Semi-Live Getaway 2.0 Jan 16 - Feb 1, 2023 NY - So. Caribbean ... 12 nights ( is it Live, Semi-Live or Limited ?? )

[Sugar Magnolia]

7 minutes ago, shof515 said:

 

Its official. Bermuda is canceled. Look at the Bermuda cruise ship schedule here: http://www.rccbermuda.bm/Documents/Shipping_schedules/2023 Cruise Ship Schedule.pdf

 

Getaway is crossed off and appears to be canceled. I wonder what Norwegian is going to do now 

 

Oh dear...it's been my concern since Thursday. I don't even drink, but might start.

 

[GeriatricNurse]

On 1/29/2023 at 6:27 PM, mking8288 said:

Tonight's MDR menu as used on Day 11 - braised beef short ribs was good, food temperature just warm.  Just passable & edible, even Mrs M started noticing the little details ...

 

Subject opinions, strictly personal.

 

 

 

Is it possible/necessary to make reservations for dinner in the MDR for 5:30?

[PistolPete13]

57 minutes ago, shof515 said:

 

Its official. Bermuda is canceled. Look at the Bermuda cruise ship schedule here: http://www.rccbermuda.bm/Documents/Shipping_schedules/2023 Cruise Ship Schedule.pdf

 

Getaway is crossed off and appears to be canceled. I wonder what Norwegian is going to do now 

Oh wow, this is not good news at all.  Fingers crossed NCL takes care of you.  A short 5 day trip is not enough time for a run down to the Bahamas at all as a backup.

The problem with Bermuda is the narrow channel approaching the island.  From what I understand, you need to be extremely precise navigating a single meandering lane into the dockyard.

Wind is the issue with this large ships and if the wind forecast is above a certain threshold, this may force them to cancel no matter the sea conditions. 

[mking8288]

Earlier's lunch menu ... MDR serving oversized starters or 2 for 1 portions, final Sea Day Specials.  Large serving of meatball sliders, entree portion. Boston bluefish was good. 

 

 

[mking8288]

Those that are returning to cruising NCL for the 1st time since the COVID shutdown, do remember to pickup your Latitudes pin, complimentary.  Ship pins like our Norwegian Sea's,, discontinued and none ever made for newer ship's like the Joy or Bliss 

 

 

Edited January 31, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

3 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

So now we are hearing mixed reports about our cruise tomorrow ... Can you check with someone with more knowledge and let me know what they say?  Thanks  Ellie.

There are others onboard doing B2B and staying onboard, I will try & see what I can find out ... maybe Mario's secretary might let me know. 

 

I looked at Windy App & also Bermuda's island maritime forecast, the 2nd leg of the short cruise returning to NY is the main challenge, similar to the Gem was facing earlier this month & as you probably recall, Getaway was also delayed. 

 

[mking8288]

FYI Memo - We had lunch with a friend of 40+ years & retired colleague of mine, sailing solo and he confirmed that on the Getaway, Platinum & higher Latitudes member have been able to invite each other or have a guest to share their dining vouchers (not the SD package plan) so he has done 6 nights of Specialty Dining on this cruise.  

 

An average of 20 to 30 attended the nightly solo events, moved from the solo lounge to the Bliss Lounge, to the Illusionarium. 

 

[mking8288]

MDR Menu on Day 14 on this ship - everything seemed better tonight, we even get an extra treat of cookies.

 

Hmmm 🤔

[mking8288]

200 nm to go at 8 pm, cruise speed at 20 knots or 10 hours+ to port. 

 

Barf bags are placed on stairs when we came out of MDR, oh no ... seas remain calm and waves at 4.9 ft. - scratching heads 🫣🙄😳🤔

 

Our two 24" bags packed & ready to go by morning, tagged & photographed to aid in tracking ... handed off to room Steward already, took care of cash tipping her in the morning. 

 

Sweeping the buffet for fresh fruits to relax & watch the food sections roped off & closed at 9:35 pm as latecomers from MDQ came up for supper, still folks sitting around - using it as a lounge to socialize. Atrium lobby remained too crowded & busy throughout the cruise. 

 

Heard far more coughing everywhere in the last few days.  😷😷😷😷  Noticed slightly more masks being worn & used, vast majority aren't & carry on their cruise vacation as usual. 

 

About the fate of tomorrow's 5 day Bermuda cruise, thus far, nothing to share or update, sorry ... will continue to try 

 

 

 

 

Code Alpha - (not a drill) just called around 9:40 pm over ship's PA system, location - La Cucina, Deck 8 Port ...

Edited February 1, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

22 hours ago, SunshineGal2022 said:

Breakfast looks delicious! ... plan on using these taxi bikes.  What is an appropriate tip/ person ? (YES - they take US dollars ! 

Sit-down leisurely breakfast on sea days are the best, including O'Sheehan's w it's simple choices as food is served hot there, MDR can be slow if you wish to rush out of there w booked Shorex. 

 

We tipped $2 USD each way for both of us, which they cheerfully thank us - there's no suggested minimum, as my knees were complaining about too much walking lately so it was good for that short ride in the hot sun. 

10 hours ago, 2Cruise4Ever said:

@mking8288 ... Do you know if the casino bar closes early, too? 

AFAIK, the casino bar stays open quite late and as long as there are players in the gaming area.  Oddly enough, even the pool deck shut down quite early on a nightly basis & all the chairs stacked up by 10 pm.

5 hours ago, GeriatricNurse said:

Is it possible/necessary to make reservations for dinner in the MDR for 5:30?

If you can plan ahead, given how crowded & ships are sailing lately, I would book ahead now if you can.  For port days, we left ours open & just try to show up 10 minutes before they open and always get seated quickly, without much waiting even when / if given a pager to hang around nearby.  Maybe, our Sapphire status also sometimes gave us a bit of priority & a better table. 

[mking8288]

 

Relative wind, northerly at 50 mph or 40 knots as we are still doing 20 knots, about 7 hours to go. 

 

 

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by mking8288

[JIMESOPUS]

@mking8288We noticed on the BA a bunch of folks leaving the buffet with plates around 9 PM and those plates could be found in the hallways later on, at first someone was removing the debris around midnight but that stopped on day 4. With one cabin service some of that stuff was laying until noon.

[mking8288]

 

 

 

Rise-n-Shine 😎  we are almost home, just coming under the VZ Bridge now @ 6:20 am, on schedule - should be at MCT around 7:30'ish.

 

 

Oh, no ... It's almost time to go. Let's continue our tradition, MDR for that full breakfast first before we disembark.

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Statue of Liberty  @ 6:35 am - port side

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by mking8288

[dexddd]

On 1/22/2023 at 10:19 PM, mking8288 said:

I would consider it noticeable and we had an AFT balcony last year on Deck 10 or 11. We've been running nonstop out of NY at 20 knots. 

 

Tonight, waves at 8.2 ft with a tail wind, anyone not accustomed to ship's natural rocking & rolling will feel it.  We sleep better with motion unless it's a combo of strong gale, diagonal crosswind, very rough sea state, 25 to 30+ waves and large swell. 

 

As answered above, shorts are fine in most SD and MDR for dinner, unless specify otherwise.  Causal Dockers or similar long pants are more than adequate everywhere plus a collared / polo shirt. Navy blazer, leave it home. 

You are sailing to tropical climate in the Caribbean and/or Bahamas or Bermuda - I have 3 colorful Hawaiian shirts and the they fit right in ... years ago, they joked that am I off-duty.

 

 

Your memory was (is) correct until 2022. It is 2023 and the new, changed NCL. I dragged 3 eyewitnesses to help verify and document the change tonight with photos, and it is closed & shut down nightly at 9:30 pm and will open in the next morning again. (fleet-wide)

 

Starting about 9:15 or 9:20 pm, crew behind the food stations started winding things down and by 9:25 pm, steamed tables were shutting down for cleaning.  It is not a popular change. 

 

Sadly, other lines are doing similar things as well. Rough times ahead for the cruise industry while prices go up ... someone has to pay for those delayed new builds, the Viva & Prima, etc.  Better to be prepared than to be surprised.

 

Boeing 707 had 34" legroom in coach back in the 70's - now, lucky to not pay extra for 32" legroom on a B737 Max. 

 

Happy to report that hash brown potatoes are back and available onboard ... 😹

Hey, I did my part paying way too much, which only went crazy after first open day to book, sailing and paying for Prima.  As much as they are asking to sail those two ships I'd think they are paid off, for your convenience, of course to sail and sustain.

[Red-Sol]

Thanks again so Very Much Henry..and Welcome Home!

[mking8288]

32 minutes ago, dexddd said:

Hey, I did my part paying way too much, ... for your convenience, of course to sail and sustain.

And isn't the Viva on her way ...

29 minutes ago, Red-Sol said:

Thanks again so Very Much Henry..and Welcome Home!

It's been my pleasure to do this and be aknowledged, thank you for being mentioned in sharing a tiny spotlight among so many others.

 

Taste MDR not that busy, everyone up in the buffet or standing in line to jump the gangway ... almost turning into Pier 88, in about 5 minutes (7:20 am)

 

Express Breakfast menu used on disembarkation day only.

 

 

 

 

 

7:30 - fully stopped

 

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by mking8288

[nmuller328]

Thank you for taking us along with you- very informative. Safe travels home. 

[mking8288]

Getaway's Bermuda update - FWIW, I asked and was told just now by onboard Guest Services that they are not aware of changes to itinerary for next 5 day, that they will be sailing to the island.  

 

That's their words now, take that with a grain of salt (lots of it) and if true, brace for a very rough ride getting home, unless they do not stay overnight & leave earlier & spent more time at sea. Prepare for motion sickness with high & strong gale force wind, and large waves.

 

Henry a/k/a mking8288

[mking8288]

Disembarkation delay, gangways set up but ship hasn't been cleared yet at 8:08 am - asking guests to wait in staterooms as those on Express Walk-off already jamming 6-7-8 plus luggages everywhere. 

 

Called our Carmel car services to delay our pickup time by 15 minutes to 9:45 am, just in case, for the ride out to Queens - not in a rush like others.  

 

Surprised to see a light coating of snow outside.

Edited February 1, 2023 by mking8288

[vacation44]

3 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Disembarkation delay, gangways set up but ship hasn't been cleared yet at 8:08 am - asking guests to wait in staterooms as those on Express Walk-off already jamming 6-7-8 plus luggages everywhere. 

 

Called our Carmel car services to delay our pickup time by 15 minutes to 9:45 am, just in case, for the ride out to Queens - not in a rush like others.  

 

Surprised to see a light coating of snow outside.

Welcome back and thank you very much for your live report!

 

Yes, it snowed a little bit in New York overnight. 

[mking8288]

Hanging out in our stateroom for now, Express Walk-off just called at 8:18 am - this group expected to take 45 minutes before priority is announced with luggage taken into the terminal.

 

Price quoted now for Uber to LGA airport & to our townhouse in NE Queens, Whitestone/Bayside area.

 

 

[PistolPete13]

Welcome home!  Sorry about the dusting of snow on the ground.

[mking8288]

Congestion (people traffic) inside the building, Express stopped and lines not moving, no idea when priority groups can proceed to gangway - 9 am

 

 

Edited February 1, 2023 by mking8288

[shof515]

52 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Getaway's Bermuda update - FWIW, I asked and was told just now by onboard Guest Services that they are not aware of changes to itinerary for next 5 day, that they will be sailing to the island.  

 

That's their words now, take that with a grain of salt (lots of it) and if true, brace for a very rough ride getting home, unless they do not stay overnight & leave earlier & spent more time at sea. Prepare for motion sickness with high & strong gale force wind, and large waves.

 

Henry a/k/a mking8288

 

This brings back my memory of my previous cruise a few weeks ago on a Carnival ship. that was a 4 day cruise. Heavy winds prevented docking in port and the cruise be came a cruise to no where. I think Norwegian might be doing something similar now. Sail as close to the island to meet whatever requirement they might be to get a wavier for not docking and then sail back. Thus a cruise to no where