debenson0723

Welcome to Cruise Critic. Just wanted to mention that the Thermal Spa is not always quiet. I did a Caribbean cruise on the Escape in February and that Thermal Spa was the noisiest one I have ever been in. I like going for the peace and quiet but many of the passengers in there that day (it was the afternoon of a port day, which is usually empty) thought it was there own private party area. The pool was packed, heated tile lounger 'hogs', lots of yelling back and forth. It was just as bad on a sea day. I had a spa balcony cabin and this was the least amount of time I had ever spent in the Thermal Spa. Hopefully if this is what you chose, the passengers will be better behaved. And before I get flamed, I am pretty laid back and realize that everyone who pays for it can behave as they want but I had just never experienced this on any other ship (and I know it can happen on any ship). Whatever you decide, I hope you and your family enjoy your cruise.

Joyce, enjoy your time on the Bliss...still my favorite ship and I think our great Panama Canal cruise has something to do with that. I was on the Bliss last Thanksgiving for the Mexican Riviera. Enjoy the holiday with your family!

Your edocs will be ready later today or tomorrow. Just log in and check. Haven't gotten an email notification in awhile. Enjoy your cruise!

Loving all the detail in this review. Taking notes for next year and hope to follow in your footsteps. Love the firetruck tour! Thanks for posting.

Prima is a smaller ship but same number of specialty restaurants. I have been on ships 5 times where Q was a specialty restaurant and it was always empty. After the first time, I go now and buy the few things I like a la carte and save my voucher/FAS. It's too much food and just so-so (for me). Do the same thing with Food Republic, though we have started doing like @Sailing12Awayand splitting a voucher on 4 items to share. I think with Prima that Q is right where it should be in the Food Hall. Smaller portions and not so much waste. As far as it changing it on the Joy, Bliss and Encore, only time will tell.

Every cruise is going to be different based on the number of smokers in the casino. I was on the Escape in February but masking was still required and no smoking allowed. It was great. Maybe the Escape did have air handlers installed in it's recent dry dock but I have not read that. I would be prepared for an experience more like the Breakaway and be pleasantly surprised if it wasn't. Keep checking for reviews between now and then and maybe more information will surface. Enjoy your cruise.

This is what I do also but my last 2 cruises, they actually delivered it to my cabin. I didn't ask them to do that but they insisted.

Was on the 12 day Prima TA, ending on 10/5/22 and used my voucher for Dinner for 2 as a solo cruiser. The person I treated (also solo) returned the favor...we ate in Le Bistro, Cagney's, Hasuki and Onda. The voucher does not match the T&Cs printed above at this time.

Hi Joyce...good to see you again. Thanks so much for this information. I am looking at this cruise for October 2023 and going to see the Mansions is at the top of the list (also reading the same book). Can't wait to read the rest of your review. Take care.

In 6 cruises since September 2021, they have retaken my photo 3 times and not retaken it 3 times (I upload the same photo every time). Now that is a mystery to me.

Also be sure to check the Ports of Call forum on this website. There will be numerous posts for excursions at all 3 of those ports. And I agree with @YVRteacher...did not care for Dunn's River Falls and when I was in Ocho Rio on the Escape in February, a day pass in the spa was my choice of activity.

I have cruised solo often on NCL. The process above it pretty much the same on all of the ships (at least those with studios). In my experience, there is usually at least one or two people in the solo group that you will 'click' with and end up dining, going to shows and doing excursions with off the ship. If that doesn't happen, there is always the group dinners in the evening. The bar is only manned during the evening (5:30pm) meetings in the lounge. But there are always snacks, juices and coffee available 24/7. Every cruise is different and sometimes there are only 12-15 solos at the meetings and, as the case on the Prima TA, there were over 100 solos. I have met several great solos on NCL and cruised with them again. Much better than my experiences sailing solo on Carnival and RCL.

Excellent comparison and I agree with everything you said. Did an RCL cruise in May, same itinerary I did on the Bliss 5 months prior, and it was like night and day. Bliss is my favorite ship that NCL has and I always recommend it. While the Prima is a beautiful ship with an amazing crew and food, it was just missing something to me (and that's just me, I know many loved it). Hoping to do the Joy in February and then I will have the Big 3 under my belt.

Thanks. I knew I was forgetting something.

It's 12:01AM Miami time. You input your passport information, verify personal information (email address and cell phone number), health information, pick a check-in at the port time (which is not a boarding time) and add a photo. Takes about 10 minutes maximum if you have all the information handy.

Dinner in the Prima Haven was $55 per person if not staying in the Haven.

On my Prima TA, the Captain and officers attended but the Cruise Director did not. First time I have been to one that the CD did not attend. Of the other 5 cruises I have done since September 2021, we had M&G for 3 and the officers were there but not the Captain.

Prima Haven does not use the crew elevators...they use their own aft elevators. But once downstairs (at least in NYC), they had their own exit and gangway so we got out very quickly.

Aubrey...no mojito bar and no ingredients to make it elsewhere. Sounds silly but the lack of some of my favorite cocktails put a small damper on my sailing.

No idea...I just know one of my friends ordered it in every restaurant we went to and it came in a glass.

Can get it by the glass and is part of the basic drink package.

It's about a 5 minute walk from the hotel to where the luggage is given to the porters. And it depends on where you want to walk to...I have walked down the street at night alone to/from the Harrah's up on Canal Street but as in any big city, you need to be very aware of your surroundings. French Quarter at night is not the place for a child.

If traveling with a child that uses a car seat, I would not stay in the French Quarter. The Embassy Suites would be a good choice, much closer walk than appears on Google Maps. I would have your husband take the luggage down the street to check-in then come back and the 3 of you can walk together to the port. I have stayed at The Mercantile Hotel next door to Embassy Suites and taken my luggage on my own (solo traveler). As far as transportation, I don't have suggestions...I have just taken a cab.

If you look at the voucher photo in post #68 from a solo traveler, it still shows that it is good for Dinner for 2, not 1. I cruised solo on the Prima (just got off 5 days ago) as did a friend of mine. He treated me to Cagney's and Onda, I treated him to Le Bistro and Hasuki. No one questioned the voucher, whether we were solo travelers and there were no limitations (other than the typical one app, one entree, on dessert). So if the rules have changed, it has not filtered down to the ships yet.

I would check the website or app for your flight and see what seats are available (the Delta app actually shows you the number of miles needed to upgrade but not sure about American). My friend upgraded his NCL flight using miles from LAX to LHR on United a few days before his flight so it is possible. Good Luck!