Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched Norwegian Prima, the first of six new Prima Class ships that will join the fleet by 2027. The 294m-long, 20-deck-high ship has debuted with a substantial wellness offering set to raise the bar for wellness experiences at sea.

The ship was christened by singer Katy Perry, the godmother, from the onboard theatre, alongside Harry Sommer and Frank del Rio, president and chief exec of NCL and NCL Holdings respectively.

Spa Business attended the christening in Reykjavik, Iceland, which was viewed by around 2,500 guests on the inaugural sailing to Amsterdam from 26 August to 3 September.

With a capacity of 3,100 passengers (at double occupancy), the ship launches with several cruise industry firsts. Two of these are in the new Mandara Spa, which was designed by architects Rockwell Group and created in partnership with cruise industry spa specialists One Spa World.

It features the first charcoal spa and two-storey waterfall at sea, which cascades down by the double relaxation pools: vitality (cool) and salt flotation (warm).

Sommer says that the goal of the Prima Class is to elevate the guest experience on board.

“Our latest health and wellness experiences were designed to awaken the senses of our guests like never before, pairing world-class design and architecture with one-of-kind offerings that truly allow our guests to unwind and escape,” he said.

While NCL has offered guests a spa service before, this is the debut of its first extensive thermal spa experience, which allows guests to cycle through hot and cold treatments.

Easily accessible in a connected thermal space, there are three saunas at different temperature levels – Finnish, charcoal and infrared – a salt room, steamroom, ice room and experiential showers. Hot stone loungers are also available throughout the facility.

“This spa is our biggest yet at sea for NCL and the thermal suite is on another level compared to any of the other ships,” said Sarah Jane Singaram, spa manager of the Mandara Spa, in an exclusive interview with Spa Business.

“In the Mandara Spa, we have a promise to all of our guests who walk through the door, that we want to inspire their wellness and ensure they commit to their wellbeing. We want them to start their journey with us and go home relaxed, rejuvenated and rested.”

Personalisation plays a fundamental role in elevating the service guests receive at the spa on board Norwegian Prima.

“We teach our staff that no guest should be given the same service,” said Singaram. “We tailor-make and customise every treatment to the person in front of us through a thorough consultation and also recommendation for future rituals because not all concerns can be fixed in one service.

“A lot of people want a treatment to change something, but don’t realise that they have 10 years’ worth of stress to deal with, so our goal is to provide that consultation so we can give them the best possible treatment while they’re here.”

Spa and wellness supplier partnershipsNCL is introducing two new services in the form of the Gharieni Welnamis and the Gharieni Wellmassage5D beds. They use acoustic and vibrational therapy for deep relaxation and the 5G version provides a body massage at the same time.

New treatments for Prima include the Ocean Spa Wave Massage (guests relax on a water-filled cushion that features a warm wrap of sea plants and marine algae to release body tension) and the Musclease Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap. This blends pine and rosemary essential oils to ease arthritis, muscle spasms and fatigue.

Treatment rooms have also been equipped with Oakworks's Clinician Treatment beds.

One Spa World’s long-term beauty partner Elemis powers the onboard spa treatments and its protocols are also followed for facial treatments. A day pass for the Mandara Spa is priced at US$99 (€99, £85) and a seven-day pass at US$339 (€340, £291).

From 3 September, Norwegian Prima will cruise itineraries in Northern Europe, from the Netherlands, Denmark and England, and then offer Caribbean cruises from New York City, Galveston, Texas, and Miami in October and November.

She will homeport in Port Canaveral, in Florida, US, from 2023.