mking8288

It was fine, a matter of time before bean counters will provide packets of lemon juices to squeeze instead, me think. Going thru old NCL food photos on the Linux server at home, thinking about these, now that even 3 to 4 pieces of greasy onion rings are gone ... Can't say I'll missed the Cagney oysters, you probably recalled it used to be 6, then 4 oysters and then just 3 little ones. Glad we are spreading our wings soon, about 80 days out. Staycation this year, really ... not even flying or land trip (of course, this "heat dome" isn't helping to popular domestic, summer attractions.

LOL, I am already in trouble with Sy and going to stay out of this and not going to pretend that I can "moderate" between @ontheweb and @schmoopie17 Montserrat 1/2 day visit by Spain Day Tours with cruise terminal (or hotel) pickup and drop-off just about anywhere within the city of Barcelona is highly recommended as we've done that in 2023, best bang for our "shrinking" purchasing power of the mightly ?? U.S. dollars - it was a shared ride in a Mercedes high top van for the price of a shared motorcoach or tour bus, and a fraction of what NCL demand (especially when you are on a "clocK" with all abroad time) But, we plan to attempt a DIY trip ourselves next time, do the train/transfer to get up there, give us more time to see it all and reserved our time slot (inside) to see more ... best to get out there early, ahead of groups & buses arriving by the dozens, then hundreds as the day progress. Sugar, by now ... you should be in the clear and not catching any bugs coming back with the inconsiderate flyer sitting near/next/behind you or whatever. It's going to take days, if not weeks, to really wrap up & write the "final" summary.

@graphicguy Hmmm, talk/consult w your PCP about the need for a boost, partially dependent upon your "last" one - am surrounded by medical pro's including older cousin, retired doctor but check w the ones with the most current knowledge base. As I recall, it's generally expected to take up to 2 weeks for the full protection to ramp up. Perhaps, have a supply fo good masks available for travel, just in case. With our upcoming Alaska cruise, probably will get our 2024 booster before we fly west. As for timing your arrival, Joy wasn't at zero count before 10 to 10:30 this morning as I "watched" the live shipcam feed & it was still busy across 12th Avenue around that time. LGA shuttle to Pier 88 by noon to 1 PM should be a breeze for Haven check-in, probably just walk right thru security to fast track check-in & boarding, without pausing along the way. If the last 3 sailing is a reliable indicator, Joy will be at Pier 88 before sunrise and once CBP show up in the early morning, the herd will rush off and begin to thin out by 10 AM - and, unless they are subject to a surprised or unannounced inspection, breeze thru all the way. Nice, simple & inclusive packing checklist.

@graphicguy Better pack those Bermuda shorts along, nice weather ahead there and going to be warm here in the Big Apple ahead, whatever plans you got or just going to wing it. Joy has one of the better, live HD shipcam video feed ... rooftop parking looking busy and at 10:15, still working toward zero count with those disembarking making their way across 12th Ave to the yellow taxi stand and car service pickup (we always set our "spot" to 660 12th Ave. just north of W. 48th Street) Extra traffic congestion in Manhattan & Queens today with things happening, it's not just the marathons & bike races. Have a great one & bon voyage, with all the chatters lately, am sure you'll got plenty of write & post - when & if you have time, first & foremost, enjoy the week. Best wishes & regards, safe travel ... RN nephew cautioned (already in the news) to be mindful of the new KP.3 variant 😷 😷 as he's working in the ER these days, when traveling in close quarters.

Joy was in early, super ... ultra early this morning, docked but no early walk off until 7:30 or so. Dan, your turn next Sunday

Palomar - baked whole sea brass for 2, use 2 dining vouchers or 1 set of Platinum coupons ... Give it a try 👍

Clear the cache & cookies on the OS/browser, reboot and try again ... usually works and try Incognito mode to evade tracking.

Welcome back Latitudes reception / CruiseNext sales presentation has been scheduled for noon, 12:30 PM, 1 PM and even at 7 PM in the evening, depending on the ship & cruise itinerary, etc. - there're like 1,800 Latitudes members onboard the TA last month, 900 Platinums and 300 Sapphire ... absolutely a waste of time and a joke. Stick with one's lunch & dinner plans, especially if you fought to get those specialty dining time/date slots ... we've concluded years ago that one isn't going to miss anything. Unless, a few cubes of cheese & crackers are important 🙄 plus choice of a few house drinks, complimentary, of course, while it last.

@dexddd With all that sweet stuff, given the typical NCL passenger / Haven demographics ... I question if any of it being good for someone with A1C level above 6.0 or perhaps borderline ... better brush teeth frequently and make sure a good dental cleaning is in the near future. Can't see our family doctors and dentists approving these daily treats ... maybe should come up with healthier option as a choice. Otherwise, I wonder if the marine life will be bothered with these being dumped into the ocean. Of course, that's just me so don't mind the commentary.

Focused, indeed, to sail and sustain, for our .... convenience, or not. Can't say, without pinching my nose and biting lips, these now "2024 limited" NCL specialty dining menu changes are to enhance that exceptional experience anymore ... certainly not value-enhanced, IMHO; especially if you "wish" or sometimes "need" to add a 3rd or 4th person (adult or teen, friend or guest) to dine together. NCL being consistently "inconsistently" with these dining options, vouchers and coupons vis-a-vis appetizers, starters, soup & salads, number of sides vs. the waiter/server and/or asst. manager on duty's "gospel" vs. written and spoken policies in force - just "go with the flow" is one way of dealing with this, and not to get stressed out with the "freebies" (really, include in the calculated fare packages ... think about it for a moment, FAS isn't "free" over the Sailaway rate). I've done this a good # of times over the past several years, to stop the preaching of the rules as to what's included or not, tell the server taking the order & therefore responsible for running up the charges, to cut it and just put whatever over the limits / allowances on my guest keycard's account. Whether that's going above & beyond as our vacation hero for that day, week and/or the cruise ... go figure. Suffice to say, it's does set my parameters on additional cash tipping given as we see fit. Well ... glad that - after our Prima TA last month - we've cancelled an upcoming one and put NCL on suspension against additional bookings ahead. Of course, the grass isn't necessary greener and/or better on other mass cruise lines but we shall see & decide in person. Mindful of the the latest NCLH guidance and message to Wall Street, everything is on the table for the chopping block and things will continue to get dropped, not added ... that's my forecast, sadly. We've already seen reports of things happening to the Haven experience ... Say what one wish & defend ... pretty soon, it will be a single egg breakfast on the plate and 2 eggs omelette to cut food waste further and b/c of confirmed Avian flu again & supply chain issues/rising costs again. Happy cruising 😬

Good morning ... your guess is likely spot on and if booking is solid & sailing full - almost certain during Asian holidays (i.e. Lunar New Year) as a matter of smarter & strategic marketing (which I said 7 or 8 years ago when NCL Asia plunged into the China market doing just short 3, 4 and 5 days loops) I don't see the 3 smaller ships returning to the Americas with the new Prima/+ and other bigger ships eventually get christened at the shipyard. As a matter of fact, we are looking at those north Asia itinerary but comparing very closer to what other lines on my short list, are offering ... Seeing various Japanese coastal cities via a cruise ship is convenient and easy but not the best way, high speed trains & rails with overnight stays are better as one can see & do more, or else missing out the colorful, scenic night life. Ditto for Taipei/Taiwan as it's easy enough to travel by train or go around the island, again overnight stays; even for South Korea - places that we've been to and plan to go back again as we are comfortable to get around ourselves and/or do local premium bilingual/multi-lingual escorted motorcoach tours. Back in 2010, we're in Shanghai, China and Royal Caribbean had already long established their steady presence in the region ... NCL is now nearly 15 years behind, the Joy "adventure" aside, re-establishing themselves in Asia. We had Alaska on our radar last year and indeed, we are doing a 10 days out of YVR in late August, amazing last minute balcony deal that we just cannot say no. Going to be very different and interesting onboard experience for sure, fixed early dining for 6 of us and afternoon high tea, and 3 themed evenings, etc. Dropped another NCL cruise booked on the Sun, moved the bundled deal for 4 of us to a different but similar itinerary in 2025. NCL isn't offering anything of interest to us from the Northeast this winter ... if we see a fair & reasonable last minute deal, will pull the rollerboard, book & go - the competition is dancing and doing circles around our "preferred" line, not just MSC. Best regards & wishes - Henry

For our "gang", agreed 200% on Barcelona but Susan has a different opinion about Paris & France in general. Hey, final payment coming up this month but FYI, after sleepless nights ... we decided to "abandon" you (sorry, my personal apology), changed the 2 Sky TA booking & moved our 2 CND to next Fall's westbound TA instead, keeping our 20% discounts with a better series of new ports for us. Haven't seen you on that roll call (nor have I, too busy with our 2 paid-in-full cruises coming up) getting active plus chatters from social media floating around, again 😳 😳 😤 ) - will you possibly be doing another Barely-a-Live. Photos & stories, descriptions, etc. (thank you again, you've succeeded - really) from this Live Escape is going to be a key "reference" for 2025 since Italy & France are included among the ports ...

FWIW, recent CC news article link is here ... on fleet deployment of the Spirit, Sky and Sun to Asia this Fall thru 2026, the oldest & smaller Norwegian ships moving (returning once again, post-Covid) with at least 1 of them being fully chartered with a regional travel partner & homeport out of Keelun, Taiwan (a coastal, sheltered harbor port in the NE) that's about 45 minutes +/- from Taipei, traffic permitting - with a variety of mostly shorter itineraries, intended not for the Americanized audience 😳 😬 🙄 Sailing out of Florida & "smaller" ships, you are probably looking at the "newer" & "bigger" ones including the Dawn, Gem, Jade, Pearl & Jewel. Not all the ships have go carts and water slides/tubes but Haven concept isn't going away. All of them have had "recent" dry docked and updated furnishings, newer furniture & refreshed, aren't as old as the "age" would otherwise indicated. The "funky" Epic isn't bad either ... our recent TA (2023) on her was fine, separate toilet & shower cubes didn't bother us. Some of the older ships in the fleet have had engine/azipod issues as well as common maintenance "complaints" about clogged toilets (thanks to fellow cruisers that probably ignored cautions & improperly disposed objects by flushing) whereas the new ships aren't immune with squeaks, noises & rattles at sea either. Look closely at recent reviews & reports on ship(s) that you are interested in and available to sail ... the onboard experience these days - if it has been more than 15 to 20 years ago (it seemed so) since being onboard NCL, could be a shocking eye-opener with all the changes since then in numerous ways. The grass isn't necessary greener on the competitions out there ... Sailing out of Florida, unlike those of us from the Northeast (NY/NJ/CT region) wide choices, options, pricing and availability on a year round basis. Happy cruising and do more homework by "researching" before you pull the trigger. Deals are out there for any budgets and it's a lot easier these days with all the online tools plus using services of a good TA, above & beyond NCL's "PCC" Cheers !

Not necessary, it is a well "known" loophole onboard NCL vessels running the WiFi networks & systems, and I'm sure you know there are hidden SSiD that are secured & used by crews only for ship operations, dining & other services that we do not have authorized access to. Those "ports" are left open for a # of reasons ... rest assured if & when, once they figured out their workaround, these loopholes will be blocked & shut off, without notice or warning, etc. Google Pixels, Android and iOS users here with multiple devices / gadgets ... these has worked onboard the Getaway, Joy, Escape, Epic, and Prima lately (since C19 restart ... and before that) - as end "users", one of the elements in the matrix is our hardware configurations & OS, security and device "settings" I've been pointing these out for years, there is a difference between connecting to ship's WiFi inTRAnet (limited, closed loop within the ship's servers/systems) and satellite (external) inTERnet where the signals (and, messages, SMS & push notifications, etc.) are processing, going to and coming from. Don't believe for a moment that the I.T. manager and iCafe (internet) manager onboard and Miami HQ have no clues and ideas of what's going on from the standpoint of cyber security & network protocols. Enjoy while it last while cruising.

What a wonderful adventure it's been for Pookie and you, between your report and Sugar's photo report, getting us to think and plan ahead for 2025. It was great to meet you both on the Prima TA. Happy & safe travel heading west for home at some point 🤗 Best wishes & regards - Henry & Susan a/k/a mking8288

FYI, not bad at all ... you should be pleasantly surprised - ain't getting a dime rebate to promote this ... Here we go ... < Solo > Deluxe Inside (200 sq. ft. cabin - that's huge) is $1,311 plus $274 port taxes/fees & misc for a total of just $1,585 ... on this 10 nights Alaska voyage. Obstructed OV at 180 sq. ft. is $1,311 (same as Deluxe Inside) with Regular OV at $1,468 and Single OV at $1,579 (don't ask me to explain what that is) plus taxes/fees/misc = about $1,742. Balcony will be higher at $2,028 (no discount) plus $274 or $2,302. DSC at $18 p/p per day- that's $180 on top for 10 nights (NCL would be $200 at $20 p/p) Add round-trip airfares (can't believe we are booking & flying UA) - staying in Richmond, BC near YVR with easy SkyTrain into downtown and cruise terminal, a 5 minutes walk. Forget about bringing tiara and you save plenty to buy a new pair of white gloves ... there's no requirement on dress to kill. WiFi is $18 a day pre-purchased or $24 a day onboard for days that you want/need (will probably just buy 4 to 5 days worth while at sea all day) to access Starlink, from what I've read, the premium plan's speed is 3 times faster than the regular plan (plus you can buy it 1 day at a time onboard, based on the higher price - still less than NCL.) Shorex prices look reasonable & fair, as low as $49 at most of the Alaska ports ... looking at the "V" site along with TripAdivsor. I better get busy since it's "T" under 85 days or so. Bonus - just think, you don't have to worry about your passport expiring yet, renew it afterward and still got plenty of time. Downside, have no clue about solo cruisers on Cunard and CC roll call is pretty quiet.

When we came across on our Prima TA, I looked around the covered tent building, nothing fancy at all, roped off area presumably for Haven & suite guests ... works against the elements

OP is sailing mid month on the Breakaway, out of Miami terminal ... Jun 16 — Jun 23 2024 - 7 nights Caribbean: Great Stirrup Cay & Dominican Republic

Platinum/Sapphire friends onboard the Joy last week and the week before sailing to/from Bermuda had these bottled water in the cabin, and 2 of them sailing under CAS, had 12 cans of water waiting ... All, all of them said they're a PITA to twist & open. On a positive spin, the wide mouth making it easier to reuse and refill at the buffet using a clean glass each time, after rinsing them out - continued to see lots of cruisers ignoring the proper way to refill. Of course, it would help if NCL invest and install water bottle refilling stations, a common sight at airports and other places ... oh, wait nevermind, then no water sales to sail & sustain.

@Sugar Magnolia Foodie tour ? How about a dry practice run for afternoon high tea ... even if you can't decide on whether to surprise us on the QE 😁 Life is good 😊 with Passion fruit infused tea

Hi, Barb ... how are you? We didn't see or had them on the Prima TA, housekeeping must've gave us the remaining paper cartons. Our friends mentioned getting them on the last 2 Joy sailing out of NY, obviously NCL is switching vendor again ... to sail and sustain. Also, about a 5% reduction per carton or bottle, downsized from 16.9 oz. to 16 oz. (complimentary ones used to be 20 oz. Aquafina for Platinum/+ and higher) ... multiple that by the tens of thousands of cartons for the fleet on a weekly basis, the negotiated cost savings probably add up for procurement/purchasing.

There's always some sort of backup to the base station, don't worry. 15 or 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago, I never imagined looking at Cunard cruises but started looking lately for TA crossing to cruise both ways instead of flying. Then stumbled on a last minute Alaska deal. Looking at the quoted online price for a BD on Deck 5 ... wow, OMG no way with NCL, not even the Sky out of Seattle. Airfares aren't bad on US with a DEN connection and we'll fly in 3 days early. As is, we are midship on Deck 5 in a BA category for a little more, why not give it a try. My "boss" called it while our goddaughter's pooch sat quietly next to me (all the 4 legged ones do that, 😁 ) while booking it. Only 88 days to go, 😆 Anyone else looking for a last minute deal ... Queen Elizabeth's 10 nights Aug 30th 🛳️ Besides, DSC is lower per day, just like their WiFi prices on Cunard ... afternoon high tea and complimentary 24/7 room service menu - never say "never" Plus, $100 OBC as shareholder benefits since it's owned by Carnival. Shore excursion prices are more down to earth now that I am checking & comparing ... I can call this a "Deal" with "The Price is Right" for sure and look forward to real live shows on stage in the theater. Imagine "mking" doing a Semi-Live Alaska on Cunard instead of NCL, it's going to trigger a shockwave

Another reason and reminder to not join and engage those social media, private group and/or promote & use them for cruising ... M*ta has know cyber security issues and when folks willingly share just about everything without safeguards in place, you leave the doors open for being hacked and hijacked, and worst. And, some - of course, disagree and feel otherwise, to each her/his own.