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

[PistolPete13]

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for taking us along with you!  I can't believe it's been over a year now since my short 5 day trip on the then brand new Prima to Bermuda.

My lasting impression of the ship is still positive but also that I needed to work to avoid the crowds (not a people person). 

Side note, the winter cruise blues had come on full force and I was search for a trip leaving from NYC.  NCL only has the Getaway here for the winter and none of the Jewel class ships.  Plus the only sailings were to the same ports I went to just this past March.  Humm...

After racking up 38 sea days with NCL in the 4 short Covid interrupted years since my first cruise, I've decided to take an 11-nighter on...MSC in January!  

Won't be able to do a snarkly semi-live however, can't bring myself to pay $$$ for the Internet package and I think I need to break my online addiction for a bit.  LOL.

Edited November 23, 2023 by PistolPete13

[mking8288]

Indulge Food Hall - NUDLS counter lunch station ... eat & watch, open kitchen concept (spotless clean)

 

 

 

 

 

Freshly cooked to order in front of your eyes or nearby, soup and stirred fried entrees served hot 👍. 

 

If you heart is set to eat here, go early if you can since limited seating do get filled up very quickly ... on a windy & slightly chilly day, not exactly ideal to sit outside to eat or enjoy the food.

 

# cough # cough # cough 😷 can be heard in full Dolby surround sound in the Hudson MDR.

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by mking8288

[dexddd]

16 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I know we didn't talk long but it was truly so great to meet you! I'm sorry we only talked a minute at the net and greet. Thank you for your graciousness!!

You did better than me.  I stood right next to M King on BA at lats party and we said nothing.  It might have been due to Prem only answering three questions then he 'had to go' so we might have been speechless.

[dexddd]

I see in post 210 we are still at CN desk trying to get our Lats listed perks one year later.

 

Post 211 silver disc is spare azipod propeller, they don't put on front deck anymore but on deck as art.  Some of those other parts may be spares here and there as well.  Like to hear your guess.

 

Should be safe day, HMS QE aircraft carrier is in front of you.

 

I'd do FR still, usually not very busy, hot food, quick service.

[graphicguy]

On 11/22/2023 at 7:13 AM, ColdCruise said:

We had the same offer on our TAP flight, bid, didn't win. Asked at checkin (IAD) and was told business was full, no bids accepted & no upgrades available. Checked at gate, same story. However several empty biz class seats after we were all boarded. Guess an empty seat is better than an extra $900 pp. I wonder if we’d booked under 2 separate booking numbers if the bids would have been accepted? All the empty seats were  scattered, ie singles, next to occupied seats.

 

Which airline is this?

[ColdCruise]

29 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

 

Which airline is this?

“We had the same offer on our TAP flight, bid, didn't win. ”

[www3traveler]

For those of you on the Prima, is Clarence (Chocolate Cowboy) on board or has he retired?

 

Thank you

[schmoopie17]

4 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

For those of you on the Prima, is Clarence (Chocolate Cowboy) on board or has he retired?

 

Thank you

When we were on the Prima in January, Chocolate Cowboy told us he would be on the Viva once it started up. Wonder if anyone doing the live Viva reports has spotted him.

[www3traveler]

8 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

When we were on the Prima in January, Chocolate Cowboy told us he would be on the Viva once it started up. Wonder if anyone doing the live Viva reports has spotted him.

People on the Viva say he is not there.

I wonder if he made good on his plan to retire?

[Sugar Magnolia]

Wishing @mking8288, @cruiseny4life and everyone else on the big sister ship Prima a Happy Thanksgiving. I know I have much to be thankful for, as I am surrounded by new and old friends sailing on this Viva TA.
 

Did anyone go to the Home of the Whopper for their Ponta Delgada excursion? I would appreciate a review. 
 

[mking8288]

 

We had a slight issue with lunch in Hudson, took 2 hours & didn't leave until like 2:30 PM. 

 

Started the blue card while waiting, 40+ minutes after our lunch was digitally ordered by our (new'ish) server. Then, MaryAnn, one of the Asst Hostess/Manager spotted us and popped herself in front to talk to us ... apologized & said she'll put a rush on everything ...  Personally refilled our empty water glasses, offered coffee and brought a basket of bakery items out shortly. 

 

Apparently, lots of new crew members on the ship that are still in training & inexperienced, and there's a long line in the gallery with everything backed up.  Kept coming back to check on us, explained that managerial teams are on the lookout to do what they can to coach & address unhappy passenger experiences. 

 

 

This is, hopefully, an isolated services disconnect and not a systemic indicator of deeper underlying issues. We're noticed other subtle signs but shall remain mystery shoppers and watch before calling or writing the overall impressions into an opinion, one that's subjective & biased. 

 

BTW, food is good, today is the "B" variant lunch menu & the corn chowder (not pictured) was very good 👍

 

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

15 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

 

 

Do you pack any clothes? I would like to see those pics as well. You only shared the pic of the multi-pocketed vest. 

 

[mking8288]

 

We are more than 1/2 way toward Ponta D. and just recovered from losing Starlink satellite 🛰️ signal for about 30 minutes, the zones where we had coverage issues with EMC doing the Epic TA this April. It's up again but slower since everyone with the package is likely online ... 

 

 

Our room steward (attendant) continued to go above & beyond, had DND light on until we left the cabin earlier for lunch, saw him down the hallway and when we got back around 2:30'ish, our cabin was done.  An extra box of facial tissues & TP, fresh towels and different pillows arrangements for the day. Our laundry returned in less than 30 hours, stuffed & lined paper bag temized worth  ~  $85 in total. 

 

 

NCL Pillows Art by housekeeping 

 

Cruising around 19 knots on 279 deg heading, waves likely about 5 ft. with moderate to calm sea state, fewer small white caps, cross wind across the bow so a bit of sideward movements that's barely felt. 

 

Sunset already at our position, sunrise tomorrow is a little after 7 AM - expected arrival by 9 AM.  Private tour tomorrow in a van to see the lakes with a scenic drive. 

Edited November 23, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Just now, Sugar Magnolia said:

Do you pack any clothes? I would like to see those pics as well.

Each of us had a 24" rollerboard, 43 and 45 lbs, expandable zippers not needed since (compression) packing cubes is our "religion" for travel.

 

 

Carry-on is 21" spinner by eBags and 19" expandable MotherLode Junior, also by eBags (acquired by Samsonite several years ago)  21 lbs and 25 lbs (mine - didn't bother using the vest, no gate police flying out of JFK)

 

 

 

1 extra pairs of shoes for me and she has 2 pairs in the checked bag. 

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

4 hours ago, PistolPete13 said:

... NCL only has the Getaway here for the winter and none of the Jewel class ships ... decided to take an 11-nighter on...MSC in January!  

Won't be able to do a snarkly semi-live however ...

I know, we missed the Jewel & Dawn class ships as well ... nieces are doing the 10 days on the GA next month, got a nice deal. If you can travel on short notice, look for off-season deals last minute (weeks) 

 

Whole notion of semi-live is to post offline, can be done - did our 14 days Escape in 2019 on just 600 minutes & paid for an extra 60 minutes ... access to roaming data abroad is key, in the ports. 

 

Anyway, continue later ... Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

[Sugar Magnolia]

@PistolPete13 your legions of fans will be very disappointed knowing you will not be posting on your next cruise, even if delayed. We would love to read your first MSC review as well as any comparisons to NCL worth noting. And of course, the snark is why we always clamor for more. 

[PistolPete13]

17 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

@PistolPete13 your legions of fans will be very disappointed knowing you will not be posting on your next cruise, even if delayed. We would love to read your first MSC review as well as any comparisons to NCL worth noting. And of course, the snark is why we always clamor for more. 

Oh, I definitely will post, even if delayed!  We stop in Orlando and Miami at the front and back end of the cruise so I will be able to upload.

Seeing that NCL is the only company I've cruised with until now, I'll definitely be posting a detail comparision between the two lines.

The question is, will the folks in the MSC board be ready for me...humm...

Edited November 23, 2023 by PistolPete13

[photochan]

Sorry to hear about the long wait on your lunch and no turkey to boot !

Maybe turkey with all the fixings for dinner ?

It's almost 3pm and the smell of turkey is in our aprtment.

Happy Thanksgiving Henry and Susan. we will arrnege to meet up after we come bacl from the Getaway.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Just now, PistolPete13 said:

Oh, I definitely will post, even if delayed!  We stop in Orlando and Miami at the front and back end of the cruise so I will be able to upload.

Seeing that NCL is the only company I've cruised with until now, I'll definitely be posting a detail comparision between the two lines.

The question is, will the folks in the MSC board be ready for me...humm...

That is great news. I might be on the Encore the same time you are on MSC. 
 

I am certain you already have fans on the MSC board. Nonbelievers can just scroll down. 
 

[cruiseny4life]

Just now, Sugar Magnolia said:

That is great news. I might be on the Encore the same time you are on MSC. 
 

I am certain you already have fans on the MSC board. Nonbelievers can just scroll down. 
 

Are you ever not cruising?!?! I love the frequency!!

[mking8288]

3 hours ago, photochan said:

The smell of turkey ... meet up after we come back from the Getaway.

Mary & Alex, thanks & happy Thanksgiving to you both. Our twin nieces and others are on the Dec 6th GA sailing, will be an interesting debriefing & comparison from them & you. 

 

We are on track to Ponta D. in the morning & fingers crossed for the rain/ shower to hold off until our afternoon all abroad time. 

[mking8288]

Tonight's Thanksgiving Dine with (2) Officers on the Prima in the Hudson MDR, hosted by Adrian, Asst F&B Manager and Raeywn, Guest Services Asst Manager.

 

 

 

We had a full table of 10 in a semi-private or enclosed cutaway section at the back of the MDR, less noisy from other guests but our table was talkative & lively. 

 

Waitress for the table was our waitress from Palmora last night, probably specially assigned - smiles & cheerful, attentive, etc.

Edited November 24, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Thanksgiving Dinner menu for the MDR 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

6 hours ago, www3traveler said:

People on the Viva say he is not there. I wonder if he made good on his plan to retire?

Update, I asked our DWO co-host and she said he's not on the Prima, put a call to someone else and said, Cowboy is on the Viva (should be ??) - maybe on vacation/leave.  She and some of the colleagues currently onboard are leaving the ship from Texas once the repo is done, home to South Africa for the holidays.

 

 

Edited November 24, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Tomorrow - nearly everyone is looking forward to this stop in the morning ... on a 275 deg heading at 18.3 knots, seas are calm, waves around 5 ft. barely felt the ship moving with hints of engines running.