HowardK

OP- i totally understand your point-  For me personally, I've accepted the fact things I used to do more frequently are more expensive due to exponential increase in demand since the pandemic.

For example, a hotel I stayed at in NYC in August 2021, and even as late as February 2022 was $130 per night- with taxes etc.. now I am averaging $350 a night there ( I pick because I get reward points, the staff actually knows me and it is close to MSG and the train hall)

Next year is my first cruise in 6 years- I am likely paying higher but invested for it during the pandemic.

I'm going on a 11 night Prima- It was going to be $2k + everything else for a studio which would have been $3k. I decided I'll get a balcony for $4k+ whatever and maybe the spa or vibe .

I heard entertainment options were less but I have 6 ports that I actually am all interested in (been to 3 before) and I really could use 10-11 days just to veg.

Ship doesn't have howl at the moon which I used to play at on all my cruises- but maybe there is a piano somewhere. 

I ended up at some point getting from Amazon full page adhesive Avery printing lables and printing them on that and having them stick to my luggage. 

They work really well.

In fact, some of them from 2018 are still on my suitcases. I'll paste over them next year though. 

On 8/17/2023 at 2:44 PM, eileeshb said:

Did it on my very first cruise and for anyone travelling in a studio there may not be a MDR booking for embarkation day so it can be a good evening for it as a solo. 

I would agree, we had a solo meetup in the lounge and as many people were getting settled they decided to skip  group dinner so some of us just went to Cagneys

On 8/12/2023 at 8:27 AM, rsato said:

NCL Dailies for the NCL Prima Reykjavik to Southampton July 27, 2023 sailing

NCL Prima Dailies.pdf 44.25 MB · 37 downloads

thanks, I am going on the ship next November and enjoyed your review- hearing Rumors in its entirety is fantastic! 

I booked a 11 night prima for Nov '24 from NYC- this will be my first cruise back in 6 years. As of now (final payment 4 months before) I am going to pay the supplement vs waiting until a month before or week before and calling to upgrade from a studio as I have in the past.

The breakway/escape cruises where I upgraded I was still given access to the lounge, but that could have changed. However, I have found after 1-2 of the solo gatherings I am in a group and we would skip subsequent gatherings.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. After having some of the free drinks, they entic you to spend more $ to get unliminted internet. Also, you can do free at sea plus for $450 more! This gives you even better alcohol (like the kind i am used to on my ex-wifes yacht evey week). They also give you 2 more meals, unlimited interenet, and $50 of excursions for 2nd person

(Note the $462 was my fee for 11 nights, minus 2nd person - I asked my ex-wifes new husband if she could go, he said he'd think about it but she is pregnant )

I am on a 10 night next year- but it is to Carribean and has 6 or 7 ports. 

However, on any cruise I bring 2 of my Kindles (lesson learned when one died as I charged it in room as opposed to on a charger), my Ipod or tablet with tons of music and shows/movies downloaded.

38 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

Most excursions will not be loaded to your cruise for awhile yet!  We'll be in Tortola in December and haven't been able to book any excursions for that area, yet!

thanks for letting me know!

14 hours ago, PATRLR said:

FWIW, I learned this in the roll-call for our Viva cruise:  The excursion to JVD was listed under excursions in the App, but not listed under excursions on the web.  In fact, there were a bunch of excursions on the app that were not available on the web.  So, check the app if you haven't already done so.

hello, I wanted to thank you from yesterday as you had posted this- I looked on the app and it wasn't there yet but think it might have shown up later on a cruise I had to cancel.

Hello, for my Prima Cruise (~500 days away) I didn't see this excursion offered- is it possible it shows up closer to sail time or has it ceased on NCL? 

Thanks in advance . Deciding on this or Virgin Goda.

On 7/27/2023 at 3:42 PM, PATRLR said:

We just booked Viva in December and I see nothing to JVD on the NCL excursions. I was hoping to hear of something more contained than 2 taxis and a ferry each way.  But, may be looking for your experiences after you get back in October if you actually do this. 

 

I booked the NCL Prima for next year and don't see it either- is it possible it gets added by NCL later? I had a cruise in 2017 I had to cancel, and remember booking it then

I would sometimes get them and pour them into a insulated water bottle, a few times the drinks were passsable in the morning! 

I am going to book a 10 night Seattle/Alaska on this in '25. Has anyone sailed this solo and how is it compared to the other ships with studios? If I am flying across the country to Seattle, the extra 3 days on the cruise sound really great to me.

6 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

Agree!!!

It is amazing that there are still people who go into the restrooms and leave without washing their hands. I don't care if it's to brush their hair, or whatever else, hand washing absolutely should take place before walking out of the restroom!  DH says things are the same in the men's restroom!

not only do I wash my hands, I also make sure to travel with anti bacterial hand wipes- and clorox wipes for whatever room I will stay in

3 minutes ago, Russiamomm said:

There will be an offer mid-week for $29 for a bag.  The bag is small and flimsy paper, but you’d be surprised how much you can fit in if you roll the clothes tight.  It also helps to bring a plastic laundry bag from a hotel to line the bag.  It prevents the bag from ripping.  The laundry will come back within a day or two in a lovely basket, all washed and folded.

Thank you for sharing- as I am going on a 11 night cruise and will need this service- I will get a free bag. Are the clothes dry cleaned or another method? thanks in advance. 

OP- thanks for your awesome advice! I made the mistake of booking a cruise 500 days in advance that I am REALLY looking forward to and got a room in a location I like!!

Do you have any other good tips to share? 

Thank you everyone for your replies! I booked the 11 night Prima for 11/30/24- I've always wanted something longer than a week and for the first time in almost two decades I am at a different job where I can squeeze this particular booking in. I took a balcony rather than a studio as I don't feel like playing the upgrade game where in the past I called the night before.

I am in no way expecting perfection as I know there have been changes over the years.

I did studios twice and upgraded to balconies 3 times; those times I was still able to attend the solo gatherings, from my experience on some of the cruises not many people attend the gatherings after the first few nights and had their own sub-groups by then.

I am planning on my first cruise in 6 years for next fall on the Prima and am going to book a balcony this time.

Sometimes I prefer the extra space and room to unpack. 

- The times I had balconies it was still easy to meet other solos. 

1 hour ago, destar said:

BF category might be on deck 9, just be aware that the cabin might be located on top of restaurant or bar. I prefer BA category, and I still check the deck plan above and below.

I booked a BB on deck 11 (just a hold right now) but near the stairs/elevator. I wonder how the noise is- in the past I've booked 4-5 rooms down but prefer not to be walking down hallways

@BirdTravels thanks! I'll read your Prima review- I think I was possibly on one of your breakaway cruises years ago.

I did better with uber 2x in' '18 - I had a bad experience with a mean cab driver even after I tipped him. 

Hello everyone and thank you in advance for your replies, I found a 11 night cruise from NYC on the Prima after thanksgiving '24 that I am considering as I haven't been on a cruise in 6 years and some of these ports not for 20. I read several reviews here that state concerns with the Prima. Compared to other ships post pandemic, would I be better off doing a 7 day to Bermuda on the Breakaway (which i went on '13 and '14) instead? Please note for this time around I am only looking to go from NYC.

I read about how service is cut back, how entertainment is cutback etc. the 11 night has more port days sans the travel days from NYC. Would be interested in hearing recommendations. thanks!

I would want to be in my cabin by 1:30 no later than 2 as to not deal with cranky passengers in the hallway and elevators tapping away on CruiseCritic complaining.

However, it is ridiculous to have to wait until 4:30. NCL chose to cutback on staffing yet wants more money.

It's like they are still using the pandemic as justifiable for cutting everything.

First in 2018 there was no longer lox in the buffet.

Now I hear it is powedered milk.

My uncle, the great Earl Lucas cancelled his NCL and is going with RCCL due to all the changes.

How do all these people whine when they are on a cruise and don't have internet? Do they get the unlimited plan?

My uncle Ray Sevens, goes on the cruise and doesn't worry about the butler etc... he picks the smallest inside cabin, and spends his days outside reading and walking. He doesn't care about perfection just the sea. 

Sometimes I wonder if the lack off staff is due to the whiny passengers? I can't imagine who would want to work on a ship where people are picky about everything?