A Cruise of Firsts to Bermuda 3/28 to 4/2 - Solo Live From Prima

[mking8288]

Following this, Prima racing north, crews only reported at 26 knots, woohoo - that's fast re-positioning to NY.  Seas quite calm on a strong tail wind. 

 

[Tigeroy]

On 3/26/2023 at 10:09 AM, Broons77 said:

Good Morning Cruisers!

 

I am now 2 days out from my next cruise adventure, and this is going to be a much different experience than any other as I'll be taking a solo cruise for the first time ever.  In addition, this will be my first time on Prima, my first time leaving from Manhattan Cruise Terminal, my first time in a solo cabin and my first time attempting a live thread.  I had tried doing one previously, but it was hit or miss.  So given that I only have myself to worry about this trip, I should have some time.to dedicate to it.

 

I'm a caregiver for my SO who is disabled, and about a month and a half ago I was able to clear out a few weeks of respite time.  Once those dates were nailed down, I started poking about and found a couple of trips that would work.  I chose this trip for several reasons, not the least of which was my fascination with the Prima since it's launch.  The setup for the solo cabin area I thought was really cool as well and I felt that 5 days for my first cruise on my own would be long enough as opposed to the 7 day trip for the same money (and was closer to home.)  So I screamed 'YOLO!' and booked it.

 

Not surprisingly, the few weeks leading up to this trip have been much less frantic than my prior cruises.  I was able to prebook a couple of shows on board and seems I was lucky to be able to do so.  Many on the Roll Call for this trip weren't so lucky and are concerned they'll get shut out.  Hopefully they can get things scheduled on board.  I was unable to book a meal for my dining credit, I'll have to see if I can get something on board.

 

At the moment, Prima is offloading pax from her last cruise out of Port Canaveral and will be heading to NYC later today with no one but crew on board.  Now that I think about it, this is another minor first for me - being on the first cruise after an empty repositioning.  All on the roll call are excited at the idea that cabins should be available right away.  This is excellent as I'll be carrying on my bags (solo perk - much less packing) and can get settled right away.

 

 

 

Today is filled with laundry and cleaning followed by a trip to moms for dinner before I leave.  Pretty sure she thinks I'm nuts for going on a cruise by myself.  Tomorrow will be the normal stuff most do the day before leaving - bank, drop off the dog, finish packing, aimlessly peruse the internet for last minute info and just generally wishing for bedtime so I can wake up and get on a boat.

 

Feel free to ask questions, this will be the first sailing to Bermuda from NYC this year and I'm sure many are chomping at the bit for info.  I'll be sure to post photos of the dailies along with anything else I deem interesting.  Will do my best to assist those with questions.

 

2 days!!!!  🛳️🛳️

 

 

 

 

See you tomorrow!  Or at the Meet and Greets or the Studio Lounge!  I'm with a group of friends but booked a Studio.  My Third Studio and am looking forward to being away and having fun!

Happy Packing!

Linda 

[Tigeroy]

22 hours ago, Broons77 said:

 

I've done Bayonne, but you miss the close views of the city so I'm really looking forward to sailaway.

Be on the top deck while sailing under the Verrazano!  Really cool!

I'll be up there!

[Broons77]

24 minutes ago, Tigeroy said:

Be on the top deck while sailing under the Verrazano!  Really cool!

I'll be up there!

 

Prepare to be shocked - I'll the guy in the Bruins cap.  Do say hello if you see me!

[Broons77]

So yeah... I'm done???

 

I had a list of things I needed to take care of and they were all done by noon.  I came home, I then went back out and got other things done that I figured I'd get to when I got home.

 

So now, I have nothing to do but to twiddle my thumbs, refresh cruisemapper to see how many millimeters Prima has moved in the past 3 minutes, look at my NCL app on my phone which has already flipped over to vacation mode and does nothing but display my boarding pass and stare back at my dog Daisy who knows something is up,and is not happy at all about it.

 

 

Before anyone feels bad, about 'poor' Daisy, she will be at the home of a trusted family friend and her 2 dogs, Bourbon and Old Lady.  She'll be sleeping on couches and beds, walking leashless through the woods every morning and if all this wasn't enough, she has a flock of chickens for her entertainment running around.  Daisy will be just fine

 

This will be my third trip to Bermuda, but my first time where I was able to get outside the immediate port area around King's Wharf.  Weather looks promising for getting around the island, so I'm excited to see something different.

 

A quick rundown of my intentionally short list of planned activities.  I did get the Thermal Spa Pass and will be there daily, probably multiple times.  Love love love the steam room, plan on hopping in there ASAP once I've settled in on board. after sailaway.

 

Day 2, Meet & Greets in the midday, I also have the Donna Summer show at 10 PM.

 

Day 3, My excursion credit went to the boat tour that takes you around to see the houses around the island.  This was booked in the hope of a Catherine Zeta-Jones sighting.  You never forget your first love...

 

Day 4 - Nothing planned - my thought right now is I'll take the NCL shuttle to St. George assuming it's running.  I may switch this up and grab a guy off the dock for a drive around the island.

 

Day 5 - I've booked the "Price is Right' show.  We'll see if that happens, I may be too depressed to go at this point

 

This should give me plenty of time to wander around and take in a good amount of what this ship has to offer.  Have a feeling that they'll know my name in the food hall when this trip is over.

 

24 hours to sailaway!!!!

 

 

[Broons77]

And oh yeah, almost forgot.  Casino.  Will be making my donations on a regular basis.  If I start asking questions about black market organ dealers, someone please let the folks on board know there's an issue.  Thanks.

[Rosiesmom1234]

I'm excited to be following you. I'm heading to Bermuda on the Pearl Friday.

 

 

[Broons77]

Just now, Rosiesmom1234 said:

I'm excited to be following you. I'm heading to Bermuda on the Pearl Friday.

 

 

 

I was almost on that sailing with you as I would have spared myself the drive to Manhattan.  But 5 days solo sounded like plenty for my first time, I wanted to see the new ship and I sailed the Pearl last May.  We had a ball and I'm sure you will have a fantastic time on her.  We'll do our best to leave you with good weather for your journey!

[Broons77]

She's chugging right along.  Be docked by midnight at this rate I would think...

 

[mking8288]

Been watching her reported cruise speed & movement all day ... throttle dialed back to 20 knots earlier and now slowing to 17 knots - based on her current tracking, doesn't look like she'll be picking up the pilot boat out in the Ambrose Channel before midnight.  My guestimate, she'll be docking very early in the pre-dawn hours, maybe 4 or 5 a.m. if the ship continue to slow down ... sea state is calm, less than 1 meter wave with a gentle breeze.  Good for tomorrow's sailaway - unless there are scheduled and/or unannounced CG inspections, etc. - should be an easy embarkation.  

 

Bon Voyage - just keep your eyes on local BDA marine forecast for Friday but mainly Saturday, use the free Windy App to see the weather systems in motion.   

[Broons77]

Thank you @mking8288!  I actually did download the app.  I've got my motion band safely packed away for the ride home on Saturday.

 

I saw that she had slowed down, and wasn't going to be close before midnight, but oh well.  As long as they open that gangway at noon, that's all I care about

 

 

With that, I'm off to bed.  Planning on being out of the house by 6 AM to drop off Daisy. leaving me 5.5 hours to make what's usually a 3 hour drive.  Am planning on hand to hand combat on I-84 heading into Hartford as it will be rush hour.  If I can make it through that mess unscathed, I should be good to go.

 

Hope to have an update posted later tomorrow afternoon, maybe during my traditional pre-dinner dirty martini.  I'm hoping they have the big cornichon stuffed olives for those bad boys.  That's dinner in a glass, right there.  Anyway, I  will do my best with pictures and will see if I can get some sort of report if the rumors of difficult times booking shows and dinners are in fact true. Also hope the internet is somewhat decent.  I do have a data plan for Bermuda, so will lean on that if pictures prove to be slow uploading on the ship wifi.

 

🛳️

[mking8288]

@Broons77  Get some sleep & safe travel in the morning - Waze & Google Maps are both great navigational tools for driving.  Cruisemapper has the Prima now at 16 knots ... "sail and sustain" mode 😆😁😄 

 

Don't see rough seas over the next 2 to 3 days, nothing that mega ships like the Prima cannot easy handle and good to see that she is capable of doing 24 to 25 knots (rated for 22 knots only) under favorable conditions.  Windy App installed, you are good to see the latest maritime forecast.  

 

Yes, do tell us know how's the Prima's satellite WiFi at sea this week.  Once the ship approach St. George & turn toward Dockyard, your Bermuda data signal (4G only) should come to life & become usable ... port side.  There is no free WiFi at Dockyard - but, inside Clocktower Mall - there are limited-free WiFi hotspots (unsecured) - sign up with an email address & 30 minutes of usable free WiFi is granted, consider it a backup.  There are WiFi passes sold, probably not necessary and not accessible everywhere, not recommended & not "reachable" from onboard the ship.  

Edited March 28, 2023 by mking8288

[GWAE]

On 3/26/2023 at 12:58 PM, Broons77 said:

Aaaaaaand she's off!!!!  On her way to NYC to whisk me and 3800 other weary souls off to a few days away from the grind,

 

One thing I hadn't considered before now.  As she's sailing empty this must be a welcome, albeit short, break for the crew.  At least giving them a day to catch their breath a bit with no crazy rush to get everything done right that second.

 

Have you ever watched below deck tv show? Just hope they don't treat their down time the same or the first day might be rough for us. Haha

[golden6911]

Also following along as I am going to be on the Prima this summer. I also interested in taking a Bermuda cruise, potentially next year.

[mking8288]

For those who wish to the Prima on the move - here's the NCL link to the ship's live webcam ...

she is currently at MCT / Pier 88 ... HD image showing the arrival area on Level 2 of the cruise terminal, not much activities going on at 10:30 am EDT.  - Click refresh on your browser and the most recent "image" should come up, onboard the display streamed live ... 

 

 

Link - https://www.ncl.com/shipcams/primacam/fullsize.jpg

 

Prima slowed further down to 10 knots overnight as she came closer toward NY harbor - according to AIS data on Marinetraffic dot com - she docked at Pier 88 - 03:40 (AM) early this morning.  

Edited March 28, 2023 by mking8288

[disneylover89]

Following along, have a wonderful cruise, you deserve it!

 

[Broons77]

Greetings from Prima!

 

Busy day today, thinking back on it, I can't believe it's only 4 PM.

 

Up at 5:30 and out the door by 6:30.  Dropped off the dog and started the drive to NY through light rain.  Traffic was good until the lower Merritt Parkway, then fine, then backup on the Henry Hudson, which was extra stinky as I was almost there.

 

Check in was fine except for the fact that one of the straps on my backpack gave way and it's basically useless at this point.  Need to figure that out before I disembark.

 

Check in was uneventful and aside from about a 20 min wait in the line and what seemed to be miles of walking to the desk with a defective backpack, I was on board.  Rooms were indeed ready right away so I immediately went to my cabin to see no much of a box the studio cabin actually was.  Verdict is that it's small, but well designed.  I'll have no issue on my trip.

 

With that done, I headed to Indulge and it was quite busy.  I was finally able to get a seat at the barbeque place and ordered the sausage meal with a bowl of chili.  Very yummy, both the sausage and chili were sneakyspicy.

 

After that, I did some wandering about.  This ship is an absolute maze - and I love it.  Loads of nooks and crannies, chairs and seating everywhere.  It's clear that the idea behind this ship is to break up the crowds and give multiple options of places to go.  I'm interested to see how things go once we're over the embark day craziness and things settle down.

 

With that, we just pulled away from the pier.  I'm going to take in some views, will post pictures later.  It seems that the wifi isn't cooperating at the moment...

 

 

 

[yankablr]

Saw you in the observation lounge, great blog so far 

[mking8288]

Happy cruising at sea to all onboard.  Almost 9 pm EDT, have the Prima on a SE heading toward Bermuda at a very leisurely speed of 10 kts. with calm sea, less than 1 meter or waves about 3 ft. with a light breeze - look & sound about right ... ETA for Dockyard on the 30th around 3 am or 00:00 local time (UTC -3)  that's early.  

 

Might not be a bad idea to order breakfast room service delivery early and then go ashore early.  

[Broons77]

Good morning from a dreary day 2.  But I'm on a boat and could care less.

 

First of all, while not perfect, the internet seems to be better however I never adjusted the resolution on my pictures so they're taking forever to upload.  I'm going to probably need to wait until I get to Bermuda to post much.  Below you'll see the current most important picture I have to share.

 

By the time that yesterday evening rolled around, I was well past exhausted due to an early rising, long drive in traffic, lugging around a 75 lb broken backpack and a mid afternoon buzz followed by a spell in the thermal spa.  It was a wonder I made it to my cabin after dinner.

 

The seas are a bit bumpy - nothing serious, no bags out or anything - and I woke up last night to go to the bathroom.  As soon as I stood up from bed, there was a mild roll and I fell back in my bunk.  Totally forgot I was at sea.  Given what I'm seeing outside, I wasn't expecting to feel as much roll as I have.  But I wonder what it would feel like on a ship with a more traditional hull design.

 

So I may be disappointing some, but this is probably not going to be the food porn blog some do.  I'm not one to dine alone in a nice restaurant, so unless I find a partner I'm probably going to stick to the food hall and buffet for the most part.  I hit the buffet for dinner last night and even though I heard it was small, I was surprised at what small really meant.  But the food was tasty and hot and that's all I care about.  I'll just make sure to hit it at off hours to avoid the crowds.

 

For those that go, the thermal spa is wonderful.  The pools are delightful, the steam room good and hot and I even tried out the salt room.  Not sure I buy what it's selling but it was comfy and relaxing. I will hit the saunas today and perhaps the ice room as well.

 

Thanks to my exhaustion, I avoided the casino last night.  I did walk through and it wasn't as busy as I expected but I'm sure the second I get in, all the machines will be filled.

 

A word about the crew on board, they are consistently fantastic.  Every person I've interacted with has been a delight.  You can tell the difference between someone truly concerned and those just going through the motions.  These people really care that you have fun and get what you want.  My steward Roderick is a perfect example of this.

 

As far as my solo experience so far, it's been great.  My worry was that I would get on board and immediately get that alone in a crowd feeling, but it hasn't been so.  As I've contended, for the most part, people are infinitely more pleasant once on board a ship no matter who they are.  I'm usually OK at small talk so I've had no problem having nice conversations with a variety of folks.  I'm really looking forward to the M&Gs to meet others, especially the solo folks on our roll call.

 

The studio cabin is working well.  The storage is very well thought out and it's easy to keep the clutter at bay.  And super bonus of this trip, despite that it looks like just a basic mattress on a spring platform, the bed is super comfy.  I know I was tired and would have slept anywhere last night, but it was nice not to wake up feeling like I slept on the floor.

 

Will check in tonight after the M&Gs and more time in the spaaaaaahhhhhhh...

 

Hopefully some better pics to follow soon, but I really lile this one.

 

 

[Broons77]

Almost forgot the dailies.  Had to take pix of the day one but finally got the PDFs to save through the app.

 

BTW, one thing I forgot to mention about the ship wifi, while it's not super-fast, the signal seems to be pretty good throughout the ship.  I have a repeater in the ceiling of my cabin, not sure if that's the same in every one but my signal is great in the middle of the boat.

 

And the coffee in the studio lounge is sooooo much better than the regular stuff they serve.  Hooray for that!

 

 

FreeStyle_Daily[1]

[styles27]

Have a great time! Will be on Pearl next Friday!🛳️⚓️

[nitesiren]

ENJOY!! I'll be on the Prima 4/9! Just curious what spa specials have they advertised so far?

[Broons77]

5 hours ago, nitesiren said:

ENJOY!! I'll be on the Prima 4/9! Just curious what spa specials have they advertised so far?

 

Thank you!  Just the usual spa specials from what I've seen.  You're better off booking something on a port day for any sort of deal on anything.

[Broons77]

OK, going to try to upload some pictures from day one.  Shots of my studio cabin - really small, but every inch was well thought out.  Also, the studio lounge, the atrium, and a pretty sailaway.