The P

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@The P

Hi Sharon....as of yesterday, no more uploading covid test results and no more 2nd covid test if you get off in Norfolk!

 

Did you get off in Norfolk?  Was it "worth it" if you did?

 

What does "the Cruise Next desk told me NCL will accept whomever wants to cruise now" mean?  Unvaccinated people?   With 3000 on board today and relaxation of Bermuda Rules...I may be in for a full capacity cruise.  I think the Joy full capacity is 3900 passengers (I could be wrong).

 

Glad you had good weather and enjoyed it all!

Just took a covid test; negative. Will try again in a few days and hope for the same result.....Didn't get off in Norfolk......remember how NCL was putting caps on the number of people on each ship? Not anymore according to what I was told. People still need to be vaccinated. The JOY can hold 3800 passengers. You'll have a great time! It's a BIG ship with lots of spaces to hang out. 

Hi, Henry. Sharon, The P, here. Taking a break from unpacking to check in with you and Bonnie and any other curious cruisers. First off, I'm sorry to read Covid got you and Susan; I'll take a home test as soon as I catch my breath and let you know the results. There was lots of cleaning going on but I didn't hear any rumors on board. We'll see what the next few days bring on CC and FB.

I was in a Club Balcony on Deck 12; I'm Sapphire. I have no idea how things worked for Haven. I had all my Bermuda final results with me. I got to the pier at 9AM; boarded around 11:20. Debark started  around 7:20. They called Yellow tags around 7:40. I was in my (Manhattan) apt. by 8:15.

Bonnie, you have to go to 3 different places to check in. First, with your passport and boarding rezzie info and test result. Then you go to a second line where they check your Bermuda info. If you don't have the final OK from Bermuda, you can go to another line and some people didn't get the final OK till they were on board and were called to Guest Services. Third, you go to another line to get your cabin card. Crazy!

We had 2330 people on board and I never felt crowded and could change dining and entertainment rezzies with ease. Today's cruise has over 3000 and the Cruise Next desk told me NCL will accept whomever wants to cruise now. No behind the scenes or officer's dinner, etc. so I got $50 non-refundable OBC for being Sapphire.

The weather was great. No barf bags needed.  It feels more humid today in Manhattan than it did in Bermuda! Enjoyed both Footloose and Elements. New Footloose cast boarding today.

I thought the food was very good. Ate in Q and Cagney's and all the different "included" dining rooms. The buffet will not disappoint you!

Any questions, just ask. I'm returning to unpacking and making some tea; I need the caffeine!

Welcome home, Henry!

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Hi, Sharon - it will / should save you a trip to Guest Services. They aren't marked as Priority but ... it came with the letter for our 2 suites. Then, again - being Platinum & Sapphire, we are entitled to priority disembarkation, should we choose to use it. Are you all set, packed & ready to cruise on Sunday ?  Have a great week onboard & bon voyage 😎 !!! 

Hi, Henry. Thanks for answering.  I'm Sapphire but even Priority will still get caught in a bottleneck getting to luggage in NYC so yellow is fine by me.  I breathed a sigh of relief when my antigen test came back negative and I could download it to Bermuda. Got the OK, printed it out, put it with my passport and was happy that was done. 

Aside from last minute stuff I'm ready to go. I'm on my own this cruise so I'm looking forward to doing what I want when I want and hoping for some nice weather to do it all in. CC is full of threads talking about Norovirus and Covid on ships sailing now so what will be will be. 

Thanks so much for all the work you do to let us know what's going on. We're lucky to have you as a guide! I'll miss running into you and Susan this cruise!            Sharon

Did the yellow tags come with the letter? Always glad to avoid a trip to Guest Services when possible.

Henry, so glad you're having nice weather while you're in Bermuda! No rain!

Hi, Henry. Sharon here. Would you please try to find out how many passengers are projected for next week? My TA doesn't know and the NCL rep I talked to said, "We don't have that info." Uh huh.........Your photos are making me hungry but giving me some good ideas on where to hide the ducks I found/was given on our Getaway cruise. 

I'm so happy for you that you have nice weather for your sightseeing today! Weather comes and goes in the Caribbean and I hope this weather stays!     

Thanks, Henry. No familiar names to me. But I love the "virtual snacks"; LOL!

14 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

Henry,

I remember that M and G on the Escape and Bliss! That empty looking bar counter was packed and the flowing appetizers, drink samples, everybody talking, making new friends, the entertainment.

Good old days.

No little beer glasses or snacks!! Bah, humbug! LOL. Henry, I don't see the card?

31 minutes ago, egurbi said:

Casino manager said headcount next week projected at less than 2500 but she couldn’t be any more precise.

Over 2000 seems kinda with all the available cabins I see but time will tell. Thanks for asking. 

31 minutes ago, egurbi said:

For those interested, casino manager just told me there are 1942 passengers onboard this sailing. 

If you can get the projected number for next week's cruise it'd be much appreciated!

9 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

Any one from the left over Dream Team onboard?

Cherry?

Deepak?

Jay?

Papi left😥

Alvin is on another NCL ship.

Nomita?

Roland?
Kivanc?

Shaun from Cruise Next?

We had Patrick as suite concierge on the Dawn repo one year. He was excellent!

Enjoy your cruise. I love your suite. Something to think about.

Dream Team for sure!!

2 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@The P

Hi Sharon....a "last minute" decision?

We're booked for 6/5.....I'm still recovering from the Getaway!

Hey there, Bonnie! I booked a few weeks ago. Making up for lost time! Hello to Sol.

Hi, Henry. I'm following you as I keep throwing stuff in my luggage to board this Sunday. I'm hoping as few cruisers as possible are being effected by the rockin' and rollin' you're going through. Mama mia! I think next week is not going to be the best weather for our cruise, either. I'be been checking Bermuda's forecast.

They're offering some good films in case cruisers are deciding to stay in their cabins.

The info you've posted has already been a big help and you've just started! I'm figuring on OBC instead of Lat. perks. I'll ask for a different pin so I can start a collection, LOL.

Covid numbers in Manhattan are rising daily and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a negative antigen test this Friday. Very tired of "testing stress".........Sharon

Bon Voyage, Henry!        

I got off the Getaway on Sunday and my paper folio was outside my door.

Anyone know the current Getaway officers?

13 hours ago, bortman23 said:

 

I just got off the Getaway 5 day cruise  from Miami I can share day 2 through 5 if you want? I lost my copy of day 1

Curious to know who the Officers are if you have a list. Thanks!

Being AE myself, I once asked cast members about this. While some may be in the union, not all are. AE has no authority at sea so any cast problems go through their stage managers to NCL. There are no performing union strikes at the current time, whether AEA or SAG/AFTRA.

49 minutes ago, The Cruisecats said:

maryisme,

 

Another alternative for COVID testing in NYC -

 

Have you see the LabQ tents around the city? The majority are in Manhattan but there are some scattered across the other boroughs (except SI). They don't require a doctor's note for a test. The testing is free; if you're uninsured there is no cost and if you're insured, they bill the entire amount to your insurance company.

 

There is a map of current locations and times here: https://labq.com/covid-mobile-testing/. You can register your information online ahead of time and book an appointment or simply walk up to any location and register in person and get tested right away.

 

They have been our go-to testing company over the last year. I have had 5 tests done in that time, and every time my results have been emailed to me overnight that night (usually by 3-5 am) and I have not been charged any fees.

Thanks so much for posting this. It's info I've been looking for, especially since they do the PCR test.

16 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

huh? You can’t get to other NYC areas from Manhattan? If it’s a difference between a free test snd a $400 test, I think I would find a way to get there

Hey Cincinnati, any New Yorker can get to any borough they want to. Thank goodness I didn't find any $400 test for them to be greeted by. 

2 minutes ago, worktocruise610 said:

@The P sorry didn’t realize they had minute clinics; and yes should have mentioned they’re drive thru. I know the city wouldn’t have them, but know queens and Brooklyn do. Thanks for all your info, very helpful (and as a NYer, I knew exactly what you meant by NYC lol)

 

Happy cruising 

This entire testing/timing thing is such a mess. I cancelled my  cruise for next month but still want to try to get all the possibilities in one place for anyone here or coming here in advance, thinking they may test here before they board. I walked past Piers 88 and 90 yesterday and they're still fenced up but with the Sept. 26 Breakaway just weeks away that will change soon. Happy cruising back at ya, neighbor!

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

You said NYC...New York City...which is more than just Manhattan . I've found three CVS pharmacies in NYC that do PCR testing...Ridgewood, Queens, Bay Parkway in Brooklyn and Bay St. in  Staten Island. There's also one just across the river in Edgewater, NJ, which isn't far from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Very helpful for people in those areas. Thanks for more info. I should have been more specific but that happens when your mail is addressed to NY, NY..........!!

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

Don't restrict your search to CVS Minute Clinics. Their pharmacies do testing. Go to the CVS website and you can search for the locations.

There is no CVS in Manhattan that does PCR testing; I checked the site and called my local CVS to be sure. There are no drive thrus here. The Madison Rapid rapid PCR test costs $250. CityMD is indeed 3-5 days; I checked at one today. I just want to get this info out for all my Big Apple neighbors who are cruising. My thanks to all who gave me tips.