LIVE-Prima Feb 2-9, 2024 from Galveston-Western Caribbean with PICs, Haven (HE)

[UKstages]

my experience in new york recently was not that they called too many groups too soon, but that seemingly two thirds of the ship are now self-assist… the first group called. that is to say, the self assist disembarkation category has become outrageously popular and no longer really provides an advantage to those looking to get off the ship early and easily. new york also uses facial recognition, but we were incredibly backed up, too.

[graphicguy]

51 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

So if Galveston has facial recognition...why is this backed up?

Does it divide US citizens vs other?

It took the port immigration personnel a while to get them on and running was my understanding.  Again, they knew we were coming.  Why not have them up and running?  

 

I guess they had a couple face scanners up and running for the first groups off the ship.  But, as more and more disembarked, the bottleneck started and they waited too long to start up the other scanners,

Edited February 12 by graphicguy

[Fogfog]

42 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

They divide it between passports and people using DLs.  The back up is probably because they called too many groups.  Same thing happened on our Prima cruise.

Interesting. I didn't know this was a "thing" ...

.have had a a valid passport since about age 20

 

Only available in a few states

 

https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/enhanced-drivers-license.html

[graphicguy]

ENTERTAINMENT

 

In short, there was enough entertainment on board that I could not possibly see/hear it all.  I tried to see Donna but my sloppy acrobatics kept me from making it to the show.  But, there were other performances that I could have gone to, and just ended up finding something else to do.  

 

Went to two Syd Norman's shows.  I have seen all of the shows at Syd's on other ships.  They are excellent.  No difference this time.

 

The game shows are not my cup of tea.  I did go to the Price is Right.  I was amused.  But, the crowd seemed to be really into it.  Prizes were sometimes "janky" (an alarm clock?  Really?).  But, mentioned they did give away a pretty nice big screen TV and a $500 espresso maker.  The showcase prize was a new Corvette.  So, that would have been sweet.

 

The Motown review was excellent, also.  Plus, there was a duo and a guitar player performing in the bars around the ship.  Both were quite good.

 

I didn't participate in any of the GLOW party and other late night and/or pool parties.  But, from the other guest comments, people loved them.

 

If you couldn't find something to do, or were not entertained, the fault would be yours.  There was plenty, all the time.

 

PORTS

 

Done 'em all...a lot.....seems a lot of folks stayed on board when we were in port because they had too.

 

PERSONNEL

 

Not going to beat a dead horse, so will forego Security and Medial staff.  But, the Captain was more engaged than any I've ever encountered on any cruise ship save for Capt Kate on Celebrity.  Plus, he set the tone for the rest of the crew.  A smile, engaging, friendly, "how can I make your cruise better" attitude really shone through.

 

I wanted to break down a $100 bill for bar tips when I boarded.  I went to Guest Services.  The $100 bill had a pretty big tear in it.  I know a bank would take it, but the ship's Guest Services?  A Guest Services agent looked at it and said they could not change it because of the tear.  Someone behind the desk with stripes on their sleeves looked over and took the bill and said..."there's nothing wrong with it...change it".  It was that sort of "we can do what you want" attitude that permeated the cruise.

 

OVERALL

 

It's hard not to have a good time on a cruise ship.  I certainly had a great time and loved the ship.  I've sailed the Epic, the Breakaway, the Getaway, the Gem, the Encore, the Escape, the Bliss and now the Prima....some multiple times.  

 

The Prima is a stark contrast to any of the other ships.  It mimics none of them.  The concept is different.  Once you understand that, it becomes easier to navigate the ship.  IT becomes easier to find dining options.  Even at peak times, at the "no extra fee" venues, I could always find a seat.  I appreciated that.  

 

From the Buffet, to Indulge, to Hudson's, to Cagney's,  to the Haven restaurant, the food overall was good to excellent.  Portions were generous.  

 

It's certainly nicely appointed and feels more premium than the others.  It retains what I love about NCL with having outdoor spaces that give a view of the sea, the ports, dining and drinking al fresco, etc.  While it also adds to what is a staple on the other ships...like Indulge for just one example.

 

It's quite comfortable, both inside and out.  Service was exemplary, form the Concierge to the table bussers to every bartender I encountered.

 

There were no screaming "$10 T-shir-Jewelry sales". The shops on board were quite subdued as a matter of fact.

 

One quick anecdote, I befriended a couple on board who I saw late in the cruise buying some artwork from Park West.  Now, anyone who has followed Park West knows they have kind of a shady past.  But, this couple were in the midst of buying a Peter Max piece.  I was just happening by while they were at the Art Desk and stopped to say "hi".  Saw the contact which listed the  value of the piece at $100,000.  Sell price was $82,000.  I just said "congrats" and went on my way.  I was stunned and had no words.

 

Was there anything I didn't like?  I already outlined those things earlier in this thread.  I guess the best compliment is I can't wait to sail her, again.

 

Hope some of this helped.  Hope you now have a flavor of the ship and the direction NCL is headed.  I like it.

Edited February 12 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

12 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Interesting. I didn't know this was a "thing" ...

.have had a a valid passport since about age 20

 

Only available in a few states

 

https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/enhanced-drivers-license.html

They did.  They had a line for people with a passport.  And a line for people with Birth Certificates (which was the old manual process of talking to a US Immigration agent).

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

[mking8288]

On 2/11/2024 at 9:45 AM, graphicguy said:

... took them to the entrance to The Local where the fall occurred.  The water was still there.  Security became exasperated because I couldn't keep up with his swift pace.

 

No one would admit to seeing my fall.  I know several of them observed it ... still.....giving me the 3rd degree while ignoring the obvious?  C'mon NCL ... 

 

Where is this wet spot on the floor in/near The Local ?   The passage in between - Port/Starboard corridor with the gallery or by the "main or front entrance with the host/ess or podium kiosk ??  (somewhere near/next to that picture you just posted above ... starboard side, I seem to recall the somewhat narrow passage being a bit dark) 

 

  From a risk management or safety standpoint, condition is absolutely unacceptance and would - where I used to work (healthcare/ambulatory care) written up, documented & acted upon or else.  Corporate compliance & safety heads would be all over the department head(s) for allowing this kind of stuff to happen.  Cannot imagine pipes, plumbings, etc. leaking on a less than 2 years old ship without maintenance & engineering being called in !     

 

  Glad to know that NCL didn't charge a dime for urgent care onboard due to ... Perhaps, someone (the nurse/doctor) should've reached out to you after 24 to 48 hours to do a quick & simple follow-up & wellness call, just to make sure all is fine vs. sweeping it under but leaving the floor wet afterward.  That is not best practices, IMHO.  

 

Disembarkation sounds excellent ... many times, the bottleneck is really inside the terminal with local authorities, i.e. US-CBP and their staffing level, and it is beyond NCL's reach, cruisers do not recognize these.  Even if and when we used "priority disembarkation" (sometimes, escorted up to the gangway for a faster exodus, there isn't much NCL can do to speed things up if there are hundreds ahead already in the queue ...  Well, NY has an unique fast track ... porter services and we've been taking advantage of it - absolutely turbo speed and good tipping always cheerfully welcomed & appreciated by the unionized folks (and, they made good money only when the ship(s) are there).   

 

Many CC'ers, yours truly included, love these details especially post-cruise & sometimes wonder, who wanted to read the boring stuff ... I do.  To remain better informed.  # of CC roll-call members following and 99% sure that they loved and appreciated your time and efforts to keep them informed ... LOL, still a good # of weeks from packing.   From us, thank you.    

Edited February 12 by mking8288

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

 

 

• #701   

Posted 5 minutes ago (edited)

   On 2/11/2024 at 9:45 AM,  graphicguy said: 

... took them to the entrance to The Local where the fall occurred.  The water was still there.  Security became exasperated because I couldn't keep up with his swift pace.

 

No one would admit to seeing my fall.  I know several of them observed it ... still.....giving me the 3rd degree while ignoring the obvious?  C'mon NCL ... 

 

Where is this wet spot on the floor in/near The Local ?   The passage in between - Port/Starboard corridor with the gallery or by the "main or front entrance with the host/ess or podium kiosk ??  (somewhere near/next to that picture you just posted above ... starboard side, I seem to recall the somewhat narrow passage being a bit dark) 

 

That's the place.  There are two outside entrances to the Local.  One is where the hostess stand is.  The other is to the bar area.  I was on the bar area side coming from the outside through the automatic glass doors.  The puddle was right at that entrance as you walk through the automatic doors.

 

The area outside of that there's a walkway.  It's always wet (or so it seemed).  So, people using that entrance track in the water to the inside.  There are "strips" that are supposed to be "grippy".  They either weren't designed well, or couldn't provide enough "grip" to offset the slick water puddle.

 

I'm sure it's supposed to drain.  Not sure why it didn't, except there was a lot of traffic from waitstaff in that general area, as well as from guests going in and out.

 

And, if it's dark out, it isn't lit very well.

 

Again, it's a cruise ship.  It's sailing on the water. There are going to be wet areas.  I found one.

Edited February 12 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

Self service ....

Edited February 12 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

Edited February 12 by graphicguy

[UKstages]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

I befriended a couple on board who I saw late in the cruise buying some artwork from Park West.

 

friends don't let friends drop 82K on a piece of "art" valued at probably less than 10K. even after peter max dies, this stuff will have very little value. i am as flabbergasted as you were. 

 

gobsmacked.

 

but, yeah, i would have done the same thing as you. congratulate them on the purchase. not my bidness to try to talk them out of it and it might in fact be a pittance for them. i'd feel bad if it was their life's savings, though.

 

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

I wanted to break down a $100 bill for bar tips when I boarded.  I went to Guest Services.

 

pro tip: even when the casino is closed, the bill breakers/ATMs are connected and fully operational. if it was an older bill, with a really big tear, you may have had a problem with the machine, too, but, in general, these machines work really well for getting $5 and $1 bills. it's a multi step process, though. you'll get five twenties for your hundy. then you have to individually insert  each twenty to get five fives. and so on. beats a long line at guest services, though.

 

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Glad to know that NCL didn't charge a dime for urgent care onboard due to

 

i would say cynically, but most likely, because our intrepid reporter never signed a waiver.

 

they were terrified of being sued.

 

the repeated attempts for them to find an alternate cause of the accident and their repeated failure to get him to sign a waiver frustrated them, i can assure you.

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Okay...Okay...I shall embark on my fourth Prima class cruise soon. It took a lot of convincing though. 

 

As always thank you for taking the time to educate and entertain.

 

BTW, did you remember to tell Jose from the Penrose Bar that my neighbor's cousin Sonny who lives in Natchez says hello and wants to invite him to his son's wedding but doesn't know where to send the invitation?

 

[graphicguy]

4 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

Okay...Okay...I shall embark on my fourth Prima class cruise soon. It took a lot of convincing though. 

 

As always thank you for taking the time to educate and entertain.

 

BTW, did you remember to tell Jose from the Penrose Bar that my neighbor's cousin Sonny who lives in Natchez says hello and wants to invite him to his son's wedding but doesn't know where to send the invitation?

 

You, M’Lady, have a good memory of live reviews from the past!  LOL!

[graphicguy]

13 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

friends don't let friends drop 82K on a piece of "art" valued at probably less than 10K. even after peter max dies, this stuff will have very little value. i am as flabbergasted as you were. 

 

gobsmacked.

 

but, yeah, i would have done the same thing as you. congratulate them on the purchase. not my bidness to try to talk them out of it and it might in fact be a pittance for them. i'd feel bad if it was their life's savings, though.

 

 

pro tip: even when the casino is closed, the bill breakers/ATMs are connected and fully operational. if it was an older bill, with a really big tear, you may have had a problem with the machine, too, but, in general, these machines work really well for getting $5 and $1 bills. it's a multi step process, though. you'll get five twenties for your hundy. then you have to individually insert  each twenty to get five fives. and so on. beats a long line at guest services, though.

 

 

i would say cynically, but most likely, because our intrepid reporter never signed a waiver.

 

they were terrified of being sued.

 

the repeated attempts for them to find an alternate cause of the accident and their repeated failure to get him to sign a waiver frustrated them, i can assure you.

 

 

The question I had at the time, will they refuse treatment of I decline the waivers and the breathalyzer?  They obviously didn’t.  

 

But, what if someone is belligerently drunk, takes a nose dive, smashes a part of their body, and refuses to sign the waiver and breathalyzer?

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

You, M’Lady, have a good memory of live reviews from the past!  LOL!

 

Don't sell yourself short...you are quite memorable to your legions of fans.