mking8288

Something fishy going on ahead for 2024 - but, maybe that's just me. FYI - Balcony booked (before end of this year) Max bid for our upcoming to a Spa Balcony is just $320 p/p x 2 Min bid for Club Balcony Suite starts at $300 p/p x 2, to a max of $760 x 2 Minimum bids are pretty low, probably last chance to win them at these 😳 😂 😎

Agreed, they must be throttling the speed onboard for pax access ... most definitely vastly better in ping time & latency compared to my results several months ago under EMC. NCL managed to quietly roll this out & activated the new gears in Europe, it's a win-win especially if prices ... iCafe manager onboard then was a young Asian and he apparently was on the Joy, if he isn't on vacation. Love those beautiful photos, keep them coming ... we like the atrium and "lobby" area when it isn't overcrowded. LeBistro being in a different area of the ship, sort of like the Gem/Jewel/Dawn class in the mid/forward section, but on the same deck. That vast area dedicated to photos, IMHO, is a waste of prime real estate. NCL could and should turn that into something else - maybe another lounge or dining option, food court since the newer ships are taking up minimal footprints ... strictly from a revenue standpoint. Have a wonderful time in Barcelona - the ship doesn't look full, at least not in Haven as photographed, where is everyone, loungers are empty - signs of chair hogs unseen ... shocked 😎 Get some group photos for your M&G and upload them here to the CC section for all to see 👍

How's your allocated speed/output with TP-Link ... that's on my bottom shelf these days. Run that with Open DD-WRT should get you better results, hopefully. EdiMax BR-6258n was my go to then, more capable and features rich but still hopelessly sluggish over satellite at sea. But, you can't override the narrow bandwidth and dynamic caching imposed by EMC's server, I could be wrong or missing the latest tweaks - please, do share. P.S. I would love to see some benchmark results over speedtest dot net running these configurations onboard/

Coming along for the virtual cruise, thanks, Jim for sharing. Last time on the Star, 2009 Mexico and 2008 Alaska for us - this will be a nice refreshing look. As for it being a free cruise, as you pointed out, there are many associated costs to pay out of pocket ... more like subsidized, comp'd partially by a casino as our friends called it, rebate for generous donations already made while playing 😁😮😆 Have a great & wonderful cruise - following along.

Looks pretty quiet on the pier, all set and ready to sail 🤓

Oh, no - probably just some sort of technical hiccups - server(s) overloaded on this end. You on still in port b/c I just peek at the ship's live webcam, not sailing until 7:30 PM local time - should still have good 5G or 4G signal from land ISP partner. NCL did a beautiful modernization with the Haven complex & that 2 BR is stunning ... you got 3 TV's to "monitor" multiple channels plus ship navigation feed & live video cam, and in case you run out of things to do, those 60+ PPV movies are free (just kidding about lack of things ...) That suite reminded me somewhat of our Joy's spacious 2 BR family inside suites with the virtual balcony, but the deco & trimmings, completely upscale luxury as it should be - it is Haven proper, afterall. For a change, might want to have the butler order something from Shanghai Noodles downstairs & bring it up as snacks, during our TA - the lines waiting to get in nightly was mad crazy, every night ... the noodles soup & appetizers were good, the fried & sauteed weren't to our liking. Portions are petite enough. Do try to keep those pictures coming, bon voyage.

OP, there is another semi - live trip report this week, here ... https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2962622-livenear-live-from-ncl-escape-01-october-to-08-october-2023/page/2/#comment-66198837 There're reports & info from last month's Escape sailings on the nearly identical itinerary, 2 of which "interrupted" due to stormy weather, those info are here on CC. Follow it and it will give you useful & practical info, it is NOT easy or simple to give the right answer as to when it's best time to get off the ship, and to be at LGA too early or otherwise, later than you wish to - what is your "comfort zone" to be curbside, check-in, thru TSA (do you have Pre-Check) and at the boarding gate (it can be a 5 minutes "run" with luggage or 15 minutes slow walking if your aircraft gate is at the far end of this newly modernized terminal - not knowing your choice of airline) Like Chicago, traffic conditions on weekends, are just as unpredictable at times - we rather have that extra margin to avoid being caught in gridlock traffic. As for the ports, Google / Siri / Bing / Alexa are your best "companion" friends online, and as long as you have data access, as we do, real time info is priceless including maps, directions and options to get there, including walking if POI is nearby, as long as mobility isn't an issue (were in Saint John, Bay of Fundy last month and our SIL along has mobility issues, still managed as we knew of an alternate instead of walking up the hills) Furthermore, try the Destination Forum for the ports, here on CC and also the roll call for your sailing - others might have similar questions. Enjoy your cruise, planning is half the fun & challenge and sometimes, do what we do - just "wing" it and go with the flow - didn't book anything ahead and when we skipped 2 ports, no cancellations & no worries, happy to be safely on the ship to enjoy what's onboard.

On your way to Red Hook, careful with weekday construction & closure neary on the elevated BQE or I-278 as it will be detouring to local streets, already reduced from 3 lanes to 2 in both directions, allow extra travel time to reach your YC residence. Local folks on your roll call should be aware of this - have a great cruise. Tender ops at Perrotti Park is well runned with multiple landings, for everyone's convenience and port security do check photo ID's to match ship cards.

Nice. Welcome onboard to your home away from home for the next 11 days & nights.

Bonsoir, it's nearly 4 AM local time ... too early, Bonjour 😆 Probably modest jetlagged to be wide awake already and can't wait to embark in the morning. Now that I take another look at the furnishing again, sort of resembled something from IKEA ... Airbnb

Simplicity - alas, that is part of the joy of retirement. Just think, you are going back up to Haven proper shortly, just consider this your transition against jetlag, as long as it is clean, welcoming and you get a good night rest, life is good, cherish & enjoy. BTW, I never wrote a word about it on my Epic TA review - apparently, if you travel on the "regular" elevators for pax onboard (at least the forward ones) it can & often go express and get to bypass "steerage" - very useful for port of calls ... some sort of tap & go with the keycard's RFID chip (perhaps). It's part of the privileges. What's your "supper" plan while in town, "liquid" diet ?

FWIW, one of our CC friends vacationing in Hawaii last month (not POA) was on the Sun's most recent TA & reported some cosmetic work/changes done, i.e. sofas and chairs in the atrium, lounges & similar public areas refreshed with new ones, and lowered seating heights (which, I supposed is good for some but not others) - more streamlined & modern look vs. the original dark wood tones used. New curtains & trimmings, carpeting work done, but nothing really substantial above in the pax & pubic sections. She continued onward to Miami before PC to the West Coast and some plumbing issues were reported. One minor but welcomed addition is that, their Oceanview cabin have the bedside LED lamps with the USB port for charging, which is always nice ... ship was sailing quite full so their upgrade bid didn't go thru but they're happy with their chosen cabin, as the early April crossing wasn't exactly warm & they missed ports en route but did stop at Bermuda. Looking at the SMS/MMS messages send while at sea, satellite WiFi worked most of the time, slow as expected ... elevators were smaller than the Jewel/Dawn class, more comments & observations should be in recent CC reviews.

Lordy, my go-to flying TP years ago coming off the Queen ... PamAm SP's. Nobody in those days can imagine that we would flying 757's across the pond, let alone 737's - not stretched then. Sorry to read about the spill, Mrs' trick is to rubberband tied them with cellophane (plastic) wrap before stuffing 3-1-1 into the carry-on, more effective than just using a ziplock bag. Dozing off ? breakfast up front for pre-arrival should be next 😉

Yes, Sir ... complimentary, for your convenience ... or, with an upcharge (haha, couldn't resist) 😊 Nice sunset over the horizon, that means upload speed is pretty good vs. NCL's satellite WiFi at sea. How's onboard services, got you at FL 290 with early arrival by 10 minutes, about 6 hours to go ... over Canada air space approaching Nova Scotia. Isn't it time for you to get some zzz's - got a busy "day" ahead waiting 😉

Wondering, is that on the Spirit ... they are going to need to bring back Bollywood style entertainment for the ship's targeted audience onboard ... https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/09/norwegian-cruise-line-launches-new-asia-pacific-itineraries/

LGA is closer, typically, shall I say as a native New Yorker, 30 to 45 minutes travel time, curbside to curbside at the airport terminal's departure level (with all the stars & elements aligned and no unexpected surprises, traffic-wise, i.e, bear in mind, it's mid-winter here, just like Michigan) - that you should be there no later than 2 PM, unless you have TSA Pre-Check. Airport itself is very nice after a multi-year expansive upgrade, integrated with lots of shops, cafe & stores, services both landside & airside. Your biggest challenge is what to do with luggage after an early disembarkation, if you can & wish to do the express self walk-off ... you can be clear CBP since facial recognition is used these days, very simple, quick & easy lately; and, outside on 12th Avenue by 8:30, no later than 9 AM. We didn't & send our bags out, took advantage of Platinum/Sapphire "privilege" of being among the earliest to leave the ship, at the same time that "Brown" luggage tags were called (that's for NCL Airport transfers & post-cruise tours) around 8:30 - and were outside, ready for car service pick-up by 9 AM. East Coast destination forum / New York - has discussions & ideas - but, you need to narrow down choices & must do, and come up with a short list of what & where you wish to be - weekend mornings, things tend to warm up slowly. Aside from luggage storage, maybe head over to Times Square & (pre) identify a hotel where you can also store luggage (and return later, if only staying in that neighborhood - not worth the hassle of going around in a taxi or Uber) before hitting the pavement to see landmarks & places, or perhaps downtown ... factor in lunch options. Places like musuems do not allow larger bags or luggage to come along, for obvious/security reasons - thus, you are limited as to where & how to. Otherwise, ride around by hiring your own car service by the hour ... or, head over to LGA, standby for an earlier flight, if available and/or buy a Lounge Pass for the day (check ahead to make sure if's an option) - otherwise, airport itself is fine to hang out, enjoy a meal & catch the flight without rushing.

Dan - Bon Voyage, safe & happy travel day ... let this journey begin later today. Going live soon, huh 😎 we are waiting. "Q" is tracking your in-bound flight, looks good on flightaware - DL 229 on her way, departed on time from origin/destination airport ... should be on the ground by 3 PM, servicing & become DL 228 to CDG. /mking8288 - Henry

@graphicguy most definitely can give us an update on the latest with the Epic, as I haven't paid much attention to the ship since our TA in April and frankly, don't recall going any of the shows at all, that's how memorable it was. We saw Burn The Floor twice, or is it 3 times within the past 18 months prior & that's plenty no matter how good it is. For our upcoming one, we think we are still lucky to, hopefully, fingers crossed, see Summer: The DS Musical (not available to book, yet) but the other "entertainment" options are pathetic, IMHO when you have multiple sea days. The Price is Right and Deal or No Deal being the other "shows" - plus Pour House & The Improve At Sea. Vibe Beach Club - Access Pass & Behind The Scenes Tour (paid) also listed, but to be clear, how NCL can list it as entertainment ... I must be confused. For cruises with shorter duration and/or port intensive itinerary stops, these aren't as important but ... Well some of us like our cup of tea, coffee, expresso or Starbucks, while others prefer wine & beer, or a favorite mixed blend - it's getting interesting to see how marketing plan spin this for 2024 and beyond. Lately, our own cruise circles is buzzing about MSC options and those post-cruise e-surveys from NCL are definitely looking for feedbacks ... alas, it's the corporate balance sheets for the next quarterly & forecasts. Meanwhile, in other news - Regent's bringing in 4 new shows, hmmm ... - https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/09/four-shows-to-debut-on-regents-seven-seas-grandeur-in-november/

OP, if there's 2 of you, that's $400 ($350 with FAS's $50 Shorex "credit" applied) - instead of doing that, you can reserve your own private car service (Carmel) to pick you up at the airport - drive around the city by the hour, with the final stop at JFK, say about 3 to 4 hours for a nominal hourly rate of $50 to $60 (higher rate for a minivan, more comfortable & sit higher up) - have a nice lunch somewhere while the driver wait & store the luggage in the back of the vehicle. Add up tolls & surcharges, and a generous 20% tip for the driver, and you will still come out ahead ... probably also paid for that lunch, within "budget". If you are solo traveling, $150 isn't too excessive - since nowadays, yellow taxi's flat rate (special - regulated) from anywhere in Manhattan to JFK, tolls & surcharges together is about $80 plus tips, with rates being similar using Carmel or Dial 7 car service. NCL's drive-by shared bus tour is usually for flights in the afternoon - and, travel time from MCT direct to JFK is about 1 hour to 90 minutes on average, less on quieter weekend mornings as long as traffic is light and there are no closures, road/highway construction en route, accidents or weather-related like today (where a trip was easily 2 to 3 hours during the morning downpour) NCL's bus/motor coach tour has jus 1 or 2 quick photo stop once under way, be prepared to have a big breakfast and/or late lunch upon arrival at the airport, as I understood.

Different strokes for different folks, IMHO. We paid to cruise, NCL will have to paid us to sit in that theater among hundreds to watch or participate ... Some will like, others will not, others are indifferent, free to skip it - I suppose, that's not entirely against the spirit of "freestyle cruising" paving & leading the changes for the industry. Our CAS friends that sometimes cruise with us commented, why bother going to the main theater or sit in that packed atrium like sardines ... head over to the casino, find the WOF bandit and play directly, nice payout, if & when hitting that big one. 😆 😊 😂

Excited, not. LOL

@Laszlo - Oooh, returning from Bermuda to first U.S. port ... expect CBP to board the GEM first, go thru mandatory immigration clearance first, and that's going to take at least hour to 90 minutes before the priorities & Haven, suite guests to be able to get on the first tender. Typically, it's organized & funneled thru different sections (MDR and smaller MDR, etc.) and US nationals vs. foreign passports holders only ... Code word is "patience" and be prepared, safe travel & cheers. P.S. Once cleared by CBP, they put a colored sticker on everyone's Guest Keycard, without it - can't proceed to the tender deck to go ashore.

Can't speak to recent times at BH, our Newport, RI "Escape" stop was a known tender only port and without the possibility of enhanced, extra, local tender boats to assist. Arrived as schedule, cleared & started tender operations by 7:30 to 8 AM once ship was cleared by local authorities ... We had a choice of 10 AM or 12 Noon "priority" tender tickets pre-reserved by CruiseNext/Latitudes Desk, and even for noon tender - numbers were still being called, not yet switched to "open" tender on a full ship with 4,850 pax (subsequent week with 5,100 pax reported to be onboard) - all abroad/last tender being 3 PM. Suffice to say, more than 50:50 chance for someone booked on a private tour to miss anything "early" and/or mid-morning. From being escorted to the tender platform/gangway pre-security to feets on solid landing at the pier is 30+ minutes as the lifeboat ride is 15 minutes itself. Ships like the Dawn, Gem, Pearl & Sun with fewer pax headcounts are "quicker" All these are best when not returning first from Canada ports as then the first U.S. port always mean mandatory US CBP inspection are required for all pax before one is allowed to proceed to tender.

It is what it is, for our (in)convenience. We're on that first Escape run, cancelled/skipped 2 ports due to Hurricane Lee, captain's written letter to all pax, 10% FCC per cabin ($50 x first 2 pax) on a future cruise thru 12/2024, $30 refundable OBC for port taxes & fees, and $100 refundable OBC. Escape sailing the following week skipped 1 port (Halifax, last on the itinerary) and also returned to NY early by 1 day instead of 2, floating hotel inside the harbor until berth is available to dock & disembark on its regular schedule. Can't possibly get +90% happy campers. We've missed private islands & given OBC (under $30 for 2 pax) and also not given - ditto, true on TA when weather/maritime conditions prevented ship from safely docked, harbor channel in sight & turned around to head out to open sea again. Tours booked thru NCL were automatically refunded and/or adjusted in rare instances of change in arrival & departure time for a given ports. Also, had changes from tender port to cruise pier at a substituted port of call, resulting in pax booked on independent shorex scrambling to reach their private tours to change or cancel (with NCL's satellite WiFi that quickly crashed) With NCL, consistency inconsistent - take it for it's worth (not much) on whether NCL is "treating" us with a 6 pack of sparkling water or Starbucks equivalent. Of course, they got it covered under fine prints & disclosures buried in the cruise contract terms & conditions, exclusions and disclaimers.

Without getting into merits, pro's & con's and differences in personal opinions & beliefs: lookup "universal precautions" for HCW (healthcare, especially direct care settings) as the general principles and guidelines are there to consider & follow, and it's a matter of mainly taking personal responsibilities, and listen to/follow best practices & advice. Think of how cruise lines used to deal with a major outbreak, i.e. norovirus onboard cruise ships - those measures were proven to minimize and mitigate the odds against exposure, nothing absolute. Going further into topic is likely going to result and subject to interventions once matters get heated up.