mking8288

For our NE-Canada Escape run earlier this month, 7 days - we managed with a single 23" and 24" rollerboard & spinner, tipped the scale at 36 lbs (well under EU airlines' 23 kg/50 lbs or LCC's 20+ kg/44 lbs limit) and the carry-on/personal bag near 10 kg/22 lbs ... mine was over with all the "mission control" digital gadgets (no, can't intercept missile launches but can/should be able to "watch" Space-X launch to expand Starlink ... WiFi for those of us at sea who "choose" to be connected) Seasonally, we will pack - when our turn is next - some long sleeves & layers, but shouldn't have any problems doing 1 checked bag, below 50 lbs plus a carry-on p/p, outbound from NY typically isn't weighted. The Epic is a bit tired & in need of cosmetic refurbishment, showing her age if you look closely around the windows & metals (behind the curtains) as I think she hasn't been christened with a recent dry dock ... but I was equally surprised at some of the worn chairs on the Escape - in her MDR's, in need of reupholstery (seat covers). Here's to wonderful cruising ahead for all - and in case anyone wish to transfer over, I got the rear covered on the trail with Viva's older sibling - just hangout at Ponta Delgada for a couple of days instead, and we bring her to the pier. just kidding - will lurk & follow ya all ... cross-checking ship's port schedules, going to be in Lisbon ourselves to toast the Viva on her TA that afternoon. Inside prices are insane, unbelievable TA bargains to be had.

@Laszlo - short answer, NCL's own lifeboats ... BH itself doesn't have any tenders, just like Newport, RI Allow extra time, get your priority tender tickets and/or refer to shorex time ... with the *Away/Plus ships, I believe they use both Fwd & Aft tender platforms to load the tenders. These were from the Dawn in 2019 ... should give you some idea https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2662250-semi-live-dawn-canada-new-england-5112019-our-old-favorite/?do=findComment&comment=57479255

Excellent report, those photos taken in the Studio Lounge & cabin, are very nice and thanks for sharing your setup, am sure other booked in the studio cabin are going to appreciate reading & seeing your comments and notes. Like you, we missed our stops - Bar Harbor, especially for their lobsters ... we did stop at Halifax last September so wasn't too disappointed. Did you learn how many "souls" or passengers were onboard your sailing ? For 4,850 during our time, it didn't seem too crowded & was managable - as long as one limited themselves to not hang out in the atrium lobby with nearly something happening there, from morning till mid-late evenings.

Negative balance error apparently fixed & resolved, zero again on our accounts with upcoming cruise - as of this afternoon. IT Dept. finally rebooted and restore whatever ... still has another "ticket" generated for resolution and remained outstanding. Did I mentioned elsewhere that we're supposed to received $50 non-refundable OBC x 2 or $100 together with NCLH stockholder benefits on this month's cruise, listed on the eDoc but was not posted to our onboard account, not even on Day 3 - Guest Services took copies of our printed Docs, messaged to Miami HQ to reconfirm, and was subsequently "fixed" by the next afternoon while at sea. Do have printed and/or backup digital printout available, check & check again to confirm, and when in doubt - don't wait until disembarkation morning while rushing to try to get off, to end up on that long line. We also had a negative balance with non-refundable credit that we could've used to pay for a $15 upcharge - Cagney's steakhouse' filet or 3 cups of Starbucks on the ship. Oh well.

It only gets better with the paid tour, and apparently maritime security b.s. is just that, an excuse to shorten the complimentary "free" tour. Most recently priced (hold, sit tight for the next 30 seconds) at a still-affordable price of $149 USD p/p and available on 6 different days @ 09:00 ... nothing about photography not permitted. It is now considered part of the ship's onboard entertainment ... maybe, we should see if we get a 15% discount based on our tier level (probably not, since that's for "most" shore excursions & this is likely excluded) Edit: interesting, price for the paid tour is priced at only $89 USD p/p - that's on the older, mid-sized but smaller ship vis-a-vis the *Away/Plus & Prima/Viva series ... dynamic market priced accordingly But, for your convenience, of course, use of non-refundable OBC should be, cheerfully, accepted. Kindly check with your concierge, Latitudes rep or CruiseNext team onboard. Ever wonder what it’s like to be the Captain of a cruise ship or how those amazing theater shows we put on every night are orchestrated? If you’re somewhat curious of how a cruise line works, we’ll take you on an exciting behind-the-scenes tour of our crew working areas that you won’t soon forget. Start the journey with a presentation on the history, industry firsts and future of Norwegian Cruise Line and what it means to Cruise Like a Norwegian™. Visit the Main Galley, provisions and preparation areas and see what we’re cooking up for the day. Inside the Engine Control Room, you’ll learn about the technology and engineering that drives our vessels. In our (always busy) main laundry you’ll learn how countless amount of linen, towels and clothing are laundered and folded on every day. Go backstage in the theater and dressing rooms and for the grand finale up to the bridge to see where the ship is steered and controlled from. Need To Know Guests must be at least 8 years of age to participate in tour.

@jsn55 Got it .. then, Deck 7 mid, Shaker's Bar and/or Malting's Bar might be a good alternate to meet for 5 to 10, 15, and even 20 - some folks can sit while others stand and move around, mingle ... that's the area above the casino, far fewer foot traffic in the morning on sea days for us ... could be different during/immediately after sailaway. Go further back, by the "Barber Shop" near the Cigar Lounge, are more chairs & sofa, it's a quiet place with solo folks reading, lounging & just relaxing. From there, depending on time of day, the group can using the "foyer" area just outside Cagney's & Moderno (AFT) unless it's dinner time - even, if that space is reserved for another private function or have something else going on, that area is good for a "small" gathering. Avoid Deck 5 Fwd/Mid otherwise as that's Guest Service and Union/Grand Central Station for everyone to wait & meet - Deck 6 is typically crowded and access to Taste via escalator one deck on #5 Mid. Good luck on the M&G and wish you all a great cruise. Best regards 👌

With information technology, especially at NCL one does NOT use the term never to describe connectivity experience, not for mine nor others - each "session" is unique and different. Of course, this only dates back to the IBM System 370's era, perhaps 40 to 45+ years ago prior to the IBM PC and DOS generation that came in front of workstations and keyboard terminals, with the serial mouse. In other news, consider "yourself lucky" if you do not see a screen this evening that's like - we successfully made ours at 125 days. I prefer to check on them again on a periodic basis, and wish I can do so this weekend, but with NCL's sytem down at least twice within the past 72 hours, unable to fully access MyNCL account. I prefer not to call NCL and put them on hold while I wait for the turn for my call to get answered. It is my understanding NCL's website has been experiencing a # of "issues" within the past 7 days as I did speak to them, got transferred to another department, and cal a different department directly - and, advised to be patient, as problem resolutions with the trouble tickets generated can take up to 2 weeks or 10 working days to be fully resolved & addressed. Being Sapphire, we are "entitled" to the limited services of a pre-cruise concierge help desk on dining and show reservations only, but those have not been definitive and of help lately, rather, M.I.A. Uh-Oh Error code - 503 Service Unavailable UH-OH. LOOKS LIKE OUR SITE NEEDED TO TAKE A SHORT VACATION. 503 - Service Unavailable. Please check back to NCL.com momentarily or call 1.866.234.7350 to start planning the perfect vacation.

@jsn55 Unless both Cagney's and Moderno are unavailable with other group functions already booked (fees charged or otherwise) - how about asking them if LeBistro, Deck 5 Mid/Fwd just ahead of the atrium lobby (they're using it for mahjong & card game playing on sea days, as overflow for the smaller Card Room/Library ... which I think can be opened up ?? or combined together, as they managed to fit like, easily 16 to 20 tables in that space with 4 chairs plus. Also, look at the space next door, the 2 Biscayne rooms. In the morning, I didn't see anything going inside Spiegel Ten or Headliners Club across the hallway, Deck 6. Aft - you have the Cavern Club & across, next to the casino ... Shanghai Restaurants, it's NEVER open for lunch, it's actually quite spacious inside - should easily fit 75+ depending on how they re-configure the tables & chairs. Deck 14 Fwd is La Cucina, access also via Deck 15' s Garden Cafe/buffet, sometimes used for overflow at breakfast & lunch, especially when weather prompted everyone to come & stay inside. Miami's Special Events did acknowledge the M&G request and aren't being ?? Or, they are passing the bucks to the onboard team for the ship ?

NCL withdrawn themselves out of the NY market themselves in 2024 and 2025 ... our BIL/SIL booked the Joy again for May, prices are the Insides are just absurd, nevermind OV or Balcony, etc. If there's a last minute bargain deal, maybe we'll go to give them com ... when we get back from Alaska (that, we scored a pretty "reasonable" deal on N's older ship next season, final payment isn't due till next January, got time to decide or pull the plug. The joke being that ship's CD will be the feature entertainer on stage ahead, lip singing ... (don't laugh, please) who's going to know & tell. Jim, how's that "modernized" pier parking at Red Hook post-Sandy recovery, but we will probably - leave our cars at home - car service by ride-sharing with a van, since parking is now on a level playing field, $45 per day at MCT, CL and RH ... that darn Manhattan, south of 61st Street congestion penalty surcharge isn't going to help one bit.

Yeah, bring some dental floss but leave the toothbrush home, hotels abroad generally are well stocked with toiletry sets for travelers, things like that, toothpaste, comb, shaver, shoe horn, Q-tips, disposable slippers and bathrobes, etc. - and, ask housekeeping or the front desk for extras or other items ... they often have voltage adapter plugs (and popular smartphone/iPhone chargers with cables, left behind by other travelers) Not that it will save you really much weight in the carry-on 😁

Maybe, they are considering a premium Helpline "Plus" to open soon, for your convenience, of course, with an upcharge (just kidding 😆 😊 😁 🙄 😉 for full service problem resolutions) It was still acting funny last night, I logged out to switch profile (different MyNCL accounts, i.e. DW, BIL/SIL, etc. that I have express authorized access to ...) and yet, I wasn't really 100% signed out and go straight back into the previous account ... this was / is with Chrome. Switch to Edge, was a little better ... Firefox gets my thumbs up, and Opera browser as well with VPN running. Oh, yes - turn off that VPN (or, use IP address from another country to log in) as that sometimes work. Chromebook or Chromium OS (Linux based) systems are often less problematic ... would be interesting to know how Mac (Apple) users do with their Safari browser access ?? As of moments ago, my negative balance is still there but at least the reservation isn't cancelled, LOL. Maybe, the Russian hackers are having fun ... okay, kids - get off the lawn with the zero-day exploits, ruining our vacations.

Flexibility is one of the other element when these deals pop out at you (us ...) DW and I having our usual continental breakfast at home this morning, looking at spam (email) from an online TA offering free DSC (gratitudes is the term they use) for 7 night sailings or longer, first 2 guests, balcony and above, exclude sailaway rates - most NCL ships ... except Viva & Prima. OMG, more TA bargains, 10 days or more for less, some much less than the average 7 nights donut runs out of Miami, some are last minutes but others aren't. (refer to "NCL Insiders" so some of you probably know this) If we weren't already committed near term already.

We did our own test for the 3d time (on Friday) just to be 98.5% sure that we didn't bring anything unwanted home - besides, onboard since we're onboard since leaving Saint John late Wednesday evening. Aside from catching it while breathing & touching things, could just as easily becomes exposed anywhere, like going to the store or supermarket, at various social settings ... thankfully, our immunity seemed to be holding up well after the 3rd catch. The newly approved vaccine only becomes available this week ... we'll re-boost next month before we go again. Plus the annual flu shot. Hope all get well soon & consult with your PCP as appropriate. P.S. Off she goes, Escape sailed on time - backed & turned, sailing down on the Hudson River at this moment. Wish those onboard, Bon Voyage - weather looks good & should hold ahead for the week.

Welcome home and back to all. Here a screenshot of this morning's Escape arrival into Pier 88 ... Sorry to read that @raisedonboats got exposed ... We continued to exercise caution, mask up in elevators and/or use chairs whenever possible, and, didn't do the Choir of Man or lounge shows ... limited our visits to the buffet or never stay long in the atrium lobby for long. The reasons for some of the crews observed wearing N95 or equivalent masks is that it is their HR protocols when returning from vacation & when first reporting back for duties onboard ... mandatory for them to mask up in public for the first # of days, despite rapid screening testing upon boarding and relaxed subsequently unless symptomatic with possible exposure, before easing up & no longer required to mask up in public. Asked and confirmed the masking among crew members (and, officers) when we did Dine With Officers back in April.

Here ya go - happy reading, my apology as it is long, very long but detailed. Grab a cup of coffee, tea or your favorite beverage of choice, some snacks & break it into sections - tips from another CC friend of ours mini-series, lol 😁 If you still have unanswered questions, feel free to ask - another CC friends @graphicsguy is sailing her in about 10 days out of the "Med" Sea, and I have 200% faith & confidence that he is going to help update mine to his unique 2.0 version, Haven-focused - ours in "steerage" Need to amend the latest from the Escape, but most of the newer one from the last 5 to 6 years are "fixed" with the broken CC links ... the "search" function within CC is bad, I re-established them, follow & click (below) under the "Signature" tab/section - should get you to find the yellow brick road. Regards & best wishes for a happy cruise /mking8288 - Henry P.S. @schmoopie17 Greetings ... and thanks, just paying back by sharing our experience as I enjoy other's reporting. I think you picked up on the latest Escape semi-live. Early "notice" a different TA coming soon, westbound is next.

Norwegian Escape finally felt her anchorage (since late Friday) this morning off Staten Island to shelter from Cyclone Ophilia - not as bad as our week earlier ...coming into Pier 88 after 6 AM. This week looks fine weather-wise. Sky in rough sea, swells, gale force wind yesterday with a big go-around loop on her NE-Canada run, docked safely too this morning in Beantown. Our twin nieces coming home from Orlando after a week in Epcot-Disney-Universal Studios now sitting at MCO, first non-stop flight @0700 delayed until 1130.

Nope, but 🤫 post port-security in NY, Pier 88 MCT has vending machine selling soda, juice & bottled water, as well as snacks & light snacks, for our convenience - pick up those prior to embarkation since there is no secondary screening of carry-ons. We rinse clean & reuse it to refill water from the buffet, and go ashore without spending extra - frugal ways. If only NCL would install these onboard -

Welcome back and home sweet home, and you slept thru all that gentle rocking and rolling with 4 meters wave, wind and sea swells coming into NY harbor. Sorry about our local city streets, especially around Red Hook area around the cruise terminal, prone to flash flooding & closure - by slowing down nearly everyone, you probably avoided many of the cleverly hidden red light and speed camera, haha 😳 😉 🤔 in the name of safety (and, revenue collections, regardless of who is behind the wheels - registered owner get the friendly "ticket/fines by mail" just like EZ-Pass toll-by-mail, for the convenience - credit/debit cards cheerfully accepted. Nice, very nice photos of your YC cabin. Have a fun feeling that the tires that we are kicking in the 2nd half of 2024 aren't going to be NCL, less than 50:50 perhaps for our CAS friends - he just learn that his "sponsor" (land casinos) play are switching (??) to Celebrity and Royal, and the nieces with YC offers on MSC and Princess. Dunno what NCL is doing to cut themselves away from these affinity partnerships, maybe they calculated the group chartering business has a better payout 😬 For the price of a typical oceanview, 7 nights to Bermuda - we can do a balcony on the Celebrity Summit or equivalent, more spacious, etc. That afternoon high tea ... reminded me of being on Carnival years ago, nice !

On our recent modified NE-Canada itinerary, early riser breakfast was 5:30 AM somewhere up inside/near the buffet (listed in the Freestyle Daily distributed) - not a full breakfast but adequate ... too early to ask since everything is subject to change, with & often without advance notice(s). Grab something the day before & put them in your cabin, refrigerate as appropriate - food safety reasons, and ask for that 1-cup coffee/tea maker ... and you can have a hot cup, i.e. coca/hot chocolate pre-dawn before heading ashore or to meet up. Enjoy your winter cruise !

We used to bring less but these days, out of an abundance of extra precautions, and for our convenience, these are items that are in our carry-ons, especially when on longer cruises & out-of-home country vacations. No issues with border security or customs, etc. abroad since none are Class or Schedule 1 or 2, and we kept either the original bottles or the extra labels from our pharmacies. Also, first aid kit, masks & hand sanitizer and wipes, instant coffee & energy bars in the small packing cube. Expect the unexpected.

Escape on the move soon ?? Last week, we started leaving anchorage before midnight to head up the Hudson for Pier 88. Not seeing a pilot boat next to the Escape yet (Marinetraffic) Waiting for tides & river current conditions ... Mein Schiff 6 backing up of Cape Liberty, ready to head out to sea next ?? Emerald Princess still anchored next to Norwegian Escape - she had a FDNY Marine response earlier as well, Fire Boat 6 and/or Fire Boat 9 had the "Box" for medical assistance ... that was hours after Fire Boat 9 returned for the 2nd time in the early evening to transfer an onboard passenger ashore via tender. NY's Bravest answering the calls to assist, thank you. MSC Mera inbound to Red Hook, sailing thru rough seas at 4m and near gale wind conditions. 2 other cruise ships also coming into NY, not far behind Mera. VHF marine radio traffic on the uptick with activities again.

@Sand and Seas - FWIW, fingers crossed ... going to wait until next Monday or Tuesday & see as of this moment, showing a negative balance ... we know better to 100% trust NCL's promises and take their words at full face value. Reservation appeared otherwise still in order, if our friends see this on their account's booking, they will panic ... You might recalled a recent topic/thread here about someone doing a mock addition of optional items to their paid in full reservation, didn't "paid for it" immediately and their entire booking was cancelled & disappeared - along with checking hotel and air reservations, etc. - nowadays, making a habit of checking MyNCL just to make sure things are in order, "for our convenience" of course. #cough #cough Final Payment Due $-35.60 Due by: Jul **, 2023

It's a known issue this weekend and NCL's infamous and highly competent I.T. Dept #cough #cough is aware of it and will fix it - saw a negative balance on our fully paid cruises that are coming up soon - called into and got transferred for the answer. Support agent said not to worry, it's fine and all good on their screen - whatever that means ... just have to take their words for it and trust them to do the right thing by next week. Folks on roll calls getting ready to cruise & print out their final eDocs might be freaking out as well. Have a support ticket on an unrelated matter earlier this week, and they acknowledged by email and ask for patience, and allow up to 14 days for problem resolution. FWIW #cough #cough

Used to see a limited selection of OTC meds inside the gift shops onboard NCL ships, not lately since the restart in 2022. Supply chains shortage also not helping the store in offering sunscreen, and popular items like keychains, magnets, logo merchandise items, etc. If the duty-free shop is open while at sea, take a look inside as some items are now available there, behind the cash register ... could be related to "loss prevention" a/k/a theft. From our recent EPIC T/A in April, did check and confirmed that some items are available & offered for sale in the duty-free section ... grossly over-priced for the given quantities sold, best to pack & bring your own, and shop when you reach the next port with local shops in the vicinity - restock as needed. Last week on the Escape, didn't get the chance to pass by to see if duty-free section is similar ... could vary by specific ship. When in doubt, Siri, Alexa or Google it and let AI come to your aid.

Two for your scrapbook - Emerald Princess heading out now, passing under the VZ Bridge after waiving at the Escape, with a FDNY fire/medical rescue boat action now in play, live ... unable to tender earlier due to sea state & conditions