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

[ontheweb]

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

0The Local - went there for a late, light lunch as the buffet was still packed full, wall-to-wall, chair-against-chair with people everywhere, Palomar and Food Republic both used for extra seating capacity, since the outdoor buffet area remained unusable due to the cool weather. 

 

 

There is a wait of 20 to 30 minutes and given a pager. We split up into 2 tables of 2 each, and the trick worked - there are fewer large tables. Indoor space is just too small for a cold water ship.

 

 

 

Asking for wings without sauce - it's more edible for our taste.  Nearly everything has been downsized but for the large coffee cup 😳

 

Menu - 

 

 

 

There are more available seating on the "smaller" NCL ships like the Jewel, Crown, Dawn or Gem than the Prima when it comes to "The Local" or O'Sheehan's

I see the hot fudge sundae is still on the menu. What a wonderful memory. I suppose we should be looking to book the ship again just for that.

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

Le Bistro is my least favorite but Platinum AmEx buys dinner for me and a buddy so I will try it again tonight. 
 

I like French food…just not Le Bistro. Stay tuned. 
 

That’s why I go to LeBistro…the AMEX PERK!

[Ellis1138]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

That’s why I go to LeBistro…the AMEX PERK!

Is it a specific Amex card that does this?

[graphicguy]

13 minutes ago, Ellis1138 said:

Is it a specific Amex card that does this?

AMEX Platinum…

 

This explains the program…

 

https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/detail/cruises-privileges/platinum

[Sugar Magnolia]

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Seeing that @Sugar Magnolia the party girl is ready for another late night action - I should pass along a tip from A&M that, the hostess & assistant managers at The Commodore do recognize and appreciated the patronage of higher tiered Latitudes members (Platinum & above) and will resect & honor request for priority seating there.  I can vouch for that, as we were there 2 nights ago and were promptly seated ... plus, the asst. manager does indeed make an effort to chat with those of us dining there. 

 

Though I have not yet dined at The Commodore, I found this to be true on the Viva. 

 

[mking8288]

Sunset is around 9:15 to 9:30 PM and sunrise is 5:15 AM ... sky hasn't completely darken yet at 9:55 PM at our present position on a 32 deg heading cruising at 13 kts, with calm seas and waves of 1 to 2 meters - wind has subsided, ideal to sleep in late on a weekend morning, clock to set forward 1 hour at 2 AM.

 

 

 

 

 

Images captured using Google Pixel 7 Pro in Night Sight mode

 

 

 

Edited May 3 by mking8288

[JIMESOPUS]

5 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Though I have not yet dined at The Commodore, I found this to be true on the Viva. 

 

21 days on the Viva and not one dinner at Hudson's, the first or second night we went there, very long line, turned around and went to the Commodore, and was seated within minutes.

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

21 days on the Viva and not one dinner at Hudson's, the first or second night we went there, very long line, turned around and went to the Commodore, and was seated within minutes.

 

Perhaps we should keep this secret to ourselves and not sabotage our good find.

 

[mking8288]

Shane performing solo in the Metropolitan Bar this evening.  

 

[JIMESOPUS]

Should I also add that the bar drinks arrived faster?

[mking8288]

Promoting Food Republic in "The Local" today and coming out of the Hudson MDR, both Nama & Hasuki are both 2/3 empty, perhaps another slow evening. 

 

 

Post mortem: these might be partially attributed to the diverse mix of cruisers onboard the TA and high concentration of Chinese speaking ones with their frenzy for Mahjong & sometimes being rather loud.  Sad to call some of them out as bring inconsiderate and buffet hogs, and takeovers of public spaces, blocking passage ways & not holding elevators, first in and out, obstructing access to elevator buttons for others. 

 

Susan pointed out that it might alleviate and ease some of that by posting reminders in the proper language that they understand as being "English" only alone isn't adequate, and that a chat should be held with the tour leader waiving the flag as the group's guide. Maybe, it's not too late - "Google Translate" hello 🤗 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

DWO - 

Guess who else was at tonight's DWO table - Peter & Penny, on the cruise to celebrate her official retirement from teaching ... hosted by a 2 strips "Senior Fire Officer" and 3 strips "Safety Officer" Dwayne Rego, from UK, with aspirations to become a ship captain one day.  We also learn that Captain Kevin "O" is around 38-39 years old only, the youngest in the NCL fleet ... 3 other senior officers, including the Staff Captain are qualified and hold licenses to assume the duties of a captain should it become necessary.  

 

Saw the CruiseNext Manager (he was on the Getaway & Escape as we've spoken to him before on Latitudes matter) walking past us from/to the Hudson MDR and joked with Peter while waiting, wondered if he is hosting our table tonight or not ... There are about 300 Sapphire members onboard, among the 900+ Platinum.  DWO setup is usually a table of 10, hosted by 2 ship officers and 8 guests attending ... but just 6 for our table tonight, a pair from Germany and 4 of us, with 2 empty chairs (no-show or last minute cancellation) 

 

 

 

 

Observation footnote - Hudson MDR was busy this evening as usual, but not exceptionally crazy busy and with numerous hostess on duty out front and I am sure at least 2 to 3 asst. managers on duty - not one, and not once, did we see anyone come around to introduce, say hello and check on our table, etc. 

 

Scheduling of DWO are handled by GM (Marc)'s secretary - April Anne Acosta doing the invite on his behalf, RSVP to Ext. 00 (if and when they answer their phone at Guest Services, LOL)   On other ships like the Escape, it is not uncommon for the GM's secretary or executive assistant to include her direct extension to call back, and/or for other related matters ... as a matter of personal touch. It's a reflection of management style and approaches.  

Edited May 4 by mking8288

[Dukemstr]

Just now, mking8288 said:

DWO - 

Guess who else was at tonight's DWO table - Peter & Penny, on the cruise to celebrate her official retirement from teaching ... hosted by a 2 strips "Senior Fire Officer" and 3 strips "Safety Officer" Dwayne Rego, from UK, with aspirations to become a ship captain one day.  We also learn that Captain Kevin "O" is around 38-39 years old only, the youngest in the NCL fleet ... 3 other senior officers, including the Staff Captain are qualified and hold licenses to assume the duties of a captain should it become necessary.  

 

Saw the CruiseNext Manager (he was on the Getaway & Escape as we've spoken to him before on Latitudes matter) walking past us from/to the Hudson MDR and joked with Peter while waiting, wondered if he is hosting our table tonight or not ... There are about 300 Sapphire members onboard, among the 900+ Platinum.  DWO setup is usually a table of 10, hosted by 2 ship officers and 8 guests attending ... but just 6 for our table tonight, a pair from Germany and 4 of us, with 2 empty chairs (no-show or last minute cancellation) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We where seating right behind you and never imagined we will be that close. When you all got up and "outed" my DW and I laughed

[mking8288]

@Dukemstr  Well, hello CC'er sitting behind us at dinner on the Hudson earlier with 2 ship officers at that oval table - I guess you spotted my "not-trademarked" travel vest, LOL.  

 

Please feel free to post, share & add any comments or observations, cheerfully welcomed as it adds richness, color, views and subtle details that we often missed and overlooked.  I made our Semi or Live Report open & inclusive, fun & informative.  

 

Did any of the asst. managers or "supervisor" (non-servers or assistant servers) come by to visit & say hello at your dining table ??  Unless I blinked and we missed, none came around ... but did noticed some of the servers coming in & out of the gallery (kitchen) taking a peak at our table to see.  

 

I should note, we felt that the pace of our service was being rushed somewhat, not everybody finished their starter/soup/salad and the entrees began showing up, with other plates moved aside ... not the proper or best way to do a cruise ship dinner onboard NCL, given our 25 years of cruising the brand.

 

Alas, it is what it is - I call & tell it like it is, likes and dislikes - being a true critic, to be fair & balanced.  Thoughts ?? 

 

 

 

Edited May 4 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

On every cruise at the first few solo meetings, the Platinum+ latitude members try to pair up with each other so that their two complimentary specialty dinings (two coupons per person) become four meals. I choose not to do this but instead, treat non-Platinum+ members and/or newish NCL cruisers to a specialty dining meal. The sharing of a meal is more important to me than the meal itself.

 

Tonight I treated a new solo friend who is not yet Platinum to dinner at Le Bistro using my Platinum AmEx perk. As another Cruise Critic member has mentioned, no supplement is charged when dining at Le Bistro using this perk. 

 

We arrived at 5:50 for our 6:00 reservation and were seated right away. The perk entitles us to order 1 starter, 1 entree and 1 dessert.

 

We started with the escargot and the endive salad with roquefort cheese, followed by the duck and lamb chops, finished with the fraisier and marquise au chocolat.

 

The escargot lacked salt and something else I can't quite place my finger on. I am always hoping that the duck skin would be crispier, but was glad that the meat was not rubbery. My friend requested switching the lamb shank for another piece of lamb chop and enjoyed her meal. Desserts are usually very good at Le Bistro and did not disappoint.

 

 

 

 

 

Service was brisk and we finished the meal before 7:15, so we met up with my posse for our regular 8:00 dinner reservations at Hudson's.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

8 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

@Dukemstr  Well, hello CC'er sitting behind us at dinner on the Hudson earlier with 2 ship officers at that oval table - I guess you spotted my "not-trademarked" travel vest, LOL.  

 

I spotted your table as well and that ubiquitous travel vest. I thought about planting myself at the table but thought perhaps that would be disrespectful to the officers...just in case they are at my table tomorrow evening. 😁

 

[mking8288]

@Sugar Magnolia Haha, you should've - we had 2 empty seats & could've join us ... we've had better hosts for these dinners. With surround sound noises at high decibel level, not easy to share stories & carry a good group conversation with the long oval dining table. 

 

Was just thinking, should we consider an informal CC power breakfast next Tuesday or Wednesday while at sea, and invite the GM to join us for a listening & converse a bit, or scratch that, just among ourselves - a handful of us to mingle & shoot the breeze.  Of course, we can request cookies & ask for hash browns too 

Edited May 4 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

5 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Was just thinking, should we consider an informal CC power breakfast next Tuesday or Wednesday while at sea, and invite the GM to join us for a listening & converse a bit, or scratch that, just among ourselves - a handful of us to mingle & shoot the breeze.  Of course, we can request cookies & ask for hash browns too 

 

At the very least, I would love to meet our CC group for breakfast.

 

[Dukemstr]

Just now, mking8288 said:

@Dukemstr  Well, hello CC'er sitting behind us at dinner on the Hudson earlier with 2 ship officers at that oval table - I guess you spotted my "not-trademarked" travel vest, LOL.  

 

Please feel free to post, share & add any comments or observations, cheerfully welcomed as it adds richness, color, views and subtle details that we often missed and overlooked.  I made our Semi or Live Report open & inclusive, fun & informative.  

 

Did any of the asst. managers or "supervisor" (non-servers or assistant servers) come by to visit & say hello at your dining table ??  Unless I blinked and we missed, none came around ... but did noticed some of the servers coming in & out of the gallery (kitchen) taking a peak at our table to see.  

 

I should note, we felt that the pace of our service was being rushed somewhat, not everybody finished their starter/soup/salad and the entrees began showing up, with other plates moved aside ... not the proper or best way to do a cruise ship dinner onboard NCL, given our 25 years of cruising the brand.

 

Alas, it is what it is - I call & tell it like it is, likes and dislikes - being a true critic, to be fair & balanced.  Thoughts ?? 

 

 

 

It was actually the first time we ate at the main dining room on discourse. we took a turn to eat at each of the specialty restaurants until now. 
We found the service timely and not too fast or too slow  we actually had one of the managers come and say hello and ask if everything was good

We arrived Around 8:30 PM and waited about 10-15 minutes until we were seated were given a pager when we checked in. 

[mking8288]

Prima's Abby - digital online library

screenshots - several thousands titles in popular categories 

*** accessed Abby on my Amazon Fire HD 10 Fire tablet, using my QPLS Card, NCL Prima card needed to borrow a book, samples can be read without a card.

 

Edited May 4 by mking8288

[photochan]

On 4/19/2024 at 11:59 PM, mking8288 said:

Flying (not using NCL air is direct control, we decide & call it) - were looking into using accrued United miles to book our return flight, once my favorite carrier since mid 1970's but decided with 3 others coming home together, going with a new Euro carrier, that took over the fleet of B787's ... 

 

Flying them out of LGW or Gatwick. 

 

Stay tuned for a mini report at the end of our TA sailing ...next month. 

 

Flying coach or the main cabin these days is just miserable 😖 given the widespread nickels & dimes approach adopted by more and more carriers everywhere you look. 

Typical on a Airbus 320 series - this was TAP-Portugal's A321 NEO LR and we had the empty middle seat open for a 7 hour flight. 

 

 

 

 

This is the third times we used NCL’s 2 for 1 air and really has no issues. Other than Lufthansa misplaced our bags for two days April 2023. We barely got our bags before leaving for the cruise pier in Lisbon. This time we will be flying home from Heathrow on Delta ( operated by Virgin Atlantic) leaving rather late on Sunday getting to JFK around 930pm. 

[mking8288]

Good morning 🌞 cloudy skies and it's Day #8 - will arrive Iceland tomorrow around 1 to 2 PM.  Temp will be in 40's and showery.

 

Prima now doing 17 kts vs 13 kts over the past 3 days ... pushing faster to get there earlier ?  Now, sitting in the Hudson MDR over breakfast - going at 18+ kts 

 

Code Alpha over ship's PA system around 6 AM in cabin 119xx starboard side, broadcasted into all stateroom - 3rd one on this TA. 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

2 hours ago, photochan said:

This is the third times we used NCL’s 2 for 1 air and really has no issues. Other than Lufthansa misplaced our bags ... will be flying home from Heathrow on Delta leaving rather late on Sunday getting to JFK around 930pm. 

Alex, LHR labor issues might be settled last minute, as you know ... Our GTW non-stop to JFK should land about 2 hours later than yours.  Niece now said she can take Monday off so we don't mind an unplanned overnight stay at airline's expense, if our flight is delayed 😆.  Fingers crossed   

 

Let's worry about that later ... gotta do last minute prep for tomorrow & download maps for navigation.

 

Edited May 4 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Beautiful day at sea, sunshine and calm wind, seas at 1 meter or 3 to 4 ft.  Speed trimmed to 14 kts.  Conditions will worsen ***** later today. 

 

 

 

 

 

***** "Increased to" 2 meters or 5 to 8, 9 ft. and more wind speed. 

 

 

 

 

[ontheweb]

11 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Promoting Food Republic in "The Local" today and coming out of the Hudson MDR, both Nama & Hasuki are both 2/3 empty, perhaps another slow evening. 

 

 

Post mortem: these might be partially attributed to the diverse mix of cruisers onboard the TA and high concentration of Chinese speaking ones with their frenzy for Mahjong & sometimes being rather loud.  Sad to call some of them out as bring inconsiderate and buffet hogs, and takeovers of public spaces, blocking passage ways & not holding elevators, first in and out, obstructing access to elevator buttons for others. 

 

Susan pointed out that it might alleviate and ease some of that by posting reminders in the proper language that they understand as being "English" only alone isn't adequate, and that a chat should be held with the tour leader waiving the flag as the group's guide. Maybe, it's not too late - "Google Translate" hello 🤗 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The large group on our Prima cruise this past summer "spoke" sign language. They were ubiquitous, and you could not miss seeing them, but they did not at all take over anything or be inconsiderate.