mking8288

There were more cars parked at Pier 90 this morning than now, maybe some from last Getaway sailing left their vehicles next Pier ? Nothing going on yet up on the bridge's port side console. Zoomed in at 5x from Deck 12 Fwd. Horns been sounded ... Next stop, San Juan, PR at 1,400 nm using Pixel 7 Pro for these shots. Update 4 pm and thrusters on, sideways & now backing out ... let's rock and roll.

We are supposed to sail on time but ... Gives me a chance to test the new Google Pixel 7 Pro's new cameras, using the Queen Victoria as subject, at 2x, 5x, 10x, 20x and 1x. Looks great, looks like my Olympus digital camera isn't needed for backup. S22+ battery down below 40% and fast charging wirelessly, tethering data to share among 3 devices.

Coffee maker / services, on request ... hiding out of sights. Sapphire/Platinum vouchers & perks, 4 cartons of 500 mg / 16.9 oz Flow water. Latitudes/ CruiseNext Party - Mon. Jan 23rd 12:30 pm at Tropicana, Deck 7 AFT Our ship captain comes from Greece, just announced that we should be releasing lines & sail on time at 3 pm. Alvin, CD going over the mandatory safety procedures ... from the bridge. Asst CD is Rod. Sailaway Party at Spice H20, Deck 16 AFT at 3 pm.

Staterooms ready about 1 pm, announced over PA system. Say hi to the bridge from our Fwd balcony. At 1:05 pm, there were folks still waiting to get pickup on level 2. Street or level 1 empty and clear. And plenty of parking over at Pier 90 if needed.

Next door at Pier 90, there were pax with luggage waiting to get pickup, disembarking the QV. @goldmom there are other disembarking pax upstairs waiting for pickup, street level is also possible - but massive traffic jam in the roadway, doubled parked unloading & loading. Assumed you are using Special Assistance when disembarking on yours & use porter services, check & ask them whether upstairs or downstairs is better, as they know - don't necessarily need to cross 12th Ave. I'll check & look around when we come back on Feb 1st. Pizza in the buffet is good, much better than years past.

Galaxy S22+ 3x zoom and 10x zoom

Started boarding for us at 11:05 and they roped off the area so everyone in the reserved area get to go ahead of others. Good. Facial recognition works at security podium for boarding. On board, B6 Assembly Station at O'Sheehan's for virtual muster station. No crowded assembly later 👍 Too early for MDR, up to Cafe to grab a nice window table & relax.

Clearing the boarding area, checking everyone's key card in the Platinum area. Full of people, unlike last year's - as expected

Connected to GA's WiFi, still good choice of Specialty Dining time for the week ahead ... Sunday at Moderno or Ocean Blue Here comes the Haven escorts, looks almost ready for early boarding ... at 10:45 am

Platinum & next to us, Special Needs waiting area, quite full already at 10:15 am. MCT WiFi is free, can also connect to GA's WiFi inTRAnet now to start booking shows & lookup dinner times to change.

Worst traffic this morning, at Pier 88 backed up to Pier 90 with Queen Victoria next to GA, delayed by 10 minutes. Check-in was smooth & quick, long walk to back as we are on Deck 12. Just a few quick health & travel questions, retake photos for DW and set w key cards. Boarding Group #6 but being Sapphire, we were among last to get into Platinum area to wait, it's full. Looks like ship at zero count already.

Carmel is early, Honda minivan loaded, buckled up, on our way, going over Bronx WS Bridge, fastest route to Pier 88. ETA 40 minutes Progress - 9:20pm ... on I-95 under "The Apartments" in upper Manhattan, traffic is heavy but moving, should be there in 15 or 20 minutes as we turn south on the Henry Hudson Pkwy

Re-checking our ground transport option, nephew is working at JFK today, can't drop us off at Pier 88. Uber & Lyft are more expensive than last year. Good thing that we already booked Carmel, leaving at 9 am. Citi-biking, with luggage, is not an option, LOL. Our pre-cruise diet is over, plain & simple breakfast until we get onboard later. Gallery at home closed for 12+ days now. DW realized after we booked the cruise, this Sunday is the Lunar (Asian) New Year celebrated in many countries around the world 🌎 Thanks, Turtles06 (best wishes to you sailing on the GEM) & dexdd and others ... stay tune virtually sharing this journey with all.

Rise-n-Shine, let's get ready. Our ship is here, see all soon. Always take pictures of your bags, besides using whatever, like Air Tags, for tracking & lost recovery.

FYI - considering booking NCL despite all the "adverse" chats & negativities around here lately, here's one. Mentioned in the Getaway's Freestyle Dailies as part of the extras/inserts that many just throw away. As described and it is valid, that's all I will say, did a mocked booking for a Fall sailing ... could a few months to decide since those CN Deposits are sitting around & paid for, got nothing to lose - can always cancel if a better deal come around. Verified myself and able to use 2 deposits and it's not a balcony being booked (assumed it's good for a Studio on mega/plus ships). Coupled with the current extra points promotion - a nice deal to not say "no" against booking. It might not work for everyone and anyone, but worth taking a look. Too late for those Spring T/A crossing deals, but. Psst ... triple points per night (and, possibly more with suites too) concurrent with other promotion. If you like the terms, play it and see if prices drop, etc. etc. Have fun, good luck & enjoy this find, hopefully. Off to the Getaway in a matter of hours, time for getting a little zzzzz's

Unless NCL relocated the entire Medical Center from Deck 13 elsewhere - I can vouch and confirm, 100% that it has always been on Deck 13 Fwd, just behind the bank of elevators, behind a set of fire doors that's kept open except during emergencies. The door to gain access into the MC, including a waiting area & reception for clinical services, is beyond the 2nd door - with the coin-dispensing OTC meds cabinet on the wall cabinet to the left, exterior to the center entrance. We had stayed on Deck 13 Fwd in 2019 and walked daily passing the area multiple times, and knew what's been there all along. Current deck plan just removed the description & make it a white space - and isn't shown anywhere else on NCL's official deck plans. What's on Deck 5 are Guppies Nursery and further back in the middle section, Splash Academy. Getaway & Breakaway has the MC on Deck 5, not the Escape by design. As to helping with the questions about noise below - sorry, can't help with that.

Getaway currently north of Atlantic City, approaching Toms River, NJ at 14 kn, light breeze and calm seas, waves at 1.3 meter or about 4.2 ft, aided with a good tailwind. This is earlier than being already quite early ... welcome home to all those onboard.

NCL's Online check-in opened up for everyone at 21 days, promptly completed ours - eDocs and eLuggage tags were available in less than 24 hours ... unlike our NCLH shareholders, which took 2 attempts at 10 days apart during the Christmas/New Year holiday. Finally & perhaps, someone was WFH and on Jan 2nd - a legal US holiday, posted our $100 OBC to the account, all good. I.T. glitches aren't new with getting checked in, etc. but that too recovered. One of the questions for tomorrow's Embarkation is the mandatory safety/emergency & muster station drill - is it Live or not, virtual or in-person. Take a wild guess, whatever. The only thing that is certain is we already 6 emails already - don't recall when we initially booked - between 2 of us, to re-watch the 94 seconds YouTube Video about emergency/life/fire safety drills & putting on the PFD. Hence, is it Live, Semi-Live, or Limited - definitely not Memorex per se ... not looking forward to being jammed into the (main) Stardust Theater - as I think, being Deck 12 Fwd - our "Assembly Station" is probably there and not O'Sheehan's - will be packed as ship is full, egress will take easily 20 to 30 minutes jamming the elevators if sailaway is on time at scheduled 3 pm. Time to wisely mask up ! We booked a "BA" Balcony on Deck 12 Fwd, Port side with considerations to bid for a Club Balcony, as they are usually mid-ship, not that we care for the bigger double-sink bathroom or the tub with the taller side to step over, in/out of ... or the tiny extra space (length-wise) in the "living" area, as long as the bid is reasonable. Well, no Club Balcony for us. Reason for staying put, our best friends will be coming along as CAS guests. Cancelled & postpone cruises since the pandemic & it's their first return "post-Covid" They bidded and won, very early, surprisingly, on an upgrade bid in early December (not a typo) for a low/fair offer - under $350 in total. Assigned "BA" balcony on Deck 12 Fwd (port side) - stone's throw from us a few doors down. Nice win. Cancelled our pending bid for Club Balcony, money "saved" to do other things ***** A few words about Upgrade Advantage bidding - this isn't new to most seasoned NCL cruisers on CC, but my basic analysis lately suggesting that NCL and its partner handling the bids are re-writing their playbook and gaming strategies, with live bidding ... Psychology 101. Haven suites & spa balconies listed as sold out by end of December ... Insides & Studios remained available last week. Club and Balconies were briefly available this month and then "sold out" again. There are those doing live bidding (eBay style) - end up paying for, on top of whatever base fare all-inclusive total already, an extra $1,500 to $5,000 plus (+) to be in Haven, ship within a ship. What a frenzy, good for them, win-win results. Everything is ready for tomorrow and the next 12 nights with us. Those "live reports" are really useful and the Getaway is going to feel very different unlike a year ago, with less than 2,000 onboard then. Looking forward to doing the Dine with Officers again but not expecting Behind The Scene tour to be offered unless NCL feels they no longer need to protect & isolating the bridge team. ***** Google & Samsung got our money, pay for the balances on 2 out of 3 smartphone upgrades. DW's Samsung Galaxy S22+ was free, after trading in her barely used Galaxy S21 into Google Fi. More about this later as it's not related to the Semi/Live Cruise Report. A single checked 24" bag for each of us, final check on its weight, mine at 42 lbs, hers at 39 lbs. NCL eLuggage tags attached and an interior tag, photo'ed for easier ID in case they are "lost in transit" to file insurance claim, with digital proof of content. There are, at least, 3 power outlets in each stateroom - excluding the one in the bathroom clearly marked that it is low voltage & for shaver use only - two (2) for 110 volts and one (1) for 220 volts, which with a simple adapter plug (used with the Samsung charger on the right) - you can tap it for your iPhone/smartphone charger as those are dual voltage, auto-sensing ones. Now that newer iPhones are almost switching with fast charging (middle one) with USB-C connector, invest in 2 or 3 high output, dual or multi-USB charger (on the left - by Anker) so you can quickly boost them. Check that they are UL-approved/certified, electrical & fire safety on a ship are vital.) Also, bring along a 10 ft. and 2 6 ft. USB A-B extension cords, making it much easier to reach all the way to the far side of the bed and out to the balcony. There is a fourth hidden power outlet that should be hiding but easily tapped - need to verify first onboard before I share this "secret" - perfect for laptop, notebook & Chromebook connections and charging devices. Follow this & if I am correct, "reveal" and share this discovery. Take a closer look at Pier 88 port's pier operations, see those safety nettings - they are there in case the forklifts used to lift fully loaded luggage carts (20 to 25 bags easily or about 1,000 lbs total) lost its balance or slipped, to avoid being dropped straight into the Hudson River below on the pier. There was a report going back a few years that CC'er spotted luggages floating beside the ship during turnaround. Accidents do happen and tip those unionized port workers accordingly as they aren't with NCL - and, yes, they now do cross 12th Avenue when you disembark the ship post-cruise.

@kitkat343 - Thanks for the comment about various SD and we aren't going upstairs to Haven, zero chance ... The last remaining Courtyard went past $2,650 p/p x 2 is what I read, crazy - that's enough for 7 to 10 days worth of vacation, not necessary cruising. Please do feel free to comment on Ocean Blue as we have yet to try it, Le Bistro was our favorite for a decade plus until the cuts that started several years ago ... Cagney mostly still good, Moderno can be hit-n-miss with the earlier days being superior w more variety choices at the salad bar (just need to resist offers of sausages & certain cuts and wait for the better cuts to come along) We have both Platinum & SD meal meal vouchers but beginning to feel like Teppanyaki is a waste, seen the junior chef's show often, more than "once & done with and enough" now with the substituted meat cut. Too bad, Food Republic isn't on the GA - but we'll not go hungry for 12 nights. As always, opinion & reviews of food are personal and subjective, but temperature of food served isn't one of them - having different perspective in dining onboard are always helpful. To all and all others onboard the ship, have a wonderful evening onboard the Getaway.

For a typical 7 nights NCL cruise, final payment has consistently been at 120 days. Keep in mind that the cancel date is 1 day earlier than payment. As always, refer to the fineprints. I remember the older days where different deadlines (longer) applied for holidays and select sailings. YMMV.

Set aside those xx pages of contract terms in fine prints written & designed by lawyers for a moment, perception is important when you are promoting and selling a product and/or services to the customer, client, consumer or prospect. It looks as if NCL has been not been responsive and in good faith, rather - handling matters in a less than trust-worthy manner after final payment is made, and, that perception seemed valid in the eyes of some but absolutely not for others. Using the contract signed as an escape and being evasive, in my books, isn't acceptable while others are free to disagree. Later, it looks, perception-wise, that NCL isn't making decisions ahead (in advance) not in good faith and using vague excuses ... feel free to disagree, strictly my "biased" opinion and we've sailed mainly NCL for 2 decades and own their stocks. Just got words on another (current) Getaway Live Report, indirectly, posted by a CC'er on the Feb 26, 2023 sailing (12 nights So Carib) that 2 of their port stops now has modified time departure/arrival ... Getaway had this week's DR stop at Taino Bay-Amber Cove cancelled entirely. This Friday's Getaway 12 nighters has San Juan's stay reduced by 1 hour, I called it woohoo, an extra hour at sea /s This aren't "emergency reasons" by any means - I have no problem whatsover if the bridge needs to turn the ship around for a Medevac, stop and do figure 8's at the request of USCG to do a SAR due to MOB, or ship diverted for high sea rescue of refugees, in the highest worldwide tradition of mariners at sea, and, if for whatever reasons, one of the engine lost its sealing rings or the thruster damaged, etc. These changes aren't and reflect poor management planning, and especially after final payment or cancel has long passed, at 120+ days ... NCL loyalists and cheerleaders will defend, fine ... and why not agree to disagree, not so hard, isn't it. I think, maybe, one possible solution, sort of, is that to review third-party trip/travel insurance and make sure it has CFAR coverage - still, vacation cancelled and other pre- and post- cruise arrangements are then disrupted, but at least one isn't captive or held sort of being involuntary hostage. The overall package costs will go up for sure. Just don't get insurance thru NCL, go independent or else you'll end us with more FCC.

@disfan13 - Tony, aren't you driving or getting someone to drop you off ? I just priced out on Carmel's App (go online to their website/portal) - one way from Paramus Fashion Center/Mall, NJ (off Rt. 4 and Rt. 17) as a random pickup point, not knowing where exactly your whereabouts, a full size sedan for up to 3 and 3 checked bags is $56 or $64 for a luxury sedan, and $74 for a deluxe sedan or minivan (up to 5, maybe 6 plus bags) plus toll ($16 across GWB) and tips. That's not bad at all. Use digital coupon code "CNY2023" and it will save $3 off the base fare, cash/credit card accepted in advance or pay the driver directly. On these longer trip, we often book just a basic sedan for 2 and 50/50 chance of getting a free upgrade to a mini-van. With 4 people ride-sharing and 4+ bags, booked a minivan, sharing the costs with our friends. Will check those Uber/Lyft rates in the morning just to compare & see how competitve everyone is - a typical yellow taxi return to our house is about $70 to $80 including toll + tips, traffic permitting on weekends, higher on weekdays. See you all onboard soon and are you ready to run the M&G, don't worry about it.

@Laszlo - we are ready to embark tomorrow. Thank you. The North Atlantic looking ever so calm, peaceful and just wavelets, beautiful day at sea - enjoy every minute of it. Last Fall, CruiseNext onboard announced that they had staterooms available on the spot if anybody wished to stay and do a B2B, that they got deals ... LOL as ships were sailing close to capacity. Not so much tomorrow, like yours, sold out at this point but oddly enough, indirect reports over at another online portal that folks getting upgrade last minute & rushing to re-print eDocs & eLuggage tags. Tell us about last night with La Cucina, we booked an evening with them ... maybe, we'll bail over to Ocean Blue & make a change once onboard. Thanks & look forward to those videos later.

@JIMESOPUS That looks like OSH's classic breakfast, almost forgotten what they are like ... after a few months. We are ready to take over coverage on the Getaway while you move to the Breakaway this weekend. Happy, safe & healthy travel coming home and then dance the way to NOLA. How was services, quick & served nicely & hot (warm) ... we might just bypass the MDR for embarkation lunch & eat in O'Sheehan's for a change, avoiding the GA's buffet if we can, sailing sold out & full tomorrow. Regards

Ground Transportation - these not always "newbies" questions are often asked here and on East Coast Departure Forum ... including important questions about how, where & what in terms of parking, options and freebies. Posted a batch of pictures on the sailing's roll call (collection from multiple cruises out of MCT Pier 88/90) go there & find them - update/amend them on this cruise & afterward, as necessary. This Friday, using Carmel car service again, best prices around for 4 passengers with 4 checked bags & of course, carry-on or cabin bags, etc. A comfortable minivan will do, sit high to look around while in traffic for a 45+ minutes ride (weekends - just 25 minutes) as it is a weekday. Coming from NE Queens, past LGA and distance-wise, like coming from/to JFK. With a digital discount, $66.75 not including toll & tips (usually do 20% of base fare) - about $90 all inclusive & get FF miles added. Carmel has been 95% reliable (nearly always 5 to 10 minutes early when pre-booked) & with a fleet of 600 to 700 assorted vehicles, fairly dependable with backup if/when the assigned driver/car failed to show up or got lost ... happened once to us, late by 25 minutes getting to MCT. With rising costs and inflation, prices for Uber/Lyft are catching up to traditional car services, sometimes worst with their surge pricing models. See these sample fares from LGA to Pier 88 - Uber X for 3 to 4 passenger is $59, Uber XL is $80. Lyft is almost the same at $59 calculated on a slightly different routing & morning pickup time. Uber X from our area to Pier 88 is $62 and XL at $87. Carmel's minivan (equivalent of XL) is $69 before a $3 digital discount plus toll at $10 - difference of about $10 for a longer ride. It's 2023, NYC's TLC regulated yellow taxi fare rates have gone up, about 20% higher - which many recognized as long overdue and appropriate. A short cab or taxi ride of 1 to 2, 3 miles going across town is going to cost more, on top of congestion surcharged pricing for the popular midtown Manhattan zones as a whole, including Pier 88. Stay tuned to our ride from NE Queens via the Upper West Side to Pier 88 ... in less than 36 hours. Views of Pier 92, 90 and 88 southbound coming off the Henry Hudson Pkwy approaching W. 57th Street near the Con Edison plant next to the river. Additional pictures - helpful for those driving to Pier 88 can be found in the Roll Call section for the Getaway's Jan 20, 2023 sailing. While there's been a lot of chatter over at the NCL forum about ships docking at Taino Bay vs. Amber Cove in the Dominion Republic - NCL did notified us on Jan. 4, 2023 via email (16 days out) that our planned stop, port of call at Old San Juan, PR next Monday has been shortened by 1 hour. Ha, we are gaining an extra hour at sea ... leaving the port an hour early at 9:30 pm instead of 10:30 pm, all abroad will be 9 pm local time, arrival scheduled for 4 pm. Our plans changed, no shorex (cancelled, not rushing anywhere ... been there & done it) - early dinner (onboard as it will be less crowded) and afterward, an evening walk along the waterfront & photo ops, then back onboard. No further comments from yours truly on this.