NCL Prima Oct 10-15 (perspective of a smoker so no hate) starting on Day 2

[Starr2015]

These are some thoughts from my experience so far by Day 2:

 

If you are a smoker, be prepared to be confined. Despite a large outdoors area and wider spaces, you will find that smoking is close to impossible. You have a small space outdoors on deck 18...only accessible by steps from deck 17. You can smoke cigars but not cigarettes in the cigar lounge on Deck 7 mid. But the casino on deck 6 has the sectioned off area for smoking. That would not be an issue except to stay you must play. So someone who is disabled or just cannot walk stairs is discriminated against. Someone who has a gambling issue is trapped. 

 

The signs along the ships are awful. Why can there not be a post to show what direction to go for your rooms? Oops wrong side, turn around. Port or starboard, I have 0 clue. Don't realize the deck stops abruptly, get turned around.

 

It feels like everything is a cash grab. The way the store is designed (btw did anyone find the main store yet?) is broken up unlike other ships. What do I mean? Well the watches and other high end stuff is....drumroll....next to the exit of the casino and not near the main store. 

 

3 hours into boarding...not departing...boarding...all comedian shows were 'sold out'. I get the comedian venue is smaller, but for all the shows to be immediately booked leaves many people out.

 

Then I did some searching. So the stores are all broken up. The duty free liquor and tobacco shop (deck 6) is tiny and limited compared to my prior sailings. When I was directed to the 8th deck for the "souvenir shop" for traditional "Keychain magnet and other small items" there was a super small area with barely any options. Mostly, Prima seems to want to sell watches, electronics, and jewelry and not items like snacks, things left behind, or small NCL souvenirs. Their t-shirts are super limited and expensive. And everything is spread in small shops on decks 6, 7, and 8. 

 

Deck 8's outdoor area is well spaced and continuous. The artwork is amazing as is the ocean walk. There are multiple venues with outdoor seating. 2 infinity pools, loads of comfortable seats make this a great option instead of Deck 17. 

 

The food options are good. The lunch menu in the main dining room stays the same the whole cruise. The main dining room dinner will have different specials but otherwise stays the same. The complimentary areas are all you need but feel free to try everything. Anyone can find something they like and enjoy. 

 

Starbucks is Starbucks but in the main dining room, after dinner cappuccino is also...Starbucks. 

 

Our stateroom, a low deck family Oceanview that is accessible is huge. We have a couch area, enough closet space and drawers, a table to sit at, and more than enough movement space. I will mention though that if the bathroom door is open...good luck getting in or out of the room! You need to keep that door closed because the door and bathroom door open into each other.

 

Staff is great. I cannot complain at all about staff from housekeeping to guest services to accessibility office workers to servers to waiters. All are amazing and friendly and welcoming!

 

I am not really impressed with anything by Day 2. I feel more like this ship is a tour in confusing guests then one that is free and open and understandable.  Maybe it is the newness.... but after sailing NCL 7 times and being on the Dawn class and Jewel class ships...I think I want to go back to old reliable. 

[cruiseny4life]

Thanks for expanding on your thoughts in another thread! I'm glad you saw the passive aggressive post and created your own. 🙂 I'm not exactly planning to take my grandma on a cruise, but the Prima won't be the ship since she's a smoker with very limited mobility. The Prima definitely wouldn't work for her, so thank you. It's nice to hear from the smoking class (full transparency, I'm not a smoker, but have a family full of smokers). 

 

I'm looking forward to your thoughts as you continue cruising, exploring the ship, and having more interactions with the crew. I hope you have a great cruise!

[graphicguy]

Will make this brief  about the smoking issue to say smoking on cruise ships is mirroring the rest of society.  Smoking is generally frowned upon, no matter where you go in public.  I do think it's a pretty big stretch to say someone who smokes is discriminated against given how smoking affects those around them, too.   Smoke permeates other's hair, clothes, lungs...it's just very unpleasant for the vast majority of us who don't smoke.  It's my hope that NCL adopts a closed off area on all ships for smoking.

 

If you have a gambling addiction and are a smoker, you are correct.  Stay out of the casino. You have the area outside to smoke.

 

Walking stairs?  Not sure what your particular malady is, but overall, I find walking the stairs is a great way to stay in some semblance of shape to work off the plentiful food on board.

 

Shops?  The cigarette section is again, mirroring society.  It's becoming less and less a part of the shops on board because fewer and fewer people smoke....to the point it represents a very small percentage of the people on board their ships.

 

If you want a larger selection of liquor, probably a better bet to shop at some of the stores at one of the ship's stops.  Trinkets?  I dunno...you can get a replica of the ship you're on, you can get fridge magnets, you can get sweatshirts and T-Shirts on board.  What else are you looking for?  Again, might want to wait and shop at one of the ports.

 

If you are still on board, look at the fish on the carpet where the cabins are.  If they're swimming backward, you are walking to the aft portion of the ship.  You are walking towards the front of the ship if they're sailing forward.

 

Hope the rest of your cruise is enjoyable.

[Starr2015]

10 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Will make this brief  about the smoking issue to say smoking on cruise ships is mirroring the rest of society.  Smoking is generally frowned upon, no matter where you go in public.  I do think it's a pretty big stretch to say someone who smokes is discriminated against given how smoking affects those around them, too.   Smoke permeates other's hair, clothes, lungs...it's just very unpleasant for the vast majority of us who don't smoke.  It's my hope that NCL adopts a closed off area on all ships for smoking.

 

If you have a gambling addiction and are a smoker, you are correct.  Stay out of the casino. You have the area outside to smoke.

 

Walking stairs?  Not sure what your particular malady is, but overall, I find walking the stairs is a great way to stay in some semblance of shape to work off the plentiful food on board.

 

Shops?  The cigarette section is again, mirroring society.  It's becoming less and less a part of the shops on board because fewer and fewer people smoke....to the point it represents a very small percentage of the people on board their ships.

 

If you want a larger selection of liquor, probably a better bet to shop at some of the stores at one of the ship's stops.  Trinkets?  I dunno...you can get a replica of the ship you're on, you can get fridge magnets, you can get sweatshirts and T-Shirts on board.  What else are you looking for?  Again, might want to wait and shop at one of the ports.

 

If you are still on board, look at the fish on the carpet where the cabins are.  If they're swimming backward, you are walking to the aft portion of the ship.  You are walking towards the front of the ship if they're sailing forward.

 

Hope the rest of your cruise is enjoyable.

Hi and thanks for your thoughts.

 

Regarding the mobility, it is my mom who is in a scooter (or walker) and cannot walk steps. She also does not gamble because of my late father's addiction. 

 

While smokers are a minority, which I completely understand, it feels like there is no isolated area that is both accessible and outdoors.  I completely understand the 2nd hand smoke and odors. Believe me I do, despite being a smoker. But if there was a smoking area, instead of up a set of stairs but accessible, absolutely no complaints. 

 

For me personally, I do have the addiction issue and want to stay out of the casino. I can walk up stairs but it becomes an issue at times with pain flare ups. I just feel it could have been better thought out as the minority is still a customer.

 

Regarding the shops, once upon a time the stores would be in one area of the ship and offer a varied selection of items. The shops on the Prima are scattered. I did ask where to find the souvenir shop but maybe I was directed wrong? I would gladly accept any information about where to find that as I did promise NCL themed kids gifts! 

 

The fish thing sounds so amazing. Ok so look at the fish if indoors and cannot see which we moving. I kept running into Haven elevators following the exit signs lol.

 

Enjoying lunch in Hudson right now and Onda tonight. I always enjoy NCL food and drinks. The Coke No Sugar comes in cans which means extra fizzy!

 

Hope you are enjoying your stay as well.

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

20 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

If you are still on board, look at the fish on the carpet where the cabins are.  If they're swimming backward, you are walking to the aft portion of the ship.  You are walking towards the front of the ship if they're sailing forward.

I think there are triangles now, no more fish. I haven't seen visual proof yet! 

 

21 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Walking stairs?  Not sure what your particular malady is, but overall, I find walking the stairs is a great way to stay in some semblance of shape to work off the plentiful food on board.

I won't be getting into an argument about smoking - I have my own conflicted views due to my family. I will say there are plenty of people (smokers and non-smokers) who aren't able to do stairs. Cruises do kind of cater to those that are more mature. I greatly appreciate hearing the perspective of someone about whether the Prima caters to all cruisers, or just most. As I mentioned above, there is no way my grandma would be able to cruise the Prima due to the stairs/casino smoking areas.

[Starr2015]

37 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Thanks for expanding on your thoughts in another thread! I'm glad you saw the passive aggressive post and created your own. 🙂 I'm not exactly planning to take my grandma on a cruise, but the Prima won't be the ship since she's a smoker with very limited mobility. The Prima definitely wouldn't work for her, so thank you. It's nice to hear from the smoking class (full transparency, I'm not a smoker, but have a family full of smokers). 

 

I'm looking forward to your thoughts as you continue cruising, exploring the ship, and having more interactions with the crew. I hope you have a great cruise!

Hi, I do plan to keep on this thread. For limited mobility, a heavy smoker would have some issues as it is now. But my mom is in a scooter and uses an ecig. She is sometimes allowed to go into the cigar bar. 

 

The larger areas and rooms around the ship does lend more access for those in need of maneuver room. It is much better than older ships and the Prima does live up to that advertisement. 

 

Make sure to rent a scooter to help get around if needed. While there are plenty of places to rent and sit, on longer sailings there is a higher chance that those with ambulatory issues will be tired easier as the days go on. 

 

Currently, we just finished lunch and are heading over to enjoy some of the daytime entertainment offerings. If you do not want to be outdoors, you do not even need to step outside! 

 

 

[DAVLIB007]

there is a bank of elevators that go from 17 to 18 not sure if this where the smoking area is. The Bliss has a glassed off smoking casino area pretty nice sized

[PATRLR]

 

26 minutes ago, DAVLIB007 said:

there is a bank of elevators that go from 17 to 18 not sure if this where the smoking area is. The Bliss has a glassed off smoking casino area pretty nice sized

the deck plans don't say where the smoking area is, I assume it's to the rear of the ship and there certainly seems to be elevators to get there.  

[PTC DAWG]

Glad to see them restricting smoking…especially inside the ships casino.

[vacation44]

3 hours ago, Starr2015 said:

These are some thoughts from my experience so far by Day 2:

 

If you are a smoker, be prepared to be confined. Despite a large outdoors area and wider spaces, you will find that smoking is close to impossible. You have a small space outdoors on deck 18...only accessible by steps from deck 17. You can smoke cigars but not cigarettes in the cigar lounge on Deck 7 mid. But the casino on deck 6 has the sectioned off area for smoking. That would not be an issue except to stay you must play. So someone who is disabled or just cannot walk stairs is discriminated against. Someone who has a gambling issue is trapped. 

 

The signs along the ships are awful. Why can there not be a post to show what direction to go for your rooms? Oops wrong side, turn around. Port or starboard, I have 0 clue. Don't realize the deck stops abruptly, get turned around.

 

It feels like everything is a cash grab. The way the store is designed (btw did anyone find the main store yet?) is broken up unlike other ships. What do I mean? Well the watches and other high end stuff is....drumroll....next to the exit of the casino and not near the main store. 

 

3 hours into boarding...not departing...boarding...all comedian shows were 'sold out'. I get the comedian venue is smaller, but for all the shows to be immediately booked leaves many people out.

 

Then I did some searching. So the stores are all broken up. The duty free liquor and tobacco shop (deck 6) is tiny and limited compared to my prior sailings. When I was directed to the 8th deck for the "souvenir shop" for traditional "Keychain magnet and other small items" there was a super small area with barely any options. Mostly, Prima seems to want to sell watches, electronics, and jewelry and not items like snacks, things left behind, or small NCL souvenirs. Their t-shirts are super limited and expensive. And everything is spread in small shops on decks 6, 7, and 8. 

 

Deck 8's outdoor area is well spaced and continuous. The artwork is amazing as is the ocean walk. There are multiple venues with outdoor seating. 2 infinity pools, loads of comfortable seats make this a great option instead of Deck 17. 

 

The food options are good. The lunch menu in the main dining room stays the same the whole cruise. The main dining room dinner will have different specials but otherwise stays the same. The complimentary areas are all you need but feel free to try everything. Anyone can find something they like and enjoy. 

 

Starbucks is Starbucks but in the main dining room, after dinner cappuccino is also...Starbucks. 

 

Our stateroom, a low deck family Oceanview that is accessible is huge. We have a couch area, enough closet space and drawers, a table to sit at, and more than enough movement space. I will mention though that if the bathroom door is open...good luck getting in or out of the room! You need to keep that door closed because the door and bathroom door open into each other.

 

Staff is great. I cannot complain at all about staff from housekeeping to guest services to accessibility office workers to servers to waiters. All are amazing and friendly and welcoming!

 

I am not really impressed with anything by Day 2. I feel more like this ship is a tour in confusing guests then one that is free and open and understandable.  Maybe it is the newness.... but after sailing NCL 7 times and being on the Dawn class and Jewel class ships...I think I want to go back to old reliable. 

Thank you for taking the time to post your experience/thoughts so far.

[vacation44]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Thanks for expanding on your thoughts in another thread! I'm glad you saw the passive aggressive post and created your own. 🙂

 

I thought the same thing.

[Watchful]

I have always looked for the fish directions on NCL.

But on Prima, I quickly learned to look at the large triangles on the carpet in the cabin areas....if you are headed toward the front of the ship - the tips of the large triangles will be pointing ahead!

[Starr2015]

6 hours ago, DAVLIB007 said:

there is a bank of elevators that go from 17 to 18 not sure if this where the smoking area is. The Bliss has a glassed off smoking casino area pretty nice sized

Hi! There is an area you can reach with the 18 elevators. I know one side is splash academy. The area on 18 is the sun deck with a cordoned off area for smokers. There is an accessible bathroom around there but nothing other than stairs from 17 by the pool goes to that area.

 

The smokers casino area on Prima is a decent size. The only thing is, for me personally, it is in the casino and they want you to play not smoke. So it becomes a negative thing. Isn't too loud or smoky but to be fair I was there the evening of Day 1. 

 

[Starr2015]

1 minute ago, Watchful said:

I have always looked for the fish directions on NCL.

But on Prima, I quickly learned to look at the large triangles on the carpet in the cabin areas....if you are headed toward the front of the ship - the tips of the large triangles will be pointing ahead!

I have been trying to make myself pay attention all day if indoors!

[Starr2015]

Day 2 Fun

 

Hi everyone!

 

Had a blast at Harry Potter trivia today. Of course, there was also a moderator of a HP fansite playing so you know ai did not win!

 

Checked out the art auction from Park West. Very nice pieces, if too expensive for my taste. I do feel the art staff always has genuine interest and positivity in both their guests and art. Probably stopping by to maybe pick up a much lower end piece in the future.

 

Had a late breakfast at the buffet this morning. Lines were crazy for the fresh omlettes so I grabbed oatmeal and felt accomplished. Lunch was at Hudsons. Same menu as yesterday and just as good. Ate my usual Ceaser and tried the French Dip. Not bad and not salty at all. Unfortunately, I did not feel able to eat it all. Dinner was at Onda by scarpetta. The polenta was delicious and I enjoyed the mezzalune. However,  as it appears to be a theme with me, I felt the buratta salad had too much salt. Asked the waiter Joseph. He said it was likely the fact that the chefs salt the Buratta. Oh. Oops. The coconut sorbetto was delicious as was the chocolate cake. Sugar rush anyone?

 

Took mom on a tour today of all the shops, now that I found them. Picked her up a perfume she liked. The staff was super helpful going back and forth to mom and listening to what she was describing. Popped into Pandora and in the back is the magical snack area with lanyards, keychain/magnet, and a $20 stuffed bear with a t-shirt.  So here is where the souvenirs are hidden but the choices are so much less than other ships. 

 

So the afternoon of Day 2 was better. 

 

BTW, Frederick from the Philippines gets a huge should out at Hudsons. Amazing and friendly waiter. All the staff at Hudsons really accommodates mom and tries to assist.

 

Off to go find and manage some mischief. 

 

Later all!

[mypleasure]

17 hours ago, Starr2015 said:

Hi and thanks for your thoughts.

 

Regarding the mobility, it is my mom who is in a scooter (or walker) and cannot walk steps. She also does not gamble because of my late father's addiction. 

 

While smokers are a minority, which I completely understand, it feels like there is no isolated area that is both accessible and outdoors.  I completely understand the 2nd hand smoke and odors. Believe me I do, despite being a smoker. But if there was a smoking area, instead of up a set of stairs but accessible, absolutely no complaints. 

 

For me personally, I do have the addiction issue and want to stay out of the casino. I can walk up stairs but it becomes an issue at times with pain flare ups. I just feel it could have been better thought out as the minority is still a customer.

 

 

 

Hope you are enjoying your stay as well.

 

 

I am not a smoker of cigars, pipes or cigarettes. I vape and fully accept that NCL wishes to treat this the same.

I have a gambling addiction so the casino is a no go.

I don't smoke cigars so the cigar room is a no go.

I show respect to other people and their choices. I totally understand and respect that there are those who would wish to be nowhere near smokers and their views on this.

So Deck 18 for me.

I have arthritis in my hips and a knee that collapses with no warning. Steps are a problem for me especially going down.

This ship which I am booked on next year is concerning me. I would like to hear of a change to an enclosed area that is accessible too. I have invested a lot of money into this trip and want to be able to enjoy it.

[MonGu]

19 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Will make this brief  about the smoking issue to say smoking on cruise ships is mirroring the rest of society.  Smoking is generally frowned upon, no matter where you go in public.  I do think it's a pretty big stretch to say someone who smokes is discriminated against given how smoking affects those around them, too.   Smoke permeates other's hair, clothes, lungs...it's just very unpleasant for the vast majority of us who don't smoke.  It's my hope that NCL adopts a closed off area on all ships for smoking.

 

If you have a gambling addiction and are a smoker, you are correct.  Stay out of the casino. You have the area outside to smoke.

 

Walking stairs?  Not sure what your particular malady is, but overall, I find walking the stairs is a great way to stay in some semblance of shape to work off the plentiful food on board.

 

Shops?  The cigarette section is again, mirroring society.  It's becoming less and less a part of the shops on board because fewer and fewer people smoke....to the point it represents a very small percentage of the people on board their ships.

 

If you want a larger selection of liquor, probably a better bet to shop at some of the stores at one of the ship's stops.  Trinkets?  I dunno...you can get a replica of the ship you're on, you can get fridge magnets, you can get sweatshirts and T-Shirts on board.  What else are you looking for?  Again, might want to wait and shop at one of the ports.

 

If you are still on board, look at the fish on the carpet where the cabins are.  If they're swimming backward, you are walking to the aft portion of the ship.  You are walking towards the front of the ship if they're sailing forward.

 

Hope the rest of your cruise is enjoyable.

"Will make this brief  about the smoking issue to say smoking on cruise ships is mirroring the rest of society.  Smoking is generally frowned upon, no matter where you go in public.  I do think it's a pretty big stretch to say someone who smokes is discriminated against given how smoking affects those around them, too.   Smoke permeates other's hair, clothes, lungs...it's just very unpleasant for the vast majority of us who don't smoke.  It's my hope that NCL adopts a closed off area on all ships for smoking." - They specifically said they were not asking for your or anyones opinion.

 

"If you are still on board, look at the fish on the carpet where the cabins are.  If they're swimming backward, you are walking to the aft portion of the ship.  You are walking towards the front of the ship if they're sailing forward."  - Guess you didn't read but the Prima did away with the fish and have strategically placed triangles woven into the carpet to point you in the right direction.

 

As a smoker, i thank you for the info.

 

 

 

[PTC DAWG]

1. So I suppose the "Rebellious Fish" is no longer a thing..used to be in the carpet every now and then (swimming the wrong way), and also a popular drink.  I always liked the little bit of humor..hidden as it was.  

[graphicguy]

15 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

1. So I suppose the "Rebellious Fish" is no longer a thing..used to be in the carpet every now and then (swimming the wrong way), and also a popular drink.  I always liked the little bit of humor..hidden as it was.  

The carpet “fish” are still around.  And, I had a Rebellious Fish drink on the Getaway a few months ago.

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, MonGu said:

They specifically said they were not asking for your or anyones opinion.

 

On this forum, everyone is entitled to post their opinion. 

 

Starr2015 is posting an opinion.

graphicguy is posting an opinion. 

 

You are free to post your opinion on anything that anyone has posted. 

 

15 hours ago, Starr2015 said:

The smokers casino area on Prima is a decent size. The only thing is, for me personally, it is in the casino and they want you to play not smoke.

 

The "smoking only while playing" is consistent with other NCL ships whether the ship has an enclosed smoking area in the casino or doesn't. 

 

[dandelpino]

2 hours ago, MonGu said:

They specifically said they were not asking for your or anyones opinion.

 

What is a message board if not a bunch of people posting their opinions? If someone doesn't want to read others' opinions, their option is to refrain from posting; not to mandate content rules for the thread.

[graphicguy]

29 minutes ago, dandelpino said:

 

What is a message board if not a bunch of people posting their opinions? If someone doesn't want to read others' opinions, their option is to refrain from posting; not to mandate content rules for the thread.

I find the “IGNORE” or “BLOCK” function to work quite well.  I’ve only blocked one person in all the years I’ve been here at CC, but it makes my browsing a lot more pleasant.

[Starr2015]

2 hours ago, dandelpino said:

 

What is a message board if not a bunch of people posting their opinions? If someone doesn't want to read others' opinions, their option is to refrain from posting; not to mandate content rules for the thread.

Hi, it is not that I do not want peoples opinions,  it is more I do not want a post to become a full out debate instead of questions and opinions and thoughtful comments. If someone in the future is looking for experiences to read, I would want this to help!

 

 

[PTC DAWG]

I’ll add that is somewhat rude to start a debate on a live review thread. 

[Starr2015]

Day 3 Midday Update

 

Afternoon all! At 215 in Bermudan time, I have finally tried Indulge. 

 

The dishes are super varied for lunch but I have read the dinner menus as well. The additions for dinner do make me want to try this place again because there is more food I like. To start, we ordered the Rotisserie Chicken from Seaside and wow is it tasty and crisp! Mom ordered 2 dishes from The Garden which are the Roasted Tomato Soup which had a hint of spice and is devouring her Spinach Ceasar Salad with Skirt Steak. The chili from Q Texas, which is good, rounded out our order. I also ordered from Tapas the Pan con Tomate which to me is bruchetta. They were out of the guacamole from The Latin Corner. Planning on going to Coco's for dessert. 

 

We had Hudson's for breakfast (shout out to the staff again) and it was great. Everything was cooked beautifully and best of all, no lines. 

 

I participated in the Canvas By U class to paint a cool frog on canvas, only $35 but really fun. Think Sip and Paint. 

 

Spent some time relaxing with a Starbucks drink and found people to chat with. Found out we 3, and others,  all had little things we liked or disliked. Biggest concensus from many I spoke to: the ship internal design from shops to pathways that don't cut through. 

 

Tonight I have the late night Price is Right as we dock in Bermuda about 530. I also plan to find some market outside that sells souvenirs. No karaoke tonight but may end up on the smoking deck area and chilling with Spotify instead of watching Infinity War. 

 

Speak to you all soon!