Prima TA Semi-Live 11 Days to NY from Spain, 4+ days @Barcelona from JFK ... land/cruise early Thanksgiving vacation

[rmfortin]

49 minutes ago, PistolPete13 said:

Sorry to see that you're missing Bermuda today.

NYC was 25 degrees this morning with a biting wind.  5AM arrival?  No thanks!

Not going to lie, I was thinking of trying to get photos of Prima departing Friday afternoon because an unfortunate error on my part wiped out all the original full res photos I had of my trip last year.  I even put the external views of the ship in that same folder!

But thanks to your thread, I know they are doing a full Coast Guard inspection when she arrives in NYC.  On a normal day NCL never sticks to their departure times from NYC.  And with this inspection?  Forgetaboutit!

Darn...thanks for that heads-up, @PistolPete13, because it looks like we might be at our res in Hasuki for sail away on Friday. 😪 Rookie mistake! -- Ross/Paula, Chicago 

Edited November 29, 2023 by rmfortin

[schmoopie17]

16 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

To think that this will continue and folks on the next sailing got to put up with this for 14 days.  This is a good (and unpleasant) question at the next M&G this Sunday for CC members ... who wants to bring it up and refer them to my semi-live report as documented photo evidence.  

I think you need to start including their faces in your pictures. After all, you caught them red-handed (footed?). It's possible/probable that they're not CC members, but if they are, they might get a hint that their willful neglect of the rules, sanitation and common decency is uncalled for.

[mking8288]

22 hours ago, www3traveler said:

mking8288, question for you:  When you get to NYC and you are staying for the next cruise, how does that work with a full crew Immigration Check and a full Coast Guard Inspection and Drill ...

Mandy, I believe we are doing something similar to what the folks on the recent Getaway (I think) TA did, meet at a designated place, escorted together as a group & into the terminal with the CBP clearing procedures, wait ... and wait 🫷 like the rest, but get to re-board ahead of others.  No telling how long that'll be.  Jan & Mike @azcruise staying on B2B  also, they will help answer the questions later on. 

 

We are having a fine time now & it's just another wonderful day, at sea ... you're read our motto: go with the flow, humor and go easy, and wing it should things don't pan out.

 

Henry 

Meanwhile ... 

[mking8288]

Drop by to get yellow tags for our friends at CruiseNext ...

 

 

This is the only time that we get inside Syd Norman to check out the space, way too crowded in the evenings for us ... This morning, one of the hideaways, atrium lobby & elsewhere are packed full of pax - everyone hanging out. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

22 hours ago, Rockyhill said:

23 hours ago, mking8288 said:

... don’t tell me … looks like they are substituting “SPAM” for Canadian bacon on their eggs Benedict

Tom, I am easy going so won't tell you about it. Just going to take the 5th ... or risk being disembarked at the next port for being a bad character on CC semi-live blogging, or walk the plank (no rope course on the Prima, right)  This itinerary of 11 days will soon be just another blip on our cruise history. 

 

The bagels and muffins, actually all the bakery items including croissants & sweets are smaller, petite ... good for dieting and waste management, fewer feeds for the fishes & marine life to process & recycle.  Everything being shrinked these days. 

 

Saving some of the general thoughts until afterward ... But, that surely was not, not Canadian bacon - I was looking at it and scratching my head. 

Edited November 29, 2023 by mking8288

[cruiservictor]

The MSC Meraviglia is docking at Heritage Wharf in the Dockyard right now at 1PM Bermuda time. So they made it, albeit a bit late.  

[cheersforbeers]

Can anyone on the Prima or has been recently tell me the difference between the voucher behind the scenes tour and the $149 tour. It lists bridge and engine room but does the voucher go there. We’ve been on several voucher tours and they did not go to bridge or engine room? 
Thanks

[dexddd]

Right, I see Mera docked now.  And to think a cross dock of supplies could have happened.

[PistolPete13]

3 minutes ago, dexddd said:

Right, I see Mera docked now.  And to think a cross dock of supplies could have happened.

Looks like the Mera has an overnight vs. a day trip for the Prima.  No wonder it waited out the winds.

[InnerChild]

51 minutes ago, cruiservictor said:

The MSC Meraviglia is docking at Heritage Wharf in the Dockyard right now at 1PM Bermuda time. So they made it, albeit a bit late.  

If you ask, Guest Services will credit 10$ per guest for the missed port. Just an fYI

[mking8288]

Bars & lounges will look like this for these 2 days.  Metropolitan Bar - Deck 7 Mid/Aft, is the new atrium lobby for plenty of onboard activities. 

 

 

Champagne, anyone ... at the Hudson on display 

 

 

Sea state is rough but really not that bad, wind forecasted to ease as we sail further away from Bermuda toward NY 

 

 

 

DW is actually laughing and sharing tales of some of our worst crossings with 30 ft. waves and strong gale cross wind passage over the years. But, always pack & plan for motion sickness - and have another drink. 

[mking8288]

Lunch earlier & the menu - Hudson MDR was full with a line, solo cruisers asked to share a table, some dine alone anyway as they so choose to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

Interesting! Almost the same menu as a few days ago, when we tried Hudsons out. No clue what sea day that was! 

[bluesea777]

7 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Interesting! Almost the same menu as a few days ago, when we tried Hudsons out. No clue what sea day that was! 

 

I don't think the lunch menus change.

 

 

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, bedfordmom said:

Sorry for the Bermuda miss ... paid movies for free? My biggest complaint is ... no schedule of free movies and the lack of movies in the theater on sea days ... going home between cruises to pick up warm weather clothes?

That's okay, been to Dockyard too many times but I know many first timers are disappointed, plenty of German & Spain cruisers onboard.  We managed to get our movie charges waived as a special recognition, our CAS & Platinum friends were not gifted with it.  

 

There aren't good spaces to show large screen TV on sea days and there's not a H2O ... in many ways, the usable & large inside space aren't better than the Dawn, Jewel or Gem class ships, let alone the *Away/Plus ships.  

 

We packed enough warm weather clothes with us and for B2B, probably just enough time to make that 30 to 45 minutes trip home to check on things, hi with the upstairs co-op townhouse neighbors and take care of upcoming bills that we can't do online ahead of time. Plan is then to get back for continuation.  Imagine trying to run the roll call and M&G while on a cruise already - plus dealing with the hijacker that slickly tried a takeover without doing anything at all on CC ... but representing "us" to NCL.   They are probably flaming us and resented being busted for the scheme. After the dust settled, I plan to continue to see how CC admin will deal with these. Just not nice to be tricked & barge in.  

 

[mking8288]

14 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

I don't think the lunch menus change.

For MDR lunch, it's an A/B menu that the executive chef do alternate on sea days, on longer cruises, possibly a C option, and also maybe a chef's special, depending on provisions onboard.  Instead of chicken noodles soup, Vietnamese pho soup is substituted.  Similar approach to the MDR breakfast menu, there's usually 2 daily specials ... on the left side, and some of them are pretty good.

 

Not crazy about going to Indulge FH for breakfast buffet as the stations are spread out and scattered - seating is limited and crew eagerly awaiting to clear the tables & plates.  We haven't been to The Local for anything during this cruise, which is not usual for us - but, wasn't too happy with the slimmed down options recently on the Escape ... They are using the full size plates - not serving a full American breakfast platter on a sushi plate.  

 

Don't think the buffet lunch options and variety are any better these days. 

Edited November 29, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Just now, InnerChild said:

If you ask, Guest Services will credit 10$ per guest for the missed port. 

If they can automatically refund all shorex booked to our onboard accounts, there's no excuse to not do that with port fees & related charges in skipping Bermuda ... silly for 1,500+ pax (at least 1 per cabin) in wasting time to stand in line on Deck 7 to ask them to do this or question them about it, IMHO of course - to sail & sustain, for our (in) convenience. 

 

Let's see if it'll be automatically posted first and then hard pressed to spend it or buy something to use up the non-refundable credit.

 

[mking8288]

Indulge Food Hall, as @bluesea777 said, not busy & easy enough to find a place to have dinner, indoors.  More choices & variety than lunch. Good option & alternative if the MDR are full and or have a long wait, etc.  Think of this as the international buffet of comfort, ethnic food serving items not available at The Local. 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

🫣 Day 11's FSD is out - less than 36 hours to disembarkation for many, aside from those doing B2B.  There are some onboard already on the 2nd leg of their B2B.  

 

 

🤗 Schedule calls for Self-Assist walk off with luggage between 7:30 to 8 AM.  Yellow Tags at 8 AM.  Gold Priority Tags should be ahead slightly if issued.  Airport transfer for flights before 2 PM to be called by 8:15 AM, others to follow and all to be off by 9:30 AM.  Mandatory US CBP immigration inspection will be done inside the terminal - delays are advised to be possible in processing flow. 

 

 

 

 

[JIMESOPUS]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Indulge Food Hall, as @bluesea777 said, not busy & easy enough to find a place to have dinner, indoors.  More choices & variety than lunch. Good option & alternative if the MDR are full and or have a long wait, etc.  Think of this as the international buffet of comfort, ethnic food serving items not available at The Local. 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know you can modify your order? When I'm there a night I'll order ribs from Q with no sides, bacon-wrapped chicken from the Roterssie then order several sides from other places. The only downside is some items get there faster than others. If you don't know how to do it then ask your server, I held classes on the Viva. I'll try to find a picture of a single-item order and highlight the box you click on.

[cruiseny4life]

Just now, JIMESOPUS said:

Did you know you can modify your order? When I'm there a night I'll order ribs from Q with no sides, bacon-wrapped chicken from the Roterssie then order several sides from other places. The only downside is some items get there faster than others. If you don't know how to do it then ask your server, I held classes on the Viva. I'll try to find a picture of a single-item order and highlight the box you click on.

We never get the sides! Definitely order lots of extra bbq sauce! 

[JIMESOPUS]

found this picture on the web, if you want to modify the order tap the box under the item order ( orange circle with the word For ), a popup keyboard will appear and you type away what you want to change. Want extra chips with your Chili no problem, no Bun on that sandwich, how about extra salad dressing

[mking8288]

@JIMESOPUS - thanks, we did & figured it out several days ago ... a few times, the tablet woudn't respond & needs a "bump" - only wish that they make it more customizable and/or add extra options, i.e. sauce on the side, less sodium, etc.  And, in full disclosure, whether MSG and/or other dietary alerts or cautions should be cross-checked first when ordering ... none of us have strict restrictions, but others might.  Let's just say, some of the entrees or items are - IMHO - fairly salty.  And, if the executive and/or junior chef can make that possible or at least an advanced option to pre-order, then, this can be a win-win for all.  

 

@Sugar Magnolia  did you see what we ordered this evening, finished almost all & everything ... no food police to inspect our ticket or issue us a citation or ban us, LOL.  I think we did okay and/or at least slip under their radar.  

 

Nothing to report on The Local yet - place is small & not crazy to go there for the soggy chicken wings.  Maybe, tomorrow if we get a chance, somehow ... 

[Sugar Magnolia]

7 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

@Sugar Magnolia  did you see what we ordered this evening, finished almost all & everything ... no food police to inspect our ticket or issue us a citation or ban us, LOL.  I think we did okay and/or at least slip under their radar.  

 

Let the record show that I never wasted any food on the Viva. I might have been over zealous in ordering my bacon wrapped dates and marcona almonds, but in my defense, I was INDULGE-ing.

 

[Von & John]

6 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry  --  it looks like the Monte Cristo is now only 1/2 Sandwich...

Did you request a 1/2?
In April/May it was a full sandwich (too much for me - but a full)

This was on the SUN (MIA to SEA through Panama Canal), not Prima

Edited November 30, 2023 by Von & John