LIVE: Dodging Hurricanes transatlantic on Norwegian Getaway

[Mike B Landlubber]

A lesson learned, and a new to me idea…

 

I’m mostly a Holland America guy. This is my third trip on NCL, but they are scattered out going back almost ten years, so this NCL cruise felt like the first time. Since it is a transatlantic cruise, we have had frequent time zone changes. After one of them, I noticed that the time on the ship screen on the television was one hour different than what I thought the time was. On HAL, the ship updates the time on the television so it is always official ship time so I moved the times on my phone and iPad to match that shown on the TV. It was a sea day, and time seemed a bit out of joint that day. But I had no real problem until the evening when I arrived for my reservation at Teppenyaki. I thought I was 15 minutes early, but the receptionist informed me that I was 45 minutes late, too late to join my group. Fortunately, there was an opening in another group starting in 15 minutes so I did not lose my reservation. Asking questions I learned that the television on NCL ships is not time adjusted but official ships time can be found on the phone in each cabin. Until this I hadn’t even noticed that the phone showed the time! I’ve noticed there is a clock above the customer service desk that I assume is also adjusted. Anyway, it was a lesson learned.

 

Again, my HAL experience has trained me in a certain way that doesn’t necessarily apply on NCL. I think of specialty restaurant reservations as being for a complete multi-course meal, since that is how HAL offers them. And NCL does have a similar option that I’ve been using. But I have noticed that some people are coming in to dine and only ordering some of the spectacular desserts in the specially restaurants. I haven’t asked, but I assume they eat their main meal in the MDR. Since NCL has à la carte ordering in their specially restaurants this works! And the restaurant staff seem quite comfortable with it. Anyway, it is an interesting idea that might be worth trying if you crave a fancy dessert.

Edited October 11 by Mike B Landlubber

[Mike B Landlubber]

On 10/10/2024 at 11:18 AM, mking8288 said:

@Mike B Landlubber  How's that pool deck today ?  Our friends onboard with you & others said the ship is at 75% capacity only (via WhatsApp) yesterday said to be very calm sea, sunny & 80 deg F.  We're at Sydney (then, Halifax) about 10 days ago, very walkable from the pier to nearby downtown by the waterfront.  Enjoy ! 

I went exploring today, wearing slacks and a t shirt. I tried to move from the front end of the ship to the rear end of the ship on deck 16. Big mistake! Howling wins cold temperatures and it started raining while I was out in the open. I am a big guy and the wind nearly blew me over a couple of times walking that short distance. There were a couple of brave walkers out there who had winter coats on. And a couple brave or crazy to my mind people in the pool Or the hot tub.

[CptBoatface]

Definitely a cool down today. Looking forward to land tomorrow.  Burning through my backlog of books on Kindle...

[graphicguy]

5 hours ago, Mike B Landlubber said:

A lesson learned, and a new to me idea…

 

I’m mostly a Holland America guy. This is my third trip on NCL, but they are scattered out going back almost ten years, so this NCL cruise felt like the first time. Since it is a transatlantic cruise, we have had frequent time zone changes. After one of them, I noticed that the time on the ship screen on the television was one hour different than what I thought the time was. On HAL, the ship updates the time on the television so it is always official ship time so I moved the times on my phone and iPad to match that shown on the TV. It was a sea day, and time seemed a bit out of joint that day. But I had no real problem until the evening when I arrived for my reservation at Teppenyaki. I thought I was 15 minutes early, but the receptionist informed me that I was 45 minutes late, too late to join my group. Fortunately, there was an opening in another group starting in 15 minutes so I did not lose my reservation. Asking questions I learned that the television on NCL ships is not time adjusted but official ships time can be found on the phone in each cabin. Until this I hadn’t even noticed that the phone showed the time! I’ve noticed there is a clock above the customer service desk that I assume is also adjusted. Anyway, it was a lesson learned.

 

Again, my HAL experience has trained me in a certain way that doesn’t necessarily apply on NCL. I think of specialty restaurant reservations as being for a complete multi-course meal, since that is how HAL offers them. And NCL does have a similar option that I’ve been using. But I have noticed that some people are coming in to dine and only ordering some of the spectacular desserts in the specially restaurants. I haven’t asked, but I assume they eat their main meal in the MDR. Since NCL has à la carte ordering in their specially restaurants this works! And the restaurant staff seem quite comfortable with it. Anyway, it is an interesting idea that might be worth trying if you crave a fancy dessert.

 

Have sailed NCL a lot over more than a decade and never know that.  Learned something new.

 

Thanks!

 

Although, that begs the question, did they have to make a dinner reservation just to get a dessert?

 

 

[debenson0723]

4 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

 

Have sailed NCL a lot over more than a decade and never know that.  Learned something new.

 

Thanks!

 

Although, that begs the question, did they have to make a dinner reservation just to get a dessert?

 

 

I have done just dessert in a specialty a few times (using OBC) and did not have to make a reservation. We did wait a few minutes for a table but that was no big deal (and, yes tipped the waiter for his time). I have also gone to the MDR for dessert after a specialty dinner, if nothing appealed to me that night. And even the buffet after one or the other...I won't be denied my chocolate somewhere! 

[graphicguy]

2 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

I have done just dessert in a specialty a few times (using OBC) and did not have to make a reservation. We did wait a few minutes for a table but that was no big deal (and, yes tipped the waiter for his time). I have also gone to the MDR for dessert after a specialty dinner, if nothing appealed to me that night. And even the buffet after one or the other...I won't be denied my chocolate somewhere! 

You rebel..... 😉

 

I feel obligated to eat the dessert that is presented to me at the venue I dined in.  

 

There is structure, not chaos, in how I dine.  🙂

Edited October 11 by graphicguy

[debenson0723]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

You rebel..... 😉

You know me so well...

[graphicguy]

Just now, debenson0723 said:

You know me so well...

BTW...are you leaving on 10/21?

 

[debenson0723]

Just now, graphicguy said:

BTW...are you leaving on 10/21?

 

No, I am leaving on 11/2 for Rome. Spending the 5th and 6th in Florence then back to Rome to meet up with the Prima and @sugarmagnolia on the 7th (if she doesn't ditch me...you know how she is).

@Mike B Landlubber sorry for the mini-hijack. Loving your review and am going to head to the HAL boards to read your others. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[graphicguy]

5 minutes ago, debenson0723 said:

No, I am leaving on 11/2 for Rome. Spending the 5th and 6th in Florence then back to Rome to meet up with the Prima and @sugarmagnolia on the 7th (if she doesn't ditch me...you know how she is).

@Mike B Landlubber sorry for the mini-hijack. Loving your review and am going to head to the HAL boards to read your others. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Thanks...it's hard to keep track of where y'all are going and when.

 

@Mike B Landlubber...double sorry for the side step.  You're doing a great job and enjoying this thoroughly.  You're bringing me right back to the Getaway, that I truly love and headed back to in another 6 weeks.

 

Edited October 11 by graphicguy

[Mike B Landlubber]

Our Atlantic crossing is complete! We made it to Sydney yesterday, and are now in harbor in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I made two rather obvious blunders getting ready for this trip. In my planning I focused on four weeks in the Mediterranean and failed to account for two very obvious things: 1) Hurricane Season applies to the Eastern North Atlantic as well as to the Caribbean and Florida, and 2) The Canadian Maritime Provinces can get nippy in the Fall, five weeks after I started! I had a photo-oriented shore excursion booked in Sydney, Nova Scotia, but it was drizzly, damp, overcast, and felt cold out on my balcony. I didn’t bring anything heavier than a light vanity brand windbreaker with removable sleeves. It keeps rain and light wind off as designed yet isn’t so heavy to be miserable when it is warm, so was great in the Mediterranean. However I didn’t feel it was up to keeping my comfort-seeking body warm when I stepped outside in the cloudy Canadian Maritime autumn. So I skipped my shore excursion and am stayed onboard even after a succession of sea days. Lazy of me. Today is Halifax, a more recognizable name, and the Sun was visible in the morning. It still seemed awfully nippy, and at breakfast I noticed the first people lining up to go out wearing what I think of as a winter jacket. Based on the forecast, I am pretty sure I could’ve gone but I chose not to out of fear of being out in uncomfortable cold for four hours and (especially) sloth. I see it’s supposed to get up into the 60s in New York City so my New York City excursion in two days is safe. No excuse!

[kitkat343]

2 hours ago, Mike B Landlubber said:

 

Our Atlantic crossing is complete! We made it to Sydney yesterday, and are now in harbor in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I made two rather obvious blunders getting ready for this trip. In my planning I focused on four weeks in the Mediterranean and failed to account for two very obvious things: 1) Hurricane Season applies to the Eastern North Atlantic as well as to the Caribbean and Florida, and 2) The Canadian Maritime Provinces can get nippy in the Fall, five weeks after I started! I had a photo-oriented shore excursion booked in Sydney, Nova Scotia, but it was drizzly, damp, overcast, and felt cold out on my balcony. I didn’t bring anything heavier than a light vanity brand windbreaker with removable sleeves. It keeps rain and light wind off as designed yet isn’t so heavy to be miserable when it is warm, so was great in the Mediterranean. However I didn’t feel it was up to keeping my comfort-seeking body warm when I stepped outside in the cloudy Canadian Maritime autumn. So I skipped my shore excursion and am stayed onboard even after a succession of sea days. Lazy of me. Today is Halifax, a more recognizable name, and the Sun was visible in the morning. It still seemed awfully nippy, and at breakfast I noticed the first people lining up to go out wearing what I think of as a winter jacket. Based on the forecast, I am pretty sure I could’ve gone but I chose not to out of fear of being out in uncomfortable cold for four hours and (especially) sloth. I see it’s supposed to get up into the 60s in New York City so my New York City excursion in two days is safe. No excuse!

The weather was beautiful today in NY, and no coat was needed.  Hoping it holds for you!

[cccole]

@Mike B Landlubber  Hope the scenery as you cruise is nicer than the current weather!  I have a question...in your post #38 you showed a dining room.  It looked so nice and tables not too close together, was this part of the MDR?  Enjoy NYC.  Cherie

[Mike B Landlubber]

2 hours ago, cccole said:

@Mike B Landlubber  Hope the scenery as you cruise is nicer than the current weather!  I have a question...in your post #38 you showed a dining room.  It looked so nice and tables not too close together, was this part of the MDR?  Enjoy NYC.  Cherie

If you mean the shot with the tall chandelier and the lavender lighting, that is outside Le Bistro, the French specialty restaurant. Outside the closed off dining area, Le Bistro has an area in a plaza in the main corridor of the ship blocked off with a reception area and a few tables. They seem mostly used for guests to sit while waiting for a table inside to be available (that’s what I was doing when I took the original picture). But it is possible to eat out there, the maitre’d offered it as an alternative to waiting for an inside table but discouraged it because they said it was noisy. The casino is on the deck above. I also wouldn’t care for the constantly changing lighting! Here are a couple of photos from the deck above that might make things clear. 

 

 

 

Edited Sunday at 11:33 PM by Mike B Landlubber

[mking8288]

Mike - Tuesday's NYC forecast is sunshine & clouds, winds 10-20 mph.  Monday night's low, about 45 deg F and daytime high on Tues, close to 60F.  Dry and no rain/shower in the forecast.  Fall is in the air with cooling trend.  

 

 

Our friends onboard reported seeing foliage in Halifax, colors are pretty (photo forwarded & OK to share) ... not much in NYC yet.  The luxury, small ship with 200 cabins, 400 passengers with a crew of 300 was backing in, maybe 200 ft. from GA's bow - short video clip from their iPhone.  

 

And, they will be doing early disembarkation upon arrival in NYC instead of continuing south to Miami with 2 more sea days.  Arrangements set & approval secured (from Miami HQ) earlier (there are others said to be doing the same ...) also, likely to be crews turnover, leaving the ship for vacation & returning, boarding in NY - thus CBP are going to be on hand.  They reconfirmed with Guest Services, will be closing out their onboard account by Monday evening, and the earliest that they can disembark and go thru immigration/customs is 10:30 AM.  

 

Should be a somewhat smoother ride ovenight but a bit rougher as usual tomorrow heading in, depending on how close they chart the route as it approach MA, RI and then out along the east end of Long Island.  

Edited Monday at 12:06 AM by mking8288

[Mike B Landlubber]

On a sea day, a few random onboard pics from the last week. The Guiness ad with the horse almost made me laugh out loud…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 01:03 PM by Mike B Landlubber

[mking8288]

Just bits & pieces relayed from onboard using WhatsApp today ... 

 

Friends sat next to GM last night b/c they always do Dine With Officers (how lucky) - confirmed that 40+ passengers (only as it that's all) disembarking tomorrow in NY and leaving ship early with permission, good for them it home is NJ/NJ/CT/PA, etc. if they rather choose not to stay onboard, continuing B2B, etc.  Asst GM said they can disembark anytime when ready vs. waiting until 10:30 as told previously by Guest Services  ... talk about the right hand not knowing what the left is doing. 

 

But, the other 2,900+ pax (ship sailed at 75% occupancy only) will need to clear CBP in the morning, early arrival expected ... Face-to-face w Customs, start calling by deck at 07:30 and no re-boarding the ship until everyone  ??  is cleared (11 AM'ish)   Hopefully, they get these done right as I'm sure some pax should be doing shorex in NY and the rest need to be back for the afternoon sailway.  

 

Joked that they have someone higher on the mast looking out for iceberg, maybe better luck to spot Right Whales in the shipping lanes and/or the Breakaway going the opposite direction from Newport, RI to Portland, ME.  

[Mike B Landlubber]

“I made the big time Ma! I’m on Broadway!!!”

 

I braved the chill yesterday (colder than I expected) and spent the morning in Manhattan on an excursion called “Manhattan by Land and Sea”. We spent some time on a panoramic bus tour, rode one of the famous Circle Line ships out past the Statue of Liberty,  and had some free time to explore Hudson Yard and maybe get a snack. More rewarding pictures Posted later….

Edited Wednesday at 01:25 PM by Mike B Landlubber

[graphicguy]

On 10/13/2024 at 7:33 PM, Mike B Landlubber said:

If you mean the shot with the tall chandelier and the lavender lighting, that is outside Le Bistro, the French specialty restaurant. Outside the closed off dining area, Le Bistro has an area in a plaza in the main corridor of the ship blocked off with a reception area and a few tables. They seem mostly used for guests to sit while waiting for a table inside to be available (that’s what I was doing when I took the original picture). But it is possible to eat out there, the maitre’d offered it as an alternative to waiting for an inside table but discouraged it because they said it was noisy. The casino is on the deck above. I also wouldn’t care for the constantly changing lighting! Here are a couple of photos from the deck above that might make things clear. 

 

 

 

You are making me excited for my upcoming Getaway sailing.  As you point out, those tables are outside LeBistro, the French Specialty Dining Restaurant.  I dine and prefer to be seated at those.  First, you don't need to wear long pants to dine there (as you do inside the restaurant).  And, it's a great way to "people watch" while you're dining.

[Mike B Landlubber]

 

One big disappointment of New York City was the Statue of Liberty. The original ship schedule showed us arriving in NYC at 8 AM. My veranda was on the correct side and I envisioned this as being ideal for a “coming to America” feeling and a good view of the Statue of Liberty with morning light on it. I was really excited about this. As the time  got closer, I got the impression we would arrive earlier than eight but still just assumed we would arrive after sunrise. I set my clock to get up early on the morning of the arrival in New York City. I actually woke up even earlier than I set my clock, eyes were open at 4:55 AM. The ship did not feel like it was moving and when I looked outside, I saw we were at the dock in Manhattan. I spoke to one passenger who had been awake as we entered the harbor and was told that it was so dark that the view was not memorable. Bummer! My excursion did include a ride on one of the famous Circle Line sightseeing boats past Manhattan and into the Harbor. So I have included a selfie with your humble correspondent and the statue in the background. My last shot at a really dramatic statue of liberty photo came as we pulled out of the harbor around sunset. This was not going to be visible from my balcony and I headed to deck 16 for a good view, and found I was not the only one with the idea. In the middle photo you can see the statue looking small to left of center. The sun was almost directly behind the statue for awhile, but the ship moved out through the harbor and I got a few shots that are not terrible. I didn’t get the whole “coming to America” feeling out of it. Maybe next time!

 

 

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 04:26 PM by Mike B Landlubber

[cruiseny4life]

Every time I've ended a cruise in Manhattan (I know you're continuing on), we've slipped past Lady Liberty extremely early in the morning and are docking way before the scheduled time. I'd be lying if I told you that it is not a sight to behold. And I've seen her plenty of times. Next time you're in the city, take the Staten Island Ferry for a free sightseeing tour. 

[graphicguy]

I've always found the view better during sail away vs the return.  Therefore. I get my extra few hours of sleep before disembarking without feeling I've missed anything. 😉

[cccole]

Great photos of the Statue of Liberty at sail away.  I'm sort of surprised that the captain did not announce the time the ship would be sailing into the harbor.

 

Thank you for your explanation of the Le Bistro seating in the plaza.  It looks so nice but for the reasons you give I think I would rather inside Le Bistro.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise.  Cherie

[Mike B Landlubber]

New York, New York, a Helluva town!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 05:26 AM by Mike B Landlubber

[Mike B Landlubber]

My experience with the hurricanes could have been a lot worse….

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/carnival-cruise-line-ships-have-a-horror-movie-like-experience