graphicguy

Seen that on Carnival, too. Since I don't sail Carnival as much as NCL, and I'm not going to "pay" to board early, it's a non-issue for me. But, it is more orderly. Where things get chaotic with NCL, those who get to the port early think they're going to board early. And, most of the time, that's simply not the case. If you arrive early, and you're not a Latitude member, you're going to be waiting a while. On NCL, boarding times are separated by Limited mobility, Haven and then Latitude status, in that order. Not nearly as regimented as Carnival.

They can drench Brussel Sprouts with bacon, a cheeseburger, a ribeye, cheese sauce and throw in some onion straws for good measure. Still won't eat them. 😉 Cookies seem to be a "thing" with NCL right now. They're inconsequential, to say the least. But, their availability are consistently inconsistent. It's hard for me to believe that somewhere, someone made a decision to quit offering cookies, particularly for the reasons we've heard. There's a reason they aren't universally available, the reasons given are, at best, suspect. If you're going to cost cut something, you decide it's cookies? Seriously? Not buying that excuse either. I believe the cookies are generally available, but the sailings where they aren't, there has to be a reason. I will find out. Hashbrowns? I'm sure the reasons of their unavailability are just as questionable. I just don't care enough about hash browns....particularly because the only place that serves decent ones is Waffle House.

On a mission.....just to be clear, cookies on board don't mean much (if anything) to me. But, there seems to be a confusing story by NCL as to where they are...particularly on the Prima. My last Prima cruise, I had no issue finding cookies in Indulge and the buffet. But, as others have reported, they ARE having issues finding them. Further, as Henry and others have reported, NCL ship management crew have widely different reports ranging from..."we don't make them any more because people waste them....it's a corporate decision not to make cookies.....order them from room service." I AM PLANNING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS. It's sort of like our last Mediterranean sailing when quizzing staff about VAT while in Spain. Until we got to the bottom of it and made it a point during the M&G, they didn't remove it. After the M&G when we tried to nail down the NCL policy and how it affected the guests, it was finally removed, FOR EVERYONE. So, either offer cookies or don't. Going to try to get something definitive when I board Joy next month. Not taking the excuses NCL has offered so far, because it's lame. If there is too many cookies wasted, then you better stop offering brussel sprouts and broccoli, too. Those will definitely go to waste. Will report back.

Sailed out of NYC plenty of times, too. Have seen Haven check in to the left and to the right once you enter the building. Never have seen any sort of separation of lines outside. That would be a tough thing to implement.

Nice VID! I'm sailing on her next month. I like the Observation Lounge. This is making me excited for the cruise.

Yeah...that's the way I do it. It's relatively simple, quick and painless.

That spot seems to be a magnet for water. I think people track it in from outside, I think waitstaff and guests spill stuff there as it's a spot where the bar, waitstaff, an entrance way, and probably some "leak" happens. Not sure what they can do about it unless they tear it up and rebuild/design. That's water "rot" at those moldings. Happened pretty quickly as that wasn't there in Feb. So, lots of water over the last 90 days to cause that amount of disintegration. Water hovers there.

Hmmm.....I have sailed NCL, Carnival, MSC, Celebrity, HAL and Royal...on multiple ships. All had a casino. All the casinos were decent sized. So, to answer the OP's question, YES, part of it is a floating casino. The ships are also floating buffets (which are also sizable on cruise ships). There are also floating sun decks, and floating theaters, and many floating bars, etc. There are lots of things to do on a cruise ship. Casino being just one of them. I think Disney cruises do not have a casino. Might want to check into their cruises. Overall, Europe has a higher smoking percentage of the populace than does the U.S. So, given the OP is from Europe, their cruises will likely have more smoking than those that sail from the U.S.

Holy..Moly! Love these pics. You're making it very hard for me not to book this same cruise. 😉 You will get no argument from me. Couldn't agree more.

Didn't say anyone was going to HOG them, just said it would be very noticeable if someone did so. Haven't been on the Joy (leaving next month). But, on my last NCL cruise (Prima), it was first come, first served. If the Joy's can't be reserved beforehand, I would bet it's first come, first served.

Thinking a round, brass plaque on that spot with my image. Thinking something along these lines. https://images.app.goo.gl/gX8H1K7rGCB2zDvXA GF left to go back to TN last night. We spent all day yesterday trying to come up with a cruise we can do together. I still have a couple of CN certs left. I booked Joy/Bermuda for next month. But, neither of us have been to northern Europe. So, partially based on the posts here, we're thinking we could pull this off. Again, I can cruise whenever. She needs a lot of runway as far as time off. We were looking at Europe cruises yesterday. She's camera shy, but she found this one from a few years ago. I think we were sailing the Epic....???? There was no label on the photo. BTW...she's a Nurse and it's "Nurse's Week". So, thanks to all the nurses who really heal us when we're broken.

Never seen those Vibe Cabanas for "rent". I think it's first come, first served. And, you'll stick out like a sore thumb if you try to "CHOG" them. Be easy to remove someone's "stuff" if it sits there for 30 minutes or so.

I am so LOVING this cruise looking at all the pictures. Given I already love the Prima, I'm now shopping the same itinerary.

Oh my......feeling a bit infamous.....I wonder if I can somehow capitalize on that to have a Prima doorway named after me. 😉

Oooooo....never seen those before. I will be on the lookout for those cookies.

I kind of view this the same was as I do flight boarding times. Generally speaking, if you're not on board 10-15 minutes before doors closing, you're OOL! Once in a while you'll catch a break. Mostly, not! Tours, especially private ones, have no safety nets. Late to get back to the pier? Weather? Traffic? Irresponsible tour operators (as in the one in Africa that didn't get the guests back in time)? None of that matters and the ship's schedule is the schedule. You get some leeway if it's a ship sponsored tour. But, independent? Grace period would be hard to come by.

AMEX Platinum… This explains the program… https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/detail/cruises-privileges/platinum

That’s why I go to LeBistro…the AMEX PERK!

@mking8288...I have not had a "good" meal at LeBistro in all my sailings. I know I'm way in the minority on that. Have to say, your meal looks exceptional, though. Glad you really liked it.

I wonder if I can get a plaque with an outline of my face plant on the floor right there to commemorate my lack of decorum? Looks like it could be an ongoing issue at that particular place.

I could be wrong, but I think the pier workers are mostly union workers. NCL couldn't motivate them either way even if they wanted to because they aren't NCL employees. I can't imagine NCL trying to get them to work smarter, better, etc and the pier workers taking direction from an outside source very well. Thought I read one time even the baggage porters/handlers are union. Nothing against unions, but forcing the pier workers to be more efficient is probably a lost cause.

Sounds like I’m an unwitting celebrity! LOL! Y’all are bringing back a lot of fond memories! Loving all of the reports and pics! Thx!

Any idea about how many crew opt out? Percentage wise? What if they can't get enough crew to work this cruise?

That's the spot! LOL!