Markj

Just a little tip for something we did when we did out last Alaskan cruise in 2022. This wont always be possible and it wont work for everyone, however, we stayed a couple of nights in a hotel ahead of the cruise and asked them if they would store our luggage for us on the day we arrived back off the cruise ahead of going to the airport later. It worked well and only cost us a tip so well worth asking to save using the chargeable luggage shops in the city of which there are several

There's no ceartantity that be restrictions will come into force. They are being made by central government in Norway and not by the local people who are very concerned at the revenue they will lose if these restrictions come into place!

Mmm yes, the local has some excellent food (and drinks) My favourite was the Reuben then the fudge Sunday. yummy yummy!!!!

Yeah it needs a little planning but at the due date book your specialities. I didn't have a problem with the times we wanted. Then you can always adjust when you get on board. If you can give yourself at least one night in Reykjavik as it's a lovely place to explore and go to the Blue Lagoon (I'm sure by then the volcano will have calmed down)

Personally I think you will have an amazing time. The ship is amazing and the food is good. Every ship and cruise line has it's pros and cons and if you read the reviews of the luxury lines people can always find something they think could be improved

I think Gary is fair in his assessment that the Prima class and Virgin ships are designed more for those who want individual smaller places. We were on Prima July last year in the Haven and had a great time. Yes there was a queue at Syd Normans the first night but after that we didn't have a problem getting in anywhere. Yes the speciality restaurants are busy but simply making a booking means you always get seated so no need to miss out and changing a reservation was always easy with the Concierge desk. My major gripe is the Haven lounge. It needs a buffet and coffee/drinks station. If that was put in then it would be a lovely place to chill/hang

I think his review was pretty good and gave the pros and cons of the Prima Haven and I mostly agree with him. Things I disagree with are the concierge team and communication -;I think that's a two way thing, engage with them and they engage with you I don't worry about the static Haven menu as I don't want to eat there all the time. Do agree about the Haven Lounge. It's lifeless and has no facilities, compared to Bliss it's very poor. And yes the AC and lighting controls are unnecessarily complicated

I was on the Megacruise on the Jewel back in 2019 and it was great fun. Sadly this was a terrible thing to happen during the Headbangers Boat Cruise. Friends of mine play in some of the bands and are also roadcrew and wives/partners and they told me the following: They were in the Bahamas. The man who fell overboard had a girlfriend and a best friend apparently on board. Supposedly he got into a fight with the girlfriend and jumped over. No-one knows sure if it was intentional or he was trying to jump to the deck below. They searched from about four in the morning until 1pm the next day but sadly did not find him. Terrible situation and so sad

Yes for sure. Let me know your plans for that. Maybe I'll even come and see my first ever game of bat and ball!!!

Did you NOT go to the wig museum? Big fail!! Really enjoyed your company the past week or so and hope to run into you in some bar sometime in the future!!

Behave. We have had soem lovely weather recently and last year summer was too hot!!!! You Americans, always complaining!! Love you though!!!

So in summary: The cruise was excellent. The destinations are well worth going to and Prima is a lovely ship with a great team on board. I've already made mention of the lack of indoor areas and we missed the Haven observation lounge of the Bliss. The shows were good and varied and with a bit of planning it's easy to see everything. With regard to the speciality restaurants we rate them as follows Nama Palomar Los Lobos Onda Le Bistro Cagneys The Haven was great for lunch and brekky but not up to par for dinner. Lunch in the Local was excellent. It's was OK at Indulge. That's it for now. Home soon for a nice cuppa and no food for a fortnight!! 🤣🤣🤣 If anyone has any questions then I'll be happy to help

Arrived back into Southampton nicely on time. They started debarkation from about 630. So we had time for one last breakfast and then got off at 8. We take our own bags so we know we have them!! I had booked a taxi with West Cars and they picked us up at 830. The walk off the ship is long as the gangway snakes back and forth and then there is a bit of a mess when you come out of the terminal as there are no signs. However - booked cars and taxis are in the first road. Then in the central are there is a queue for taxis and then your busses further on. It's all close though so easy to ask someone if you can't find what you're looking for Then unusually for us after a cruise we are back in the UK and so it's a 2 hour train journey home

Next day was Bruges. With the ship arriving at 10 instead of 7 it made things a bit tight. Then in the end it docked at 11. Don't know who designed this cruise terminal but they obviously don't cruise. You can't walk off the ship to get our of the port but have to take a shuttle bus for 2 mins. Plus everyone crowds the decks and stairs and get told off by Simon the CD. We saw the busses start at the forward exit and watched as he open the aft. Then walked off 15 mins after the melee There is a desk to buy tickets for a shuttle bus to Bruges for 25 Euros round trip. Nice and easy with options on bus times to come back from 1 to 330. Had a lovely day in Bruges. Make sure you do a canal boat trip. As a tip don't get in line at the first 2 or 3 you see. There are about 10 places to get them so walkthrough the town and get on one that's further away. No line got straight on 12euros Back to the ship for about 4pm. And the silly shuttle. Then some more pool and deck cocktails in the afternoon sun. Dinner in Palomar again tonight. It's the team from the Haven brekky and lunch so they knew us. Delicious tuna and Dover sole. Popped into Syd Norman's for half an hour. Standing room only. So has to laugh when someone tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to move. I mean, to where. Hahaha Closed out the Haven Bar with new friends Chad James and Kyle (see her thread Prima with no hot tubs for all the pictures!!!). Rommel made some specials and some mini shots with our faces on.

Dinner was in Nama again and it was as excellent as the first time and we were so well looked after Next day and into Amsterdam. It's great that the ship docks in the city as you can just stroll off. The hop on hop off bus was OK but as we were on the first one it was very busy. Did the whole tour and then transferred to the boat. Made a mistake booking a hop on hop off boat as the time between boats was too long at 45 mins so I would recommend just doing the hour long ful tour. Had bacon and cheese and banana and chocolate pancakes coz we hadn't had any food hahaha!!?? Back on board and out to the Haven sun deck and pool. Although the pool was at sailing depth so a bit low!!; It was at full depth in Bergen then lowered as we set off and we never saw it full again . Dinner in Cagneys. This is the biggest sig restaurant and for us the worst. It's not terrible but the service was robotic and the food was just "OK" Dropped into the Ocean Fest at sea show in the theatre and thought is was good for 30 mins then meh then good at the end. Mixing musical styles doesn't work for me Haven Bar as usual and some Espressomartinis.

Los Lobos for dinner. Probably the bets Mexican we have been in on NCL. The service and food were exceptional and the Maragaritas in there are the best on the ship. Next day was Bergen. We decided not to do any tours as we were toured out and this was a good choice. Bergen is a lovely town to walk and with google its easy to see everything worth seeing and you get a really good feel of the place. Goats just laying on the path at the top of Floyen were lovely to see and there were some delicious Norwegian pastries in the Fish Market café. Back to the ship and out to the sun deck as the sun was bright and shiny. Loved the infinity pool and the lovely deck staff were so happy to actually be serving drinks poolside. Best service on the ship!!! Dinner was at Onda this night and again it was very good. They've made the restaurant compact but I think it gives off a real Italian feel, Food wine and service were all good and the sommelier was good in serving us wine by the glass but basically keeping the bottle for us in the ice bucket. Theres a $29 dollar glass of red too which was tipped up so the P+ was well used. Cocktails in the Haven with the new friends from around the Haven and Rommel made an Espresso martini with Rub the server in Onda's face., The Ruby came to see it. It was a lovely moment!! Today has been a day at sea which began with UK immigration. Haven were invited between 730 and 830. Whilst this is early it meant we didnt have to queue. However the immigration team used the Obs lounge all day so it put another indoor space out of action for the day. Did plenty of Trivia and credit to Simon (CD) for his Triviaganza, its well done and very entertaining. Lunch in the Local Coney Island Hot dog and Choc fudge Sunday. Food in here is very good and if I didnt have the Haven I would probably lunch here every day. Guests are seated to its not the bun fight of Indulge. Booked a hop on hop off bus and boat tour in Amsterdam - 80 Euros!!!

Sorry to disagree with you again here. On this cruise that was definitely not the case. First nights in the theatre were standing room only (being Haven we didnt worry about that) SN's and Improv were rammed and on the 2nd Rumours show people were queuing at 845 for the 10pm show!! So the strategy for this cruise is go later and I guarantee Donna Summer on the last night will be half empty!!!

Whilst I haven't had a seat immediately I haven't had a problem getting in to see any of the shows in Syd's. I haven't really started trying to get in til 3 days ago so maybe the tip is not to try and get in on the first nights?

Yeah I completely agree with all that you say. I do a great deal of work in the music industry so ASCAP and PRS is something I deal with regularly as are music industry contracts. I've had bands play on ships and the contracts are usually pretty flexible. However, as you say we won't know what the specific contract details are with the groups in the Prima but to say it's down to licensing is hokey!!

Next day was a 7am start for Mount Stranda. This was a long tour on a bus and the weather didn't help. Lunch was provided and it was OK. I was glad to be back at the ship and dinner in the Haven. I had the prime rib and it was the size of half a cow and needed more jus. Have to say the breakfasts and lunch in the Haven have been great but dinner is just a bit under par!!! Overnight the ship moved so quietly from Alesund to Gerainger it didn't even wake me. Perfect crusing. Gerainger is such an amazing setting and with the proposed cruise ship ban (unless it's a hybrid ship) we are very glad to be here The tour took us up the mountain and although it was misty the drive up and the stops on the way back at Dalsnibba and Eagle Point were excellent. Hot choc and chocolate in Cafe Òle and then back on board for a soup and salad lunch to be good in the Haven. Then slipped up and had Banana Banoffi Cream. Hahaha. It was delicious though Then some reading in the Haven lounge. There are a couple of green comfy chairs we turn to look out the window. They could put another dozen of these in here and it would make a lovely area to relax. Are you listening NCL!!!! (Probably not!!! )

Nama for dinner in the evening. It was really good and some of the dishes that are not the traditional "sushi" are really good. You get 4 items on the dining package so between 2bof us we had plenty. I also had the sake flight of 4 sakes and they just kept topping em up. It was very good and we cancelled our Food Republic res so we can go back here . Price is right show at 930. Has a res for this and no probs with getting in. Was amazed to see people queuing for the 10pm Rumours show AT 845!!!:Completely ridiculous!!! I read in the daillie that the shows in Syd Norman's and the Improv can't be in the main theatre due to "music license regulations". Utter ****!!!!

Definitely cannot take the bottle out of the restaurant. But you can take a glass full!!!

Nice brekky in the Haven then spent the morning in the Haven lounge reading. Has a look at the Obs lounge on deck 17 but it was busy and noisy!!! I miss the Bliss lounge!!! However got two nice comfy chairs and pointed them at the window and it was very relaxing. The bar team were attentive with coffee and drinks too. Indulge for lunch. Went at 1pm. It was busy but we had no problem with finding seats. Had pulled pork, Iberico ham and turkey sandwich. It was all good but the pictures and the reality or too far apart. People are (ridiculously) sueing McDonalds in the US because the picture and what you get served are too disparate - good job those people are not here! However it was all good and tasty and nowhere near the mayhem and melee of the Surfside grill. Whilst we don't go to the main complimentary dining rooms an Austrian group on our table said they did but they were disappointed with a 40 minute wait each night at Hudson's!!! That doesn't sound great!! Maybe it's time to go back to reserved tables and sitting times?? World flag trivia this afty. Some show off got all 25 correct. Glad he spent his college years doing something so worthwhile. Hahaha Lovely snack today with club and tuna sandwiches and choccy strawberries and Rex brings boiling water so we can make a nice cuppa!!!!

Had a very good dinner in Le Bistro with scallops and Tournedos Rossini. Everything was cooked perfectly and the service was too notch. After we went to see Heidi Kaarlson in the theatre. We got there about 20mina before the show and it was already packed. By the time it started there was standing room only. Thought she was a good singer and will go to her other shows. Next day in Akeyuri was the Jewela of the North. Early start with meeting in the theatre at 7 then not departing til 725. Bit of a ball ache but I can see why they do it as people don't know what they are doing. Hahaha And there's nowhere to meet ashore. So hey ho! Enjoyed the tour and whilst it was a rainy day at each stop I was dry. Have to say kudos to a couple of older ladies with walkers who managed to get around all the rough paths. The " refreshment" was a cucumber and turkey sandwich cake and coffee. Many didn't eat it. So on arrival back at the ship I had french dip in the haven. That evening we went to Donna Summer. Although in the Haven we wanted to get our own seats as the Haven reserved is the the front 7 rows in the left. So too close for us. Arrived 45 mins before the show and queued for 10 mins. Then got the seats we wanted. Enjoyed the show although I wouldn't say it would be something I would go and see in the West end Dinner was at Palomar and this was exemplary. The serving team there are the breakfast and lunch team in the Haven so it was a lovely welcome. Have seafood salad and one if the best Dover sole ever. Raspberry cheesecake in a jar for dessert. Very very good!! Espresso martini back in the Haven for nightcap!!! Today is a day at sea and bizarrely there isn't enough trivia. Or it's at meal times. Who plans these schedules. Haha

Sorry I edited after I found that flyer. Google first!!! Ha!