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

[mking8288]

Summer Street & Beach Street, Boston's Chinatown Archway ... new small businesses are up but many older ones did no re-emerge post-Covid & never recovered.

 

Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center is on the opposite end of the small Chinatown - at Kneeland Ave & Washington Street - quite a contrast of old, historic and low-rise townhouses & buildings vs. modern high-rises.

Edited September 18, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

From here, Lyft ride back to Falcon cruise Pier is between $15 to $20.  Hailed a taxi ride to go back, total came to $20 - tips all inclusive - less than 10 minutes ride. 

 

[mking8288]

WiFi info from the Joy's iCafe Desk, manager hours as posted.  The Norwegian App works on free WiFi inTRAnet but not all the sub-modules are fully functional. Restaurant availabilities and booking not offered and available. 

[mking8288]

Ever Fore - it takes 4 tugboats to help guide the container ship to set sail & navigate sideway first, before heading out - next stop is NYC with a 9/21 arrival.  LTE and 5 G signals Portside, onboard the Joy are now much better - by the balcony - without being blocked by the EverGreen's Ever Fore 

 

WiFi routers all over the ship as seen here are the key to relaying satellite coverage. 

 

And, at 5:55 pm - looks like we are ready to leave shortly. Sideway thrusters are on ... being tested.

 

Edited September 18, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Bye - leaving the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal on time. Boston PD's fast harbor patrol boat racing starboard side to get ahead of us ...

 

[shof515]

Backing out of the terminal. Looks like that that is only way out of the port. Now is a good time for the captain to put their reversing skills to the test

 

The voyager of the seas, the ship that was in front of the Joy is also heading to Portland tomorrow. Someone is following each other

[mking8288]

Skillfully done, U-turn and backing out done in 15 minutes, no pilot boat that I can see - only BPD's harbor patrol chasing small boats ahead, siren blasting for not yielding right of way or getting cruise ship's path.

 

Boston's Logan Int'l Airport Portside as we head east before turning north to Portland overnight.  Time for a lighter dinner tonight.

[mking8288]

Sunset with Boston downtown in the near distance 😎 

 

[Sailing12Away]

10 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Breakfast at The Local, simple & fast. 

 

So that's where all the hashbrowns are hiding. I couldn't get a single one on my entire trip the week before you. I didn't think to try The Local... but figured being in the Haven when I ask for hasbrowns 3 days in a row they would do something to hunt one down for me. Nope... Oh how I missed thow tasty potato rounds...

[mking8288]

We had an unexpected visitor tonight 🤣🤣🤣

 

Haven't seen these in a while 😊 nor did we asked for anything at all 😃

[shof515]

Welcome to Portland Norwegian Joy

[Beach Life 1]

Great pictures!

[mking8288]

It's a cloudy morning, 54 degree F and wet weather expected by afternoon  - rain on its way. 

 

Long pants to pair with a lined jacket for a walk to town along the waterfront. Ship just been cleared & pax can procces to gangway.

[mking8288]

 There's no Laundry Special yet as we do our Platinum special, lined the downsized paper bag with a (clean) plastic liner from Residence Inn, rolled tightly and it's going to our steward.

 

Meanwhile, ship just finished running an emergency training drill w the crew, lasted a full hour.  Life boats lowered partially as part of the action steps ... watching it from The Local. 

 

Yes, they got hash browns today.  Tonight's Special ...

 

[mking8288]

Let's go ashore to Portland's waterfront & see what's happening - 

 

[mking8288]

Twin lobsters, lobster specials, and lobster rolls, including lobster n seafood from mobile truck where cash isn't welcomed over mobile payment. Lines formed outside some businesses but sadly, not all survived the pandemic. 

 

 

Need to get a ride and can take a bike along, it's available just like NYC and Boston, etc.

Edited September 19, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

It's a long walk on the pier as the VOS was docked much closer.  Courtesy shuttles (mini golf cart that seat 8 😎 are available, subject to waiting in line to get a seat for the quick ride.

 

[mking8288]

Last pix above is an Irish naval offshore patrol vessel, the LÉ James Joyce (P62) docked at the marina.  

 

It started raining around 2:30 pm and it's been steady with a light mist. Apparently, many discovered the forward Observation Lounge, prime windows seating taken.

 

Foliage chasing ??  No signs of colors or leaves changing yet ☹️ 

 

Weather forecast for tomorrow in Saint John, NB is showers in the morning, cloudy & 56 deg F in the afternoon. 

 

Edited September 19, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

VOS left just we started the engines, on our way at 5:22pm.  Today, we changed our clock to match local time.

[mking8288]

The waterfront, easy walking & do it yourself exploring what’s nearby.

Edited September 19, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Some of the nearby small islands in Portland 

[mking8288]

Ah ... Turn on the lights and found an unexpected guest on our bed tonight, again, 😁 

 

 

Advance the clock by one hour tonight, per special notice. 

 

P.S. will upload all the Freestyle Dailies later with faster WiFi. 

Edited September 19, 2022 by mking8288

[snorklinbarb]

22 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

So that's where all the hashbrowns are hiding. I couldn't get a single one on my entire trip the week before you. I didn't think to try The Local... but figured being in the Haven when I ask for hasbrowns 3 days in a row they would do something to hunt one down for me. Nope... Oh how I missed thow tasty potato rounds...

Was on your sailing and if it's any consolation the hash browns were not available in the Local, either!  Flat out everywhere!  Came home and read about the same issue on a couple of other ships!

 

So the kink in the supply chain must have been ironed out.....at least on Joy this cruise!

[mking8288]

Used on 2nd Platinum dining coupon tonight at Q Texas SH with live music, not very busy & no restrictions, etc. 

 

It's a lot of food for 2 to eat and finish, unless you are very hungry. 

 

 

Edited September 20, 2022 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Q menus and dessert portions are huge, enough for 2 to 3 to share.  Our total came to $109 and zeroed out, and as usual for good to exceptional services, we do a cash tip directly and always appreciated, and kept by the server's team.

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow night, we'll do Teppankai 🥢🍚 for the fun ... the dedicated room is exceptionally large as the ship was destined for the China market when built.

Edited September 20, 2022 by mking8288