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

cruiseny4life · May 8

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

A different view AFT looking down at the Ocean Walk below our other balcony earlier - plenty of loungers for use today.

What a beautiful view. Thanks for sharing! Even gray and dreary, I'm in love with the ocean.

2 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

Some of us made it to the club last night, but none of us closed down the joint. I was dancing up on Deck 7 and felt like a go go dancer, not that I have any experience.

Oh, don't be coy! Best dancer on Deck 7 and I'm sure of it! Though, my last encounter with those dancers did have jell-o involved and was in Nashville...I don't remember much. Oh how the years change us.

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

I see lots of breakfast potatoes and skinny fries being wasted, I swear they are as bad as the ones from McD's ... maybe, central purchasing is sourcing them from the same wholesale vendor vs. supporting local & small businesses near major ports.

Wait! Just wait a minute here! Are you saying you're not in love with McDonald's fries?!?! I've never heard of someone not absolutely delighting in a fresh batch of salted, golden fried deliciousness! I actually give cred to NCL for having scrumptious fries! Almost makes up for those dank cubed taters.

48 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Code Bravo at 17:10 below deck on #3, main laundry ... 2 minutes later, on scene command established on deck 4 ... few minutes later, safety #'s called to report. That's not good either, at least it's not Alpha and now "stand down" as explained by Alvin, CD - no reason to be alarmed.

I'm glad it's not too serious a Code Bravo and the crew was able to control it!

Blessings to all as you continue your journey, crew and passengers.

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

So, either offer cookies or don't. Going to try to get something definitive when I board Joy next month. Not taking the excuses NCL has offered so far, because it's lame. If there is too many cookies wasted, then you better stop offering brussel sprouts and broccoli, too. Those will definitely go to waste. Will report back.

Be like @emmacruises (no clue if that's the real account)! Get your cookies delivered to your room so you can tell the whole world on social that NCL has cookies. Or so went her story from Encore. Delicious cookies, delivered right to her stateroom. Via room service. Apparently you get four cookies when ordering room service. Oh, and @mking8288, she reports her pancakes were "Yum!" Not hard as a rock...was that you? Or am I getting all these wonderful lives all mixed up? Unfortunately, I've stopped eating the pancakes on NCL, even in my beloved upper deck eatery.

Oh, and don't cha know brussel sprouts are "in" now! Loaded with bacon. And nuts. And cheese! And vinaigrette. Personally, just give me some with butter, but hey at least they're being eaten by the privileged, well dressed set now.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/scientific-reason-why-everyone-suddenly-195136403.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAB5zySfH277Ya0O5LrsPDuk5SLTKmjeZsr2ltP6gCa81CKhYok-l7M4gWHaue6IpW6ahHBY7ULLw99xEEluWJJcH1Hgy1Wym-TdFDbRTCa3g51Afl-ibRmUlmSJUuPImz_4-KA1rhsOeoQj5TkeVZcSBOHdFT2jHyjVqsR_95Df1

graphicguy · May 8

They can drench Brussel Sprouts with bacon, a cheeseburger, a ribeye, cheese sauce and throw in some onion straws for good measure. Still won't eat them. 😉

Cookies seem to be a "thing" with NCL right now. They're inconsequential, to say the least. But, their availability are consistently inconsistent. It's hard for me to believe that somewhere, someone made a decision to quit offering cookies, particularly for the reasons we've heard.

There's a reason they aren't universally available, the reasons given are, at best, suspect.

If you're going to cost cut something, you decide it's cookies? Seriously? Not buying that excuse either.

I believe the cookies are generally available, but the sailings where they aren't, there has to be a reason.

I will find out.

Hashbrowns? I'm sure the reasons of their unavailability are just as questionable. I just don't care enough about hash browns....particularly because the only place that serves decent ones is Waffle House.

Sugar Magnolia · May 8

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

I see lots of breakfast potatoes and skinny fries being wasted, I swear they are as bad as the ones from McD's

I am a MickeyD fries fan girl. That statement hurts.

Speaking of potatoes...

A friend ordered loaded potatoes for lunch at Hudson's, but what was served was mostly potato skin with some toppings, almost like the potato was hallowed out. On another occasion, the fries looked like it was also hallowed out. The potato croquette actually seemed like mozzarella sticks, but not the good ones which @cruiseny4life would be excited over.

Excellent potatoes can be found at Palomar...Patates Tiganites (hand-cut potatoes, olive oil, rosemary) and Pommes Puree (whipped Yukon potatoes, fleur de sel).

DuckTollerFans · May 8

Going back to a post a few pages ago....

Interesting to see that NCL is also using Libby. I am hooked on Libby and can access 3 different systems at present, including NYPL, Brooklyn, and my own county - Monroe. I looked at my account "Add a Library" -- only showed Norwegian Prima and Viva at present.

Spent a fair amount of time in Spice H20 or on the Waterfront with my Libby audio book last month. Easier to continue watching people or the sea with audio!

mking8288 · May 8

JIMESOPUS · May 8

Good Evening Prima, 9 PM Traffic report, time to turn on Waze

Sugar Magnolia · May 8

Ways to spend your on board credit: Recreation or Relaxation

mking8288 · May 8

3 hours ago, DuckTollerFans said:

Going back to a post a few pages ago.... Interesting to see that NCL is also using Libby. Easier to continue watching people or the sea with audio!

Hello, Finger Lakes region (NY) if old Henry's memory is still somewhat good. See below, there is no Prima eLibrarian here to help or answer anything, few passengers aware of this, not a word in the FSD

Can you create or setup a NCL Library Card account as I sure cannot. Plus, it looks like WiFi access is required and ship's WiFi inTRAnet alone won't do it

Edited May 8 by mking8288

mking8288 · May 8

2 hours ago, JIMESOPUS said:

Good Evening Prima, 9 PM Traffic report, time to turn on Waze

Yes, sir and collision avoidance 😆😆😆 in night mode, about 4 hours - or less - from IJmuiden Sea Lock and then 3 hours to transit to Amsterdam ... if the displayed data - are close to accurate.

If true, we will gain extra time ashore in the morning. Small group van tour's pickup time is 11 AM. All abroad is 6:30 for 7 PM sailaway.

mking8288 · May 8

Ok, since I made the decision to order hot breakfast delivery in the early morning to enjoy the scenic view, I am doing a write-in for cookies, on top of the breakfast bento box w bakery & pastries ... since NCL is charging for my convenience to sail, sustain & enjoy. Why not ask for it 😁

Stay tuned for an AM report to find out if they will bring some on request.

Prima's home fries being overcooked, too salty, and cold ... as much as I love fries, not against McK'D's freshly prepared fries. NCL leave theirs under the heat lamp for far too long & being warm at best, just don't taste right. Love a great certified Angus Beef burger w crispy & tasty truffle fries. See below - that's what I am talking about & will jam the ABS brakes for 😋

mking8288 · May 8

That digital status board of real time availabilities is a joke, it showed Hudson at 33% and The smaller Commodore Room at 100% - not. 4 of us walked in at 6:35 PM and we're seated within 4 minutes, no wait, no pagers, no fuzz.

Tonight's theme is heavily beans based on the salad & soup option, more blue fish again.

mking8288 · May 8

Let's roll the pictures with music from ... Starlight Express (ALW) and come along to cruise toward the North Sea Lock toward Amsterdam

@dexddd - still looking for the missing spare propeller

Edited May 8 by mking8288

odie1024 · May 8

Great review, have not sailed the Prima yet but will be on for 15 days in January from NYC to Galveston and again in August from Southampton to Iceland so been following along. Since Libby is now used is there at least a book exchange somewhere?

Sounds like we should head to Commodore instead of Hudsons when dining in the MDR for less crowds, correct.

We'll have 5 specialty dining choices so we always do Cagneys(only 1 so so meal on the last 10 cruises in the past 5 years) and Le Bistro where we have never had a bad meal. Have read mixed reviews on Palomar but what I have read on here sounds like its great choice.

Sounds like shows when possible need to be booked as soon as allowable, any other tips?

Thanks and enjoy the rest of your trip.

JIMESOPUS · May 8

@mking8288 to keep you updated on everything new with NCL. They have been experimenting with a new concept, no need for Tenders, and a large Sun deck.

Edited May 8 by JIMESOPUS

cruiseny4life · May 8

4 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Prima's home fries being overcooked, too salty, and cold ... as much as I love fries, not against McK'D's freshly prepared fries. NCL leave theirs under the heat lamp for far too long & being warm at best, just don't taste right. Love a great certified Angus Beef burger w crispy & tasty truffle fries. See below - that's what I am talking about & will jam the ABS brakes for 😋

YUM!

ontheweb · May 9

1 hour ago, odie1024 said:

Great review, have not sailed the Prima yet but will be on for 15 days in January from NYC to Galveston and again in August from Southampton to Iceland so been following along. Since Libby is now used is there at least a book exchange somewhere?

Sounds like we should head to Commodore instead of Hudsons when dining in the MDR for less crowds, correct.

We'll have 5 specialty dining choices so we always do Cagneys(only 1 so so meal on the last 10 cruises in the past 5 years) and Le Bistro where we have never had a bad meal. Have read mixed reviews on Palomar but what I have read on here sounds like its great choice.

Sounds like shows when possible need to be booked as soon as allowable, any other tips?

Thanks and enjoy the rest of your trip.

We were on that London (Southampton) to Reykjavik cruise last August and never had more than a few minutes wait at Hudsons. On the first day I had asked if we could reserve a table by one of the windows for the sea day between Norway and Iceland for our wedding anniversary and was told it was all first come first served, but when we showed up that evening and presented the card saying it was our anniversary, they took us right to a table by one of the windows.

Sugar Magnolia · May 9

With encouragement from @mking8288 we made reservations at The Commodore again for tonight. We were seated before 8:30 and were done before 10:30. It was definitely a more pleasant experience to be away from Hudson’s Kaosland.

After dinner we walked through the casino to the Penrose Bar for Reggae Night with the Jamaican-based band Familiar Strangers. Always fun to sway to the beat.

Then the posse closed out the night with DJ Vibe at Syd Norman’s where only the diehards were still rocking to Whitney Houston.

Clubbing always ends at the Local for a hotdog with sauerkraut and bacon. One posse member always orders a plate of cucumbers. Nothing else.

mking8288 · May 9

Good early morning, we are here at the lock, leaving the North Sea

In darkness as we approach

Edited May 9 by mking8288

mking8288 · May 9

Amazing - wishing you are here, here are more photos. The lock going inland opening up and we are heading in, toward Amsterdam now at 6:30 AM

mking8288 · May 9

Fresh air on a misty, foggy morning as we are moving along at 6 kts toward our port in Amsterdam 👍

Almost 7 AM local time, our morning breakfast from room service should be here shortly ... the best part of waking up, is that coffee in one's hand with a croissant 🥐

Edited May 9 by mking8288

mking8288 · May 9

5G coverage - check out the speed comparison - woohoo 🫢🤫🤗

Station Zebra is in turbo mode now 😎😸😁

mking8288 · May 9

Scenic & breathtaking from our balcony - starboard views from the Prima, feeling blessed 🌞

Edited May 9 by mking8288

mking8288 · May 9

Breakfast a la bento box style, it's new.

Specifically ordered & requested cookies to be included, delivery person apologized but NONE available.

Not a deal breaker to not have cookies, but demonstrated proof of the B.S. story given to others, I tried. Go with the flow and be happy. Just blow. Let it go, let it go.