NCL Prima eastbound 15 days TA (Live) 27 Apr, 2024 - N.Y. to Southampton via Halifax, Iceland & EU ports - preview intro

[ontheweb]

Let me first say it was a pleasure reading the posts from all of you who were on this cruise (and the comments too from others). There have been so many negative posts about the Prima that it is heart warming to read such positive experiences. And we too enjoyed our Prima cruise this past summer.

[brookie848]

1 hour ago, marys350 said:

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your half day tour with Adrian from Paragon Taxis. Before Christmas we booked a transfer with him from Heathrow to Southampton with a visit to Windsor Castle on the way for our Prima cruise in June.

Can you give me a ballpark on the cost for this? We are on the Encore TA in December and are staying pre-cruise in Southampton. To keep things simple, we want to hire a car service for the transfer rather than hauling our luggage on trains.

[dexddd]

On 5/11/2024 at 11:33 AM, mking8288 said:

The only afternoon where you can find seats in the OL and loungers not reserved nor day campers 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where is the bare feet police?

[marys350]

17 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

Can you give me a ballpark on the cost for this? We are on the Encore TA in December and are staying pre-cruise in Southampton. To keep things simple, we want to hire a car service for the transfer rather than hauling our luggage on trains.

The cost varies depending on size of vehicle, and whether you just do transfer or add in a tour stop. Here's a link to Paragon Taxis website including  pricing and contact info.

https://paragontaxis.co.uk/

Edited May 12 by marys350

[dexddd]

On 5/11/2024 at 11:42 AM, mking8288 said:

Primo’s model to scale, not for sale & all the plaques & certs

 

 

 

 

 

Does it make sounds of the creaky cabins in mild swells?

[dexddd]

On 5/11/2024 at 11:42 AM, mking8288 said:

Primo’s model to scale, not for sale & all the plaques & certs

 

 

 

 

 

I'd pop in some motors and remote controls and run that baby around the lake.  I'll need Ocean's Thirteen to first acquire it for me.  Actually, since Italian build, I'll source those from The Italian Job.

[dexddd]

23 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

We have a local brewery that gives you a stroopwafel if you order the Maple Porter. 

What do they give if you order an Old Fashion?

[mking8288]

Airside inside Gatwick, it's another warm day in the UK according to our driver-guide, the hottest day thus far - 2024.

 

 

 

Liquid diet ?  Iced cold coffee will do, Starbucks being the closest 😁 

 

 

 

 

 

[schmoopie17]

19 minutes ago, dexddd said:

What do they give if you order an Old Fashion?

They give you directions to a place that serves cocktails, since they're a brewery.

[mking8288]

For those that were outside the cruise terminal, hope transport wasn't too bad - know the pickup or Baggage Pod # if calling your driver to come over.

 

 

[Turtles06]

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

An excellent half day tour, personalized guide services by Adrian from Paragon Taxis based out of Southampton ...the VW minivan was very comfortable for 4 of us, with plenty of storage for 4 checked suitcases, 4 carry-on bags and personal bags. 

Henry, I’m happy to see this, and glad you enjoyed the tour, as we are looking for something similar out of Southampton at the end of the Bliss TA in January. (SOU to our London hotel, with a tour of Windsor Castle along the way.)

 

How did you happen to hear of these folks?  
 

Thanks!

[mking8288]

1st batch of photos from our quick tour at Portsmouth this morning - 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's Adrian, our Paragon Taxis driver-guide 

Edited May 12 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Boat cruise, all electric - up to 5 

(children)

 

Additional photos from Portsmouth - 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

Jones Beach, NY out in LI, Coney Island  and or Atlantic City beaches & waterfront, doesn't come close to match this coastal naval &: military seaport and active base.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Chichester tour stop - photos batch #1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

Chichester - photos batch #2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12 by mking8288

[mking8288]

@The P @Arzeena and @Fogfog 

Susan & the ladies were exhausted and didn't feel like going inside to shop.  

 

 

[The P]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

@The P @Arzeena and @Fogfog 

Susan & the ladies were exhausted and didn't feel like going inside to shop.  

 

 

This store is 100 years old; bring on the flapper dresses!....Beautiful pix, Henry. And good weather to take them in!

[ontheweb]

4 hours ago, brookie848 said:

Can you give me a ballpark on the cost for this? We are on the Encore TA in December and are staying pre-cruise in Southampton. To keep things simple, we want to hire a car service for the transfer rather than hauling our luggage on trains.

I would recommend asking that question in the following cc forum as there are some real experts in that sort of thing that post there.

 

British Isles/Western Europe - Cruise Critic Community

[brookie848]

49 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I would recommend asking that question in the following cc forum as there are some real experts in that sort of thing that post there.

 

British Isles/Western Europe - Cruise Critic Community

Thanks. I've been on that board and it's been helpful. I have a few recommendations from there, but I thought I'd ask about this one in real-time. 😁

[mking8288]

Norse started priority & early boarding almost 1 hour before departure and we left the gate a few minutes early, just landed at JFK runway at 10:46 & long taxi to gate, not available yet as other aircraft hadn’t pushed back - sitting & waiting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 13 by mking8288

[UKstages]

welcome home.

 

may this week be filled with hash browns and cookies!

 

thanks for the "live." i enjoyed it, even though i think it unlikely that i will ever book the prima again myself. very much looking forward to your final thoughts/summation.

[mking8288]

@UKstages  Will do a post-cruise summary & put some final thoughts into this trip, allow for a day of rest ... been a long day for us.  Norse non-stop departed LGW a few mintues early and wheels down @JFK almost 30 minutes early, tarmac delayed due to gate at T7 not being available and then issues with the jet bridge aligning with the B789.  A very quick walk thru CBP w facial recognition, waited 10 minutes for luggage & zip thru USDA inspection, nephew got our text and drove over from cargo ops to fetch & drive us home.  

 

A few thoughts on Norse Atlantic Airway, nice B789 & even bathroom is "larger" than expected, maintenance & cleanliness in-flight below average & in need of improvement.  Aircraft staffing level is higher from minimal services in-flight, being a LCC.  Airport check-in open and opens 4 hours prior to scheduled departure. even carry-on luggage are weighted and tagged.  Gate assignment info wasn't available until 80 to 90 minutes before gate departure and with early boarding (we're in Zone 2) - leave little time to buy food, beverage and/or snack for the flight (highly recommended) - the economy "box lunch" is small (with a choice of soda, juice or tea/coffee included, no refills offered - and NOT worthy paying upcharge for.  

 

No WiFi onboard offered, only some of the USB ports worked  & good for charging.  Overhead storage bin size is generous and bags are stored vertically to maximize space.  

 

We paid extra for extra leg room, forward section of cabin and priority check-in & boarding.  Ended up having use of 3 bulkhead seat (11 D, E and F) but seat width being reduced -  a  tight squeeze. 

 

Bring a water bottle to refill airside, post-security and food/snacks for a long flight.  

[bedfordmom]

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

@UKstages  Will do a post-cruise summary & put some final thoughts into this trip, allow for a day of rest ... been a long day for us.  Norse non-stop departed LGW a few mintues early and wheels down @JFK almost 30 minutes early, tarmac delayed due to gate at T7 not being available and then issues with the jet bridge aligning with the B789.  A very quick walk thru CBP w facial recognition, waited 10 minutes for luggage & zip thru USDA inspection, nephew got our text and drove over from cargo ops to fetch & drive us home.  

 

A few thoughts on Norse Atlantic Airway, nice B789 & even bathroom is "larger" than expected, maintenance & cleanliness in-flight below average & in need of improvement.  Aircraft staffing level is higher from minimal services in-flight, being a LCC.  Airport check-in open and opens 4 hours prior to scheduled departure. even carry-on luggage are weighted and tagged.  Gate assignment info wasn't available until 80 to 90 minutes before gate departure and with early boarding (we're in Zone 2) - leave little time to buy food, beverage and/or snack for the flight (highly recommended) - the economy "box lunch" is small (with a choice of soda, juice or tea/coffee included, no refills offered - and NOT worthy paying upcharge for.  

 

No WiFi onboard offered, only some of the USB ports worked  & good for charging.  Overhead storage bin size is generous and bags are stored vertically to maximize space.  

 

We paid extra for extra leg room, forward section of cabin and priority check-in & boarding.  Ended up having use of 3 bulkhead seat (11 D, E and F) but seat width being reduced -  a  tight squeeze. 

 

Bring a water bottle to refill airside, post-security and food/snacks for a long flight.  

So glad that your flight with Norse  went smoothly. I also had taken that airline from BOS  for the Getaway TA  from Southhampton last fall. Although it was a great experience in flight but between their impromptu cancellations of whole flights weeks before and horrible face book feedback not sure I would fly them unless I had a lot of flexibility. A moot point now as they no longer fly from Boston. I had purchad their classic economy and upgraded for like 200 for premium that day. A frequent flyer on Norse told me that on boarding you can upgrade like for 50$. So premium was great. There was few in economy so I could have stretched out there as well. 
 

Welcome home!

[ontheweb]

13 hours ago, brookie848 said:

Thanks. I've been on that board and it's been helpful. I have a few recommendations from there, but I thought I'd ask about this one in real-time. 😁

Glad my recommendation turned out to be helpful.