debenson0723

Yes, of course. No dining reservations necessary in the MDR. I have had dinner before the show and then gone back to the MDR afterwards for dessert. And maybe an appetizer, LOL.

More than enough room under the bed to store luggage. I took a 15 day Panama Canal cruise on the Bliss in a studio cabin and had no issues. If you can nest your suitcases into each other, even better.

I also enjoyed the Chicken Tikka and Shrimp Pad Thai. Pulled Pork sandwich from Q wasn't bad, and always enjoy the deviled eggs (with bacon garnish). Cobb salad, tomato bread and tagliatelle bolannase were also lunch staples for me. Honestly did not have anything I didn't like at Indulge.

Are you on the Roll Call for your cruise? This is a great way for a solo cruiser to "meet" people before you even board. You can plan to meet before sail away, after dinner, plan an excursion...the possibilities are endless. I have sailed solo many, many times but always meet someone onboard to hang out with, typically at the first night's solo gathering. I remember one morning watching the Bliss sail into San Francisco from the Observation Lounge, chatting with a charming man and then we headed to breakfast (hi, @hallux) before parting ways for the day. And even better, I have sailed multiple times with other solos I have met...there are 4 of us that met on various cruises who will be doing the Joy in February together. So don't worry about being solo for long...in my experience, NCL has the friendliest cruisers at sea.

I have only been cruising NCL since 2016 so missed the older ships but have been on these (and some multiple times): Sky, Pearl, Jade, Getaway (5), Escape, Bliss(3), Encore(2), Prima. Have the Joy and Viva booked but going to switch out the Viva for the Epic.

That's what I was thinking too. Not sure if OPs 'new rules' were something new from the past 30 days or she is referring to just after the restart many months ago. I have only been asked to see my check in time once and that was last November in LA. I had flown in morning of the cruise so got to the port right at my 11am check-in. Have also sailed several times with friends and we all had different check in times but no one even looked at them. Much ado about nothing.

Been on 6 cruises in 13 months, 6 different embarkation ports...used the same photo (with glasses on) with one retake at the port (Los Angeles). Last cruise it stated no glasses at 21 day check-in so had to take a new photo. No retake in Southampton. Can't wait to see what happens in February in LA again.

Most of the Prima bars do not have blenders (at least they didn't on the TA). I think your best bet would to try at the Penrose Bar in the Atrium or the Local.

Same as all of the other NCL ships since the restart. You watch the video at your 21 day check-in, then once your board, you go to your muster station and have your card scanned. Then it's time for lunch. The first time you turn on the TV in your cabin the video will show one more time but you don't have to do anything else once your card has been scanned.

If you don't want to wait until you are in port for your app to sync up using data, you can ask the cashier for a receipt and it will have your current app balance printed on it.

Yes, it is possible. I went from a studio to a balcony on the Prima for half of what my upgrade bid was. I did this 2 weeks before sailing. Look at the cabins available to make sure you get one that's not above the theatre, Syd Norman's, etc (so try to avoid deck 9). I have done this several times, once from a studio to a balcony for $7 on the Encore. Enjoy your cruise.

The advice to price out how much Starbucks you will drink in a day is spot on. I usually have one a day in the morning and the package would not be beneficial to me (I have read you need 3 to get close to breaking even). So I use my Starbucks app on my phone to purchase my one a day. This option is available on any ship that has a true Starbucks on it and not an Atrium Cafe that serves Starbucks products (such as the Jade). I have used my app on Sun, Getaway, Escape, Bliss, Encore and Prima. These ships all have one Starbucks, which is usually open from 6am to 8pm (maybe later on some ships) but the Prima has 2. The Joy also has 2 plus a cart that is sometimes open. If you don't want to use the app, you can use a Starbucks card. You will earn 'stars' for your purchase but you cannot redeem them onboard.

This was only available on the Breakaway and Getaway. There was a little take out window on the Waterfront. There are a couple of current CC members doing Live reviews on the Breakaway right now. You might want to post on those threads and ask your question.

Of course. You would just let the hold lapse and rebook.

No, it does not.

Yes and I believe it is actually 48 hours. I did this last week...reserved it on Tuesday evening and got the final email to make a deposit on Friday morning.

I think you are probably right, though I have no first hand experience with the Vibe (not a sun person). Another option could be The Waterfront. This area wraps around Deck 8 and has comfy couches and chairs, a bar on either side to grab a mocktail, no age restriction, looks out over the ocean and is very relaxing. It is my go to place to read and enjoy the fresh sea air. Even if it is raining, there is an overhang that will protect you. It can also sometimes get crowded but you can usually find a chair or couch to sit on (though some people do sleep out here also). Go to You Tube and look at some videos from the Escape and you can see if this option might work for you.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. Just wanted to mention that the Thermal Spa is not always quiet. I did a Caribbean cruise on the Escape in February and that Thermal Spa was the noisiest one I have ever been in. I like going for the peace and quiet but many of the passengers in there that day (it was the afternoon of a port day, which is usually empty) thought it was there own private party area. The pool was packed, heated tile lounger 'hogs', lots of yelling back and forth. It was just as bad on a sea day. I had a spa balcony cabin and this was the least amount of time I had ever spent in the Thermal Spa. Hopefully if this is what you chose, the passengers will be better behaved. And before I get flamed, I am pretty laid back and realize that everyone who pays for it can behave as they want but I had just never experienced this on any other ship (and I know it can happen on any ship). Whatever you decide, I hope you and your family enjoy your cruise.

Joyce, enjoy your time on the Bliss...still my favorite ship and I think our great Panama Canal cruise has something to do with that. I was on the Bliss last Thanksgiving for the Mexican Riviera. Enjoy the holiday with your family!

Your edocs will be ready later today or tomorrow. Just log in and check. Haven't gotten an email notification in awhile. Enjoy your cruise!

Loving all the detail in this review. Taking notes for next year and hope to follow in your footsteps. Love the firetruck tour! Thanks for posting.

Prima is a smaller ship but same number of specialty restaurants. I have been on ships 5 times where Q was a specialty restaurant and it was always empty. After the first time, I go now and buy the few things I like a la carte and save my voucher/FAS. It's too much food and just so-so (for me). Do the same thing with Food Republic, though we have started doing like @Sailing12Awayand splitting a voucher on 4 items to share. I think with Prima that Q is right where it should be in the Food Hall. Smaller portions and not so much waste. As far as it changing it on the Joy, Bliss and Encore, only time will tell.

Every cruise is going to be different based on the number of smokers in the casino. I was on the Escape in February but masking was still required and no smoking allowed. It was great. Maybe the Escape did have air handlers installed in it's recent dry dock but I have not read that. I would be prepared for an experience more like the Breakaway and be pleasantly surprised if it wasn't. Keep checking for reviews between now and then and maybe more information will surface. Enjoy your cruise.

This is what I do also but my last 2 cruises, they actually delivered it to my cabin. I didn't ask them to do that but they insisted.

Was on the 12 day Prima TA, ending on 10/5/22 and used my voucher for Dinner for 2 as a solo cruiser. The person I treated (also solo) returned the favor...we ate in Le Bistro, Cagney's, Hasuki and Onda. The voucher does not match the T&Cs printed above at this time.