Semi-Live Joy 7 nights NY-Canada New England 9.16.2022 - we are back

[mking8288]

10 hours ago, shof515 said:

St John looks busy ... how does the port handle the crowds?

 

Town folks at the Market said they are prepared & missed the crowd and 6,000 to 7,000 passengers are fine to them - small shops & businesses had been hurt over the past 2 years with the pandemic. We happily shop, dine and spend a little while ashore.

 

12 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Those plates of food look amazing! I absolutely think I want to try Q ... how it compares to some of the best land-based BBQ joints you've been to. There's so much mediocre smoked meat out there that always looks tasty. I'm not expecting ... but I'd love to know if ... enjoying your cruise!

It's way too much food on the variety platter, DW and I easily do dinner with one order only. The short ribs and brisket were quite good, maybe a little on the dry side but that half chicken is a meal by itself, could be more juicy & tender - maybe it's Texas cooking. I'll say give it a try, especially if you have the dining package or comp'd coupon, and hungry - better than medicore for sure. 

[mking8288]

We are on the move tonight at almost 22 knots, running all 4 engines & just made the turn toward Halifax, sea state calm with large wavelets and 2 ft. waves.  Definitely can feel the vibrations on Deck 15 AFT. 

 

Our laundry that went out at midday yesterday, ahead of today's $29 stuffed bag special, came back via our steward, dry & nearly folded, in a basket.  We can repack them for the next trip - 20 items into the downsized paper bag, itemized cost would add up to $95 - free with Platinum status.  We could've done a 2 bag, free but ... 

 

Satellite WiFi Internet onboard is a bit slower than usual.

 

Those Vacations Hero Cards are available on the Joy, didn't see them back in May. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

A few words, notes, and comments about this week's Joy cruise to New England & Canada as Day 6 is officially here - just the 2nd time turning on my Lenovo Chromebook, which is lighter than my Sony Viao notebook PC - it's perfectly suited to use on a NCL cruise, even without adding an USB dock - as it has HDMI output and sync. perfectly with my Google Pixel 5a 5G smartphone.  However, no direct hookup possible or feasible via a HDMI cable between it and the Samsung HDTV monitor using an ethernet cable as its input source/connection ... no direct playback or casting ... just going to flip the Lenovo over as use it as a tablet.

 

On the subject of MCT/Pier 88 pier (Priority) check-in for Platinum/higher status (i.e. Sapphire or Diamond, which apparently not all the outsourced, contracted terminal workers knew and/or familiar with) - this is what I can decipher, thus far - (There's lots of Platinum members on this cruise, making that small roped out seating area next to accessible passengers, impossible to hold everyone and/or with seatings for ... thus, even though we arrived & were thru documents checking & security, and completed pier check-in by 10:20 a.m. - we were stopped from trying to go into the roped area to wait, despite seeing available seating open for 25+   Meanwhile, we're given Boarding Card / Zone # 17 and instructed to wait anywhere in the terminal.  (To put this in perspective, we're given Zone # 25 back in May on our "Joy to Bermuda")   Hence, the "WTH" thoughts came to mind last Friday.  This isn't about Priority boarding, related - perhaps ... we did overheard & observe 2 different vested employees with ID's having a "conversation" what & how it was being done as Platinum were announced & called.  Haven guests that're already checked in, waiting - were escorted, as usual, about 15 minutes earlier than the rest ... in smaller groups.  

 

I cannot confirm, but, apparently, there is a small group with (paid) Priority boarding status and they're ahead or joining the Platinum lines at the same time.  Never did hear CAS being called too before general boarding, as we're already thru security & up on the gangway already.  We previously booked 2 of the SP (non-Haven Family Inside 2BR Suites) and there're zero priorities given then, had it not for our Platinum & Sapphire status and knew a little bit (or, at least thought we knew) about how embarkation at MCT used to be, should be and expecting to see ... NOT.  

 

Otherwise, the general embarkation for this sailing seemed to be smoother as a whole and haven't heard from others on the Roll Call / Meet & Mingle that they ran into problems.  

 

At this moment - checking Ch. 11 Navigation Channel - seas with small waves at 4.9 ft. and running 22.0 knots speed rounding Clarkes Harbour / Cape Sable Island (gone past Yarmouth) and will be turning northeast soon for Halifax.  We will be listening for the Captain's daily 10 a.m. update from "The Bridge" in the morning - at this moment, checking weather apps & marine forecast for this area vs. Fiona approaching ... appeared we'll be just fine in getting back into NYC early on Friday.  

 

... Q&A, specific replies, etc. to be continued

Edited September 21, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Good morning, almost 10 am as we slow to 13 knots, seas at 8 ft. waves and 65 degree F, cloudy - approaching Halifax.  Should be docking in about 1 hour or less. 

 

 

 

 

Slowed further to just 6 knots, maybe waiting for harbour traffic to clear us to approach ... surely "in" for earlier than 12 noon arrival.  Just spotted what look like a pilot boat Portside ahead.

Edited September 21, 2022 by mking8288

[CrazyTrain2]

Love the Photos and all the details.

 

But Filet Mignon at medium WELL,  Not off my grill - you'd be thrown overboard.

 

 

[mking8288]

On final approach at the cruise terminal 😹😹😹

 

 

[shof515]

Welcome to Halifax

[mking8288]

Cloudy, expecting a brief shower this morning and fine for rest of today, temp in the 60's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engines stopped, lines secured. We've arrived at 10:56 am ADT

Edited September 21, 2022 by mking8288

[Lupush]

On 9/16/2022 at 10:58 AM, mking8288 said:

First stop, check ArriveCAN, then security, then to check-in, like Haven - based on our deck (15) long walk to back of building 

 

Platinum & higher called next, along w those with paid Priority Access, it's a dash to join those in the roped off area 

Did you have to stop at ArriveCAN because you didn't do it online?  Or is it required by all passengers?

[mking8288]

This is of probable interest to those sailing the Joy this Friday with PEI as the first stop next week.

 

[Turtles06]

Enjoy Halifax! Have a BeaverTail along the waterfront. 😊

[mking8288]

Uber to the historic Halifax Citidal for $12 CAD plus a nice cash tip. Discounted shoulder season admission at $7 CAD p/p and taxi back to the ship for $20 all inclusive. DIY shorex on our own aren't bad 😉😄🤫  Nice short sleeve weather to walk around.

 

 

[mking8288]

Halifax Citidal pix - group 2

 

[EllieinNJ]

We pre purchased tickets for the hop on hop off bus   waited almost two hours on the line to get on the bus because we all had to wait for stickers.  People who just bought tickets at the pier got on right away .  Many complaints are going to the shore excursion desk. 

[mking8288]

Citidal hilltop, down the hill to below & catching a taxi back to Cruise Terminal ... Caution: those gangways are long and steep.  

 

Late tours are staging outside in the parking area and getting to leave at 4 pm 🫣 All abroad is 7:30 pm and we sail at 8 pm to NY.  Elements booked for 7 pm with a late dinner afterward. 

[mking8288]

Checking the "Windy" app, it seemed we might run into a brief period of rough sea state and larger waves, nothing to truly about.  We've been on a few fun & bumpy ride thru storms with this captain and he is very good charting the best course headings to sail the ship thru and in command of it all. 

 

We got a little extra treat today, thanks to the G.M.

Edited September 21, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Dinner in the Manhattan MDR tonight, no reservations needed nor line, just a 2 minutes wait & we got seated by the window, starboard side.  

 

 

[mking8288]

Bad news, we had divers underway doing maintenance, inspections and looking after the ship's propulsion system - will be leaving late. No cause for alarm.

 

Good news, divers are out of the water & reported all is good, full propulsion assured and once cleared, will be underway any moment now - as updated by the Captain a few minutes ago and midway thru our dinner service.

 

 

And we are underway at 9:05 pm ADT or 21:05 and turning around to head out the harbour channel.  Tonight, we also set the clock back by 1 hour to EST and regain the lost hour from earlier this week.

Edited September 22, 2022 by mking8288

[shof515]

5 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

We pre purchased tickets for the hop on hop off bus   waited almost two hours on the line to get on the bus because we all had to wait for stickers.  People who just bought tickets at the pier got on right away .  Many complaints are going to the shore excursion desk. 

did you book the hop on hop off directly from norwegian or did you book it when you get off the ship inside the terminal? I wonder if the tour provider separates the people on the ship excursion

[mking8288]

Late night onboard the Joy - bars & lounges are alive & busy, ditto for to he casino, nobody out on the waterfront at 10 pm ... a bit chilly at 62 deg F and light wind.  Sea state with large waves, wave height gone from 8 ft. to 11.5 ft. now, ship speed at 18 knots on a 229 deg heading.

 

[mking8288]

Lifeboat/Deck 7 and the Waterfront - Deck 8 AFT ... quiet 

[mking8288]

Photos from Deck 15, including one of the AFT crew only access area - never heard any noises coming from there & into our room.  The balconies just forward of ours are by the elevators, they are far away enough to not be noisy. 

 

There are at least 3 to 4 balcony, club & suite/Haven suites with decorations hanging on the door ... apparently not disallowed 🫣

 

 

 

 

 

 

The forward section by the Fwd elevators, port side had a grouping of Haven suites and there is a door that separate the corridor by the Observation Lounge - there are also SC "suites" in this area with 2 "SP" suites via starboard side only.

 

 

Edited September 22, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Samsung HDTV monitor uses an Ethernet plug for its interactive programming signal feed and I am afraid it's not possible or practical to try to enable  HDMI as a source.  

 

Good news in that the bedside lamp has an USB port to use, if desired and not concerned about ... (firewall to protect your powered device 😇 )

 

Bonus tech geek's too - bring a 10 ft. USB (2.0 +) extension and a simple 220v to 110v adapter plug. 

 

 

 

Edited September 22, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Cruising at 18 knots this morning l, sunny skies and 62 deg F, large waves with seas at 11.5 ft. and hardly feel the ship's movement. Both MDR are quite busy for breakfast this morning. 

 

 

 

Edited September 22, 2022 by mking8288

[Travelicious]

10 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Samsung HDTV monitor uses an Ethernet plug for its interactive programming signal feed and I am afraid it's not possible or practical to try to enable  HDMI as a source.  

 

You addressed it before I had to ask.  Thanks!