NCL Prima - Iceland with no hot tubs

[Sailing12Away]

4 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Just in case you have never flown on Iceland Air, be aware that they do not serve a meal even on transatlantic flights. They do serve beverages and there is food for sale.

 

We were aware of this because we had previously flown with them on a land trip to Iceland. So, when NCL booked us going home on Iceland Air, we bought food at the airport and brought it on the plane with us.

Thank you, wasn't aware. Since our flight isn't boarding until after 10pm we were going to eat dinner at home and bring some small stuff to snack on the plane anyway.

 

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

First, thank you thank you thank you! For the warning on the hot tubs. We're sailing in November in an HE. We were considering bidding for one of the rooms that has a hot tub, but have been on the fence. We aren't really bidders as I do believe in the book what you want, however I figured an HE or one of the H4's with a hot tub would be fine. It's easy to know where on the ship you'd be located as there aren't many rooms. Now, we'll just not have that bid conversation. 

 

I don't suppose, due to the issue, they would allow you to use some of the OBC to book thermal suite passes? That's what we have. I understand the whole point of OBC is "onboard," but perhaps given your extenuating circumstances NCL would be kind to you. I wouldn't expect it, but maybe? Might be better than relying on the public hot tubs, even the Haven ones. 

For S&G I looked at the price for a 10 day spa pass. I think it was $350 + a mandatory 20% gratuity. Gratuity on what - allowing me to soak in a pool with you greeting me at the door? Thought about it, but we're not 'spa people' per se. Big difference between soaking in a private tub with just close friends/family than with random strangers. May consider just a single day pass for my sister and I if they'll let me buy both passes on my account. But the spa pass also doesn't help the kids traveling with us who are not old enough to go to the spa. So meh... 

 

1 hour ago, SoloAlaska said:

Doesn’t Haven include thermal spa access already?

No. Not sure why so many folks assume Haven includes so many extra things like the spa, top shelf liquor, etc. If you want to visit the spa, you need a separate spa pass. Rooms categorized as a "spa" room include access with the cost of the room. They're not free, you just prepay for your week long spa pass when you pay for your room essentially.

[SoloAlaska]

42 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Thank you, wasn't aware. Since our flight isn't boarding until after 10pm we were going to eat dinner at home and bring some small stuff to snack on the plane anyway.

 

For S&G I looked at the price for a 10 day spa pass. I think it was $350 + a mandatory 20% gratuity. Gratuity on what - allowing me to soak in a pool with you greeting me at the door? Thought about it, but we're not 'spa people' per se. Big difference between soaking in a private tub with just close friends/family than with random strangers. May consider just a single day pass for my sister and I if they'll let me buy both passes on my account. But the spa pass also doesn't help the kids traveling with us who are not old enough to go to the spa. So meh... 

 

No. Not sure why so many folks assume Haven includes so many extra things like the spa, top shelf liquor, etc. If you want to visit the spa, you need a separate spa pass. Rooms categorized as a "spa" room include access with the cost of the room. They're not free, you just prepay for your week long spa pass when you pay for your room essentially.

The way it’s written on the NCL website at a quick glance looks like heaven has spa access but only “haven spa” has access included.

[PATRLR]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I don't suppose, due to the issue, they would allow you to use some of the OBC to book thermal suite passes? That's what we have. I understand the whole point of OBC is "onboard," but perhaps given your extenuating circumstances NCL would be kind to you.

They should be able to use the OBC once they are onboard to buy the thermal pass right?  So your point/question is to use it before they get on board?    

[Sailing12Away]

From our front door to the gate of the plane in under 50mins. And that included a small snafu at check-in for Iceland air. They accidentally put both bags on one person and added a 3rd bag, so their system wanted us to pay for the extra bag.

 

Took about 5 mins to resolve, then security was another 5-10 mins. TSA precheck FTW. 

 

Should be arriving by 9am local time. Entering vacation mode now that bags are off and we're playing the sit and wait game at the gate.

[ontheweb]

8 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

From our front door to the gate of the plane in under 50mins. And that included a small snafu at check-in for Iceland air. They accidentally put both bags on one person and added a 3rd bag, so their system wanted us to pay for the extra bag.

 

Took about 5 mins to resolve, then security was another 5-10 mins. TSA precheck FTW. 

 

Should be arriving by 9am local time. Entering vacation mode now that bags are off and we're playing the sit and wait game at the gate.

I truly hope you have a much better wait at the gate than we did leaving Reykjavik on Iceland Air. First our plane was delayed. Then the wait at the gate was extremely long and made for more delay. And then when we got through the gate, you had to take a shuttle (that we had to wait for) to the plane.

 

And for those with priority boarding, they first took a woman in a wheelchair. But when we got to where you waited for the shuttle, she was in her wheelchair off in a corner, not on the plane.

[Sailing12Away]

Flight was ok, but they were stingy on the drinks. No snacks at all, not even pretzels unless you wanted to pay for it.

 

Short 5 mins to get through customs. Found our guide quickly and had a nice tour of the southern peninsula. Stopped off now at the Blue lagoon for a snack and potty break, then headed to the hotel to nap next 

[cruiseny4life]

16 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

For S&G I looked at the price for a 10 day spa pass. I think it was $350 + a mandatory 20% gratuity. Gratuity on what - allowing me to soak in a pool with you greeting me at the door? Thought about it, but we're not 'spa people' per se. Big difference between soaking in a private tub with just close friends/family than with random strangers. May consider just a single day pass for my sister and I if they'll let me buy both passes on my account. But the spa pass also doesn't help the kids traveling with us who are not old enough to go to the spa. So meh... 

Makes sense. Was just thinking you might be able to make use of it, but alas....sounds like it's not of interest. It would be nice of them to allow you to purchase day passes for others. I would hope that's allowable! I do understand the human soup considerations (I just push it out of my mind and enjoy). 🙂

 

15 hours ago, PATRLR said:

They should be able to use the OBC once they are onboard to buy the thermal pass right?  So your point/question is to use it before they get on board?   

Onboard, if a pass is available then, absolutely! Just trying to be hopeful that NCL would be empathetic in allowing them an exception to use it pre-onboard given the hot tub situation. I know....flying pigs.  

 

[Sailing12Away]

Still no response yet from NCL on my counter offer. Was hoping to have this settled before getting on board tomorrow, but we shall see.

 

Tour today was great, saw a few lighthouses, mud baths, geothermal pits, lakes, oceans, the infamous blue lagoon... 

 

For those interested in seeing it without the high price tag - it's free to walk around outside and to sit in the cafe with the views of the lagoon right out the window.

 

Same tour guide is picking us up tomorrow at 9 for a modified golden circle tour and drop off at the port. Finally checked into the hotel and we're all crashing for a nap now before headed out to find food around 5ish when the restaurants open up.

 

We booked Alda Hotel, Central location to the main streets in town. Rooms are nice and big, and it was one of the few hotels that could hold a family of 4 for my sister. Would have taken my niece in our room if we had to, but they had a large pull out sofa to fit them all.

[ggTexasGal]

Loving you posts and photos!  I hope you have a great trip, with nicer weather ahead.

[Sailing12Away]

There's a food hall just down the street which has a variety of all sorts of food. Hubby wanted traditional Iceland food, so we placed a to go order for him from a local place while the rest of us ate there.

 

Headed to the magic ice ice bar next.

[Sailing12Away]

So hubby is happy, he was able to try shark, puffin and whale. Have no idea in the photos below which is which, but he said they were all amazing and he happy to have crossed off his vacation wish list trying local food.

 

Ice bar was neat, kids had a good time. About $90 for 4 drinks, small though so not many statues and such. But a fun experience for the kids to be able to say they were in an ice bar.

[Sailing12Away]

Beer! Enjoying the night with the locals. Early morning pick up tomorrow at 9am for our golden circle tour.

[Sailing12Away]

Correction, the fermented shark was this tiny container with 6 small cubes of fish arse. Do not recommend at all. Especially do not recommend opening the container in your hotel room. *****....

 

The white stuff was just general fish jerky which he said was good, but avoid the fermented shark with a 10ft pole.

Edited September 6, 2023 by Sailing12Away
Forgot the photo

[CptBoatface]

12 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

So hubby is happy, he was able to try shark, puffin and whale. Have no idea in the photos below which is which, but he said they were all amazing and he happy to have crossed off his vacation wish list trying local food.

 

Ice bar was neat, kids had a good time. About $90 for 4 drinks, small though so not many statues and such. But a fun experience for the kids to be able to say they were in an ice bar.

Great pics!  Makes me feel like we were there rather than watching our eyelids. Zzzzzzzzxx

[CptBoatface]

On 9/4/2023 at 11:14 PM, Sailing12Away said:

Ha! We already got the revised itinerary with Isafjordur removed a few weeks back. I'm fine with that change, we now get an overnight in Akureyi. So most folks on our roll call scrambled to book a last minute Northern Lights hunt that first night (us included). Fingers crossed for clear skies and twirly green things in view.

 

@CptBoatface - I know, it's stinky. Hopefully we'll have a few warm days/nights though so we can all hang around and enjoy the views still. Not sure what time you guys were planning on getting onboard, but maybe we should plan for a mini sail away from our room? I think we requested bottles of Jack, Amaretto, & vodka for the room and there should be a bottle of semi-decent bubbly.

Sounds good! We get on early about 11:30-12.  Hoping I've gotten the time change sorted out with an epic nap last night.  

[Sailing12Away]

Golden circle tour, Gullfoss waterfall

Edited September 7, 2023 by Sailing12Away

[Sailing12Away]

Lot more photos of the gyser & waterfall on my real camera, these are all just from my phone. But the crater was really neat to see.

[Sailing12Away]

When we got to the port we made it through security and onto the ship in 5mins. Whisked straight up to the Haven area, with drink in hand in 2 mins.

 

Chatted with the concierge about some things, still no resolution on the hot tub. Talked to our former butler from the Star who said all the private ones are down for maintenance for the next ~5 weeks. Yikes.

 

Ship is gorgeous, room is big but slightly poorly designed with the closets.

[HBCcruiser]

Enjoy that Haven! So excited for you. Yeh, the closets and bathroom lack storage. Nice balcony though! Who is your Butler? We had Rex who was also our Butler on the Star. 

[Sailing12Away]

We're in an H4 room this trip. Going the weather stays warm and dry so we can use the enormous balcony with my family. Only complaint so far is there's too much closet space. Would rather they get rid of the second one in the hallway and make the living room bigger.

 

They were able to give me a bottle of amaretto for the room even though it's not on the approved list. 

 

Stopped by cruise next desk to sign up for our wine tasting, behind the scenes tour, dinner with officers, etc. Guy at the desk was surprised that we're sapphire at our age, which I found amusing.

 

Stopped quickly at indulge but they didn't open until 5:30. We definitely want to try everything there, saw a lot of our favorites so excited about that place.

 

Also eyeing that old van winkle as a way to burn our OBC....

[Sailing12Away]

Just now, HBCcruiser said:

Enjoy that Haven! So excited for you. Yeh, the closets and bathroom lack storage. Nice balcony though! Who is your Butler? We had Rex who was also our Butler on the Star. 

We have Rex too!

[Sailing12Away]

Grabbed a quick few things from the buffet then went to indulge for the pineapple. I'm in heaven...

[HBCcruiser]

6 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

We have Rex too!

He was great! Tell him "Hi". I am so jelly of you both. I'll live vicariously through you RN.

[sigma123]

Please keep us updated on the hot tub saga.  I think we are in the same room next voyage.  I specifically upgraded in April from an H5, which is close by, because of the hot tub.  It wasn't cheap to upgrade and if they think $500 OBC is going to cut it, they are sadly mistaken.  I hope you get what you are looking for.

[Markj]

Well that saves me taking a load of pictures.

 

Thank you

 

I love the Haven bar but without getting on the Prima knocking bandwagon the rest and relaxation areas compared to the Bliss are poor . I can see why people have said this is a warm weather ship!!!