mking8288

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.

Internet & related iCafe - internet update ... the one and only time where there isn't a line, in fact, nobody standing there and/or talking to the iCafe manager this evening - perfect time to chat briefly. STARLINK is rolling out slower than planned originally and it will not come live on the Escape until 2024, no specific dates available to him yet ... for the immediate future, end users (and crew onboard) will remain with and use EMC, existing satellite ISP with WiFi inTERnet access. Servers & equipments running now (i.e. NEC routers) are perfectly capable & fully meet/exceed 802.11.ac standards (WIFi 6) and IPv6 as well as iPv4 specs, etc. Speedtest results (best achieved during this cruise with 4,850 pax onboard) - which pretty much mirrored what I was able to get during the Epic's TA this April and Getaway's Caribbean cruise - Jan 2023, a bit better than the Joy - Sept 2022. The other important alert: NCL apparently does NOT pro-rate the discount anymore with the FAS upgrade, price offered is same pre-cruise or onboard, taking into account the value of the free minutes. The difference is that you can use any OBC, non-refundable ones, when you do the upgrade onboard the ship but NOT pre-cruise as your credit card will be charged. In other words, if you wait (like we used to) to upgrade after midnight on Day 2 or Day 3, to upgrade - the price is the same as Day 1, no further discount or cost savings. This is for the Escape - YMMV if you sail or cruise on a different or another NCL ship. Plan your use accordingly ...

Welcome to NCL ... and thanks, glad to be of some help. BTW - just wanted to mention that in addition to the $100 REFUNDABLE OBC that each stateroom received for this modified cruise itinerary. $30 x 2 or $60 REFUNDABLE OBC were issued also, they are for port fees, taxes & charges - skipped 2 ports. They are in our Onboard Account. Had to chase down our $100 non-refundable NCLH shareholders OBC, they were missing and case number generated onboard to Miami HQ, confirmed & credited today, just in time for disembarkation. Not bad - NCL came thru again, not always easy & I undersand other's frustrations, often aired on CC. Yeah, go with the flow, humor & patience. Dine With Officers didn't happen on this cruise, signed up for it - oh well, since our favorite HD and his assistant, and probably some of the ones we knew from before aren't around, it's okay - next time 🙂

Stay tuned, I will provide a more details post-cruise about this. In general, I find NCL ships with the "older" Sole (a hospitality brand) TV to be easiest as they use HDMI 1 as default input, where as these newer LGTV and Samsung TV are dedicated for hospitality or hotel operations use and data is routed via good old ethernet wiring (Cat 5+ and if they were smart enough to future proof miles of wiring for the next 2 decades, go with at least Cat 6E during construction). Input source for these are "locked" & switching to HDMI render it useless, as it's basically a display monitor that apparently run its own customized Linux OS ... I keep forgetting to bring my universal USB stick with OS to boot it up for fun, LOL. My tech toolkit and gadgets that I usually bring along ... it's a pain, haha at 9 to 10 lbs plus the laptop. The basics that one would need - a Windows laptop or notebook PC (11.6" Sony Viao in my case, optimized for travel) with HDMI output and/or most newer Chromebook with HDMI output, and a 10' HDMI cable (6' might be too short). Wireless/bluetooth mouse and NC wireless earbuds. A short power strip (non-surge suppressed) or power cube (triple taps - by GE) that's space saving, and at least 1 if not 2 220V outlet adapter ... and, a # of USB 3.0 braided extension cables to pair with a # of USB-A and USB-C data/power cables - rated for fast charging, plus Lightning-certified cables. Anker multi-port Dongle that's tested to work with Chromebook and has HDMI output, and also an USB-C to HDMI 4K converter. Anker 10,000 mAH battery bank with dual output for quick boost & charging. Essentially, get into the TV/monitor's Setting, Input Source - override if needed & possible, change the source & connect the alternate HDMI source/cable to "cast" to the mounted TV onboard. GA and BA, Escape (pre-Covid) was a peace of cake, quick-easy-simple ... now, not so much. TV Remote in the room does not have the button/option to make changes ... more specifics on it, post-cruise. Samsung Galaxy S22+ has its own Live TV App, which can cast or stream to a bigger display ... it's a feature that isn't available on the Pixel 7 Pro, thus carrying both or hijacking DW's S22+ to use. iPhone SE 2022 is a dual e/Sim enabled global phone with data plans, emergency use and to pair with AirTags. DW spend time on her iPad so we carry the "Mini" Air as it is lighter & easier. We sometimes bring the Amazon Fire HD 10 since with mSD storage, we can bring a lot of offline contents ... and runs Google Store Apps plus Fire Apps by Amazon. If I haven't lost your attention yet - the importance of having a good VPN plus a backup VPN plan on the road, on the ships - sometimes, to make apps work or function, have to turn them off or disable it. Heading to dinner shortly, all packed up & ready to disembark in the morning ... will come back to catch up on news and weather since most pax are wondering about the news blackout onboard ... TV channels temporary unavailable. Frustrating - especially docked at a port but, seen it happened some 15 years ago on NCL en-route to Mexico from Los Angeles port ... CNN was available free & shown in all staterooms, negative news not good for public relations & marketing the product; and, the rest is history.

Signed up for Wine Tasting, they are on Deck 8 midship, opposite Duty-free ... by the mid atrium with the spiral staircase. On the Breakaway & Getaway - where the Ice Bar would be situated The main lobby or atrium, next to Guest Services ... NCL really should re-design this space properly configuration & with fire & life safety and egress in mind ...just not "Kosher" and would most definitely failed the good old EOC section of a Joint Commission inspection in my old days (have no idea on what SOLAS codes for maritime vessels are in this...) Just my 2 cents in observations, FWIW 🧐

MDR was open for lunch - a somewhat different menu, and Republic was open today. Come to think of these, they are from the dinner menu and not the usual lunch options. Bay scallops were very good 👏

Just dial your steward's extension and ask for one, turnaround day are always busy but s/he will get to it. Buffet has & use mainly milk, you can probably ask for it. MDR, Specialty Restaurants and O'Sheehan's, also Room Service usually provide the Coffee Mate liquid creamer, no refrigeration needed - like the plentiful ones kept restocked by our steward 👍👌👍👌👍

@JIMESOPUS First, wish you a great, safe & pleasant cruise later this week ... be looking for your live report ?? over the other forum. As for the compensation under these adverse conditions, I dunno ... $100 OBC for steerage ($50 p/p for 1st 2 pax - what about solo cruisers ??) might be acceptable. I should note that we received $30 refundable OBC x 2 for port fees/charges/etc. (asked Guest Services about sometime else & got the itemized credit answered) and 10% FCC for the first 2 pax in the booking. But and it is a big "however" what about those booked in Haven and/or paying a premium for full suites, with 3, 4 and 5 pax, maybe 6 in those 2 bedroom DOS ... then, I can see a "problem" BTW, thanks for that YT video - yeah, love using Windy App, you can "pin" it and look ahead at specific coordinates in the ocean with detail forecast. Very useful.

Photos from Deck 6 AFT

More pictures taken on the waterfront on a sunny Saturday morning. Captain just did his daily briefing from the bridge. River currents remain strong plus the tide, expect to sail up the Hudson shortly after midnight.

In the MDR and master suite, usually - she does come into the Study to find the night 🦉 online, 😆 Good chance that we are going on MSC in 2024 with NCL's slim choices out of NY, one of the nieces can book a 2 BR YC Suite plus another balcony, so we'll sneak onboard with them ... to help look after their newest baby, the grand-nephew. Besides, we'll be Diamonds after our next cruise and if they still do status match ...

Day 7's Breakfast - Daily Features One of many chairs, worn & seen its better days - new seat cover or replacement ? There are quite a few of them in Taste 👎 looks bad ☹️

@Steelers0854 indeed, a bit on the chilly side, long sleeve weather this morning. Saw someone in the atrium last night wearing a down jacket with hoodie 😳 The view thru the MDR vs. Sky's live wwbcam, figured they charted a course way east to go around but that ocean looks not happy with white caps & waves, probably strong wind, if below gale force, those in Fwd and Aft on higher decks aren't going to experience a good ride. Hopefully they'll reach calm sea state soon.

@JIMESOPUS based on that graphics showing the current sea state of wave conditions in the Atlantic, wondering how the Norwegian Sky is doing this evening - isn't she transiting and making a high speed run southbound out of her modified Quebec to Boston sailing ?? Hopefully, they charted a course heading to "punch" thru the hurricane system safely or else, they could really be rocking & rolling ... Looking at Windy App - 15' to 20' waves, large swell and strong/gale force wind conditions await - conditions can be quite challenging for the "smaller" ships like the Sky. Any more data on your end or thoughts on this. Meanwhile, Jewel of the Seas in-bound with the medical emergency apparently turned around again, now heading out to sea or open ocean again ... perhaps, did a medevac or transfer by boat ?? (looking at CruiseMapper)

Bonus pix of Deck 5 - Splash Academy, near the Taste Private Dining Room, accessed usually via Deck 6. Deck 5 Fwd has most of the Oceanview cabins, the larger Family OV midship like ours, and a small # of accessible Insides, Oceanview & accessible Family OV. They are close to or closer to the Fwd elevators - motorized scooters or powered wheelchairs are taken by stewards to specially designed area for charging, and not obstructing the hallways or corridors, which endangered egress and in the event of an emergency. Have seen 100% compliance on the Escape and items blocking the hallways, i.e. baby strollers. These 2 Family OV cabins, starboard side would be the "closest" to the staircase and near the elevators, around the corners. Unlike most NCL ships, medical center is on the upper deck - 13 Fwd. Both Deck 5 but often Deck 4 is used for tendering, with gangways access, depending on tides & the terminal's berth set-up, etc. Pier 88 in NYC used Deck 7 with dual gangways. P.S. We are basically in a "dead-end" or one-way corridor, unless it's for emergency egress, to exit thru crew-only passage - Deck 5 Midship, starboard side - Cabin 576X with an entire bank of Family Oceanviews. It is quiet and with little foot traffic, except for crew members passing thru the area at all hours of the day (mostly) - white space across from us shown on the Deck Plan are storage, mechanical & electricals, etc. - besides Splash Academy & Guppies Nursery. Typically, in the late evenings (before midnight) - we do hear machine noises coming from below our deck (Level 4 ??) as if small motors or engines, could be garbage disposals being run for about 2 or 3 minutes, sometimes can be heard during the day when we are in our cabin. Just something to be mindful of, if one is considering booking these cabins. Not sure if the same can be heard port side, just FYI - nothing that's truly annoying, however.

Picked up our Yellow luggage tags by flashing our Latitudes Sapphire & Platinum cards at CruiseNext ... easy to repack everything tomorrow for Sunday morning's disembarkation. Other color tags were DIY pickup near Guest Services, except for NCL bus transfers & tour-airport drop-off.

There's no indication onboard the Escape this evening, from the bridge, captain or CD, CruiseNext, steward or others, that the ship can proceed to dock at Pier 88 around midnight or 1 AM, shortly to thereof - and pax can go ashore or disembark early. Day 7's FSD has us listed as being at anchorage.

@Sugar Magnolia I hear you, here's one that us old New Yorkers surely remember & recognize from our times ... although I think they're gone before the first WTC bombing in the underground garage in 1993, I was working on Fifth Ave then. Friends at the NYS Dept of Labor were on the lower 40'ish floor - the public cafeteria was among the best kept secret then. Alexander's - on the southeast corner concourse.

Lower Manhattan's skyline - a beautiful evening, a bit chilly & windy, glad to be out of harm's way as Lee continues to spin north toward the Canadian maritime ... as is, folks shouldn't need to deal with flights being cancelled or delayed from the hurricane. CC friends of ours left JFK on a non-stop at 10 AM this morning & texted about an hour ago that they just landed at HNL - Aloha 😎 That's Freedom Tower, to our generation, it will always be the World Trade Center, Tower 1 and 2 ... not to forget, the Vista Hotel annex on West Street.

La Cucina tonight for dinner, using our Platinum vouchers for 3 cabins, 6 of us. This is where we are (still) limited to 1-1-1 plus dessert 😳🙄🧐 but, not going to give the server a hard time ... they insisted that I had reservations only for 2. Errors on their part when we changed from Moderno to here. Mistakes are human, computer data keyed in improperly & I wasn't given a new slip on Sunday. An imperfect world and universe. It's a busy early evening but not as if they are at 100% max seating. Otherwise, a good meal - beef tenderloin, medium - perfect, as was the salmon. Lamb shank was tender but presentation wasn't, again - subjective & personal.

Oh no, sorry folks to break the news, latest from NHC ... Tropical Depression #15 has been formed & could be a problem for those cruising - Bermuda bound - next week and - Nigel will be the name, appeared to the clear of the East Coast. Like we said, this is the peak weeks for hurricane during the season - always have insurance & coverage, accept the risks and have options, ride with the wave and go with the flow, sail with wind - pack patience and maintain that sense of humor. Tune to the NHC for the latest updates & forecast. Ready for La Cucina next - after a big power breakfast & light lunch, catching up with cybernews and emails, etc. etc. in the afternoon - with a nice nap. The Seven Seas Mariner has the tug boat Discovery Coast help maintaining her position, just ahead of us at anchorage (looked it up on Marinetraffic) - we can see them on ship's live webcam. Schuylkill is the name of the tug boat keeping the Escape at anchorage, port side.

LOL, ours is a TA and B2B ... (NCL or another line) unless you are not on the roll call (yet) - don't think we will be sailing on the same "new"er ship, as that would be fun. Got another CC on ours and "Jim"esopus is on the other & their ship will be sailing first on the southerly route. Going to continue to travel with the lighter Chromebook as the HDMI output is usable, and I figured out the "override" options for the newer LGTV currently used on the Escape. Sea days are great and with the choice to cast offline video content of choice, that is backup entertainment on the go - with the smartphone, tablet and/or iPad/iPhone.

As passengers onboard, AFAIK, we have not been advised otherwise that the ship is docking at Pier 88 overnight (early Saturday morning as someone commented on an earlier post) ... perhaps, it's a choice and option for some. The rest of us, do not have plans to disembark earlier ... despite home being a quick 30 minutes from Pier 88 via taxi, car service, Uber/Lyft, private pick-up or park at the cruise terminal's rooftop lot, etc. This cruise vacation is 100% paid for, getting a bit of OBC issued plus the 10% FCC to be used for each of us ... got no pets (dogs or cats) to worried about and our houseplants doing just fine - home security cameras reporting all systems being normal. Nope, we are going to stay on the ship until Sunday - unless there is additional "incentives" for us to go early, then - DW & I will reconsider 😄 😄 We will make a quick stop at the Latitudes Desk to ask for our priority luggage tags & see if they have anything new or different to tell us. Not a word thus far from the ship's captain or CD, etc.

Not to worry, checking the countdown clock for our next cruise with a land stay prior, just about 2 months out ... This "short" 7 days cruise was going to be warm-up for the Fall (and, perhaps Winter) - get our annual medicals done, dental work and then - start packing 😁 DW said, it's a shame she'll have to resume cleaning our co-op apartment, laundry & other odds & ends. I have to worry about provisioning, cooking and taking out the garbage, etc. When you are on a cruise, it's someone else's "problems" for the duration.

Arrrrrh, this is the part we hate ... but, details with instructions 🫣 This Sunday's embarking pax eager to see us disembark soon.