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

[JIMESOPUS]

From the Weather Channel, May the Fourth be with you.

[Sugar Magnolia]

20 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

Surely/Shirley you can't be serious. Le Bistro is consistently one of our favorite NCL dining venues. Been four times...had Filet four times. Delighted four times. As I've so astutely pointed out in previous posts, if you want a great steak, go to Le Bistro. After all, Filet Mignon is French.

 

Just be sure to get it without that goose liver crapola on top.

 

I shall order the filet mignon next time as you so astutely pointed out, but shall keep the goose liver crapola out of spite. 
 

Several people raved about the duck on this sailing so I thought I would be sheep and ordered duck. It was not terrible. 
 

And don’t call me Shirley. 
 

[JIMESOPUS]

First-timers or those who have seen it all, visit the " old " Harbor. Great restaurants and things to do. Höfnin Restaurant, catch of the day, and many other Icelandic specialties. Only open for Lunch and Dinner.

Also, the Harpa has free bathrooms on the lower floor and several restaurants as well.

[Sugar Magnolia]

6 hours ago, mking8288 said:

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

 

 

 

Wow, if they called code into the staterooms I did not hear a peep. Hoping some nice CC friend will remember to come get me if we abandon ship in the middle of the night. 
 

[Sugar Magnolia]

The free weights are still dropping over my head with a loud thunk at the thermal suite. Who’s brilliant idea was it to place the fitness center over the thermal suite? Is this an appropriate question to ask at tonight’s dinner with officers? Shall I share with them the hours of lamenting on Cruise Critic the inexplicable extinction of the towel animals, the disappointing disappearance of the hash browns, and the confusing cookie conversations as the beloved snack has become as illusive as the unicorn? Where does this end?

 

 

 

[mking8288]

Random facts and info only "details" that we've learned onboard 

 

Casino At Sea players (base level or lowest tier) - no more house drink card, and not even carton of water while playing in the casino ... bar runners will bring a glass of water.

 

Costs for missing embarkation & pier check-in cutoff and getting to next port, Halifax, NS, Canada to board the ship (missed 2 nights onboard)  $1,000 USD for OW flight, LGA to Halifax on Air Canada connecting via Toronto (no direct non-stop) and 1 night hotel plus Uber to cruise terminal.  #ouch #ouch - x 2 adults, one with an expired passport ... discovered / realized only after at the check-in counter inside Pier 88 last Saturday, after being in the long line before 2 PM moving slower ( got there sometime after 1 PM'ish) Lots of what if's ... no trip insurance.  Pennywise & pound foolish - cost 2 of them an extra $2,000 to do this TA.   True story from niece's circle of friends from NYC. 

 

[mking8288]

MDR breakfast & lunch photos - eating "light" 

 

Smoked salmon on a very, very lightly toasted half bagel x 2, yogurt and fruit plate, OJ & coffee.  *** 1 piece of rolled up smoke salmon (endangered 😬) as I am used to getting 2 to 3 pieces per order - thus, double-up. 

 

 

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Costs for missing embarkation & pier check-in cutoff and getting to next port, Halifax, NS, Canada to board the ship (missed 2 nights onboard)  $1,000 USD for OW flight, LGA to Halifax on Air Canada connecting via Toronto (no direct non-stop) and 1 night hotel plus Uber to cruise terminal.  #ouch #ouch - x 2 adults, one with an expired passport ... discovered / realized only after at the check-in counter inside Pier 88 last Saturday, after being in the long line before 2 PM moving slower ( got there sometime after 1 PM'ish) Lots of what if's ... no trip insurance.  Pennywise & pound foolish - cost 2 of them an extra $2,000 to do this TA.   True story from niece's circle of friends from NYC. 

 

That was indeed a costly lesson for them, but fortunately, were able to renew passport in time. 
 

[ontheweb]

22 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Random facts and info only "details" that we've learned onboard 

 

Casino At Sea players (base level or lowest tier) - no more house drink card, and not even carton of water while playing in the casino ... bar runners will bring a glass of water.

 

Costs for missing embarkation & pier check-in cutoff and getting to next port, Halifax, NS, Canada to board the ship (missed 2 nights onboard)  $1,000 USD for OW flight, LGA to Halifax on Air Canada connecting via Toronto (no direct non-stop) and 1 night hotel plus Uber to cruise terminal.  #ouch #ouch - x 2 adults, one with an expired passport ... discovered / realized only after at the check-in counter inside Pier 88 last Saturday, after being in the long line before 2 PM moving slower ( got there sometime after 1 PM'ish) Lots of what if's ... no trip insurance.  Pennywise & pound foolish - cost 2 of them an extra $2,000 to do this TA.   True story from niece's circle of friends from NYC. 

 

There is something fishy about this story. How can they get on an international plane or the cruise with an expired passport?

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

MDR breakfast & lunch photos - eating "light" 

I am on a hunger strike until dinner. 
 

[mking8288]

Internet (iCafe) cafe with DIY $$ wireless printing service 24/7 but BYO - laptop, notebook PC, iPad, tablet, smartphone & iPhone, etc to connect.  No desktop stations or terminals w keyboard/mouse to rent for a fee or use, etc. 

 

 

 

Station Zebra online - Linux Ubuntu v22.x LTS with Chrome browser, NCL hotspot log-in screen. Disable or turnoff VPN if connectivity issues are encountered. 

 

There are a total of 4 110v 3-prong US outlet in the balcony cabin, plus 1 220v 2 pin EU outlet (adapter required) and 2 sets of USB charging outlets, 1 being A and other C type, max output is 1.5A only. 

 

 

However, by (poor) design, unless you are using a micro-sized or slim/compact charger, the USB-A or USB-C outlet will be unusable, blocked ... unless you have a short 6" extension cord/tap (non-surge suppressed)

 

Bedside, one 119v outlet is available and 1 pair of USB outlet per bedside USB lamp.

 

 

[mking8288]

3 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

There is something fishy about this story. How can they get on an international plane or the cruise with an expired passport?

Nothing fishy, it just stinks for them, adult daughter taking aged, frail parent in late 70's, on this cruise - from Brooklyn, NY - one US passport is valid but other one was mistakenly taken from home, valid & already renewed current US passport left behind when they left for Pier 88. 

 

While standing in line to get checked in with the massive chaotic lines inside Pier 88, had they looked carefully again - should and would have realized the elder's mistaken ... probably could've made a round trip ride  - weekend traffic is "lighter" - to Brooklyn (nearby) to retrieve the valid passport.  Then avoid the long line while standing & waiting, and walked onboard close to 4 PM. Their checked bags had already been handed off to Pier porter when they got out of the car service. 

 

Avoidable but ...

[mking8288]

Random things around the ship - 

 

 

 

CruiseNext DoubleUp, any date, any ship, any stateroom - extra OBC to use on current cruise.

 

 

 

Edited May 4 by mking8288

[The P]

Henry, I emailed you.....Sharon

[mking8288]

39 minutes ago, The P said:

 

Email received, thanks  ... will do. We'll chat privately more on our sidebar, station channel.  Enjoy 😊 your weekend at Hell's Kitchen 😉 

Edited May 4 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Beautiful afternoon with the sun out, starboard side - sunset tonight is around 10:15 PM, as close as we'll get to the midnight 🌞 sun. 

 

 

 

 

Prima was going about 14 to 15 kts during lunch - that was about 3.5 hours ago. 

 

Capt Kevin "Out" has been speeding again, seas are 1 to 2 m or 5 to 8 ft. with small caps, a slightly rougher ride but hardly anyone noticed that we are going rather fast at 20.5 kts +/- for the past 2 hours. 

 

🤔 Hmmm 

[mking8288]

Continuation of above - 

ETA is listed as 9:30 AM tomorrow morning.

 

However, looking at our latest position, course heading of 44 deg (NE direction) at 20.5 kts, best estimated distance of 220 nm or less - even if our average cruise speed is throttled to 17.5 kts - we can easily be on final approach into Reykjavik's harbor for the cruise pier by sunrise or 4 to 5 AM. 

 

Of course, to sail & sustain, even at 14 to 15 kts, we can still dock by 9:30 AM 🤔 and that will be 4+ hours earlier than planned for.  On the opposite end, I can see us at the pier by 2 to 3 AM during the overnight hours.  No announcement of any kind nor do I expect them to say anything otherwise except on a need to know basis. 

 

There's a reason for the bridge to speed up again to Iceland and weather is not the reason, the adjustment is monitored & GPS tracked by NCL Miami's HQ operations command center, approval requested from the watch team on the bridge & being carried out ... it's one of the fun question asked by Peter last night during DWO and answered by the Ship Safety Officer. 

 

Let's just have trust & faith in choices made, and things to work out. 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 4 by mking8288

[UKstages]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Casino At Sea players (base level or lowest tier) - no more house drink card, and not even carton of water while playing in the casino ... bar runners will bring a glass of water.

 

true. the new program went into effect 4/1. there are a couple of threads here on CC about this.

 

they bungled the announcement, then took a lot of flack from players, then reversed course, then reversed course again. they actually did respond to player feedback and tweaked the program positively, but cluelessly held the line at no longer offering free drinks. and free drinks is pretty much table stakes (pun intended) for any casino operation. they did, however, add a free water package... rated players get a set number of cartons of water as an in-room amenity.

 

to be fair, they actually upgraded the program for the two highest player tiers... ruby and elite. they now offer a free UB drink package to ruby players (free from gratuities, valid throughout the ship, not just in the casino) and, similarly, a free premium plus drink package to elite players. they also added a free "behind the scenes" tour (the longer shorex version) for rubys and elites.

 

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

I am on a hunger strike until dinner. 

Ha 😆 you are doing DWO tonight, unless you are beaming for a liquid diet, complimentary of course - should - for the special table - you might still be hungry afterward, given the "Cooking Lite" dinner sized servings in the MDR. 

 

Drop by Cagney's and if we aren't done by 8:30 PM - good chance you can join the ladies for French press coffee to go with dessert. 

 

As for missing Code Alpha, you weren't alone, our dancing niece crashed after another late night & never heard it.  Since you are inside the Studio section, don't believe we can rush over to bang the doors, perhaps another CC'er in that area can do a wellness check to make sure you are safely evacuated if & when it isn't just a drill. 

 

If none of us hear anything about the reasons for the Prima to speed on the final stretch to Iceland and ignored maritime regulations & whales protection zones, you can ask the officers the reason for racing ahead.  The Pearl was taking her sweet time getting to Reykjavik on Wednesday & only docked slightly earlier than their 2 PM arrival. 

 

Enjoy dinner & do share and tell us later. 

[dexddd]

17 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Shane performing solo in the Metropolitan Bar this evening.  

 

What is that couple up to?  Maybe trying to sneak into unguarded Haven elevators?

 

Heard years of Chocolate Cowboy and finally met him in person at Metro.  Had to relay message from fellow CC'er to him.

[Fogfog]

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Random facts and info only "details" that we've learned onboard 

 

Captn Outs report this AM indicated tonight’s weather to deteriorate… sigh.

Are we getting snow tom?

 

On the crowd control….there are tour guides etc. And there has been signage. It is interesting re culture 

 

Wondering where the party girl where be…it’s like Where’s Waldo. Where she is..is where the fun is for certain. And she’s not telling.

unless you bring cookies

Edited May 4 by Fogfog

[Fogfog]

26 minutes ago, dexddd said:

What is that couple up to?  Maybe trying to sneak into unguarded Haven elevators?

 

Heard years of Chocolate Cowboy and finally met him in person at Metro.  Had to relay message from fellow CC'er to him.

Some woman just got on with us earlier….we only went up a floor to 8…so she was going to have trouble 😈 since she’d need a card for any service anywhere in H anyway. And would be escorted out.

 

is Choc Cowboy on the ship? Will look next time we are down there.

 

Dinner in Le Bistro tonight..asking for extra fois gras “crap-ola”  garnish on my filet

 

 

 

Edited May 4 by Fogfog

[dexddd]

Scooby Doo Mysteries see DWO did not solve if missing anchor from bow.

 

Hey, my second job is Senior Fire Officer.  Last time we were together I didn't talk to you as well.  Must be part of job description.

 

Weather looking good today for use of outdoor areas of the warm weather ship.

 

Fleet harmonization see that reuben on Prima now corned beef vs pastrami as seen corned beef on other ships.  Pastrami on Prima posted earlier and was quite good.  Only couple things I can claim some expertise is not a wine or champagne expert, except when NCL says Champagne for room yet cheaps out, I am a reuben and chicken parmesan connoisseur.

 

Safe sails to beautiful Iceland.

[dexddd]

14 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Some woman just got on with us earlier….we only went up a floor to 8…so she was going to have trouble 😈 since she’d need a card for any service anywhere in H anyway. And would be escorted out.

 

is Choc Cowboy on the ship? Will look next time we are down there.

I don't know where he is at.  We met him on our Prima TA back in 2022.  Even had cowboy hat on.  Place always packed.

 

Hope they weren't trying to go to a range of floors like 9-11 iirc which have no haven elevator access.

 

Meanwhile at the ranch, rain.

 

 

Edited May 4 by dexddd

[mking8288]

@Fogfog Yulp, dad renewed his US passport but stored them together at home, took the expired one and the daughter did double check & left together for P88, and being compliant w NCL's spam email bombing to not show up any earlier than noon & figured they aren't going to fight for a late lunch once onboard, arriving between 1 to 2 PM, caught in that cruise terminal fiasco ...

 

Weather isn't all that bad and no snow in forecast, just be prepared for showers & windy conditions, real-feel temp in the 30's and 20's overnight. Timberland waterproof walking boots ready 👌 

 

@dexddd Sharon helped answered your Q on H access, I hope. As for the missing anchor, I will try to find out & report back. 

 

We've trimmed the speed down to 19.7 kts now but with my rough calculated nm distance to port & speed ...I say we are looking at a pre-dawn or sunrise arrival ... the cloth hangers, ceiling panels and noises behind the wall partitions are vibrating & shaking again with the steady "rattling" sound. 

 

 

Beginning to see smaller birds hovering just above the ocean water searching for food, must be close to land but no sighting of whales or dolphins (???) - got my binoculars ready to spot for marine life and land - not quite there yet. Just don't be surprised if we sail into the harbor at 4 or 5 AM 

 

Google Gemini (Bard) generated this AI image a while ago -