Semi-Live Getaway: Feb 26 - Mar 10, 2023 NY - So. Caribbean ... 12 nights

[nmuller328]

6 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

 

Off-topic, GA is turning around tomorrow for another shorter Bermuda/Florida & Bahamas run - and not looking pretty for the Dockyard segment, nasty storm sweeping across by evening into Saturday & hitting the islands.  

 

 

Just looked at the lastest from the Bermuda Cruise Schedule (http://www.marineandports.bm/)  updated earlier today  Both the Gem & Ventura have been canceled for the weekend 11 & 12. The Getaway wasn't scheduled for Bermuda this upcoming cruise or the next one (just the Bahamas & PC). The Mar 26 10 day cruise (which I am booked on) is the next Getaway scheduled for Bermuda- fingers crossed but we have had low expectations even when we booked it in Jan. - We went with the 10 day cruise vs the 8 day cruises as it was a tad cheaper & we landed a Haven Spa at a real cool price. Figured if we don't get to land anywhere- we have 10 days to enjoy the Haven & Spa.  

 

We appreciate your posts as well as Pete's - they are full of info & humor.  

I'm just hoping we picked a good weather week time will tell 

[GSfromCT]

1 hour ago, nmuller328 said:

Just looked at the lastest from the Bermuda Cruise Schedule (http://www.marineandports.bm/)  updated earlier today  Both the Gem & Ventura have been canceled for the weekend 11 & 12. The Getaway wasn't scheduled for Bermuda this upcoming cruise or the next one (just the Bahamas & PC). The Mar 26 10 day cruise (which I am booked on) is the next Getaway scheduled for Bermuda- fingers crossed but we have had low expectations even when we booked it in Jan. - We went with the 10 day cruise vs the 8 day cruises as it was a tad cheaper & we landed a Haven Spa at a real cool price. Figured if we don't get to land anywhere- we have 10 days to enjoy the Haven & Spa.  

 

We appreciate your posts as well as Pete's - they are full of info & humor.  

I'm just hoping we picked a good weather week time will tell 

 

Still loving the review Pete.  Great job.  My last full day at sea, I'm parking on the waterfront if I am allowed.  I will have winter gear.  I'm on tomorrows sailing.  We are scheduled for Bermuda on Thursday March 16.  I saw the forecast, and it looked a bit ugly out toward Bermuda around the 16th and temps only in the 60's.  I am more than fine with a day at Nassau or to a lesser extent, Miami, like the last 8 day before Pete's.  Bermuda can be for another time for me.  A warmer place would be better.

[nmuller328]

Stand corrected- I missed that the Getaway was scheduled for Bermuda on the way home- my notes were hard to read- lol. Still listed on the http://www.marineandports.bm/ schedule.  We're hearing some rumbling of excursions being changed due to intinery changes - time will tell. 

 

Here's hoping smooth sailing for us all  

[mking8288]

4 minutes ago, nmuller328 said:

< snipped >... Mar 26 10 day cruise (which I am booked on) is the next Getaway scheduled for Bermuda - fingers crossed but we have had low expectations even when we booked it in Jan. - a tad cheaper & we landed a Haven Spa at a real cool price. Figured if we don't get to land anywhere- we have 10 days to enjoy the Haven & Spa ... 

Bingo ... no, not CD on the ship announcing it's bingo time (they don't make those announcements as annoying these days, maybe you remember the old days) LOL   Seriously, given how things are lately - my/our motto is not get upset, cruise with good sense of humor, consider being blessed & fortunate to be able to cruise, and be thankful. 

 

Yes, yes to booking late or plan too far ahead, if one can (and we do that "luxury" in the past several years) and eat smartly on the cruise & off, to stay healthy - you have the nearly ideal mindset, plan & optional extras to cruise.  Another CC friend is coming up on another ship with one stop for a 5 nighter = Bermuda.  Emailed to ask - what do I think will happen if "things" happened like lately with these "unforeseen" last minute port changes, cancellations & adjusted timetables.  Probably chuckling reading this now, LOL, often hanging out here like the rest of CC "addicts". 

 

First, I hope not b/c I got F&F booked on a Bermuda run next month during Spring break, actually, ia fairly "large" group and they paid a mini fortune for overpriced itinerary on another NCL ship.  Another CC couple, friends - doing TA next month with a planned Dockyard stop - skipped already once on their 2022 TA crossing.  We got a stop there coming up but we'll survive as "ours" will just become another sea day.  Not going to suggest that it might become a quick run to Grand Bahama or Bimini in the Bahamas instead.  Apparently, NCL came up with Bimini recently as an additional option since we all know about GSC.  Mother nature making the call, that we just have to live with and accept.  I am not, however, accepting or buying that S&S nonsense.  

 

Anyway, yield this back to Pete's report/blog & trip stories - sunset and a fine evening - GA north of Ocean City, MD doing 15 kn - approaching Delaware/NJ followed by the GEM 25 mi. behind at 16 kn.  Both should be within range of Marinetraffic's AIS tracking in the next 2 to 3 hours, usually somewhere off Atlantic City, NJ and then another 5 to 6 hours into NY - depending on ship's speed & other conditions ... don't see a late arrival tomorrow.  7 am pulling into the pier and 8 am "express walk-off" is probably my best guestimate at this point for the GA, and the GEM not far behind.  

 

Smooth, happy & healthy sailing to you and others.   

[PistolPete13]

The adventure is almost done.  5:40AM and we’re slowly heading into NYC with the Gem behind us. 

[PistolPete13]

Using up my free internet minutes. I had 25 mins left!

 

Before and after. 

[JIMESOPUS]

@PistolPete13Welcome home Pete, thanks for a great review, can't wait for those pictures.

[GSfromCT]

Welcome back to NYC! (or is it, sorry - your back, as in vacation is over?)  Thanks for this semi-live.  It was very helpful for me.  I am getting on later today, so I give a virtual "high five" to you as you get off and we are getting on.

mking8288:

Would you mind giving your thoughts on what to expect weather-wise for the Getaway for the next 8 day, PC, GSC, Bermuda itinerary on its March 10 sailing page?  I would really appreciate that.

nmuller328:   No biggie on the Bermuda thing.  I'm in a big group on the Mar 10 sailing, and not many of us think we will be getting to Bermuda.

[PistolPete13]

Waiting on a long line of deck 7 that goes around the casino. 
 

My nature is to be an anxious person so after photos under the Verrazano it was just a cup of coffee and back to room to wrap up packing. 
 

My room steward was happy to see me vacate early so that he can get a head start.  I had a few chats with him and no way would I be able to do this job. 
 

As others have mentioned, their work load has recently increased.   This will be his last contract as well due to the changes and I don’t blame him if there are better options closer to home. 
 

Already coming out of vacation mode with an internal checklist of things to do. Welcome back to real life!

[Maleficent's Dad]

Thanks for the great report, Pete! I hope you had a great trip and welcome back to New York! I’m looking forward to the pictures and videos when you get those done.

[BostonGal35]

seems like they are going to lose alot of stewards with these changes.  i wonder if they will change to a model of having to opt in for daily housekeeping, like hotels?  

[PistolPete13]

2 hours ago, GSfromCT said:

Welcome back to NYC! (or is it, sorry - your back, as in vacation is over?)  Thanks for this semi-live.  It was very helpful for me.  I am getting on later today, so I give a virtual "high five" to you as you get off and we are getting on.

mking8288:

Would you mind giving your thoughts on what to expect weather-wise for the Getaway for the next 8 day, PC, GSC, Bermuda itinerary on its March 10 sailing page?  I would really appreciate that.

nmuller328:   No biggie on the Bermuda thing.  I'm in a big group on the Mar 10 sailing, and not many of us think we will be getting to Bermuda.

 

Have a great time!  Post up your impressions if you have the downtime and minutes. 

[graphicguy]

Pete…thank you for taking us along.  Wonderful job, as always!  Safe travels home.

[PistolPete13]

Sad post of the day. On the bus after crossing 6 avenues in Manhattan.  I can’t believe how slow people walk!  Ugh. 
 

On the bus heading home.  I would’ve stopped by the office to recover but I didn’t bring my door badge. Lol. 

[amygutman]

3 hours ago, PistolPete13 said:

Using up my free internet minutes. I had 25 mins left!

 

Before and after. 

OK...I loved every minute of this review, but this takes the cake (apparently...literally...takes the cake) 😅

Warmest and Thanks, Amy

[Red-Sol]

Thanks Very Much Again Pete! It means a lot to many of us living vicariously (yes I looked up the spelling of that word 😉) through your experiences and always keeping it real! Welcome Home

[goofy4mickey]

I really enjoyed your live updates. Thank you for letting us sail along with you

[GALSews]

Thanks for the entertaining coverage. 

[Hogladyrider]

@PistolPete13.....thanks for the review, so enjoy your writing style!  Wish it didn't have to end so soon.

Stay safe and welcome home, I think!

[Jordan61]

Thank you, I really enjoyed following your semi-live!

[AKR2011]

Thank you for your great live review!  I've enjoyed following this week ❤️⚓️

[mking8288]

4 hours ago, PistolPete13 said:

Waiting on a long line of deck 7 that goes around the casino ... Welcome back to real life!

Brace for weather ... welcome home.  You will awake in the middle of the night, maybe hearing the wind & rain and wondering why nothing is moving or shaking, LOL.  Going to miss that rocking & rolling and we've been on Deck 4 and 5 quite a few times over the decades, it's typically not bad on bigger ships.  

 

I could tell you did the Express Self Walk-Off with all that luggage and make your way across town, probably wondering where and what to do for midday lunch.  Now, we are waiting for part 2 - photos & videos, etc. - it takes time to sort, organize, compose & put them together ... everyone on CC appreciate the efforts when one choose to share their precious time on a cruise vacation, and, afterward.  

 

P.S.  @GSfromCT - see "comments" on your RollCall, don't want to cluster up further as this is Pete's Report.   Happy sailing.  

[PistolPete13]

Once the line started to move at 8:00AM I was on the sidewalk by 8:19AM.  Actually I'm not sure when we started to move but it was very quick once started.

 

The biggest delay was in the terminal where the two escalators are.  The staff was trying to maintain decent spacing as people loaded with luggage tried to balance the rollers on the escalator steps.

 

Facial recognition (forgot to take off glasses) and poof, I was on 12th Ave. with cabbies in my face.

Edited March 10, 2023 by PistolPete13

[PistolPete13]

Embarkation and sail away!

 

 

[PistolPete13]

Sea days.

 

Ship interior, sunrise, and chair hogs claiming their spots before sunrise!