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

[Fogfog]

Light breakfast and skipped lunch yesterday in prep for salt crusted sea bass at Palomar last night.

delicious.

enough for 4.

salt crust made w egg whites as per waiter. not breading though it’s brown after baking. Idk if it’s gluten free.
 

We’ve seen cookies twice. Brought to room.

Haven't been to buffet so do not know if there or Starbucks, Indulge etc. 

Food waste is a real issue.

Servings are large and a lot more goes to waste.

 

Went to Syds for Rock the Pour House II.
Stood in line at 830 for 930 show

I don’t think band should be bringing in their posse to sit in prime seats before doors open when paying  traveling pax stand outside, Have seen it 3 of 3 shows now.

 

Tired this am as we got up at 5:45am to watch the lock transit.

 

We are headed to Van Gogh museum  Rijskuseum. and a canal tour. Bought the museum tix about 6 weeks ago.

 

Finally some sun a sun and green. Haven’t seen green since NYC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

We are turning around slowly 

 

 

 

 

 

Tendering anyone 😁

 

 

 

Full stop & docking 😀 

 

Edited May 9 by mking8288

[Fogfog]

Where were those 20 or so private boats headed?

Officer on the Amacerto shouted we are headed the wrong way 🤣

 

Changed over from US$to EU 

 

Good Morning Amsterdam

[mking8288]

Gooooood morning, Sharon & Robert ... the party girl is still sleeping ? 😁😁😁😁😁

[YVRteacher]

16 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

Wait a minute...

 

Was this because you're the only one in your stateroom...or is this some new NCL way to piss all of their upper tier people off and to save on Tide? Everything I have read up until now said that if both guests in a stateroom were Platinum or above, each person gets one bag. 

 

Our next cruise will be our first as Platinum and are taking carry-ons, which means less clothes and more laundry bags to be filled. 

We always put in laundry once a week (so 3 times each on a 21 day cruise) and have never had an issue. When I did the Star solo for 23 days last summer I had 3 bags of laundry for free. Vouchers/coupons are provided but not needed. You’ll be fine.

[bedfordmom]

Does the Prima have an ice cream section? I would ask there on the Escape and would receive  for my desired number of two to make an ice cream sandwich. Only choice of one type they were not very good especially the ‘cookie’ which was a chocolate chip cookie without the chips so not missing much. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

42 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Gooooood morning, Sharon & Robert ... the party girl is still sleeping ? 😁😁😁😁😁

I am here!

[mking8288]

4 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

I am here!

We are here - 

[Sugar Magnolia]

9 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

We are here - 

Here 😊

 

 

 

[ontheweb]

8 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

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. 
 

They did a Bob Marley tribute on our cruise on the second night. And I had laid out a Bob Marley tee shirt the night before to wear that day not knowing that there would be that tribure.

They were really, really good!  😊

[ontheweb]

4 hours ago, Fogfog said:

Light breakfast and skipped lunch yesterday in prep for salt crusted sea bass at Palomar last night.

delicious.

enough for 4.

salt crust made w egg whites as per waiter. not breading though it’s brown after baking. Idk if it’s gluten free.
 

We’ve seen cookies twice. Brought to room.

Haven't been to buffet so do not know if there or Starbucks, Indulge etc. 

Food waste is a real issue.

Servings are large and a lot more goes to waste.

 

Went to Syds for Rock the Pour House II.
Stood in line at 830 for 930 show

I don’t think band should be bringing in their posse to sit in prime seats before doors open when paying  traveling pax stand outside, Have seen it 3 of 3 shows now.

 

Tired this am as we got up at 5:45am to watch the lock transit.

 

We are headed to Van Gogh museum  Rijskuseum. and a canal tour. Bought the museum tix about 6 weeks ago.

 

Finally some sun a sun and green. Haven’t seen green since NYC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We did not have museums tickets in advance but lucked out with the Rijksmuseum. DW asked at the box office and there were no tickets available at the time, but there were for the next half hour. Before that we went to a smaller museum, Moco, IIRC, near there. Later, we went to the Jewish Quarters and the Portuguese Synagogue. We were told our tickets were also good for the Jewish Museum, so we also went there, but only for a little bit as it was near closing time.

[Ticatraveler]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

We are here - 

You can buy tulip bulbs while there. They will ship to your US address at the proper time to plant.

[JIMESOPUS]

@mking8288 Thanks for the photos, we snuck in during the night, I think it was a tidal issue, and didn't see anything but lights.

As you tip-toe thru the tulips keep a lookout for Miss Vickie and Tiny Tim 

Edited May 9 by JIMESOPUS

[graphicguy]

19 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

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).

 

Makes one wonder if the line cooks just don't care.  They are tasked to get their particular potato prepared.  Wonder if there is any QC on "HOW" the potato (or any food) is prepared.

 

I know they are tasked with getting 1,000s of vegetables cooked and plated at each meal.  But, if you can't do it right, what's the point?

 

Personally, I've been known to send dishes back if the plate, and anything on it, isn't to my liking.  Truth told, if you report the potato sadness to the restaurant manager, you'll get properly prepared potatoes, and probably get a whole basket of fries sent to your cabin. 😉

[graphicguy]

6 hours ago, Fogfog said:

Light breakfast and skipped lunch yesterday in prep for salt crusted sea bass at Palomar last night.

delicious.

enough for 4.

salt crust made w egg whites as per waiter. not breading though it’s brown after baking. Idk if it’s gluten free.
 

We’ve seen cookies twice. Brought to room.

Haven't been to buffet so do not know if there or Starbucks, Indulge etc. 

Food waste is a real issue.

Servings are large and a lot more goes to waste.

 

Went to Syds for Rock the Pour House II.
Stood in line at 830 for 930 show

I don’t think band should be bringing in their posse to sit in prime seats before doors open when paying  traveling pax stand outside, Have seen it 3 of 3 shows now.

 

Tired this am as we got up at 5:45am to watch the lock transit.

 

We are headed to Van Gogh museum  Rijskuseum. and a canal tour. Bought the museum tix about 6 weeks ago.

 

Finally some sun a sun and green. Haven’t seen green since NYC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They may be allowing Haven passengers to enter Syd's before the doors open.  I've heard they don't do that any more.  But, I have been able to do it (with Concierge escort through the back entrance) previously.

 

I doubt the Head Concierge, Lyster, is still on board (think he was headed to Encore and then Viva).  But, he said they didn't do that any more, and then ended up doing it for a few of us in Feb,

[cruiseny4life]

7 hours ago, mking8288 said:

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. 

What?!?! Emma lied! How dare she! @emmacruises....I know. She didn't really. NCL just gave her a BS line to include in her paid ads on social. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

It was very difficult to walk around in these new shoes. Don’t know how I will dance in them tonight. 
 

 

 

[Fogfog]

30 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

They may be allowing Haven passengers to enter Syd's before the doors open.  I've heard they don't do that any more.  But, I have been able to do it (with Concierge escort through the back entrance) previously.

 

I doubt the Head Concierge, Lyster, is still on board (think he was headed to Encore and then Viva).  But, he said they didn't do that any more, and then ended up doing it for a few of us in Feb,

No one by that name at the Haven concierge now.

The posse that has been there early are band groupies..no one I recognize from Haven and we have been to 3 different shows.

With lots going on today, long port day tom and Sat, we really don’t expect to go again...then again last night was a wild hair decision

[Raybancop]

40 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

They may be allowing Haven passengers to enter Syd's before the doors open.  I've heard they don't do that any more.  But, I have been able to do it (with Concierge escort through the back entrance) previously.

 

I doubt the Head Concierge, Lyster, is still on board (think he was headed to Encore and then Viva).  But, he said they didn't do that any more, and then ended up doing it for a few of us in Feb,

It’s such a small venue that nobody should get preferential entry treatment for Syds. it not fair to those that line up an hour prior to get a seat. 

[graphicguy]

10 minutes ago, Raybancop said:

It’s such a small venue that nobody should get preferential entry treatment for Syds. it not fair to those that line up an hour prior to get a seat. 

Then again, Haven guests paid significantly more for their cabin for better perks and service.  So, from that perspective, it is quite fair. 😉

[Fogfog]

In other sad news..our..” you will be leaving soon” folder is on the bed.

Good thing the second load of laundry came back yesterday.

 

We did Van Goh and Rojksmuseums and lunch today ..left as soon as ship cleared. Used tram system which is clean, efficient and easy. Lunch out…carrot soup, cheese, cabbage, watercress sandwich. 
 

Headed out in a moment for more touring… so we earn dinner and dessert. ha

[schmoopie17]

Welcome to Amsterdarn. (My mom taught me not to swear). 

[graphicguy]

In other news, @YVRteacher found plenty of cookies on her Jewel Alaska cruise.  So, apparently it's not an NCL policy or a cut back, but a ship to ship decision.  My promise to all my CC friends, I will get an straight answer to this seemingly baffling NCL shifting with the winds policy about cookies.

 

Sorry Henry....back to regularly scheduled programming.

 

Edited May 9 by graphicguy

[Raybancop]

16 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Then again, Haven guests paid significantly more for their cabin for better perks and service.  So, from that perspective, it is quite fair. 😉

I was on the Prima in February in Haven. I indeed paid for the Haven perks, none of which included front of the line at any shows. I still stood in line and waited with the rest of steerage class, the horror.  Be thankful that we can afford to travel at that level. 

[schmoopie17]

1 hour ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

It was very difficult to walk around in these new shoes. Don’t know how I will dance in them tonight. 
 

 

 

Is that the Ed Sullivan Theater in the background? (There I go, showing my age again).

 

On a somewhat related note, nice to see CC celebrities such as Sugar Magnolia, @YVRteacherand her famous Dad (in her Alaska thread) coming out from behind the screen to let us put faces with names. Very nice faces, indeed.