Prima TA Semi-Live 11 Days to NY from Spain, 4+ days @Barcelona from JFK ... land/cruise early Thanksgiving vacation

[mking8288]

@Von & John That's the regular order from the menu, didn't ask for 1/2 - plenty of fries to fill the plate.  It was enough, I ate half of that thick sandwich (2 thick pieces as pictured) and DW ate a little too, we often shared & I had her pasta ... and, like you - I was full and enough.  

 

As a whole, portion sizes appeared inconsistent ... DW just talking about my favorite breakfast item, smoked salmon bagel ... same MDR (Hudson) more salmon on the small 1/2 bagel at the beginning but last 2 times (this week) - gotten less or smaller.  Maybe, just maybe, inventory is running low below deck in provisioning & rationing ... whatever.  She's order one tomorrow and then I will surely get enough, on top of my order.  

 

With options to order a starter, salad and soup, plus dessert ... (bread basket no longer on the table, unless requested - unlike years ago) - not easy to be hungry after a 4 or 5 course meal.  It's been a while that I order this and don't remember the portion size then ... maybe, I'll search my photo storage collection to see if I can find older pix taken.  

Edited November 30, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Night Scene photos from our starboard side balcony, the Moon coming out of hiding - smartphone wallpapers, anyone 🤗

 

 

 

 

 

[vacation44]

8 hours ago, Von & John said:

 

Henry  --  it looks like the Monte Cristo is now only 1/2 Sandwich...

Did you request a 1/2?
In April/May it was a full sandwich (too much for me - but a full)

This was on the SUN (MIA to SEA through Panama Canal), not Prima

Good catch.   That half sandwich certainly would not be enough for my husband.   

[cruiseny4life]

Just now, vacation44 said:

Good catch.   That half sandwich certainly would not be enough for my husband.   

When we had lunch in Hudsons, I ordered two appetizers, the very small (but delectable chicken flautas), and dessert. That filled me up for a couple hours before the snack provided by our butler. Large appetites definitely need to be sure to order several items! 

[dexddd]

Happy last day except you doing another leg.  Meanwhile we'll keep the economy going.

 

I'm really surprised how lucky you've been getting seats at Indulge.  Our sailing was nearly impossible unless late times.

 

In your Metropolitan Bar pictures see you are getting pretty close to the Private Haven Elevators.  If you get too close it will incur higher DSC.

[mking8288]

Good morning 🌞 Day 11 of our TA, destination NY and eyeballing the visuals, since NCL no longer provide the details, for our convenience, to sail & sustain - looks like a fairly good sea day, sunny skies but on the chilly side ... except for the polar bear hogs 🤔 maybe 😁

 

 

 

We have company off at a distance NE to our starboard, even at 30X digital zoom - can't quite make out the ship, nothing on Cruisemapper - looks like a cargo ship ? 

 

 

The boring statistics 

 

Cruising at 15 kts on that 310 deg heading, we can easily get into the NY Harbor sometime tonight. 

 

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Reviewing daily charges, credits, adjustments for surprises 🫣  Well, seeing none, looks like no refunds for missing Bermuda yesterday, 1 of the 3 scheduled ports of call.  

 

Imagine joining folks from other 1,400+ cabins to stand in line at Guest Services to ask and maybe get $10 credit p/p ... not worth it.  

 

Posting as informational only, in case someone is wondering about it.  Moving on. 

 

[bedfordmom]

48 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Reviewing daily charges, credits, adjustments for surprises 🫣  Well, seeing none, looks like no refunds for missing Bermuda yesterday, 1 of the 3 scheduled ports of call.  

 

Imagine joining folks from other 1,400+ cabins to stand in line at Guest Services to ask and maybe get $10 credit p/p ... not worth it.  

 

Posting as informational only, in case someone is wondering about it.  Moving on. 

 

Go get your $10  as they are making it difficult which ensures an additional 30K ( 3000x10) for their coffers. When we missed DR it eventually showed up on account, I  heard they make you return upon debarkation to the desk for cash credit 

[Rockyhill]

Leaving now heading 75 Deb arrival 7:30🤗

[mking8288]

Hudson MDR breakfast time, on the way here, ran into Jan & Mike @azcruise from Arizona, they are staying on B2B.  Tomorrow morning, nearly everyone will be early & rushing. 

 

 

Two daily specials on today's Menu. Sapphire friends currently on the Getaway 10 days Caribbean sailing also reported plenty of new crew, recently hired on their 1st contract & still learning the ropes, getting coached. 

 

 

 

Smile factors said to be above 50% and they consider it good to average - this, mirroring our observations on the Prima, even some of the hostesses barely managed a nice & friendly greeting, let alone a smile to make all feeling welcomed.  Perhaps we are unreal with our expectations - I think not, but it is what it is.  Consistently inconsistent is the NCL norm these days. 

 

 

[mking8288]

Food pic from breakfast ... 

 

 

 

Half of my Avacado & Egg Wrap, sliced ham added & slimmer smoked Salmon bagel.  With a great view 👍 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by mking8288

[bedfordmom]

I am a smoked salmon lover so my breakfast is only two of those bagels. If I want the special I will ask for one smoked salmon and another order without the bagel to ensure my daily salmon consumption. It was a sad day for me when they removed it from the buffet. It is available on the Haven breakfast buffet. Also Royal Caribbean had it in the buffet as recently as last November along with mini avocado toast. 

[mking8288]

 

 

Deck 7 Fwd - the lines are everywhere this morning and the crowds, except nobody is doing shopping at the stores here. 

 

 

 

 

The action is midship at the Metropolitan Bar 

 

 

[mking8288]

2 hours ago, bedfordmom said:

Go get your $10  as they are making it difficult which ensures an additional 30K ( 3000x10) for their coffers. When we missed DR it eventually showed up on account  ...

 

Approached the Onboard Credit Desk and she asked did "we requested a refund" 😳🫢🙄😤😵‍💫😧 hmmm, say what ?  We aren't informed of such a requirement 👎 

 

Anyway, processed & should be reflected in our account later, to offset other charges. Not nice and sneaky, IMHO. 

[mking8288]

No shopping on this cruise, nothing on sale being worthy.

 

 

 

Joked with one of the reps at the watch sales counter while browsing, do they accept trade-in of my pre-owned Rolex Air King classic (1985'ish) 😁😆🙂

 

[mking8288]

Cleverly hidden garbage bin by the elevators.  Interactive display screen 👍

 

 

 

 

W.C. or bathroom faucets with soap dispenser & hand dryer. 

 

 

Sharps dispenser & paper towels for opening the door.

 

 

[mking8288]

Our 3rd batch of free laundry is back, early, delivered by our steward this morning - our vacation hero on this cruise. No charge 👌

 

 

 

[bedfordmom]

1 minute ago, mking8288 said:

Our 3rd batch of free laundry is back, early, delivered by our steward this morning - our vacation hero on this cruise. No charge 👌

 

 

 

No basket?

[mking8288]

4 hours ago, dexddd said:

... really surprised how lucky you've been getting seats at Indulge.  Our sailing was nearly impossible unless late times.

Look what I found, just for your convenience to sail & sustain, in the event that you will consider NCL ahead - these are better than the waterly ones at breakfast and/or at The Local. 

 

Oh, we sat inside that private Haven lobby's sofa last week while waiting for the rest to Dine With 2 Officers. No extra DSC ... waived ?  Never heard a beep from priority disembarkation or anything from CruiseNext about limited concierge services.  I dunno, maybe should stick with the Escape, Getaway or Escape teams instead. 

 

[mking8288]

DW haa 150 FAS minutes, log in earlier to use and not waste it, now at zero minutes remaining. 

 

 

The standalone & disembarkation/last sea day Internet special pricing - note: the unlimited 1 day plan today ( $30 daily rate ) is less, cheaper than the 100 minutes option 😳 @ $75 

 

[mking8288]

Belvedere Bar / Lounge (Deck 6 Mid) next to Cagney's - nearly empty at 3 PM, opens at 4 PM - many probably packing up in their cabin. 

 

 

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by mking8288

[Von & John]

🙂 

I am sure for others as well...
Personally I noticed b/c I recall biting into the 3rd triangle & couldn't eat anymore.

Johnny finished it off for me - so there was no waste 🙂 
In my case - the 1/2 sandwich should be just about right...

 

9 hours ago, vacation44 said:

Good catch.   That half sandwich certainly would not be enough for my husband.   

 

[mking8288]

 

Bird watching at lunch - look closely if you zoom in 🤗

 

1/2  portion of Pork meatball slider, Asian style 

Poached bluefish 

Cuban style roast chicken, most popular 

The ending

 

 

[Treacher1]

Quick question for those of you onboard Prima last 14 days - we are in a suite (but NOT Haven - that is all that was left when we booked).  We made reservations for all dinners - do they have a different line at check in at various restaurants for those WITH reservations?  We found this a problem on another cruise line - had to wait it a long line even though we had reservations -  thanks for any information.

[mking8288]

@Treacher1  Lines for the 2 MDR aren't too bad for dinner, and for Specialty Dining, there's practically no wait, 2 to 4 minutes at most if there's a glitch or delay for other guests in front of you already getting checked in. Keep in mind most guests, regardless of what staterooms they are in, also probably made reservations too. Suite privileges do not extend to jump to the front of any line. Patience ... there are new crew members learning the ropes.