NCL Prima 5-day NYC to Bermuda Semi-Live! (10/10/22)

[PistolPete13]

Hi all,

Figured I start a new topic documenting NCL Prima's first revenue sailing out of NYC for everyone.  This is my first time on a cruise since January of 2020 when I had a 14-day trip on the Bliss out of NYC.  14 days and it was my second cruise ever.  Oh well, jump in with both feet I guess.

I had wanted to take a cruise earlier than this but all the Covid requirements gave me a headache every time I looked into the details.  With the testing, uploading of results, waiting for approvals all while a multi-thousand dollar vacation hung in the balance was too much for me.  My real live job involves managing projects where events need to happen in a precise sequence and time for things to work or it just becomes a dumpster fire for everyone involved.  I had no desire for my vacation to repeat this cycle.

Bermuda relaxed requirements recently but for our trip we still need a negative test before boarding and some approval paperwork called a travel authorization.

I had zero plans to cruise this year but just happened to come across a story of the new ship Prima being launched in September.  A few clicks later, I realized there was a short sailing from NYC and the pricing wasn't too outrageous.  Skip ahead three weeks and here we are,

All packed and ready to go.  The final hurdle was a negative proctored antigen test yesterday.  All my paperwork has been printed and stored online.

We've already had some news of possible itinerary changes skipping a day in Norfolk and heading right to Bermuda for an overnight.  Nothing official from NCL yet so we'll see when we board tomorrow.  Very unusual for a last minute change like this that isn't due to a storm in the area.

OK, enough of me rambling on.  I'll pick this up tomorrow during my trip to the port and my first look up close of the ship.  Feel free to leave me any questions you may have about the ship and I'll do my best to answer them.

For now I'll leave you with a photo I took of the ship leaving NYC last Thursday for a private VIP cruise to Halifax.

 

[destar]

Happy cruising , keep posting some more pictures.

[bmlovell]

Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the ship and the layout and design . Some of those who have sailed already have mentioned traffic flow problems and crowded venues. Being this is a relatively warmer sailing maybe the outdoor space can be fully used and enjoyed . Have a great trip .

[curlstravel]

Can you please post copies of the freestyle dailies?

[PistolPete13]

Thank you.

I've only been on the Escape and Bliss, both huge ships.  This will be a change, for the better I hope?

Hopefully there will be digital copies of the Freestyle I can upload in real time.

Edited October 10, 2022 by PistolPete13

[CruizinSusan70]

33 minutes ago, PistolPete13 said:

Thank you.

I've only been on the Escape and Bliss, both huge ships.  This will be a change, for the better I hope?

Hopefully there will be digital copies of the Freestyle I can upload in real time.

We too have only been on the Escape (3 times 2016-2017) & Bliss (2019).  Have reservations on the Prima for 11 days at Halloween and again next February for a B2B.  Looking forward to eating in Onda, relaxing at the Vibe Beach Club and seeing the Rumours show at Syd's.  Also enjoying drinks at the Metropolitan Bar.

[bluesea777]

If Prima skips Norfolk and is able to overnight here in Bermuda, she will need to wait until after Mariner of the Seas has vacated the Heritage Wharf berth at 1pm on Wednesday.

 

We’ll be heading to Dockyard on Thursday to ogle at the new ship.

 

 

[Turtles06]

Have a great time, @PistolPete13.  I’ve always enjoyed your photos of ships from land, am looking forward to this different perspective! 😊

[vacation44]

Looking forward to reading about your sailing. 

[EllieinNJ]

Also following along.

[jimbri]

Have a great time!

[dmms]

Your excitement/anticipation is contagious!

Can’t wait to hear all about it as we have a cruise booked on the Prima in February.

Happy sailing!

[mking8288]

Yippee, going to be along for the virtual cruise … bon voyage 🛳️ 

 

Beautiful day to sail out, great Fall weather. Let us know how’s your trip to Pier 88, getting checked in, etc.

Edited October 10, 2022 by mking8288

[nyc12345]

Have a great cruise, looking forward to your pictures.

[PistolPete13]

Almost got on the wrong n be oat twice!

 

i didn’t see my butler in the aft Haven suite. 
 

then they tried giving me mouse ears on that other boat!

[PistolPete13]

Ok. I think this is the right one. 

[PistolPete13]

On security line now.  There is a separate Haven line. 
 

[PistolPete13]

Slight change. 
 

 

[SliderNc]

Following along with you and @BirdTravels now.  That change isn't bad unless you had some plans for Norfolk.  Enjoy your cruise.

[PistolPete13]

11Am still waiting to board. All checked in with my room card at 10:30. About 45 mins after I got on the line. 
 

Good mix of passengers but very few kids so far. 

[PistolPete13]

[PistolPete13]

11:10AM. Boarding announcements begin!

[fstuff1]

  

1 hour ago, PistolPete13 said:

hull art makes it look like Escape?

Edited October 10, 2022 by fstuff1

[fstuff1]

.

25 minutes ago, SliderNc said:

Following along with you and @BirdTravels now.  That change isn't bad unless you had some plans for Norfolk.  Enjoy your cruise.

we basically lost a port.

getting in at 5;30pm is mostly useless.

 

 hopefully they will explain why they canceled Norfolk for a 5:30pm docking at bermuda.

ie: they had to cancel norfolk for unforeseen reason and instead of slow sailing towards bermuda, ncl thought making the best of the situation by  arriving a little early for an overnight

 

and hopefully the ship casino is open that night.

Edited October 10, 2022 by fstuff1

[PistolPete13]

This makes no sense. A mumbled announcement for boarding for people with special needs and I see a whole crowd of people in better shape than me on line. 
 

zero announcements for boarding groups. 
 

EDIT : I’m wrong. As soon as I posted announcements began. 
 

humm. 
 

I wish to have a aft haven suite <posting now>

Edited October 10, 2022 by PistolPete13
Wishing for a suite