NCL Prima vs. Prima Plus Class: What’s the Difference?
Published March 9, 2026
Updated March 9, 2026
Travel Experts
at The Cruise Web
Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima Class turned heads when it launched in 2022 with a sleek, boutique-style design unlike anything in the fleet. But guests had feedback: popular areas felt tight, seating was limited at peak times, and the signature go-kart track cost $15 per ride.
NCL listened. The Prima Plus Class ships, Norwegian Aqua (2025) and Norwegian Luna (2026), are 10% larger and directly address those pain points with more space, more seating, more complimentary thrills, and new dining options.
Here's what changed, what stayed, and which class is right for you.
Prima Class vs. Prima Plus Class at a Glance
Feature | Prima Class (Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva) | Prima Plus Class (Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Luna) |
|---|---|---|
Gross Tonnage | ~142,500 GT | 156,300 GT |
Passenger Capacity (Double) | ~3,215 | ~3,550 |
Length | 965 ft | 1,056 ft |
Passenger Decks | 16 | 20 |
Top Deck Thrill | Prima Speedway Go-Karts ($15/ride) | Aqua Slidecoaster (Free) |
Dry Slide | The Drop | The Drop |
Ocean Boulevard | ~44,000 sq ft | ~46,000 sq ft |
Tee Time Mini Golf | 9 holes | 12 holes across 2 decks (2.5x bigger) |
Bull's Eye Darts | Paid (~$45/group) | Complimentary + full-service bar |
Indulge Food Hall | 8 stations | 10 stations |
The Haven Suites | Standard layout | Aft-facing with 3-Bedroom Duplex Suites |
Hull Artists | Lebo (Norwegian Prima) / Manuel Aja Herrera (Norwegian Viva) | Allison Hueman (Norwegian Aqua) / ELLE (Norwegian Luna) |
The Feel | Boutique, intimate, can feel tight at peak times | Expanded public spaces, more seating, better crowd flow |
The extra 91 feet of length gave NCL room to add seating, open up public spaces, and redesign the top deck, all based on guest feedback from the original ships.
Go-Kart Track vs. Aqua Slidecoaster: What Changed on Top Deck
The most visible change between the two classes is the "crown" of the ship.
- Prima Speedway (Prima Class): A high-octane, three-level go-kart track. While a fan favorite, it carries a $15 per ride fee and occupies a massive amount of deck real estate.
- Aqua Slidecoaster (Prima Plus): A first-of-its-kind hybrid roller coaster and waterslide. It is complimentary, handles more guests per hour, and sits on a smaller footprint. This allowed NCL to add the Glow Court (digital sports complex) and a dedicated pickleball court in the space saved.
Pro Tip: Our Cruise Experts can help you skip the research and find the right ship, cabin, and deal for your travel style.
What's New in Dining on Prima Plus Class Ships
NCL expanded the food lineup on Prima Plus and addressed capacity issues guests experienced on the original ships.
Venue | Prima Class | Prima Plus Class |
|---|---|---|
Hudson's (Main Dining) | Yes | Yes (more seating) |
The Commodore Room | Yes | Yes (expanded) |
Cagney's Steakhouse | Yes | Yes (enlarged) |
Le Bistro (French) | Yes | Yes |
Onda by Scarpetta (Italian) | Yes | Yes |
Food Republic (Fusion) | Yes | No (replaced by Sukhothai) |
Sukhothai (Thai Specialty) | No | Yes (NCL's first dedicated Thai restaurant) |
Indulge Food Hall | 8 stations | 10 stations |
Planterie (Plant-Based) | No | Yes (new station in Indulge Food Hall) |
Hasuki (Teppanyaki) | Yes | Yes (now the largest teppanyaki restaurant in the fleet) |
Sukhothai is NCL's first dedicated Thai restaurant, taking over the Food Republic space with traditional curries, stir-fries, and street food-inspired dishes. NCL has said the decision was inspired by guest demand, since pad thai was the most popular dish at the Indulge Food Hall on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
Because the ships are longer, favorites like Hudson's, The Commodore Room, and the Indulge Food Hall have significantly more tables, reducing the wait times guests experienced on the original Prima Class.
Entertainment on Every Prima Class Ship
NCL gives each Prima Class ship a unique headline production. No two ships share the same main show.
Ship | Headline Show |
|---|---|
Norwegian Prima | Summer: The Donna Summer Musical |
Norwegian Viva | Noise Boys (Stomp-inspired) |
Norwegian Aqua | Revolution: A Celebration of Prince |
Norwegian Luna | Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John |
Norwegian Luna also debuts several exclusive entertainment experiences not found on any other ship in the fleet:
Venue / Show | What It Is |
|---|---|
Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John | Concert-style production with archival footage, four grand pianos, and hits like "Tiny Dancer" and "Bennie and the Jets" |
HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder | Mixed-reality + cirque-style acrobatics, featuring NCL's first original character |
Syd Norman's Pour House | A Tribute to Eagles + 90s throwback sets |
LunaTique | Adults-only (21+) late-night Vegas-style production |
Sea of Discovery! | Interactive ocean-themed kids' experience |
Luna Theater and Club | 3-deck venue by day, nightclub by night |
The Haven on Prima Plus: NCL's Biggest Luxury Upgrade
NCL's ship-within-a-ship luxury enclave got a major upgrade on the Prima Plus ships.
Feature | Prima Class Haven | Prima Plus Class Haven |
|---|---|---|
Suites | Standard Haven categories | 123 suites (the largest Haven complex in the fleet) |
3-Bedroom Duplex Suites | No | Yes (first in NCL history) |
Layout | Standard placement | Aft-facing (overlooks the wake) |
Private Sun Deck | Yes | Yes (expanded) |
Infinity Pool | Yes | Yes |
Dedicated Restaurant | Yes | Yes |
24/7 Butler and Concierge | Yes | Yes |
The 3-Bedroom Duplex Suites are two-story residences with separate living and dining areas, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a private balcony—all with 24-hour butler service. These are located on Decks 15 and 16, offering some of the best views on the ship.
The aft-facing layout puts the Haven lounge and pool overlooking the ship's wake, giving better wind protection and uninterrupted ocean views, which was a crowd complaint of the Prima Class Haven.
For a full breakdown of what The Haven includes and how it compares across the fleet, check out our guide: What Is The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line →
Spa and Fitness: What's New on Prima Plus
Feature | Prima Class | Prima Plus Class |
|---|---|---|
Two-Story Indoor Spa Waterfall | No | Yes |
Clay Sauna | No | Yes (replaces infrared sauna) |
IV Drip Therapy | No | Yes |
Thalassotherapy Loungers | No | Yes |
Heated Loungers (Thermal Suite) | Standard | Twice as many |
Dedicated Spin Studio | No | Yes |
Charcoal Sauna, Ice Room, Salt Room | Yes | Yes |
Should You Book Prima Class or Prima Plus?
Book Prima Class (Norwegian Prima or Norwegian Viva) if you:
- Love the go-kart track
- Prefer a slightly more intimate ship (~3,215 guests)
- Want more variety in destinations, including Europe, the Caribbean, and Bermuda
Book Prima Plus (Norwegian Aqua or Norwegian Luna) if you:
- Want the free Aqua Slidecoaster
- Want to try Sukhothai or Planterie
- Need the 3-Bedroom Duplex Suites in The Haven
- Prefer more space and seating throughout the ship
Choose Norwegian Aqua if you:
- Love the Prince tribute show (Revolution)
- Want to sail from Port Canaveral, Miami, or New York
- Want to sail now on the newest hardware
Choose Norwegian Luna if you:
- Want the newest ship in the fleet (March 2026)
- Love the Elton John tribute show (Rocket Man)
- Are eyeing Bermuda sailings from New York starting in 2027
View Norwegian Luna itineraries.
What's Coming Next: Norwegian Aura (2027)
NCL isn't stopping at Prima Plus. Norwegian Aura arrives in May 2027 as the first "Prima Plus Plus" ship, roughly 20% larger than the original Norwegian Prima at 169,000 GT with room for 3,840 guests.
The biggest change: Both the top deck Speedways and Slidecoaster are replaced by Ocean Heights, a multi-deck activity zone spanning Decks 18 through 21 with five waterslides, NCL's first dueling mat racer, a floor-drop slide, a ropes course, and an outdoor carnival-style midway. The Haven grows to 159 suites, the pool deck is 20% larger than Norwegian Aqua, and Ocean Boulevard gets another 11% of added space.
Maiden voyage sails May 21, 2027, from Trieste, Italy, to Barcelona, then she heads to Miami for Caribbean rotations.
View itineraries aboard Norwegian Aura.
Our Cruise Experts at The Cruise Web specialize in Norwegian Cruise Line sailings. Whether it's a Haven suite, a family itinerary, or the best-value balcony, we'll handle the details. Call us at 1-800-377-9383 or visit cruiseweb.com to get started.
View Norwegian Cruise Line DealsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Prima Class vs. Prima Plus
What is the difference between Prima Class and Prima Plus?
Prima Plus ships are approximately 10% larger (156,300 GT vs. ~142,500 GT), carry around 350 more passengers, replace the go-kart track with the free Aqua Slidecoaster, and add new dining options, including Sukhothai and Planterie.
When does Norwegian Luna launch?
Norwegian Luna's maiden voyage departs March 12, 2026, on an 11-night transatlantic crossing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Miami with stops in Barcelona and Gibraltar. Regular Caribbean sailings from Miami begin after arrival on March 23, 2026.
Is the Aqua Slidecoaster free?
Yes. The Aqua Slidecoaster on Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna is complimentary. By comparison, the go-kart track on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva costs $15 per ride.
Do Prima Plus ships still have go-karts?
No. The Prima Speedway is only available on Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, and select Breakaway Plus Class ships.
What is The Haven on Prima Plus?
The Haven is NCL's luxury ship-within-a-ship complex with keycard-only access, a private sun deck, infinity pool, dedicated restaurant, and 24/7 butler service. On Prima Plus ships, The Haven adds the first Three-Bedroom Duplex Suites in NCL history and an aft-facing layout overlooking the wake.
What's new in dining on Prima Plus?
Sukhothai, NCL's first dedicated Thai restaurant, replaces Food Republic. The Indulge Food Hall expanded from 8 to 10 stations, including the new plant-based Planterie. Several returning restaurants also have significantly more seating.
What entertainment does Norwegian Luna have?
Rocket Man: A Celebration of Elton John is the headline show, alongside HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder (a mixed-reality cirque production), a Tribute to Eagles at Syd Norman's Pour House, LunaTique (an adults-only late-night show), and Sea of Discovery (an interactive kids' experience).
What comes after Prima Plus?
Norwegian Aura (2027) is the first ship in the "Prima Plus Plus" subclass, coming in at 169,000 GT with a capacity of 3,840 guests. The top deck replaces the Slidecoaster with Ocean Heights, a multi-deck activity zone featuring five waterslides, NCL's first dueling mat racer, a floor-drop slide, a ropes course, and an outdoor carnival-style midway. The Haven grows to 159 suites, and the pool deck is 20% larger than Norwegian Aqua. Maiden voyage sails May 21, 2027, from Trieste, Italy, to Barcelona. A sixth ship is confirmed for 2028.
Are flights included?
Flights are typically not included. The Cruise Experts at The Cruise Web can help bundle airfare, transfers, and hotel stays for a seamless trip.
How do I book?
Contact The Cruise Experts at The Cruise Web for personalized guidance, stateroom comparisons, and the best available pricing. Call 1-800-377-9383 or visit cruiseweb.com.
