Markj

Just a little tip for something we did when we did out last Alaskan cruise in 2022. This wont always be possible and it wont work for everyone, however, we stayed a couple of nights in a hotel ahead of the cruise and asked them if they would store our luggage for us on the day we arrived back off the cruise ahead of going to the airport later. It worked well and only cost us a tip so well worth asking to save using the chargeable luggage shops in the city of which there are several

There's no ceartantity that be restrictions will come into force. They are being made by central government in Norway and not by the local people who are very concerned at the revenue they will lose if these restrictions come into place!

Mmm yes, the local has some excellent food (and drinks) My favourite was the Reuben then the fudge Sunday. yummy yummy!!!!

Yeah it needs a little planning but at the due date book your specialities. I didn't have a problem with the times we wanted. Then you can always adjust when you get on board. If you can give yourself at least one night in Reykjavik as it's a lovely place to explore and go to the Blue Lagoon (I'm sure by then the volcano will have calmed down)

Personally I think you will have an amazing time. The ship is amazing and the food is good. Every ship and cruise line has it's pros and cons and if you read the reviews of the luxury lines people can always find something they think could be improved

I think Gary is fair in his assessment that the Prima class and Virgin ships are designed more for those who want individual smaller places. We were on Prima July last year in the Haven and had a great time. Yes there was a queue at Syd Normans the first night but after that we didn't have a problem getting in anywhere. Yes the speciality restaurants are busy but simply making a booking means you always get seated so no need to miss out and changing a reservation was always easy with the Concierge desk. My major gripe is the Haven lounge. It needs a buffet and coffee/drinks station. If that was put in then it would be a lovely place to chill/hang

I think his review was pretty good and gave the pros and cons of the Prima Haven and I mostly agree with him. Things I disagree with are the concierge team and communication -;I think that's a two way thing, engage with them and they engage with you I don't worry about the static Haven menu as I don't want to eat there all the time. Do agree about the Haven Lounge. It's lifeless and has no facilities, compared to Bliss it's very poor. And yes the AC and lighting controls are unnecessarily complicated

I was on the Megacruise on the Jewel back in 2019 and it was great fun. Sadly this was a terrible thing to happen during the Headbangers Boat Cruise. Friends of mine play in some of the bands and are also roadcrew and wives/partners and they told me the following: They were in the Bahamas. The man who fell overboard had a girlfriend and a best friend apparently on board. Supposedly he got into a fight with the girlfriend and jumped over. No-one knows sure if it was intentional or he was trying to jump to the deck below. They searched from about four in the morning until 1pm the next day but sadly did not find him. Terrible situation and so sad

Yes for sure. Let me know your plans for that. Maybe I'll even come and see my first ever game of bat and ball!!!

Did you NOT go to the wig museum? Big fail!! Really enjoyed your company the past week or so and hope to run into you in some bar sometime in the future!!

Behave. We have had soem lovely weather recently and last year summer was too hot!!!! You Americans, always complaining!! Love you though!!!

So in summary: The cruise was excellent. The destinations are well worth going to and Prima is a lovely ship with a great team on board. I've already made mention of the lack of indoor areas and we missed the Haven observation lounge of the Bliss. The shows were good and varied and with a bit of planning it's easy to see everything. With regard to the speciality restaurants we rate them as follows Nama Palomar Los Lobos Onda Le Bistro Cagneys The Haven was great for lunch and brekky but not up to par for dinner. Lunch in the Local was excellent. It's was OK at Indulge. That's it for now. Home soon for a nice cuppa and no food for a fortnight!! 🤣🤣🤣 If anyone has any questions then I'll be happy to help

Arrived back into Southampton nicely on time. They started debarkation from about 630. So we had time for one last breakfast and then got off at 8. We take our own bags so we know we have them!! I had booked a taxi with West Cars and they picked us up at 830. The walk off the ship is long as the gangway snakes back and forth and then there is a bit of a mess when you come out of the terminal as there are no signs. However - booked cars and taxis are in the first road. Then in the central are there is a queue for taxis and then your busses further on. It's all close though so easy to ask someone if you can't find what you're looking for Then unusually for us after a cruise we are back in the UK and so it's a 2 hour train journey home

Next day was Bruges. With the ship arriving at 10 instead of 7 it made things a bit tight. Then in the end it docked at 11. Don't know who designed this cruise terminal but they obviously don't cruise. You can't walk off the ship to get our of the port but have to take a shuttle bus for 2 mins. Plus everyone crowds the decks and stairs and get told off by Simon the CD. We saw the busses start at the forward exit and watched as he open the aft. Then walked off 15 mins after the melee There is a desk to buy tickets for a shuttle bus to Bruges for 25 Euros round trip. Nice and easy with options on bus times to come back from 1 to 330. Had a lovely day in Bruges. Make sure you do a canal boat trip. As a tip don't get in line at the first 2 or 3 you see. There are about 10 places to get them so walkthrough the town and get on one that's further away. No line got straight on 12euros Back to the ship for about 4pm. And the silly shuttle. Then some more pool and deck cocktails in the afternoon sun. Dinner in Palomar again tonight. It's the team from the Haven brekky and lunch so they knew us. Delicious tuna and Dover sole. Popped into Syd Norman's for half an hour. Standing room only. So has to laugh when someone tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to move. I mean, to where. Hahaha Closed out the Haven Bar with new friends Chad James and Kyle (see her thread Prima with no hot tubs for all the pictures!!!). Rommel made some specials and some mini shots with our faces on.

Dinner was in Nama again and it was as excellent as the first time and we were so well looked after Next day and into Amsterdam. It's great that the ship docks in the city as you can just stroll off. The hop on hop off bus was OK but as we were on the first one it was very busy. Did the whole tour and then transferred to the boat. Made a mistake booking a hop on hop off boat as the time between boats was too long at 45 mins so I would recommend just doing the hour long ful tour. Had bacon and cheese and banana and chocolate pancakes coz we hadn't had any food hahaha!!?? Back on board and out to the Haven sun deck and pool. Although the pool was at sailing depth so a bit low!!; It was at full depth in Bergen then lowered as we set off and we never saw it full again . Dinner in Cagneys. This is the biggest sig restaurant and for us the worst. It's not terrible but the service was robotic and the food was just "OK" Dropped into the Ocean Fest at sea show in the theatre and thought is was good for 30 mins then meh then good at the end. Mixing musical styles doesn't work for me Haven Bar as usual and some Espressomartinis.