NCL Prima Haven Iceland/Norway/Ams/Bruges/Southampton 7th -17th Sept

[Markj]

It makes a change to join a cruise without a long flight so today's flight from Manchester to Reykjavík was very welcome and we got to Keflavik around 245pm. Its a lovely modern airport and we were through immigration, bags collected and in a private car transfer to Reykjavik by 315. Staying at the Radisson Blu 1919. Great location and everything is walkable. So did just that and toured the city on foot arriving back a the hotel for dinner and cocktails around 630. 

 

The city doesn't seem to be too busy and whilst a couple of restaurants we looked at were booked til 8ish it didn't have the feel of a city full of cruise passengers. There was another NCL ship in port as we looked across the harbour.

 

I'll try to post as I go so if anyone has anything to ask then Ill try to help.

 

We've previously sailed on Pearl, Jewel, Breakaway and Bliss so are looking forward to the Prima tomorrow after a morning trip to the Blue Lagoon

[HBCcruiser]

I think @Sailing12Away is on your cruise as well. She is also in the Haven and is currently doing a live-ish review as well. Hopefully you will meet each other onboard. Enjoy your cruise! 

[Sailing12Away]

Yup, we're here in town too. See you on board!

[Markj]

Went to the Blue Lagoon this morning and really enjoyed that. 2hrs was about right. Then back to the hotel, pick up our bags and taxi to the port.

 

Bags collected by a nice Icelandic lad and off they wentm. Then here comes Haven benefit number one. Regular check in was probably 2/3 deep at 330 pm at each desk. We were straight through. Checked in and on board within about 10 mins from leaving the taxi.

 

Got to the suite and sussed out the curtains (drapes US buddies) lights and TV. Then off to the muster station then back to the bar. Tried the cocktail of the day then Marena recc of raspberry vanilla margarita. Both very good 

 

Rommel and Pedro are on point in the Haven bar.

 

Then ran into John DSouza who is Head Concierge on Prima. We were with him on Pearl and Bliss. Such a great guy. I don't like to bother him when he's busy but he always finds time for us. He's one of the best.

 

Initial thoughts on Prima. 

 

The design and ambience of the ship is so good. It's very 2020's. We haven't explored too much yet but what we've seen is lovely.

 

The Haven bar is the best I've seen BUT, without being a Prima knocker the lounges and areas for rest and relaxing are poor in the Haven. On the Bliss we were spoiled with the lounge, pool area ans observation lounge. It's designed for poor weather and so is brilliant in Alaska. But we think the Prima (and Viva) are perfect warm weather ships as there are plenty of lovely outside areas to sit out.

 

We haven't been to the forward observation lounge yet so will report back on that when we've been and how busy it is. Last year in Bliss on a sea day we would go to the obs lounge and enjoy the lunch buffet and drinks service. Prima lacks that 

 

Dinner in the Haven restaurant tonight. Stay tuned listeners 

[HBCcruiser]

2 minutes ago, Markj said:

Rommel and Pedro are on point in the Haven bar.

Rommel is the BEST! Have fun with him. He makes the BEST espresso martinis.

 

[Markj]

So what about Jefferson???

[HBCcruiser]

6 minutes ago, Markj said:

So what about Jefferson???

LOVE HIM TOO! Is he there? He also was our bartender on the BA in the Ice Bar in 2017. Great guy! 

 

[Markj]

Just met him tonight! What a lovely chap he is. 

 

Rommel made this.. I think he captured my good side. Hehehe

 

 

[HBCcruiser]

Isn't it yummy?! Yes, he is quite the artist. Have you met @Sailing12Away and her DH yet? They are really good people but watch out - they can DRINK! 😂

Edited September 7, 2023 by HBCcruiser

[Markj]

No! I think they are just down the corridor though!

 

I've met some lovely people so far but not them.

 

And let's be honest Americans are lightweights when it comes to drinking!!!! We call them "shandypants" 🤣🤣🤣

[HBCcruiser]

5 minutes ago, Markj said:

And let's be honest Americans are lightweights when it comes to drinking!!!! We call them "shandypants" 🤣🤣🤣

I take that as a challenge. 😉 Accepted! I hope to cruise with you someday. In the meantime, have a fabulous cruise! 

[Markj]

Had a lovely dinner in the Haven last night with Tuna Tataki and Pork Escalope. The service was great and for our anniversary they brought an unexpected cake. 

[www3traveler]

When you can, could you please post a list of the Hotel Senior Management and the Bridge Senior Management?

Thank You

Have a wonderful cruise

[Markj]

Its on a big board in the Atrium so i'll take a picture and post it here

[Markj]

After the excitement of the Helicopter tis morning we went for breakfast in the Haven and it was yummy. The cold buffet selection is very good and I had the eggs bene - with the truffles on top as I do like them (I read someone had posted they didnt!!) and a side of sausage.

 

Then did a tour of the ship and here are my first impressions. There does seem to be some Prima Knocking so Ill try to mix negatives and positives as I go

 

Im probably going to base most of my comparisons with the Bliss as that was what we were on in Alaska this time last year. I dint realise the Prima is smaller - 3100 cf 400 pax on Bliss and a physically smaller ship. I have to say though that it does feel like that though. There do not seem to be so many "open" spaces and it does seem that everything has a partition - there's an Atrium but no flowing staircases, there seem to be walls everywhere and they layout feels weird! Maybe Ill feel more comfortable with it as time goes on.

 

The main pool deck was deserted as where all the outside areas. Its just too cold. This ship would be amazing in the Carib or Med or anywhere that's warm most of the time. That said I do love the design and it stops it from being one big mass sun bed area like other ships. The Observation lounge is lovely but far far too small and the mix of loungers to chairs is all 3100 people and 8 loungers at the very front isn't going to cut it.

 

The Surfside Café and Grill was soooo busy. Im not a buffet person but even if I was I would struggle. They use Paloma and Food Republic as overspill seating areas but again as no-one is outside its mayhem!!!

 

We dont use the main dining rooms but had a peek and I must say they look really good with some amazing views. I was really impressed with Indulge and will definitely be using this for some lunches. Nama looks fab as does Hasuki although we wont be going there. The Local looks good and  I like Starbucks so good to see the full range although I may well use the one in Indulge as its closer to my room.

 

Overall the ship looks very modern and has some amazing rooms and spaces - it does though have that closed in feel.

 

The Haven

We are in an H5 12316.  Its a lovely room with plenty of space and good sized lounge, bedroom bathroom and clothing area. Also a load of hangers!!!. The room is a bit teccy with the lights and curtains and so on but it doesn't take long to get used to it. The balcony is a good size with comfy chairs and table and chairs but again its a bit too cold to sit out.

 

We had a bit of ceiling noise last night so will see how that develops and if it affects sleeping. I dont think room designers actually live in spaces sometimes because the bathroom is odd. Its not bright enough. There's a frosted glass partition into the bedroom so in the dark of night if you turn the (dim) lights on in the bathroom it lights up the bedroom!! The wall behind the toilet has a constant "gurgling" sound of water moving. The shower is great but the wet room idea of it next to the bath doesn't work as the water takes a while to drain so you cant get to anything on the edge of the bath until it does - or get wet feet again!! There's no where to hang any towels other than over the bath. Rails could have been put on the wall opposite the toilet. And why are there 2 taps into the sink? Its pointless???  These are all minor but a bit of thought and maybe asking some customers who have used ship bathrooms for input???

 

The Haven overall is a very pleasant area with a fabulous bar, lovely restaurant and great staff  but the lack of inside seating again lets it down. Lovely pool and sun deck but its too cold now to use any of it!!! We were so spoiled on the Bliss with the main lounge AND the observation lounge. With the Fjords and scenery of this cruise its exactly what this ship needs. It was so nice to lounge out on a sea day and the use the buffet area to the rear on the Bliss.

 

So those are my early impressions. Lets see what its like in the restaurants as we go to them - we have 7 specialities booked and also what the situation is regarding entertainment shows and so on

 

Time for a Starbys!!!

 

 

 

 

[Markj]

Had lunch in the Local and had a Ruben with and Aperol Spritz. The Ruben was top notch. 

 

Then tri bond trivia in the Improv. Totally too small for this as there was standing room only. I don't thinkbthw Atrium lends itself to trivia and games like the Bliss one does.

 

Ship got to Akeruryi around 2pm but couldn't dock because of 30mph winds. So went back up the fjord. The btuenws round and is now going back to berth at a different dock which aligns better with the wind. Now due in at 7pm. The vagaries of cruising eh!!!!

[Sailing12Away]

19 hours ago, Markj said:

No! I think they are just down the corridor though!

 

I've met some lovely people so far but not them.

 

And let's be honest Americans are lightweights when it comes to drinking!!!! We call them "shandypants" 🤣🤣🤣

We're at the end of the hallway on 12. Closed out the Haven bar last night and will probably be there each night as well if you're a late owl.

[cruiseny4life]

6 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

We're at the end of the hallway on 12. Closed out the Haven bar last night and will probably be there each night as well if you're a late owl.

If you ever don't close the Haven bar then we will know something's wrong!! You folks know how to party! 

[TEXASMIMI]

With being in H5 owners suite, what was your options for liquor, bar set up, sodas, water etc. etc. with the length of your cruise?  And also, how far in advance to your departure date were you contacted for your choices.  Were they fulfilled upon your arrival?

[Markj]

I have been on 8 NCL cruises and I have never once been contacted before any of them. However this hasn't ever been an issue because on arrival I just organise it with the Butler. We are simple to cater for - English Breakfast Tea bags, plenty of Nespresso pods and fresh milk for the tea.

 

The mini bar was stocked with sodas  and tonic and there were  a dozen bottles of still and sparkling water and 4 tetrapaks of water.  We got to choose 3 bottles of spirits/wine for the room bar too.

[TEXASMIMI]

Thank you for your quick reply....enjoy your cruise!

[HBCcruiser]

54 minutes ago, TEXASMIMI said:

And also, how far in advance to your departure date were you contacted for your choices.  Were they fulfilled upon your arrival?

We received the first email where we had a link to fill out our cabin requests (booze selections for example) about 4 months prior to our sail date. We were in an H4 on the Prima. Our sail date was April 30, 2023. I received the email Dec 21, 2022. Everything was filled as requested and was waiting for us when we entered the cabin.

 

 

Edited September 8, 2023 by HBCcruiser

[TEXASMIMI]

18 minutes ago, HBCcruiser said:

We received the first email where we had a link to fill out our cabin requests (booze selections for example) about 4 months prior to our sail date. We were in an H4 on the Prima. Our sail date was April 30, 2023. I received the email Dec 21, 2022. Everything was filled as requested and was waiting for us when we entered the cabin.

 

 

thank you HB...that's is what I read here on CC but looks like it is a hit and miss.  I'm hoping I will receive the letter.  Sometimes the Butlers (and understandably so) are very busy that first day.

[rattla]

I do sometimes wonder about the planning for where they put some of these cruise ships, but I do think part of the issue is that hardly any cruise ships handle the volume of passengers well in cold weather conditions, when everyone wants to be inside.

I think this may have been a big part of the issue with Prima this summer/autumn as I’m sure there have been limited people utilising the outside spaces because of the outside conditons.

Edited September 8, 2023 by rattla

[Markj]

Had a very good dinner in Le Bistro with scallops and Tournedos Rossini. Everything was cooked perfectly and the service was too notch. 

 

After we went to see Heidi Kaarlson in the theatre. We got there about 20mina before the show and it was already packed. By the time it started there was standing room only. Thought she was a good singer and will go to her other shows.

Next day in Akeyuri was the Jewela of the North. Early start with meeting in the theatre at 7 then not departing til 725. Bit of a ball ache but I can see why they do it as people don't know what they are doing. Hahaha And there's nowhere to meet ashore. So hey ho!

 

Enjoyed the tour and whilst it was a rainy day at each stop I was dry. Have to say kudos to a couple of older ladies with walkers who managed to get around all the rough paths. The " refreshment" was a cucumber and turkey sandwich cake and coffee. Many didn't eat it. So on arrival back at the ship I had french dip in the haven.

 

That evening we went to Donna Summer. Although in the Haven we wanted to get our own seats as the Haven reserved is the the front 7 rows in the left. So too close for us. Arrived 45 mins before the show and queued for 10 mins. Then got the seats we wanted.

 

Enjoyed the show although I wouldn't say it would be something I would go and see in the West end 

 

Dinner was at Palomar and this was exemplary. The serving team there are the breakfast and lunch team in the Haven so it was a lovely welcome. Have seafood salad and one if the best Dover sole ever. Raspberry cheesecake in a jar for dessert. Very very good!!

 

Espresso martini back in the Haven for nightcap!!!

 

Today is a day at sea and bizarrely there isn't enough trivia. Or it's at meal times. Who plans these schedules. Haha