calcruiser64

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2984665-is-vibe-worth-the-cost-for-cruise-with-no-sea-days/#comment-66737857 Much discussion about the topic here.

Glad to amuse you, Chief. Grateful for your contributions on the board. I lurk, post when something gets me riled up or feel I can contribute.

[Spit take]

We sailed on the Prima in 11/2022, also in an HE, on a western Caribbean itinerary. Loved the ship and thought the Haven was beautiful and an incredible experience. (Our first time staying in it and we can't go back to gen pop.) My only quibble is that other than very early in the morning, the balcony was never all that peaceful. There was always some noise from the pool and sundeck on deck 8. Never excessive, but also never quiet. Would love to know if you find it to be the same.

There is. It's not fancy, but there was a separate security screening line and waiting area to the far right of the terminal when we sailed from there in April 2023. We found the terminal staff to be very helpful. We were ushered through the terminal to board first.

https://nacionalbeachclub.com/en/ My husband and I really enjoy this place in Mahahual, a short cab ride from Costa Maya. We were last there in Nov 2022. Food and drinks were great. Our second visit. It changed a lot from our first visit a decade before (surrounding areas more crowded), but their day pass is a good value.

You can take drinks anywhere you'd like. On embarkation day, we get the party started early and tour the ship with drinks in hand.

Having sailed on both a few times, I’d recommend the Breakaway over the Epic, especially to a newcomer to NCL. NCL’s Waterfront concept was introduced on the Breakaway, and it definitely serves to help one feel a connection with the water. The Epic doesn’t offer that. Many people find the split bathroom configuration on the Epic unappealing. The ship isn’t the best representation of NCL’s offerings.

We have taken cruises with Vibe as an add on to a balcony—it helps make the trip a standout. But we've also sailed in the Haven and booked VIbe. It's a different, more convivial experience than the Haven sundeck and bar. We have an aft Haven balcony and Vibe booked for 11/24. It's a perfect place for sea days or in a port like Nassau that frequent cruisers have likely visited many times (or if you miss GSC).

We sailed from San Juan in Epic's Haven in April. We showed up earlier than our scheduled check-in time and were immediately escorted to a dedicated Haven security line and waiting area. Received friendly and great treatment from the terminal staff, and boarded as soon as the ship was cleared. At that time, the entrance for Haven guests was at the far right of the terminal building.

I took the Restless Native excursion (through Viator not NCL) in 2017. It was a fun catamaran ride to the destination and it anchored in a sheltered cove, with stairs that descended into the water. I'm not a strong swimmer and felt comfortable with the conditions. The included SUPs, noodles, and kayaks (if I'm remembering the latter correctly) made for a nice mix of activities. I'd recommend it as Bermuda excursion.

We embarked in SJ for a repositioning cruise on the Epic to NYC this spring. We arrived early and, after asking, were quickly directed to an indoor Haven waiting area. It's not anything special, but it is indoors and out of the heat. Mention Haven when you arrive and staff should get you to the right place.

I googled and bought one after a cruise last fall. Don't recall spending this much, however. https://www.amazon.com/Olde-Thompson-Stainless-Steel-Pepper/dp/B0014X5VHY/ref=asc_df_B0014X5VHY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194812759407&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14662809774324113253&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004289&hvtargid=pla-311991509273&psc=1

Wishing you all the best for a fair and quick insurance claim.

Can't comment on the shower, but from the curve in the wall on the deck plans, the bed will be closest to the balcony, the sofa closest to the split bathroom.

Thanks for this. We've been on the Epic on three previous cruises, the most recent in 2017. It's a ship with quirks, but if the itinerary and price are right, it's worth considering. It was a great option in the Med, which is port intensive. Traveling in April from San Juan to NYC and looking forward to it.

Please stop. Cruise Critic High School.

We sailed on Prima in November, originally booking a balcony cabin and purchasing Vibe passes. When we decided to upgrade to the Haven, we opted to keep the Vibe passes. Very glad we did. The outdoor bar in the Haven is small, subdued, and dark. The bar in Vibe is larger and definitely livelier. The hot tubs there are larger as well. We bounced back and forth between the two spaces each day, thoroughly enjoying each. This might not matter to some or many, but we found having access to each a bonus.

Fabric bags were provided on a recent Prima cruise in the Haven. They could really be stuffed. It was a deal for $29. We sailed Saturday, If I'm remembering correctly, laundry was collected on Tuesday and returned Wednesday.

I can't answer with certainty, but it was more reassuring to speak with someone and know that invisible credits were actually being applied.

I was in a similar situation—FCCs were visible on NCL's end but not in my account. It necessitated booking over the phone rather than online, but I successfully applied them to a cruise I booked earlier this week.

It wasn't the majority of parents, just the few who apparently felt the rules didn't apply to them. Bringing it to the attention of Haven staff would likely have resolved it. Didn't feel compelled to pursue it.

Just got off the Prima yesterday. Children are allowed in The Haven infinity pool on deck 16. They were pretty well behaved and never kept us from using it. (It's a beautiful pool.) Deck 17 is supposed to be 16 and over only, but that didn't stop parents from bringing their kids there to use the loungers and jacuzzis.

When we did the Med on the Epic we arranged for private transportation from Naples to Sorrento. Took a cooking class there (which was a blast), walked around the town, had some drinks on the waterfront, and took a ferry back to Naples.

We're excited to sail the Prima in November but I was reluctant to book a balcony near the pools on the lower decks not knowing what the vibe will be/how much noise to expect with the new pool arrangement. I booked a balcony far forward on deck 15.