Almost Live …. Sailing Aboard the NCL Viva on Her Maiden Trans-Atlantic

[fstuff1]

5 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Don't worry, kids are saying much worse, even in elementary school. I was a K-8 charter school director. Nothing amazes me now. 

8yr olds getting pregnant.

Growth hormones in chicken and beef nowadays causing  very early puberty :o

Edited November 24, 2023 by fstuff1

[ColdCruise]

Us Customs had 3 processing groups - US citz, non-US citz and crew

 

The US citizens lined up outside Commodore. As a suite guest, we were escorted through Cagney’s and inserted into the line just inside Commodore’s door. Took us just under 5 minutes from

that point. There were 3 tables with 2 agents each, plus a man standing. All digital,

 

I spoke with an Irish couple who said their experience was very different - 3 hours in the Observation Lounge.

 

the crew had their processing interrupted by a Coast Guard mandated drill, so didn’t finish till just before noon according to the asst. Maitre D’

 

All aboard was 1330, at 1400 there was an announcement calling for 3-4 names. At 2:30 we’re still docked.

[ColdCruise]

1 hour ago, fstuff1 said:

8yr olds getting pregnant.

Growth hormones in chicken and beef nowadays causing  very early puberty 😮

I’ve suspected those hormones to be complicit in a lot of things for a while. My biggest linkages are hormones & other food chemicals and the number of extremely tall people, as well as all the food allergies and food - related diseases.

 

hadn't thought of early puberty. Although it seems historically women married and bore kids at a far younger age than what I’d consider “normal “

[ColdCruise]

A couple photos of StThomas harbor today 

 What I like to call “ the 3 sisters” shot

 

the looming V!va

 

and the local chickens

 

 

We have kept chickens for around 15 years so I find these feral chickens interesting 

[ColdCruise]

And a “normal “ dinner - the special pizza from Onda

 

I think I’ve reached my limit of rickh, heavy meals for this trip.

 

oops Palamar reservations tomorrow 

 

[insidecabin]

12 hours ago, ColdCruise said:

Us Customs had 3 processing groups - US citz, non-US citz and crew

 

The US citizens lined up outside Commodore. As a suite guest, we were escorted through Cagney’s and inserted into the line just inside Commodore’s door. Took us just under 5 minutes from

that point. There were 3 tables with 2 agents each, plus a man standing. All digital,

 

I spoke with an Irish couple who said their experience was very different - 3 hours in the Observation Lounge.

 

the crew had their processing interrupted by a Coast Guard mandated drill, so didn’t finish till just before noon according to the asst. Maitre D’

 

All aboard was 1330, at 1400 there was an announcement calling for 3-4 names. At 2:30 we’re still docked.

 

We we done at 12:00 later after lunch at a bar there were crew still waiting to head down for clearance that would have been close to around 1pm.

 

With scheduled work, drill and clearance some  crew were missing lunch.

[fstuff1]

11 hours ago, ColdCruise said:

I’ve suspected those hormones to be complicit in a lot of things for a while. My biggest linkages are hormones & other food chemicals and the number of extremely tall people, as well as all the food allergies and food - related diseases.

 

hadn't thought of early puberty. Although it seems historically women married and bore kids at a far younger age than what I’d consider “normal “

yes, people got married earlier back then but i've Never read about 8yr olds giving birth in the 1800's

[fstuff1]

10 hours ago, ColdCruise said:

and the local chickens

 

 

We have kept chickens for around 15 years so I find these feral chickens interesting 

When i was in Tahiti and Bali, there were free range chickens everywhere!

Unfortunately their meat is tough so it's not sellable.

 

What did you find interesting about the feral chickens?

[ColdCruise]

12 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

 

We we done at 12:00 later after lunch at a bar there were crew still waiting to head down for clearance that would have been close to around 1pm.

 

With scheduled work, drill and clearance some  crew were missing lunch.

Wow, that would have made for a LONG day for a lot of the crew. 
several crew members did mention that St Thomas would be/was a long day as they were reassigned to different stations when they would have been on break. All due to CBP processing and CG drills.
 

Tough day for them!

[ColdCruise]

6 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

When i was in Tahiti and Bali, there were free range chickens everywhere!

Unfortunately their meat is tough so it's not sellable.

 

What did you find interesting about the feral chickens?

I like watching how they’ve integrated into living in an urban development 

plus the color variations are interesting esp when they kook very near to “purebred” types

saw one beautiful rooster looked like a micro sized Welsumner we kept. 
 

don’t know about their tenderness or eatability but wouldn’t be surprised if they were only useable for stewing do to lifestyle . Ours had/have a fairly plush life - endless food, yummy treats, room over their heads and protection from cold (sorry,  no AC in the chicken coop), and (usuat) protection from predation once i gave up the idea of free-range eggs. Plus they live mostly long lives till nature takes it’s course. 

[ColdCruise]

Morning sunrise as we approach Hispaniola in the near distance 

 

 

[ColdCruise]

Freestyle Daily, 25 Nov, Day 10

 

 

 

 

promotions:

 

[ColdCruise]

Yesterday’s afternoon snack

although they took away our fruit basket that we were eating through the cruise - the pear & apple were just reaching peak consumption. DH had a pear yesterday and found it perfectly softened and juicy (granny smith type) and the bananas were nicely ripened with a few brown spots versus firm and barely yellow ( banana ripeness is very personal)

[ColdCruise]

Just occurred to me - the butler snd room steward might be prepping to push us out the door 🚪 or off the ship 🛳️. 
 

in addition to removing the fruit basket, which we’d been eating a piece at a time, our butler came by last night to deliver disembarkation instructions, luggage tags, … and information about tipping vs daily service charge.

 

and good news on TV as a few (13) of the Hamas/kidnapped hostages were released 

 

[ColdCruise]

Entering the harbor @0810

drone overhead, maybe check YouTube later for video?

 

 

[insidecabin]

1 hour ago, ColdCruise said:

Wow, that would have made for a LONG day for a lot of the crew. 
several crew members did mention that St Thomas would be/was a long day as they were reassigned to different stations when they would have been on break. All due to CBP processing and CG drills.
 

Tough day for them!

Many have also been on overtime on this crossing doing extra cleaning they are keen to get a good first inspection.

 

Galley have been working on Xmas display houses for quite some time, combination of any spare time and overtime.

 

The all aboard time caused a massive rush at indulge(bigger than the normal lunch rush), the Luna bar was swamped with orders for over 30mins had to call in extra help, including management (not sure they helped really).

[bluesea777]

1 hour ago, insidecabin said:

Many have also been on overtime on this crossing doing extra cleaning they are keen to get a good first inspection.

 

Galley have been working on Xmas display houses for quite some time, combination of any spare time and overtime.

 

The all aboard time caused a massive rush at indulge(bigger than the normal lunch rush), the Luna bar was swamped with orders for over 30mins had to call in extra help, including management (not sure they helped really).

We have done Indulge several times and often stopped at The Local bar for glasses of wine to carry to the Indulge. 
 

Last night after the early Beetlejuice show (that was fab - about the best show NCL has ever put on) we went to Indulge for curry meal with fresh baked naan breads - fab - one of our fave dinners on Viva. 
 

[schmoopie17]

Which port did you dock at in Puerto Plata? Even the FD doesn't mention it.

[Seas2mountains]

1 hour ago, schmoopie17 said:

Which port did you dock at in Puerto Plata? Even the FD doesn't mention it.

Looks like Taino Bay from the posted photo 

[fstuff1]

4 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

Last night after the early Beetlejuice show (that was fab - about the best show NCL has ever put on) we went to Indulge for curry meal with fresh baked naan breads - fab - one of our fave dinners on Viva. 
 

Beetlejuice: i'm assuming the little girl scout is the backup for the little girl playing the main character, Laura? 

(That scene seemed like it was shoe horned in there just for her to do something.)

I'm also assuming both of them have graduated high school for being away from school for 6months? 

 

And i love the ad-libs by Beetlejuice. ie: Making a comment about the St Thomas  immigration line yesterday and mentioning  things from the Haven.

 

Also, the 2 ghosts were from Icons? and the Black lady is also from Icons?
If so, what about the other 3 people from Icons? I didn't notice them in Beetlejuice

Edited November 25, 2023 by fstuff1

[ColdCruise]

4 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

Looks like Taino Bay from the posted photo 

Yes it was Taino Bay. We were the only ship docked (that I saw). First time in Taino Bay & first time in DR.

 

there is another cruise ship 1 bay over from Taino towards the wind mills. Not familiar with this. Any ideas? (iPhone on max zoom)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 25, 2023 by ColdCruise

[ColdCruise]

1 hour ago, fstuff1 said:

Beetlejuice: i'm assuming the little girl scout is the backup for the little girl playing the main character, Laura? 

(That scene seemed like it was shoe horned in there just for her to do something.)

I'm also assuming both of them have graduated high school for being away from school for 6months? 

 

And i love the ad-libs by Beetlejuice. ie: Making a comment about the St Thomas  immigration line yesterday and mentioning  things from the Haven.

 

Also, the 2 ghosts were from Icons? and the Black lady is also from Icons?
If so, what about the other 3 people from Icons? I didn't notice them in Beetlejuice

The ad-libs were good- made the show more intimate. Saw it 2 nights ago and the comments were fun.

 

i am not great with faces, DH was pointing out the “familiar” cast members.

[fstuff1]

2 minutes ago, ColdCruise said:

The ad-libs were good- made the show more intimate. Saw it 2 nights ago and the comments were fun.

 

i am not great with faces, DH was pointing out the “familiar” cast members.

were the ad-libs different from the 1st night?

[ColdCruise]

3 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

were the ad-libs different from the 1st night?

Yes - we had yet to go through immigration 😆

[ColdCruise]

 

 

Video of Viva pivoting to sea and a couple folks going down the drop (i have a bird’s eye view)