Jim The Lizard

I’ve got friends who booked Vibe (regular passes, $269 each) two months ago for this cruise. Last week another friend went to book it and it only let him buy a cabana. My guess is regular pass is sold out.

I've been on Vibe on Escape, Bliss, Encore, Getaway, and Prima. Love the small Escape Vibe. But I have to go with Prima as my favorite. The aft location really cuts down on the wind, love the circular bar, the accessible buffet and pergola shaded tables are awesome, larger hot tubs and the lack of cabanas give it an open feel with loungers and day beds readily available. I miss the cookies (skewers of grapes now!), I remember the $99 pass days, just paid $269 for my next cruise! Worth if!!!

Booked with Lori for March!

Buffet is included. Republlic garners additional revenue. So I doubt it. Not a bad idea. But these lines are scraping for every additional dollar to get back in the black. And I always enjoy reading your comments!

Great comments and I subscribed to your YouTube Channel. Enjoyed your comments and positivity. Thx for a great report.

us too! Damn it!

I have no doubts. And they will get the new price also!

Guess we’ll never know. As much as I like NCL, I don’t think they’re worried about being fair regarding OBC, Haven guests, folks that “know” the staff or on board crew. I believe cash in hand and a sold out Vibe is their goal. Regardless, I certainly hope that anyone who wants Vibe or thermal spas or dinner reservations gets to have the vacation they want and they are able to obtain passes.

UK Cruiser posted that he was able to buy passes on board for the Joy, warm weather cruise at embarkation. Joy still has the smaller Vibe as it will become the expanded Vibe like Encore after the spring 2024 dry dock. So the ability to purchase Vibe at embarkation is strikingly different than many other reports that Vibe is sold out upon embarkation on many ships. For example, Vibe for a February Escape cruise and Prima March cruises are sold out in Vibe (at least according to the groups I belong to). Many posts on Facebook of cruisers asking if Vibe is available because the app reads “too early to book” which is simply translated to “sold out”. Some passengers cancel because they change plans, or even cancel if they upgrade to Haven. When that happens, NCL releases those passes for sale; I guess that allows others to purchase onboard if there are still passes available. I have purchased passes online three times now, and previously ran for passes five times. Those mad dashes for Vibe usually saw Vibe sold out within an hour of embarkation. UK Cruiser is a great source of info and his information is sound; but I have to believe that the ability to purchase on board as he reported is less the norm these days.

Bartenders are usually gone no later than 7 pm.

So it’s selling around 200 passes like Encore. Makes sense that there might be some for sale at boarding with more than double available passes on other NCL Vibe ships.

i see lots of recent success stories about passes being purchased onboard on the day of embarkation. Wow! You’re the first I’ve seen that mentions passes being held back! Does Joy have the expanded Vibe like Encore? Regardless, congratulations and enjoy.

So true. We are 8 for 8 on passes and it was crazy how we had to run! As for knocking down old ladies, our very first Vibe some guy was angry with my wife accusing her of bumping him. We all were in Vibe all week and he wouldn’t let it go (my wife is a pretty small woman and didn’t touch this guy). One year I got bumped at the top of the staircase on Encore by an old guy and wiped out trying to get to the Social one deck down. I’m a pretty big guy, and this little dude took me out. Ran into Social as the attendant was putting the “Vibe Sold Out” sign right in front of me. Thankfully it all worked out. I love this new book as soon as you can and take that get to the port at O Dark 30 and then mad stampede out of the equation.

Not a lot of success stories out there getting those passes once onboard. I've even read some where a couple was looking for an individual pass to join the only person in the cabin who acquired it. Of course, ship choice matters here: Encore with it's supersized Vibe is going to have a lot more passes than Escape's 75 passes. Some folks are upset because their latitude status doesn't translate to the acquiring of the passes. I love that. Started getting Vibe on our first Breakaway class ship and haven't sailed without it since. Used to be luck and a lot of running, now it's planning!

Hi, bartenders told us 86 passes sold per sailing. Remember, no cabanas on Prima Vibe.

I tried to get this discount for a cruise in March 2023, I had booked it in 2022. When I asked my TA, they were strict with “new bookings” only. My TA advised me as I booked my 2024 cruises that it’s not so stringent now, and military members are being granted some exemptions. Good news is once you’ve acquired your military status, it stays attached to your NCL account for future cruises. I was not listed on my March 2023 Prima sailing as a veteran because the program was not resurrected when I booked in 2022. So when Marc the F&B director was talking to us on Prima, my veteran status came up in conversation and I let him know I was looking forward to the discount and patch, coin, letter that NCL is providing vets on their ships. As we were having dinner in Le Bistro, Marc came dressed in his full blue uniform and presented me with the military package and letter that is now in your cabin for veterans when you board. I was grateful for the acknowledgement and extra care. It’s those types and levels of service that truly make NCL our line of choice.

I meant Encore on the third mister.

Escape has a walk in mister with two fixed seats. Bliss has a mister. Escape has a mister. All three have a shower. Prima doesn't have a mister, just shower next to a hot tub. But Prima and now Viva have the pergola which provides share despite wind (unlike umbrellas).

There is a pergola that runs down the middle of Vibe with low chairs and tables. In addition, less wind than on Escape (Escape Vibe is in front of ship, Prima Vibe aft with racetrack blocking some wind) which allows for more umbrella coverage.

Remember they had the same listing for Prima cabanas and had to do refunds. But good call Bird!

I was in Prima Vibe 2023 and have it booked for March 2024. No cabanas in Prima Vibe; some day loungers along the edges against the windows (under the Speedway Bar overhang) and some assorted with little or no shade amongst the loungers. It is enforced by the bartenders and attendants. This will be our 8th time in Vibe on an NCL ship. Bartenders have a list so they can check your card and verify purchase, and after day 2, they have a pretty good idea who has paid for entry and who hasn’t. They do ask people to leave, and unfortunately on Prima Vibe this past March, security had to get involved and escort an obstinate couple out. The entrance to Vibe on Prima is by key card access, but because of its location directly off the buffet, several curious guests came in on the heels of those who did purchase access. Sometimes the bartenders will put a small sticker on your card so that they can more easily identify those who have purchased access. But when getting a drink, key card is swiped. If it shows you have not purchased access, that’s when they ask you politely to find another bar on Prima. it’s a great Vibe. You will meet other people if you like to talk to others. But it’s very laid back and relaxing. Some times it can get louder with a group or a longer sea day of drinking, but it’s pretty chill. Biggest problem? For many, it becomes vital to their NCL cruise experience. Lots of people will say “I won’t sail without it”. I won’t tell you where I stand with that thought process. But I’ve had Vibe 8 times out of 9 NCL sailings. I guess that speaks how I feel about it! See you on board!

Then I would suggest 8 or 9. Closer to restaurants and the atrium.

Omg, I completely read that wrong! Now it’s funny!

Me too! I’m sorry you didn’t like it. It’s expensive to find out the ship wasn’t for you. For us? Our best NCL ship experience. We loved her and enjoyed all her different and unique venues.

Stop making sense graphic guy! I literally just paid HALF of what I pause for my March 2022 Prima cruise. I need people to keep complaining, it only drives the price lower for a fantastic unique ship like Prima!