primed for cool cruisers

Norwegian's over-the-top new liner launches Caribbean cruises from Galveston

Cruise fans, start packing for an elevated, over-the-top tropical getaway.

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched the inaugural season of its game-changing Prima Class Class cruise out of Galveston for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. One of Norwegian’s newest — and buzziest — new ships, the Prima Class vessel will embark on seven-day, round-trip cruises from Galveston to hot island getaways.

That means locals can head to Harvest Caye in Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Roatán (Bay Islands), Honduras. Norwegian’s newest liner, the Norwegian Viva, will now homeport in Galveston for the first time ever from December 2025 to April 2026, the company announced.

Designed for a more discriminating cruiser — and to go head-to-head with other big cruise brands’ top-tier boats — Norwegian’s Prima is a floating resort and entertainment destination with modern design and over-the-top amenities and experiences. The massive ship towers with 20 decks and can accommodate up to 3,100 guests with 1500 staterooms, 18 dining venues, and 17 bars and lounges.

Over-the-top fun

While on-board cruise entertainment is hardly new, Norwegian revs things up with the Prima Speedway, which marks the first three-level racetrack ever to hit the seas. Water park thrills come via the Prima’s 10-story tall slides, which Norwegian claims are the fastest at sea.

The Primna pushes the G forces with The Drop, which the company says is “the first free-fall slide in the world.”

After voyagers get their floating F1 fun and dizzying drops on, they can dine at various specialty restaurant concepts and the Indulge Food Hall, with 11 different cuisines including Q, a Texas-style BBQ joint. Described as the cruise industry’s “first sustainable cocktail bar at sea,” the Metropolitan Bar offers a chance to pregame or postgame.

Resort chic, stunning spaces, and nightlife vibes

Adult-themed entertainment is a key Prima offering, perhaps nowhere more obvious than the Prima Theater & Club. Operating as a standard theater/entertainment destination during the say for shows, the venue drops the seats and literally transforms into an adult nightclub at night, with DJs, dancers, and nightlife vibes.

Cruisers will obviously want to take in sea and island views, and the Prima Class makes it easier with Ocean Boulevard, the 44,000 square-foot, wrap-around outdoor walkway; and Oceanwalk, a glass bridge that boasts Instagram-ready photo ops and striking views.

More outdoor chill comes via the infinity beach — think of this as a floating beach resort with cabanas, lounge beds and chairs, and sea-facing infinity pools. Read a book or catch up with friends at La Terrazza, a sunny, al fresco lounge area, or take in a moment of zen at The Concourse, the ship’s open-air sculpture garden.

Singles, couples, families, and groups can all enjoy targeted accommodations. Solo staterooms are priced and designed for the single cruiser in mind, couples can enjoy upscale, comfy rooms, and large families can stay apart, and together, via connecting balcony staterooms.

Primed for cruisers

Speaking of upscale, travelers can upgrade to a more private experience via The Haven by Norwegian. This luxe complex is accessed only via keycard and offers 107 suites, a private restaurant, bar, lounge and sundeck, plus a concierge and 24- hour butler service.

Given its newer status, the Prima is design-focused; the interior harks to a modern hotel aesthetic. Outdoor amenities are reminiscent of posh sea resorts, while the bars, dining, and club reflect an urbane, metropolitan chic. Such focus on design and entertainment helped the Prima win industry publication Cruise Critic’s Best Ocean Cruise Ship in 2022.

“We’re extremely excited to have Norwegian Prima officially sail out of Galveston, Texas this season, providing our guests with more opportunities to cruise from popular, easily accessible ports,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We recognize the strong cruise opportunity in Texas and are focused on strengthening our presence in that market. We are proud to bring two of our most innovative ships in the fleet to this great state for two back-to back winter seasons to offer dream cruise vacations to not only the immediate market, but the surrounding areas as well.”

Current Prima cruises from Galveston start at $749 per traveler, starting in January 2024. Find more information on cruise dates, itineraries, and more here.

As savvy local travelers are aware, this is prime time for Galveston cruising. Princess cruises just ported its largest ship ever in Texas for Galveston-based Caribbean cruises. And Royal Caribbean's massive liner is enough to wow even our staunchest cruise snob.

Image courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Lines

8 miles high

Houston chef's menu takes off on United's premium business class offering

Courtesy of United

Justin Yu, far left, is one of 11 participating chefs.

United Airlines has shared more details about its new partnership with Chef’s Table, the acclaimed Netflix documentary series, including the menus created by the 11 participating chefs for travelers flying its premium Polaris business class seating.

For flights departing from Houston, United and Chef’s Table recruited Justin Yu, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Theodore Rex, a fine dining restaurant in downtown that holds a Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide. In addition, Yu and his business partner Bobby Heugel own Houston hospitality group Thorough Fare, which operates bars and restaurants including Anvil, Better Luck Tomorrow, Squable, Donna’s, and a new, still-unnamed restaurant in Montrose that’s slated to open later this year.

Beginning August 1, people departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport will be able to dine on Yu’s three-course menu that consists of:

Appetizer: Deviled eggs with white soy, aged cheddar, and chives
Salad: Chicory salad with spiced bacon, chickpeas, cucumber, onion, and oregano mustard vinaigrette
Entrée: Braised Texas short rib with ragout of mushrooms, red miso, and black eyed peas

“I wanted that slightly Texan touch,” Yu told CultureMap in March. “To me, the Houston part of it is the most important. There’s such a level of diversity. Introducing light touches of that to the meal was something I considered.”

Other participating chefs include Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles), whose menu includes an appetizer of burrata with braised leeks, shaved Brussels sprouts salad, and beef brasato with garlic mashed potatoes; Jenner Tomaska (Esmé, Petite Edith, and The Alston in Chicago), who has created a braised leeks appetizer, an arugula salad, and halibut with sauce matelote; Tomos Parry (Mountain and Brat in London), whose menu includes an appetizer of grilled beef filet, lobster salad with grilled peach, and slow-roasted lamb with smoked potatoes.

Chefs representing United’s destinations in Newark, Denver, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., São Paulo, and Tokyo are also participating. The menus will be available through September 2026. They’ll be updated with new seasonal items beginning in October. Customers may opt for the Chef's Table meals beginning five days and up to 24 hours prior to departure.

"At its core, this collaboration with Chef's Table is rooted in a shared ambition to redefine what inflight dining can be," said Aaron McMillan, United's Managing Director of Hospitality Programs, in a statement. "Because our leading global network reaches into the world's greatest food cities, we're able to work hand-in-hand with world-class chefs and translate their points of view into dishes intentionally designed for the realities of travel and inspired by destinations we serve."

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