mking8288

Room Service Menus - as of Sept 2023 (don't believe anything changed since beginning of 2023) with a service or delivery charge plus 20%. Breakfast has 3 hot entrees added, no longer free but a "nominal" $4.95 charge + 20%. Not sure if the Avocado Toast and Breakfast Smoothies are still offered & available, call Room Service and ask as it is no longer listed on the "Door Hanger" for ordering - others have reported that they can write in. We didn't order Room Services last week - otherwise, I would've tried to order smoked salmon bagel & see what happened and whether they will deliver it 😁 😄 😊 Some of the items here are "exclusive" comfort food, not available in the MDR and/or O'Sheehan's Party trays -

Okie dokie ... would it help if I post 1 or 2 more "bonus" videos to get your comments now, or shall we wait another 2 months, LOL until 😉 😁 😎 DW took the video and I just "claimed" it to share on CC, gotta give credits when it's due, or else. For a moment, it looked like bats - they're riding the wind, touch down on the water briefly (as if they are fishing for a meal) and then rise & resume flying again. Next (final ??) batch is just "extra" menus from the surcharged Room Service, including Breakfast items, as well as ship's party trays ... in case you wish to host a private, post M&G (just kidding, the butler often "arrange" for these free, at no additional charge - well, that was years ago on the GEM in a DOS on Deck 15, with private hot tub & terrace, etc.) Mega ships, they much rather only paid guests get admitted up there & not escorted visitors, even if it is a brief one with a small group. Post-C19, cabin crawls mostly not happening and I often suggest that those interested in seeing specific cabin type to arrange it "privately" by appointment ... no more organizing group of 20 to 30 "roaming" all over - just not smart or wise with basically "strangers" going thru one's cabin or suite. Since you are going to be "upstairs" - Haven "coverage" is yours in November - took another peek at the upgrade prices ... just crazy, even from balcony to club "suite, and much more than a spa balcony, which some will definitely bid for with all the sea days to enjoy. We don't see gaining much by going higher to the club balcony - will get at least 2 loads of free laundry since it's more than 7 days, probably 4 loads (2 for each of us - will "ask" nicely at CruiseNext then) but otherwise, don't mind paying that "extra" $29 for a 3rd load using NR-OBC. Hola, I'm sure that we can use a 3rd (first batch) load once we get onboard with our pre-cruise stay in town first. Roll call is still a bit quiet, the repo segment (B2B) is busier.

I am not sure if @Steelers0854 as well as others, have time and plan to add more to the post, his contributions as a co-partner in this "Semi-Live" thread added plenty of richness & variety, including sightseeing as we simply didn't plan do much ashore from the get-go with her access issues. I believe all but 1 or 2 days of FSD had been posted as sample, Days 4-5-6-7 were all modified due to the "Lee" and will likely be different for "ordinary" sailings with this itinerary. If looking for the extra inserts or specifics, I kept them and will upload them on request only, to avoid cluttering up - also to let others on this week's NE-Canada sailing to post & write things up. Off-topic on "Access" - our BIL also does use a walking cane at times, both being past their mid-70's, did quite well and SIL managed to tender ashore using ship's lifeboat, her challenge has to do with lifting her leg and stepping up & down, post recovery with upper thigh's compound fracture last June with pins/screws & titanium ? plated braces. They plan on cruising again in 2024 as her confidence is back and she will be very comfortable next time, last week with a bit of anxiety about WC services at Pier 88, to embark - and, go ashore if they feel right or stay onboard & enjoy a less crowded ship. This is a bit late as you are onboard this week - quick check of ship's webcam - a beautiful, sunny day docked in Portland, Maine this morning and wish you & all onboard a wonderful port day. I think those in Studio cabins are likely using Deck 7 Fwd, probably somewhere near O'Sheehan's as the designated Muster or Assembly Station. Ours being on Deck 5 - Mid - at Station C at Deck 6 Fwd near the Atrium, starboard side with the cabins situated on the same side, one deck below. Supper Club on Deck 6 also used for these purposes - also noticed a wall-mounted A.E.D. in a break-glass-open-use cabinet (every minute/seconds count with cardiac arrest.) Cabins on higher & forward deck location use the Main Theater - we always check that info upon getting into the cabin, as well as the "emergency" escape routes just in case ... unlikely.

By unanimous vote - O'Sheehan's "English Breakfast" is the "winner" among breakfast choices, not in calories and not by size for sure, rather for its "distinctive" presentation, using a slim plate that's more appropriately and better used for the typical sushi and sashimi on board and at traditional fine Japanese restaurants everywhere ...perhaps, they needed to find a use for these - maybe, for Tapas and/or Food Republic for the classic California roll and spring rolls, etc. Once once a time, this was known and/or refer to as the power breakfast, loaded with everything and truly huge, with very generous servings - Grand Slam or something along that line (too lazy to find the old pictures or look it up, sorry) The problem I have with this - being that, as you started to try to eat, things begin to fall apart and over the plate, onto the wooden table itself ... make for a messy clean-up afterward, "me think" - why not use a bigger, dinner or meal-sized round plate for it (I am sure there is plenty of them around, and the tables are a good size for everything to fit) I dunno, can't figure out the logics behind it - and, they can still do portion control and measure it to keep the calories down. The grilled tomato is as "big" as that scoop of scrambled eggs ... beans were drowning in lots of liquid. P.S. If you normally order toasts, specific 1 or 2, 3 if you are a big eater ... they are small and you get one (1) slice per order unless otherwise, asked for 2 😄 See, I bring a good dose of humor with these reviews and commentaries, subjective & biased, for the fun of re-living a short cruise week, 3 nights floating inside NYC and 45 minutes (to us) from home. Otherwise, order whatever is on the MDR breakfast menu, they are all good - a happy old man here, pleased with the smoked salmon w toated bagel, and they actually seemed to put more smoked salmon with each order as served - shocked, exceeded expectations. Just don't think the crispy hash brown (round) potatoes are coming back, not anytime soon from what I heard (it's a rumor, not confirmed by NCL corporate)

Now is a quick personal, subjective & biased review of our Cagney's steakhouse dinner on the Escape - YMMV - but it does reflect the concensus of 6 seasoned NCL pax, Platinum & Sapphire tiers: In short, the dinner passed the test - apparently, they possibly knew I was one of those that made fun of the onion rings & side dishes, got a bigger scoop of mash potatoes and assorted, crispy onion rings of 6 to 7 in varying sizes. The (jumbo) (black Tiger) shrimp was fine, appeared downsized slightly with 3 pieces with MSRP of $18 or $19, a bit on the pricey end but who pays full retail, right - give them a "pass" here #cough #cough ... cost control & budget watching, I know. Oysters - BIL ordered them, looks good & he was happy with it. Dining under candlelights with dim overheads, everything appeared fine but on closer look at the photos with the S22 Plus. Almost everything seemed to be "burnt" or over-cooked, our filet mignon was supposed to be medium or medium well, none appeared medium rare. The lamp chops most definitely well done. No issues with the salmon that DW ordered. Dessert looked a bit smaller too, especially that apple pie w ice cream and the OMG cheesecake, didn't order the "huge" chocolate cake. Just a thought here, ice cream tend to melt fast or quickly, a larger scoop isn't going to "hurt" the corporate bottomline much, a bigger or generous serving can bring a better smile to most. Service was excellent and we didn't get a lecture about what's covered, not included with the voucher and dining package, as I informed our server at the onset, whatever not - just put them on my/our onboard account - whew ! The itemized bill total for each of our cabin that we signed for, zeroed out as everything was covered with no surprises - average to about $210. As usual, our protocol is to tip the server team directly, in cash. How & what s/he does & distribute it among themselves, including environmental below deck - isn't ours to sort out, but keeps management out of their hands, hopefully. P.S. Asked discretely, and watched all around us, diners aren't allow to take out anything, including those once jumbo dessert that can't be finished at one seating - policy is continuing, that wrapping them to go is a "no no" matter. However, speak to your Haven butler and ...

NCL is pretty quick this time with the post-cruise online survey, both of us always seem to get them, haven't check with our friends and BIL/SIL to see if they received them. Before I get to that survey & respond ... probably a good idea to reflect on this cruise & how things went in general, what worked for NCL and/or us, and some of the other minor issues that didn't quite get the passing grade, not exactly failure as we are easy-going and will take the workaround. Embarkation was smooth & quick, the best out of the last 5 cruises (2022 and 2023) out of MCT-Pier 88 in New York, IT issues didn't exist & facial recognition worked, water & flavored juice/water provided inside the pier, along with light snack (small pieces of pound cake, for everyone) ... as I don't "count" the extras available only in the Haven waiting lounge. We're onboard just a little after 11 AM and the MDR - both Taste & Savor were open by 11:45 (earlier than scheduled - for 12 noon) ... staterooms were gradually opening up by 2:30 PM - still slower than the "old" days. We had no issues with our housekeeping and our room steward did an excellent job, going above & beyond - got us the coffee/hot water maker & set-up, kept it stocked daily & clean it. Extra facial tissues & clean towels, and emptied our mini-refrigerator. Standard white robes or disposable slippers never fit my big foot or body size, didn't bother asking for them (balcony & up, although one in an oceanview or inside can ask nicely for them, usually obliged) Didn't need the ice bucket filled & topped off daily, so that's one less item. There're subtle signs of the ship's interior, non-critical areas being worn & in need of maintenance (clear/rubber/plastic seals for the shower/bathtubs and wall panels, shower head/joints leaking, etc.) coming off & loose. Being Sapphire entitled us to 2 "cartons" of Flow water p/p x 2 or 4 cartons should be placed in the room, only received 2 cartons - asked our steward about that on Day 3 ... said he was just following the worksheet orders given by Guest Services ... could've spoke to them & asked for the 2 missing cartons, didn't bother as we had options. We had 2 small bottles of Fuji water with us, went thru security & wasn't flagged in the luggage - used it as refillable after washing & rinsing them, transfer & fill with a clean cup. Returning from Newport, Portland & Saint John, ship security also didn't pull the packable backpack to inspect or "seize" the refilled water bottles, just letting it go (AND, we did not have any beverage packages.) The strawberry chocolates were received, just 4 pieces - I thought it used to be 6 pieces until now ... and it's "smaller" and once upon a time, 8 of them. Otherwise, CAS friend said he didn't get anything else in addition - previously, CAS would have another symbolic plate of "sweets" as compliments of the casino host/manager - not this time. Subtle signs of cutback ... portion sizes are smaller, apparently not noticeable by infrequent cruisers, i.e. yogurt cups are now about 2/3 full at best, used to be 3/4 full or filled, ditto for the yogurt parfait - not a big deal, just about right in size for my smaller appetite these days.

Here's a bonus one for you, @Red-Sol and everyone else ... Now that we all know that @PistolPete13 is safe, sound & busy working, accounted for & located ... it's short video clip that, despite his top notch pro gears, can't "obtain" unless he (and others) were docked at anchor last Thursday night. DW taking her afternoon nap so I'm going thru her Galaxy S22+ for interesting photos & videos (didn't take any on mine) that we can post & share ... supplemental dining & photos coming, perhaps with a bit of extra commentary - different camera lens with different exposure under identical light conditions, sometimes, yield results that appeared not one as being the same. 20230915_212521_045821.mp4 Views from the ship, with Manhattan's skylines for 3 nights and days - simply priceless, as mostly - we see it briefly during the sailaway, often too windy or cold, too hot & sometimes under adverse weather conditions ... made it challenging to get good pictures & videos. Nighttimes, even more difficult - 2 still images taken on the S22 Plus, which isn't as sharp as I expected them to be (the one looking east toward the VZ Bridge was a little sharper ... Beltway with traffic & headlights as the backdrop. Views of Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge in the distance - the tall (rather not call it "iconic") high-rise bulding toward the middle-right of that picture is known as "One Manhattan Square" on Pike St. & Cherry St. with the back side on South St, next to the FRD Drive. Quick history on OMS - known to generations in the Two Bridges-Lower East Side-outer Chinatown area as the former Pathmark supermarket site ... torn down to construct a 72 stories tall residential tower with 811 units, nice design & unique in that neighborhood, surrounded mainly by city-owned/managed public housing projects and a # of co-op apartment buildings to the north. No, it is not a tourist attraction nor for visitors to check out, although Katz, the famous deli on Houston Street isn't that far away and served by the same underground subway line, the "F" stop at East Broadway, which was predominately an area dominated by Jewish immigrants. These "almost" reaching-up-to-sky slim & ultra-tall high-rise residential condo buildings are found everywhere in NY these days, including downtown Brooklyn (DUMBO) and Williamsburg, as well as midtown with views of Central Park. As a matter of fact, skyline of New Jersey, looking across the Hudson River including Jersey City has changed quite a bit, a lot, in the last 10 years including the waterfront development, and taller towers being built ...

OP, we have been on a # of NCL ships over the years ... mistakes happened, we are human and it is natural ... been on the Joy twice within the past year, great ship and crew - nothing is perfect but we would sail her in a heartbeat. There is a suggestion box with comment card at Guest Services in the atrium lobby, can't miss it - write out your "dissatisfaction" address to the GM (General Manager) on duty - not sure who's running her this month ... could be Rohinton ("Rob") or Ricardo, if they aren't on vacation or rotated to run another ship in the fleet. I'm guessing that you didn't join the sailing's Roll Call and/or attend the CC Meet & Greet, as otherwise, you would see the senior hotel operations team, including the F&B Manager - regardless, a written note will get their attention and someone will be assigned & contact or get back to you, to discuss the matter further. It might not be what you wish to learn, maybe or maybe not. Our NE-Canada last week on the Escape was affected by Lee & cut short, 2 ports cancelled with a view (great ones) of Manhattan & NYC's skylines for 3 evenings on the floating hotel with 4,850 fellow passengers and over 1,600 crews - you know what, it is what it is. Those "cards" that you refer to are for Latitudes Platinum & higher tier members ... on the Getaway, Epic, Escape and Joy, they were affixed with the cabin # and names of the guest(s) on it - perhaps you didn't notice it, or it might've been left out in error on their part. Also, each time those vouchers are turned in & used to dine, they are validated by the host/ess on duty at the specialty restaurants, and the associated guest keycard(s) are swiped - surprised that it actually "slipped" thru the systems of checks & balances. NCL didn't charge you for the mistakes, isn't that great ... (and, I'm not a blind cheerleader for NCL, but a tiny micro-minority NCLH shareholders) for a cruiseline that's on the "nickels & dimes" watch to ding everyone's wallet. Perhaps I missed something else reading your post & overlook something, and yes, the "manager" on duty could use a refresher in customer services. Feel free to look elsewhere for that perfect cruise experience, and good luck. Time to move on and enjoy the ship for the rest of the cruise. Regards & cheers

A little more details for those interested ... Escape's disembarkation, as we're "bouncing" a bit in Carmel's Toyota Siena minivan heading home yesterday morning - broke a record for non-express walk-off, curbside outside our co-op townhouse at 9:15 am & into our unit at 9:17 (checked against security video cams to reconstruct the timeline.) It was the smoothest & between the terminal's contracted workers & NCL crew, clockwork precision and ahead of schedule - Rise-n-shine at 6:00 and get ready, final packing, check & clear the mini-safe, cabinets & drawers, etc. and headed to Taste for breakfast @ 7:05 (starboard side - at one of our favorite tables for 6 next to the picture windows, look out & down watching the pier activities, forklifts busy lifting luggage carts from the ship and moving them inside into pier's lower level. Smoked salmon w. toasted bagel & cream cheese at 7:15, everyone done eating - listening to updated announcements from Jack, CD about disembarkation status - still seated & watching, breakfast done by 7:50, light luggage in tow - a quick restroom stop first. By 7:55 - Yellow (Diamonds, Sapphire, Platinum & Gold and Priority Access) and Brown (NCL airport transfers) were called together, proceed to Deck 7 Fwd & Aft gangways to disembark. Our SIL/BIL needing & using WC assistance for embarkation, their instruction is to report to Deck 7 AFT's Skyline Bar (next to/opposite the casino and meet, wait for their turn - scheduled to begin after 8:15, FCFS basis. Insider's tips: use the AFT gangway as it has the shorter walk into the terminal building and line move a lot quicker. Elevator weren't jammed full, yet, took it up one level to Deck 7 and immediately directed to go thru the Manhattan MDR - security podium stationed there for screening. By 8:05 - 4 of us were outside on Deck 7 and turned for the gangway. 8:17 - porter has all of our luggage in his moving cart and heading thru the CBP checkpoint, waiting for us on the other side and with facial recognition, easy "green light" and we are heading out to 12th Avenue (bathrooms to the left along this passage way) 8:22 - Carmel app ordered a mini-van pickup at Pier 88 @ 08:35 By 8:30 - seeing that lower level pickup isn't a good idea, contacted Carmel's assigned driver to change pickup location across 12th Avenue by W. 49th and W. 50th Street. With 3 ships docked at MCT - traffic jam has been worsening all morning - saw no taxis or car services permitted to come into lower level to do drop-off and new pick-up ... there must be easily 20 buses or full-size coaches taking up nearly all the designated bus parking spaces. With a bit of struggle, we managed to walk our luggage across to the pickup spot to wait. By 08:50 - we're zipping north on the Henry Hudson Pkway to I-95 for Queens. 09:15 - car servcie pulled up to the townhouse complex ... we are home; with a total time of about 90 minutes. (Footnote: these were photos of Pier 88, upper & lower level as taken previously) Carmel's base fare was $84 plus toll and 20% tips - rounded up to $115 per the minivan ... and that's with a $2.75 congestion fee added. Fare to LGA Airport would be less, about $20 to $25 lower in a sedan, shorter distance traveled as we are about 4.5 miles further east. While waiting for the pickup - check prices for both Uber & Lyft, just about or practically the same. Going to or coming from JFK (with a fixed, flat rate for yellow taxi, it's now about $80 with the fees/surcharges PLUS toll & possible congestion fees. Budget travelers that pack light - airport trains, bus/subway transfers and LIRR to midtown Penn Station is an option ... but, be prepared to walk with luggage in tow. Our SIL/BIL joined others using WC assistance in the Skyline lounge, and NCL started getting the Special Group off ... they were able to get a yellow taxi and got home about 10:30 - an hour later than us, but uneventful and according to plans.

Having been in Barcelona earlier this Spring plus the other ports, just make sure your cellular plan has coverage or activate them as needed, cities in Portugal, Spain and Ponta Delgada, along with Bermuda all have excellent data networks & great speed ... there were supposed to be a couple of zones with "known" interference (but, while at sea 😳🙄😉 ???) during the crossing after/before reaching EU's coastlines where satellite WiFi connectivity is said to be bad to none, often dropping out ... likely a matter of not having good overhead coverage ... and weather was perfect with calm seas for us. But, I can't see us not upgrading either - do that after midnight on Day 2 or maybe Day 3 and see what happen, apparently - Starlink isn't happening anytime soon on that ship either 😤 😤 per the iCafe manager on Saturday, FWIW.

It's an open secret that I've shared, others ... and I think Dan @graphicguy was able to "replicate" my approach and as always, YMMV. Suffice to say, together "we" 😉 😉 are going to try this out soon on other NCL ships, like the Prima and/or Epic (in about 2 weeks) - certainly others following this thread & sailing on the Escape in the coming weeks AND considering posting theirs semi or live trip report can give it a try. What I stumbled upon was, in addition to knowing that surfing a # of sites while connected to ship's WiFi inTRAnet is that, it can be done ... while DW was using the unlimited basic plan, and I needed or wanted to post something on CC at sea. Ship's WiFi connectivity isn't anywhere close to ideal or good, far from it, and, speaking to the iCafe manager in person about Starlink's rollout was not encouraging by any means. WTH are senior management at NCL HQ doing by dragging their feet ... puts everyone at a no win situation and isn't helping them with extra revenue opportunities. Meanwhile, I read recently that China is launching their first home-built out of their Shanghai shipyard, a mega cruise ship that resembled somewhat like NCL's *Away/Plus class ships ... with immersive 5G satellite coverage. Okay, ranting is over - back to answering the question. Simple, especially when sharing plans with others - best is signed into NCL's inTERnet properly, and then logged into CC's board/forum with username (ID is phasing out soon) and password, check on posts and/or threads that is graphics-based, as you can't see or view the photos while signed out of the paid/metered inTERnet. Then, type on the browser the URL - logoutnow dot com - to stop the clock or meter & sign out, but stay connected to the inTRAnet. Go back into and resume reading & posting on CC, you can actually UPLOAD photos - it's slow at times (but, keep in mind that I personally find the UL speed to be better than DL speed, less outbound data traffic, as it is mostly slow) Enjoy and "profit" from being allowed to use CC site free. Furthermore, you can edit posts as permitted by CC (20 minutes or less after posting) as I try to properly format & insert spaces with photos uploaded, not always easy & sometimes, I'll skip that when on the "move" or go - if you look at the photos "heavy" posts - you'll often see that it's nearly always "edited" unless I simply didn't bother at all, i.e. while having lunch, breakfast or dinner onboard, etc. We somehow managed to do this with our allocated "free" 150 minutes x 2 and Mrs. used a bit playing her online games & social media posts within our closed loop family & friends circle ... otherwise, no way that this semi - nearly always "live" report can be filed with all the graphics content, given how "fast" EMC as the satellite ISP partner has been. The Getaway last year and this January was pretty bad and speed being usual & typical. Part of it, can be attributed to our (end users) hardware, gears & equipment ... like when others say, it's unusable and almost like dial-up or not even close to copper DSL speed - well, using iPhone 8 or old Samsung smartphone would definitely not help at all, I try to use the newer, if not newest that's compatible with 802.11.ac or WiFi 6 specs. In the past, earlier this year, we're able to change or upgrade our FAS internet plans and saved a day or two by doing it after midnight ... apparently, not onboard the Escape anymore. Granted that this was a port intensive itinerary and we knew that we will have great 5G and 4G LTE coverage daily while docked and/or near the shorelines with cellular towers in range - paying that extras to upgrade to unlimited, using NR-OBC wasn't important or priority, just for our convenience. No way that we'll skip the trade-up on a longer cruise with multiple sea days, i.e. TA crossing. Also, make a strategic & calculated decisions, based on my best guestimate that the sailing would likely be modified, skipping & cancelling ports, but that I would risk not being able to post "live" most of the time. Worst case scenario, "buy" extra airtime minutes - darn it, so freaking pricey or expensive for 100 and 250 minutes, and, of course, they didn't offer any last minute disembarkation specials this time for 30 or 60 / 75 minutes, as by Thursday night - we're docked off the VZ bridge and nearly everyone was able to step outside on their balcony or open decks, near the windows to use 5G and 4G cellular services ... at superior & much faster data speed. DW used about only about 500 MB or 1/2 GB worth of data during the past 7 days, I used about 1.5 GB worth of cellular data and the secondary T-Mobile data line used almost 4GB worth of data as we're using the Pixel 4a 5G as MiFi hotspot, allowing multiple devices to tethering at no extra cost. Google Fi's unlimited line provides up to 35 GB worth of global high-speed data free before throttling - except & excluding satellite connections at sea, 200 countries covered otherwise. It's more expensive than using T-Mo's 55Plus line for 2 of us, since the $10 a day mobile data pass as add-on when traveling can add up quickly, and, when our home Fios line was damaged by squirrels in the co-op's basement, Fi was our "lifeline" for days until pest control from co-op management resolved the problem & VZ finally agreed to add extra hardened cable shielding for the inside pathways below our flooring.

Raining Days and Mondays "always get me down" ... (humming) Oh no, cheers and good morning all, the light shower & drizzle outside has turned now into a steady, light rain. Glad that this wasn't yesterday morning - power of positive thinking, DW and I are going to make the best of it and shelter at home. Saturday evening, our onboard self-testing was negative using Abbott's BinaxNow Ag, good and we will repeat that tomorrow just to be sure (have a good stockpile via insurance with validity thru 2024) ... then, we can go visit our 4 weeks old grand-nephew and play as mommy niece doesn't want anyone returning from a recent trip to be around for at least 1 to 2 weeks, apparently many of them are caught the invisible bugs and sharing it, yike. Plan to get our updated annual flu shots next month plus the newly approved booster, since we are - by definition - in the higher risk categories, following our primary doctor's guidance ... no judgement on others, just personal choices. Unlike the GA, BA, Epic or even the Joy ... the Escape doesn't have Shanghai Noodles/Restaurant-Bar, so we decided to have something different yesterday and ate Vietnamese ... nothing like big & hot bowl of (spicy/chilly - optional) Vietnamese beef pho (noodles) with all the classic trimmings, and, surprising, Escape brought back the "Vietnamese Chicken Pho (rice noodles, to be precise)" on the lunch menu ... not quite authentic & without lemongrass, but still nice to have something different for a change. Afterall, it seemed like French Onion Soup is a daily menu item and you really don't see Chicken Noodles Soup (well, for your convenience - with that $9.95 + upcharge, get it from the Room Service ("Swift" app) delivery menu). My non-informed guess is that with the 2 additional, unscheduled sea days, thanks to Hurricane Lee, the executive chef scrambled to feed 4,850 guests (and, crews) onboard with something different daily for lunch and not repeating everything - out of the 14, 15 or 21 rotating menu options, based on what's available in provisioning. Our main meal yesterday, doesn't that look good - reasons that we really don't go crazy with getting more Specialty Dining onboard ... Food Republic onboard has on its fusion menu, Vietnamese beef pho but the soup stock came up short - give them credit for efforts, but they need - should - use a bigger & deeper bowl, provide bean sprouts & lemongrass. Alas, it's difficult to compare apples and oranges, especially when they are sourced from different places but - oddly enough, no serious complaints about food onboard NCL, it's like "comfort food" and most were high on sodium or salty, and dessert items were too sweet (good for the other 3 members of the gang since they are on meds, whereas we kept our A1C level below 6, mine was recently at 5.4 ... medical assistant joked that mine went up, lol from 5.3 increased by 0.1)

Good morning all, again ... home sweet home. Transitioning - quick sweep/clean by housekeeping and laundry, brew a fresh cup of coffee and making a note for provisioning ... gallery will be closed together as we'll likely do take-out on the way back after lunch nearby. A week (and longer, DW now preferred) on a cruise, even if it is CTN, is better than staying home ... beautiful & sunny skies, beautiful early Fall on a Sunday, time to think about an overnight foliage or mid-week, avoiding the weekend crowd. Had a balance (non-refundable) of $14 on the final "invoice" of itemized credits & charges ... darn it, DW said we should've gone to Starbuck to spend it - heck, we aren't really into SB's marketing hype, let it go, just let it go. @The P - Susan brought 2 T-shirts onboard, could've gotten a 3rd one with the remaining credit but spent most of it in duty-free, LOL. @bedfordmom - going to be an interesting one, stay tuned - T minus 64 days, westbound out of Barcelona to NY ... we twice cancelled her but decided, got to check things out in person to decide ourselves with the mixed reviews. And, "The Price is Right" so it's a "Deal" - balcony booked outright, no bids and see no need to upgrade to a mini-suite (not Haven people, steerage "buys" more cruise days & fit our easy-going lifestyle better, and Mrs M doesnt care for a spa balcony but the max upgrade bid price isn't bad ... cheaper than minimum for the club balcony "suite". NCL's partner surely is tossing out a complicated formula. @Sugar Magnolia Prefer Carmel over Lyft in NY, Uber as a backup ... on this trip, Carmel & Lyft's quoted prices are practically identical, about $85 plus toll and tips (it went up since this January) and now Carmel started charging a congestion fee of $2.75 @MsTabbyKats We generally take our luggage across 12th Avenue to the NE corner of 12th Avenue, between W. 48 and W. 49th Street - preferred by most drivers, regardless < address to use: 660 12th Avenue, New York, NY > When we came out, the porter said it's easier for car service & taxi to come into street level of MCT ... and, took our luggage along & put us there. There must be like 2 dozens buses on the lower level, including chartered buses for a large trade group booked on the Escape - didn't see yellow taxis and/or car services, or private pax vehicles coming into the lower level to drop off or pick up. We walked across to W. 50th Street & contacted Carmel to pick up there, and call the driver to update him of our location as to where to meet or find us ... works. Total of 90 minutes, amazing, from the time we stepped out from Manhattan MDR on Deck 7 AFT to exit thru ship security, downstairs to retrieve our luggage, porter services with a fast track out to 12th Avenue ... Carmel pick-up and then drop-off in Queens. Transport (taxi / Uber "dispatchers") working their trade approaching cruisers offering ride - just politely say no & keep walking. Our SIL/BIL had to go to Skyline Bar, Deck 7 AFT by the casino to wait for WC assistance disembarkation, they got home about an hour later than us at 10:30 AM & that was said to be smooth & reasonably fast ... expectations met. BinaxNow C19 test results last night while still onboard were negative, that's reassuring - no desire to catch and/or bring home anything "foreign" and "unwanted". Have a small stockpile of valid test kits, better to use them or lose & waste them. @Red-Sol one of these days, our path should cross onboard ... until then, best regards and thanks. @graphicguy your turn is coming up next & fast, ready to roll - then, hopefully, I can make the next TA a very fun & interesting live/semi-live report. Looks like this week's 7 days NE-Canada Escape cruise should be smooth sailing. Wishing all those cruising this weekend and ahead ... fun, safe, happy & smooth sailing. @JIMESOPUS Bon Voyage ... P.S. It is the United Nations General Assembly week - starting tomorrow, expect extra traffic & security, if driving in - avoid the East Side of Manhattan & allow extra travel time.

A very smooth disembarkation, facial recognition and porter services, booked Carmel on the App. In the minivan by 8:50 & will be home in NE Queens via I-95 Bronx by 9:30 👍 9:11 AM - Queens... home, almost. 9:18 - arrived 🤗

Good disembarkation morning, MDR breakfast ...our ritual before leaving the ship. Folks on the next sailing to NE-Canada, time to get ready to come to Pier 88, should be ready in a matter of hours ... and Bon Voyage 🛳️ 👌 Ship has just been cleared at 7:25 - express self walk-off called now 👍

Tug boat on starboard, apparently strong river currents Almost there ... easy 😉 does it

Last evening onboard the Escape ... Drop off some signed messages about those that went above & beyond earlier, you can also email NCL ... but, it's easier 👴

Almost forgot, pictures from the CC Meet & Greet - Yusif as GM and the team.

Breaking update: We are on the move now at 23:25 and turning to face Lower Manhattan again and underway at 2.5 knots. Up to 10 knots now at 23:40 - Statue of Liberty ahead, port side.

Woohoo - Jim, thanks. Seven Sea Mariner already past Lady Liberty, heading north on the Hudson to dock. Our turn is next & soon, looked like pilot is already onboard as the Pilot Wanderer just left us a short time ago. Bags are on their way down below for pier transfer in the morning 🫢

Tonight's MDR dinner - said goodbye to the dining team, might or might not see some of them at morning breakfast, our 25 years tradition sailing on NCL before disembark.

Nope, and I am for peace ... war is not the answer, history has proven that for ages. Now, if I can crack into their system successfully, maybe fix some of their IT issues notably on weekends, maybe we'll all be better off. But, having an edge in staying in touch is important to me ... surprises, I don't like, not if I can help do something about it. Going to eardrop on marine radio traffic later as the ship begin to move again & sail past Lady Liberty, up the Hudson River & turn to her berth at Pier 88.