbean voyage from Galveston, Texas, in early 2025. That’s pricier than Breakaway’s cheapest weeklong cruise, which starts at $700 per person for a voyage to Bermuda from New York City in November.
