Norwegian Prima

Prima Speedway was the first three-level racetrack at sea, built around the ship’s funnel in space that usually goes unused. Guests race Formula One-style go-karts, and the fastest lap wins a spot on the podium. Racing costs extra. The observation area above is complimentary, with laser guns that give racers a boost when you hit the green dots on their cars and avoid the red ones. The Speedway Bar sits right next door.

Prima has two of the fastest dry slides at sea. The Rush is a pair of enclosed dueling slides that drop from Deck 18 to Deck 8, so you can race a friend all the way down in a sack. The Drop is a true drop slide. You lie back on a clear panel, the floor opens, and you fall ten stories. Both are complimentary, and The Stadium’s family games are close by.

Palomar debuted on Prima as Norwegian’s first Mediterranean seafood restaurant. The menu runs from appetizers to whole grilled lobster, Mediterranean sea bass and filet mignon, so there’s a little surf and a little turf. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the ocean, the open kitchen fills the room with great smells, and there’s outdoor seating too. The bar pours a strong wine list, and the sommeliers are happy to suggest pairings.

Prima’s Haven sits at the aft of the ship, and all Haven suites share a private elevator bank that opens right into the concierge lounge. The Haven bar is much bigger than on earlier ships, and the lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows. The Haven Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, inside or alfresco. Outside, the sun deck has an infinity-edge pool, a sauna and ice room, a second bar, and an upper deck with two hot tubs.

The Mandara Spa has a barbershop, a full salon, a med spa and treatment rooms for massages, facials and wraps. The two-story Thermal Suite starts down a marble staircase beside a wall of water. Its circuit includes an aromatic steam room, charcoal, Finnish and infrared saunas, a salt room and an ice room. The hydrotherapy pool is larger than on earlier ships, and heated stone loungers face forward over the sea. Thermal Suite access is a separate pass.

Indulge Food Hall gathers 11 eateries in one space on Deck 8. Most of it is complimentary. Each spot keeps a short menu so it can perfect a few dishes, and iPads at the tables let everyone order from any station. Choices include Tamara for Indian food, Q Texas Smokehouse, Seaside Rotisserie, a noodle bar, Latin Quarter, the Garden, Just Desserts and a Starbucks. Outside, the Indulge Outdoor Lounge leads to the Soleil Bar at the stern.

Ocean Boulevard is a wide outdoor promenade on Deck 8 that wraps all the way around the ship. Infinity Beach has an infinity pool on each side, with a shallow ledge where the water seems to run right off the ship. Day beds are wrapped by a water feature you can dip your toes in. Farther along are The Concourse sculpture garden, the glass Ocean Walk and La Terraza, with outdoor seating out to the bow.

Syd Norman’s Pour House is a rock studio, concert venue and bar in one. The room is small, which makes every show feel like a real concert, and it’s full of rock memorabilia, couches, pub tables and booths. Nearby, The Improv brings stand-up comedy and turns into a nightclub later on. Le Bistro serves classic French food, and the Metropolitan Bar mixes some of the best cocktails on board.