Escape New England-Canada Sept 10-17, 2023 updating Semi Live rev 3.0

[jpc763]

I thought they did away with frying the wings and now bake them.  They were baked back in June on Escape.  Did that change again? (the baked wings were not as good)

[molsiesmom]

1 hour ago, Steelers0854 said:

it seems on this ship you ask 3 different people and you get 3 different answers. Apparently the wings themselves are gluten free but there was a debate if the fryer was. DW can do cross contamination, she only gets sick if there is gluten in the food. I’ll let you know in a few hours how true it is. If your husband has celiac or can’t do cross contamination then I would avoid the wings to be safe. They said all the sauces have dairy, which I find odd the sweet chili would, but again there isn’t a lot of clear communication on this ship. 

Thank you! His is an allergy, he will swell up pretty fast but he can handle a bit of cross contamination for the most part.  We get so much conflicting information also.  Please let me know how she does! This trip they served him the french fries but last trip they wouldn't.  I never asked but maybe they now have a dedicated fryer for them, he did not have a reaction. Enjoy the rest of your trip, I am enjoying these updates.

[Steelers0854]

1 hour ago, jpc763 said:

I thought they did away with frying the wings and now bake them.  They were baked back in June on Escape.  Did that change again? (the baked wings were not as good)

 

53 minutes ago, molsiesmom said:

Thank you! His is an allergy, he will swell up pretty fast but he can handle a bit of cross contamination for the most part.  We get so much conflicting information also.  Please let me know how she does! This trip they served him the french fries but last trip they wouldn't.  I never asked but maybe they now have a dedicated fryer for them, he did not have a reaction. Enjoy the rest of your trip, I am enjoying these updates.

I posted when we ordered. After DW got hers she said they definitely were not fried she thought they may be steamed. They were not crispy and she said they weren’t very good. So I would say yes it’s possible they are baked. 
 

it’s been a couple hours and she is good to go so no issue but again she didn’t have any sauce with hers. 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Steelers0854

[mking8288]

Text-based late afternoon onboard "Escape" update - ship/local time 18:00 (6 PM ADT) Thurs.
Currently we are cruising at 15.5 knots, approximately 245 nm to Pier 88, already sailed 305 nm from Saint John, NB.  

 

Barometer is steady, air temperature 70 degrees F and humidity lowered to 93%.  Sea state is reported & observed to be moderate swell, wave height at 8.1 ft (about 1.5 m) ... haven't seen any small white caps at all, just large swell sweeping across the ocean.  

Sailed further south & away from the southeast Cape Cod into Atlantic and should turn right toward NY.  From Deck 5, midship, not feeling any rocking or rolling motion.  In fact, it has been a very smooth ride for us since we left Saint John, NB Canada last night.  

 

Over the last 2+ decades, we have done quite a few cruises with far, far worse wave heights and strong gale force cross wind conditions that this one - last September, we made it back on a similar NE-Canada cruise before Hurricane Fiona left her calling cards in NS, including Halifax.  

 

Not aware of anyone onboard doing B2B or else and it looks like by the time the Escape is ready to sail this Sunday afternoon, conditions should be clear as to any significant impacts to the scheduled ports in NB and NS, and changes are warranted.  Safety first and this is the peak hurricane season.

 

Onboard shops are said to be closing down after 11 PM tonight and stay that way - due to regulations - once we arrive into NY area for safe harbor & sheltering from the storm. Casino operations will be stopped by 7 AM tomorrow morning as we will be leaving international water and no longer able to stay open. Expecting to see a packed & busy casino tonight filled or packed with players - it was that way earlier this afternoon ... left a modest donation, very small amount to try my luck, the bandits won.  

 

Latest bridge update from Jack, CD (Asst CD is Jeff) - ship will be met by pilot around 8 AM and proceed into the harbor, then drop anchor at 10 AM at a safe location.  Clock will be turned back one hour at 2 AM in the morning to EDT.  

 

Stay Safe & Be Well.  Cheers !! 

 

mking8288 - Henry 

Edited September 14, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

We made the turn into clouds & fog now, and larger swell - can feel a little motion, that's all. Not a big deal to us.

 

 

 

[cruiservictor]

Up ahead of you are the Oceania Vista and the Emerald Princess, also heading for NYC. 
 

 

 

[Steelers0854]

Day 5 Sea Day 1

 

It was a great lazy start to the morning. We got up and headed to the jogging track to get in a run. Another questionable design decision, what idiot thought it was a good idea to put the jogging track right next to the smoking section?  I mean why not put the jogging track in the casino at that point?  Kind of makes you laugh. We did enjoy a cool beautiful morning on deck.

 

After a quick gym session we headed to the room to get ready for the day. By the time we got ourselves together it was time for an early lunch. We headed to the buffet and DW grabbed a favorite of hers, Chana masala. She said it was excellent!

 

I grabbed a random assortment of other dishes from the buffet and it was all very good. I think NCL had the best burger at sea. Guys on carnival is close, but the burger itself on NCL is so flavorful it was a real hit. Todays had bacon, pineapple and teriyaki sauce.

 

After lunch we headed down to the area by the Moderno and Cagney restaurants and they have really comfy chairs and it’s really the only place to relax inside. After a while of reading we swung into OSheehans for a snack. DW got the chicken wings, naked, and fries. They weren’t very good, they are either baked or steamed, and not crispy. I got the nachos and they were so so.

 

 

 

We headed to the waterfront and relaxed until it was dinner time. We made reservations at Food Republic. Glad we did as when we showed up at 6 it was packed. DW preordered the edamame, chicken pad Thai, and chicken lettuce wraps (for us to share). This is the first specialty restaurant I’ve eaten at at sea where I feel ripped off for the price. The prices for the quantity and quality are comparable or more expensive then on land. There is no value here and the flavor doesn’t make up for it. It could also be what we ordered and we have some more OBC that’s nonrefundable to burn so we may come back and try something else.

 

The pad Thai was a very small portion and was ok in flavor but for $21 that’s embarrassing. The chicken lettuce wraps were VERY small and a total rip off for $13. The edamame was good but that is hard to screw up and you get a good amount for the $8.

 

 

 

 

I got the wonton tacos and they were delicious but they were seriously so small they could have been 1 bite and were $15. The pork Bao’s were also very good and I would say a mediocre value at $14.

 

 

 

All in, we are basically at $85, not quite full and it was disappointing. The desserts looked amazing and you get a large portion, those could be worth it. The nachos and fries look and sound good and maybe those would be a better value.

 

The seas have slowly been getting more and more rough. The ship is really moving now and we have hit a literal wall of fog. You can’t see the tip of your nose at the moment. I think we have finally reached the front end of the storm. I imagine it’s only going to get worse. We are scheduled to pickup the pilot at 8am tomorrow and be at anchorage off staten island by 10am.

 

We went to the buffet to grab dessert but DW ran into issues. They wouldn’t serve her the sorbet saying they thought it would contain dairy even though we know it doesn’t. Then they finally said ok but wouldn’t get a clean utensil and got it from the same bin they scoop everything else from. They also tried to tell her that the soft serve yogurt was dairy free, well we know better. The chef brought out the packaging and yea it’s lactose free but still had dairy byproducts in it which is a no go. A pretty frustrating experience tonight.

[odie1024]

@Steelers0854disappointing to hear about the food at Food Republic. We have not eaten there and was planning to book when we boarded on Sunday, may have to rethink that idea. Seems like mixed messages from the staff on the foods your wife can eat, should not be that complicated.  

 

Hope the seas don't get too bad for you, stay safe.

[mking8288]

Sea is calm again and sea swell reduced, sunset can almost be seen to the north - starboard side.

 

 

[JIMESOPUS]

@mking8288 Should be a great sales tax day for NYC, or that only charge when actually docked?

current race update, Escape is in last place

 

nearest buoy data

 

 

[mking8288]

Outside on Deck 8's Waterfront, starboard side, just before 7 PM.  Low clouds cover & foggy, moderate sea swell and 8 ft. wave heights.  Lee is hundreds of miles in the distance on a northerly heading as we sail west & further away from the approaching hurricane. 

 

Just another cruise during the Atlantic season of storms.

 

 

[mking8288]

@JIMESOPUS  Counting our lucky stars this evening ... we evaded Hurricane Fiona last September sailing the Joy to NE-Canada in mid September and looked like we are pulling another against Lee, thanks to the navigational skills of NCL's ship captains in charge of these vessels.  Disappointed, like many, of 2 cancelled ports & itinerary change, missed our favorite stop at Restaurant 66, Bar Harbor with lobster, seafood & lobster rolls.  

 

As for being last in the race toward NY for safe harbor, I can understand NCL's decision to sail slow - the Caribbean Princess left Saint John hours earlier than us - ride continued to be smooth & pleasant since we left port, no complaints from us.  Hope our TA this Fall with a Bermuda stop scheduled will be just as nice.  

 

Shops onboard are running low on sales merchandise already and will be closed after 11 PM tonight.  But, those with unlimited beverage, Starbuck & soda packages, etc. will be charged sales tax once we get into NY - not going to be popular & a surprise to some.  Doubtful that it will make a dent for NYC and NYS sales tax collections as extra revenue. 

 

MDR wasn't busy at all, perhaps folks are rushing to specialty dining to spend down those extra OBC, both refundable & non-refundable ones ... heard that all the available slots are full for the remaining evenings.  

 

It will feel odd to be back at home, inside NY Harbor but still unpacked and ready to or able to disembark ... good thing is that we will gain full use of 5G cellular data via T-Mobile (Google Fi) and AT&T while anchored off Staten Island, but we might get assigned to a less desirable spot, given the ship size & tonnage - maybe not.  Good reminder to flip on the Scanner App on the smartphone to monitor VHF marine radio traffic, should be interesting to tune in & listen to.  

[JIMESOPUS]

@mking8288 Maybe @PistolPete13 can take your picture as he sails by on the SI Ferry.

[mking8288]

Food pictures from today's MDR lunch as addendum to the menu posted, pretty yummy - passed ☺️

 

[GALSews]

12 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

@mking8288 Maybe @PistolPete13 can take your picture as he sails by on the SI Ferry.

Will be heading through your area in October on way up the Northway for a big numbered reunion for my hubby. Reunions are usually a few days early for peak foliage,

 

Last year it was my big reunion year at that college on the hill overlooking Troy and the Hudson. The reunion worked out well for us as a classmate joined us on our Epic cruise from Italy to Israel and then this year, we decided to join her on Star for Xmas/NYE cruise to South America and Antarctica. 

[mking8288]

Random pictures around the ship, the overloaded atrium lobby, with dozens of folding chairs set out for extra seating - whether it's for The Prize is Right, Deal or No Deal, Demos or CruiseNext presentations. 

 

Card Room is small & hidden away and in use, the space outside Le Bistro also used by folks to play board games.  

 

Supper Club was used for the Latitudes reception and other private events - maybe NCL should consider moving some of the atrium events into the venue. 

 

Kids & Splash Academy on Deck 5 is one of area that's been quiet all week long, with a small number of pre-schoolers on the sailing. 

 

 

[mking8288]

Running down our combined 300 free FAS airtime WiFi minutes (ours are down to around 30 minutes, unused) - just ran another speedtest this evening, expecting it to be very slow as everyone is on the ship & maybe trying to use up their airtime minutes vs. letting it go to waste.  

 

Sure enough, not even getting 1 Mbps speed on download but pull almost 3 Mbps upload from my Lenovo Chromebook.  

 

By sunrise, we should by fully live using cellular signals from land towers ... charging full all the devices & battery pack, after breakfast - might go stake out a good spot outside on the Waterfront, as long as it isn't windy.  Was able to catch up on details & forecast for Lee on ship's Weather Channel, with extensive coverage.  

 

@JIMESOPUS  - good idea, is PistolG around ... haven't seen him around on CC lately posting as he does excellent photo; and, with 8 cruise ships ?? near his backyard - prime opportunity to capture something historic.  

 

Anyway, signed up for Dine With Officers and not a word about it, perhaps they aren't hosting anyone on this sailing - oh well - as there's supposed to a large # of Diamonds, Sapphire & Platinum onboard ... not sure if there "Ambassadors" onboard this week.  Over the next 2 days, will make a stop at the iCafe desk when the manager is around (shouldn't be as busy as there is a long line there each & everytime I walked past ...) to see if I can get an update on Starlink's timetable for official fleet deployment.  

 

The last few patches of photos were successfully uploaded to CC while logged into CC, over ship's WiFi inTRAnet only - not using any of the free airtime minutes (so logged back in to do serious or necessary "edits") ... something that @graphicguy Dan is interested, as I've done this on the Joy, Getaway and the Epic ... just as "proof" that it is possible, and doing it again & again.  

 

Next batch of uploaded photos is from tonight's MDR dinner at Taste, seated at our, unofficially "reserved" window table #11 ... breakfast, lunch & dinner.  

Edited September 15, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Uploaded photos - over ship's inTRAnet, not using our limited airtime FAS minutes - from tonight's MDR at Taste - including menu; and, they are most definitely rotating the menus or switching to a fixed menu.

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

[Mommapadraig]

7 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Uploaded photos - over ship's inTRAnet, not using our limited airtime FAS minutes - from tonight's MDR at Taste - including menu; and, they are most definitely rotating the menus or switching to a fixed menu.

 

 

 

 

The food looks wonderful. I plan on getting the short ribs next cruise.Hope they are still on the menu. 

[Steelers0854]

It’s a beautiful morning coming back to NYC, too bad we won’t be able to get off the ship but I can’t wait to see our view once we anchor! 😍

 

[mking8288]

Good morning, a little after 8 AM EDT, NYC and Lower Bay in the distance, less than 30 nm ... wind is up, wave at 15 ft. with rough mounting sea state.  Doing just 6 knots and spotted the VZ Bridge ahead, starboard side with my binoculars ... quite a number of small ships in the area when usually none are seen.  Probably waiting for the pilot boat and our turn to proceed. 

 

[MsTabbyKats]

@mking8288

 

Just curious...but when you're anchored, will you be in international water?  ...will the casino and shops be open?

[mendi]

6 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@mking8288

 

Just curious...but when you're anchored, will you be in international water?  ...will the casino and shops be open?

Unfortunately that is a big NO.

[mendi]

Just now, mendi said:

Unfortunately that is a big NO.

For the Casino's anyway.