NCL Prima eastbound 15 days TA (Live) 27 Apr, 2024 - N.Y. to Southampton via Halifax, Iceland & EU ports - preview intro

[mking8288]

 

T minus 9, time for single-digit dance toward embarkation, planning to be mostly "live" for this 15 days TA, an early launch with bits & pieces of background, related info, side bar details, preview leading up to "switching on the vacation mode".  Our 2nd time on the Prima, last November was a westbound 15 days TA, Barcelona to NY ... wasn't really thinking to be back on so soon.  But, here we all, final packing mode. She left Miami on April 16th ... 

 

During the holidays (early December) - started looking at these 3 TA at the time, sailing out of NY of interest to us.  Escape aleady sailed, TA in early April, 16 days out of NY.  Long story short, voted for the Prima after checking options, details, airlines and booked it ... 2 oceanviews at that time, took advantage of CN DoubleUp and Latitudes extra point promo, stacked on top of other discounts.   Oops, using those CN certs again ("added" more earlier ... thankfully, have a reserve pool (extended F&F sharing) to dip into and transfer them, if necessary)

 

The overnight Iceland stop is the main appeal for us, plus, an excuse to see Halifax & perhaps a clam bake or lobster feast while the ship is docked there.  Susan, DW is in one room and yours truly in the 2nd room ... one of the sister-in-law coming along plus a niece that hasn't cruise NCL since 2018-19, more of a regular on Royal & Princess - interested to get her comparative impressions.  Other ports are new to us ... and a niece in England, could, be our local guide in London (but ... more on that later.)  Itinerary below reflecting the latest time as posted.  

 

 

The Pearl will be sailing 2 days ahead of us, stopping at Halifax and then Reykjavik - they can be tipping us off as the "advance" partner on what's ahead, expect and surprises ... aside from weather and sea state on the crossing.  Escape departed NY at a later time than "originally" scheduled - no news on CC about them that I know of.   

 

Dining in the Hudson MDR on the Hudson (River) at Pier 88 - sunset cruise down the river: 

We just learned, officially, from NCL last week that Prima's arrival into NY will be delayed by 2 hours, "instructing" all pax to not show up until 12 noon, as that was the earliest pier check-in time available to anyone at Day 21, when online check-in was open (many wondering "why").  As posted elsewhere here on CC's NCL forum, pax on the Prima repo cruise, Miami to NY (last port of call is Puerto Plata, DR next Wed, sailing at 3 PM ... ) has a change too, arrival time into NY is 10 AM next Saturday.  Oh ... due to Right whales maritime protection regulations and other "reasons" - some of ship pax disembarking in NY will likely need flight changes (rebook) for departing later than planned.  Not a good way to end a cruise, no matter what.  This isn't a deal breaker for us but most are eager to get onboard ... sail away moved back from 4 PM to 6 PM now.  Next Saturday, going to be a bit "hectic" at Pier 88.  

 

As of now, Prima is basically sold out - 3rd party websites showing at most, 5 Inside cabins available ... everything else are listed as sold out.  Upgrade bids are still being unsolicited, haha (more about it later)  Here's a quick recap of the ship's vital stats:

 

 

Before continuing – informal “rules” to go with - basic common sense assumptions & requests, and disclosure for our Semi-Live CC reports - please be kind & courteous, agree to disagree on matters that are subjective and personal in nature, biases and personal opinions are fine, criticism and comments otherwise are welcomed as long as they are constructive in nature or intent.  Other CC’ers on this Prima TA, if they choose to, are free & invited to post, add to the report, comments and share theirs, without asking or requesting prior “permissions” to do so, granted hereby.  We will not have or reports on the Haven experience although I have a source that might choose to help contribute, or, they might do their trip report.  A frequent CC’er is on this TA doing solo again and I expect her to bust chops and bring her dose of humor, fun and crack remarks along the way – be on the lookout.   (typo & spelling, grammatical errors, etc. are to be expected, especially while at sea and making best efforts to post live/near-live updates or reports ... your kind understanding appreciated, much obliged) 

 

  Come along and follow us on this TA, mark it and come back later ... expect to read about a bit of humor, laughs while we try to go with the flow, making the most and best out of this cruise, despite the new, the same old and the unexpected, changes and surprises.  Prepared for wet and rain ahead, weather forecast not looking too bad, still early - maybe, we can pack a little lighter.  

 

Henry/@mking8288 on CC 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

Booked this TA around the holidays, before final payment & deadline to cancel; and, at 125 days, shows were not available to book ...nor at 120 days, or 90 days, 25 or even 21 days remaining.  Perhaps, another true return to freestyle cruising, just go and show up 😳 perhaps, whatever. 

 

We also confirmed that parties of 5 or less can no longer book the MDR on the Prima, at least not on our sailing.  Where is that pre-cruise concierge services limited for Latitudes Diamond, hahaha 🤣 😂 😁 I know better than to even bother.  

Hopefully, priority restaurant reservation and seating consideration can be given onboard.  Our specialty dining are all booked & confirmed; not going to reschedule dinner plans just to see the shows, nope. 

 

AI generated image ... can NCL's AI Assistant do more too ? 

 

Tip #99 - pre install that NCL app and get comfortable using it to one's advantage. 

 

Tip #98 - learn a little about Airplane Mode, WiFi inTRAnet vs. inTERnet. 

 

 

Edited April 18 by mking8288

[Ticatraveler]

Looking forward to your review. We will board the Prima 23 May. First time on this ship but not new to NCL. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[www3traveler]

Have a wonderful adventure.

Prayers for your safety and those in your party.

BIG BIG BIG BIG HUG

[Turtles06]

Henry,

 

I’m looking forward to reading your reports; thanks for once again taking time out of your vacation to share them. 
 

And I have a friend who’ll be on board, so this will be a good way to keep tabs on her crossing too. 
 

Your visit to Normandy of course comes just prior to the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Are you planning to tour the D-Day sites in this special year? (Very emotional visit in *any* year.) 

 

I hope you have good weather for the crossing and a safe and fabulous trip. 
 

Judith 

[ontheweb]

Have a great trip. Looking forward to your report.

[vacation44]

Really looking forward to reading about your new adventure.    Your posts are always very informative and I enjoy reading them.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

[JIMESOPUS]

Thanks for taking us along for the " ride ". Quick tips about Reykjavik, a very long walk from the pier to the town, the Opera house has clean free bathrooms, time the bells correctly ( trust me they are loud ), and don't forget about the hotdogs. 

Edited April 18 by JIMESOPUS

[graphicguy]

This is GREAT!  Love me some Prima.

 

Looking forward to this.

 

Thanks!

[mking8288]

Info & tips w photos -

Embarkation and Disembarkation in NYC ... true for the Prima and/or other NCL ships using Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Pier 88 (90 and 92, seldom used) 

Prima's repo cruise from Miami to NY via Caribbean doesn't have an active CC roll call and questions came up on the forum/board here as to what to do ... rebooked flights (already) to catch and ways of getting off "early" if they dock & begin express self walk-off by 10 to 10:30, sooner the better ("selfish" I know - then, zero count is called and "we" can start embarkation ... and no USCG or public health inspections, etc. etc.) 

 

A quick visual - cheat sheet/guide in getting to MCT - Pier 88:

 

 

Here's a link to that roll call with posted pictures & my suggestions to "Mark" on how & what - 

 

Meanwhile, for the Prima TA, our fairly busy & active roll call with folks coming into NYC early to sightsee and explore the city during weekdays - more photos compiled & collected over the past few sailings lately, together with suggestions & tips, not an absolute or definitive guide - 

perhaps in that "good to know" and useful category - yours truly not running the M&G.  

 

 

Perhaps, these "resource info-sharing" can and will show "them" the way in joining and coming over to CC instead of forming 3 sub-groups within a sailing's private group, and not poach and hijack our gathering ... really getting annoyed.  Call me biased in staying with CC's platform over the years.  No further comments or replies to this side bar necessary, more later post-cruise when I get to the wrap up, perhaps.  

 

There is another Live report onboard the Prima, already seen by some of you by @Travelicious "Semi-live 48 day adventure" going to be rather informative, fun, interesting and keeping CC "addicts" not on a cruise, busy in following along.  

 

 

[mking8288]

As of this morning, NCL's official site no longer show the TA is being available but apparently, other booking sites still do - but, only "Insides" are remaining and no discounts/deals or specials for solo cruiser.  Prices dropped a bit around late January/early February - a month after final payment but it has more of less been flat.  

 

TA are, in some ways, to us, with good access to 3 major airports - a better deal when you add everything up ... as long as you have time and/or can take off from work, with lead days pre-cruise and cushion post-cruise to get back, in case of delays & changes.  Depending on the cabin category, the "final" cost is competitive vs. spending a week or 8 days to Bermuda or 10 days to the Caribbean.  Of course, some should give TA with sea days a try and others prefer to go ashore almost daily, to each her/his own.  

 

Still, travel & trip, medical insurance is a must - just don't skip or ignore it - shop around for a balanced coverage.  

 

 

Prices for the common cabin categories earlier - last week, a Haven Owners Suite (Deck 13) was available ... $20,000 for new booking, sleep up to 4.  NCL pushed out more "invites" to bid using "Upgrade Advantage" - LOL.  Take a look at the "deals" on bidding, really ... anyone wish to "sponsor" us, just kidding. 

 

 

Something else I noticed this morning, perhaps not looking closely - now NCL's website will show the "total" price for a given stateroom including port taxes, fees & other basic charges - without going thru 5 more screens and 6 clicks plus putting in Jane Joe & John Doe plus junior Joe to get to see the cost.  Thank you, that's a welcome change to make pricing upfront, easier to shop & price compare, along with other variables. 

 

Upgrade Advantage starting minimum price bids, shown below - are based on our 2 already upgraded balcony staterooms (not clear if we would still get to bid or can further upgrade $$$)  Not convinced that, for 2 of us, is worth offering at least $600+ for a CBS (club balcony "suite") on the Prima - maybe, the *Away/+ class ships.  

 

 

Haven't read or heard of anyone successfully winning a bid to a full suite or Haven, maybe it is going to "live" auction next week, haha and a win-win.  We are still "eligible" to play and bid today, LOL.  

Edited April 18 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

12 hours ago, mking8288 said:

A frequent CC’er is on this TA doing solo again and I expect her to bust chops and bring her dose of humor, fun and crack remarks along the way – be on the lookout. 

 

Huh?

I know you don't mean me because that's just too much pressure.

 

 

 

Edited April 18 by Sugar Magnolia

[mking8288]

 

Amenity Confirmation - statement coded to show upgrades for both cabins, BB to OB - one using 30,000 BOA points (spoke live w agent & able to choose from a # of cabins/decks and selected our preferred one). Other is the one-time Diamond upgrade since we moved up in 2023, email NCL Latitudes support desk requesting, and it was processed in about a week, closely matched our preference on the request (Deck 10 Mid/Aft) - once we had the cabin # confirmed, called in to request BOA single "Meta Upgrade" and that was done in about 20 +/- minutes.  Both updated reservations remained linked in NCL system, which we initially booked directly with NCL. 

 

Upgrade Advantage bidding - for this TA sailing, invites to most were held up or late unlike other prior cruises  Thinking perhaps NCL's system flagged ours & excluded.  Nope.  Still “invited” to Let’s Get You Upgraded” at about 50 days out, like others that wondered what happened to the bidding game.  Meanwhile, we couldn't book "The Price is Right" online (or Donna Live - "the" show, one & only, hahaha.   Strategically, submitted our NCLH shareholders benefit result online for $250 non-refundable Onboard Credit (OBD) per stateroom x 2 - for a total of $500, pretty "fair" ROI over the decade.  That's "free" unlimited WiFi upgrade to be done onboard on Starlink x 2 cabins, good ... just have to share.  

 

Special Needs – niece sailing with us, sharing a balcony cabin with sister-in-law, has known food allergies – form completed & submitted to NCL ahead of recommended 45 days cutoff,  and case number was assigned.  NCL emailed her directly that it's been noted, niece confirmed as I ran thru my pre-cruise checklist of to-do's.  

 

NCL online check-in indeed opened up as of 00:01 EDT, 21 Days to embarkation - nothing changed lately, a passport style photo is uploaded as well as watching the mandatory 90+ seconds safety video (Youtube linked) ... earliest pier arrival and check-in, as well as boarding time given was/is 12:00 noon (subsequent email to all pax noted that ships will be delayed inbound by 2 hours, asking all to not go early - possibly refused entry into the cruise terminal and asked to return later)  If their server cannot authenticate the uploaded photo for whatever reason(s) - it will allow the rest to proceed with a pop-up that a new photo will be taken at the pier as part of the check-in.  eDocs were available within 24 hours, including the link to print eLuggage tags (black & white is fine - use clear packing tape instead of color printing & getting it laminated) - done & ready.  

 

<  remember these old NCL paper luggage tags from early NCL years ... found a small # of them  >

 

Airtags and (Android) SS-G SmartTag2 tracking tested and ready, since we are NOT dragging 45 lbs or 24" rollerboards to board and walk around with it ... the smaller, carry-on or backpack with essentials, staying with us at all times.    

 

Observations from previous cruises out of NYC's Pier 88 - by early/mid afternoon, depending on the pace of embarkation, checked luggage should be loaded on large carts together on the pier; and ready for being fork-lifted onto the Prima.  View of the cruise terminal from the ship: there is a gap between the pier & the ship's loading platform ... safety netting used to catch items that might accidentally slip off and fall out.  Noticed that at 2:30 PM, trailers still lined up waiting to unload provisions destined for the ship, to be checked & inspected before being accepted to be taken onboard under many watchful eyes. 

 

 

FAQ # 88 - according to a Dollar Store on Ponta Delegada's waterfront, a 10 minutes walk toward town square that sells a lot of convenience, essentials and popular items to off-duty cruise ship crew members ashore, nearly all of them are using either iPhone (all models) and Samsung smartphones ... along one wall, they stock about 500 different mobile phone cases. 

Edited April 19 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Staying in touch while away is important to us, not a must anymore but a matter of choice and preference ... cellular including data options abroad are surprisingly affordable & reasonable these days, do the research & plan accordingly.  Look into eSims (oops - another new "term" to learn) for Europe, easy activation. 

 

Finding these good old touch tone pay phones at JFK's Terminal 1 recently was a surprise, thought they are all gone ... even the next door neighbors in their 80's are using iPhone or smartphone these days. 

 

My newly ordered Google Fi 5G data nano-sim cards this week, just arrived - free shipping too - unlimited Plus with almost no data caps on hotspot usage & tethering 😁 ... cheers 

 

Tricks/Tips - can you spot our mini 3-LED nightlight, and is portable, bright & run cool for 100+ hours on a full charge. No tea lights or motion detecting lights - space saving & featherweight 👌  (inexpensive, easily replaced) 

Edited April 19 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

9 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Finding these good old touch tone pay phones at JFK's Terminal 1 recently was a surprise

 

There aren't enough hash browns or cookies in the world to bribe me with to get me to touch those public pay phones.

 

[jimbri]

Have a great time.  Looking forward to your review.

[mking8288]

8 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

There aren't enough hash browns or cookies in the world to bribe me with to get me to touch those public pay phones.

Hahaha 😂 😂 😂 

What if I can get you whitelisted to eat at Indulge Food Hall 😁 "Deal or No Deal"

 

😬 oops, wrong idea and bad joke to use. We sat nearby - for an hour + waiting to board and even a soul touched those pay phones, let alone use them. 

 

Looks like our mission to recruit Dan @graphicguy guy to sail with us is a bust.  Next time. 

 

Are you getting there by subway or bus, Uber prices are crazy from airports.

[mking8288]

Not so fast ... will lunch hours be extended 🤔

 

Official NCL notice about Prima's delay arrival, boarding and departure time - dated April 10th, days after many completed OLCI and wondered ... not even Haven pax can check in until 12 - 12:30 PM, showing up early risks being turned away ...to wait & stand outside.  On the bright side, weather is looking good. 

 

 

A 2nd notice by email this morning, same as above 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

13 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Are you getting there by subway or bus, Uber prices are crazy from airports.

 

I am being delivered to the port by Amazon...same day delivery.

 

 

Edited April 19 by Sugar Magnolia

[graphicguy]

34 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Hahaha 😂 😂 😂 

What if I can get you whitelisted to eat at Indulge Food Hall 😁 "Deal or No Deal"

 

😬 oops, wrong idea and bad joke to use. We sat nearby - for an hour + waiting to board and even a soul touched those pay phones, let alone use them. 

 

Looks like our mission to recruit Dan @graphicguy guy to sail with us is a bust.  Next time. 

 

Are you getting there by subway or bus, Uber prices are crazy from airports.

I'm "jelly" of you both.

 

I'm sure you'll have a great time.  

[Travelicious]

35 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Not so fast ... will lunch hours be extended 🤔

 

That's what I want to know.  I do so enjoy my embarkation lunch with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.  Plus, I need to cancel my 5:30 dinner at Onda so I can watch sailaway, which was missed last time we sailed from NYC. 

[dexddd]

Just seeing this.  Was traveling for work.

 

Have a great time.

 

Mind the gap in London.

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 minutes ago, dexddd said:

Just seeing this.  Was traveling for work.

 

Have a great time.

 

Mind the gap in London.

 

So you won't be surprising us on this cruise @dexddd? Sadness.

 

[dexddd]

No, unfortunately not.

 

I already sailed with MKing once a long time ago.

 

Time heals.  🤣

[Fogfog]

56 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Not so fast ... will lunch hours be extended 🤔

 

Official NCL notice about Prima's delay arrival, boarding and departure time - dated April 10th, days after many completed OLCI and wondered ... not even Haven pax can check in until 12 - 12:30 PM, showing up early risks being turned away ...to wait & stand outside.  On the bright side, weather is looking good. 

 

 

A 2nd notice by email this morning, same as above 

 

Was thinking about this today as well.

If we can't arrive at the pier until at least Noon, I am thinking we may not onboard until 1/1:30 at earliest and only if lucky.

So what about lunch service?

 

And - this is all predicated on the ship zero-ing out in a timely manner. Fingers crossed everyone gets off asap (travel etc) 

 

If Wunderground is to be believed, partially cloudy for embarkation at this point.

Edited April 19 by Fogfog