Regretfully never again

Norwegian Prima Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

larrystein6

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 14

Overall rating:

2.6 out of 5

7 Night Caribbean: Harvest Caye Cozumel & Roatan (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 09, 2024

Ship: Norwegian Prima

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 13798

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 10 months ago

Review summary

1) Norwegian pulled a bait and switch. Prepaid $400 for service fees and tips. Once we left Galveston they charge $20 per person per day ADDITIONAL service charge for the crew. So crew tips are now $700. 2) our cruise included unlimited open bar. This was a huge mistake for us, as the bars are mobbed. You have to fight the crowds at every bar staring at 9am to get a drink from one of the two bartenders at each bar. 3) again due to open bar. 60% of the passengers are drunk and loud from 11am to 10pm. Be ready for lots of loud voices and laughing 4) I am so shocked at the lack of pools, pool space and same for hot tubs.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Good, no problems, smooth

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Main cold stale Specialty good Buffets: some good, some awful

The Commodore Room

4 out of 5

The food and service was actually good here. Why was Hudsons which is right above this main dining hall so bad?

Hudson's Main Dining Room

1 out of 5

I don’t know where the food comes from, but it’s definitely not prepared here. Perhaps deck 3 kitchen on the other end of the ship? The food is always served cold, stale

The Local Bar & Grill

4 out of 5

Fighting to get a drink here is less of a a struggle than the other bars. Close to deck chairs outside

Los Lobos

4 out of 5

Nice place, guacamole prepared at your tableOnly thing I did not understand, why does everything take forever and all come at once? I thought a salad appetizer would come way before the main course

Indulge Outdoor Lounge

4 out of 5

Surprisingly convenient iPad order at your tableThe four comes quickly, is hot, and actually tastes goodGreat variety from Tex mex to Indian

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Lounges overcrowded Pools are a joke, only 3 and all small 2 hot tubs for 4000+ people????? Entertainment venues lacking and small, except one nice theater Go kart track was unique, but at $15 for 4 laps only did it once

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Good if you can get in the 100 person venues with seating for 50, yet 200+ will squeeze in. Thank goodness there is no fire Marshall in international waters

Children's Programs

No kids with me

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Staff is overworked, and their tips are guaranteed, so no need to provide service. However I don’t blame them as they are overworked

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cleanliness i give 5 stars Design I would give 0 if I could How could a cruise line build a ship to carry so many passengers yet have 3 tiny pools and 2 eight person hot tubs???? Besides the one main theater, Only 2 small theaters for nightly entertainment? Bars are always overwhelmed. 2 bartenders at each of 4 bars for 4000+ passengers??? No ice cream stands, no soda fountains, free alcohol, but a soft drink costs $4, if you can find one

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

New, nicely decorated, larger, comfy balcony chairs

Ship tip

If you want to lounge by a pool and get in it or a hot tub, do NOT get on this ship. If you are a drunk or an alcoholic, then this IS the place for you

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

1 out of 5

Poverty galore. Breaks my heart, and hard to believe an American city could be so bad. Just walk one block off the ocean Ave and see for yourself

Thumbs Up 0

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico Did not visit port

Wind, ship could not dock

Thumbs Up 0

Harvest Caye, Belize

3 out of 5

Again, private island gets a 5 for beach and safety Again 0 stars if I could, for misleading anyone. You will get zero experience of the country of Belize. They keep you isolated from Belize unless you purchase an over priced short lived and highly guarded excursion

Thumbs Up 0

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

4 out of 5

Hired a private guided taxi. That was great to see the island and learn about the people Then he took us to a private beach club that was safe, quiet, great beach, and snorkeling

Thumbs Up 0

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Been here many times. Always get a taxi and get out of town. State park at south end of island has amazing beach, club. Swim, snorkel. Just get away from the ports

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Smooth, easy, fast

12 Comments

javawoody 10 months ago

INTERESTING???

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Jerrec 10 months ago

I’m going to say you have no idea what you are talking about regarding taxes, fees and service charges. You likely paid port fees and taxes when you booked, completely separate from the daily gratuities (service charge). You can opt to prepay those, but that isn’t standard.

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AuntPinkie 10 months ago

Appreciate your details. Sorry you were so disappointed.

Thumbs Up 0

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Gwbigdog 10 months ago

Oops sorry 😞 thanks

Thumbs Up 1

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Gammi6 10 months ago

We were on the Prima last year and also loved it. I agree this is fake. The maximum double occupancy capacity is 3000. There were not 4000 people on this cruise. If this is real I’m sorry you had a bad cruise.

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Lawnboy1956 10 months ago

The numbers don’t add up. The prepaid gratuities at $20/ day per person is $280 not $400. When you prepay the gratuities it should show as $280 credit on your onboard account and then they post the $20/ day/ person so it zeros it out at the end of the trip. The $400 sounds like the ports fees and taxes.

Thumbs Up 1

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HeavySeas 10 months ago

Wow

Thumbs Up 1

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karlgrgurich 10 months ago

Sorry you had a poor experience

Thumbs Up 1

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tboyswinegirl 10 months ago

WOW! I was on Prima last March and am booked again in April. I clearly had a completely different experience. Sorry that you didn't enjoy.

Thumbs Up 1

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Brittni1223 10 months ago

Ummmm…. I’m agree with person who this may be a fake review

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kdlady 10 months ago

I think this is a fake review. Galveston Island is NOT impoverished....

Thumbs Up 3

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bubbles60 10 months ago

Sorry you did not have a good time. We have been on the Prima and had a great time!

Thumbs Up 1

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