This video is part of a series! To start from the beginning on boarding day in Reykjavik, Iceland, click here! th-cam.com/video/pqZl0dH2Fho/w-d-xo.html
As always Meredith, thank you, thank you, thank you for your always candid, enlightening, and uplifting reports from “The Front!” As you may recall, I am the person who is preparing to embark, along with my wife and incredibly loyal and loving friends, on the Prima in Southampton in 53 days and disembark in Reykjavik 11 days thereafter after, hopefully, hitting all of the ports of call that you are intimately familiar with including, we pray, Amsterdam. I am especially appreciative of your unequivocal endorsement of the Prima as a ship that proved to be ideal for this itinerary despite the fact that it is not a classically warm weather cruise. Given that this will be our first experience on the Prima despite 33 wonderful years traveling with NCL, as well as my desire that everything be perfect for my wife as we renew our marital vows onboard the ship, I’m really praying that the ship will be a suitable and accommodating hostess for all involved-thanks to your enthusiastic endorsement I am now even more confident that it will be . . . For that, and much more, Muchissimas Gracias from the “Left Coast!”
Thanks so much Todd! I truly hope you have an incredible cruise on the Prima and have amazing weather the whole trip! I know the Prima is much different from the rest of the NCL fleet, but I really enjoyed this cruise and itinerary despite so much of the ship being dedicated to outdoor areas. Congratulations again on your vow renewal!! :)
Thanks Meredith for bringing us along this 10 day journey. This is a great series. Love your stunning photography showcasing the stunning sceneries in the ports, plus your soothing music choice. My wife and I will be on the Prima the second time next fall on this same cruise leaving from Southampton instead. You gave us a great preview of the trip. Hope we won’t miss any ports. We also purchased the plane tickets through NCL. How did you like the arrangement to and from the cruise ports? Thanks.
The transportation to/from the ports was great - very smooth and easy to navigate, especially on disembarkation in Southampton. I imagine the experience would be the same in Reykjavik to the airport via NCL shuttle; if you booked your airfare through NCL then the transportation to/from the airport will be included! Hope you have great weather on your cruise! :)
I find the Prima/Viva ships to be for those who just need some good ol relaxation with great views all over, space and a drink package. Not to mention the food. When we're not focused on content, we truly get to enjoy for what it's worth.
Hi Mer ❤ going on my first cruise in January and I've just been devouring cruise content for the last few weeks trying to get an understanding of what to expect for mine. I gotta say, your content has been my favorite thus far! I've been following your journey on this 10 day norwegian cruise (I also watched all your other vids hehehe) and your laid back energy and openess to solo cruising so much that it makes me want to be a solo cruise girly as well 😂😅
@@Kay-ov3ld wow, thank you SO much, that is so kind of you! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying my videos and following along on my trips, I absolutely recommend giving solo cruising/travel a try, it really is so freeing and fun! 😊💕
I LOVE everything about Holland! My favorite city is Den Haag!! The Netherlands are such an amazing country. So bummed you didn't get to see it. Hopefully next time you'll be able to catch that magical city again! Keep up the great work with the vlogs!
@@gracexpeace I hope so!! I think I may just have to take a land trip to Amsterdam & the Netherlands since I seem to be getting so unlucky trying to make it there on a cruise ship 😆
Wow! I had the same trip last the last week of May and I say WOW because that what exactly what happened to us. The captain came on the speaker and cancelled the Amsterdam port with exact reason (too windy and would not be able to exit until Monday) and head on to Zebrugge. Also, with 1pm arrival and same reason pilot was late bc of some port issues. We did not get in Zebrugge till 4ish and it was a mad rush to get the bus. I guess NCL has not fixed taking the bus to the port terminal issue (Still crowed and messy). We only got 50 dollar on board cruise so you are ahead. Brugge was fantastic but cold and rainy. Thanks for putting out this videos is fun seeing your side of your trip.
@BlueSkyB-ne4iz I just reread this and realized you were on the same cruise as me! I was on the end of May to early June. I believe they gave $50 for the first 2 people in the cabin so since I was cruising solo I guess they gave me both!
Overall this was an incredible series that was pivotal in my decision to book this cruise solo. I have done Alaska solo but was a bit weary of 10 days.
Love to hear that! I think 10 days around Iceland, Norway, Belgium & Amsterdam was the perfect length - I thought 7 days around Alaska was the right amount, but it just depends on what you like to do while cruising. So glad you enjoyed this series, I hope you have an amazing solo cruise!! :)
Thank you for the video series on the cruise to Norway. Some day, I hope you take a cruise to north of Norway. It`s totally different from Geiranger and the south of Norway. Experience Lofoten, The North Cape, Midnight sun/Northern light and the beaches. Welcome back😀
I already want to go back and see so much more of Norway! I'd love to do an expedition cruise and get to see more places... hopefully one day not too far in the future! :)
My wife and I had similar experiences on the Breakaway last summer at this time. We missed two ports and the winds and storms were severe. Not the best cruise. Hope yours was better. Best!
@@timczerniec4043 other than the weather the last few days taking a turn, the cruise was amazing! Sorry to hear yours did not go well - I have now missed Amsterdam twice so I guess a land trip is needed for that area!
Hey! We were on your exact cruise on the Prima last week, I’m surprised the weather is like this for you because we were really lucky with the weather and got to dock everywhere. But if it makes you feel better, Amsterdam ended up being our least favorite port as we found every other port a lot more beautiful, while amsterdam was crowded and not as impressive as we thought. And Brugge was one of our favorites! Especially because of the chocolates lol.
@@danyelshaikh1553 well that is good to know! I still plan to one day make it to Amsterdam, and can only hope that the weather is amazing to make up for missing this port multiple times 😂 glad you had great weather on your cruise and enjoyed Brugge!
Thank you for your information. Our trip to Iceland on Prima is getting closer. NCL gave us cash credit when a Mediterranean excursion was canceled due to weather.
Sorry you had to miss Amsterdam...I loved it there. However, on my Prima sailing last year we lost Belgium because of weather. Like you said, it's the risk you take. Thankfully, I was able to return to Zeebrugge/Bruges this year on my Sky Princess cruise. Great series...Happy Sailing! 🙂
Sounds like a perfect spa day!!! I’m usually very judging of people that mad rush to go anywhere. But, I’m thinking the mad rush to disembark could have included me that time, if I made a last minute decision to catch a train into Amsterdam or Paris for an overnight. Catching a 6pm train to Gar de l’est is just a 4 hour ride! Since you missed Amsterdam, maybe others were taking a train there. Either way, whenever we have an interruption in an itinerary, we look for creative ways to salvage the day. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
@@dak_alwaystravels9213 definitely a great spa day! And that’s very true, could be lots of people rearranged their plans for the evening! I fully agree in making lemonade out of lemons in every situation. In this case it ended up being one of my favorite days of the cruise and I didn’t even get off the ship! 😄
Thanks for the wonderful vlog of your trip, it truly was spectacular! Sorry to hear you missed Amsterdam, it so glad you had travel insurance. So many people don’t get any travel insurance and are out of luck if something happens. It only takes one big issue to make travel insurance worth it for the entire year, been there! I’m looking forward to your Holland America vlog as I am very interested in that itinerary. I see you used transportation to LHR through NCL. What time was your flight and was the transportation easy to find once you disembarked? I have a 1:40 pm flight and am contemplating using the NCL transfer as private transfer is so expensive and has luggage limitations (there are 7 of us total.
@@terriguske4530 thanks so much for watching! The transportation to the airport was very smooth and quick, you will see lots of folks directing you to the correct bus depending on your airline. My flight was at 1pm and I was on the bus before 7:30 and made it to the airport by 9am, so I had plenty of time to check in and eat before my flight started boarding!
@@heathermichael3987 it is! You have to book 6 weeks out as soon as tickets become available and they usually sell out within a few hours. I had planned ahead for this one! 😢
It happens occasionally! I got stuck in Bermuda for an extra day due to a tropical storm last year - we couldn't get off the ship so it wasn't really an extra day "in" port necessarily, but safety is always the most important thing!
To dock in Amsterdam the ship has to go through several locks, and if there's any significant wind it makes that process incredibly difficult and risky. Zeebrugge port is much easier to get into. We even needed tugboat assistance on our departure because the wind was still so strong!
@MerCruisesSolo that makes sense. My wife and I are leaving from Southampton on the Prima on 8/25. We'll hit Bruges, Amsterdam (hopefully), Norway, and Iceland. I hope we have as much fun as you did! Thanks for the videos.
This video is part of a series! To start from the beginning on boarding day in Reykjavik, Iceland, click here! th-cam.com/video/pqZl0dH2Fho/w-d-xo.html
As always Meredith, thank you, thank you, thank you for your always candid, enlightening, and uplifting reports from “The Front!” As you may recall, I am the person who is preparing to embark, along with my wife and incredibly loyal and loving friends, on the Prima in Southampton in 53 days and disembark in Reykjavik 11 days thereafter after, hopefully, hitting all of the ports of call that you are intimately familiar with including, we pray, Amsterdam. I am especially appreciative of your unequivocal endorsement of the Prima as a ship that proved to be ideal for this itinerary despite the fact that it is not a classically warm weather cruise. Given that this will be our first experience on the Prima despite 33 wonderful years traveling with NCL, as well as my desire that everything be perfect for my wife as we renew our marital vows onboard the ship, I’m really praying that the ship will be a suitable and accommodating hostess for all involved-thanks to your enthusiastic endorsement I am now even more confident that it will be . . . For that, and much more, Muchissimas Gracias from the “Left Coast!”
Thanks so much Todd! I truly hope you have an incredible cruise on the Prima and have amazing weather the whole trip! I know the Prima is much different from the rest of the NCL fleet, but I really enjoyed this cruise and itinerary despite so much of the ship being dedicated to outdoor areas. Congratulations again on your vow renewal!! :)
Sorry about your missed port; never fun. Thanks again for bringing us along on your journey.
Not fun to miss a port (in my case have missed Amsterdam twice!), but at least we made the best of it :) Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks Meredith for bringing us along this 10 day journey. This is a great series. Love your stunning photography showcasing the stunning sceneries in the ports, plus your soothing music choice.
My wife and I will be on the Prima the second time next fall on this same cruise leaving from Southampton instead. You gave us a great preview of the trip. Hope we won’t miss any ports.
We also purchased the plane tickets through NCL. How did you like the arrangement to and from the cruise ports? Thanks.
The transportation to/from the ports was great - very smooth and easy to navigate, especially on disembarkation in Southampton. I imagine the experience would be the same in Reykjavik to the airport via NCL shuttle; if you booked your airfare through NCL then the transportation to/from the airport will be included! Hope you have great weather on your cruise! :)
Wow, I so want to go on a solo cruise and just a cruise as have never been. Love your videos can’t wait for the next series.
@@kerryharder2416 thanks so much for watching, definitely try a cruise and see what you think, it is such a great way to travel, especially solo! 😊
Nice vlog! It sucks to miss a port, but safety is first and foremost. Enjoyed your NCL Prima series!
So true, the captain did a fantastic job handling the port change! Thanks so much for watching! :)
I find the Prima/Viva ships to be for those who just need some good ol relaxation with great views all over, space and a drink package. Not to mention the food. When we're not focused on content, we truly get to enjoy for what it's worth.
I would definitely agree with that perspective! Looking forward to seeing what's different with Aqua next year :)
Hi Mer ❤ going on my first cruise in January and I've just been devouring cruise content for the last few weeks trying to get an understanding of what to expect for mine. I gotta say, your content has been my favorite thus far! I've been following your journey on this 10 day norwegian cruise (I also watched all your other vids hehehe) and your laid back energy and openess to solo cruising so much that it makes me want to be a solo cruise girly as well 😂😅
@@Kay-ov3ld wow, thank you SO much, that is so kind of you! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying my videos and following along on my trips, I absolutely recommend giving solo cruising/travel a try, it really is so freeing and fun! 😊💕
I LOVE everything about Holland! My favorite city is Den Haag!! The Netherlands are such an amazing country. So bummed you didn't get to see it. Hopefully next time you'll be able to catch that magical city again! Keep up the great work with the vlogs!
@@gracexpeace I hope so!! I think I may just have to take a land trip to Amsterdam & the Netherlands since I seem to be getting so unlucky trying to make it there on a cruise ship 😆
Wow! I had the same trip last the last week of May and I say WOW because that what exactly what happened to us. The captain came on the speaker and cancelled the Amsterdam port with exact reason (too windy and would not be able to exit until Monday) and head on to Zebrugge. Also, with 1pm arrival and same reason pilot was late bc of some port issues. We did not get in Zebrugge till 4ish and it was a mad rush to get the bus. I guess NCL has not fixed taking the bus to the port terminal issue (Still crowed and messy). We only got 50 dollar on board cruise so you are ahead. Brugge was fantastic but cold and rainy. Thanks for putting out this videos is fun seeing your side of your trip.
@BlueSkyB-ne4iz I just reread this and realized you were on the same cruise as me! I was on the end of May to early June. I believe they gave $50 for the first 2 people in the cabin so since I was cruising solo I guess they gave me both!
Overall this was an incredible series that was pivotal in my decision to book this cruise solo. I have done Alaska solo but was a bit weary of 10 days.
Love to hear that! I think 10 days around Iceland, Norway, Belgium & Amsterdam was the perfect length - I thought 7 days around Alaska was the right amount, but it just depends on what you like to do while cruising. So glad you enjoyed this series, I hope you have an amazing solo cruise!! :)
Thank you for the video series on the cruise to Norway. Some day, I hope you take a cruise to north of Norway. It`s totally different from Geiranger and the south of Norway. Experience Lofoten, The North Cape, Midnight sun/Northern light and the beaches. Welcome back😀
I already want to go back and see so much more of Norway! I'd love to do an expedition cruise and get to see more places... hopefully one day not too far in the future! :)
My wife and I had similar experiences on the Breakaway last summer at this time. We missed two ports and the winds and storms were severe. Not the best cruise. Hope yours was better. Best!
@@timczerniec4043 other than the weather the last few days taking a turn, the cruise was amazing! Sorry to hear yours did not go well - I have now missed Amsterdam twice so I guess a land trip is needed for that area!
No problem. You don't want to go wandering around town in a storm.
Hey! We were on your exact cruise on the Prima last week, I’m surprised the weather is like this for you because we were really lucky with the weather and got to dock everywhere. But if it makes you feel better, Amsterdam ended up being our least favorite port as we found every other port a lot more beautiful, while amsterdam was crowded and not as impressive as we thought. And Brugge was one of our favorites! Especially because of the chocolates lol.
@@danyelshaikh1553 well that is good to know! I still plan to one day make it to Amsterdam, and can only hope that the weather is amazing to make up for missing this port multiple times 😂 glad you had great weather on your cruise and enjoyed Brugge!
In what month was this trip? I want to know the exact dates please.
Interesting never would have thought of this. I leave for Iceland in 2 weeks
Thank you for your information. Our trip to Iceland on Prima is getting closer. NCL gave us cash credit when a Mediterranean excursion was canceled due to weather.
@@marthaharvie9818 hope you have a wonderful cruise!
@@MerCruisesSolo Thank you. This is a late 39th anniversary cruise.
@@marthaharvie9818 happy anniversary!! 🎉
Sorry you had to miss Amsterdam...I loved it there. However, on my Prima sailing last year we lost Belgium because of weather. Like you said, it's the risk you take. Thankfully, I was able to return to Zeebrugge/Bruges this year on my Sky Princess cruise. Great series...Happy Sailing! 🙂
It's my second time missing Amsterdam on a cruise, I think I just need to fly there and see it on a land trip at this point! :D
@@MerCruisesSolo 🤣
Sounds like a perfect spa day!!! I’m usually very judging of people that mad rush to go anywhere. But, I’m thinking the mad rush to disembark could have included me that time, if I made a last minute decision to catch a train into Amsterdam or Paris for an overnight.
Catching a 6pm train to Gar de l’est is just a 4 hour ride! Since you missed Amsterdam, maybe others were taking a train there.
Either way, whenever we have an interruption in an itinerary, we look for creative ways to salvage the day. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
@@dak_alwaystravels9213 definitely a great spa day! And that’s very true, could be lots of people rearranged their plans for the evening! I fully agree in making lemonade out of lemons in every situation. In this case it ended up being one of my favorite days of the cruise and I didn’t even get off the ship! 😄
Thanks for the wonderful vlog of your trip, it truly was spectacular! Sorry to hear you missed Amsterdam, it so glad you had travel insurance. So many people don’t get any travel insurance and are out of luck if something happens. It only takes one big issue to make travel insurance worth it for the entire year, been there! I’m looking forward to your Holland America vlog as I am very interested in that itinerary. I see you used transportation to LHR through NCL. What time was your flight and was the transportation easy to find once you disembarked? I have a 1:40 pm flight and am contemplating using the NCL transfer as private transfer is so expensive and has luggage limitations (there are 7 of us total.
@@terriguske4530 thanks so much for watching! The transportation to the airport was very smooth and quick, you will see lots of folks directing you to the correct bus depending on your airline. My flight was at 1pm and I was on the bus before 7:30 and made it to the airport by 9am, so I had plenty of time to check in and eat before my flight started boarding!
Love your reviews
@@shannahbranham1652 thank you so much!
😞 missing the Ann Frank house is really disappointing. I heard it’s difficult to get tickets in the first place . 😞😞😞
@@heathermichael3987 it is! You have to book 6 weeks out as soon as tickets become available and they usually sell out within a few hours. I had planned ahead for this one! 😢
I missed Bermuda last year on Prima due to "bad" weather conditions 😢😢
It happens occasionally! I got stuck in Bermuda for an extra day due to a tropical storm last year - we couldn't get off the ship so it wasn't really an extra day "in" port necessarily, but safety is always the most important thing!
What month was your trip? What dates exactly?
@@Fijiispsradise May 23 - June 2 of this year
Too bad about missing Amsterdam, but I guess trip insurance and the cruise credit covered it. Or did it ?
Yes, my travel insurance reimbursed me for all of the excursions I had booked! I use Allianz, for reference :)
Wait, what, docked for an additional night in Belgium, widely considered one of the best beer countries, and then doing an onboard bar crawl? 😂
@@faust82 well everything on the ship was free so that made it an easy decision 😂 plus not many of us are beer drinkers.
Amsterdam is overrated you didn’t miss anything, thanks for the vlogs I’d love to go on a solo cruise but not sure what my husband would say 😂
@@michelleg-7 tell him he can take a solo trip too? 😆💕
I want tovgo to Amsterdam just to go to Van Gogh museum.
If the weather is good enough to dock in Bruges, then why not Amsterdam?
To dock in Amsterdam the ship has to go through several locks, and if there's any significant wind it makes that process incredibly difficult and risky. Zeebrugge port is much easier to get into. We even needed tugboat assistance on our departure because the wind was still so strong!
@MerCruisesSolo that makes sense. My wife and I are leaving from Southampton on the Prima on 8/25. We'll hit Bruges, Amsterdam (hopefully), Norway, and Iceland. I hope we have as much fun as you did! Thanks for the videos.
@@larrylutsky181 thanks so much for watching! Hope you have amazing weather on your cruise! 😊
Did you need waterproof pants in Iceland
I did not need them, but there was one day where it would have been nice to have!
that was the saddest philadelphia, i've ever heard lol.
@@robbysimmons9901 🤣 so not ready to go home!