The differences between Prima, Prima Plus & Prima Plus-Plus Class
- Esther
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
With the NCL Luna just revealed, I think it is time to explain the differences between the three different Prima Classes. To understand the future of Norwegian Cruise Line, we have to look at the blueprints. In this blog, I will break down the evolution of these ships, what makes them stand out, and what you can expect from the next generation of cruising.
One of the most important things to understand about this fleet is their origin. All ships in the Prima Classes are built by Fincantieri in Italy. This shipyard is world-renowned for its craftsmanship, and it shows in every curve of the hull.
NCL decided to shift its strategy with these vessels. They moved away from the "mega-ship" trend of packing in as many people as possible. Instead, they reduced the number of passengers per square meter, trading "maximum capacity" for "maximum luxury." This deliberate choice is why this class feels:
More Expensive: High-end materials and sophisticated Italian design.
More Exclusive: Smaller, more intimate spaces compared to the massive "floating cities."
Boutique Style: It feels more like a high-end European hotel than a traditional cruise liner.
Which ships belong to the Prima Classes?
The Prima (2022)
The Viva (2023)
The Aqua (2024)
The Luna (2026)
The Aura (2027)
Unnamed sister 2028
Three different Prima Classes
The Original Prima Class (The Pioneers)
Ships: Norwegian Prima (2022) & Norwegian Viva (2023).
The Blueprint: These are the most intimate ships in the series (294 meters).
Key Detail: These are the only ships with the three-story Speedway (Go-Karts) and the Tidal Wave waterslide. They feel like a true "Super-Yacht."
The Prima Plus Class (The 10% Stretch)
Ships: Norwegian Aqua (2025) & Norwegian Luna (2026).
The Blueprint: NCL "stretched" the design by 28 meters (total 322m).
Key Detail: To create more space for the Haven and Ocean Boulevard, they removed the Go-Karts. In their place, you get the world's first Aqua Slidecoaster a magnetic-powered water coaster that is much more space-efficient.
The "Ultra" Prima Plus Class (The Future Giants)
Ships: Norwegian Aura (2027) & Unnamed Sister (2028).
The Blueprint: These will be the largest yet, approximately 20% larger than the original Prima (169,000 GT).
Key Detail: The Aura will debut Ocean Heights, a massive three-deck entertainment complex with 5 waterslides. These ships are built to be "Methanol-Ready," making them the most sustainable ships Fincantieri has ever built for NCL.
The Prima Class
When the Norwegian Prima debuted in 2022, NCL didn't just launch a new ship; they launched a completely new vision for cruising. After years of the successful Breakaway Plus class, the Prima Class represented a pivot toward upscale, contemporary design.
The "Vertical Bow": This wasn't just for looks. The sharp, straight bow, built by Fincantieri was designed for better fuel efficiency and a smoother ride through the waves.
Ocean Boulevard: NCL doubled the outdoor space. Instead of a narrow promenade, they created a massive 360-degree outdoor walkway (Deck 8) that brings you closer to the sea than ever before, complete with infinity pools and glass bridges (Oceanwalk).
Indulge Food Hall: This was a game-changer. They replaced the traditional, crowded buffet experience with a high-end global food market. No more standing in line; you order from a tablet and the world comes to your table.
The Prima Plus Class
the "Plus" stands for a significant physical and technological evolution.
The 10% Advantage
The most important change is the "Stretch." NCL extended the hull by about 28 meters, increasing the ship's volume by 10%.
This extra space wasn't used to pack in as many cabins as possible. Instead, it was used to create more room in public areas like the Ocean Boulevard and the Indulge Food Hall. Even with more guests on board, the ship feels more spacious and relaxed.
The Aqua Slidecoaster
The most talked-about upgrade is on the top deck. While the Prima and Viva feature the Go-Karts, the Prima Plus class introduces the Aqua Slidecoaster.
This is a world-first: a hybrid between a waterslide and a roller coaster.
Using magnetic induction technology, it propels two-person tubes uphill and around the ship's funnel. It is a masterpiece of maritime engineering that you won't find on any other cruise line.
Expanding The Haven
For those seeking the ultimate "Boutique" experience, the Haven on the Aqua and Luna has been expanded.
NCL used that extra 28-meter stretch of the ship to specifically address feedback from Haven guests who wanted more outdoor space. The private sundeck is larger, offering more lounge chairs and a more open feel.
The Prima Plus-Plus Class
If the Prima was about intimacy and the Aqua/Luna were about stretching for comfort, the Norwegian Aura (2027) and its 2028 sister are a massive leap in scale and family adventure. These ships are designed to be the "Ultimate Evolution" of the class.
The "Mega-Boutique" Scale (20% Larger)
The physical footprint takes another jump. While the Aqua/Luna added 10% more space, the Norwegian Aura is roughly 20% larger than the original Prima.
NCL is creating a "Mega-Boutique" experience, giving you the massive amenities of the world’s largest ships while keeping the high-end Italian design and the feeling of exclusivity.
Introducing: Ocean Heights
The biggest "Plus-Plus" feature is the Ocean Heights complex. This is a massive, integrated three-deck amusement zone (Decks 18–21) that completely replaces the top-deck layout of the earlier ships.
5 Waterslides: The Aura will boast the most slides of any NCL ship.
Eclipse Racers: NCL’s first-ever dueling mat-racer waterslides, stretching over 400 feet for head-to-head competition.
Aura Free Fall: A drop-in body waterslide where the floor literally opens up beneath you.
The Wave: A pendulum-style raft slide for up to four people.
Aura Midway: A theme-park style area with carnival games, an 82-foot ropes course, and a rock-climbing wall.
The Largest Pool Decks & The Haven
Because the ship is longer (1,130 feet) and wider, the communal spaces are significantly upgraded:
Pool Deck: The main pool deck on the Aura is 20% larger than on the Aqua or Luna, featuring more seating and a massive LED screen.
The Haven: The luxury footprint grows again. The Aura will feature 30% more suites than the original Prima Class, including more of the popular Duplex Suites.
The "Green" Blueprint (Methanol-Ready)
The 2028 sister ship will be a landmark in maritime history. It is being built as "Methanol-Ready," meaning its engines are designed to eventually run on green methanol, significantly reducing its environmental impact.
What do they all have in common?
Ocean Boulevard: This is the heart of the ship. Instead of a closed-in promenade, it’s a massive outdoor walkway that wraps around the entire vessel, keeping guests closer to the ocean than ever before.
Indulge Food Hall: A game-changer in cruise dining. No more standard buffets; this is an upscale "street food" market with 11 different global cuisines where you order via a tablet.
Infinity Beach: Placing infinity pools right at the edge of the lower decks (closer to the waterline) instead of just on the top deck.
Asymmetrical Design: If you look closely at your Luna model board, you’ll see the ship isn't perfectly symmetrical. The funnels and structures are shifted to create more open deck space.
The Haven at the Aft: Unlike older ships where The Haven was at the front, on this class, it is moved to the Aft (back), offering stunning views of the ship's wake from the private infinity pool.
The Transforming Theater: Every ship features the Theater & Club. This three-story masterpiece of engineering features seats that mechanically disappear into the floor, transforming a grand Broadway-style theater into a massive, multi-level Vegas-style nightclub in minutes.
The Penrose Atrium: This is the stunning three-story, glass-walled heart of the ship. Unlike traditional cruise ship lobbies, the Penrose Atrium feels like a high-end boutique hotel in Milan. It’s filled with natural light, luxury lounges, and the Penrose Bar, offering 270-degree views of the horizon through massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Mandara Spa & Thermal Suite: NCL has elevated wellness to a new level across the entire class. Every ship features a breathtaking two-story indoor waterfall within the spa. The Thermal Suite is a sanctuary of its own, featuring a Charcoal Sauna (an industry first), a salt room, an ice room, and a flotation salt pool designed for total weightlessness.
High-Tech Entertainment (Galaxy Pavilion & Bull’s Eye): For those looking for fun beyond the theater, every ship offers the Galaxy Pavilion, a virtual reality wonderland with flight simulators and escape rooms. You can also gather your crew at The Bull’s Eye, which brings a modern, tech-driven twist to a classic game of darts in a private, upscale pub setting.
The solo experience: on the Prima Class follows the successful blueprint NCL created years ago. While the core concept of the Studio Lounge remains the same as on the Encore, the Prima Class offers a more refined, Italian-designed version. The biggest practical upgrade? A full, private bathroom instead of the split-layout found on older ships, giving solo travelers a much more 'high-end' feel.
What can we expect from NCL?
1. The Rest of the Prima Class Family (2027–2028)
Following the success of the Aqua (2025) and the Luna (2026), two more sister ships are currently in development:
Norwegian Aura (2027): Just announced as the third ship in the Prima Plus class. It will build on the "stretched" design, offering the same 10% more space and high-tech features.
Unnamed Sister (2028): The final ship in this specific class is expected to debut in 2028, completing a six-ship series (2 Prima, 4 Prima Plus).
2. The "Methanol-Ready" Revolution
NCL is getting serious about sustainability. The upcoming ships from 2027 onwards are being designed to be "Methanol-Ready." This means the engines are built to handle green methanol in the future, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of your vacation.
3. The Move to "Mega-Boutique" (2030 and beyond)
In an industry-shaking move, NCL has ordered four massive new ships to be delivered between 2030 and 2036.
These will be the largest in NCL history, approximately 226,000 gross tons (nearly 50% larger than the Luna!).
Even at this massive scale, the "Boutique" philosophy remains. Expect even more private spaces, a continued focus on The Haven, and a guest-to-space ratio that keeps NCL ahead of the competition.
4. Destination Innovation: Great Stirrup Cay
The evolution of the fleet is also transforming NCL’s destinations, starting with a massive upgrade to Great Stirrup Cay. The most significant game-changer is the addition of a brand-new multi-ship pier, which officially ends the era of 'tendering.' You can now walk directly from the ship onto the island, making your beach day smoother and more accessible than ever. To accommodate the larger Prima Class ships, NCL has expanded the beach zones and enhanced the exclusive Silver Cove villas for those seeking a boutique 'resort-within-a-resort' experience. And for families, the upcoming Great Tides Waterpark adds a new level of thrill to the island, ensuring that the 'Prima' standard of excitement follows you from the ship right onto the sand."
My experience
Having been on board for the inaugural celebrations of both the Norwegian Prima and the Norwegian Luna, I was truly impressed by Deck 8 and the Ocean Boulevard. And, of course, the new concept of the Indulge Food Hall is a game-changer. I have never experienced this new kind of cruising before feeling so connected to the water with such amazing views.
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