The Admiral

Just saw this information when reading on one of the links above: “One of the most upsetting changes for many who normally book “Princess Standard” is that Princess’s wildly popular sit-down pizza restaurants (called “Alfredo’s” on some ships and “Gigi’s” on others) will no longer be included at no extra charge. “Princess Plus” guests will also pay to eat at Alfredo’s/Gigi’s after their first two included “causal dining” meals.” Pizza is free on NCL, RCL, Carnival, MSC and most others, if the above is true and you’re going to have to pay $14.99 every time you want to have a pizza (or after two free visits unless you buy an expensive mark up package) which in our case is often, it’s making me second guess my recent booking to see if we come back to regularly cruising princess. this decision is nuts, I agree if it’s a specialized Italian restaurant you charge the $14.99 but there should always be a free pizza joint area on every ship that’s a basic standard.

So the pizzeria is no longer free? I haven’t gone on princess in 15+ years and back then pizza place was free.

We are looking to return to princess after many years since our last cruise with them and have two questions about the Princess Plus upgrade I’m hoping recent cruisers can help me with: 1) what is the “Premium Deserts” you get with the package? 2) what are the “2 casual meals” Can’t find an explanation of what these benefits are? Thanks :-)

No I’ve been in the Haven before but I think when one area is lacking and disappoints you like the entertainment you start noticing the other lapses and aren’t as willing to give a pass.

So I did a preliminary review during the first part of my March 19th Prima cruise which you can see below but my final verdict is the Prima and Haven in the Prima are not worth it. Especially when you have MSC Yacht Club to compare to! The entertainment did not improve at all for the most part (as of day 6) it’s one major broadway show and nothing else in terms of production shows. Other passengers bumped into on board are equally dissatisfied with entertainment. If you come with a group and bar hop and drink all day with your group the Prima is for you, otherwise prepare to be bored out if of your mind especially in the evenings. It’s a shame, the ship design is beautiful but they killed the Prima by missing the mark with not planning good evening entertainment and not providing the extra touches in the haven their competitors do. whereas in MSC Yacht Club you have DJ music and lively evening entertainment within the yacht club and at yacht club pool at the haven the atmosphere was that of a boring hotel lobby. Also NCL missed the mark on the little details for example, MSC provides unlimited internet for Two devices with yacht club, at haven after the high prices they charge you only get 200 minutes and have to pay an up charge for one device unlimited basic internet. there’s no drink coffee station so you can grab a coffee or tea any time of the day, if you want a cup of coffee or tea in the haven environment (outside your cabin) your only choice is going to the haven dining room. the haven restaurant doesn’t rotate the menu so unless you spend more money to eat at a specialty restaurant every day for variety, you’re stuck with the same food choices all week. And I’m sorry but the whole point of the haven and paying all that extra money is so you don’t have to leave your exclusive enclave which should have the best food. Keep in mind NCL not everyone likes the specialty restaurants especially if you don’t eat seafood or like fancy French food. Again missed opportunity. for the record I’ve traveled in NCL more than in MSC so I don’t have an ax to grind with NCL it’s just that they have missed the mark so much on the Prima in regards to atmosphere and entertainment and little attention to details that I feel this ship is a pass. I would give Prima 3.5 Stars overall. (Ship design 5, embarkation 5, staff 5, entertainment 2, haven experience and haven restaurant 3 (good food but lack of variety defeats purpose of an exclusive restaurant), debarkation 1 (based on the whole pier switch issue) ps: now we’re informed we’re docking in a different pier than we left so now have to go through the aggravation of hauling luggage onto a shuttle bus to get shuttled to the pier we left from which in port canaveral is not a comfortable walking distance 😞 MY INITIAL REVIEW BELOW: I am currently currently also sailing on the 3/19 Prima in the Haven and my quick take so far is: 1) staff is awesome, very friendly and accommodating. 5 stars 2) embarkation easy and efficient. 5 Stars 3) ship design is beautifully done and very elegant. 5 Stars 4.) food is good and has plenty of choices. 4-5 Stars But there are two areas that will make me think twice about NCL in the future and here they are: 1) the entertainment is lacking, although there is good variety in terms of lounge music, so far there’s only one professional show - a Donna Summer Review and when I asked staff if there’s any other professional show like acrobats or magicians or broadway reviews (which NCL made its name on) I was told twice that the only show was the same one noted above and nothing else. I hope this is not true and we will pick up entertainers in Cozumel. If in fact NCL Prima only has one type of theatre show repeating all 7 days this is a fatal flaw in my opinion. Professional entertainment is expected on cruise lines especially when they sell Haven rooms for a hefty premium. one staff member told me they have two different shows as they counted the “Price is Right” as one (sorry in my opinion that’s not a show) So if nothing changes entertainment is 1-2 Star and that’s only because of the comedy club and the different singers in the various lounges who are good. 2) on Prima it seems like more passengers were added to Haven. NCL seems to Nikel and dime for everything. If you’re traveling with kids there are charges for a bunch of items they want to do. Also If you are not a 10 drink or more a day passenger it doesn’t make sense to pay hundreds of dollars in tips for the cabin for the drink package, if all you do is have a soft drink here and there and maybe a glass or two of wine before or with dinner. if NCL wants to better compete in terms of the ship within a ship concept part of the passenger equation they need to just include all drinks with the haven and not complicate folks lives while on board. NCL, figure out a reasonable cost for drinks and gratuities (so hard working crew don’t get left without gratuities) and just build it into the price of the Haven so no matter what anyone’s drinking preferences are if you’re in the Haven all your alcohol, soft drinks and specialty coffees are included - no hassle cruising NCL! This is my preliminary opinion, The two negatives above (Haven and Entertainment) may change later on in the week but this is where I am at day 2. But remember any cruise is better than being on land! 🙂

I am currently currently also sailing on the 3/19 Prima in the Haven and my quick take so far is: 1) staff is awesome, very friendly and accommodating. 5 stars 2) embarkation easy and efficient. 5 Stars 3) ship design is beautifully done and very elegant. 5 Stars 4.) food is good and has plenty of choices. 4-5 Stars But there are two areas that will make me think twice about NCL in the future and here they are: 1) the entertainment is lacking, although there is good variety in terms of lounge music, so far there’s only one professional show - a Donna Summer Review and when I asked staff if there’s any other professional show like acrobats or magicians or broadway reviews (which NCL made its name on) I was told twice that the only show was the same one noted above and nothing else. I hope this is not true and we will pick up entertainers in Cozumel. If in fact NCL Prima only has one type of theatre show repeating all 7 days this is a fatal flaw in my opinion. Professional entertainment is expected on cruise lines especially when they sell Haven rooms for a hefty premium. one staff member told me they have two different shows as they counted the “Price is Right” as one (sorry in my opinion that’s not a show) So if nothing changes entertainment is 1-2 Star and that’s only because of the comedy club and the different singers in the various lounges who are good. 2) on Prima it seems like more passengers were added to Haven. NCL seems to Nikel and dime for everything. If you’re traveling with kids there are charges for a bunch of items they want to do. Also If you a 10 drink or more a day passenger it doesn’t make sense to pay hundreds of dollars in tips for the cabin for the drink package, if all you do is have a soft drink here and there and maybe a glass or two of wine before or with dinner. if NCL wants to better compete in terms of the ship within a ship concept part of the passenger equation they need to just include all drinks with the haven and not complicate folks lives while on board. NCL, figure out a reasonable cost for drinks and gratuities (so hard working crew don’t get left without gratuities) and just build it into the price of the Haven so no matter what anyone’s drinking preferences are if you’re in the Haven all your alcohol, soft drinks and specialty coffees are included - no hassle cruising NCL! This is my preliminary opinion, The two negatives above (Haven and Entertainment) may change later on in the week but this is where I am at day 2. But remember any cruise is better than being on land! 🙂

We are going on the Marci Gras soon and I noticed some sailings are sold out but am wondering, are they still limiting the number of passengers on board? And of so how full are they sailing?