mking8288

What a way to say welcome onboard, maybe you are getting a surprise upgrade 😉 since staterooms are ready. You can't even drop off your carry-on luggage ? How was your taxi ride ? But a long line at Guest Services, hmmm 🤔 Regardless, Bon Voyage 👋 soon

Not lately ... on the Gem just before the Covid shutdown (Dec. 2019, that seemed like half a century ago) and the iCafe was relocated to a small starboard side corner walking toward AFT MDR, easily missed and there're like 3 small desktop workstations then. It was running a barebone Windows 10 OS, Internet Explorer (that was EOL, no longer supported) and had no other usable apps - fine for browsing free websites (non-secured) and news/weather check, etc. only - I wouldn't do any serious work and/or log into secured sites with credentials or anything that require 2FA or equivalent. This trending continued with other ships with the phrasing out of PC's and often, just a work desk for the tech person (newest title, no longer the "internet cafe manager" and DIY instructions for printing wirelessly $$ to an In-Box and/or a nearby HP laser printer. Packing light for us, bring along a Chromebook, especially when flying with weight limits and for practical reasons.

Wait, Mario's team added finger sandwiches to the M&G ... nice, what was your magic wand ? I don't recall that out of the 10+ recent M&G sessions that I've been at, including the one that we're shooting the breeze, outside Cagney's / Moderno on Deck 8 (and, that was a while ago) Do tell and you are sure they didn't "smuggle" or diverted them out of the Haven lounge via your butler ?? And, they flat out did the welcome & intro, heard the friendly question(s) asked but were busy, didn't answer at all and marched out in a hurry ? Not that this is uncommon, seen that from time to time, still kind of surprise that Mario's team would pull this against CC. Indeed, he was heading up Houskeeping back in 2022-23 and must've gotten on a fast track while busy studying, preparing and granted the advancement. P.S. Mandy, hello - best wishes for happy & healthy holidays, etc. etc.

To sail and sustain, optimize guests experience based on feedback and of course, to cut costs and maximize stockholders return ... not to mention, senior exec's year-end bonuses & compensations. We haven't fired NCL and or abandoned the crew yet, but has suspended our minute rewards to dirty Harry & company. Next 2 cruises on Royal, 2 balconies on Escape cancelled next March, before final payment. With better meals at least once in the MDR on Royal, we aren't missing NCL as Latitudes Diamond ... Nevermind the hash browns, but they do serve them, no supply & logistics with other lines.

Only when Dan isn't traveling with a trusted travel companion ... sharing is caring 😁 🤣 😉 😂

Well, they are racing towards SOU, breaking the speed limit and redline at over 24 kts with ETA at midnight, UTC. Maybe pushing as part of a speed run to assure she meet & exceed SOLAS. So much to sail & sustain now, under moderate weather & sea state with diagonal cross wind. Time to stock up lots of Pringles.

As of this moment ... looking better, it is afloat and backing out of the dock

Great for CPAP user(s) ... and/or others using similarly approved & recognized "medical equipment" onboard - love and appreciate seeing this in their stateroom ... instead of looking around nearby, under the bed, unplugging (or, at least, try to - if possible) the wall/desk lamp, etc. or run long extension cords. This is an important addition/modification for "older" ships in the NCL fleet, and, not just for charging an iPad, iPhone or smartphone, etc. Don't recall seeing this as a regular feature on the GA's balcony cabins ?? Maybe this was a recent addition ? Case in point, Royal C. recently started banning, fleetwide, the use of multi-outlet adaptors to be used in all staterooms ... and say, while ResMed AirSense 10 and 11 machines have a 10 ft. reach with the power cord combo, not long enough to run across the room from the desk on the opposite side of the wall (not to mention, a tripping safety hazard) unless a long extension cords supplied by the ship is run along the wall to reach the beside stand/night table. BTW - Mario is a great HD/GM and he runs a "tight" ship, setting the pace & tone for the team and crews onboard ...

You usually knows where to find it ... no such luck here. We bagged these from our own "Cookie Boy" - freshly made from scratch, yesterday at the extended family gathering, washed down with coffee this afternoon and Tiramisu in the refrigerator for tomorrow.

On eastbound TA crossing last Spring on the Epic, NY to Spain, the crossing of the international date line was recognized in the Freestyle Daily and there was a fun ceremony (weather permitting) for those on their first crossing (to be "blessed" by King Neptune) Nothing mentioned during our 2023 Fall & 2024 Spring Prima TA crossing, neither east bound or west bound and no ceremony held, etc. Following the recent Sky and Prima TA crossing, apparently nothing ... will see if the Encore about to sail a TA coming from dry docking in France will do anything.

Hmmm, let's not give OP and other CC "good people" on this TA sailing cardiac-inducing episodes ... although the party girl & posse are known to adhere my similar approach to cruising, that's just "be water" or "go with the flow" if not going above & beyond. Bonus days, compliments of NCL, to come & go and see coastal England while docked at Southampton, a floating hotel until clear to sail across ?? Might even be sufficient grounds to file trip/travel insurance claims for delays ... making it a "win win" - and with the "fastest satellite WiFi internet by Starlink onboard" advertised by NCL. To sail and sustain, upgrade to streaming - folks can work remotely at sea & not worry about missing work at the office (hopefully)

Progress ... and ICE** a lifeboat is nearby. Tranquil, quiet & calm ... ready to roll 😁 ** In Case of Emergency @Sugar Magnolia Depending on things look tomorrow, probably not a bad idea to stock a little extra, extra reserves & goodies to embark 😆😆😆 and, meanwhile, enjoy UK.

It's now in wet dock status as it looked like sea water has flooded in and the area showing signs of life, electricity and perhaps final checks & inspections coming up soon. My guess is that they need to sail to Southampton by tomorrow to load fresh provisions and a fully rested crew to get ready for passengers boarding. Maybe work to cruise while onboard for extra "benefits" among interested cruisers as extras like "NCL Got Talents" as the next new show 😆😁😃 Down to the final hours 🙀 and in other news, Canada nationwide postal strike continued (since Nov 15th) and US postal suspending Mail services until further notice & resolutions.

Well. her status remained "moored" at Brest, France at this moment per live shipcam and MarineTraffic, etc. - as Jim.O mentioned, she hasn't floated yet. Bring water with you, lots of water ... I would think that the shipyard is down the final 36 to 48 hours before they "need" to reposition her to UK. Power of positive thinking ... NCL hasn't announced anything negative otherwise. But, I would think they still need the work to be certified, tested, inspected and approved before releasing the ship to return to service.

😁 Yay, the (American) Eagles landed - last time we connected at Houston, they had me doing that 400 yards dash from gate to gate. Glad you made it and you definitely need to drink 🍻 to that.

Glad to hear your flight was smooth. Don't think we'll have time to check out that newish United Club, unlike the old Red Carpet Club in my travel years - 6 AM nonstop to LAX in early Spring using points on a Pacific coastal ... Nice hotel, very functional - reminds me a bit of our H10 Hotel in Barcelona. So, liquid supper this evening or dieting till onboard tomorrow.

Less than 2 hours to wheels down and you aren't taking a little rest ? How's your in-flight WiFi ? On domestic routes, it was pretty fast (DEN - LGA) and put NCl's Starlink to shame for sure. You have pretty good & seasonal weather while in London over next 2 days on your way down to the coast.

Noise cancelling earbuds, don't fly without pairing up ...

Google Translate Live 😆☺️🤣😁🤓 or AI equivalent

I know ... woke up early 😆 Can't help it b/c the land resort hotel we are staying at, is under major renovations, and despite being warned about noises & disruptions, contractors on the floor above us began working at 7 AM in the morning, drilling and hammering away. Don't I wish we're on another cruise but denied by my dentist as he wanted to finish the sinus lift procedure this month. No sailing until January for us. Between Dan @graphicguy and you, should keep us "busy" virtually in following along. And, we had ice cream too 🍨 last night Seriously, good luck on the air travel piece but I am guessing, being on United, it won't be a narrow bodied, single aisle twin-engine jet - triple 7's 👌

Gooooooood 👍 and I am here, checked & first to say hi, following. Happy & safe travels on Black Friday and weather is great. Bon Voyage 👋

@Sugar Magnolia Happy belated Thanksgiving 🍽️ since you are probably just about done repacking for your next TA now and will be heading to the airport in a few hours, too excited but calm to sleep. Happy & safe travels, waiting to see if and when the next chapter will get started 😁 Haven't been on CC all day, thought about you while having dinner w our 2 best friends, cappuccino and assorted cookies. Looked remarkable to eating at a buffet. and to all on CC ☺️

Another interpretation, NCL passengers not satisfied going to another cruise lines in pursue of their passion while other lines' cruisers not happy with their soft and hard products, services, including shows ... have choices to make, including taking their business elsewhere like coming to NCL ... to watch "live" The Price is Right, Wheels of Fortune, and Sy Norman shows, etc. etc. ( got it 🤣 🙄 😳 😬 🤔 ) Of course, combine that with fleet's ship redeployment and ships going into scheduled drydock ... and simplifications of dining menus and options, and, everyone get to decide what's best and next for them. Well, personally speaking, while we've wholeheartedly endorsed and embraced the once pioneering concept of freestyle cruising 25 years ago ... the recent & current evolution isn't exactly our cup of tea (and coffee) anymore, from steerage standpoints, despite being Latitudes Diamond these days. As shareholders of NCLH with very, very small holdings ... Harry and Company got serious challenges to earn and work against being on our "suspension list" to not book and cruise in the near future. Looking forward to our upcoming specialty lunches in the steakhouse and Italian venue onboard with a very, very reasonable upcharge - on sale at 40% off b/c of their true pre/Black Friday Sale. That frees up our evening to dine in the MDR and to then casually head for one of the main theater's multi-media shows, without dealing with reservations, virtual queues and/or lining up 45+ minutes before doors open.

And, you " will leave the lights on " for her/them/they ... to avoid getting lost, and local law enforcement involved. Firewoods in the shed for camp fire and warmth, or have you upgraded to solar 😁

Hi, Ellie ... enjoy the Prima. You can - it's safe - use those free minutes, carefully but do leave maybe 5 to 10 minutes to do the pop-up upgrade offer, directly from the App. The net cost for unlimited wifi dropped by $30 after midnight each evening, and you still get the trade up allowance for the upgrade to unlimited. Starlink is, however, the slowest but more reliable and usable. Happy holidays 😃