Live - NCL Prima - 06/23-07/04/2024 - Southampton, Belgium, Amsterdam, Norway and Iceland - Is it more beautiful than Alaska?

[Seas2mountains]

The highlight for today was a bridge tour Captain Roger hosted with the people from our Dinner with the Officers and a few others.  
 

Captain Roger is so kind to be present at the dinner and especially the follow-up bridge tour. He has been one of the best captains to give daily updates and seems to enjoy interacting with passengers and patiently answers all questions.  

The windows had built in water spray and wipers. 

Side controls for docking in port. 

Window in floor to use for docking. 
 

[Seas2mountains]

After the bridge tour, we went to the Cruise Next Sail and Sustain Mixology experience. 
 

It was very well done by the Mixologist. 
 

We asked him about the lack of Decoy on the ship as that is a favorite P+ wine we enjoy. He stated the number of cases they requested for this sailing but only received about 6 bottles. He explained how the wines all come from the central warehouse in the US. 
 

[Seas2mountains]

We returned to Los Lobos again tonight as we tend to favor Mexican food. We had some of the same items as a few nights ago. I had a salad this time and the grilled shrimp.  All food and service were excellent.

 

 

We went to the Price is Right in the theater. It was very well done and entertaining but I wouldn’t go a second time.  
 

[Seas2mountains]

We had a great time in Alesund and were fortunate the weather was decent with a few light sprinkles here and there. 
 

Here are photos taken as we walked to the park to take the 418 steps up to the Fjellstoa Viewpoint. 

Cute Trolls in the city. 

 

Edited Sunday at 08:23 PM by Seas2mountains

[Seas2mountains]

The climb up the 418 steps to the Fjellstua Viewpoint was fun but nice to get done. We were focused on not falling up or down the stairs.  We got the Kvaefjordkake after the climb. 

 

We also visited the Ålesund museum which was interesting and provided details on the devastating fire that destroyed 850 homes out about 1080 in 1904.  

They had two submarines on display with one inside that could be climbed into to see the inside. We have a son in the US Navy who is currently serving on a sub so we have great respect for those who can spend so much time in a sub for extended periods. 
 

Next, we walked to the beautiful canal area and the Ålesund church. Before we got to the church, my husband said he was done touring and wanted to get back on the ship. I was also getting tired and didn’t mind calling it and getting back on the ship. 

[Seas2mountains]

Canal photos and a beautiful bird. 

[Seas2mountains]

It’s almost 11pm and the sun won’t set until 12:30am with sunrise at 2am. Clocks go back another hour tonight. 
 

[ConnieTact]

On 6/28/2024 at 8:52 PM, Seas2mountains said:

Tonight after our dinner in Le Bistro and as we were enjoying listening to Juci Del Carlo who plays guitar in Metropolitan bar, a person from shore excursions and assistant executive housekeeping staff member in uniform and with name tags asked if we would answer a few questions.  They asked if there was anything that could be improved on the cruise. Since we initially thought they were asking about housekeeping and shore excursions, we raved about the excellent service we were receiving from our cabin steward, Marti.
 

They asked if anything could be improved. We mentioned the new recipe potatoes with the filet at Le Bistro should go back to the old recipe. They asked if anything else could be improved. We said we were getting excellent service at all bars and restaurants and couldn’t think of anything.  As they left after asking for our cabin number, my  husband watched to see if they were asking anyone else these questions but they did not. This seemed really strange. 

We had the same experience on the Inaugural sailing of the Prima. I thought we were being asked because it was the first sailing but they obviously believe in continuous improvement! It was memorable as we have sailed on lots of ships but never been asked for feedback while on the cruise.

Edited Monday at 06:35 AM by ConnieTact

[Ellis1138]

Thank you for posting the sunsets. I haven't been able to stay up for those.

[Seas2mountains]

Good morning from Akureyri, Iceland! 
 

We are fortunate to have a day with sunshine in the weather forecast today. High temperature is expected to be 60 degrees. We’ll take it!
 

When he pulled back the curtains this morning, my husband said it’s Green! That is true. It is very green.  

 

Edited Monday at 08:51 AM by Seas2mountains

[Seas2mountains]

It was a 0.5 mile walk from Prima to the Hof Cultural Center pick up location for Forest Lagoon. We are early and have another 30 minutes to wait for the bus. 
 

The Hof has tourist info, a store, and a coffee shop. 

[Seas2mountains]

The bus arrived at 9:42am and it quickly filled up. We are on the way to Forest Lagoon and we are glad we got here early as the bus was scheduled at 10:00am. 

[marys350]

We loved our visit to Forest Lagoon when we did the June 2nd Prima sailing. A reasonably priced alternative to ship excursions and a relaxing low key day after all our busy active days earlier in the itinerary. Enjoy!

[cruiseny4life]

On 6/29/2024 at 1:32 AM, Seas2mountains said:

The McDonald’s photo is for @cruiseny4life

My reputation is ruined...

[cruiseny4life]

16 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

That ceiling is stunning! Someday I hope to have a skilled craftsma....uhhh person, create such a perfect ceiling in my house. 

 

Someday = when I win the lottery I rarely play.

[Seas2mountains]

Here are photos from Forest Lagoon. We were among the first people to arrive so I was able to quickly take photos before it got crowded. 

There was a cold pool and we all had fun encouraging people to be brave and go in that pool. We both did go in the cool pool up to our shoulders. It felt like ants were biting our skin as we got back in the thermal pool. 

There was also a pool that was hotter than the main one, too, but we could only tolerate the heat in that one for about ten minutes. 
 

You need to bring your own towel from the ship. They ask you to shower in the locker room without your bathing suit on. They ask for all towels and shoes/sandals to be left in the locker room. They give you a wrist band that will allow you to purchase drinks at the bar. It will lock and unlock a locker you select. 
 

The bus took us back to the Hof. It was a great experience and we both recommend it. 

[Seas2mountains]

3 hours ago, marys350 said:

We loved our visit to Forest Lagoon when we did the June 2nd Prima sailing. A reasonably priced alternative to ship excursions and a relaxing low key day after all our busy active days earlier in the itinerary. Enjoy!

Yes, we agree. It was $50/person which is definitely less than shore excursions. My husband is tired of the busy days exploring so this was a great alternative for a few hours. 

[mking8288]

45 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

My reputation is ruined...

Don't worry and be happy 😸  ...  It's like some must have their Starbucks daily or brake for Dunkin' 

[Seas2mountains]

8 hours ago, ConnieTact said:

We had the same experience on the Inaugural sailing of the Prima. I thought we were being asked because it was the first sailing but they obviously believe in continuous improvement! It was memorable as we have sailed on lots of ships but never been asked for feedback while on the cruise.

Thank you. This is the only ship where we have experienced this. 

[Seas2mountains]

Next we walked to the beautiful botanical gardens. It was worth the walk uphill.  

[Seas2mountains]

Two churches - we did not go inside. 

 

Flowers and Buildings in the downtown area of Akureyri. 

A yarn store. 

Bakery. 

[Seas2mountains]

Cookies are confirmed in the Observation Lounge in the afternoon.  Found two days in a row and these were the only two days we have gone there in the afternoon. 

[ontheweb]

42 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said:

Next we walked to the beautiful botanical gardens. It was worth the walk uphill.  

We also enjoyed very much that botanical garden.

[Seas2mountains]

Well it had to happen sometime.  
 

We did not have have a great dinner experience at Hasuki tonight. In the past, when a passenger identified a food allergy or preference, the kitchen cooked  their food so the rest of the table was not negatively impacted. 

 

Tonight, the chef catered to two of nine people at the table. The rest of us waited and waited. The rice was not good at all as it was modified to the preference of the two people. 
 

We stayed after dinner to speak with the maitre d’. The chef struggled to get engagement with songs as the normal flow was off track to cater to the two people. And the rest of us were a bit stunned that dinner was so delayed to take care of two people and the fact that their needs were prioritized over the seven of us who were also hungry. I felt bad for a Mom and her two tween age sons who were trying so hard to be patient but were clearly hungry. They were kind and professional but should not have been treated as if their preferences didn’t matter. 
 

I hope they learn something from our feedback as this experience could be different. 
 

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

4 minutes ago, Seas2mountains said:

Well it had to happen sometime.  
 

We did not have have a great dinner experience at Hasuki tonight. In the past, when a passenger identified a food allergy or preference, the kitchen cooked  their food so the rest of the table was not negatively impacted. 

 

Tonight, the chef catered to two of nine people at the table. The rest of us waited and waited. The rice was not good at all as it was modified to the preference of the two people. 
 

We stayed after dinner to speak with the maitre d’. The chef struggled to get engagement with songs as the normal flow was off track to cater to the two people. And the rest of us were a bit stunned that dinner was so delayed to take care of two people and the fact that their needs were prioritized over the seven of us who were also hungry. I felt bad for a Mom and her two tween age sons who were trying so hard to be patient but were clearly hungry. They were kind and professional but should not have been treated as if their preferences didn’t matter. 
 

I hope they learn something from our feedback as this experience could be different. 
 

 

 

 

It sounds bad (I know), but I always shudder a little when those with dietary needs are at the table. The food is never quite as good even when the chef makes the other food separately.