Prima TA Semi-Live 11 Days to NY from Spain, 4+ days @Barcelona from JFK ... land/cruise early Thanksgiving vacation

[mking8288]

We / I am back - this time, sailing the Norwegian Prima TransAtlantic westbounds, 11 days, 3 port stops (they are "relatively" shorter in total time ashore.) 

 

T minus 9 days - let the single digit counts run, 4 days to our JFK flight to BCN via Lisbon (will miss watching the Norwegian Viva sailway while in transit - free stopover option waived ... next time)  Going to embark on the new'ish Prima as we twiced cancelled earlier this year due to timing & other factors (hopped on the eastbound Epic TA in April, "all in" price deal too good to past up then - rebook & all set.  Steered clear of summer crowds, tired of the Getaway itineraries, warmed up to 7 days NE/Canada cruise with 3 nights "Escape" onboard as a floating hotel off Verrazzano-Narrows between NY Bay and the Atlantic.  Packing is  underway this weekend.  Thanksgiving cruise at sea with another couple, our best friends for 3 decades - retired, sold their 2 family house to downsize, brought a 2 bedroom co-op townhouse like ours, 5 city blocks from us in the same garden community - dogs not permitted, only cats.  Alas, we only need to make sure our indoor houseplants get watered ... smart home with UV sunlight on a timed cycle easily take care of that.  

Starting this cruise report earlier than "usual" since we will be in transit soon.  First port stop out of Barecelona is Catagena, Spain on Day 3, looking forward to.  Ponta Delgada, after 2 sea days with a private tour booked - there's a chance that we might not make it due to weather.  Dockyard, Bermuda as 3rd stop after another 4 sea days (okay if we "miss" since we've been there numerous times.)  Le's find out if Starlink will be activated by NCL on the Prima this month.  If not, still reasonably confident that I can manage a semi-live report, somehow, with sluggish satellite WiFi internet onboard.  

 

We took advantage of NCL's Spring promotion - CruiseNext DoubleUp and Triple Latitudes Points on this cruise (nice - 33 points, putting us sooner & over into Diamonds after this cruise.)  Selected mid-ship balconies on Deck 9, couldn't find connecting cabins/next door but we are near mid elevators/stairs, just going to be 2 cabins apart from our friends.  Like everyone ... continued to get "Upgrade" Advantage bidding offers - club, spa balcony and everything else in Haven. Our balcony stateroom are relatively roomier, slightly bigger than the ones on the *Away/+ class ships - cheaper to bid for a balcony with spa access vs. the club/formerly mini-suite ... hmmm.   No thanks, we are fine with our chosen locations, especially if we run into a rough Atlantic crossing, not uncommon this time of the year.  

 

Last minute prices have been dropping after final payment.  As of today, appeared the "higher" categories are sold out or no longer available for booking, great deals recently for solo cruisers - a matter of timing, studios are gone again but Insides ...  Upgrade bids were apparently mostly awarded days ago, actually weeks earlier - some are likely pending & won't find out until embarkation.   Last minute flight prices (non-NCL Air bundled) aren't bad, actually quite good - one way airfare from JFK to BCN aren't crazy high.  

Screenshots showing some of the "entertainment" options, choices and prices for various "deals" including WiFi upgrade, the paid Behind The Scene tour (offer on sea days, 6 sessions, mostly 9 AM but 1 at 3:30 PM) for a #cough #cough - $178 p/p - for real, not a typo.   We will sign-up and do the complimentary Platinum BTS tour instead, thank you ... along with Dine With Officers.  Wine Around The World ... probably not.  

 

 

Conflicting and inconsistent info about whether Donna: The Donna Summer Musical is available or not, just that as Sapphire, couldn't book it at 25 days - The Price is Right Live was open, others at 21 days (when online check-in opened for all) ... Supposingly, guest entertainers' schedule ahead made it difficult, if not impossible to release booking dates/times ahead of embarkation, not b/c of health, safety or financial cutbacks ... for our (in)convenience, of course - to sail & sustain.  

 

Oddly enough, we haven't been getting multiple email reminders to watch the mandatory safety/emergency videos, yet - maybe, still early or ... or back to doing in-person drills & need to find our muster station, report in person & watch the demo, instead of a quick keycard scan or wipe ??  Stay tuned, will find out soon.  Otherwise, OLCI was smooth, re-used the same photos from our September Escape cruise to complete check-in and eDocs were loaded less than 24 hours later, picked the earliest time for pier arrival - 10:30 to 11 AM, a quick 15 minutes taxi ride from our "H10" hotel nearby. 

 

Getting my/our "slimmed" down tech bundles together, making choices about what to bring & pack - since we are flying from our hometown to Spain first, sightsee for 4 days before this cruise and wish to pack lightly, just 1 checked 24" spinners and a carry-on ... Mrs. M wanted to pack an extra bag or at least make room in the luggage for bargain shopping while abroad.  Allowance for excess weight or pieces aren't a problem, aside from CBP should we exceed our duty-free allowances.  

 

On our Epic TA, took just my Lenovo Chromebook, light & durable battery life, easy & worked well, HDMI and USB dongle worked fine.  This time, bring the "old" Sony Vaio notebook, optimized with SSD running Linux Mint (LMDE 6C) OS - with USB Wifi 5 (802.11ac) supported - not expecting NCL to run WiFi 6 (.ax) specs onboard even if Starlink is "out" 

 

This Semi-Live Prima TA report from "steerage" will parallel the other Prima TA report from Haven by @cruiseny4life - interesting views from both different and similar vantage points onboard.  We will all be at the CruiseCritic Meet & Greet, that has been set-up & confirmed by NCL - not affiliated and/or partnered with other social media platform(s) and/or private groups < will have more to write later on ... >  Common sense rules & housekeeping matters - posting and comments, additions, etc. to this Trip Report, as well as questions are welcomed and appreciated, no permissions needed nor requested - only asked for all to the considerate, respectful and helpful, constructive - and, agree to disagree, it is fine to be different and express alternative views ... typo & spelling errors are bound to and will happen, and please, no grammar policing.  CC "search" functions aren't the best either and worst trying to do anything from a tablet/mini iPad or smartphone or iPhone. It's not easy when you are on the go, moving and trying to enjoy & appreciate life on vacation & cruise ...  CC edits are permitted to a 20 minutes window once "posted"   I stand corrected should facts-checking confirmed otherwise, much obliged for friendly helps.  

 

Online check for our flight in about 72 hours, flying Economy Plus (Comfort) mainly with extra legroom, early boarding and "generous" checked luggage allowance, 2 bags, each up to 23 kg/50 lbs plus a carry-on bag.  First class seats available to bid upon - we are fine for a "short" 6 to 6 1/2 hour flight on an A321 NEO LR (narrow body) jet - strong jetstream apparently resulted in planes flying near the speed of sound over the ocean lately.   We opted not to insure our trip with NCL and come out ahead, saving money with a better & comprehensive package.   

Edited November 12, 2023 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

This will be such a fun-filled month with @mking8288 @cruiseny4life and @JIMESOPUS all reporting live/semi-live on the Thanksgiving Transatlantics.

 

Incidentally, I did not receive the usual 8 emails to watch the safety video for my earlier Getaway TA nor for the upcoming Viva TA. However, the safety video which you must watch in your cabin is extra long, for your convenience.

 

I am off to Lisbon tomorrow for more pasteis de nata!

 

[graphicguy]

Henry…..looking forward to this review.

 

Side note….beginning to change my mind about cruise insurance.  I know 2 people who were denied medical coverage/payment due to their “pre-existing” conditions.  Frankly, that’s the biggest part of having insurance..coverage for big medical bills if something that occured years ago occurs again while at sea or in a foreign port.  The payout terms for missing a flight or losing luggage are so restrictive, it’s difficult to collect, according to yet another person who tried to get coverage recently! 

[graphicguy]

14 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

This will be such a fun-filled month with @mking8288 @cruiseny4life and @JIMESOPUS all reporting live/semi-live on the Thanksgiving Transatlantics.

 

Incidentally, I did not receive the usual 8 emails to watch the safety video for my earlier Getaway TA nor for the upcoming Viva TA. However, the safety video which you must watch in your cabin is extra long, for your convenience.

 

I am off to Lisbon tomorrow for more pasteis de nata!

 

Yay….looking forward to reading about your trip, too!

[kasimir]

This is great, got two CC live reports on the cruise we are on 😁

 

We are also looking forward to get going and started packing this weekend. Funny enough, we are also staying in one of those H10 hotels. 
 

Here is to a fantastic cruise 🚢 

[cruiseny4life]

SOOOOOO EXCITED TO SEE YOUR LIVE UP AND RUNNING!!! YAY!

 

@Sugar Magnolia, you're so right! There's a bunch of lives running/about to run. It's going to take me so much time to catch up once I return home. It's difficult to do more than update my live when onboard. I'll definitely be watching this one too, given I'll probably learn some great things to do onboard that @mking8288 knows about and I don't.

 

@kasimir, it's going to be an absolutely fantastic cruise! We almost stayed at one of those H10 hotels. I have to look up where we're staying, because I totally spaced on the name.

 

Safe travels to all!!

[EllieinNJ]

Hi Henry.  Looking forward to your report.  We wanted to take the Dec. 1st Prima cruise but my part time job keeps getting in the way.  Hopefully I am retiring in January.  So now I am looking at the Prima for next December.  

[brookie848]

9 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Henry…..looking forward to this review.

 

Side note….beginning to change my mind about cruise insurance.  I know 2 people who were denied medical coverage/payment due to their “pre-existing” conditions.  Frankly, that’s the biggest part of having insurance..coverage for big medical bills if something that occured years ago occurs again while at sea or in a foreign port.  The payout terms for missing a flight or losing luggage are so restrictive, it’s difficult to collect, according to yet another person who tried to get coverage recently! 

Interesting. A few years ago we made sure all of our cruise insurance covered pre-existing conditions. The basis for coverage was that my husband could sail the day we booked the cruise/policy.

 

We ended up having to use this in 2020, not because of Covid, but because my husband got the call for his kidney transplant. We ended up canceling our February 2020 cruise and did get everything refunded by the insurance that should have been refunded (we bought through insuremytrip.com).

 

We'll have to take a closer look at our policies again as we go shopping for our 2025 cruise.

[mking8288]

Good Sunday morning ... Susan beat me to luggage packing last night - everything fits, loosely with plenty of space in her 24" spinners (Airtagged) at just 37 lbs now ... goal is to not exceed 40 lbs - that's a generous allowance for 10 lbs worth of shopping, one of our CC friends, Sharon #1 @The P from the 2022 Getaway roll call will be very proud ... too bad, not stopping in Palma this time for shoes, but I'm sure plentiful in Barcelona (and, will have time to try them out first without rushing)   The 21" rollerboard (eBags. heavy but sturdy, lifetime warranty) is just as light, definitely be under 22 lbs should we run into boarding bag police w the digital scale. 

 

Travel vest (lightweight - plenty of pockets to stuff & carry, walk-thru boarding gate and secured against casual pickpocketing in EU & elsewhere) instead of ScottVest (way overpriced these days) - useful & practical for our days in Barcelona.  

Memo/reminder ahead: for those sailing the Prima & Viva, with bedside USB charging ports - bring at least a 10' and a 6' USB extension cord, a must-have to sit out on the balcony to watch the ocean and while catching up.  This time, bringing two (2) slim 10,000 mAH battery bank (Anker & Mophie) - one for each to us to use while ashore and/or for just being out & about around the ship.  Going to pair up with Anker QC 3.0 USB chargers with a GE triple outlet power tap, and an unique 220V outlet adapter (with on/off switch) for 110V device.  Should make life easier at sea for tech geeks like me and also handy in our BCN hotel.  

 

Footnote - that's a "lot" of tech toys in this recent collection of ours, probably going to take some out for simplicity, but I'm known to be in a "continuous readiness" mode for nearly anything, not just with a Plan B but Plan C when SHTF ... not just US Dept of State worldwide travel advisories.  

 

Edited November 12, 2023 by mking8288

[graphicguy]

56 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

Interesting. A few years ago we made sure all of our cruise insurance covered pre-existing conditions. The basis for coverage was that my husband could sail the day we booked the cruise/policy.

 

We ended up having to use this in 2020, not because of Covid, but because my husband got the call for his kidney transplant. We ended up canceling our February 2020 cruise and did get everything refunded by the insurance that should have been refunded (we bought through insuremytrip.com).

 

We'll have to take a closer look at our policies again as we go shopping for our 2025 cruise.

Had a friend who had a heart attack a week before cruising.  He was OK, but had a couple of stents inserted.  Doc recommended against cruising as he wanted to follow up with him the week of the cruise.  His insurance wouldn’t cover the refund as my friend had seen the same Doc a month earlier.  They considered it a pre-existing condition based solely on that visit.

 

My sister tried to file on her cruise insurance when her flight to Europe was cancelled and couldn’t be rescheduled until the next day.  Insurance said they wouldn’t cover it because it wasn’t their fault that the Middle East situation caused the flight cancelation.  I don’t know how they came to that conclusion as there was no indication that it had anything to do with the break out of war in a country thousands of miles away from where she was embarking.  They did offer to get her to the next possible port.  But, that was 2 days later.

 

A former work friend lost her job with my former company due to a “reduction in force”.  She had coverage for her cruise to cover losing her job.  Since it was an out and out firing for alleged performance issues (it was actually a personality conflict with her boss) or massive layoff (to my knowledge they just let her go), they wouldn’t pay out.

 

Those scenarios have soured me on travel insurance….spending hundreds to be covered, finding out the insurance companies find ways to weasel out of paying for flimsy reasons.

Edited November 12, 2023 by graphicguy

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

... Those scenarios have soured me on travel insurance….spending hundreds to be covered, finding out the insurance companies find ways to weasel out of paying for flimsy reasons.

Dan ... good & valid points.  What are our options ... retirees and/or otherwise, stick with NCL's branded insurance partners & get FCC (75%/90%/100%) back for non-covered reasons ... or go self-insured (that's mainly, translation - "uninsured")  Decades ago, many of us have some form of travel insurance associated with one or more of our credit cards, limited & restricted as they were ...  I am not sure if "expert" insurance agents have a good answer to cover nearly everything & anything.  Then, there are geo-restrictions depending where we live & the insurance company offering the package.  

 

We have one of the better (I think, hope & trust) HMO/PPO "Advantage" plan with worldwide emergency/urgent care coverage included, but that still leave us with evacuation and high seas on a cruise.  

 

Anyway, stockpile of OTC along with us, plus 2 extra week's worth of personal Rx packed.  Mrs. had her cataract procedure done recently & getting checked again tomorrow before we leave home ... specialist care abroad without access to eMedical records on file at home, that's a ... (fill in the blanks)  Meanwhile, making sure we are up-to-date with "protections" and bring these along in the carry-ons. 

Edited November 12, 2023 by mking8288

[JGmf]

13 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Oddly enough, we haven't been getting multiple email reminders to watch the mandatory safety/emergency videos, yet - maybe, still early or ... or back to doing in-person drills & need to find our muster station, report in person & watch the demo, instead of a quick keycard scan or wipe ?? 

 

Was on the Escape out of NYC to Bermuda last week: same with us - no constant stream of emails to watch the video again...and again...

 

Anyway, the muster station, thankfully, was the simple "show-up-and-get-your-card-swiped" process.

[mking8288]

Have 5 nights of Specialty Dining reserved onboard & printed the summary out as it's on the eDocs - brunch today was refreshing & light, too much food - bagged the 8 oz. Wagyu beef burger with truffle fries to go, cheerfully done in a container ... no fuzz or ziplock bag needed.  Just back from a nice Sunday brunch @ a place near us, Mito Japanese (Fusion) Restaurant, used to be an Outback Steakhouse at the big shopping mall - 4 course price fixed including a choice of drink for $29 p/p + tax + tips (18%, 22%, 25% or 30% suggested, or a custom tip amount ... America's tipping "culture" going for the moon) - IMHO, let's hope NCL isn't going to bump up that percentage higher.  

 

Avocado salad, good - roast pork back ribs, juicy - rock shrimp tempura, spicy - sushi & sashimi - fresh - and, fried banana w ice cream, crispy.  Mito is a small group with 4 locations in NY area, 2 out in Long Island, 1 in Yonkers and another opening next month here in Queens ... typical visitors & cruisers are unlikely to come all the way out here to see & enjoy - it's worth the trip if you have the time.

Hence - we aren't "big" on specialty and/or upscale dining onboard cruise ships ... but, will be checking out the diversified Food Hall.  

 

Destination checked - this is about our upcoming TA cruise on the Norwegian Prima - book our own one-way air, flying in early to give us time to sightsee (again) and better explore Barcelona for 3 full days, on our own. It is not uncommon these days to fly on a narrow body jet, non-stop across the Atlantic - during the busy or high seasons for air travel, TAP-Portugal (national airline ... Star Alliance partner, yes - we'll collect miles for UA to bank them)  A331 NEO LR wide body jets are flown, but we will be E Plus on A321 NEO LR, modest upgrade from 31" to 33" seat pitch.  

 

This is a recent review of TP's A321 NEO LR trip report on Simple Flying (not mine) - link to read if interested ... Flyerstalk Forum has a tab on TAP-Portugal online ... 

https://simpleflying.com/flight-review-tap-air-portugal-airbus-a321lr/

 

A little bit more about flying TP with tiered Economy or Coach services/pricing for the main "cabin" including luggage/weight allowances - be cautious that Libson's gate police are known to be strict and everyone not flying First/Business class will be challenged when in doubt for "excess" revenue collections & penalty fees on the spot.  Refer to TP's website for most update & accurate info as rules vary accordingly. 

 

 

Edited November 12, 2023 by mking8288

[www3traveler]

Hi,

I hope you have an uneventful flight and a wonderful cruise.

 

Mandy

[graphicguy]

Will be last post on this topic as this is @mking8288 thread and review!

 

I am going with my credit card’s travel perks and their insurance. (AMEX).  Those extra cost policies just don’t provide me with enough RELIABLE coverage.  

 

I’m not decrepit by any stretch.  But, I do go to a Doc for one thing or another more than 2-3 times per year!  I have cardio stents which are successful, and regularly monitored by my heart Doc.

 

All of this would disqualify me for coverage with 3rd party policies.  Getting transport home, replacing lost luggage, etc is what my AMEX covers.   

 

Might be a different story if I was in perfect health, hadn’t been to a Doc in a long time, etc.  But, odds of me needing insurance if I was in perfect health would be low to begin with!

 

Sorry Henry…;)

[mking8288]

17 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

I am off to Lisbon tomorrow for more pasteis de nata!

On your way out of the airport, stop by the food court if you aren't in a rush ... they're too sweet for our taste but very good.  Bon voyage & happy Viva cruising with the CC "gang" and you do know, Ponta D. is psst "the secret stop" to shop-buy-bring abroad excellent local wine ... no questions asked by port security at the checkpoint. 😁 😉

 

 

8 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

... @kasimir, it's going to be an absolutely fantastic cruise! We almost stayed at one of those H10 hotels. I have to look up where we're staying, because I totally spaced on the name.

Safe travels to all!!

 

We are returning to & staying at the H10 Casanova again, book 2 rooms this Spring with extra 15% member rate, very good price for a mid-range hotel - 4.5 stars on Tripadvisors 👌 (that's CC's parent) - completely sold out already for the upcoming weeks.  There are a # of other H10 hotels in this area - not far from Plaça de Catalunya, walkable & BCN Airport's Aerobús (A1 from Terminal 1) stop is nearby. 

 

 

8 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

... retiring in January.  So now I am looking at the Prima for next December.  

Congrats for your planned retirement & join our "rank" - then, you can travel & plan cruises year-round without needing HR approval, etc.  Let's just hope NCL get their acts together and not leave us with just one ship during the off-peak seasons.  Otherwise, Sharon The P and us might end up over at the MSC in Red Hook ... been looking at their schedules, going to wait-n-see.  Thanks 👍

 

5 hours ago, JGmf said:

 

Was on the Escape ... muster station, thankfully, was the simple "show-up-and-get-your-card-swiped" process.

Cool and thanks, let's hope EU follow the same SOLIS rules and make it simple, fast & quick and get it over with. 

 

Maybe, someone higher up finally read the summary "issues" with those emails blasting everyone on watching the videos multiple times & had it fixed once for all ... thankfully.  Those post-cruise surveys, perhaps, did get results - eventually.

 

As to the influence of being part of the "NCL Inner Circles" being polled or surveyed ... I don't know what good it does, whatever 🤔  

 

Edited November 12, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

21 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

... I am going with my credit card’s travel perks and their insurance. (AMEX).  Those extra cost policies just don’t provide me with enough RELIABLE coverage ... Getting transport home, replacing lost luggage, etc is what my AMEX covers.   Might be a different story if I was in perfect health ... 

Dan ... don't worry.  This isn't entirely off-topic and I have no issues chatting about it.  

 

As we get older & live longer, find it impossible to stay clear & away from being classified with zero pre-existing health conditions but insurers have no problems charging us for the premium & selling the policy, some without a free review & cancellation rider or option. 

 

Shall we have a good cup of coffee first ... grand nephew just made a great brew to go with his yummy giant cookie - so good but high on sugar.  

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

On your way out of the airport, stop by the food court if you aren't in a rush ... they're too sweet for our taste but very good.  Bon voyage & happy Viva cruising with the CC "gang" and you do know, Ponta D. is psst "the secret stop" to shop-buy-bring abroad excellent local wine ... no questions asked by port security at the checkpoint. 😁 😉

 

 

Well…yes…I will be in a rush when I land because I need to grab my pasteis de nata and espresso around the corner from my hotel as soon as possible. 😂 But I will look for these as well. Can never have too many “Po Tat.”

Pray tell where is this secret shop where the crew go for their provisions in PD?

 

[bedfordmom]

Thrilled to find this semi live as having made my first TA on the Getaway last week(  finally and going through TA withdrawal.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that customs operated the X-rays at each port allowing me to bring alcohol and soda in from each port. What is your favorite wine from the Azores? We brought back their famous pineapple liquor. A grocery store is across the street from the port ( green letters but can’t remember it’s game)with  lines  out the door was the place  to get reasonable priced snacks and alcohol. I saw bottles of wine for 3 euros. We also loved the soft serve ice cream on the same side of the port with large cones for 2 euros! 

[Sugar Magnolia]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Will be last post on this topic as this is @mking8288 thread and review!

 

I am going with my credit card’s travel perks and their insurance. (AMEX).  Those extra cost policies just don’t provide me with enough RELIABLE coverage.  

 

I’m not decrepit by any stretch.  But, I do go to a Doc for one thing or another more than 2-3 times per year!  I have cardio stents which are successful, and regularly monitored by my heart Doc.

 

All of this would disqualify me for coverage with 3rd party policies.  Getting transport home, replacing lost luggage, etc is what my AMEX covers.   

 

Might be a different story if I was in perfect health, hadn’t been to a Doc in a long time, etc.  But, odds of me needing insurance if I was in perfect health would be low to begin with!

 

Sorry Henry…;)

I am going to take up more of @mking8288’s real estate by agreeing with you. 
 

I rely on my Platinum AmEx for basic coverage like trip cancellation, interruption, delay, luggage, etc., and it has served me well. Frankly, when it comes to trip cancellation, I often ask myself whether I can self-insure the trip and fortunately, the answer is usually yes, so I can sleep at night regardless of what could happen. If it is a very big ticket item, then I will by CFAR insurance. 
 

Separately, I buy that Allianz annual policy to cover travel medical expenses including medical transport because the AmEx coverage is inadequate for major medical expenses. That to me is more important, even though I am healthy, though maybe not at this precise moment as I am still coughing. I am wearing my muzzle should anyone inquire. 
 

[mking8288]

45 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

... where is this secret shop where the crew go for their provisions in PD?

It's right on the corner, when you exit the port or terminal area, cross the street to your left, do your window shopping - about 1/4 to 1/3 of a mile walk, 3 or 4 blocks.  Sells things like toothpaste, lotions, slippers, underwear, along with souvenirs, and vast collection of iPhone and Samsung smartphone cases (only) and other essentials for cabin living, not your ordinary mini-marts or 7-11's. 

 

@bedfordmom hi 😁 just reaffirmed what I said, unique to PD only about screening when returning to the ship. 

 

Anything locally made, pineapple based are good & bargain priced. Azorean gift shop is the store mentioned above with the liquor and the long lines. Check out the side streets behind the waterfront for inexpensive meals & lunches, many as a combo w soda or beer / wine.  Happy cruising & safe travel, get well 🙏😁

Carry on with the chats ... NP at all. 

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by mking8288

[PistolPete13]

I picked a good time to return to this forum after getting the cruising itch again after a very busy year of work.  I was even at Pier 88 today hoping to be inspired by seeing a NCL ship docked but alas something else got the parking spot.

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by PistolPete13

[Sugar Magnolia]

23 minutes ago, PistolPete13 said:

I picked a good time to return to this forum after getting the cruising itch again after a very busy year of work.  I was even at Pier 88 today hoping to be inspired by seeing a NCL ship docked but alas something else got the parking spot.

 

USS New York ?

 

[PistolPete13]

2 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

USS New York ?

 

Yup!  She was open for public tours today only so I went.

[laudergayle]

6 hours ago, graphicguy said:

All of this would disqualify me for coverage with 3rd party policies

We do BCBS GeoBlue Voyager Plan for international medical.  No pre-existing exclusions and no look backs.  You just have to have other medical insurance and Medicare is considered acceptable.  We also do NCL insurance for FCC if we need to cancel.  The two together probably adds $400-$600 total to cruise cost, but it’s spread out.  You can buy the GeoBlue plan just before embarking.  
 

And…now, back to @mking8288  Hope you have a fabulous cruise.