Semi-Live Norwegian Joy to Bermuda - Norfolk, VA - May 8, 2022

[Arzeena]

1 hour ago, The P said:

Hi, Henry. I'm following you as I keep throwing stuff in my luggage to board this Sunday. I'm hoping as few cruisers as possible are being effected by the rockin' and rollin' you're going through. Mama mia! I think next week is not going to be the best weather for our cruise, either. I'be been checking Bermuda's forecast.

They're offering some good films in case cruisers are deciding to stay in their cabins.

The info you've posted has already been a big help and you've just started! I'm figuring on OBC instead of Lat. perks. I'll ask for a different pin so I can start a collection, LOL.

Covid numbers in Manhattan are rising daily and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a negative antigen test this Friday. Very tired of "testing stress".........Sharon

🤞

[The P]

2 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@The P

Hi Sharon....a "last minute" decision?

We're booked for 6/5.....I'm still recovering from the Getaway!

Hey there, Bonnie! I booked a few weeks ago. Making up for lost time! Hello to Sol.

[MsTabbyKats]

Just now, The P said:

Hey there, Bonnie! I booked a few weeks ago. Making up for lost time! Hello to Sol.

Will...do.  And after Bermuda maybe we can catch a matinee...or meet up at Westway again.  I had their carrot cake a few days ago...a giant piece for a modest price.  Westway is the only restaurant in the city that kept their prices without lowering quality! (I should do their PR)

[The P]

9 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

Any one from the left over Dream Team onboard?

Cherry?

Deepak?

Jay?

Papi left😥

Alvin is on another NCL ship.

Nomita?

Roland?
Kivanc?

Shaun from Cruise Next?

We had Patrick as suite concierge on the Dawn repo one year. He was excellent!

Enjoy your cruise. I love your suite. Something to think about.

Dream Team for sure!!

[cruiservictor]

2 hours ago, Arzeena said:

Any one from the left over Dream Team onboard?

Cherry?

Deepak?

Jay?

Papi left😥

Alvin is on another NCL ship.

Nomita?

Roland?
Kivanc?

Shaun from Cruise Next?

We had Patrick as suite concierge on the Dawn repo one year. He was excellent!

Enjoy your cruise. I love your suite. Something to think about.

So many familiar names.  I will let Henry report if any are on the Joy now.  As far as I know, Deepak and Nomita are on the Encore (GM and Asst GM) and Kivanc and Alvin are on the Escape (GM and CD).  

[mking8288]

This evening (afternoon's) treat delivered to the SC family "suites" a bit stingy if there's 4 or 5 guests, luckily for 3 of us. 

 

As for the Escape Dream Team as called by AR' and one of Dexddd' and me, I don't believe any are onboard the Joy - there is a Cherry, heading up housekeeping. Doubtful the same as Deepak's assistant pre-Covid. The GM's team are listed on page 1 of tomorrow's (Day 3) Freestyle Dailies. After tomorrow's M&G and/or afternoon Latitudes Party inside the Observation Lounge, will update further + photos as ... Not expecting any significant turnout (not b/c of yours truly keeping the distance) as it hasn't been organized & co-opted and co-mingled. 

 

Going slow & easy at 12 knots, sea states & wave heights okay - mother nature still not easing up with the Atlantic.

 

Edited May 10, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

No lines, no wait & no reservations needed for MDR tonight for Taste or Savor - half empty at 7:15 pm when 3 of us walked up. The other 3 went early to eat in the buffet & then the magic show. 

 

The same exact MDR menu sequence as rotated for Day 2, just like the Getaway for March & April. 

 

Portion size are as described, petite and for @PistolPete13 - triple it. Excellent photos, thanks for sharing. 

 

MDR_Fleet-Dinner-D2-Mobile-Menu_ver04-11-22.pdf

Edited May 10, 2022 by mking8288

[bjtravelnews]

Thanks so much for your detailed review of your cruise!!!!   It is so nice to read and "follow along" with you.  We are taking the Joy in June on the same itinerary.  Do you remember which sit-down restaurants were open for lunch on embarkation day?  It looks like you may have eaten at the Local?  Wondering if either Taste or Savor was open.  Hate the crowds in the buffet on that first day.  Thanks so much, again.  We are really looking forward to the cruise.  It's been way too long!

 

[Coastalbreezes]

12 hours ago, Arzeena said:

Any one from the left over Dream Team onboard?

Cherry?

Deepak?

Jay?

Papi left😥

Alvin is on another NCL ship.

Nomita?

Roland?
Kivanc?

Shaun from Cruise Next?

We had Patrick as suite concierge on the Dawn repo one year. He was excellent!

Enjoy your cruise. I love your suite. Something to think about.

Charry (not "Cherry") is assistant concierge to David Newball on Escape. Deepak and Nomita are GM/assistant GM on Encore, Alvin is currently CD on Escape and as most know, Papi passed away from Covid.

[lx200gps]

14 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

 

BTW, got my Lenovo Chromebook connected to ship's satellite WiFi, live now - just checked our Virtual Balcony view, seas state easing a little, not as rough & waves height down a bit.  Blue skies ahead after the last 24 hours - that's good for all on this Bermuda ride. 

 

Any chance your Chromebook fits in the room safe? My MS Surface measures 11.5" x 8" and I sure hope I can cram it in. I know it fits in safes on Princess ships, but I have yet to sail with it on NCL.  Thx

[Arzeena]

1 hour ago, Coastalbreezes said:

Charry (not "Cherry") is assistant concierge to David Newball on Escape. Deepak and Nomita are GM/assistant GM on Encore, Alvin is currently CD on Escape and as most know, Papi passed away from Covid.

Very sorry to hear about Papi.

Sorry I mis spelt her name...it is Charry.

[Arzeena]

What's for breakfast Henry?😁

Hope the motion of the ocean has eased up a bit.

Thanks for doing this report.

[peg013]

Meet & Greet should be today. Very interested in whether the Officers/Staff show up and whether they provide any coffee/water etc for the meeting. I coordinated it for our cruise in 2 weeks so would also love to know if they pass out the cards with Officers/Staff names and phone numbers like they have in the past. Hope the seas have calmed down for you now!

[egurbi]

For those interested, casino manager just told me there are 1942 passengers onboard this sailing. 

[The P]

31 minutes ago, egurbi said:

For those interested, casino manager just told me there are 1942 passengers onboard this sailing. 

If you can get the projected number for next week's cruise it'd be much appreciated!

[nesila]

Dinner looked great, thanks for sharing!!

 

This is the most ridiculous question I've ever asked... but..... if you ask for shrimp cocktail in the MDR will they be able to get it for you? I recall, at least on Celebrity, one can get a shrimp cocktail in the main dining rooms for an appetizer, however, I don't see it on the new menu. Our sailing is in a couple of weeks and my brother won't be happy without his daily shrimps.🤣

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, Arzeena said:

What's for breakfast Henry?😁

Hope the motion of the ocean has eased up a bit ...

Good morning to you & all ....  Calm seas & fair weather today, nice & warm.  We ate in Taste, a power breakfast.  Better tasting orange juice, skip the ones in the buffet, IMHO as chatted on CC before.

 

Edited May 10, 2022 by mking8288

[egurbi]

Casino manager said headcount next week projected at less than 2500 but she couldn’t be any more precise.

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, peg013 said:

Meet & Greet should be today. Very interested in whether the Officers/Staff show up and whether they provide any coffee/water etc ...

Here is the Card with who is who among the senior officers - 2 GM onboard this week, Ricardo going on vacation tomorrow when we reach Bermuda, and the other GM with the handover today (will get his full name) both from India. 

 

We had very light & simple refreshment, coffee & tea, water for the M&G. No samples from behind the bar counters 😉 or free samples (Escape, I recalled ... right, AR). Jerry the CD hosted the introduction & the GM team, welcomed all. Otherwise, not much mingling or folks connecting across & around the room, especially when CC don't know who's who from the social media group. About 35 attended in total, from my rough count. Not a good M&G event, IMHO, aside from chatting with 2 to 3 others ... hey, Dan - nice to meet you & connect. 🙄 FB group doing a $30 slot pull. 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, egurbi said:

For those interested, casino manager just told me there are 1942 passengers onboard this sailing. 

 

Thanks 😸 this pretty fit my guestimate & partially seeing how busy the cruise terminal was at check in and traffic onboard, including the dining rooms.  Haven is practically sold out.  On the Getaway in late March, we had just 1,700 and I was expecting a higher # by now. Explained partially the drops in prices. 

[MsTabbyKats]

@mking8288Was that little platter with the strawberry and 3 other things "the snack"? 

[The P]

31 minutes ago, egurbi said:

Casino manager said headcount next week projected at less than 2500 but she couldn’t be any more precise.

Over 2000 seems kinda with all the available cabins I see but time will tell. Thanks for asking. 

[Arzeena]

Henry,

I remember that M and G on the Escape and Bliss! That empty looking bar counter was packed and the flowing appetizers, drink samples, everybody talking, making new friends, the entertainment.

Good old days.

[The P]

14 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

Henry,

I remember that M and G on the Escape and Bliss! That empty looking bar counter was packed and the flowing appetizers, drink samples, everybody talking, making new friends, the entertainment.

Good old days.

No little beer glasses or snacks!! Bah, humbug! LOL. Henry, I don't see the card?

[mking8288]

39 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@mking8288Was that strawberry and 3 other things "the snack"? 

Yes, it's a good thing we're just 3 each to a 2 BR Inside Family Suite with the snack treat. Otherwise, we would've to fight over it and call Room Service to deliver something more substantial.