This post is a result of a press trip that we were invited on. We do not charge them for consideration or placement as we prefer to retain the right to not place an item or travel destination that we don’t truly love.
I headed onto Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship the Prima having lost almost 50 lbs.
Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line
But, I knew that there would be no dieting on this trip. I have always had a great experience on any of the other NCL ships that I’ve traveled, and while I may not gain weight when I travel (as there is a gym, lots of walking, etc. to balance) I did not hold back on this trip. I’ve always loved the specialty dining on ships, but this time I figured that I’d give those restaurants that are INCLUDED in our fare, a fair chance. So, while I did sneak into a couple of my favorites (like Los Lobos and Cagney’s), I made it a point to visit ALL of the included dining options on this new ship.
With only a couple of days on board
I was there to EAT and ENJOY everything that this new diva at sea had to offer…and I INDULGED. I definitely have some favorites and some “thank goodness there is a …” spots as well. With so many choices, I’ve decided to share a few of my favorite complementary dining spots aboard the ship first.
The spectacular views from Hudson’s
Hudson’s and The Commodore Room – Okay, so we’re tackling two restaurants at once here, but it’s only because the menu is the same at both. These are the ship’s main dining rooms, and they are absolutely SPECTACULAR. The views, the decor, and the food are OOH LA LA! Grab a table by the window for beautiful ocean views. Menus change daily, but there is always the fixed menu that even includes a build-your-own pasta option.
Indulge Food Hall – Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line
Indulge Food Hall – We stumbled into the Indulge Food Hall thinking that this was the buffet…boy, were we wrong. With food trucks and small restaurant stations, you order from an iPad from a menu of eateries some of which we’ve been in on the larger NCL ships like the Q Smokehouse. I absolutely LOVED the choices from Nudls offering, you guessed it…noodles and pasta dishes from around the world. There’s even a tapas food truck smack in the middle of the restaurant. The Garden Kitchen has a nice selection of fully customizable salads and the Seaside Rotisserie offers mouth-watering kabobs and more. Also within the food hall are a Starbucks and Coco’s for a la carte desserts (worth every bite) and a Just Desserts for – yes, just desserts.
The Local – One of my favorite spots to grab a drink and a casual meal on any of the NCL ships is The Local. With a full dining area as well as bar area seating, it’s a great spot for indoor OR outdoor dining on Deck 8. Yes, this LOCAL offers both indoor and outdoor dining with great pub fare like fish and chips, wings, and burgers. It’s also a nice spot for a full American breakfast like omelets or just a bagel and some fruit.
Surfside Cafe – courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line
Surfside Cafe and Grill – located on deck 17, the Surfside Cafe feels like a traditional cruise buffet with some extra touches. The Grill is located at the far end of the restaurant by the Vibe Beach Club making it an easy in/out from either area and has its own private seating area (although you are welcome to take your dinner to either side or dine al fresco). As with all of the areas on this ship, even the buffet seating is smaller and more intimate. It’s the perfect spot for a more casual meal when you’re out in the sun or a late-night snack (open until 1 am).
I’ll have more coming about the newest ship in the Norwegian Cruise Lines fleet soon. It’s a GREAT time to book your February getaway on the Prima to the Caribbean as NCL has extended its New Year’s Sale.
50% off all cruises with
- FREE airfare
- FREE unlimited open bar
- FREE WiFi
- FREE Specialty Dining
- FREE 3rd & 4th Guests
The Norwegian Prima will be leaving Port Canaveral (not far from Orlando) from January through March 2023 for Great Stirrup Cay and Cozumel.
- Book your vacation at NCL.com
