I stayed in a luxurious 230-square-foot stateroom on Norwegian's newest ship and saw why it starts at almost $1,000 per person

Brittany ChangOct 20, 2022, 02:30 IST

Brittany Chang/Insider

Norwegian Cruise Line invited me on the new Norwegian Prima's first US sailing in early October.
I surprisingly enjoyed my four nights in the luxurious over 230-square-foot family balcony stateroom.

Norwegian Cruise Line's newest cruise ship, the Norwegian Prima, finally completed its first US sailing in early October after seeing "record breaking" demand in 2021.

Norwegian Cruise Line

The popular cruise brand invited me to stay in the ship's family balcony stateroom during this roundtrip four-night inaugural sailing from New York City to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The popular cruise brand invited me to stay in the ship's family balcony stateroom during this roundtrip four-night inaugural sailing from New York City to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

And as a fairly picky traveler, I was surprised by the well-designed and large stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But don't expect to pay budget cruise prices for one of these balcony-lined staterooms.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Luxury comes at a cost, and this stateroom will soon run a little over $990 per person.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Let's take a closer look to see if it's worth this hefty price tag.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Norwegian says this over 230-square-foot family balcony stateroom is "perfect for the whole family."

Brittany Chang/Insider

I was just one lone traveler sailing on the Norwegian Prima for work, so my stateroom designed for a family was more than large enough for me.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Maybe it was the clean layout or large floor-to-ceiling glass sliding door, but the space felt larger than 230 square-feet and could've easily rivaled a Manhattan studio apartment.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Maybe it was the clean layout or large floor-to-ceiling glass sliding door, but the space felt larger than 230 square-feet and could've easily rivaled a Manhattan studio apartment.

To accommodate a family of four, my stateroom on deck 14 had a queen bed next to a double sofa bed.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Storage for a group of four could be tight …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… but the primary storage area — which included a closet and bins — was more than enough for me for my four nights at sea.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And after unpacking I was still left with plenty of unused hangers, empty drawers, and untouched baskets.

Brittany Chang/Insider

My stateroom's desk was stationed just beside this closet space.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Here, a lit-up mirror, rows of chargers, a hair dryer, and some additional storage lined the long desk.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The small backless stool was anything but a comfortable office chair …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… so I ended up spending most of my working hours on the couch across from the desk.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This was the same couch that could've pulled out into a bed, and I was reminded of this every time the cushion slid out from under me.

Brittany Chang/Insider

A night stand then separated this couch from the primary bed, which was unfortunately topped with fairly rough bed sheets.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I don't have many complaints about my plush stateroom but I will say the bed wasn't particularly comfortable, especially compared to the one on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I don't have many complaints about my plush stateroom but I will say the bed wasn't particularly comfortable, especially compared to the one on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex.

Overall, the room was devoid of non-functional decor pieces, which made the brown, white, and blue "mural" behind the bed and couch much more pronounced.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Although this isn't it for the best: In my opinion, the mural's random assortment of crystals, butterflies, and a portrait of someone's head didn't add much to the room.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Although this isn't it for the best: In my opinion, the mural's random assortment of crystals, butterflies, and a portrait of someone's head didn't add much to the room.

Tacky decor aside, I have little complaints. For one person, this large main living area left me with more than enough space to move around and make a mess.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Similarly, the bathroom was more spacious than I expected, although it definitely would've felt cramped with two people inside.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Cruise ship bathroom aren't known for being bright and roomy, but this was just that.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Inside, it was modern and clean with a light-accented mirror and shelves that provided ample storage for my toiletries.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And more importantly, I didn't need to constrict any of my movements while going about my morning and nighttime routine.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The shower was also well-sized and conveniently came with a clothes line to dry off any bathing suits after a day in the pool or at the spa, a subtle and appreciated addition.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The shower was also well-sized and conveniently came with a clothes line to dry off any bathing suits after a day in the pool or at the spa, a subtle and appreciated addition.

The bathroom's white and blue-toned decor called back to the mural in the bedroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Luckily, there were no butterflies or portraits in this space.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Unfortunately, unlike the bathroom and main room, the 45-square-foot balcony felt far from spacious …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… but it still had enough room to squeeze in a small table and two lounge chairs, making it a quiet and scenic nook to watch the sunset or catch up on some work.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Looking back on my four-night stay aboard the Norwegian Prima, I was surprised by how well designed the family balcony stateroom was.

Brittany Chang/Insider

For example: Outside by the entry door, there were three small lights that indicated my presence, if I wanted to be left alone, or if I wanted my room to be made up. Think of it as a modern "do not disturb" door hanger.

Brittany Chang/Insider

For example: Outside by the entry door, there were three small lights that indicated my presence, if I wanted to be left alone, or if I wanted my room to be made up. Think of it as a modern "do not disturb" door hanger.

I controlled these lights using the energy-saving key card and touchscreen near my entry door, both shown below. The latter also served as a convenient digital thermostat.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I controlled these lights using the energy-saving key card and touchscreen near my entry door, both shown below. The latter also served as a convenient digital thermostat.

Besides the touchscreen, I also have to call out the conveniently designed storage spaces, an understated luxury aboard a cruise ship.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The closet's built-in hangers and designated luggage space kept my unpacking and repacking process streamlined.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Same goes for the clothes line in the shower and the bathroom shelves that kept all of my toiletries organized without fear that they'd fall over in more turbulent waters.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Same goes for the clothes line in the shower and the bathroom shelves that kept all of my toiletries organized without fear that they'd fall over in more turbulent waters.

As a traveler, it seemed like these storage spaces were optimized to help its occupants stay as clutter-free as possible.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And I always had at least one outlet within arms reach no matter where I was sitting in my stateroom ...

Brittany Chang/Insider

... a welcomed convenience when I had to charge my camera, laptop, and phone all at the same time.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Cruise staterooms aren't known for being the pinnacle of contemporary design. But mural aside, I still appreciated the gentle muted colors, slatted wood detailing, and accent lights throughout my stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Cruise staterooms aren't known for being the pinnacle of contemporary design. But mural aside, I still appreciated the gentle muted colors, slatted wood detailing, and accent lights throughout my stateroom.

And having a balcony with views of the ocean (or of a cargo ship when we were docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia) definitely didn't hurt.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Norwegian couldn't provide a specific price for this sailing's family balcony stateroom because of the unique four-night itinerary and circumstances as an inaugural trip.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian couldn't provide a specific price for this sailing's family balcony stateroom because of the unique four-night itinerary and circumstances as an inaugural trip.

But if you're curious about the pricing, a close comparison could be the upcoming spring five to seven-day round trip itineraries from New York City to Bermuda, which starts at $991 per person, a spokesperson told Insider.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But if you're curious about the pricing, a close comparison could be the upcoming spring five to seven-day round trip itineraries from New York City to Bermuda, which starts at $991 per person, a spokesperson told Insider.

To compare, an inside stateroom during these same March to May itineraries will start at almost $830 per person.

Brittany Chang/Insider

At almost $200 per night, the family balcony is undoubtedly an expensive option, especially when compared to the ultra-cheap $30-a-day itineraries that have been flooding the market.

Brittany Chang/Insider

At almost $200 per night, the family balcony is undoubtedly an expensive option, especially when compared to the ultra-cheap $30-a-day itineraries that have been flooding the market.

And the over $900 price may seem like a lot if you're cramming four people into one room.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But on a ship like the Norwegian Prima, which is full of entertaining activities and services, you probably won't find yourself spending much time in your stateroom.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And if you do, having a balcony with unbeatable views may just (somewhat) justify this price.

Norwegian Cruise Line

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I stayed in a luxurious 230-square-foot stateroom on Norwegian's newest ship and saw why it starts at almost $1,000 per person

Norwegian Cruise Line's newest cruise ship, the Norwegian Prima, finally completed its first US sailing in early October after seeing "record breaking" demand in 2021.

The popular cruise brand invited me to stay in the ship's family balcony stateroom during this roundtrip four-night inaugural sailing from New York City to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

And as a fairly picky traveler, I was surprised by the well-designed and large stateroom.

But don't expect to pay budget cruise prices for one of these balcony-lined staterooms.

Luxury comes at a cost, and this stateroom will soon run a little over $990 per person.

Let's take a closer look to see if it's worth this hefty price tag.

Norwegian says this over 230-square-foot family balcony stateroom is "perfect for the whole family."

I was just one lone traveler sailing on the Norwegian Prima for work, so my stateroom designed for a family was more than large enough for me.

Maybe it was the clean layout or large floor-to-ceiling glass sliding door, but the space felt larger than 230 square-feet and could've easily rivaled a Manhattan studio apartment.

To accommodate a family of four, my stateroom on deck 14 had a queen bed next to a double sofa bed.

Storage for a group of four could be tight …

… but the primary storage area — which included a closet and bins — was more than enough for me for my four nights at sea.

And after unpacking I was still left with plenty of unused hangers, empty drawers, and untouched baskets.

My stateroom's desk was stationed just beside this closet space.

Here, a lit-up mirror, rows of chargers, a hair dryer, and some additional storage lined the long desk.

The small backless stool was anything but a comfortable office chair …

… so I ended up spending most of my working hours on the couch across from the desk.

This was the same couch that could've pulled out into a bed, and I was reminded of this every time the cushion slid out from under me.

A night stand then separated this couch from the primary bed, which was unfortunately topped with fairly rough bed sheets.

I don't have many complaints about my plush stateroom but I will say the bed wasn't particularly comfortable, especially compared to the one on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex.

Overall, the room was devoid of non-functional decor pieces, which made the brown, white, and blue "mural" behind the bed and couch much more pronounced.

Although this isn't it for the best: In my opinion, the mural's random assortment of crystals, butterflies, and a portrait of someone's head didn't add much to the room.

Tacky decor aside, I have little complaints. For one person, this large main living area left me with more than enough space to move around and make a mess.

Similarly, the bathroom was more spacious than I expected, although it definitely would've felt cramped with two people inside.

Cruise ship bathroom aren't known for being bright and roomy, but this was just that.

Inside, it was modern and clean with a light-accented mirror and shelves that provided ample storage for my toiletries.

And more importantly, I didn't need to constrict any of my movements while going about my morning and nighttime routine.

The shower was also well-sized and conveniently came with a clothes line to dry off any bathing suits after a day in the pool or at the spa, a subtle and appreciated addition.

The bathroom's white and blue-toned decor called back to the mural in the bedroom.

Luckily, there were no butterflies or portraits in this space.

Unfortunately, unlike the bathroom and main room, the 45-square-foot balcony felt far from spacious …

… but it still had enough room to squeeze in a small table and two lounge chairs, making it a quiet and scenic nook to watch the sunset or catch up on some work.

Looking back on my four-night stay aboard the Norwegian Prima, I was surprised by how well designed the family balcony stateroom was.

For example: Outside by the entry door, there were three small lights that indicated my presence, if I wanted to be left alone, or if I wanted my room to be made up. Think of it as a modern "do not disturb" door hanger.

I controlled these lights using the energy-saving key card and touchscreen near my entry door, both shown below. The latter also served as a convenient digital thermostat.

Besides the touchscreen, I also have to call out the conveniently designed storage spaces, an understated luxury aboard a cruise ship.

The closet's built-in hangers and designated luggage space kept my unpacking and repacking process streamlined.

Same goes for the clothes line in the shower and the bathroom shelves that kept all of my toiletries organized without fear that they'd fall over in more turbulent waters.

As a traveler, it seemed like these storage spaces were optimized to help its occupants stay as clutter-free as possible.

And I always had at least one outlet within arms reach no matter where I was sitting in my stateroom ...

... a welcomed convenience when I had to charge my camera, laptop, and phone all at the same time.

Cruise staterooms aren't known for being the pinnacle of contemporary design. But mural aside, I still appreciated the gentle muted colors, slatted wood detailing, and accent lights throughout my stateroom.

And having a balcony with views of the ocean (or of a cargo ship when we were docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia) definitely didn't hurt.

Norwegian couldn't provide a specific price for this sailing's family balcony stateroom because of the unique four-night itinerary and circumstances as an inaugural trip.

But if you're curious about the pricing, a close comparison could be the upcoming spring five to seven-day round trip itineraries from New York City to Bermuda, which starts at $991 per person, a spokesperson told Insider.

To compare, an inside stateroom during these same March to May itineraries will start at almost $830 per person.

At almost $200 per night, the family balcony is undoubtedly an expensive option, especially when compared to the ultra-cheap $30-a-day itineraries that have been flooding the market.

And the over $900 price may seem like a lot if you're cramming four people into one room.

But on a ship like the Norwegian Prima, which is full of entertaining activities and services, you probably won't find yourself spending much time in your stateroom.

And if you do, having a balcony with unbeatable views may just (somewhat) justify this price.