Book the Haven if you’re doing the Prima ship. Cabin was good except for the master bathroom. Speciality restaurants and Haven restaurant were ok, except for meat/seafood quality. For us the Prima is 1 and done for us.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
There was confusion on where the initial Haven line was at Manhattan Terminal in order to get to Security & Customs then to the actual Haven desk to Check-in. A bit disappointed that the Haven lounge for cruisers while they wait to board the ship was small and snacks and beverages were wiped out so quickly by 10am. It became standing room only.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
While the specialty restaurants we went to were ok, Le Bistro disappointed us. The quality of meats have gone down. The lamb chops were disappointing, the lamb chops were much better at Palermo. And the voucher for Le Bistro we received in our cabin really needs to be more clear. We did not know it was from our American Express Platinum card. We thought someone had gifted it to us, so we ended up at Le Bistro twice, while we could have gone to Cagney’s or back to Palermo. Palermo was excellent. Also in the Haven restaurant, where we ate most of the time, someone needs to check the quality of seafood and meat before they cook and serve it. I had a scallop dish, where 2 of the 3 were light brown and tuff and my son had a prime rib where the meat was a dark red, either it was not cooked or the meat was bad, because we had a problem cutting it and my son had slight food poisoning from eating a piece that night into the following day.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Haven infinity pool was only filled up once, other times it was filled half full with water. Spa and fitness center was nice , but teens under 16 are not allowed in. My son, who runs track could not do his runs onboard.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Comedy show was ok, Syd Norman’s was always full, standing room only, it was ok. Casino not too bad.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Once we got upstairs to the Haven, the concierge, David was excellent throughout our stay. He assisted me in everything I needed and answered all my questions. Romel & Ken, the Haven bartenders & their staff are EXCELLENT. Before dinner they had already knew our names, even our teenage son who rarely ordered anything at the Haven bar. Please give these guys a raise or something. The Haven restaurant staff were awesome. Always pleasant, a few even made conversation with us, which was nice. Unfortunately, I can’t recall their names. Our butler, Rufino & cabin attendant Jeanette, just WOW. Rufino is like a ninja lol. We tried not to bother him too much knowing he was handling more than 15 cabins in the Haven. Same for Jeanette, she still made and turned down the room every night even though we told her it wasn’t necessary. Please give Rufino & Jeanette a raise or promotion.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
The Prima ship is by far beautiful, BUT as small she she is, the buffet was always crowded with long lines. The buffet did not have NCL’s standard wrap around of the same food on both sides and not enough seating. Now there were days it was windy the week of April 9,2023. The usual specialty restaurants & main dining rooms were scattered throughout the ship on multiple decks which was confusing & like a witch hunt. Same goes for the shops, excursion desk, guest services,etc. the Atrium was not as grand as the rest of the fleet and so much smaller. We missed being able to just sit on the deck above where OSheehans/The Local would be over looking the atrium while activities were going around.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Our butler, Rufino & cabin attendant Jeanette, just WOW. Rufino is like a ninja lol. We tried not to bother him too much knowing he was handling more than 15 cabins in the Haven. Same for Jeanette, she still made and turned down the room every night even though we told her it wasn’t necessary. Please give Rufino & Jeanette a raise or promotion. Master bathroom is missing a garbage can. Cabin was always clean. The Haven 2bedroom Cabin we stayed in was ok. The master bedroom bathroom needs to be redone. There are no towel hooks/rack readily close to the shower. The hooks are on the door itself in the commode & bathroom door entrance which is inconvenient and far. The shower configuration sucks. The spa shower nozzles should not be facing the shower door where water constantly pooled outside the shower where the mat is. While we hit some rocky waves, while in the shower, the water would also start to move outside of the shower causing it to be very wet. I had to use multiple towels to soak it up. And why is there a hole on the shower door? Water also started going out that way making the mat & commode door wet. Now the 2 person sink, there is not enough space for 2 people to place items.
Ship tip
If you book the Prima, book the Haven on this ship. The private Haven elevator alone was worth it.
Safe as always. Lots to do. Did parasailing right outside the ship, bought the bus/water taxi rides for 2 days and did our own excursions in Bermuda. saw hidden forts and caves on our own.
Agree with your overall impression of the Prima. From what I’ve heard, NCL realized the issues and although the Viva is nearly identical, the other Prima class ships are being redesigned.
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