11 days transatlantic on Prima

[Trappedontheboat]

My significant other is dragging me on 11 day transatlantic cruise on Prima. We will have 7 days at sea. Is there enough stuff to do on Prima so I won't die from boredom? It is just does not seem there is a lot to do on a ship. Maybe I am missing something... any suggestions...

Thank you!

Edited August 2, 2023 by Trappedontheboat

[kitkat343]

Have you ever taken a cruise before?   It’s a little hard to advise you since some people love being on a ship and others hate it.  As a general rule I’d suggest people start with alaska since there were a whole bunch of people on my Alaska cruise who kept saying “I usually hate cruises but I love being in Alaska so much I don’t care about being on a cruise:”.  There was beautiful scenery everywhere and it’s very port intensive.  People who like to travel but don’t love being on a cruise ship are usually happier on a port intensive cruise (such as the baltics, Norway, Panama Canal).  If there’s a next time, you should lobby for a more port intensive cruise.  
 

does the prima have nice ports at the beginning/end or are you vacationing for a long time prior to getting in the ship?  If you are tired you might appreciate sea days even if you can’t find something for you to do.    It sounds like you should prepare for the possibility that this might not be something you enjoy and bring a lot of books or work so you have something to do while your wife relaxes or goes to ship activities.  Have you looked at the dallies from transatlantics?  They list all the possibilities for activities and only you know if you’d like trivia, balloon tying (I think that was on rc) towel animal classes or whatever else they are doing on ships nowadays (I travel with 3 kids so I have no idea what the ship activities actually are on any of the cruises I’ve taken but my kids usually liked the kids clubs and I visited beautiful ports so I was happy).  

Edited August 2, 2023 by kitkat343

[mking8288]

Welcome to CC from a fellow New Yorker 😎  you are the 2nd CC'er posting this week about just booking or recently "discovered" this TA.  

 

Weather permitting, you will get to see 2 (beautiful) ports after leaving Catagena, Spain on Day 2 - then, 4 sea days later - Ponta Delgada, one of the many lovely islands in the Azores (Portugal) - then, 3 sea days later - Bermuda (Dockyard) before that final stretch to NY.   

 

Oh, you won't be bored - you and others doing this will be welcomed and earned the right of passage at the Crossing Party by King Neptune ... (just ask Bard or Google, Siri, Alexa about it to find out more) 

 

CC Roll Call - 

 

[dexddd]

I think your handle has already decided.

 

We did 11 day TA on Prima in September.  It was the northern route.  One port canceled.  Cool and wet.  Full disclosure we were in Haven.  

 

I thought it was great.  Time to get away for the most part of life at home.

 

It went too fast.  They kept changing shows and times around which was a pain but it was new ship.  Planned to do carts, never did. 

 

We had a great time if nothing less than bar and restaurant options.

[UKstages]

i also did a recent transatlantic on the prima… new york to southampton.

 

there’s plenty to do… not all of it is worthwhile. but there is plenty to do.

 

 

[schmoopie17]

Many of the inside venues on the Prima are smaller than other ships. I would think they would be overly crowded on sea days. Depending on which month you will be cruising would make a difference, as well, since the outside spaces could be limited or unavailable...making for even more crowding.

[Lupush]

I was on a 7 night Prima cruise to the Caribbean this past March.  I did not find that there was much to do/see on this ship as compared to others in the fleet.  Getting a drink at the bars on sea days was difficult at times, can't imagine doing a TA on that ship.  To each his/her own, but for me and my family it was the worst ship we've ever been on.

[insidecabin]

Seriously cheap through the UK.

Free at sea add £199

 

Price below include the taxes(£106)

 

Makes the base cruise inside GTY $310pp.

 

[BirdTravels]

14 hours ago, Trappedontheboat said:

My significant other is dragging me on 11 day transatlantic cruise on Prima. We will have 7 days at sea. Is there enough stuff to do on Prima so I won't die from boredom? It is just does not seem there is a lot to do on a ship. Maybe I am missing something... any suggestions...

Thank you!

I would love if my significant other dragged me on an 11 day cruise!!!

 

Based upon your description, you are itching for an excuse not to go. Since we are cruise enthusiasts, I can’t give you a reason not to.
 

Daily, you can do arts and crafts (origami folding, bead art, sewing), trivia, dance lessons (learn the Thriller dance

- should have it nailed after 11 days). Or you can do the sexy leg contest. 

[laudergayle]

14 hours ago, Trappedontheboat said:

My significant other is dragging me on 11 day transatlantic cruise on Prima. We will have 7 days at sea. Is there enough stuff to do on Prima so I won't die from boredom? It is just does not seem there is a lot to do on a ship. Maybe I am missing something... any suggestions...

Thank you!

Lucky you and your SO.  There will be plenty to do.  First off…there are so many food options to try—Indulge, Local, Hudsons, and some of the best specialty restaurants.  Bloody Mary’s or Mimosas in the morning, Starbucks Frappe (xtra charge) mid morning, cocktails before and after dinner…and if you don’t drink alcohol…there are so many mocktails to try.  
 

Entertainment is all about what you enjoy.  My DH and I can make $30 last for hours in the casino by playing min bid on quarter slots or the quarter pusher machine.  If someone on your Roll Call organizes a slot pull…join in, they are easy and so much fun.  Take a deck of cards and load up some books and movies on your tablet.  Take the time to just relax.  And, take seasick meds each morning if you don’t know if you’re susceptible to seasickness…they work amazing if taken beforehand.

 

Cruise on 🛳️

[insidecabin]

Don't forget these Transatlantic often go zero solo suppliment.

 

How happy to stay at home and let them go on there own?

[vacation44]

16 hours ago, Trappedontheboat said:

My significant other is dragging me on 11 day transatlantic cruise on Prima. We will have 7 days at sea. Is there enough stuff to do on Prima so I won't die from boredom? It is just does not seem there is a lot to do on a ship. Maybe I am missing something... any suggestions...

Thank you!

 

I believe I know who your significant other is and think you both will have a great time.   

[PatJim]

2 hours ago, laudergayle said:

….If someone on your Roll Call organizes a slot pull…join in, they are easy and so much fun.  Take a deck of cards and load up some books and movies on your tablet.  Take the time to just relax.  And, take seasick meds each morning if you don’t know if you’re susceptible to seasickness…they work amazing if taken beforehand.

 

Cruise on 🛳️

Do sign up for the Roll Call.  You’ll have the chance to communicate with fellow passengers ahead of the Meet & Greet on the ship.  You might find others with similar interests.  And most Roll Calls organize other activities, too, such as LCR (or is it LRC?), pub and cabin crawls on sea days.

 

Though I download eBooks and puzzles, mainly to read at night in bed, my husband isn’t into reading novels or playing games (except Rummy-O, which we always bring).  But he loves days at sea.  He starts with early workouts at the gym, and takes looooong, leisurely meals.  He enjoys exploring the ship and walking the decks.  He doesn’t drink alcohol any more, but will order Heineken .00, and chat at the bar.  At home he can spend hours online, but on the ship he only occasionally checks messages.  Huh!  Now I’m wondering how he does spend all his time on cruises😱

[PatJim]

PS - Very creative CC name!  One of my favorites.  Another favorite is something like “lovestinkycheese” — but that’s another topic!

[Laszlo]

18 hours ago, Trappedontheboat said:

My significant other is dragging me on 11 day transatlantic cruise on Prima. We will have 7 days at sea. Is there enough stuff to do on Prima so I won't die from boredom? It is just does not seem there is a lot to do on a ship. Maybe I am missing something... any suggestions...

Thank you!

Some people love sea days. I would be bored out of my mind by the third and would most likely jump over board and swim back Lol

[FLAHAM]

1.  Bring a Kindle loaded with books.

 

2.  On transatlantic sea days, NCL offers a (free) beginner bridge lesson, an intermediate bridge lesson, and a duplicate bridge game.  Great way to pass the time and meet other passengers.

[JGmf]

21 hours ago, Trappedontheboat said:

My significant other is dragging me on 11 day transatlantic cruise on Prima

 

I will go willingly and happily.

 

You'll have a good time!

[TPgal]

30 minutes ago, FLAHAM said:

1.  Bring a Kindle loaded with books.

 

I was reading that really fast and thought you suggested a Kazoo.   Wouldn't that make the OP the most popular cruiser on the ship?

[Trappedontheboat]

I like cruising, but after we booked I came to realization that we will have 7 days at see, and I could not find a lot of entertainment on the website. I know I will enjoy the time since I will not be alone, and some of the sea days will help me to relax after hardworking summer. However, I intend to get bored quickly when nothing happens or things are getting routine. With shorter cruises we would have port days almost everyday and I would be able to explore new places and having 1 or 2 sea days are nice. Just do not know what to expect from such a long cruise.

 

The last cruise we went to was nice, as we met with 2 couple and were able to get a good time together. Others were not as social. I usually getting social with staff much faster than with other cruisers, but taking in consideration that it is a longer cruise, maybe, I will be able to create a social circle there.

[Trappedontheboat]

I do hope tho that this cruise will not be busy and overcrowded, so we can enjoy rides and other amenities without lines.

[JUSRN]

Bring lots of books!!!

[HowardK]

I am on a 10 night next year- but it is to Carribean and has 6 or 7 ports. 

However, on any cruise I bring 2 of my Kindles (lesson learned when one died as I charged it in room as opposed to on a charger), my Ipod or tablet with tons of music and shows/movies downloaded.

 

[mking8288]

LOL, on re-loading again our iPad mini (used mainly by DW) and my Fire HD tablets (64 plus and extra 128 GB mSD card) with Kindle ebooks, music & videos in case we get bored or run out of things to do on these long cruises, TA and otherwise.  

 

BTW, nice prices on the Viva's planned TA crossing on a southerly route, along with the Prima on the northern path ... plenty of sea days on both to relax.  Expect to see more solo cruisers onboard ... our recent Epic TA was at 95% occupancy with very, very few children & teens but a substantial number of oversea cruisers, apparently booked last minute package deals via a TA (which we found out post-cruise).  

[cruiseny4life]

I'm on this cruise too! That's a lot of NY'ers, though I suppose it makes sense as that's our final destination. Were any of those movies filmed on a cruise ship? I hope not! 

 

I'm planning some sea day traditions:

 

- breakfast, I'm hoping in the room a couple of times

- thermal suite morning routine

- lunch

- watch the view from the balcony/sundeck if it's nice out

- thermal suite

- dinner

- thermal suite

 

That's the basic outline of my day. No trivia. Does NCL even give out prizes for trivia? It seems not. Why bother. I'll have the unlimited WiFi so check in on the news and life back at home via social. What can I say? I lead a boring life. 

 

I'm sure the above will be interrupted by a show or two. Seems there is only one show on Pr1ma. I don't count Syd Norman's. Sorry y'all, but Fleetwood Mac doesn't excite me, although "Landslide" is quite lovely. I'll continue my "why can't NCL performers sing modern songs" rant. Seriously, not all of us want to hear music from fifty years ago! Nothing against anyone that enjoys that music. I just don't and wish NCL would cater to all passengers. 

 

I suppose I could hit the night club and hear somewhat modern songs, but my bedtime is like 9 PM....oh, it's tough to be me! 

 

And, hopefully the comedians will be good! 

 

Quite a few posters suggested books/Kindles. I wish I had the attention span to read still. I might hook myself up with a book or five, but each time I try reading on a cruise I'm distracted in ten minutes. 

 

Good luck finding ways to pass your sea days! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. 

[Turtles06]

10 hours ago, JUSRN said:

Bring lots of books!!!

I always have ebooks loaded on my devices. But I love sea days so much and I love just sitting on my balcony or on a public deck, watching the water, that I don’t think I’ve ever finished a book on a TA.  Just kind of zoned out looking at the ocean is the ultimate relaxation for me. 😊