mking8288

T minus 4 Days - Good morning, out in Long Island this morning briefly to finish some errands, stopping by to see the grand nephews & grand niece as the "teens" are off from school (Happy Passover to those that celebrate and let dream of global peace) and the pooch is chilling as usual (doesn't like "strangers" to approach, let alone to try to pet. After lunch, a quick stop for haircut and then home, dieting until we are onboard and going into semi-lockdown mode, isolating and minimize further, unnecessary contacts ... it's not uncommon for travelers (cruisers) to bring "unwanted" onboard, then unknowingly "spread" it around silently. Seeing the raised "alert" from Iceland's "Met" (gov't weather) office about urgent lava warning about - just going to have to deal with that, when and if we get there ... checking our 4WD rental, can cancel ahead by giving them notice & 100% refundable ... printing the confirmation out & saving PDF, download offline navigational maps. Google Fi's 5G data only nano-sim (2x) activated & in the iPhone and Galaxy S22+, this will be our MiFi hotspot that support multiple devices tethering at the same time, although I prefer to use the Google Pixel 4a 5G sometimes (photos & videos uploaded to "Drive" and "Photo" are unlimited at near original quality, no "caps") As long as we have cellular signals, including roaming (no extra charges abroad, 200+ countries covered & included - 50GB max before "subject to" speed reduction or throttled) - always careful about this, regardless & check billing and SMS alerts, if any - we can pretty much do whatever, off the ship and onboard while docked or within range of land signals - that's one of the beauty of using this highly flexible plan w/o contract. With the S22+ configured in addition to 2 Pixel smartphones, we will be able to catch up on live news (Samsung Live TV Plus) and not depend on "feeds" onboard from NCL's satellite-based signal, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify premium (just turned on a 3 mos. free "trial" that will cancel later) - still need to refresh offline & downloaded video & music, eBooks for reading ... yeah, if and only if we have time on sea days. And, with 23 hours day ahead & several time zone changes en route. Contingency planning and continuous readiness, one of the few vestiges from being involved in disaster & emergency management, learning all the time on how best to improvise.

Was it Philip or Flat 😁 😄 😎 how was your ground transfer/pick-up, airport ride to hotel ... welcome to NYC, a beautiful & sunny day. Best to have indoor plans tomorrow but otherwise, enjoy whatever is on your plan for next 3 days. See ya and all onboard this Saturday.

@Sugar Magnolia Refreshed my AccuWeather app and now it looked more probable & match Weather Channel's - maybe silly AI doing a number on the app and me (or, I simply didn't do a full refresh going thru my list of cities to check ahead ...) At a minimum, heavy wool, gloves, scarf and boots probably optional at this point - that's weight saving & good for those riding the subway and or city bus on the final miles to Pier 88 this Saturday. Updated / corrected forecast for Halifax ahead - P.S. PistolPete13 - unofficial S.I. New York photographer still "AWOL" - well, I tried. Let me see if I can "page" alert to an old CC friend, usually over at a different CC forum these days @meatball_nyc - hello - any chance of "waving" at us (from your balcony window) this weekend when we sail down the Hudson in the evening. Trust all is well.

Holy cow, I might need to find & bring my Bermuda shorts & Hawaiian Tee's for next Monday, and an umbrella ... If AccuWeather forecast is even 85% accurate 😎 🤔 I should note - Weather Channel's Halifax forecast is "slightly" different & lower for Sunday & Monday, about the same for Iceland. Best to check the "official" government forecast issued to cross-reference. Watch out for Prima's chair hogs if not going ashore next Monday. Something about global warming and Europe being another hot summer ahead ... Ripley's, believe it or not.

Luggage, ideas & thoughts - Countdown toward final packing in progress, both of our checked 24" expandable (not) spinners are done, hers under 44 lbs. and mine at 43 lbs. That's not bad, aiming to stay with 40 lbs and only possible if we bring less clothes along, given the latest weather forecast trending - Iceland isn't as cold as it might be, that will help lighten our load. As mentioned, if we are just modestly over-weight for our return flight - each of us could do the compression packing cube trick (eBags, medium size or equivalent (14" x 10" x 4" wide if packed full & heavy at 3 to 5 lbs, depending on content) plus our carry-on ... and, not be bothered with paying Norse Air that extra $90 for 1 additional checked bag. Why play with the "pillow trick" to disguise & stuff it - just carry that packing cube (could be our "heavy" winter coat, compressed to fit ... and my 3XL fit) under our arms and board the aircraft - about the size of a child's or travel pillow (slip a case over it, viola) Advantage - flying a wide body B787, priority check-in & boarding, bulkhead/extra legroom - forward section/main cabin - odds of being asked to gate check our carry-on should be lower, personal bag will slip thru as well. Let's see, 4 x med packing cube @ 5 lbs ea is 20 lbs plus stealthy "loaded" travel vest at 8 to 10 lbs - close to 30 lbs combined weight "hidden" ... smartphones, chargers & other heavier items in the zipped jacket/parka pockets. This solved the "bulk" problems when trying to pack as much as we can into the 24" spinner. P.S. Ziplock bags (qt. and gallon sizes) and zip ties, don't travel without them.

T minus 4 ... almost, technically still T minus 5 for several hours based on EDT Norwegian Pearl has left Miami earlier today, crew-only sailing north to NYC at a leisurely 15 kts for her TA, ETA is 5:30 AM - Thurs. 25th Apr and will be visiting Halifax and then Iceland, basically 2 days ahead of us ... I look at the Pearl as being "Pace car" like to give us a good lead of what's ahead (make sense, huh) - whether on what's going in/around the ports, what's open & unexpected, and sea state/waves & weather, and arrival / departure or all abroad / sailaway time. It appear their arrival time isn't being affect by the Right whales speed restriction zones near/around NY's coastal waters. Norwegian Prima, just left USVI for a short run to San Juan, PR in the morning, then onward to Puerto Plata, DR on Wed - departing at 3 PM there - with 2 full sea days - head for NYC, arriving 2 hours later than scheduled at 10 AM (per officially NCL notifications) with pier arrival & check-in, embarkation no earlier than 12 noon - or risk getting turned away. Let's see what happen if and once we see an ETA for NY late Wednesday. Getting ready - time to set up & make some changes on the smartphone (or, iPhone) home screen, enabled that world clock widget < see below > 4 city's "current" time being displayed - NYC (home), Halifax, Iceland, and UK (London) ... of course, the key is to be aware of "ship time" as sometimes (if not always) - it is done slightly different, check the clock at/near the gangway if and when going ashore. Or, risk being involuntary induction into the infamous pier runners club & stranded on the pier, looking for the port agent ... and, always take a photo or note of the agent's contact info: name, email & phone numbers, etc. before stepping off the ship, things happen !

Supplement to "Station Zebra" on this TA cruise - most items are self-explanatory in an effort to miniaturize as much as possible ... having 2 USB-A thumb drive, loaded with bootable ChromeFlex OS and Linux Ubuntu OS, to run off just about any work station/computers. Packing a 12V USB car adapter/charger - renting a 4WD to drive on our own to sightsee - it will keep the smartphone and other's devices charged - wireless charging is expected. Sightseeing buses & trains are often equipped with USB charging ports - always a good idea to bring a cable along. @Ellis1138 - Thanks, will try to see if I can get as much MDR menus as possible and post them, possibly in 1 or 2 batches together, instead of scattering them on a live thread - especially if they made changes. Niece traveling with us has food allergies, with luck, we'll get a full preview early on and not have to do it daily to plan her special orders. From what I've seen thus far this year, maybe minor changes w MDR menus but otherwise, same as 2023 and not the usual large scale changeover. NCL "should" be changing menus as they normally do annually, it's been puzzling ... oh, well. @cruiseny4life - 150 trees for an orchid, that's serious. Your memory is just as excellent, ours an apartment-sized, tiny corner indoor garden ... 2 smaller plants protested over the last 2 years and quit on us, down to just 4 green plants. They are strong and required minimal moisture, a bit of "natural" light daily to be happy ... going in the Home smart app to set the daily schedule, switch on/off UV plant light as the window blinds will be closed. @dexddd just for your commentary 😆

Dan ... mucho thanks, appreciated. @Travelicious here ya go, see above. Happy & safe travel tomorrow, all systems go & good weather to fly - welcome to the Big Apple & enjoy pre-cruise in "my" town.

We noticed this recently and like the full disclosure, it's fair & reasonable, without burying the important line-items in fine/small fonts and/or going thru 4, 5 or 6 screens - making comparison easier for the "consumer" and agents alike, without paying games.

@cruiseny4life Hey there, how are 2 of you doing ... plotting another cruise later this year and hope to bring a smile or two to our friends on CC. NCL is doing things right, ship is basically sailing full, only Insides available lately - off and on, pricing trend holding - suites sold out weeks & weeks ago. Like @graphicguy - spoiled with Haven residency ... (Dan, a quickie question for someone else - are those Amex OBC non-refundable, you are the expert around here with that ... asking for someone else on the roll call. TIA) Wasn't last year's TA wonderful ... "we" help escorted her on the westbound TA and we are "escorting" her eastbound TA, with a different set of ports - hoping & wishing the captain won't need to cancel or skip any. There is always that possibility and planning for a rougher crossing, choppy sea and higher waves but really looking forward to seeing Iceland. Definitely going to test the Samsung smartphone/HDMI setup with the ship's smart TV input, etc. and share/report back (along with the Smart Tag2 for its tracking luggage performance.) I am for packing lighter, less is more when set up correctly. Didn't the two of you managed with a backpack and carry-on only ? Now, we'll just have to see if @PistolPete13 is around town, I think he's been very busy at work and should "add" some high quality Prima ship photos to his vast collection. Weather this weekend isn't picture perfect, 25% chance of shower/rain in the evening for sailaway with visibility at 9 miles.

@The P Sharon, good morning to you. Don't worry too much about our flight home with excess luggage, got a plan plus a backup ... Susan is the co-conspirator in this scheme, haha. Bringing (sneaking onto the Prima) an extra but empty 22" expandable suitcase, nested inside is my usual 19" convertible backpack which has work great & made it thru multiple flights, loaded and within that 22 lbs limited set by some airlines ... domestic , not a problem with weight. Shopping will be limited to what's offered onboard and along the way at each port ... but, if she see shoes, I dunno ... a few pairs, minus the boxes should fit. If the other 2 ladies join the shopping frenzy - that's a different ballgame, even with an extra suitcase. Maybe, everyone will have to start getting rid of old clothes, old shoes and leave behind those bottles of motion, shampoo, and even toothpaste - SIL is known to try to bring everything from home, except the faucets and kitchen sink. I've factored in the marginal cost of $80 (33 lbs, "light" checked bag as 2nd. piece) or $90 (50 lbs, "standard" checked bag) Flying Norse Atlantic Airways for the first time, a relatively new & unknown EU carrier with mixed reviews (definitely nowhere near Singapore Airlines, etc.) - I figure why not give them our business and a chance, just as I did before booking TAP-Portugal last year. Their full list of optional service fees - some are eye-opener, definitely they subscribe to the nickels and dimes doctrine ... not uncommon these days #cough #cough https://flynorse.com/en-US/support/optional-fees Hoping that this (extreme) measure isn't necessary - there is a trick we can pull, see those packing cubes that we have - several are compression style and can fit a lot, and well within airline limits & definition of a personal bag and/or under the seat small bag / tote / laptop case ... ladies' purse will have to be in there, along with whatever we can jam inside. Viola, a carry-on plus a (heavy) personal bag each. Plus, I will "deploy" my travel vest & walk onboard the plane with 10 lbs. of gadgets. If that doesn't work, will go to the extra route & pay Norse, before we get to the Gatwick (higher $$ if we wait until airport check-in ... sounds like Ryan Air) Reasonably confident think these measures will do the trick, combine & do both if we really have to. Anyway, are you going to be "spotting" for the Prima when she get here this Saturday. Chat with you later.

Lately, they are lightning quick, it seemed. Ours done a while back, and as a matter of fact, looked up the time/date stamp ... it came thru on a Saturday, wasn't expecting such a quick turnaround and not for non-business, normal working hours. Perhaps, shareholders support staff have an option for doing remote tele-work. BTW, nice - that's not for this coming weekend, I'm reasonably sure, haha.

Station Zebra - V3.1A beta/info for possible use by Android - Samsung devices only. << all others - skip ahead, experimental & educational only >> This is intended for tech geeks that has a new'ish Samsung smartphone - not iPhones, sorry on Android platform (Samsung Galaxy S22+ here) ... one of the free apps within their eco-system is "Samsung TV Plus" Yes, watch Sky News and CNN News live streams, BBC News, WeatherNation and others as available abroad (not necessary at sea over Starlink satellite WiFi, for variety of reasons or factors) - have not tested this onboard (worked fine in Canada) Hotels where we stayed at lately, all provided free access to dozens of channels and Youtube friendly, unlike #cough #cough ...) Add-on or extra "components" needed - USB to HDMI 4K UHD output adapter, Samsung tested to allow a direct cable output connection to just about any HDMI input ports on most display monitors, again # cough #cough A multi-port (mine has 6) USB dongle (optionally, has mSD card access/external storage) to maintain or keep the device charging while connected, and to access stored video contents & photos, documents, etc. on portable storage (mSD card) ... I tested as working, external SSD portable drive for full backup purposes while upgrading a laptop. Of course, a compliant USB charger for the Samsung (3A minimum is recommended) Reason I mentioned this, when we're enjoying our 3 nights in NY Lower Bay, anchored off VZ Bridge near Stapleton (Hyland Blvd) riding out a Nor-Easter storm on the Escape, there was virtually next to nothing live TV coverage, blocked or disabled to the licensing & broadcast restrictions per NCL with its provider ... duh. Could've watch live news & storm coverage and sports, etc. - this will be easy & simple since we had solid cellular coverage via our ISP and metered carefully, shouldn't blow past our 50GB allowance & risk getting throttled. Q1 - will this work onboard the Prima this weekend at sea with basic unlimited WiFi - TBA ... Q2 - will this stream or cast directly into the stateroom's interactive, Samsung Smart TV mounted on the wall, where side-facing HDMI ports are accessible, maybe from a reboot. Q3 - also, while Apple's AirTags are considered to be the "gold standard" in tracking ... Samsung's Smart Tag2 is closely behind, battery is easily user replacement & integrated into the eco-system to track. Likely putting one inside our checked bag, to do a side-by-side comparison once we drop the luggage at the pier with porters. On # 2 - if it doesn't work onboard and restrictions cannot be overriden, we can - if and when we have a good, reliable WiFi or cellular signal (4G is fine, 5G isn't necessary) while docked during port of call (from our balcony or in an open deck area within range of local signal towers) It is still, good to have - minimal addition needed - the 4K USB to HDMI adapter ... I know and verified, this "plug" is blocked & does not work on Google Pixel's smartphones, verified the restrictions by design, can't do anything (yet) within developer's mode. P.S. Getting tired of NCL's cuts in available "TV" news channels onboard (weather, too) and mostly info-channel. Stay tuned if curious and you are/own and use a Samsung smartphone, tablets by SS should work as well - followup findings later, TBA.

Poor me, need to have 3 along this time, if not 4, two cabins and each has 2 usable outlets with 220V, not to mention the secret one for CPAP users next to the bed. I look around the OL last time and the outlets accessible are cleverly hidden, not because they expected me to come along & write them up, not to mention the lounger hogs spread eagled across. This is a matter to follow up 😆 P.S. another excuse to select a cruise w a stop at Ponta D again and pickup more adapters from the waterfront (unofficial) crew store / stop for personal provisions - at 2.60 Euro vs. paying Amazon's $9.99 + tax with free shipping 😁

LOL and with thanks. Nope, I haven't thought of doing something similar, packing "light" - let's leave that for later. I try to plan & individualized on a per trip basis and what is essential and desirable to have, DW always tell this old guy to bring less along ... then she raid mine for chargers, cables, adapters & plugs, 😆 haha. Here's a few more from recent trips, would love to bring along my 2 meters/70cm portable radio to use as a scanner, common VHF marine frequencies, PTP simplex on port traffic, alas not permitted onboard. BTW, that's noise cancelling earbuds, MPOW is the old brand, pretty good from Amazon - not hearing aid, and does a good job inflight and other places, not disturbing others nearby. Home system, a 8 speakers subwoofer system, don't feel like spending $$ for mobile Bose - easily lost and Grado, too bulky to fit compactly (heard of them ?) A pair of old fashion Apple earbuds with USB adapter works fine for me as newer ones don't have the headset jack. Sennheiser and Xiaomi are good too, compact & slipped into a pocket - no pouches (plastic film - packed inside a pair of socks) I For a shorter cruise, I get by with a Chromebook and 6 port USB dongle ... otherwise, Sony Vaio on Linux is now the choice. Longer land vacation or trips, Dell notebook NVMe SSD 32GB memory W11Pro. A matter of picking & choosing to match the main components ... and some spares & backup options - otherwise, try to keep it as simple as possible. Hence, "Station Zebra" is really & truly scalable ... itching lately to get into the solar area. That 4.x earthquake recently, a modest wake up call for some - not just from rising sea levels along the coastlines. For this TA, most likely, leaving Roku w remote at home, but since I am bringing a HDMI cable to experiment, will leave the 2 oz. Chromecast in the tech pouch *** more on the Samsung next. With these 3 adapters, absolutely can getaway without a power strip, with or without surge protection circuit on the Prima/Viva and Aqua coming soon ... Glad this is sparking ideas ... happy Passover ? ?