mking8288

Steady, steady and hold - forklift operations occurring on the pier transferring luggage in caged carts to the ship and there's a safety net to catch them & keep bags out of the Hudson River, cause accidents happen. A quick visual to our family oceanview on Deck 5, midship - pretty spacious & lots of storage & drawer space, especially for 2 adults. HDTV are now LG's x 2 of them and no longer using Sole brand. 2 x bedside USB charging ports

Announcement repeated，staterooms should be ready by 3 pm. Meanwhile, taking a quick look at our AirTagged luggage’s whereabout ?

Haven embarkation started before 11 AM quickly followed by special assistance (wheelchairs) and then Ambassadors, Diamonds & Sapphires, then Platinum - we got onboard by 11:10 AM, stopped by Assembly Station C1 on Deck 6 to swipe our key cards. Walked to the busy reservation desks to make some changes, then over to Taste MDR for lunch, opened already by 11:45. Jack is the Asst. CD. Staterooms will be ready by 3 pm. Lunch is good at Taste. Not too busy. Traffic in the area: major delays in-bound to NY from NJ, both GW Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel. Hopefully those delayed due to flight issues and/or driving in can make it 🤞

Thanks @JIMESOPUS one of the better & faster check-in at Pier 88, all done by 10:05 & sitting in the lounge. Told we no longer need a boarding card or zone/group # - just listen to priority when called and proceed. Oue CAS friends are stalked with wedding party & section with Haven. Folks slowing coming in. Disembarkation is done as not seeing more guests coming off late. Something new, odd or new protocol - we are getting CBP declaration card distributed at check-in ??? Could it be that we might head to Halifax first ?? The suspense ?

Lines moving - security is open & screening And, started to rain outside. There is a wedding group checking in for the cruise 😄

9:10 AM and we are on our way, Carmel was very early and we can leave early. Traffic going across town is heavy so we are going via I-95 Bronx & down the Henry Hudson straight to Pier 88. 9:28 AM - almost there on West Side Hwy already 👍😁😎

Good morning, Escape arrived shortly after 6 am and disembarkation already underway by 8 am. We are getting ready for our short 30 minutes trip soon to get there. Apparently, beginning with yesterday, a number of flights into NY area were delayed & cancelled, and continuing this morning, blamed on weather - folks are doing whatever it takes to get here or catch up with the ship. Safe travel and hope all can find a way here. Quick check of airport status suggesting otherwise, individual flights are affected 😳🫣🧐 - per FlightAware site. Thunderstorms and rain moving into area this morning, that's not good for air traffic along the East Coast corridor 👎. ORD or Chicago had a ground stop last night which didn't help to keep flights on schedule, since lifted.

Latest NHC forecast map/chart - as of Saturday evening - will be "monitoring" to stay informed ... Tech checks & prep - as a matter of routine, making sure all OS updates, security patches and apps are current, backup done (home server running Linux, in addition to routine cloud storage). Gadgets & tools that are coming along: 10,000 mAH USB Battery Bank-Charger at 100% capacity, travel notices submitted to credit cards. Lenovo Chromebook w. bluetooth wireless mouse and USB Dongle & external storage Google Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 4a 5G (mine) dual e/Sim - Google One VPN and CG VPN Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus (hers) - Google One VPN iPhone SE 2022 and iPad Mini (VPN enabled) - dual e/Sim enabled Amazon Fire HD 10 w 128GB mSD card (off-line media & eBooks) - Google One and CG VPN Footnote - Escape's HDTV @ 720 dpi should be "Sole" branded and uses HDMI as default input source. Coming along is USB-C to HDMI converter/adapter, Chromebook & Samsung Galaxy tested friendly for videos. Google Fi is our primary cellular carrier, which uses T-Mobile in the U.S. with global coverage for voice and text in 200 countries, and nearly all with high speed data, 4G LTE as 5G isn't necessary nor available everywhere. Tethering and hotspot included at no extra costs, supporting multiple devices as needed. Bonus info - Does T-Mobile work in Canada? Short answer is yes - (our 2nd line is on AT&T, roaming supported/enabled as needed) - https://querysprout.com/does-t-mobile-work-in-canada/ This is the lower or street level of Pier 88, where motorcoach or buses, occasionally - car services & limo will drop passengers with luggage off, sometimes - porters will "escort" folks here to wait for their pickup ... Giant manned elevators and escalators will take you up one deck or level to reach security and thru to check-in for embarkation. It's now past midnight - Sunday, Sept 10th is here - countdown is zero. Escape is less than 60 to 70 miles from NY, off Shirley, NY (Long Island) coming in early. Time to get some zzz's or sleep and then it's rise-n-shine, light breakfast & then get ready to meet our friends to share that minivan ride by car service to Pier 88. In a few hours from now, this will quasi-officially go "live" or at least semi-live. Good night all 👴

@RRSeeker Wow, sorry to read about your AA flight delay - cancellation. There is plenty of rooftop parking above the cruise terminal at Pier 88 and 90, reservations not needed and is a new thing - shouldn't really matter. Showers and thunderstorms in forecast later in the day. Please drive safely & carefully, ship isn't sailing until 5:30 pm.

@Steelers0854 welcome to the Big Apple ... in addition to whatever "mess" left behind by the Labor Day weekend ... U.S. Tennis Open is going on, tomorrow is the last day - in Flushing, NY (Queens) so traffic nearby / in the area is a big mess. Next week is United Nations Week with its annual gathering ... security goes up a notch citywide but mostly east side of midtown Manhattan, followed by Fashion Week - hotel prices are up all over & taxi/Uber might be in short supply even with surge pricing kicking in. Steakhouse dinner looks great, although we don't venture into the "city" as there is another Peter Luger out here on Long Island, rated #11 vs. one of our favorite, Bryant & Copper Steakhouse in the town of Rosyln, not too far & is a local legend - visitors and out-of-towners usually don't get to dine like us. City Island in the Bronx has a # of great restaurants serving up great, excellent & fresh seafood, broiled lobsters 1.5 to 2 lbs & sometimes they get soft shells, plus their clam bake. Cagney's and Bayamo onboard are good, but we don't get too excited about it as there are so many nice & great ones locally. Unlike the Breakaway, Getaway or the Epic, Escape doesn't have a Shanghai Noodles or Restaurant - and what they serve isn't anywhere close to good, passing grade as basic comfort food, much like O'Sheehan's and The Local. We did a nice authentic Shanghainese lunch with our friends nearby - nothing fancy and inexpensive ... if only NCL can try harder and do a little better, sometimes. Have a good night, see all in the morning at the pier & getting check-in done, and let's get onboard. Navigational & related update: Escape is on her way - just checked Marinetraffic & CruiseMapper for latest - slowed down from doing a fairly steady 19 knots to 15.5 now, off the eastern tip/end of Long Island's South Fork (East Hampton) - roughly 80 miles from MCT, with the ETA arrival of 4 AM, EDT looking pretty good ... plus another hour navigating thru the NY Lower Bay, pass under the VZ Bridge & Statue of Liberty. Docking at Pier 88 before 6 AM should be expected - and early express / self walk-off disembarkation by 7:30 assuming CBP is on stations and ready with their facial recognition. NCL's website just went offline as scheduled at 10 PM & expected to resume at 6 AM in the morning. Hopefully, everyone printed out their eDocs - it was still available earlier today.

Sure do, how are you and always happy to know others find these semi / live trip reports informative, fun & helpful. Westbound is nicer as you gain an extra hour going thru time zone, minimizing effects from jetlag - don't forget to look for that Int'l Time Zone crossing ritual onboard. By all means, help bring her across to NY, nieces & extended family circles booked theirs on GA in December, found them great balcony deals. Meanwhile, we are entirely out of those CruiseNext Certs by transfering some to them ... hence, going to make the Latitudes rep onboard happy with new "sales" or else we can't book anything else next year. Doing a report on your TA - let us all know, love to follow along since we are going to be catching one not much later than you 😉 😉 (different ship & embark port, etc.) On the question of AirTags, already answered & spot on - just going to toss ours inside the checked suitcase with the extra luggage tag. Don't mind the crew delivering the bags "late" as long as they make it onboard - just peace of mind, not fun to rotate with just 2 sets of clothes for the week. Android has an app for those activated AirTags, it's not great and waiting for the big change - expected shortly from Google. There is no need to use a pricey or waterproof tag holder. Using one of the tags on our car in lieu of fancy LoJack ... lots of practical applications & possibilities in tracking, privacy considerations being noted.

T minus 1 ... tomorrow morning (24 hours from now) at this time, we will be at Pier 88, helping our SIL/BIL with wheelchair embarkation. Our best friends using CAS or Platinum boarding, not that we being Sapphire isn't really going to board much faster, if at all. Not surprised, but got a feeling we will not see many school-age children and/or teens on this sailing ... probably some pre-schoolers along with their parents - expecting our corridor or hallways near Splash Academy to be quiet, just like our recent Epic TA. Both DW and I were up earlier than usual, just about everything is done or completed, took another look at the latest hurricane/stormy forecast ahead but what the heck, can't worry what one cannot dictate - medical & trip, travel insurances are all in place. Lee does look like will make landfall somewhere later next week based on latest forecast models, which typically converge within 5 days - we are going to be on the Escape, regardless - just a question of where & what and how will the ship get out of harm's way and make a run for it ... she can easily do 22+ knots with a good tailwind. Forecasters in Halifax, NS aren't worry yet and I think she can find a safe spot somwhere in the Gulf of Maine or start her trip back to NY slowly to steer away from expected sea swell and large waves. Remember this is a 5 stops port-intensive itinerary with just enough time for dinner, maybe a show and we are in a mid-ship (large) Family Oceanview with picture window (yes, that is "close" to the waterline & when it is stormy) on Deck 5 ... this is one of those times that having a balcony up on Deck 15 isn't really necessary ideal (oops, that's very our CAS friends are - midship) BIL mid-ship on Deck 12. Got plenty of Bonine around, just in case ... Latest on ground transport costs - - real-time prices this morning ... for the typical airport trip to Pier 88, MCT - folks, flying in and not taking the JFK Airtrain & subway or LIRR into town and then walk that last mile plus > > > > > buckle up for safety & don't be shocked. Going to be even higher by next Spring with Manhattan's congestion pricing surcharge, as little as $8 to 10 per trip and as much as $15 to $20 more. $$ in the screenshots speak for themselves - will likely use either Carmel or a local car service for mini-van tomorrow to take 4 adults plus luggage for a little less.

Escape on her way, coming home to NY from Halifax, NS doing 19 knots, ETA about 5 am +/- 1 hour docking at Pier 88. This was taken at Harvest Caye in Jan 2019 ... with norovirus outbreak onboard then, a big deal in those days. Going to be our home away from home for a week. Bags are 98% packed, Airtagged and ready to go. Carryon convertible backpack is at 24.5 lbs 🫢 - always take a photo of the luggage, just in case.

YMMV, returning to the ship at the end of the day when tendering, Haven (and, I believe, sometimes extended to suite (not mini or club) pax - priority to take the next available tender (in other words, skip the line or go to the front of the line from a separete waiting area ... typically escorted or assisted by the concierge/butler/Haven teams assigned to be ashore to be on the lookout/watch for "their" guests). Check with them before going ashore for details & how/where ... Nevertheless, the entire tender trip easily takes 20 to 40 minutes under ideal circumstances, no lines, no wait and not waiting for the tender boat to be 95% full before it leave or depart. That's for a "short" 5 to 10 minutes time to do the crossing between the ship and tender pier, or vice versa. Sunscreen for high SPF+ protection plus a hat, and water for hydration - highly recommended while under the hot sun and strong UV lights.

T minus 2 ... 48 hours from now, we should be inside Pier 88 ready for embarkation, perhaps onboard by now. Escape at Halifax, NS this morning ... wondering if we are going to keep the ports as scheduled. Saint John, NB also on Atlantic Daylight Time, 1 hour ahead of NY. Windy app forecast showing sea swell by mid week in the Maine maritime but nothing serious at this point. Whatever, we are going no matter what, vacation mode is coming on.

On the early lookout for Lee next week - ooops, deja vu as we managed to avoid Fiona last September onboard the Joy. Others (ships and sailings) had to deal with ... Going to make this report/blog more interesting and exciting to follow along, LOL ... Reference - Sept 2022 Okay, maybe this is a good excuse to start "g? fun? me" to upgrade to unlimited WiFi with streaming (premium) WiFi this weekend, hahaha. DW said to me earlier, let's "save" those OBC and not upgrade & stick with the 300 "free" airtime minutes. Somewhat true, if weather turns nasty later in the week, satellite reception could be adversely affected and useless to try to stay connected. This is going to be fun. Where is Pelican Bill when he can be of great help - CC quasi-expert on reading storm forecast - I know there is all points bulletin out, trying to track & find him and see if all is well ... Nearly T - minus 2. Mrs. M finished packing & I just close her 24" rollerboard with plenty of room, AirTagged and ready to go. Still undecided about our ground transport options - BIL/SIL planning to get to MCT / Pier 88 on their own, one way or another and will meet us there.

Go for it, see if you can stack some extra discount coupons/codes, etc. New zipped bottle holder design is a vast improvement - for the typical 16 or 12 oz. bottled water or soda ... although seldom use it. Transferred the adjustable waist straps from "senior" - apparently the new ones in both sizes no longer come with them, good way to distribute weight in backpack mode thru airports & parking lots. Bottom of the laptop compartment could use a little extra cushioning or padding, again, took the foam insert from senior and all good. Samsonite (that's eBags) did cut some corners, i.e. no more D rings for locks and/or shoulder straps (it is smaller). Lots of compression straps to help keep the package's bulk down to a minimum. Overall, a 4.5 stars rating and should be good with long-term durability. TAP-Portugal's gate dragon (bag police) at Lisbon had it on their scale as it was obviously not physically over 22 x 14 x 9, came in at 22.8 lbs and wave it thru as I didn't have another personal bag (4 lbs permitted), no "bonus" for them. Flying outbound again with them soon, but not expecting to get hassled - especially if I deploy the travel vest setup to easily relieve 10 lbs 😁 😉 😆

Configure and use email's "spam" filtering's advanced options to screen, divert & group those repeating emails into its own folder - check the message headers that you didn't miss anything else important or urgent, i.e. like you got a free upgrade to Haven (just kidding, okay - wishful dreaming) Then, it's one click to delete & wipe them all clean from the Spam/Trash bins of your In-Box. Give it a try - get the "geek" friends, kids, neighbors, etc. to do this for the less tech savvy ones.

Advance planning and reservations - being Sapphire or Platinum, we haven't heard a word from NCL about any sort of pre-cruise concierge services with restaurant and/or show reservations as described, haven't feel the need for asking nor believe it is worth the time or efforts to find it or chase it down ... somewhere in my archived Gmail travel-n-cruise folder was the contact email address for them, possibly an office number (HQ in Miami, FL) to call or use - it was a waste when we did that in 2022 with the Joy, and, we had 2 Family Inside 2BR Suites booked then. As always, YMMV ... just our collective experience. Our BIL/SIL was in the upgraded midship balcony that contacted NCL's Access Desk, their eDocs reflected that confirmation for wheelchair assistance for embarkation & disembarkation ... we will report back on how that go ... there are a number of others on the roll call, apparently using the services - in the "always good to know" sub-category. At 125 days, we did made our specialty dining reservations and confirmed all 6 of us - Bayamo, Cagney's and Moderno plus La Cucina. Our reservations are also linked ... not that it really matter much. Also ... have MDR reservations for 2 other nights, should find us in Taste early in the evening as the "seniors" in the group prefer to eat instead of going later. Onboard Entertainment - wow, that's a challenge ... what is there to book or worry about ... we did reserve the one and only "big" production show in the main theater ... Choir of Man, Day 2's late one at 9:30 pm - should be plenty of time for us to finish up at Bayamo with a 6:30 pm reservation & make our way over at a leisurely pace. Not to worry, in case anyone else on the sailing hasn't book it - 9:30 pm still available earlier this evening, 7 pm is full. Day 7 - both 7 and 9:30 pm are still open & available. Everything else can and must be book onboard and/or reservations not taken, FCFS ... but, yours truly do not enjoy going across town to stand in line 45+ minutes before doors are open, just to get inside with open seating & sit for another 15 or 30+ minutes for a short 45 to 60 minutes show ... not with a busy & port intensive schedule for the week ahead. Will, however, sign up onboard at CruiseNext Desk for Dine With Officers but likely skip the complimentary, abbreviated Behind The Scene tour (60 minutes) for Platinum/+ members only - unless, a quick tour to the bridge is included, LOL ... NOT ("do" the paid one for those interested 🙄 since ship security on the bridge is apparently no longer a risk factor) If I find or learn things differently, will stand corrected and share the changes here with an update.

Packing continued - this eBags Motherlode Junior - expandable & convertible with a laptop compartment, also use to pack a light 3 season or fleece or puffer (down) jacket/vest - has become my favorite international carry-on, at 19.5" x 14" x 8" with compression straps, light & durable, CRJ commuter jet friendly in the OHB or under the seat if not fully packed, paired up with packing/compression cubes. Not easy to keep it under 10 kg or 22 lbs when flying on airlines overseas (especially LCC) with strict weight limits and gate dragons stationed at "checkpoints" policing unsuspecting infrequent flyers. For shorter cruises like this, no problem whatsoever, pack as much as desired & as little as needed - flexibility is the bonus. Not really on the pricey end but can be brought online on sale for under $90 w free shipping, the 10 years old eBag Motherlode (full sized carry-on at 22 x 14 x 9 was $60 shipped then) with lifetime warranty - lots of similar ones on Amazon for less ... you get what you paid for or spend on it. Hurricane Lee - too early to be overly concerned about next week, forecast models with the charts are all over the place - probably become clearly by the time we embark. On the Joy last September doing a similar NE Canada route and made it back in a hurry from Halifax just fine. "Fiona" most definitely left her calling cards in the Canadian maritimes, including Halifax & disrupted cruise ship schedules - click on this CC link from 2022. 2022 cruises after us (following week) had to reroute, postpone and deal with cancelled ports or skipping from just "moderate" damages - ports on the longer Quebec route took more hits & were closed to cruise ships while recovery, repairs and restoration were underway. Specifics & details should still be in those affected roll calls for those interested. Threads in the CC Hurricane Zone are chatting about it ... although, one of the many "resident" storm/hurricane expert @Pelican Bill (Rochester, NY) hasn't posted since Jun 3rd, hope all is well with him or perhaps away - over the years, his expert analysis, not as a trained pro were helpful & often spot on. The remote possibility of this massive hurricane Lee making a turn and come up coastal US as a Nor-Easter shouldn't be ruled out - currently, appeared it has the Carolinas and/or Bermuda in the remote distance sometime next week ... depending on the jet streams, could spin or stall, curve & head north toward the Canadian provinces, etc. Will be monitoring the NHC (NOAA) website & online portal, as well as Weather Channel & AccuWeather apps for news, updates & forecast - along with "Windy" app (iOS & Android). Pack one's motion sickness remedies or meds/OTC Rx, ginger candies & gums, etc. along with green apples & saltine crackers. Stock up on a little extra inventory of OTC meds as well as 1 extra week (minimum days) of prescribed meds (and a script for refills) just in case the ship and/or travel plans are disrupted from safe return or port closure, or stranded for flying home with flight cancellations, etc. Having sailed many times during the height of hurricane season - and, spending funds for trip & travel insurance coverage to guard against unpleasant surprises and changes, etc. should not be skipped. We are prepared and just going to rock & roll with it - hold on to railings while out & about.

Kivanc has been promoted to being HD/GM and was last reported onboard the Escape (1st sailing this August) in charge of a new team - expect to see him onboard unless he's on vacation. Thanks. We are too far away from those Canadian wildfire but mindful of the wind & smoke. Hopefully, won't sail into them next week as the ship will be turning north. Our next cruise is on the Prima, about 3 months out with sea days ... details to come later as we get closer and Mrs. M bringing an extra (empty) bag for shopping, perhaps some more leather shoes, haha. SIL isn't coming along - I should be able to manage the extra luggage ... you wish to "volunteer" ? Doesn't look like we will be near New Orleans this winter, perhaps, Galveston in mid December ... Alaska is on extended radar lock (early in the season, iceberg & closure risks, etc.) - one of the "older" NCL ships ... planning to upgrade to a balcony either with accrued points or that use of the one-time Diamond single meta option. Sounds like a semi-busy schedule ahead for us. Blessed with good weather, on the hot side this week in low 90's - expecting return to seasonal September temp's... "Lee" maybe coming towards our bow later next week, chasing us later on our return, I think we should "luck" out - similar to our Joy ride to NE/C last September (but was a click ahead of that big storm). Will stay tuned to NHC's daily updates ... kind of missed the timely analysis by CC'er PelicanBill on hurricanes & storms (hasn't posted since the start of summer) Meanwhile, getting my 19.5" eBags Motherlode Junior ready ... convertible & expandable backpack and carry-on, easily do 25 to 35 lbs load as a carry-on, fits in overhead bins of most regional commuter jet, with an AirTag for discrete tracking.

Upgrade Advantage bids - this sailing appears to be sold out or upgraded early, especially Haven & spa cabins, with zero availabilities for new bookings except for Insides for the past 10+ days. I can release 2 of the successful upgrade bids, both "awarded" up to balconies, the first one was weeks ago (more than 6 to 7 weeks ago) to a BA category, Deck 15 MID/AFT at a relatively low (poor/fair borderline). The 2nd awarded bid happened this morning at 5 days out, to a BB category, Deck 12 MID with a higher offer / amount was increased by $25 to $50 p/p x 2 more than before. Exact amount, I can disclose once we sail when all bids are final - to avoid disturbing other pending bids ... It's a strange set of calculated formula that's difficult to analyze, just going to leave it alone. Apparently, there were last minute cancellation(s) for whatever reasons & others got bumped up. For others playing this game - don't give up hope ... as many know, upgrade can be done at pier check-in and/or even after getting onboard (from no-shows ?? ... unlikely, but) Beyond this, we have another NCL cruise coming up pretty soon - booked straight into a balcony and have no plans to bid for anything higher. Here's that email that was forwarded to us this afternoon ...

@Steelers0854 - great, welcome and please by means, join in ... pitch in ... past and share the torch ... it will just make a semi/live trim report and blog that much more interesting & informative. Where I come from, prefer an approach to be inclusive and not exclusive. With your cruise history & profile, it is certain that a new & unique perspective can be appreciated by all here on CC. If "intel" is correct, GM (formerly HD titled) was in charge of F&B, and if there are issues with special needs, whether it's dietary or something else, I am confident that you will be in good hands - go straight to the top after giving the front end & mid level or junior staff a chance to get things done right. One of the many issues that I "advocated" for putting some efforts to setup that M&G next week ... timing-wise, not "ideal" but perhaps with the extra meet the officers event, get the names of the department "heads". There is also a mail/dropbox known as "Dear xxxxx" for the attention of the GM onboard - use it & write out comments and concerns early, the senior team do respond & follow-up on it ... might not be the ideal answers needed but they do try. For all, will share photos & describe the latest with a large Family Oceanview cabin that can sleep up to 5, convertible sofa & upper pullman (none of which we'll need) but the extra (2nd) HDTV will become useful. I'm sure we can survive without a balcony for the week (Escape's balconies among the smallest of them all)

Thanks and will do. While sorting out what and how much to bring along, niece's dog is dozing off but came to sniff things out. Serious packing underway with the cubes, pouches, ziplock bags, meds, essentials and oh no, some surgical and KN95/KF94 masks (I know, many feel strongly against them, so do we but ... continuous planned preparedness cannot be overlooked, not going crazy or being paranoid) - don't like to be surprised. Hit the jackpot onboard the Joy last May & 2 more times since then, thankful for being fully vaxed & boosted - DW "needs" it more than me with her medical history but her PCP/specialist feel we'll be fine, just need to be wise & strategic to not let our guards down. Still have a good stock of rapid test kits that are good thru 2024 ... these will expire sooner, might as well use them & not taste it by throwing them away. Of course, that mobile mini Rx pouch is going to be well stocked. Memo to others - ship's gift shop & duty-free do not sell popular OTC remedies (and/or will quickly run out) and the Medical Center's dispenser was bare or nearly empty, and very costly to see a nurse unless well insured as a traveler since it's "outside the network" care. Although, not as worried due to the nature of this itineary & port of calls. Hello there, I see another familiar name from the roll call - planning to be at the M&G & gathering with the officers ?? (which I find it kind of odd, as NCL typically do not plan or announce those in advance - being in the large Supper Club ... hmmm) Anyway, let's check it out to see what it's all about this time. Have a good & pleasant Amtrak ride up from BWI, it's been decades since I rode on that NE Corridor, enjoy & perhaps you want to share that part of the journey - not too many CC'ers share their land segment using the trains. Will be very informative - especially over at the East Coast forum. Weather forecasts changed again, weekend with humidity & t-storms in the area, not good but at least - Noreaster or hurricane/tropical storm nowhere near us.

@canadian bartender Unless Kivanc is on vacation or joined another ship, should be onboard this Sunday, promoted since then to HD/GM position (apparently, a common pathway or step-up from being F&B Manager to being HD/GM (or, in Acting capacity). Back in the days, the Escape was known to be run as one of the best within the fleet and they're proud of it My/our SIL was doing fine last year on the Joy to Bermuda in early Spring, then she fell outside on their house's front lawn - resulting in compound upper right thigh fracture, surgical steel rods & screws put in, spend 2+ months in rehab & doing PT, since recovered & walk unassisted or use a cane for short distance, otherwise has come to trust her rollator-walker to get around. She's going to be at Pier 88 waiting, plus BIL, for WC assisted boarding - upgraded to a BB mid-ship balcony, which should make their onboard experience better. Definitely not planning to attempt to tender. We might stay with them to await boarding but otherwise, across in the roped-off Platinum seating area (which tend to fill up quickly & early) at Pier 88. Odds are good that you will see them in the buffet and/or outdoors once underway. With Day 7 being the only Sea Day, not sure if you are going to have luck finding other LCR players - the roll call isn't exactly very lively or exciting either. @shof515 Great idea but I think we both know it's wishful thinking on our parts ... I know what to "not" expect and going to plan accordingly, that is to "wing" it depending on foot traffic management with tendering. At least, we don't have to deal with clearing immigration or CBP unlike then, that created extra bottlenecks ... despite any efforts or attempts to provide priority tendering. I am sure they rather skip, cancel or switch to an alternate port of call at the last possible moment due to weather, to dock instead of tender operations. On the Getaway this January at near capacity, we're suppose to tender at one of the ABC islands in the Caribbean ... "due to unforeseen circumstances" was the opening lead announcing the decision by the bridge to skip & sail to another port where we docked. Local taxi drivers/guides are knew about us coming to visit their town, said NCL just doesn't really like to tender large ships packed with pax. Let's talk about nicer and finer living - DW and I really should eat light for the next few days ... had a great weekend buffet brunch of seafood, so I think we will do fine skipping the ship's Garden Cafe. Preparing to "de-commission" our gallery (kitchen) for a while - no cooking and garbage disposal, dishwashing & doing one's own laundry ... all good reasons to do a nice, long cruise and pay someone else to take care of those boring tasks. One of our local bagel cafe & shop have great smoke salmon along with other freshly prepared items, at very good prices and NCL doesn't come anywhere close to their choices... plus the bakery with all the desserts & sweet stuff ... yummy yummy. But, we want to tender ashore at Bar Harbor, gotta hit up that Restaurant 66 slightly up the hill from the tender pier/dock for an excellent lobster roll, New England style ... properly done. They are opened (checked & confirmed)