philamike

Thank you for sharing your journey!  I'll be on the Jan. 26 sailing from Cape Town to Dubai, and it was great to get a sense of what to expect in the common ports.

Thanks again,

- Mike  🙂

Hello -- Does anyone have experience working remotely while on board an NCL ship, using the Premium Wi-Fi service?  I'm considering an upcoming sailing on Epic, but I would need to spend a few days working.  This means having a dependable Internet connection (it doesn't need to be fast per se, just reliable -- similar to a public wi-fi in a coffee shop, etc.), connecting to a VPN, and a few online conference calls (Zoom or BlueJeans) -- no video needed, but screen-sharing would happen, and being able to have a conversation without disruptive lag.

I've used the regular Wi-Fi on NCL ships with some mixed results; Wi-Fi calling (via Facebook messenger) seemed to work well, but I've also experienced outages that could have lasted for a half-day.

Hoping to hear from any others who have actually done (or attempted to do) a full-day's work while on board.  Thanks!

- Mike  🙂

Thank you CTCruiser001 for your excellent review! It gave me a very good idea of what to expect -- I am on the May 22 sailing.

- Mike :-)

I got off the Jade this morning. We docked in Tampa at midnight last night. Cruise Director made an earlier announcement that they were going to do some maintenance to the ship which would involve divers underwater, as part of an environmental initiative that would reduce pollution. Due to the work, they needed to dock early and start the work overnight. It's likely they haven't finished the work yet. Considering that tomorrow's port is Key West, they won't need much time to get there and can spare a few extra hours tonight to finish up.

Anyone? Helloooo? ;)

Going with a friend. Anyone else? :)

- Mike :-)

A friend is on board. Told me prior to sailout that the captain warned of "one heck of a ride" with 20- to 30-foot swells, and that public venues may need to be on lockdown from time to time. As noted by antsnanny, they will stay closer to the coast to avoid larger swells.

If my friend manages to send me any interesting updates, I'll post them.

- Mike :-)

Thank you for posting. I happen to be in San Francisco this week and could see Jewel from my hotel room. I was surprised to come back just now and still see her docked, when I knew she was supposed to leave seven hours ago. I hope the issue gets fixed and you're on your way soon!

- Mike :-)

Thanks, ohiogymrat. Here's the link to the specific post:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=46477392&postcount=266

They're brief statement reads:

"For our guests’ well-being and to maintain a beautiful clean environment for all of our guests to enjoy, we ask that they enjoy their meals while dining at one of our many restaurants. Every ship in the Norwegian fleet offers dining at any time day or night for guests to enjoy, with a wide variety of options and cuisines available complimentary."

I would hardly read that as a "ban." It seems more of a polite request to help keep the ship clean.

I'll be on the Breakaway next week. I'll report back if I see large bands of ship security in riot gear patrolling the Garden Cafe, arresting anyone who tries to sneak out a cookie. #SNACKLIVESMATTER

- Mike :-)

"The line also posted it on the Cruise Critic message boards."

Could you please post a link to Norwegian's post? (Or add a link in the article?)

Thanks,

- Mike :-)

Just a few more days!! Who's excited? :D

- Mike :-)

Hello My name is Joe and my Husband Keith are on this cruise

hope to have a good time 3rd time going to Bermuda

Welcome! Looks like there are quite a few of us on board. See you at the Friends of Dorothy gatherings!

- Mike :-)

Our first cruise. We're in our 20s hoping to see more gays on cruise.

Welcome! Be sure to check the daily newsletter for the "Friends of Dorothy" gatherings. :)

- Mike :-)

Welcome, Drew and Theron! There will be quite a few of us on board! :)

- Mike :-)

We'll definitely be at most of the Friends of Dorothy gatherings. :)

Hi Redcasey55 -- there will be several of us, celebrating a (same-sex) wedding. The wedding won't be on the ship -- just a small group of friends celebrating of the marriage. We're all from the Philly/Wilmington area.

- Mike :-)

Hello! :)

Hello! Just booked this sailing. There will be six of us from the Philly/Wilmington areas.

- Mike :-)

Not literally a last minute booking, but decided to spontaneously book this TA cruise for a vacation. Traveling alone and will get plenty of alone time in my cabin, but hoping to find some nice drinking buddies and dinner pals. Since it seems like mostly couples here, maybe there are some travelers looking for a third/fifth wheel?

 

Also spending a couple of days in Barcelona before embarking. If you need a guide, hit me up...I know all the fun spots in Gayxiample!

 

Send me a message if you're looking to meet up!

 

 

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Welcome! There are actually a lot of solos (myself included) on this sailing, and the Friends of Dorothy gatherings every night will likely be very busy. (Check your newsletter for the time/location.)

- Mike :-)

Me! See you all at Shakers! :D

- Mike :-)

My partner (Don) and I (Bob) will be getting married onboard the Pride on embarkation day, the 19th. We have 37 guests, 12 of which will sail with us. Don't get your hopes up, the sailing guests are all str8! LOL

Congratulations! How wonderful!

I'm looking forward to this trip. My friend Mike had to cancel due to a work emergency, but another friend (Steve) will be joining me. This will be his first cruise.

- Mike :-)

Nice it will be my first cruise as a passenger and I believe my bfs first as well.

In what capacity did you work on Celebrity's ships?

Hi! I'll be on board. Hopefully my friend (also named Mike) will be joining me -- it will be his first cruise.

- Mike :-)

Hello! Anyone else? :)

- Mike :-)

If I had to chose just 2 restaurants to make reservations, would you say Ocean Blue and Cagney's?

Which shows do you think would be best?

Do you think the reservations should be while on the sea or when we are in Bermuda?

Thanks

val523

Well, the restaurants are a matter of preference, I think. You can't go wrong with Cagney's (assuming you like steak). Ocean Blue is quite an experience, but it does have a significant upcharge. (Still cheaper than eating at his restaurant in NYC though.) I've always enjoyed Teppanyaki (which I didn't do on this cruise) -- not only for the fun dinner experience, but because the food was freshly prepared and always tastes great.

If you can take advantage of outdoor seating on the Waterfront while at sea, I'd recommend trying that. Something that wasn't an option on the chilly north Atlantic...

- Mike :-)