Semi-Live Joy 7 nights NY-Canada New England 9.16.2022 - we are back

[mking8288]

We are en route to MCT Pier 88, got a free upgrades to a minivan ride using Carmel, trip time 48 minutes ... driver was early & we are ready, can't wait 😁

 

Thanks to the live report onboard from the last 10 days Joy sailing, we are better prepared.  Free testing done by CVS, still required by NCL. ArriveCAN was easy & done, despite unclear info at times, watch safety video twice already 🙊

 

More later ... expecting a good turnout tomorrow for the CC Meet & Mingle, moved to Q Texas Smokehouse as it's much bigger vs. District BH.

 

Let's see what's new, different & changed - or same old, etc.  Going to be on Deck 15 AFT port side, near the elevators - 

 

 

[shof515]

Take good care of the Joy for me. i am sailing on the last 10 day Canada cruise in October 

[Holly g]

Does CVS do free testing for travel? I have asked our local cvs and they had a steep fee.

[Holly g]

3 hours ago, shof515 said:

Take good care of the Joy for me. i am sailing on the last 10 day Canada cruise in October 

We are also on the October 12 cruise. See you there.

[graphicguy]

Yipppeeee!!!!

[wolft927]

19 minutes ago, Holly g said:

Does CVS do free testing for travel? I have asked our local cvs and they had a steep fee.

We used Walgreens and simply said we had symptoms and it was free lol

[mking8288]

Check-in was fairly smooth overall n easier than NCL cruise to Bermuda. 

 

Platinum Sapphire n gave us Group 17 card to board n not even 10:30, told to sit anywhere ...WTH 

 

Starting to board accessible pax now at 10:45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

First stop, check ArriveCAN, then security, then to check-in, like Haven - based on our deck (15) long walk to back of building 

 

Platinum & higher called next, along w those with paid Priority Access, it's a dash to join those in the roped off area 

Edited September 16, 2022 by mking8288

[dandelpino]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

Free testing done by CVS, still required by NCL.

 

Small nitpick but the COVID testing is required by Canada, not NCL. It's not an NCL requirement so it's not something they can waive. I know it sounds like semantics but I would hate to give people the impression that this is simply some corporate policy that could have wiggle room when in fact it's a Canadian entry requirement. 

[mking8288]

We're able to quietly dropped off our 2 small bags, met our room steward (thanks, Jennifer - she's busy cleaning) after stopping first at Cagney's on Deck 8 for our emergency & fire drill check-in / muster station. Too early to eat lunch for us, grab a nice window seat in the Garden Cafe and checking out the rooftop parking - more cars parked there than I expected. 

 

It's about 11:30 and relatively quiet 🤫 here inside the buffet.

 

 

 

 

BTW, Pier 88 inside MCT - free WiFi now available (non-secured, of course)

Edited September 16, 2022 by mking8288

[www3traveler]

Will be interested in what you say about staffing?  I wonder how many from The Joy are now on The Prima??

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

[kattybiz]

Just got off today and saw a lot of new crew members heading towards the ship.   Enjoy!!!

[mking8288]

Almost 12:30 - staterooms still aren’t ready yet, hanging out upstairs for now.  Buffet is packed quite full now. 

 

Moved down to our deck, a very quiet Fwd Observation Lounge 🤫
 

Here are day 1’s Freestyle Daily’s  - digital format on the NCL App - 

 

Edited September 16, 2022 by mking8288

[dcipjr]

 @mking8288 is back in action! That's what I like to see! 

 

We are doing Canada and New England on the Breakaway at the end of October...just booked it today.

 

Have a great cruise.

[mking8288]

Lots of folks with rollerboards, spinners & backpacks roaming and hanging out in various public area. 

 

Looks like they open up rooftop parking, next Pier over at #90 for parking overflow as Pier 88's are full, filled up as it's busy time of the year for cruising out of NY. 

 

Pier 90's exterior conditions really, seriously, looking bad ... Gosh, sad, isn't it. 🫣

 

[cruiseny4life]

21 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Pier 90's exterior conditions really, seriously, looking bad ... Gosh, sad, isn't it. 🫣

 

I was thinking that as we returned from our cruise Monday. Looked over there and noticed Pier 90 looks really bad, but nowhere near as terrible as Pier 92 which I can't imagine having been used in many years. It's really a depressing way of looking at the greatest city in the world...I'm a NY'er so I'm a bit biased, but after seeing the terminals in Miami...I know they're owned/leased by each individual cruise line, so a bit different than the shared arrangements in NYC. 

 

I suppose it makes sense NYC looks a bit more dingy as we don't want the entire city to gentrify. 🙂 But...I wish a bit more effort would go into making the waterfront look more appealing in Hell's Kitchen. 

 

Thanks for sharing! 

[vacation44]

As always, looking forward to following your cruise.  Have an wonderful time!

[vacation44]

42 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Lots of folks with rollerboards, spinners & backpacks roaming and hanging out in various public area. 

 

Looks like they open up rooftop parking, next Pier over at #90 for parking overflow as Pier 88's are full, filled up as it's busy time of the year for cruising out of NY. 

 

Pier 90's exterior conditions really, seriously, looking bad ... Gosh, sad, isn't it. 🫣

 

I thought the same thing when we boarded the Joy two weeks ago.  They also used that parking for the overflow then.

[Just Jo]

@mking8288 How do you like Mint Mobile?

[mking8288]

10 minutes ago, Just Jo said:

@mking8288 How do you like Mint Mobile?

Been using them for 3 years, annual plan is the best deal, just like being on T-Mobile - with a dual/eSim smartphone, other line is Google Fi (data only as secondary) for global travel, voice & data roam in 200 countries.

[mking8288]

No BTS tour or Dine with Officers, Platinum dining options expanded with same "restrictions" as Specialty Dining package 👍 - make it consistent & easier for all. 

 

 

[mking8288]

FYI - in room coffee (and ice-filled bucket) set-up on request only with steward.

 

Hmmm, this TV Remote has been sailing around the world but the label (language … 😳 ) trying to book dining & thank god for the near universal info-label graphics)

[ChiefMateJRK]

4 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Platinum Sapphire n gave us Group 17 card to board n not even 10:30, told to sit anywhere ...WTH 

If you are platinum, don't you just ignore the group 17 card?

[ggTexasGal]

Thanks for posting the Freestyle Daily.  And  the pics (that plate of food looks wonderful)!

[mking8288]

Not moving yet at 5:25 pm.  Maybe provisions aren't done yet, saw at least 3 tractor tailors waiting to come into the pier along 12th Avenue as we came olin ... really shouldn't take that long.

 

Looks like about 75 to 100 vehicles parked for the duration on top of Pier 90.