Norwegian Prima’s First US Sailing - Bermuda Short Break *LIVE*

[aubreyc1988]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We were unsuccessful in our quest for a blueberry mojito. We were in the Haven last month and the bartenders started preparing them as they saw us coming. 

Does the bird have a Prima substitute drink? 

[steamboats]

16 hours ago, Red-Sol said:

I may have missed it but it sounds to me like there is no comparable venue such as the "Supper Club" on Escape or the "Spiegel Tent" those types of venues offered additional entertainment options for people sailing on those ships that I would think  there should be something similar as well available on Prima.

 

No, no similar venue on Prima.

 

15 hours ago, JCDCA said:

No casino bar seems like a fail.  I’m one that enjoys playing bar top video poker.  

 

Available at the Penrose Bar in the Atrium.

 

steamboats

 

 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, ashleyriley said:

Bird, what is the best way to reserve shows when you are staying in the Haven? Nothing is open online for entertainment, just dining. Do you recommend having the Haven concierge book the shows at embarkation? Or will entertainment open up online closer to the sail date? We are cruising in December.  Thank you! 

As soon as you embark, the concierge staff can helpe you with all reservations.

Option 2: The Birds sailed in the Haven last month and still stopped by show reservations (Syd Normans on the Prima) to get a show menu, then went to the concierge to book. 

 

wrt restaurant reservations, the concierge has the ability to [slightly] oversell a restaurant. So, something that shows up as sold out on the app, may still have a few seats for Haven guests. Once a restaurant is totally sold out, even the concierge won’t be able to get you a seat. 
 

While there are 25% fewer total guest on the Prima compared to the BA+ ships, there are 25% more Haven rooms and Suites that use a Concierge to book.Kinda like the Joy they had 100% more than sister ships. 
 

The Bird was in steerage for this voyage. And was in the Priority boarding group. And went straight to show reservations and then restaurant reservations. When we tried to book Palomar, in particular, it was not available during prime time most nights. So make reservations your top priority. 

Edited October 15, 2022 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, aubreyc1988 said:

Does the bird have a Prima substitute drink? 

Settled on a regular mojito and an assortment of tropical drinks. 

[BirdTravels]

Good Night

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, uneamie said:

Exactly....the Haven's priority is one of the problems and reasons why there's not much left for the rest of us. So move the venues up to Haven deck and be done with it. ha! 

This is totally inaccurate. There are 107 suites. There are 2155 other rooms. Almost all reservations are for non Havem guests. 

Edited October 15, 2022 by BirdTravels

[BirdTravels]

Oh No! Say it isn’t so. It’s time to go. 
 

The Wi-Fi has been poor to nonexistent for most of the cruise. The Bird talked to the internet manager who said that there have been serious problems since the shipyard which they have not been able to resolve. (Remembering that the Wi-Fi is operated by a 3rd party vendor and not NCL.)
 

It has taken hours and hours to get this content uploaded. And The Bird will upload some additional pictures once back on a good network. 
 

[Vol_Navy]

20 hours ago, uneamie said:

I've never had a problem getting a seat in the theater nor have I ever seen so many complaints about it. I wasn't implying that it NEVER happens but more that it is happening far more on this ship then others ...everyone seems to be complaining about the small venues, not enough seating etc. So I am only going by what I am reading here. 

@uneamie

 

The concerns you are expressing are spot on with my experience on the Prima when compared to NCL ships dating back to the Dreamward and every class in between through the Bliss.

 

On our prior prepandemic sailings at or near capacity we have always been able to find entertainment / specialty availability after embarkation.  Not so on this particular cruise.

 

I believe that reservation availability will greatly improve on future sailings for several reasons.  First, this was a five-day cruise and only one port day.  With most cruises being seven days or longer there will be more availability in entertainment /specialty restaurant venues because of the extra days.  Also, most cruises will have more than one port day and port days seem to open up availability.  Most importantly,  I believe NCL will make the necessary adjustments if availability continues to be an issue.  That is why I would encourage fans of NCL to give the Prima a try if the price is right and the itinerary is to their liking.

 

While our family experienced some of the peculiarities and challenges of the Prima that have been noted, we had a wonderful vacation (special thanks to the personable, hard working staff!).  It was fun to experience some of the new, unique additions of the Prima…and my teenage son averaged 20 races a day on the triple decked speedway where there were no reservation issues and where he enjoyed five days of fun rides with newfound friends.

 

 

[PistolPete13]

Hi @BirdTravels!  Thank you for all the posts. My WiFi was completely useless!

 

I’ll share all my photos later today. 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, PistolPete13 said:

Hi @BirdTravels!  Thank you for all the posts. My WiFi was completely useless!

 

I’ll share all my photos later today. 

Everyone’s Wi-Fi was useless. 
 

After seeing your photos of the Prima leaving on the VIP cruise, The Bird is anxious to see your onboard photos. 
 

It’s been a great week!

[BirdTravels]

We’re driving to Texas tonight. Best fill ‘er up with  premium. And don’t forget to clean the windows,,, all of them. 

Edited October 15, 2022 by BirdTravels

[JGmf]

Just confirming: so whereas the Breakaway class ships have 3 outdoor bars: 2 flanking on deck 8 and also the  pool bar, Prima only has two outdoor bars?  Soleil on deck 8 and the pool bar?

 

Hopefully I'm wrong, as I would often migrate to either port or starboard bar on deck 8 on the Getaway or the Breakaway depending on weather conditions (too windy, too sunny, not sunny enough....etc).

[BarnCat1]

Thanks so much for this great review. This will help tremendously in our sailing for next year. Great information and pictures.  Safe travels back home. 

[Coastalbreezes]

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We were unsuccessful in our quest for a blueberry mojito. We were in the Haven last month and the bartenders started preparing them as they saw us coming. 

Sounds yummy. Was that Prima Haven that made those?

[PistolPete13]

Wow @BirdTravels  

 

I just finished reading this thread while traveling home and what an amazing amount of information provided and photos!

 

I thought I had an exclusive lock on the first photo of the Prima from the water side but you beat me to it!  
 

I’ll resign myself to posting my photos and providing my brand of snark on the other thread. 
 

Thank you so much for the work on this review!

[ashleyriley]

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

As soon as you embark, the concierge staff can helpe you with all reservations.

Option 2: The Birds sailed in the Haven last month and still stopped by show reservations (Syd Normans on the Prima) to get a show menu, then went to the concierge to book. 

 

wrt restaurant reservations, the concierge has the ability to [slightly] oversell a restaurant. So, something that shows up as sold out on the app, may still have a few seats for Haven guests. Once a restaurant is totally sold out, even the concierge won’t be able to get you a seat. 
 

While there are 25% fewer total guest on the Prima compared to the BA+ ships, there are 25% more Haven rooms and Suites that use a Concierge to book.Kinda like the Joy they had 100% more than sister ships. 
 

The Bird was in steerage for this voyage. And was in the Priority boarding group. And went straight to show reservations and then restaurant reservations. When we tried to book Palomar, in particular, it was not available during prime time most nights. So make reservations your top priority. 

Thank you very much! Yes, restaurant reservations are complete. With 25% more Haven rooms did they increase the Butler and Concierge staff as well? Enjoying your review! 😀

[BirdTravels]

7 minutes ago, ashleyriley said:

Thank you very much! Yes, restaurant reservations are complete. With 25% more Haven rooms did they increase the Butler and Concierge staff as well? Enjoying your review! 😀

Yes on butlers. Some suites are at the opposite end of the ship from the Haven. 
 

Don’t know how the concierge works. On the Joy, suites guests (purple cards) ad a separate concierge from the Haven guests (gold cards). 

[BirdTravels]

30 minutes ago, PistolPete13 said:

Wow @BirdTravels  

 

I just finished reading this thread while traveling home and what an amazing amount of information provided and photos!

 

I thought I had an exclusive lock on the first photo of the Prima from the water side but you beat me to it!  
 

I’ll resign myself to posting my photos and providing my brand of snark on the other thread. 
 

Thank you so much for the work on this review!

The Bird can not compete with your amazing photos. Looking forward to seeing them. 

[CruizinSusan70]

10 hours ago, uneamie said:

 I do like going to the comedy clubs so 50 seats for over 3000 people makes it unlikely we will get lucky. 

But you can reserve seats ahead of time and the Bird said you could reserve multiple shows.  On his five day sailing, there were two shows on four of the days at the Improv and the fifth day the two comedians were in the big theater for a 45 minute set.

Personally I'm hoping there is a live thread on the 12 day repo cruise from NYC to Galveston that leaves today so I can get a feel for the schedule that should be similar to our 11 day on the 31st.

[CruizinSusan70]

2 hours ago, JGmf said:

Just confirming: so whereas the Breakaway class ships have 3 outdoor bars: 2 flanking on deck 8 and also the  pool bar, Prima only has two outdoor bars?  Soleil on deck 8 and the pool bar?

 

Hopefully I'm wrong, as I would often migrate to either port or starboard bar on deck 8 on the Getaway or the Breakaway depending on weather conditions (too windy, too sunny, not sunny enough....etc).

The speedway bar above the track is outside as well.

[BirdTravels]

@JGmf  There is Solier Bar at the back of the ship

 

There are two Hydrate Kiosks on either side of the ship at the Infinity Beaches. 

 

There is the Prima Speedway Bar

 

There is the Waves Pool Bar on the pool deck

 

There is the Vibe bar

Edited October 15, 2022 by BirdTravels

[CruizinSusan70]

12 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We were unsuccessful in our quest for a blueberry mojito. We were in the Haven last month and the bartenders started preparing them as they saw us coming. 

 

9 hours ago, aubreyc1988 said:

Does the bird have a Prima substitute drink? 

 

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Settled on a regular mojito and an assortment of tropical drinks. 

 

1 hour ago, Coastalbreezes said:

Sounds yummy. Was that Prima Haven that made those?

Coastalbreezes.....reread the quotes and you'll find out that the Prima did not have the makings for a blueberry mojito and the Bird settled for a regular one.  It was on a different ship last month in their Haven that had the 🫐 to make the mojito.

[BirdTravels]

1 minute ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

 

Coastalbreezes.....reread the quotes and you'll find out that the Prima did not have the makings for a blueberry mojito and the Bird settled for a regular one.  It was on a different ship last month in their Haven that had the 🫐 to make the mojito.

One of the things that The Bird found annoying is that the Whiskey Bar, which is the Atrium Bar on Deck 8, did not have a lot of standard mixers. We got the “Bird, we specialize in fine whiskies, not foo foo drinks”. We wanted to respond “Dude, reality check, you are an Atrium bar”. 

[uneamie]

29 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

But you can reserve seats ahead of time and the Bird said you could reserve multiple shows.  On his five day sailing, there were two shows on four of the days at the Improv and the fifth day the two comedians were in the big theater for a 45 minute set.

Personally I'm hoping there is a live thread on the 12 day repo cruise from NYC to Galveston that leaves today so I can get a feel for the schedule that should be similar to our 11 day on the 31st.

Doing them in the big theater sounds like a remedy to me. I read some passengers tried to book ahead but they were all booked. I don't know if it's the Haven guest taking up the reservations or not because they get priority seating in all venues. 

[BirdTravels]

1 minute ago, uneamie said:

Doing them in the big theater sounds like a remedy to me. I read some passengers tried to book ahead but they were all booked. I don't know if it's the Haven guest taking up the reservations or not because they get priority seating in all venues. 

No. It has nothing to do with the Haven. They are a tiny part of the passenger population. 
 

You know that NCL has not allowed advanced pre-bookings of shows since the restart in August 2021. 
 

Entertainment schedules remain fluid. COVID and availability of guest performers continue to influence schedules. And on many ships, the entertainment schedules are finalized a few days prior to departure.