NCL launches Norwegian Prima with extensive spa and charcoal sauna

Cruise operator Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has expanded its fleet to include Norwegian Prima, the first of several new Prima Class ships expected to join the fleet by 2027, complete with a modern Mandara Spa. 

Launched earlier this month, the ship was christened by pop superstar Katy Perry in a star-studded event in Reykjavik, Iceland, which included performances from Perry and the country’s 2021 Eurovision entrant Dadi Freyr, before completing its maiden voyage to Amsterdam. 

Wellness on board

The ship features an expansive wellness offering including a comprehensive thermal circuit and a two-deck spa waterfall, as part of a plan to elevate the guest experience across “all touch points.” 

Commenting on the launch, NCL president and CEO, Harry Sommer said: “The debut of our Prima Class has been all about elevating guest experiences across all touch points that make a perfect holiday at sea, from food and beverage to entertainment, recreational activities and now spa and fitness.”

“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-a-kind offerings that truly allow our guests to unwind and escape,” Sommer added.

Extensive thermal circuit

Billed as the ‘perfect environment for tranquility and rejuvenation,’ the Mandara Spa was created in partnership with One Spa World and designed by renowned architecture firm the Rockwell Group. It features an extensive thermal circuit, including an industry-first charcoal sauna. 

Inspired by Korean and Japanese wellness traditions, the charcoal sauna uses a radiant heat system and an outer charcoal layer to reach temperatures between 30-50C. Its wellbeing benefits include boosted circulation and increased metabolism. 

The sauna also rids the body of toxins and promotes the deep release of connective tissue and muscles, relieving symptoms such as backache, headache and arthritis. 

It is one of eight thermal experiences, including an ice room, experiential showers, flotation salt pool, vitality pool, infrared sauna, salt and steam room, and a two-deck spa waterfall.

Elevated wellness 

Its treatment menu includes a range of experiences, including new signature treatments: Ocean Spa Wave Massage, Musclease Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap, Cellutox Aroma Spa Ocean Wrap and Zero Gravity Wellness Massage.

The treatment line-up is completed by a range of massage, facial and body experiences from Elemis, as well as treatments from spa equipment and treatment supplier Gharieni. 

The spa features two of the company’s innovative treatment beds – the Wellmassage5D and the Welnamis. 

Providing a full-body massage experience, Wellmassage5D offers eight pre-programmed protocols, while Welnamis trains the brain to relax through a combination of binaural acoustic and dynamic stimulation and computer-controlled acoustic and vibrational therapy.

Extensive fitness facilities

The wellness offering is completed by 20 treatment rooms, a relaxation space equipped with hot stone loungers and an extensive fitness offering. 

Located at the front of the ship, the Pulse Fitness Centre offers stunning 270-degree views of the ocean, is outfitted with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and features the all-new Performance Recovery Room. 

Described as an ‘interactive, engaging wellness experience,’ the Performance Recovery Room offers workshops, group fitness classes and Hyperice products to optimise performance and maximise user benefits. 

Finally, 28 exclusive spa balcony staterooms provide guests with premium access to the spa.