Our Recent Norwegian Prima Cruise Out of Galveston

Our Recent Norwegian Prima Cruise Out of Galveston 

By Charles Qualls

Our intrepid group

In late February, six of us (three couples) sailed a Western Caribbean route out of Galveston, Tx on the relatively new ship, the Norwegian Prima. This all came about because my wife, Elizabeth, and I had just returned from Prima last year and these particular friends asked us at dinner one night to tell them all about it. One couple had sailed with us a year or so back on another ship. The other had never been on a cruise. We are all in our late 50s to early 60s. 

They thought the ship, and the route, might be a fun trip for all of us. By the next day, we were all booked. In short, we had a fantastic time. Everyone stayed healthy and we enjoyed a perfect balance of rest and fun. Read on for more about some specifics. 

Pre-Cruise

We flew in from Virginia into Houston on Thursday for a Friday-to-Friday cruise. This time, our pre-cruise hotel was the Tru by Hilton on Seawall Blvd in Galveston. For a contrast, our previous year’s Prima cruise found us simply flying into Houston (Bush) airport and staying at the in-house Marriott hotel there before driving down from the airport the next morning. Last time, Galveston Saltwater Moms handled both sides of our transportation. They are great to work with, and we just loved our driver named Jill.

This time, we called Galveston Saltwater Moms again. Turns out, they don’t have a driver equipped to handle a group of our size. With six people and luggage, they referred us to another company called Cruise Driven. Mackenzie and her Cadillac Escalade with luggage extension took us both ways, arriving and departing. She made a lunch stop at Whataburger and even offered a Buc-ees stop that we somehow declined. Then, she gave us a brief driving tour of Galveston before dropping us off at our hotel. 

As for Tru by Hilton, this is a split property that shares one lobby with another Marriott property called Home2 Suites. The price was right and the location not bad if being on the Seawall is your wish. We each had ocean-facing balcony rooms. However, just know that these rooms by design are tiny and spartan. For one night, it met our needs simply for a place to stay. 

Gaido's Crab Cake appetizer

The closest real restaurant to our hotel was the only one I was familiar with. We chose to make the short walk to family-owned Gaido's Seafood, a Galveston staple since 1911. Once inside, this creole-style fine dining establishment will make you feel as though you are in New Orleans. A recent celebrity diner there was chef Emeril Lagasse. Our meal was memorable and on-point in every way. From Crab Cakes to Oysters, and from Lobster Bisque to great wines and cocktails, this was an enjoyable start to our trip.

Next day, we took advantage of the included breakfast and simply sat in the lobby enjoying a visit with our friends. As our check in time for Prima neared, we got an Uber to the port, about a five-minute drive.  

Boarding Norwegian Prima

Once again, this year, the boarding process at the Galveston terminal was the quickest we’ve ever experienced. We had scheduled a 10:30 check-in time and arrived there just a few minutes before that. We simply never stopped moving, other than to stop at the desk for security photos to be taken and keycards to be handed over to us. We had taken care of everything else online beforehand. We boarded immediately and were on the ship before 11. 

The Gangway places entry on level 6, and right into the Penrose Atrium. This atrium is the heart of Prima. Many special events happen on level 6, from contests to an ever-changing variety of live music performers. The atrium rises three decks, with shops, bars, Starbucks coffee and even the Guests Services desk centrally located there.  Scattered throughout the levels of the atrium are several groups of comfortable, upholstered chairs. It’s a great place to hang out and visit or simply listen to live music. 

Hudson's Dining Room

We invited our group to avoid the embarkation day bluster of lunch in the ship's buffet by instead adjourning to the complimentary Hudson's dining room. Soothing music, elegant decor and the ship's aft panoramic view set quite a different tone right off.

Our Club Balcony Suite 9950

In many ways, this is a fairly normal balcony stateroom. But at the “club balcony suite level,” the cabin itself is a tiny bit wider than we normally see and the bathroom is more spacious. There was more than adequate closet and storage space for two, including a generous enclosed cabinet under the sink. The balcony itself was pretty standard in size, with two upright chairs and a small table. 

At night the room was dark and quiet. If a nice night’s sleep is important (like to all of us?), then this is a restful atmosphere. Fascinating artwork runs the length of the cabin’s focal wall. By day, there is a bright and truly nice vibe there. By night, it is your perfect sleep zone.

A touch-pad control by the door allowed us not only to adjust room temperature, but also to request our cabin steward to make up our room or to set a "Do Not Disturb" notice. Corresponding lights outside each cabin door alert other to whether you are "Home," needing the cabin steward or requesting not to be disturbed.

Club Balcony Suite 9950 on Prima

One word of caution to any who may have a long mane of hair to dry, let’s say similar to what Elizabeth has. The cabin provides a fixed-location hair dryer that is apparently a little too close to the ceiling’s smoke detector. If you like multitasking, one can simply dry their hair while simultaneously summoning a visit with the ship’s security director, once the alarm goes off. (She was quite nice and radioed in the code that shuts off our room alarm. Then, she chatted with us and advised Elizabeth to prop open the balcony sliding door if running the hair dryer in the future.)

Cuisine

We are relatively new to cruising on NCL. We are diamond with Royal Caribbean and have toggled back-and-forth between Royal and Celebrity mostly. However, we have also sailed Carnival a few times and Disney once. 

Hibachi chef at Hasuki

On the whole, we have found the food on Prima to be superior to anything else we’ve experienced in now 31 cruises. Since we're new to NCL, that was an unexpected surprise.

In two sailings on Prima, we have experienced specialty dining at Food Republic (Asian-Latin fusion), Le Bistro (French), Los Lobos (upscale Mexican) and Hasuki (Asian hibachi). All of them, we would highly recommend. However, the included places set NCL Prima apart for us. The Local, Indulge Food Hall and the Seaside Grill were all quick and casual, yet noticeably good in quality. 

One option in the Indulge Food Hall

Especially good was Indulge Food Hall, easily our favorite. Meanwhile, both the included “main dining room” style Hudson's and Commodore Room were also quite good. 

Pros

Our cabin steward, Charlene, was so kind and eager. She took marvelous care of us. We do wonder if across the industry, the cutback from twice-per-day to once-a-day service isn’t spreading the stewards thinner. In other words, we speculate she simply has more rooms to cover, and they are employing less stewards post-Covid. We never lacked for anything, and she gave us her direct phone number for anytime we did need something. 

She brought us a coffeemaker for our room when we asked. She got extra towels since Elizabeth’s hair needs them. She saw to our laundry needs and did her daily service perfectly. Still, we wondered.  

Here is a nebulous pro that I feel I need to mention. Whether a hotel, a hospital, a store or cruise ship, one can feel a healthy culture and one can also sense when something is wrong. Our group commented that Prima seemed well run, based on how friendly and willing the crew seemed to be. Prima feels like a healthy ship. Morale and culture simply felt good while we were aboard.

Prima seems large enough to have a lot to do and enjoy. But feels small enough that walking around is not a daunting task. This is a medium-sized ship that will seem just right for many.

Dining variety was so vast that I also have to list that as a strength. There are so many options that only the pickiest of eaters should feel they were underserved. Some of our best meals came from complimentary venues, which is no reflection on the specialty restaurants at all.

Entertainment 

The main shows we saw on this cruise were quite strong. In the theatre this time were Bosa Nova Beat: Burn the Floor!, The Price is Right game show, Love and Marriage gameshow and Fleetwood Mac (more on that in just a minute). These were all surprisingly well done, considering at this point inour cruising lives we’ve seen just about any and all main theatre show concepts imaginable. I wholeheartedly recommend Bosa Nova Beat, with a huge set and a fantastic troupe of singers/dancers. 

But here is the incredible one: the cast from Syd Norman’s performed the entire Fleetwood Mac album “Rumors” in the big theatre with all its toys to enhance the concert. That was amazing. Also commendable was a show done in the small Syd Norman’s venue where the ship’s cast of singers took favorite Broadway Show songs and performed them in Rock ‘n Roll style. Another really strong performance.

Prima reflected at Costa Maya

We enjoyed all the port stops in our own veteran ways. At Costa Maya, we mostly stayed on board and essentially enjoyed a bonus Sea Day. Except that late afternoon, our group walked over the pier for a sundown dinner upstairs in the Latin Cantina overlooking our ship.

Two from our group with sloths

At Harvest Caye, we spent the morning reclining under umbrellas on the beachfront and were back aboard for lunch. At Roatan, we booked a private tour to Victor Bodden’s animal sanctuary to see Sloths and Monkeys. While out, at our request the driver also took us to the Cameo Factory to shop hand-carved conch-shell art and jewelry. We had a few scenic opportunities to take fun group pictures. 

Cabana Beach

At Cozumel, we made our return (4th trip for Elizabeth and me) to The Cabana Beach at Chankanaab. It is an affordable but luxurious beachfront haven of cabanas, hammocks and daybeds. Beverage and lunch service was handled by the cabana attendants upon request. None of our excursions on this trip were purchased through NCL.    

Cons 

The ship seems like it is built/designed to rely mostly on good weather. If rain, for instance, makes the exposed outdoor spaces uninhabitable then one might feel crowded inside pretty quickly. Why is that? 

Prima Theatre

There are some quirks in the design. The buffet (Seaside Cafe), main theatre, atrium and entertainment venues (Improv at Sea comedy club, Syd Norman’s Pour House bar and music) are all undersized considering the guest count can top out just shy of 4,000 passengers. So, also, is the Observation Lounge smallish. However, it is quite a beautiful and peaceful space. Just not as large and wide open as many.

Even some of the main passage hallways can be a bit narrow for the passenger load. If pressed to tell you what they did with all the space they didn't use for these normally large venues, I could not guess.

Figuring out our way around the ship also took a while. Like some Carnival ships, there are only a select few decks on Prima where there is a public space for that frequent nose-to-aft walk (or “North-South,” as I call it). On one of those decks, that north-south walk forces you to go through the Casino. That’s fine, but it’s not exactly fast once you’re picking your way through there.   

The Bottom Line? 

Prima is like my wife’s hilarious uncle Grant. I mean, he occasionally makes me scratch my head in curiosity. But he’s also a lovable raconteur without whom no family gathering would be complete. Nor, nearly as much fun. You just want to spend some time with Grant now and then. But I digress.

On balance, we find Prima to be a great ship to be middle-aged aboard. That in no way suggests they aren’t equipped and ready for children. The arcade and games area up top on deck 18 includes a 10-deck Drop Slide and a 3-deck Go Cart Racetrack. But if you want to take an elegant and relaxing cruise, with great dining, this is your ship.

Dining Cabanas inside Indulge Food Hall

Here is the best news: I have returned both years the most rested ever, while still being entertained. We absolutely love NCL Prima.

Do I wish it had something like a nice solarium, like we are used to on many other ships? Of course. But did we find plenty to do and still come away happy and feeling good? Yes, we did.

Those quirky designs and smaller spaces obviously didn’t cramp us from rebooking and being right back aboard Prima exactly one year after our first sailing. Is Prima in my top three, or even five, all-time favorite ships? Darned close. Have I truly enjoyed both of our voyages aboard her? A resounding “yes.” If Elizabeth said tomorrow that she wanted to fly out to Galveston again in 2026 and catch the Prima a third time, I’d immediately encourage her to book it.