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

[Sugar Magnolia]

8 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Yes, those pastries too.  OMG, I am not  responsible for your urge to return, hahaha.  That means, time to start looking again already.  Aren't you booked on the Aqua or another TA ahead - PD stop doesn't always happen due to weather.  Jan/Mike that found the private sector we joined with, was lucky - first time they made it out of 3, we are 2 for 2 ... it's sort of like planning a day at GSC.

 

Or, look at flights & go there directly, stay for a week and enjoy the night life ?? and watch sunset & sunrise, etc.  Prices are a bit ... 

 

I am totally blaming you! 

 

Agree, I treat PD like GSC (and Bermuda), and so far I have been lucky a few times. A stay in the Azores and the Algarve region is definitely in the works. No doubt the pasteis de nata will be calling for me from Lisbon while in the region.

 

Though I like the idea of an inaugural TA, I have not booked the Aqua TA because of the week long nonstop journey along a cold route in late March. If the price drops to about $500 for a solo cabin and there is a formal announcement stating that yes Virginia, there will be hash browns on the Aqua, then I might consider. 😉

 

[dexddd]

19 hours ago, mking8288 said:

@rmfortin and @seemoreroyals  I must be having vision issues, earlier reply/post about the Christmas decorations gone / disappeared.  

 

NCL incorrectly shipped the decorations to TX instead of NY for transfer to the Prima last Friday - that's the reason for seeing nothing onboard currently.  Someone in logistics failed their mission but should be there by next week at the end of the repo ...whether it's their own transport, UPS/FedEx or DHL, even USPS Ground Advantage should be able to help NCL with the missing holiday decorations, etc. If not, maybe Amazon Logistics can give NCL a helping hand to ship things around the holidays.  Ross, they are treating Paula & you fine as predicted, enjoy the little things with your 35th anniversary celebrations.  

 

Nieces confirmed that the Getaway already has the ship decorated yesterday and no issues whatsoever.  

 

That must be the same logistics person not getting hash browns delivered to the ship.
ETA see this already pointed out.

Edited December 9, 2023 by dexddd

[dexddd]

Thanks for all the pics.  Never done that route but have considered.

 

Do you have pics post cruise that the grow operation is sustaining?  How about post cruise picture of the pooch, for our convenience, of course.

[mking8288]

How to connect to Prima's WiFi network - 

 

 

If you are trying to use the included free minutes, remember to log out & when you see the red meter with minutes used pop out, you are good. Otherwise, those 150 x 2 or 300 minutes will be gone in 5 hours, or less.  If that's the case, see the iCafe manager ASAP next day for a one-time adjustment to restore some minutes to use. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2023 by mking8288

[UKstages]

On 12/7/2023 at 4:59 PM, schmoopie17 said:

in less than a year it's now Alvin.

 

even quicker for simon's departure.

 

when i sailed on the prima in may and june, the cruise director was a woman. and i believe she's now onboard the viva in the same position.

[Sugar Magnolia]

12 minutes ago, UKstages said:

when i sailed on the prima in may and june, the cruise director was a woman. and i believe she's now onboard the viva in the same position.

 

Yes, Marzena from Poland is now on the Viva.

 

[rmfortin]

On 12/8/2023 at 6:52 PM, mking8288 said:

@rmfortin and @seemoreroyals  I must be having vision issues, earlier reply/post about the Christmas decorations gone / disappeared.  

 

NCL incorrectly shipped the decorations to TX instead of NY for transfer to the Prima last Friday - that's the reason for seeing nothing onboard currently.  Someone in logistics failed their mission but should be there by next week at the end of the repo ...whether it's their own transport, UPS/FedEx or DHL, even USPS Ground Advantage should be able to help NCL with the missing holiday decorations, etc. If not, maybe Amazon Logistics can give NCL a helping hand to ship things around the holidays.  Ross, they are treating Paula & you fine as predicted, enjoy the little things with your 35th anniversary celebrations.  

 

Nieces confirmed that the Getaway already has the ship decorated yesterday and no issues whatsoever.  

 

You got the straight story, @mking8288Henry... came back from our walk around Aruba to see these decorations. They were continuing to put them up everywhere throughout the day/evening...theater, outside the casino, etc.

 

Marc S. was roamng deck 8 while we were taking these photos down on 6 and yelled down that they just  got them delivered in Aruba and that they were originally sent to the wrong port. So I guess all's well that ends well. 

 

The deco is understated but beautiful. 

 

 

There have been two crew swaps on this cruise,  and frankly the general attitude and demeanor in general seems to have improved. Bartenders are still the least friendly crew, with a couple notable exceptions. Commodore waitstaff still the best, though they moved our favorite waiter to The Local yesterday in a move that will completely waste his kindness, charisma and ability to connect with his diners. Thought about mentioning it to Marc or Zafer next time we see them, but not sure it's our business to meddle in staffing moves like that...I assume they have logical, necessary reasons for shifting staff to completely different venues. 

 

Overall trip had been great...weather mostly cooperating, highs mid-80s. Late leaving only out of San Juan, learned that Prima got a new anchor delivered there, but whoever was hired to install it brought a too-small crane! 

 

Will post more when Paula doesn't need the premium wifi for work...cabin crawl in a couple hours so may get some pics from that to share as well.  

 

--Ross

Edited December 10, 2023 by rmfortin

[mking8288]

@rmfortin Thanks, Ross and have fun with the Cabin Crawl.  Our nieces are chasing the Prima and should be docking at San Juan by noon today. 

 

Getaway's holiday decorations look similar if not identical to the Prima's. 

 

 

But ... where is the singer going to sing or perform ? 

 

 

Enjoy the sunny & warm Caribbean ports, we have Gale warnings here in the Northeast with conditions worsening ... darn it, should've still be on the ship. 

 

Perhaps the crew rotation was part of the inconsistent service issues we saw, some can't wait to get off the ship and head home for the holidays.  Glad to hear it's going in the positive direction.  Reason to give the Prima another chance ahead to show us in person 🤗 🧐 

 

But, going to rub it in a bit ... Shake Shack burger that I had yesterday was good as was last night's buffet ... beef short ribs, roasted salmon, mash potatoes and asparagus. 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

1 hour ago, rmfortin said:

Commodore waitstaff still the best, though they moved our favorite waiter to The Local yesterday in a move that will completely waste his kindness, charisma and ability to connect with his diners. Thought about mentioning it to Marc or Zafer next time we see them, but not sure it's our business to meddle in staffing moves like that...I assume they have logical, necessary reasons for shifting staff to completely different venues. 

 

Thank you, @rmfortin, for continuing to post from the Prima. It's like watching a great miniseries you don't want to end.

 

There is no harm in mentioning to Marc or Zafer that you miss your favorite waiter at the Commodore. You would be paying a compliment, not imposing your staffing ideas.

 

Have a great rest of the cruise and enjoy the beautiful holiday decorations and merriment around you.

 

Edited December 10, 2023 by Sugar Magnolia

[Sugar Magnolia]

13 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

But, going to rub it in a bit ... Shake Shack burger that I had yesterday was good as was last night's buffet ... beef short ribs, roasted salmon, mash potatoes and asparagus. 

 

 

I need to follow you through the culinary halls of Queens.

 

[mking8288]

21 hours ago, dexddd said:

... pcs post cruise that the grow operation is sustaining? ... for our convenience, of course.

Won't see or play with the pooch until this week but here's our plant, 4 out of 5 ain't bad, the last one (in the rear) by the Smart Home kitchen window isn't happy, disliked too much water ... so we'll see 🙈 about nursing it before our next trip in 2024. 

 

 

About those onion rings & creamy spinach, at least on the Getaway - i give up 😱 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

4 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Won't see or play with the pooch until this week but here's our plant, 4 out of 5 ain't bad, the last one (in the rear) by the Smart Home kitchen window isn't happy, disliked too much water ... so we'll see 🙈 about nursing it before our next trip in 2024. 

 

I am impressed by your advanced indoor plant watering system. Need to invest in one myself.

 

[mking8288]

Live from San Juan ... Hola, the Getaway has arrived - chasing the Prima 😄

 

 

 

I am getting the chance to make close comparison 😉 and keeping this going 😂.  Ross, you got plenty of time ... do a big post cruise write-up, let Paula do her "work" 

 

No semi or live GA report either 🫣 🤔

 

 

[dexddd]

Marella Discovery. Was that an old RCCL ship?

[cruiservictor]

6 hours ago, dexddd said:

Marella Discovery. Was that an old RCCL ship?

Good eye. She’s the former Splendour of the Seas. 

[mking8288]

A few thoughts - 

 

Upgrade (Advantage) bids started much earlier these days than pre-Covid, we're invited but choose not to bid up to a Club Balcony Suite, mid-ship balcony is more spacious (compared to *.Away class ships) and enough for our needs (not interested in a Spa access balcony or a higher deck ... which has a lower starting minimum bid price than Club Balconies, where there are plenty more available then vs. Spa cabins)  Of course, NCL has since made changes to the Spa program for 2024 fleetwide ... that's a different story and chapter.  

 

Last minute prices for this TA was amazing, about 4 to 6 weeks out ... dropping to probably the lowest about 3 weeks out, including solo discounted deals, for Oceanview & Balcony ... Insides were less than Studios.  Upgrade bids were accepted, processed and charged weeks in advance as NCL bidding game rules are different from its earlier days. 

 

 

 

 

Spa balcony upgrade bid started lower than a Club Balcony 🤔

 

Entertainment changes - annoying !   Not as advertised and to some, misleading, not knowing whether the one & only remaining production show - Donna Summer Live, was cancelled or not.  When online reservation opened up on Day 25, we could book it (Sapphire) but our friends (Platinum) couldn't.  The Price is Right was open and we reserved it.  It was good seeing the "game show" live but, not sure of going to watch the same game show again, if and when we sail again on NCL with the same ship.  

 

The paid Behind The Scene ship tour prices that's available to anyone sailing the Prima went up in price, higher than $149 p/p now (was $89 then $129 and then ... to sail and sustain, for our convenience).  We took the free tour (complimentary Platinum) and it was good, allowed to take pictures & videos except when on I-95 and other areas (theater backstage).  Unlike the one given on the Epic ... strictly not allowed anywhere & anytime while on the tour ("his rules").  

 

 

 

 

Notice about the cancelling the Bermuda port stop - 

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

A wet & windy day in the Northeast yesterday & early this morning, much like the Getaway in San Juan and then the sun came out, the nieces ended up taxi van touring.  Walgreen was busy across the pier. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like GA got the prime berth at St. Thomas, USVI to dock with the shortest walk at 7 AM local time.  A beach day after buffet breakfast - beans are plentiful.

 

 

But, who's thinking this OMG cheesecake from Cagney's - start planning & dream about it 😁

 

[dexddd]

See GA in St Thomas today.  Looks like a nice day.

 

Beans, hmmm, niece takes after uncle we see.

[rmfortin]

Prima captain just cancelled our stop in Grand Cayman today...wind speeds in excess of 40 mph world make tendering too dangerous. 

 

Weather is highly overcast and (obviously) windy, so finding a deck chair may actually be possible today.  😁

 

Onward to Cozumel.

 

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by rmfortin

[squidf]

I will be sailing to Ponta Delgada soon and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on whether we should do an Eastern or Western tour. Thanks!

Frank

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, rmfortin said:

Prima captain just cancelled our stop in Grand Cayman today...wind speeds in excess of 40 mph world make tendering too dangerous ... finding a deck chair may actually be possible today.  😁

Onward to Cozumel.

Oh, Ross & Paula, Tom & all onboard her now - we loved our tender stop at GC 5 years ago.  Well, mother nature always  dictate and can't be mad at the bridge's safety call.  How's the Observation Lounge lately 😉 still being stalked by the early bird hogs with towels & books ... 

 

December & January supposed to be the better months to sail the warm Caribbean ... weather cooperating, just reading about other NCL ships skipping or cancelling GSC, private island too.  Other lines are running into similar challenges due to weather.  It's nice & sunny, but 34 degrees F here ... and I am plotting for another cruise & on the hunt for last minute deals.  

 

Just in case you've missed the standalone post on NCL forum here, the DoubleUp promo is back, good until after Christmas - any cabins that's at least 4 months out (122 or 123 days).  

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, squidf said:

.... sailing to Ponta Delgada soon and ... whether we should do an Eastern or Western tour. Thanks! 

Frank, we fell in love with PD and will be happy to go back again.  We did the western side with the twin lakes and saw a little, wishing NCL had given our stop more time - and to better explore.  Looking ahead, DW wants to do east including the hot spring - probably going to contact the excellent guide we had last month & see what he propose once we pin down our schedule & options for 2024.  BTW, I like your 2024 schedule ... Iceland on our short list.  Regards - Henry 

[mking8288]

In other related NCL ship cruise news, Getaway skipping their short Bermuda 6 hour visit this Thursday due to weather forecast ( again) 😵‍💫 

 

Good news that today's St Maarten visit by the GA get extended by 90 minutes 🫢 (wow) till 3 PM instead of 1:30 PM ... so they probably negotiated a deals with local taxi driver touring ... enough beach time yesterday. 

[squidf]

On 12/12/2023 at 9:14 AM, mking8288 said:

Frank, we fell in love with PD and will be happy to go back again.  We did the western side with the twin lakes and saw a little, wishing NCL had given our stop more time - and to better explore.  Looking ahead, DW wants to do east including the hot spring - probably going to contact the excellent guide we had last month & see what he propose once we pin down our schedule & options for 2024.  BTW, I like your 2024 schedule ... Iceland on our short list.  Regards - Henry 

Thank you! It will be our first time and we are looking forward to it!

Frank