NCL Getaway July 9-16, 2022-H9-Live w/pics

[stefmaia]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

Well…this is a first.  I have $236 left to spend on my account given my TA picked up the service charges.  Let me see if I can go buy something way overpriced at one of the stores.

 

[stefmaia]

Just now, stefmaia said:

Or go and have a lovely massage....

 

[stefmaia]

Or, since you are in the Haven, time to sample the Louis XIII

 

[graphicguy]

7 minutes ago, stefmaia said:

Or, since you are in the Haven, time to sample the Louis XIII

 

Could not quite bring myself to do that.  A few years ago, I was in the Haven on another cruise.  One real drunk guy bought the bottle and treated everyone to a shot.  Something I ‘m sure he regretted later, but I was the recipient of one of the Louis XIII shots.  It was fine… worth maybe $10 shot.  
 

I’m a bourbon lover.  Feel the same way about Pappy Van Winkel….very expensive, but not remotely worth what they charge for it.

[graphicguy]

My clean and ready to pack basket of laundry was just delivered.

Edited July 15, 2022 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

Speaking of Louis XIII, you can buy some in the liquor/smoke shop….along with Tequila.

 

as an aside, I noticed the cigarette selections and section getting noticeably smaller on each cruise I take!

[SunnyTravelsMN]

On 7/13/2022 at 9:29 AM, workingmom200112 said:

dang, what happened to the plastic bags they gave in the haven?  you could stuff more into those.  These things rip 😞

 

Welcome to the laundry bags for the rest of us in steerage. They rip so you can't "stuff" them, but I can fit SO MUCH in one. Same rules apply with those as regular luggage. Roll your clothes. I can fit almost a week's worth of underwear, socks, and shirts in there, plus probably a pair or two of shorts. 

 

But then again, I cruise solo. If you do not, good luck!

[SliderNc]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Could not quite bring myself to do that.  A few years ago, I was in the Haven on another cruise.  One real drunk guy bought the bottle and treated everyone to a shot.  Something I ‘m sure he regretted later, but I was the recipient of one of the Louis XIII shots.  It was fine… worth maybe $10 shot.  
 

I’m a bourbon lover.  Feel the same way about Pappy Van Winkel….very expensive, but not remotely worth what they charge for it.

Yep, I'm in the same boat as you.  It's okay.  Same with Pappy,  It's good, but not when they want $100/oz at the bar or $1500-2000 for the bottle.

[sid_9169]

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Speaking of Louis XIII, you can buy some in the liquor/smoke shop….along with Tequila.

 

as an aside, I noticed the cigarette selections and section getting noticeably smaller on each cruise I take!

I can get 1942 for $150 right up the street at my local liquor store...

[mking8288]

6 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Aside from the whole sssllllloooooww premium internet thing, I hope I’m able to expound on what to expect and what the cruise is like, hopefully help others.

 

I consider a $50 Casino loss not bad, except…I’ll probably give it another go today….

Starlink to the rescue soon, once the cruiseline(s) negotiate their best deals, tag on their overheads and markup for profits, maybe it'll be price competitive ... or, at least, we'll get superior broadband speed & better latency on the low orbit satellite links.  Nevermind, however, NCL is probably way behind the curve.  Just wishful thinking - wait & see if the other lines will bring it on sooner.  

 

That's a "smallish" basket of freshly laundry, folded & ready to re-pack - nice & being complimentary.  NCL isn't bashful about stagflation, shrinking the size of the paper bag by 1/3 while raising the price by 1/2, as someone else noted, solo travelers probably can't still get by for the week doing one wash.  We had to do 2 "free" wash in May by printing Platinum on both "slips" to avoid getting charge.  Chalk these changes as realities in adjusting to the new normal.  

[sid_9169]

5 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Well…this is a first.  I have $236 left to spend on my account given my TA picked up the service charges.  Let me see if I can go buy something way overpriced at one of the stores.

I was in the same position on my first Virgin Voyages cruise, and ended up buying a $155 t-shirt that I definitely would have never bought otherwise...

[graphicguy]

3 hours ago, SunnyTravelsMN said:

 

Welcome to the laundry bags for the rest of us in steerage. They rip so you can't "stuff" them, but I can fit SO MUCH in one. Same rules apply with those as regular luggage. Roll your clothes. I can fit almost a week's worth of underwear, socks, and shirts in there, plus probably a pair or two of shorts. 

 

But then again, I cruise solo. If you do not, good luck!

Same here.  I flatten out my clothes and slide them into the bag, squashing each piece inside the bag.  Probably could have fit another shirt in there, too.

 

The bag’s volume doesn’t worry me as much as it’s thinness, which dissuades from stuffing it.  It’s a game with me.  I pride myself in being able to put 3, 4, 5 days of clothes in that bag without ripping it.  Transporting it may be an issue, but I did my job and got those clothes in the bag.  LOL!

[graphicguy]

25 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Starlink to the rescue soon, once the cruiseline(s) negotiate their best deals, tag on their overheads and markup for profits, maybe it'll be price competitive ... or, at least, we'll get superior broadband speed & better latency on the low orbit satellite links.  Nevermind, however, NCL is probably way behind the curve.  Just wishful thinking - wait & see if the other lines will bring it on sooner.  

 

That's a "smallish" basket of freshly laundry, folded & ready to re-pack - nice & being complimentary.  NCL isn't bashful about stagflation, shrinking the size of the paper bag by 1/3 while raising the price by 1/2, as someone else noted, solo travelers probably can't still get by for the week doing one wash.  We had to do 2 "free" wash in May by printing Platinum on both "slips" to avoid getting charge.  Chalk these changes as realities in adjusting to the new normal.  

Hey Henry…I don’t think they check “status” too closely in the laundry for the free perk…kind of the honor system.

 

Royal’s internet service isn’t any better than NCL’s which isn’t better than  Celebrity’s which isn’t better than Carnival’s, etc!

 

BTW, the Butler just stopped by to see if I needed anything.  Kinda funny.  Hadn’t seen him since the first day of the cruise.  Wonder what prompted him to check in other me now?  LOL!

 

In fairness I haven’t asked him for anything or required him to do anything for me.  At first, I didn’t even know who he was.

 

 Sort of went like this….

 

”ding-dong” (I got me a reglar ‘ole doorbell in my cabin)

”Mr GG, anything I can get for you?”

”Nope, it’s raining and I’m just reading a book.  Who are you?”

”Your Butler, sir”

”Oh….hi….didn’t recognize you.  All good here.  Thanks!”

[graphicguy]

40 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

I can get 1942 for $150 right up the street at my local liquor store...

Not a tequila person.  So, now I know liquor on ships isn’t always the cheapest!

26 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

I was in the same position on my first Virgin Voyages cruise, and ended up buying a $155 t-shirt that I definitely would have never bought otherwise...

Followed your Virgin b2b intently.  Enjoy your reviews immensely. Made me sort of interested in sailing them.

Hope that t-shirt gives you years of service.

 

I ended up buying a pair of Maui Jim’s with mine.  Let’s see how long it takes me to destroy or lose a really nice pair of sunglasses vs the ones I buy at Walmart for $20!

 

[maddog59]

Hi Graphic Guy.  I was just told that the next cruise (tomorrow) has cancelled our St. Thomas port due to Getaway propulsion problems.  Have you heard about propulsion problems or if you will arriving back in Port Canaveral later than expected  tomorrow?? Thank you!

[graphicguy]

We’re closer to land than I expected.  Birds buzzing my balcony….

[graphicguy]

3 minutes ago, maddog59 said:

Hi Graphic Guy.  I was just told that the next cruise (tomorrow) has cancelled our St. Thomas port due to Getaway propulsion problems.  Have you heard about propulsion problems or if you will arriving back in Port Canaveral later than expected  tomorrow?? Thank you!

Just heard that today, myself from one of the Concierges.  No issues with the ship that I’m aware of.  Port issues maybe?

Edited July 15, 2022 by graphicguy

[maddog59]

I appreciate the quick response!!

 

[Inlakemary]

We are also in the Haven on this sailing, in the spectacular Owner’s suite with wrap around balcony. Fantastic experience! We’ve seen all the shows and at Broadway unplugged I had a country version of “you’ll be back” from Hamilton sung intensely to me 🙂 and at million dollar quartet Jerry Lee Lewis sang to me and said he was “watching me all night” these performers are outstanding in their characters! I’m not ready to be home tomorrow. Met the performers from Rumours and got a pic with them in O’Sheehans. They were our favorite show of the cruise. Love NCL! They have made up for sailing away and leaving us in the DR on our March Escape nightmare.

[JCDCA]

38 minutes ago, Inlakemary said:

We are also in the Haven on this sailing, in the spectacular Owner’s suite with wrap around balcony. Fantastic experience! We’ve seen all the shows and at Broadway unplugged I had a country version of “you’ll be back” from Hamilton sung intensely to me 🙂 and at million dollar quartet Jerry Lee Lewis sang to me and said he was “watching me all night” these performers are outstanding in their characters! I’m not ready to be home tomorrow. Met the performers from Rumours and got a pic with them in O’Sheehans. They were our favorite show of the cruise. Love NCL! They have made up for sailing away and leaving us in the DR on our March Escape nightmare.

I’m surprised you would have given them another shot after that fiasco 

[JCDCA]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Hey Henry…I don’t think they check “status” too closely in the laundry for the free perk…kind of the honor system.

 

Royal’s internet service isn’t any better than NCL’s which isn’t better than  Celebrity’s which isn’t better than Carnival’s, etc!

 

BTW, the Butler just stopped by to see if I needed anything.  Kinda funny.  Hadn’t seen him since the first day of the cruise.  Wonder what prompted him to check in other me now?  LOL!

 

In fairness I haven’t asked him for anything or required him to do anything for me.  At first, I didn’t even know who he was.

 

 Sort of went like this….

 

”ding-dong” (I got me a reglar ‘ole doorbell in my cabin)

”Mr GG, anything I can get for you?”

”Nope, it’s raining and I’m just reading a book.  Who are you?”

”Your Butler, sir”

”Oh….hi….didn’t recognize you.  All good here.  Thanks!”

Saw where Royal is experimenting with rolling out Starlink at least on one ship for now.  I have had abysmal internet on my last few NCL voyages, but better on Royal.  There does seem to be a difference.  Also not 100% sure I have this right but thought I’ve read WiFi on Princess is pretty solid.  

[graphicguy]

Bahamas in the distance?  

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, Inlakemary said:

We are also in the Haven on this sailing, in the spectacular Owner’s suite with wrap around balcony. Fantastic experience! We’ve seen all the shows and at Broadway unplugged I had a country version of “you’ll be back” from Hamilton sung intensely to me 🙂 and at million dollar quartet Jerry Lee Lewis sang to me and said he was “watching me all night” these performers are outstanding in their characters! I’m not ready to be home tomorrow. Met the performers from Rumours and got a pic with them in O’Sheehans. They were our favorite show of the cruise. Love NCL! They have made up for sailing away and leaving us in the DR on our March Escape nightmare.

Oh…that is so cool!!!!

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, JCDCA said:

Saw where Royal is experimenting with rolling out Starlink at least on one ship for now.  I have had abysmal internet on my last few NCL voyages, but better on Royal.  There does seem to be a difference.  Also not 100% sure I have this right but thought I’ve read WiFi on Princess is pretty solid.  

Personally, hyperbole aside, none of the cruise lines I’ve sailed in the last 18 months (NCL, ROYAL, CELEBRITY) have offered premium internet worth a bill of beans!

 

They’re good at marketing the service, though!

[brookie848]

On 7/14/2022 at 9:08 AM, graphicguy said:

Casino report….BlackJack and Craps.  Was down $400 at one point.  Came back to “only down” $50 by the end of the night.  If nothing else, I’m consistent…consistently bad.  Lady playing video poker behind our table hit for $20,000 though!

 

Yay for her!

Video poker is probably the best gambling you can do, minus maybe blackjack depending on the exact rules.

 

My parents gamble every week. For the past 6 weeks, my Dad has gotten a W2 (he plays $1 machines, so $5/hand). They are in the black every year.

 

One year on NCL they won $8,000 playing video poker. They never play anything more than $1 machines.

I'm really enjoying your report!

Edited July 15, 2022 by brookie848