Norwegian Prima’s First US Sailing - Bermuda Short Break *LIVE*

[BirdTravels]

[The Traveling Man]

57 minutes ago, Diver2014 said:

Wow!  What an awesome review!  And what an awesome ship!  We're booked for July next year from Southampton to Iceland (not going to try to spell those names).  The observation lounge looks fabulous - that's one thing I miss on a lot of ships.  Everything looks amazing!  Because our cruise will be shore excursion intensive, much of the entertainment doesn't appeal to us because we'll probably be in bed by 9pm to get ready for the next day!  Only 2 sea days out of 11!   Thanks again for so much information and fabulous photos!

As some others have noted, the space available in the observation lounge is quite limited compared to some of the Breakaway + class ships.  The Galaxy Pavilion takes up the center of the space, with the lounge forming a rather narrow strip around the outside.  Also, unlike the observation lounge on some other NCL ships, the buffet in the Prima lounge is tiny, offers few choices, and is open only very limited hours. 

[BirdTravels]

The Metropolitan Bar is a big, comfy location for a quiet drink. 
 

[Diver2014]

11 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

As some others have noted, the space available in the observation lounge is quite limited compared to some of the Breakaway + class ships.  The Galaxy Pavilion takes up the center of the space, with the lounge forming a rather narrow strip around the outside.  Also, unlike the observation lounge on some other NCL ships, the buffet in the Prima lounge is tiny, offers few choices, and is open only very limited hours. 

Your glass can be half empty if you want but I prefer half full.  I don't really care about the buffet in the Prima lounge.  If I wanted to go on a Breakaway class ship, I would.  I'm judging the ship by the photos that BirdTravels posted.  Don't rain on my parade.

[BirdTravels]

For an evening smoke, the Prima continues the tradition of the Humidor Cigar Lounge. 

[The Traveling Man]

6 minutes ago, Diver2014 said:

Your glass can be half empty if you want but I prefer half full.  I don't really care about the buffet in the Prima lounge.  If I wanted to go on a Breakaway class ship, I would.  I'm judging the ship by the photos that BirdTravels posted.  Don't rain on my parade.

The opposite of raining on someone's parade is blowing sunshine up their rear end.  The Prima is a nice ship.  It could have been much nicer.  I'm simply trying to give a fair account of what I saw on board.  With so many other ships to choose, both from NCL and other cruise lines, I'm just saying that one and done on the Prima will probably do it for me.  YMMV.

[Red-Sol]

31 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

There will be a problem.  It's a SRO situation and people will be turned away, guaranteed.  Luckily our first time on the Prima is for 11 nights, so I would infer that there will be two showings of Rumours.  By the time we're back on her at the end of February hopefully the powers that be will implement a showing in the theater with reservations.

 

I can see that happening...BUT....NCL will absolutely need to do a line count and after some pre-determined number let those in line past that number know that they will be SRO or worse. To allow people to stand in line for approx. an hour and to find out only when the door opens that they can't get in will make for some very unhappy people. That should be something very easy to implement.

[CruizinSusan70]

16 minutes ago, Diver2014 said:

Your glass can be half empty if you want but I prefer half full.  I don't really care about the buffet in the Prima lounge.  If I wanted to go on a Breakaway class ship, I would.  I'm judging the ship by the photos that BirdTravels posted.  Don't rain on my parade.

You mentioned that the observation lounge looks fabulous and from the pictures posted, it does.  Unfortunately not as fabulous as the Bliss and Encore since their observation lounges are substantially larger.  The game pavilion takes up real estate on the Prima which was relegated to the Observation lounge on the previously mentioned ships.

[BirdTravels]

NCL went all out with the a Thermal Suite. The spa has been moved back to the front of the ship for spectacular views. No bubbles, but hot, steamy salt and fresh water pools. 
 

[BirdTravels]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PistolPete13]

@BirdTravels, do you know anything about the 5 or 6 people we left behind in Bermuda?  I heard the names being announced but didn't see any pier runners.  They waited at last 15-20 mins before casting off it seems.

[catgags]

Thank you for all the great information! Your pictures are beautiful!

I don't cruise till 2/23 and you have giving me alot of info!!

My only gripe is that there is no outside running track!

Cat

[uneamie]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

The Birds were not in the Haven on this cruise. The Bird just responds with facts on what really is going on versus unsubstantiated claims like “300 Haven guest travel in packs and show up for every show taking up all of the seats”. 

I think you are exaggerating a bit to make your point and make mine look ridiculous as you continue to defend NCL's poor planning of the seating on this ship. Not sure why but I am going to leave this debate at that and say Amen to it. 

[catgags]

👏 

[yamiangie]

On 10/13/2022 at 7:55 AM, BirdTravels said:

The Birds are not a fan of the chandeliers sitting on the ground. And the brass-framed dividers also make things look tacky.

 

The only one that should be on floor is the one used in the Phantom of the Opera musical.

[Diver2014]

2 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

The opposite of raining on someone's parade is blowing sunshine up their rear end.  The Prima is a nice ship.  It could have been much nicer.  I'm simply trying to give a fair account of what I saw on board.  With so many other ships to choose, both from NCL and other cruise lines, I'm just saying that one and done on the Prima will probably do it for me.  YMMV.

Good, I won't be running into you on board.  'It could have been nicer'.  What a useless comment along with your 'sunshine'.  Good riddance. 

Edited October 15, 2022 by Diver2014

[psac]

On 10/14/2022 at 12:00 PM, BirdTravels said:

Back to breakfast in the Indulge Food Hall. 
 

Once the saucer section separates, you goto the stations with the food you want. And serve yourself. 

Very much appreciate the ST:TNG reference there, along with the rest of the fantastic review.  
 

Still on the fence regarding the ship, so detailed reviews like these help us plan how to use our travel $ properly. The ship looks BEAUTIFUL, but we usually sail in the Haven, and the entertainment priority arguments aside, it seems like this Haven might not be for us.  My wife burns easily, so after an hour or two outdoors in the morning, we love the indoor options of the Breakaway/+ Havens. The upstairs indoor sundeck, plus the seating in the courtyard (for those that have it), and then soon we’ll be on the Joy with the Horizon observation deck, which he haven’t been on a ship with yet, but looks amazing. The Prima has none of those, just the indoor lounge, which looks like just the big bar plus a few cordoned off areas. And from the walkthroughs we’ve seen, very little shade on the Haven sundeck, not to mention if it rains. So if we would spend most of our time in our cabin or in the non-Haven areas to get some indoors or shade, it’s not worth spending the Haven prices!

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

Thank you bird for another great review, I truly appreciate you taking time out of your day to provide us with all this useful information and pictures.  

[BirdTravels]

5 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

You mentioned that the observation lounge looks fabulous and from the pictures posted, it does.  Unfortunately not as fabulous as the Bliss and Encore since their observation lounges are substantially larger.  The game pavilion takes up real estate on the Prima which was relegated to the Observation lounge on the previously mentioned ships.

The Prima's Observation Lounge is appropriately sized for the ship. And based on the wasted space on the Bliss, Encore, and Joy. 

[BirdTravels]

Wanna be a millionaire? Try your luck in the Prima Casino. 

 

On this cruise, there was a constant stream of hand-pays. And one $30K slot machine jackpot and one person playing a 10-play VP who got a dealt Royal Flush. Last week there was a $50K payout on a buffalo machine. 

 

[BirdTravels]

  The Prima's sculpture garden

[BirdTravels]

On 10/13/2022 at 12:35 PM, aubreyc1988 said:

is @BirdTravels going to share some food photos? 😛 Looks fabulous

Indulge Food Hall

 

 

Earlier in the day....

[BirdTravels]

On 10/13/2022 at 12:35 PM, aubreyc1988 said:

is @BirdTravels going to share some food photos? 😛 Looks fabulous

Main Dining Room eats

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BirdTravels]

On 10/13/2022 at 12:35 PM, aubreyc1988 said:

is @BirdTravels going to share some food photos? 😛 Looks fabulous

Palomar

 

[BirdTravels]

On 10/13/2022 at 12:35 PM, aubreyc1988 said:

is @BirdTravels going to share some food photos? 😛 Looks fabulous

Le Bistro