Everything... project Leonardo/Prima class!

[SakeDad]

10 hours ago, familycruzer said:

Looking at booking cabin 10942.. good or bad choice?  I’m not sure I want to overlook the public area. 
Is there a group of basic balcony cabins that have limited views of the public decks? 
 

I think the higher up away from Deck 8 you'll be OK. I'm in 9800 as it's midship but over a calm area of Deck 8 and 8 cabins away from the screams of the slides.

[FreestyleNovice]

17 hours ago, familycruzer said:

Looking at booking cabin 10942.. good or bad choice?  I’m not sure I want to overlook the public area. 
Is there a group of basic balcony cabins that have limited views of the public decks? 
 

 

Here's the approximate location of 10942. The deck 8 aft area is supposed to draw guests from the top deck so giving what you say it might not be a good fit.

 

 

Consider a balcony more forward? Over the glass atrium (bottom right of the aerial view) or perhaps more forward, the balconies "under" (read; near) the bridge wing have less deck 8 visible under them.

Edited October 24, 2021 by FreestyleNovice

[FreestyleNovice]

Prima last week, nothing new on the outside:

[Drews_Cruise]

We’re in 14908 which is too close to the slide for my liking but the ship is sold out on the inaugural so we’re staying put.  I’ll certainly let everyone know when I get on board. 

[RVACruiser43]

13 hours ago, FreestyleNovice said:

 

Here's the approximate location of 10942. The deck 8 aft area is supposed to draw guests from the top deck so giving what you say it might not be a good fit.

 

 

Consider a balcony more forward? Over the glass atrium (bottom right of the aerial view) or perhaps more forward, the balconies "under" (read; near) the bridge wing have less deck 8 visible under them.

We are booked in 10168 Port Side just aft of the fwd Elevator bank.  Based on my estimate that should be just above the aft end of that narrower secton. 

Tom

[SakeDad]

3 hours ago, RVACruiser43 said:

We are booked in 10168 Port Side just aft of the fwd Elevator bank.  Based on my estimate that should be just above the aft end of that narrower secton. 

Tom

Although on Port there will be restaurants and bars. Starboard will have the Oceanwalk so should be nice and quiet.

[All-ready2cruise]

I do hope that the aft MDR will be open for Embarkation dining; that's always been my choice for my first dining experience on any ship. (last time was Oct 2019 on Joy and loved it.) 

[SakeDad]

18 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

I do hope that the aft MDR will be open for Embarkation dining; that's always been my choice for my first dining experience on any ship. (last time was Oct 2019 on Joy and loved it.) 

Normally I agree, but with the new Deck 8 openness and restaurants and bars in the aft area I'll probably find a good seat to eat and drink as I people watch everyone embarking! One of my favorite activities onboard!

[Cruiser Bruiser]

On 9/26/2021 at 11:00 AM, Steff79 said:

the smallest pool deck at sea 

 

On 9/22/2021 at 12:15 PM, Steff79 said:

the two pools at deck 8 will be more to sit in then swim i think, but we will see.

After a significant pause, I'm back to CC.

 

I really wanted to love PR1MA, as I miss NCL in some respects. I really thought FDR was going to reign in some of the excess on the top decks (tiny pools overwhelmed by racetracks, slides, ropes courses, pay-for-use clubs), but that dynamic holds. Not to make this a comparison thing, (well, really it's a comparison thing) but MSC's ships are just so much more conducive to my perception of what a ship's top deck should provide for laying out, enjoying the pool, and chilling. And they manage to include a glass-enclosed pool on every new ship they build. I think I will stick with MSC. But someday, if prices ever fall, I will give PR1MA or one of her sisters a try.

[BenCoudon]

15 hours ago, SakeDad said:

Normally I agree, but with the new Deck 8 openness and restaurants and bars in the aft area I'll probably find a good seat to eat and drink as I people watch everyone embarking! One of my favorite activities onboard!

Last month, on the Jade, when I embarked (around noon) Garden Cafe, O'sheehan's and the grill near the pool were open.  But nothing was "as usual" on that cruise.  With 50% capacity, I don't think there was a need for more options.  And sail away time was 23h00 so several people decided to visit Athens that day and board the ship mid-evening. Even the pool deck was rather quiet mid afternoon despite full sun and 32 degrees.  On a similar topic, one thing I always do is to book a specialty restaurant for dinner on embarkation day.  So many people are either new to cruising or first time on that ship, I find the MDR and Garden Cafe packed and lound.  It is more relax on subsequent days. 

[BenCoudon]

14 hours ago, Cruiser Bruiser said:

 

After a significant pause, I'm back to CC.

 

I really wanted to love PR1MA, as I miss NCL in some respects. I really thought FDR was going to reign in some of the excess on the top decks (tiny pools overwhelmed by racetracks, slides, ropes courses, pay-for-use clubs), but that dynamic holds. Not to make this a comparison thing, (well, really it's a comparison thing) but MSC's ships are just so much more conducive to my perception of what a ship's top deck should provide for laying out, enjoying the pool, and chilling. And they manage to include a glass-enclosed pool on every new ship they build. I think I will stick with MSC. But someday, if prices ever fall, I will give PR1MA or one of her sisters a try.

Everyone has its own criteria when selecting a cruise or a cruise line. For me, the top deck is not important.  Regardless of the ship, I find it way too noisy. My favorite place to chill is my balcony.  I find the choice of restaurants and the quality of the food much better with NCL.  Also, I think that no one equals NCL for the variety and quality of the live entertainers.  But some may disagree with that.  I sailed MSC only once and it was a total dispointment. Concerning the cost to sail on the Prima, the inaugural season of a ship, regardless of the ship and the cruiseline, is always much higher.  Lots of people want to be among the first to sail on a brand new ship and are ready to pay a huge premium.  Last May, when the sailings of the Prima came out, the asked prices were already rather high.  But as the reservations hit new records, the price for the remaining cabins went up an additional 20 to 30%.  A month ago, I noticed a similar situation when Oceania introduced the new Vista.  The demand to sail on new ships calls for those prices.  But, like everything else, sailing of a ship starting with her third sailing season, there is a significant drop with the prices.   

 

For the Leonardo ships, it will be interesting to see how it will go.  Prima drew lots of attention and bookings not only because it is a new ship but it is also a new class of ship.  It is expected that the Leonardo 2 to 6 ships will be rather similar to the Prima (same class).  Will the people that are looking for the inaugural season will do it 6 years in a row at those very high prices?  We will find out soon as the Leonardo 2 is scheduled to sail late spring 2023.  So bookings should be realeased very early in the new year (may be even before Christmas)

If you want to sail on the Prima at more reasonnable prices, you may be okay with sailing seasons 2024 and 2025.

[kessdarln]

Does NCL maybe Prima class .. plan to have a covered pool deck.  HAL has done it for a long time and I see some other lines offering this as well.  

[RVACruiser43]

1 hour ago, kessdarln said:

Does NCL maybe Prima class .. plan to have a covered pool deck.  HAL has done it for a long time and I see some other lines offering this as well.  

The original Pacific Princess in the Love Boat had a covered pool deck 🙂  Even the covered Haven Pools on the Jewel class ships seem to be a problem, Gem cruise in 2019 the cover was closed about 3/4 the way and didn't allow any fresh air in.  A bit too stuffy for my taste.  Seems they either don't maintain the track well enough to use, or the mechanism is not real reliable.

Tom

[Steff79]

2 hours ago, kessdarln said:

Does NCL maybe Prima class .. plan to have a covered pool deck.  HAL has done it for a long time and I see some other lines offering this as well.  

possible is it with the ship class, the MSC Seaside has a covered pool deck for all ( one that they can cover and two with no cover for all )

but i think NCL don´t want that ??

but wonder why they don´t build a bad weather ship for Alaska for example.

[Drews_Cruise]

2 hours ago, Steff79 said:

possible is it with the ship class, the MSC Seaside has a covered pool deck for all ( one that they can cover and two with no cover for all )

but i think NCL don´t want that ??

but wonder why they don´t build a bad weather ship for Alaska for example.

Especially when they plan to go to Iceland in late summer too. 

[hallux]

4 hours ago, Steff79 said:

but wonder why they don´t build a bad weather ship for Alaska for example.

With the exception of a covered pool deck, the Bliss and Encore were really designed with Alaska in mind.  Heaters on the Waterfront and the Observation Lounge come to mind as "refuges" from cooler weather on the top decks of the ship...

[RVACruiser43]

9 hours ago, BenCoudon said:

Everyone has its own criteria when selecting a cruise or a cruise line. For me, the top deck is not important.  Regardless of the ship, I find it way too noisy. My favorite place to chill is my balcony.  I find the choice of restaurants and the quality of the food much better with NCL.  Also, I think that no one equals NCL for the variety and quality of the live entertainers.  But some may disagree with that.  I sailed MSC only once and it was a total dispointment. Concerning the cost to sail on the Prima, the inaugural season of a ship, regardless of the ship and the cruiseline, is always much higher.  Lots of people want to be among the first to sail on a brand new ship and are ready to pay a huge premium.  Last May, when the sailings of the Prima came out, the asked prices were already rather high.  But as the reservations hit new records, the price for the remaining cabins went up an additional 20 to 30%.  A month ago, I noticed a similar situation when Oceania introduced the new Vista.  The demand to sail on new ships calls for those prices.  But, like everything else, sailing of a ship starting with her third sailing season, there is a significant drop with the prices.   

 

For the Leonardo ships, it will be interesting to see how it will go.  Prima drew lots of attention and bookings not only because it is a new ship but it is also a new class of ship.  It is expected that the Leonardo 2 to 6 ships will be rather similar to the Prima (same class).  Will the people that are looking for the inaugural season will do it 6 years in a row at those very high prices?  We will find out soon as the Leonardo 2 is scheduled to sail late spring 2023.  So bookings should be realeased very early in the new year (may be even before Christmas)

If you want to sail on the Prima at more reasonnable prices, you may be okay with sailing seasons 2024 and 2025.

My Balcony Cabin on the TransAtlantic is base $1600pp not at all a bad price for the days we are cruising.  Prices now are rediculous!

Tom

[kessdarln]

55 minutes ago, hallux said:

With the exception of a covered pool deck, the Bliss and Encore were really designed with Alaska in mind.  Heaters on the Waterfront and the Observation Lounge come to mind as "refuges" from cooler weather on the top decks of the ship...

Haven can be covered, for Alaska I feel a covered deck would be welcome so folks can use the pool/tubs. Oh but is it on Prima?

Edited October 26, 2021 by kessdarln
update

[kayjaypea42]

On 10/25/2021 at 6:56 PM, Cruiser Bruiser said:

 

After a significant pause, I'm back to CC.

 

I really wanted to love PR1MA, as I miss NCL in some respects. I really thought FDR was going to reign in some of the excess on the top decks (tiny pools overwhelmed by racetracks, slides, ropes courses, pay-for-use clubs), but that dynamic holds. Not to make this a comparison thing, (well, really it's a comparison thing) but MSC's ships are just so much more conducive to my perception of what a ship's top deck should provide for laying out, enjoying the pool, and chilling. And they manage to include a glass-enclosed pool on every new ship they build. I think I will stick with MSC. But someday, if prices ever fall, I will give PR1MA or one of her sisters a try.

 

So I will preface this with the adage, "To each his own", but MSC really lacks service, entertainment, and quality included food options.  The ships are usually fantastically beautiful, but the other areas can and do break a cruise easily. 

[Steff79]

16 hours ago, kayjaypea42 said:

 

So I will preface this with the adage, "To each his own", but MSC really lacks service, entertainment, and quality included food options.  The ships are usually fantastically beautiful, but the other areas can and do break a cruise easily. 

i had two cruises this year with MSC Seaview at a yachtclub. It was cheaper then a balcony room at NCL. it was much better then i expected ( Staff very friendly and many places with live music about 4-5 every night )

 

i liked swimming at the evening in the covered pool very much.

 

 

[hallux]

On 10/26/2021 at 7:05 PM, kessdarln said:

Haven can be covered,

That's great, for those that can afford to sail in that cabin type.  That's a select few on a ship carrying 4,000 guests...

[Sand and Seas]

Does anyone know when we will learn more about the still blank areas of Prima's deck plans?   

 

[Drews_Cruise]

11 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

Does anyone know when we will learn more about the still blank areas of Prima's deck plans?   

 

We are all anxiously waiting for that but nobody knows for sure.  I'm also anxious to see if actual photos of the rooms get posted next year before the inaugural sailing.  I'm not sure if the décor will be the exactly the same as the artists renderings.  

[Karaboudjan]

21 minutes ago, Drews_Cruise said:

We are all anxiously waiting for that but nobody knows for sure.  I'm also anxious to see if actual photos of the rooms get posted next year before the inaugural sailing.  I'm not sure if the décor will be the exactly the same as the artists renderings.  

I don't know about 'exactly', but one of the artists posted some of their work on IG a while back and it appeared to match the renderings pretty closely.

[wendi0731]

Does anyone have inside scoop on if the prima will have a casino or a spa?   
 

I can’t see anywhere where it confirms there is a casino… However it is allowing me to buy into slot and poker tournaments on myncl. 

 

The gentleman from customer service that I spoke to said that neither have been confirmed. However my husband called and spoke to a supervisor who said that, though details haven’t been released yet, that there would be both.