HBCcruiser

Pre-cruise interaction with NCL: Months ago, we received an online survey email from the pre-cruise concierge asking us about or cabin preferences – types of booze, sodas, waters, pillows, coffee/teas we preferred. I also asked a few questions about pre-booking reservations. Yes, they can help with booking dining reservations and the two shows – Donna Summers and Price is Right, but the other events must be booked onboard. I really want my DH to see the Rumors show in the Syd Norman’s. Last year on the BA I saw it and WOW, what a great show! YES - I WILL wait in line to see this show. My DH can just keep feeding me adult beverages. We also want to see the comedians. I have heard mixed feedback regarding the concierge being able to get us into those venues. We shall see what happens. We could book dinner reservations starting 130 days out. Check-in was 21 days out. Now, because I live on the West coast, I could book 9 PM the night before (which was 12 PM on the East coast.) SWEET!

Our itinerary: We are flying to NY on Saturday and will be staying with friends right outside of the city. Hopefully our flights are on time, but at least we have a little buffer just in case. Yes, we were going to stop in Virginia Beach, but they cancelled that stop. My DH was bummed because he wanted to see the Wisconsin and the Naval Air Station there. Oh, and he dislikes sea days. Oops. Originally, I had booked the scooters for us to enjoy, but after hearing how riding those had become more dangerous with all the added traffic, I decided on renting one of the small electric cars – the Tazzari - instead. No road rash for me! So much for reliving my college days, but knowing my Murphy's Law type of luck... Well, you can only imagine. We plan on renting this on Thursday, on our second day in Bermuda. Tazzari: I am a little worried that the Catamaran Evening Sail will be cancelled. It no longer shows up as an option to book, AND it does not show up on my Summary Page/event calendar. I DO have the email showing that we are booked and fully paid. My hope is that it is just sold out. It sounds so nice! Hope the rain holds off too. 🤞

LESS THAN ONE WEEK TO GO BEFORE WE BOARD THE PRIMA! 🥂🚢. I keep debating whether or not to do live reviews due to the time commitment, however, with the mixed reviews and questions surrounding the Prima (it is a love-hate thing I think), as well as the fact that some my fellow R🐀P-ers @Sailing12Away @CptBoatface will be sailing on her soon – in fact, @Sailing12Away will be in the exact same cabin type as us – I decided to go for it. I also know that @ChiefMateJRK and @oteixeira like to join in the fun! 😜 Oh, and just so you know upfront I am a firm believer in YOLO and Go Big or Go Home, especially when it comes to vacations. My DH and I work hard so we like to play hard and make great/fun memories. Simple. We booked this cruise a looong time ago - on March 23, 2021 to be exact. It was a replacement cruise for a COVID canceled birthday/anniversary cruise. We were one of the lucky ones who booked the Aft Owner's Suite on Deck 10 thinking it had a hot tub on the balcony only to find out later that it DOES NOT have said hot tub. Boy, was I pi$$ed! NCL would not do anything about it despite my TA complaints about a bait and switch. Luckily, my TA was able to snag the same cabin on deck 12 when someone cancelled. I must say, though, the price we paid was much lower than the INSANE Haven prices I see today. Example: The Viva New Year’s Eve 9-day cruise is selling our same cabin type for around $38,000 for 2! Seriously? But I digress... Bermuda is one of my favorite places. I went there for spring break every year as a college student (IK,IK, weird, but I did not want the crazy Florida party scene). My friends and I would rent mopeds and zip around the island having an absolute blast! In 2017 my mom, DDs and I cruised on the BA to Bermuda. The island had gotten much more crowded but was still as beautiful as I had remembered. This will be my DH’s first time to Bermuda, and I want to make sure he has a wonderful time. Looking at the weather forecast right now shows rain in NYC, and possible showers in Bermuda. ⛈️ Boo! As an admitted type A planner, I had to create a plan “B” in case the rain prevents us from doing any of the activities scheduled under Plan “A”. Plan “B” consists of catching a ferry or van into Hamilton and hit the pubs. After all, someone has to do Rum Swizzle taste testing! Plan A: Plan B:

You must be booked in a full suite or Club Class mini suite in order to eat in Club Class.

Yes! We are bringing our Veuve onboard with us. Pre-chilled too! 😎🥂

New York does the same thing. Last time we sailed from there and had the beverage package we were charged taxes while in port. I’ll check again next week when we board the Prima. We have the Premium Plus Bev Package so we shall see what happens.

Basic Signature Suite layout. Penthouse Suite Layout - double the price and the next category of suite.

Anything with the name “Signature.” The cheapest are the basic Signature Suites. Category S9. You can see them in comparison to the Owners Suites and Sky Suites on deck 16 below.

We did the same thing as you. Booked Nov. 16, 2024 in the basic Signature “mini” Suite. I did not see value in booking the Penthouse Suite for double the price.

When you meet @ChiefMateJRK You will know. 😉 Let’s just say it’s a long story. Have a wonderful cruise! Have a Blue Moon on us.

Go easy on yourself, but def book any excursions that you want. I will definitely tag you and the other 🐀P-ers. Less than one week! Excited! You guys are in the Aft OS too, right? Is @ChiefMateJRK on that cruise too? Or @oteixeira?

You forgot bubbles and wine. 🥂

Love your name - Lush. 🥂 Cheers!

I'm good with that! The more the merrier! Enjoy your second leg! B2Bs are the BEST! I'll be jumping on the Prima in a week - doing a LIVE review for @Sailing12Away and others.

Just ask at Guest Services, or better yet buy cruise next certs and use them! If they are not sold out...🤩

I hope to meet you onboard!

Yummy! My favorite too!

I will be on her in the Haven starting April 30th - less than 2 weeks. I plan on doing a LIVE review so we can find out together!

I agree! The prices are crazy for some cruises.

We just priced the Haven for the Viva New Years cruise. YOWZA!! 😲

Well, you can but you will have to purchase it. We do this all of the time if we want to make sure we get the dining times we want. Once onboard they can refund your payment to OBC. This works if you want OBC, otherwise you have to hope some dinner slots are open for you and book when you are onboard. If you are in a suite the concierge will book your reservations in advance for you no problem.

@RCCL Fan Do they have a suite pool lounger area like they do on other ships? We will be on the Vision in July and have been wondering about that. Thanks for a great review!

People can be so rude and mean to children. It is sad. You have a beautiful family! I’d be honored to meet them one day, including your adorable children. We are on the Vision July 6, 2023. I hope the food gets better! 😔

It will also depend on whether the Haven is sold out on your cruise. If it is you will not hear until after you board. They will only take bids if people miss the cruise for some reason.

No. You will get the cabana excursion ticket and info sheet in your cabin when you board. Once you get to GSC you look for the cabana kiosk where you will all sign in and get your cabana "bracelets". They have trams that will take all of you to your cabana.