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

[dexddd]

Oh, and the actual name per the crew is 'THE BEAUTIFUL MSC DIVINIA.'

[JIMESOPUS]

Looking for another option for Halifax? Take the Hop on / off bus and get off at stop #8, Hydrostone district. We found several great restaurants in that area along with plenty of shopping, Carol even found a shoe store there. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

5 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

Looking for another option for Halifax? Take the Hop on / off bus and get off at stop #8, Hydrostone district. We found several great restaurants in that area along with plenty of shopping, Carol even found a shoe store there. 

 

Thank you for the recommendation. Always interested in exploring a new neighborhood. No shoes for me...only lobster.

 

[mking8288]

2 hours ago, dexddd said:

Is that CC mg photo from 2014? ... unnerved by the electronic buzzing coming from your vest.

That was from CC M&G 2017 on the BA, I had to double check ... A very good turnout, can't remember exactly but don't think I was the organizer for that one.  Here'a better, sharper photo - AI enhanced. 

 

 

Everything from the vest were silenced, are you sure the buzzing was mine 😁 

 

Farewell on stage, Alvin has that sweet voice to it ... nowadays, virtual video farewell. 

 

[JIMESOPUS]

33 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Thank you for the recommendation. Always interested in exploring a new neighborhood. No shoes for me...only lobster.

 

https://hydrostonemarket.ca/eateries/ - if you have time to stop at just one then Julien’s Patisserie Bakery & Café should be the stop, I gained 5llbs just from the aroma of all the baked goods.

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

https://hydrostonemarket.ca/eateries/ - if you have time to stop at just one then Julien’s Patisserie Bakery & Café should be the stop, I gained 5llbs just from the aroma of all the baked goods.

 

Yes I was just eyeing that bakery. We dock at 7:00 so I'll aim to be there by 7:05.

 

[schmoopie17]

4 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

Found old photos of Alvin Oliver, CD currently onboard the Prima ... 

So, Alvin is the CD on the Prima. When we were on the Prima just over a year ago, our CD was Simon. Who's next...Theodore?

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, schmoopie17 said:

So, Alvin is the CD on the Prima. When we were on the Prima just over a year ago, our CD was Simon. Who's next...Theodore?

Now that's funny. IIRC, Simon was the CD when we sailed on the Prima last August.

[mking8288]

Funny that some of us "knew" Alvin from past cruises but hardly anyone chasing the quest for who's the Haven concierge and butler, LOL ... and, while we are in steerage, I know at least where some of you will be having breakfast in the morning # wink # wink.  It's all good, either we head down to Hudson or Indulge for breakfast or just order room service breakfast to have it delivered, depending on how well they are managing the lines to wait & get seated. 

 

There is a chance that Alvin will be going on vacation soon & likely to ride along with us again, probably after we docked in Southampton, UK as flights home (Asia) are cheaper (and shorter) for NCL to arrange, for others & him alike to their much deserved & hard earned R&R.  He is one of the few that leave a positive impression on the passengers, friendly & outgoing and often on the pier and near the gangway - overseeing his team while waiving at others coming & going.  

 

Ask me who some of the other CD on the Joy, Getaway, Epic and Escape from our recent cruises post-Covid, and I come up empty, LOL.  "Gina" was one of the ACD going way, way back in the pre-FDR days, maybe before Kevin O, coming onto ship's PA systems often to announce, "it's Bingo times" 

[mking8288]

 

Apparently, NCL's IT needs a vacation too, hmmm - they can't wait either 😁😀

 

Just a quick note - for those embarking tomorrow (many are in NYC already - welcome) about ships @ 17:00 +/- that I'm tracking to "guess'timate" the probably ETA for the Prima ... Pearl is more than 1/2 way toward Halifax sailing at just 16.5 kts (1 less engine needed) - looking good.

 

Carnival Venezia just sailed, heading toward VZB destination being Nassau at 16 kts, let's see if she's breaking the rules & speeding south once out in Lower NY Bay. 

 

Prima continues her run at 20.3 kts toward NY, 200+ nm off VA with nearest land being Virginia Beach and at her present pace, should be off to the east of Delaware Bay - MD/NJ in 4 to 5 hours, with Atlantic City & Toms River ahead.  If she's passing these reference points by 9 to 10 PM later on, she's on track for an early (but, otherwise usual) arrival into NY harbor by 6 to 7 AM and docking after 8 to 9 AM, subject to harbor traffic ... (even if she has to throttle back to 10 kts or less for a short period of time) listening to marine radio traffic on my scanner for any whales related sighting and/or harbor advisories, etc. (none heard)  

Edited April 26 by mking8288

[www3traveler]

I hope that this grand adventure goes smoothly for you.

[bedfordmom]

Hello 

 

Just off the Escape. Some glitches primary in Shore Ex but overall a good cruise. I am catching up on your excellent semi live as I get ready or my flight home after 3 days in Rome First  embarkation was delayed by 3 hours as well due to provisioning in Port Canaveral. We ignored the changed time showed up at 11am and was in Osheehans eating at 12:30

 

we also took Norse Air in October BOS to Gatwick for the Getaway TA. It was one of the best flights ever. I was very concerned about cancellations which was their MO. We actually upgraded to Premium the day of the flight for about $200 more making our 1 way flight to England for about 400 for an international first class experience. 

 

 

[bedfordmom]

Ok just figured out you’re leaving today. Forgot to mention that Norse will do upgrades to Premium during boarding for as little as 40$ though more importantly for the red eye in the other direction. 
 

In terms of food: smoked salmon bagel was plentiful in terms of salmon even giving the other half of bagel. Cookies are available in the ice cream section by request like a secret handshake. 
 

Our cruise director was Richard Matic who is a ball of energy with his daily rainbow collection of sparkly blazers. I know him from years ago from the Dawn. He is subbing from the Bliss. 
 

safe travels. 

[mking8288]

@bedfordmom  Thanks and safe journey home ... disembarkation is tomorrow, Saturday.   For whatever reasons, NCL App and their IT ... well, enough said.  Will look for your post-cruise report or summary to read up later. 

 

Good to know about cookies, am sure fellow "comrades" on the roll call, some following will know where to "hunt" for them, maybe group services will arrange for some at the M&G for those that show up, LOL.  Lox & bagel all week long, or just plain smoke salmon means one happy old camper. Norse Air, I checked out sources elsewhere (FT) & very little info, fine for us; not chasing United miles since being devalued in the past decade.  Dreamliner (B789) is worth flying instead of Tri-7's vs. double decker A380's (loved Korean Air going up & over to/from Asia)  Classic with almost all the extras paid (legroom, exit/bulkhead & "priorities") for when we booked in February, actually prices dropped slightly and lots of open, unassigned seats upon mock booking - probably assigning them at LGW check-in, will see.  Lots of open seats up front and really not much more and still way, way below comparable BA, AA and DL fares for B-F class, maybe we'll see if they offer upgrade for our W/B red eye.  Going to eat a light supper at the airport since we have time to kill, after a short DIY midday stop at Windsor first and 1 dinner included, serve late should suffice for 7 hours, like a transcon.  Flew TAP-Portugal twice last year and that was fine too, pleasantly surprised.  If "Z0" cancel our flight, EU/UK rules mandate compensation, vouchers & offer options - far better than US carriers ... don't mind an unplanned overnight stay, not in a rush to get back, niece finally boss approval for extra PD off.  

 

Pearl TA - semi or live reports ?  crickets at the moment, on a sold out cruise, sailing full ... 

[mking8288]

 

Travel Apps *** (Userful personal recommendations) that we installed,

in addition to free Norwegian (NCL) app (message & calling functions, $ optional use onboard only)

***** especially for the Prima/Viva - new for NCL - the "Libby" App for eBooks

 

AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, Windy, CruiseMapper, Shipmate,

FlightAware &  FlightRadar, Kayak & Orbitz, TripAdvisor,

Cabify vs Uber and Lyft, Citymapper (and, MyTransit for NYC), Google Map & Translate,

Google Voice, WhatsApp (voice/video),  Zoom (Skype voice/video – Microsoft)

Google One/Pixel VPN (network “security) if on Android platform. 

 

Most of the apps, if not all, are available on iOS or Apple Play Store and can be installed to an iPhone (have most of them on our backup iPhone SE 2022)

 

FB Messenger and FaceTime, InstagGram - are other "popular" applications.  

 

 

[YVRteacher]

8 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Thank you for the recommendation. Always interested in exploring a new neighborhood. No shoes for me...only lobster.

 

That could be a little uncomfortable. Halifax is hilly and those lobsters might pinch!😁

[Sugar Magnolia]

10 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

That could be a little uncomfortable. Halifax is hilly and those lobsters might pinch!😁

 

I was eyeing a pair of Alexander McQueen Armadillo shoes which Lady Gaga fancies and look like lobster claws...

 

 

 

Call me practical

 

 

[mking8288]

 

Following is an unofficial, off-the-track, unverified and strictly informational release, not endorse or approved or sanctioned - strictly for entertainment and chatroom use - in other words, LOL

Nightowl comments ... from the nighthawk corner @Station Zebra 😁 😆 😄

It's now midnight - Day 0 as in Zero

Pier check-in, embarkation in 12 hours (or less) 

 

Prima has been on AIS radar track, data on Marinetraffic, otherwise continuously updated on CruiseMapper (using satellite data) - she has slow down to 17-18 kts vs. going 20-21 kts previously as she crossed the Delaware Bay, MD to NJ ... south of Atlantic City where as Carnival ship is heading south at 17.5 kts just north of AC.  Roughly (very) 100 - 120 nm from port, assuming she must slow further per maritime & whales protection speed zone restrictions, I am guessing she will be at/near Sandy Hook / Ambrose Channel, NJ somewhere between 6 to 7 AM - (sunrise is 6:09) with or without needing pilot boat escort to continue into the NY Lower Bay, passing the Statue of Liberty 1 to 1.5 hour later and docking around 7:30 to 8:30, well within ETA given by MT and CM, ahead / earlier than time given by - - - # cough #cough

 

 

Of course, the captain / bridge can order the ship to slow further or go faster on this "home" stretch to adjust for desired arrival time, established by HQ per instructions and to match info released to disembarking & embarking passengers in the morning.  

 

Tune directly to Port NY Webcam around 6 AM after checking or confirming that the Prima is within live streaming feed shortly, and enjoy watching her arrival into NY harbor ... and typically an hour after sailing under VZ Bridge, ships like the Prima will be up on the Hudson River & turn starboard side to dock at Pier 88.  ETA above can vary easily, +/-  2 hours or more.  If and when I catch a change or adjustment, will make a post for those already awake and can't wake to get there in a hurry.  

 

Otherwise, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the morning, breakfast and time arrival accordingly - ship is going to transfer a substantial amount of fuel to do the TA crossing AND to take on provisions for 2+ weeks, not your typical "turnaround" 

 

Check-in is open until 4 PM ... if you drop your bags early with the porters outside curbside, you have time to to check out "The Vessel" nearby (south of Pier 88) and do another lunch in the city first.  Sorry, no Starbucks or Dunkins in the immediate vicinity of the cruise terminal..  

 

 

Edited April 27 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Not as late as NCL said, but ... no rush ... docking likely around 8:30 AM to maybe 9 😳

 

 

Good morning all 😎

Edited April 27 by mking8288

[Fogfog]

Arrived yesterday with all luggage. Yay. Carmel worked great.

The ride into the city down Park was lovely..tulips a cherry trees in bloom. And sunny weather.

 

Thank you to the locals

@Sly Fox

@mking8288

@Sugar Magnolia

for arranging that. You must have friends in high places to arrange such a pretty day.

 

Had drinks on rooftop looking down the length of Central Park and kept dinner simple. Looking fwd to being onboard later today.

[Sugar Magnolia]

41 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Arrived yesterday with all luggage. Yay. Carmel worked great.

The ride into the city down Park was lovely..tulips a cherry trees in bloom. And sunny weather.

 

Thank you to the locals

@Sly Fox

@mking8288

@Sugar Magnolia

for arranging that. You must have friends in high places to arrange such a pretty day.

 

Had drinks on rooftop looking down the length of Central Park and kept dinner simple. Looking fwd to being onboard later today.

Glad to hear that you arrived safely and had a pleasant experience in town. @mking8288 deserves all the kudos for the lovely day and it’s only fair because he deserve all the blame should things go south for any part of our journey. 
 

See you at the M&G. 

[mking8288]

😂 😆 Lol , we are heading north this evening ... who is going south. 

 

Darn it, she's still not as at the VZ Bridge, still off JFK ... there goes my prediction of 8:30 AM.  

 

Gang, drink more coffee while enjoy breakfast.  Prima isn't going anywhere without us onboard later.  I feel bad for those onboard with flights to catch this afternoon 🫢

 

Edited April 27 by mking8288

[krazy4kruisin]

Keep us posted when the Prima gets to the Pier.  See you all later

[mking8288]

Coney Island out in Brooklyn - anyone out there watching the Prima ... used to be able to watch ships from Shore Road near the VZBridge.  Oh dear, looking more than 9:30 AM before she can dock - not pretty.  Folks, join us at the Hudson for dinner on the Hudson, we are definitely going to be there after 6 PM and not moving, "no way ... Jose" forgetaboutit.  

 

 

 

All my (ours) bags are packed and ready to go ... not leaving, on a jet plane 😀 - the fifth bag belongs to sister-in-law. 

Edited April 27 by mking8288

[GALSews]

13 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

.  Folks, join us at the Hudson for dinner on the Hudson, we are definitely going to be there after 6 PM and not moving, "no way ...

Reminds me of the line we saw in a bar* in Boston across from the Granary Burying Ground, "Here is where you can have a cold Sam Adams, while looking at a cold Sam Adams.

 

* When I was much younger, I would have said "Bah', but unless I've just talked to people from the Bay State, now I've discovered the letter "r" does apply to ends of words.

Just in case you are unaware. Sam Adams is buried in the Granary.