New Ships - Issuu

from Cruise International November/December 2022

by The Chelsea Magazine Company

Feel your heart pumping as you drop down a 10-deck slide or spot a bald eagle soaring overhead on these ocean and expedition vessels

NORWEGIAN PRIMA

Get your first taste of NCL’s new class of ships, packed with daring activities and top-notch dining. Sara Macefield reports

Clockwise from above: View from The Haven infinity pool; rum cocktail; The Drop and The Rush slides; porterhouse steak at Cagney’s Steakhouse; The Local Bar & Grill; The Haven Penthouse with balcony Iam enveloped in what feels like an all-consuming cocoon and as the door of the launch pod slowly slides shut, I feel a rising tide of tense anticipation.

Suddenly, a disembodied voice counts down a few excruciating seconds: three, two, one. The floor gives way and I feel myself plummeting like a stone into the inky blackness of one of

Norwegian Prima’s headline attractions.

This is The Drop, billed as the world’s first freefall dry slide, spiralling 10 decks on the side of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, and I am shrieking like a banshee all the way down.

As I tumble out at the bottom and wrestle my way from the body bag-like sleeve (it’s to stop friction burns, apparently), I’m aware of a chorus of clapping from nearby diners in tribute to my screeching descent – which I acknowledge with a sweeping bow before bashfully retreating.

For cruisers who like their thrills, there are plenty on Norwegian Prima,

NCL’s first new class of ship in nearly a decade and one of six such vessels to launch between now and 2027.

Adrenaline junkies can race each other on the dual Rush slides that corkscrew down 10 decks or the exhilarating Wave waterslide (my favourite) where riders are swept along on innertubes for a rip-roaring few seconds. Meanwhile, budding racers can vroom their way along the popular Speedway go-kart track which, curling around three decks, makes it the longest one so far and easily the best.

Yet one of the most distinctive features of this debutante, which at 3,100 passengers is smaller than NCL’s most recent ships, is the refined air that sets it apart from the rest of the fleet.

NCL’s bright and sometimes brash feel has been replaced by a more sophisticated ambience with an understated palate of colours and a multimillion-dollar collection of artworks. There’s even an outdoor sculpture park, another sea-going first, that’s perfect for posturing selfies.

The Haven, an exclusive ‘ship within a ship’ suite-only area, has been remodelled, offering the largest range of suites in the fleet and an uber-stylish infinity pool, the centrepiece of the private deck now placed at the ship’s aft – a massive improvement on the enclosed pool area of previous Haven complexes.

Norwegian Prima feels more spacious inside and out with the Ocean Boulevard, which wraps around the ship like a promenade deck and where you can walk over water on 8

THIS IS THE DROP, THE WORLD’S FIRST FREEFALL DRY SLIDE, AND I’M SHRIEKING LIKE A BANSHEE ALL THE WAY DOWN

Clockwise from above: Vibe Beach Club; Onda by Scarpetta Italian restaurant; Noise Boys in the multi-purpose theatre; Speedway go-kart track; Galaxy Pavilion entrance two Oceanwalk glass bridges, complete with somewhat stomachchurning views below.

Along its route are tempting lounging areas where I can’t resist stretching out on Balinese daybeds and gently rocking in hanging birdcage-style chairs, before a dip in one of the two infinity pools.

There’s a larger main pool too, but my pick of the chill spots is the Vibe Beach Club, which sits in a sheltered location towards the ship’s aft with dual infinity hot tubs, plush sunbeds and a dedicated bar – though this comes at a price, with week-long passes costing from $229.

Youngsters can get wet and wild in the water play area or fight zombies and werewolves in the Galaxy Pavilion virtual gaming complex, and there’s family fun in the deck games area with Tee Time mini golf and a new video darts game called The Bull’s Eye.

Norwegian Prima’s new multipurpose theatre is put to good use during the ship’s naming ceremony in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik where godmother, American pop princess Katy Perry, blasts out hits that get everyone on their feet during a special concert.

But it comes into its own with Prima’s launch production, The Donna Summer Musical, where the disco queen vibe continues once the show ends as the seating area is transformed into a dance floor in tribute to iconic New York nightspot Studio 54.

YOUNGSTERS CAN FIGHT ZOMBIES AND WEREWOLVES AND THERE’S FAMILY FUN IN THE DECK GAMES AREA

All-action gameshows including The Price is Right also debut on board, while other venues, including pub-like Syd Norman’s Pour House and Improv at Sea, host live bands and comedy acts.

As the cruise line that pioneered flexible dining, NCL always serves up a liberal choice of eateries, and among Norwegian Prima’s 14 dining spots, new names include seafood speciality Palomar and sushi house Nama. But the most innovative is the Indulge Food Hall, with its street-style stands serving a rich collection of cuisines from tapas and curries to grilled meats and salads.

Old favourites such as Cagney’s Steakhouse, Mexican Los Lobos and French Le Bistro also return, albeit in more upmarket surroundings, and that also goes for its popular teppanyaki restaurant, now called Hasuki.

Yet it’s the main restaurants, The Commodore Room and particularly Hudson’s, that are a revelation with their chic, upmarket flair giving the feel of a speciality venue.

However, following an afternoon in the showpiece Mandara Spa with its Experiential Journey – a luxurious line-up of hedonistic thermal suites that includes an infrared sauna, salt room and the first charcoal sauna at sea – two deliciously soothing pools and an airy relaxation lounge filled with dreamy heated beds, I think I’ve found my favourite place. 8 GETTING THERE

Norwegian Prima will spend its maiden season in the Caribbean this winter, sailing from Port Canaveral before returning to northern Europe next summer for cruises to Iceland from Southampton. An 11-night Iceland & Norway sailing from Southampton to Reykjavik, including calls at Amsterdam, Bergen and Alesund, departs on August 16, 2023, and costs from £2,365 per person. Return flights cost extra. Visit ncl.com

OCEAN VICTORY

With the latest in ship design and a wealth of knowledge on board, this vessel will satisfy the most adventurous guests, writes Jane Archer

There is no mistaking American Queen Voyages’ new expedition ship Ocean Victory. For one thing, there’s that bright two-tone blue hull. For another, it has an inverted bow – known as an X-bow, it’s the latest thing in ship design and is said to make for a smoother ride and cut fuel consumption.

I’m joining for a 10-night cruise from Vancouver to Sitka that is not only the vessel’s maiden voyage to Alaska, but also AQV’s first-ever sailing

to what Americans call The Last Frontier. That’s very fitting because this ship is built for exploring.

As well as all the usual things you expect on a cruise ship – restaurants, bars, cabins, lounges – this vessel has 20 inflatable Zodiacs, kayaks and a mud room where we store the boots and waterproofs needed to go out and explore. It also has an observation lounge replete with microscopes, binoculars and maps, plus there are neat touches such as underfloor heating in cabin bathrooms to dry clothes after kayaking, and there’s an all-important lecture room.

This is the domain of an 18-strong team that’s made up of naturalists, marine biologists, marine geologists and photographers – who share their knowledge in talks on everything from whales and how to survive in the wilderness to Alaskan exploration – as well as expert Zodiac pilots and kayak leaders.

It takes us two days to navigate Canada’s Inside Passage to Alaska. Once there, we alternate between port calls (Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Kake) and expedition days, where the ship anchors in a bay or by a glacier, and we split into four groups to channel our inner explorers via different activities.

There’s a talk to attend, hands-on science to do and time out in both Zodiacs and kayaks to learn about local geography and wildlife. And in between you have to squeeze in breakfast and lunch. Phew! No wonder we sleep well – although that might also be down to the comfy beds.

Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, of course, but that only makes my tally of bald eagles, deer, a moose and goodness knows how many cute sea otters on our day in the Bay of Pillars all the more exciting.

Ocean Victory is small, holding just 186 passengers, and very pretty, with a contemporary and unfussy blue, cream and grey theme. There are two pools for brave souls willing to take the cold, a library and a lounge bar where drinks are on the house. Tips, Wi-Fi, selected excursions and expedition activities are included in the fare.

THERE ARE NEAT TOUCHES SUCH AS UNDERFLOOR HEATING IN BATHROOMS, PLUS THERE’S THE ALL-IMPORTANT LECTURE ROOM

Clockwise from far left, top: Exploring by Zodiac; an inquisitive seal; Ocean Victory; onboard dining; stateroom with balcony; kayaking in the Endicott Arm

GETTING THERE

A 14-night Alaska Insider cruise from Sitka to Vancouver on Ocean Victory departing June 25, 2023, costs from £6,690 per person including flights and two pre-cruise hotel nights in Sitka. Visit lightbluetravel.co.uk

VIKING POLARIS

Submarines, spas and Scandi design await on the second expedition ship to join the Viking fleet, finds Katie McGonagle

Clockwise, from above: Submarine dubbed ‘Ringo’; Viking’s expedition ship in Antarctica; returning to ship on a Zodiac; Finse Terrace; spa pool; Nordic Junior Suite I’ve just climbed into Ringo, and it’s a lot roomier that you might imagine. No, I haven’t been tripping on a little Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, but there is a definite Beatles theme to this yellow submarine.

Viking Polaris is kitted out with all mod cons, including two submarines designed to plumb the icy depths of

Antarctic waters and wow guests with the wonders of life under the surface.

Given the bright yellow hue, these were dubbed George and Ringo while sister ship Viking Octantis, which launched

last year, is home to John and Paul.

They hold six passengers and a pilot, and chief submarine officer Niko Bragge reassures us that even nervous guests relax and enjoy the experience – a good thing, since submarine dives are included for all on board, not just those happy to stump up extra cash.

“Last year they saw a few phantom jellyfish, which are super rare,” he says. “One of the closest for me was having hammerheads just above, and a few came back around us – but everything you see underwater is amazing.”

You’ll find them in The Hangar – aka the Toy Shed – a covered area that protects passengers from the elements as they prepare to go ashore. The subs sit alongside military-grade Zodiacs, 30 Hobie kayaks and two ‘special operations boats’ that add another dimension to the polar experience. With a limit of 100 passengers landing at a time, these convertible ‘SOBs’ mean other guests can be getting their

James Bond moment as they zoom across the icy waters to points of interest elsewhere.

Viking Polaris was certainly made for polar waters, but the atmosphere is in keeping with the rest of the ocean fleet and its familiar Scandi-inspired decor. Dining venues making a welcome return include Manfredi’s Italian, where spicy lobster tagliolini and rib-eye steak are among the highlights.

New features in the expedition fleet include the Finse Terrace, an outdoor lounge set around faux firepits, and speakeasy-style bar The Hide, where whiskies and cognacs are on tap long after everyone else has gone to bed.

Spacious rooms are a testament to the detailing that went into creating a comfortable experience – anti-fog mirrors, underfloor heating, luxury Freyja amenities and a drying closet ideal for damp conditions. A ‘Nordic balcony’ half-opens to give a taste of the elements without sacrificing space.

Be sure to find some time to visit the spa – unlike the rest of the ocean fleet, it’s glass-fronted with a view of the ocean below, so you can spot passing whales while you sit back and relax.

SPACIOUS ROOMS ARE A TESTAMENT TO THE DETAILING THAT WENT INTO CREATING A COMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE