debenson0723

Hi Joyce...good to see you again. Thanks so much for this information. I am looking at this cruise for October 2023 and going to see the Mansions is at the top of the list (also reading the same book). Can't wait to read the rest of your review. Take care.

In 6 cruises since September 2021, they have retaken my photo 3 times and not retaken it 3 times (I upload the same photo every time). Now that is a mystery to me.

Also be sure to check the Ports of Call forum on this website. There will be numerous posts for excursions at all 3 of those ports. And I agree with @YVRteacher...did not care for Dunn's River Falls and when I was in Ocho Rio on the Escape in February, a day pass in the spa was my choice of activity.

I have cruised solo often on NCL. The process above it pretty much the same on all of the ships (at least those with studios). In my experience, there is usually at least one or two people in the solo group that you will 'click' with and end up dining, going to shows and doing excursions with off the ship. If that doesn't happen, there is always the group dinners in the evening. The bar is only manned during the evening (5:30pm) meetings in the lounge. But there are always snacks, juices and coffee available 24/7. Every cruise is different and sometimes there are only 12-15 solos at the meetings and, as the case on the Prima TA, there were over 100 solos. I have met several great solos on NCL and cruised with them again. Much better than my experiences sailing solo on Carnival and RCL.

Excellent comparison and I agree with everything you said. Did an RCL cruise in May, same itinerary I did on the Bliss 5 months prior, and it was like night and day. Bliss is my favorite ship that NCL has and I always recommend it. While the Prima is a beautiful ship with an amazing crew and food, it was just missing something to me (and that's just me, I know many loved it). Hoping to do the Joy in February and then I will have the Big 3 under my belt.

Thanks. I knew I was forgetting something.

It's 12:01AM Miami time. You input your passport information, verify personal information (email address and cell phone number), health information, pick a check-in at the port time (which is not a boarding time) and add a photo. Takes about 10 minutes maximum if you have all the information handy.

Dinner in the Prima Haven was $55 per person if not staying in the Haven.

On my Prima TA, the Captain and officers attended but the Cruise Director did not. First time I have been to one that the CD did not attend. Of the other 5 cruises I have done since September 2021, we had M&G for 3 and the officers were there but not the Captain.

Prima Haven does not use the crew elevators...they use their own aft elevators. But once downstairs (at least in NYC), they had their own exit and gangway so we got out very quickly.

Aubrey...no mojito bar and no ingredients to make it elsewhere. Sounds silly but the lack of some of my favorite cocktails put a small damper on my sailing.

No idea...I just know one of my friends ordered it in every restaurant we went to and it came in a glass.

Can get it by the glass and is part of the basic drink package.

It's about a 5 minute walk from the hotel to where the luggage is given to the porters. And it depends on where you want to walk to...I have walked down the street at night alone to/from the Harrah's up on Canal Street but as in any big city, you need to be very aware of your surroundings. French Quarter at night is not the place for a child.

If traveling with a child that uses a car seat, I would not stay in the French Quarter. The Embassy Suites would be a good choice, much closer walk than appears on Google Maps. I would have your husband take the luggage down the street to check-in then come back and the 3 of you can walk together to the port. I have stayed at The Mercantile Hotel next door to Embassy Suites and taken my luggage on my own (solo traveler). As far as transportation, I don't have suggestions...I have just taken a cab.

If you look at the voucher photo in post #68 from a solo traveler, it still shows that it is good for Dinner for 2, not 1. I cruised solo on the Prima (just got off 5 days ago) as did a friend of mine. He treated me to Cagney's and Onda, I treated him to Le Bistro and Hasuki. No one questioned the voucher, whether we were solo travelers and there were no limitations (other than the typical one app, one entree, on dessert). So if the rules have changed, it has not filtered down to the ships yet.

I would check the website or app for your flight and see what seats are available (the Delta app actually shows you the number of miles needed to upgrade but not sure about American). My friend upgraded his NCL flight using miles from LAX to LHR on United a few days before his flight so it is possible. Good Luck!

I've been on the Getaway during NFL season and there is a good chance that the game will be on the big screen in Spice H20, depending on the time and if there are any other activities going on. It will be on at the bar there. Your options at the Local are also much better than the Prima as there are many more TVs. Are there even TVs in the cigar lounge? One place I have never stepped inside.

The Local bar area but it was difficult to get a seat and even if you had one, people constantly blocked your view walking by or standing at the bar. We mainly watched in our cabin. Enjoy your cruise.

Just off the Prima and we had NFL football on Sunday (all 3 games), Monday and Thursday. Of course some of those games didn't start until midnight or 1am because of the time difference when we were in the North Atlantic but they were there live. They were not shown on Sports 24 (which was also used) but a separate channel that was only broadcasting during the NFL games.

I am a solo traveler and just got off the Prima. I had two vouchers for dinner for 2, as did my solo friend. I treated him to LeBistro and Onda, he treated me to Cagney's and Hasuki. There was never any issue or question about our solo traveling status. As for 3 in a cabin, not sure how that would work.

LeBistro is very lovely on Prima and the food was excellent as always. The fun thing about the Indulge Food Hall is that the portions are not that large so you can easily try one or two new things and go back to a favorite if you don't enjoy them. My friend thought he was not a fan of Indian food but Tamara's chicken tikka changed his mind. I like the deviled eggs from Q so would stop by as soon as the Hall opened for dinner and just get a small plate of those. The dishes at Nudles were good at both lunch and dinner, and I had the Cobb Salad from the Garden a few times (with the added grilled chicken). It's hard not to over-Indulge while there. Have a great time on your cruise.

Totally agree. Never had a Raspberry Guava mojito and finally found the Spiced Peach Margarita in the Penrose Bar (after asking the Beverage Officer).

Boy, did I miss Silas! Great, comprehensive review and my observations as well. Its a beautiful ship but its not the ship for me.

JP, first off, it was nice to meet you on the ship and your organization of activities was greatly appreciated by all. I could have written this review myself. I agree with everything you said. The ship is beautiful but not a ship for cold weather. There were just not enough seating areas...I never sat in the Observation Lounge (one of my favorite places on Bliss and Encore), the Atrium(s), the Penrose Bar...never a chair. I did find one of those hard wooden bar stools with the 2 inch back at the Starbucks counter but they were open because they are very uncomfortable. We utilized the Indulge Food Hall tables when the venue was closed but sometimes felt that we were bothering the staff while they were prepping for lunch or dinner. And speaking of the staff, they were absolutely wonderful. Never walked by one without a greeting and a smile and most of the room stewards in my hallway knew me by name, not just my own steward. First time I have been in a casino where the majority of staff knew my name (is that a bad thing?). I have been forever spoiled by the crew on this ship. My last gripe is the lack of favorite cocktails in most of the bars. My tradition is to always get a Rebellious Fish as soon as I board and this cocktail is no longer on their 'menu' and most bars do not have the ingredients to make. I finally found a bartender at the Local who could 'almost' make it and that had to do. I spoke to the Beverage manager about this a couple of times...he apologized and said the cocktail menu has been revised and they are emphasizing the Sustainable ingredient cocktails, most of which I did not care for (but I am sure others did). I ended up tracking him down a few times and asked him where I could find certain favorites...most were in the Penrose Bar, which was 2 to 3 deep. I am sure he is happy that I am no longer on the ship, LOL (though he was very cordial and told me I could call him if I had questions about where to find what I wanted to drink...we have sailed together several times so he knows I am not a complete crazy). I am also planning on cancelling my Viva cruise for next year. I have found an itinerary on the Epic that I like just as much for half the price. I will probably try the Viva (or Prima again) once it is in warmer weather and the price comes down.