mking8288

Got my checked bag down to 45 lbs including 2 pairs of shoes, wearing the Timberland walk boots as that's the heavy one. Air tagged & double strapped. Was going to use a 22" rollerboard, 10 lbs empty, as carry-on ... ditched the idea, back to the convertible carry-on/backpack, 18 lbs to 19 lbs together, plus 3 lbs with notebook PC bundled w charger. The extra trick set-up is the personal bag for flying home, if needed. The black tote bag is well within allowable limit, take the medium packing tube with the bulkiest parka + fleece vest to make extra room in the check bag. Will use it only when we must, stowaway for now. Travel vests not needed, for now. Toss the loose items onto 2 small Eagle Creek pouches, liquid toiletries in the checked bag. This will work fine - look at the weather again overnight or morning. An older pair of shoes will not come home, did slippers will stay ... 2 lbs lighter, buy a new pair later. DW can buy 2 to 3 pairs of new shoes or clothes, room to fit w/o hitting 50 lbs max. Happy Happy

Happy & safe travel for all the CC'ers traveling to NY to join up for this TA. Prima continues speeding near full speed at 21+ kts this evening, seemed to be making good time to close those nautical distance, with a slight crosswind across the bow, starboard toward port. Pearl flew down the river & blew past the VZ Bridge by 19:00 at 16+ kts toward Halifax, ETA is 6:30 Saturday morning. Okay, who flipped on the laser b/c she slowed down to under 10 kts turning toward LI Sound out toward Nova Scotia ... been pacing under 10 kts fie for 2 hours, past JFK and east of Long Beach, approaching Jones Beach hugging the coastline 20 miles to her north. MSC Divina behind NCL also pacing at 10 kts. Carnival Venezia near Atlantic City at 15 kts toward NYC, ETA is 4 AM. "Radar" focused to see if there is someone doing a semi or live report from the Pearl on their TA ... none seen, yet. Escape TA earlier this month, didn't see any either or did I miss it. Doing my part and the other Semi Live 48 day adventure

@Travelicious - you did well today on your adventure. Google Map and/or MyTransit would've helped you from almost being stranded in BB/CI area and feeling lost ... the bus you're waiting for is likely an express bus, good service during rush hour into/from Manhattan & Brooklyn - otherwise, every 30 to 60 minutes is the average wait. Otherwise, local MTA (city) buses wouldn't have taken you into the "city" and only as far as downtown Brooklyn, another world in itself - nicknamed DUMBO, hip neighborhood of new hi-rise $$$ condo w views of skyline. From Little Italy which is practically Chinatown except for the 4 to 6 square blocks core area, then walking over to Katz is a "good" walking exercise, there's a local bus from Chinatown to get you there, maybe 10 stops alas too late. We loved Dos Caminos, food is good & salad is huge, good find. Rest well for another full day tomorrow. See all onboard soon.

Norwegian Pearl on the move @ 17:55 - bon voyage for leading the way, setting the pace. Just finished backing out of Pier 88 - started going sideway a short while ago - turning to go south on the Hudson River. Next stop - Halifax, arriving 2 days later ... our turns 2 days after them. Then, they head for Iceland, just as we do, following their wake. Live on portnywebcam.com to view with lots of folks on the upper & open deck. We typically do not book specialty dining on embarkation evening, no matter what - too easy for delays, changes & schedule adjustments and on a beautiful day like this, gotta be outside on the balcony, waterfront or upper deck, etc. to enjoy & appreciate that view, sailing down the Hudson. The Manhattan skyline and especially, the new World Trade Center where WTC 1 and 2 used to be ... and think of that sunny September morning, where we're when the towers came down, to reflect and to never forget. Pearl is already doing 11 kts heading down toward Lower NY Bay ... no armed USCG and/or NYPD escorts that I can see on the portcam, or fireboats doing the salute with their water canons.

Ships on the move - Pearl is at Pier 88, nice & sunny day, scheduled to sail at 18:00 or about. The gated entrance for trucks provisioning was still open at 16:20, now closed. Meanwhile, it's all ahead or full speed onboard the Prima at 20 to 21 kts since leaving DR yesterday around 15:00 or 25 hours later, she's - relatively speaking, on a flat map & not 3D circular map - north of Nassau, Bahamas straight towards NYC. NCL ships routinely sail these routes and it's not uncommon to reach NY harbor by 3 to 4 AM going much slower en route, slowly further on that last 100 nm closing into NJ for Ambrose & Sandy Hook to meet the pilot boat to continue into MCT, docking by 6 to 7 AM - regardless of Right whales sightings and speed zones, etc. Thoughts: I have a theory or two, unproven and nothing to confirm or proof otherwise, the basis for the delays called just 2 weeks ago. RC and Carnival ships seemed to be doing just fine - confidently - maintaining their posted sailing schedules, and not posting last minute changes that's anxiety provoking to passengers with air, train & bus schedules to rearrange. I have no issues sailing to sustain and supporting green efforts, be kind & gentle to marine life; and, to achieve financial goals, as shareholders - NCL to be successful. These "changes" aren't isolated, just look at some of the other posts - cannot cheer or wave the pom poms - whisper of leadership, management and stewardship at the top. Back on getting ready ... another 24 hours from now, should have a good idea of whether Prima will be docking as late as 10 AM or not, an early bet & call it differently, closer to somewhere between 6 to 8 AM. With the usual repo & turnaround time, odds of onboard by noon looking good - not just lining up for security screening & waiting to check-in or early board. Might as well sail at 19:00 and make it a sunset cruise down the river to salute the Statue of Liberty on the way out to Halifax.

@skeeter195 Thanks, looks good, interesting & useful - another addition to the "toolbox" ahead, adding a new bookmark on the Chrome browser to run that off Linux laptop onboard, not seeing any major "threats" en route, do you see any ? BTW, you will be at the M&G too, cabin crawl is a bust (I checked w Peter) but someone else in Haven interested in a private tour to check out yours, if you are open to that - they are in a different OS - set that up on Sunday between 4 of you, perhaps. If not, that's okay too, it's a "sidebar" matter and don't need to involve the roll call crowd.

Hahaha - don't jinx it for others. I did looked up our trip insurance and strikes are covered, even if they spread to Gatwick, only if delayed for 12+ hours and certified by the carrier. We didn't go for broke with coverage, but delays and change fees are covered although I'm not sure how much we can "buy" if we are "forced" to stay an extra day or two near London & hangout by the airport. Not a bad idea, hop on the train into town & call up my niece - she has a car & promised to show us around. Since we are taking our "chances" with Norse Air, EU tarmac delays and other rules got us covered - another reason to choose to fly their fairly new B787's vs A321's or B737 series - cash compensations & things vs. vouchers (new US-DOT rules wont' get fully phrased in for 2 years) Iceland, if SHTF, nothing we can do if the captain has to divert or skip for safety reasons ... as long as we have 24 hours notice before arrival, can cancel our 4WD car rental at no charge while at sea by calling or email notification to them - hence, keeping Station Zebra functional is a must and of course, at the "mercy" of Starlink's satellite network coverage. Worst come to worst, make a 2 or 3 minutes marine telephone call, ship to shore at $4.99 a minute - should be billed to Onboard Account, and, that - I am sure - is a valid charge offset by any unused non-refundable OBC (expect port charges/fees to be at least partially refunded if that happen - we'll see) In short, don't skim on trip, travel & medical/evac insurance when traveling long distance, just foolish. High security alerts in NYC ... (motorcade today & tomorrow, mainly between midtown & downtown courts) not worried, safe & secure out in the suburb and not going into Manhattan, unlike out-of-town TA cruisers with some arriving today, tomorrow and a few on day-of-embarkation ... daring to use mass transit as frugal travelers (which I think is fine or doable, since we aren't sailing until 6 PM and they have until 16:00 to report to the pier & check-in) Prima is going to load a good half a "tankful" of fuel oil after her high-speed run from Puerto Plata to NY for the crossing; plus restock her food storage, provisions and liquor, toilet papers and things (given up on hash browns and cookies, not a deal breaker but nice to have a few) - if she's "late" per NCL's notification, I really wonder if we are going to sail, close to on-time around 6 PM ... we'll see. Sales taxes will be charged while docked & within US waters - you, me and others know but not everyone, especially newbies. Too bad you aren't along for this, upgrade bids are still cheerfully taken - OMG, starting bids for the premium Haven suites as high as $20k ... crazy. No thanks.

Weather forecasts on ports and while at sea crossing the north Atlantic toward Iceland, at this moment, based on several online sources are looking good - for sailway, short hop to Halifax and continuing to Reykjavik ... nothing that look bad, nasty or real rough, 10' to 15' seas or even 20' should be expected but for others, maybe not. Going to count on Windy App to help with predicting ahead. Prima's ship navigational channel provides very basic, limited and inadequate information to look ahead ... unless they finished the upgrade (in progress, last November - haven't heard anything different otherwise) Changed out some clothings and jacket to be even better prepared for wet weather in Europe, warmer than usual for this time of the year and less "heavy" winter gears, layers is the buzz word. @Sugar Magnolia DW frequently "borrow" my XXXL tees as sleepwear, LOL - don't have a choice but to pack extras; and, to make max use of free onboard laundry services, especially now that they've reverted back to the full-sized paper laundry bag for steerage use. I have an extra 30L stowaway backpack and "personal bag" sized compression cube, should you or someone need to borrow, LOL. ("bonafide" onboard CC'ers in good standing only) Prima has been maintaining her cruise speed of 21 kts +/1 toward NY, seas are calm, sunny skies - ETA on CruiseMapper given as 08:00 on 27th Apr. Unless NCL is going to have the Prima (and Getaway, 2 days later for the TA) slow down for other "unforeseen" reasons, besides fuel saving ... to sail & sustain and to observe other maritime regulations including whales protection, I question how late she's arriving into NY. Other cruise lines and their ships apparently have been speeding up & down, and along the coastal waters near NY & NJ area, breaking the "rules" whereas NCL must be a good corporate citizen, hmmm. Then, again, what do I know - humors intended, just an unproven theory. Link to live Prima shipcam - might have to refresh this or type in the URL on a new (mobile)browser page to see - https://www.ncl.com/shipcams/primacam/fullsize.jpg (ad blocks/VPN might need to be disabled) Second day in a row, more NCL "spam" emails about safety videos on Youtube, just click & let the 90seconds run its course, jump to another tab/browser page and resume. Maybe they are tracking as to see whether the email was opened or not using AI and placing "cookies" (no, nope, not the edible kinds) when they pushed them to 1,700+ email addresses (# of cabins and/or email addresses, probably more as it's "individually" addressed) Sea state, waves & crossing the pond - the bigger picture as far as I'm concerned ... since we don't have a "weather master" on the roll call, I'm going to "fake" it as best as I can to call it. Maybe "Jim" sitting home or somewhere can assume the task or at least backup or help the weather to make it more fun & lively. Nothing major in the north Atlantic ahead ...

@Arzeena Hahaha, first, apology as I should've "alerted" you to start reading earlier to catch up on our busy cruiselife but you know ... and I am not even responsible for the M&G, just keeping the lines straight, the t's and the d's crossed to have a good headcount, plus the other "stuff" which we won't get into her. What's this thing that @JIMESOPUS is referring to, think I have an idea, happening to a # of other roll calls, whatever. No, I am packing more than wires & cables, smartphones, tablet, adapter, accessories and those washy washy items (remember the "Escape" norovirus ... do not want to go thru that again) Let me think about a mini Black Wire Project - whatever it means - later when this is behind us. Susan found room to put "my" iPad mini in her carry-on and leaving her iPad home (too heavy to carry - LOL) - Apple better not do another iOS "urgent" security update in the next several days, since its' all set & powered down, fully charged for gaming, etc. Isn't it great to find & see other old friends thru this live report - got a feeling both new & old time CC'ers are going to pop up here, cheers all.

T minus 2 ... Online check-in closed at 3 days out. Today is the last day to pre-book NCL shorex. Upgrade Advantage bidding is still accepted ... nothing is final until sailing. Boarding docs and eLuggage tags all printed, other confirmations for tours, flights home printed and PDF saved. Norwegian Pearl has docked around 7 AM this morning at Pier 88 for her TA, late last night or several hours out from NYC doing 15 kts, already passed Atlantic City area (southern NJ coastal) - have a very good & active roll call, maybe some onboard will do a semi-live report en route. Their embarkation should be fairly "routine" Carnival Venezia is about a day behind, sailing north doing 17 kts with a pre-dawn arrival on the 26th. Tracking both ships for their speed in-bound as they approach Ambrose Channel toward NY Lower Bay - area subject to speed restrictions due to whales. Reasons - give us better indications of our delayed time to check-in, embark to start the vacation, etc. Meanwhile, Prima has been maintaining close to her top speed, cruising at 21+ kts toward NY, afternoon into evening, and late night. ETA as given ... MarineTraffic with slightly earlier arrival time into MCT or Pier 88 on the 27th. Going to be looking for the Prima here

An update - here she comes, left PP on time heading north. Windy app forecast showing a fair to good journey en route. Norwegian Pearl is setting up for 3 TA ahead, pacing at 15 kts north of Chesapeake Bay off eastern Maryland, looks good & on schedule to dock in the morning. Carnival V further back arriving on the 26th around 4 AM. No signs along this stretch of speed restrictions, slowdown is mostly closer off NJ around Sandy Hook & Ambrose as ships approach NY Lower Bay and with pilot boat escort as appropriate. ETA as given at this afternoon 🤔 we shall see - not a licensed marine pilot, so what do I know 😬 Feel free to draw your own conclusions and uninformed guess. Station Zebra, going 10-3, 10-7 for now for a coffee break and resume final prep' 😎 ... standing by.

NP, I am just the "messenger" of news and gossips around here, not a good fortune teller (stopped playing/buying lottery tickets & those scratch-offs years ago) Aren't you going to hang up over there somewhere, hop around & get another ship back across - not the QM2 as that's not to your liking, someone "claimed". Oops, Canadian CC'er on the roll call asked if Gatwick is a non-union shop or not, and whether or not, and how operations will be affected. Better printout or save that PDF of our 3rd party travel policy & terms of coverage/exclusions ... already filed our Travel Notices with date ranges with Citi, maybe I should extend that a bit, just in case.

Hate to share these news for anyone traveling post-cruise and flying out of LHR or London's Heathrow Int'l Airport on 12th or 13th of May ... awareness is key. A niece living in London texted me and I thought she was joking with her uncle H. Nope.

@Sugar Magnolia Hmmm, or the fact that you can bring clothes and get 2 big bags washed free. A few tips on laundry, now that NCL has raised the fees by $5 to $35 for wash, dry & fold - the old size in paper bag is back, can roll & stuff, and pack it full. Bring some plastic garbage bag as liner or insert, to avoid breaking the paper bag. Heaven get a nicer silk bag to use. A hanger and 2 or 3 small binder clips, handy for many things.

@Turtles06 Hi, how are you - all is good and well. Got these on a flash sale, not premium nor best, not fancy but get the job done. Holds 8 oz collapsed and up to 16 oz. - cautioned to hold carefully as it can flex & spill, no worse than popular bottler water sold around here. Rinse a few times to pre-condition them to rid any possible odor. Space-saver, don't want to lug insulated tall bottles all over & fly home with them.