SalthMate

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

They should only allow bagpipes and fiddles:

 

Credit my friend @SalthMate🐀

Thanks @ChiefMateJRK. Ah yes, Ally The Piper; I'd gladly listen to her play her bagpipes onboard. Now, some other passenger brings and plays a guitar (or ukulele), I'm afraid I'd have to go Belushi on 'em. 🐀

18 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've only been in Utah once, and we used US dollars.  If there is "conversion loss" to tip in Euros or pounds, I'm pretty sure that they would experience it at some point.  Logic is taking (another) beating here.

I have to strongly agree with @ChiefMateJRKhere.

2 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Immigration was a bit chaotic from what we heard. Lots of delays, long lines, and people not listening to instructions. They had to stop everything for a bit due to the congestion, and a few medical alerts were called (unknown if they were related to the crowds or folks standing for too long).

 

Haven helped to skip some of the lines, but not all. After getting off the ship there was even more lines, left side for US passport holders, right side for everyone else.

 

Holy Donuts closed at 2pm. We got there with 10 mins to spare but they had already closed up. Walked to another donut place... Closed as well. Finally had success at Hi-fi donuts.

 

Then walked over to the thirsty pig for a sausage and some beer.

 

(think Homer Simpson) Mmmmm....donut porn....

1 hour ago, LKCCruiser said:

Very cool! Does hubby recommend any places we should put on our must visit list?  Great recap & pics, thank you! Hope you kick that cold...a shot of tequila might be in store for tonight. Lol

Don't encourage her.

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

This is an excellent Joy update and as live as one can be, thank you for taking and find the time to organize the info & to upload, share and give us useful info.   Still using those "free" WiFi minutes and how is it uploading while at sea.  

 

Is the unavailability of Uber/Lyft just on the day of the ship's visit, or for other reasons - how many other ships are in St. John at the same time ??  We are going to be on the Joy shortly and from what we know already, plenty of company with other ships visiting and docking for the same days ... 

 

Do you know (or can ask & find out) if Food Republic was / is going to be open on full sea days for lunch services - instead of doing dinner there, we might go there & do lunch instead, thanks in advance. 

 

Last but not least, if you know, will US-CBP be doing the custom & border formalities at the first US port on the way back to NY as that should speed up disembarkation.  Has there been any issues with ship's facial recognition tech at the gangway as on our previous Joy cruise, they weren't always reliable or consistent - causing foot traffic jams ... 

 

Enjoy and thanks again for all the great photos & info.  

I'll let @Sailing12Awayanswer the Food Republic question. As far as other cruise ships here in St. John with us today - only the Carnival Magic. Security only used the facial recognition once and it seemed to work o.k. (slight delay getting the camera lined up on your face). All other times, they have been using our ship card. Yes, we got a notice that we will be going through CBP (Immigration) tomorrow afternoon (12:30 pm) after we arrive in Portland, ME (1st U.S. port).

1 hour ago, shof515 said:

how does your cell phone signal work in Canada ? what kind of provider do you use? 

I have Xfinity Mobile. And, I am signed up with an International calling plan that kicks in when I'm off the ship in a foreign port. In the Canadian ports, the signal has been fine.

1 hour ago, HBCcruiser said:

Sorry I am not onboard. I am just posting the photos for @SalthMate Perhaps he or @Sailing12Away can answer your question. 

I'm not sure about The District today. I'm keeping it "low key" today with my sore throat situation, so I'm staying in my suite. @Sailing12Away will probably have the answer.

1 hour ago, HBCcruiser said:

Looks like you had another fun day!! 

Yes! That Canadian tour guide was a character (retired Canadian Navy 1st class PO); big & burly with a big ol' beard, wearing a kilt. We should've got a picture of him.

Saw J. Dawson's grave (tombstone) at the Titanic cemetary. I didn't even know Leonardo DiCaprio (Jack Dawson) was dead;

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RUfVzKAwy66HSn7R6

6 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

You need a little hair of the dog to wake up. 😝

Don't you mean hair of the 🐀 @HBCcruiser?

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

It's a short 5 min walk from the cruise ship. Make a right and walk on the boardwalk, can't miss it.

 

@SalthMate we just ordered food to be delivered here, so we'll be here a bit. Up to you if you wanted to join us.

Thanks @Sailing12Away. Still moving at "dead slow ahead" <- ( ship term. I am a salty 🐀 ) after my last morning nap. Per my text, I'll meet up with you at our shore excursion meeting time (12:20 pm) & place (inside the terminal). But, thanks for the shout out & invite. See you 🐀's soon.

1 hour ago, ggTexasGal said:

Near The Woodlands.

Our youngest son is an Aggie (College Station) graduate. (He's certainly upset!)😒

Nice! I lived in Atascocita (not too far from The Woodlands). When I retired, I moved back up to Michigan (I'm an original Michigander). Got tired of the heat & humidity of those Texas (Houston) summers. To handle the Michigan winters, I fly to Florida ports and cruise!

Coming off airplane mode @Sailing12Away, so I can read your text. I'll probably meet up with you at the shore excursion meeting place at the meet up time (12:20 pm). Took another morning nap, lol.

@ggTexasGal- what part of Texas are you in? I spent my whole career in Houston and also graduated from Texas A&M at Galveston (as you can tell from my CC emoji). I can't believe we (Aggies) lost to Appalachian State at home! Good bye to the #6 in the nation ranking...

Good Sunday morning from Halifax, N.S., Canada! Thanks for posting the arrival pics @Sailing12Away. I think Kyle, her parents , James & myself are all on the same shore excursion today in Halifax. But, meet up time is not until 12:20 pm. I think I've topped @gadave's routine of keeping the balcony door open to let in that fresh sea air while underway. Every morning, I bring my blanket & pillow and take a morning nap on my balcony lounger (my balcony is extra large - it has a full lounger plus 2 chairs & a cocktail table). As I'm taking my morning nap, we have been making arrival in these Candian ports. The railing for the balcony is strong plexiglass, so you can see through it which allows me to see as I lay down fully reclined. Eat your 🐀 heart out @gadave. I'm only teasing @gadave - thanks to following his upgrade bidding strategy, I was able to snag my current Haven Penthouse Suite!

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

Another night closing out the bar. Since we had been drinking from 10:30am that day we all kept it a little more low key and on the lighter side. Some new friends 'bought' us a bottle of sparkling water to rehydrate with their premium beverage plan, and @SalthMate got to try a smoky old fashioned and up his drinking game from his classic blue moon special.

 

And...just the fact that I was at The Haven Bar later last night was upping my drinking game. Still no where near James' game; that 🐀's a beast!

7 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

Do I want to know what is happening here? 
 

Normal ops. The Canadian pilot, Joy's Captain and deck officer on watch docking & tying up the ship in the port of Sydney. From my balcony, I had this bird's eye view into the navigation bridge wing (port side).

7 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

Hehe had to add. It’s a good photo! 
 

Pour one out for The 🐀 Pack!

9 hours ago, sueasselstine said:

Another pretty specific question, I saw that have Guinness on tap at the Brewhouse...do you know if thats included with the premium beverage package?

As I'm not a huge fan of Guiness, I'll let @Sailing12Awayanswer that question.

10 hours ago, jredmond said:

Hello! Your pictures are great! We are on the ship next week. Are they serving coke or Pepsi products on the ship? Have fun!

I think it has been Coke products.

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Nice. I want to party with you cowboy.

2 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

@Sailing12Away and @SalthMate It looks like you are having a blast. Wish I could join the fun. 🥂

Blast is an understatement @HBCcruiser(Tiffany). Best birthday ever (mainly thanks to you & the other 🐀's)! Your time will come @HBCcruiser(Tiffany). Can't wait to do another 🐀 Pack cruise with you!

5 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

You go girl!!  We're with you in spirit, if not in spirits.  Those drinks look fantastic.  Finally, a reason for this rat to pull out his wallet and go haven??  (likely not... 🤣)🐀

Unless you think it is kinda' fun to walk around with a blue tongue. 🤡

Bro...once you go Haven, you never go back. I can attest to that personally. Actually, I got upgraded to my Haven Penthouse Suite. But - I did the @gadavemethod of bidding a made a substantial bid and got it!. Also bro, be careful using the 🐀 word or you may have to come up with yet another CC persona.

8 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

Have a fun time! 🍻 Lift one for us! 🍻

I poured one out for the  🐀 Pack.

1 hour ago, deweytrader said:

I would be curious to know if the leaves are changing yet in PEI?  Thanks!

I'm not sure, as I haven't been off the ship (yet). Disembarking for a shore excursion (with @Sailing12Awayin 25 minutes. I will be sure to look at the leaves and let you know.