mking8288

Better hurry and upload 2 more sets of FSD - Day 13 and Day 14, for Amsterdam & Zeebrugge, in PDF format while Starlink remains "up" 

Prima TA Apr 2024 free-style-daily_Day 13.pdf

PDF document(1).pdf

@Turtles06 Judith, thanks 👍 and so far so good, it's about 10:45 PM out here on the English Channel with the moon up to our west, starboard side.  Coastal England is about 20 nm away only.  Nothing yet but the night sky is brighter than usual, clear skies and calm seas. 

Starlink is working onboard and dial into Station Zebra home base - it's 4:45 PM in NY, all is good.  

Meanwhile, 95% finished packing Susan's 24" suitcase - no extra shoes yet, going to disappoint the 2 Sharon's and AR.  But, never know with 2 days remaining 😁 

27 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Showing my age🥰 .….…...I hope you all find treasures whether as memories of events, meals or pieces to pass on from our sailing.  Fog

Ditto, allow me to add ...meeting finally those mysterious CC strangers in person to know they aren't AI bots, the friendship that hopefully will endure, continue and last, until the next cruise 🤗 - 36 hours remaining on this TA. 

We can and will be on the back channel, sidebar, and direct messaging on top of being on CC. 

BTW, we're finally able to book the last show, one & only this evening at 6:30 PM 🙄😳🫢🤔😯 to see The Price is Right.  If we did not had better things to do, would've rush over to see the "show" again as we did so already on the last TA 

Let it Go, Let it Go 😉😉😉

Swift Menu, dated 8/202

prices up ? maybe

fewer choices, in the spirit of simplicity - for your in/convenience - sure bet 

@dexddd - proof positive, it's alive & well

Lots of vessels traffic as we head toward the English Channel earlier, another cruise ship in the distance, starboard side - P&O Iona at 30x zoom

A pretty sunset heading south on the Channel, England on the distance, going 22 kts. with ETA given on Marinetraffic as 5 AM.

Amazingly calm seas nearly all the way on this TA, and not missing a single port of call. 

Randomly chosen MDR food pictures - Day 14

Niece's pre-order for today's MDR came out good as it should, with her multiple food allergies.  She'll know better to eat only in the buffet in the future, whether it's NCL again ( Platinum ) after this cruise or back to Princess and Royal Caribbean. 

2 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

@mking8288I really need to get to Belgium to do some serious waffling. Those waffles look fantastic...

Get those waffles - 1 or 2 of the 10 varieties should bring a smile to you and at those prices, try their beef stew but skip the hotdog.  Our total came to just 30.20 Euro including 3 soda & cappuccino, less than the cost of a single price fixed set lunch. 

2 hours ago, dexddd said:

Still a thing? 

Swift - yes, still available, for your convenience, to sail & sustain.  

And, with just a nominal charge only. 

Seagulls & birds are here, meal time signals as the ship's thrusters are spinning as if we are ready to set aside - no pier runners today since the PA system hasn't call out for guests to contact them  ....

Happenings around the ship and outdoors - Ocean Walk ... not a soul out there, can't tell if the Infinity Pool is open

Vibe Beach Club - looks quiet today 

Noodles soup in the buffet - 

The quieter section toward the back, hotdogs, burgers & things are served here.

Harbor cruise ??? 

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Ah-Hah!  There are cookies on board.  Just have to know where to look ...

Nevermind, look what we got earlier and it's safely onboard ... had to be careful as the buffet crew were all asking questions & looking for a way to clear our table 😅 

Very scenic and great for photography loving cruisers ... over 7,000 steps today for us.  Leave those high heels on the ship and get out those walking boots.

No life vests - all swimmers onboard ... 

Watch out for them and the bicyclists that appeared out of nowhere 😳 

The check is in the mail - it's a functioning mail drop.

Zeebrugge and Brugge isn't exactly a friendly port for anyone with mobility challenges or access issues in getting around. 

Must be like 6,000 cruise ship passengers from NCL and MSC combined today, lead by 288 different tour guides speaking into multilingual audio feeds to explain as everyone was going to and passing on the same narrow cobblestone streets. 

How far is too far to walk ... Uber is available but if you are late - better use them to rush you back. 

This is the park area where the 30 minutes one-way private shuttle and NCL shuttle (they are a little shorter walk) drop everyone off & pick up for the return to the ship, then thru port security - followed by quick 3 to 4 minutes free, double decker port shuttle bus to the ship - follow by another security screening to board the ship.

Just like NYC, watch out for those stealthy & silent bicyclists, some do the horn while others just zip thru - and like other EU cities, no safety helmets ... must be fearless.

W.C. or bathroom use - 1 Euro 😯

Coffee break time - ideal with waffles, hotdog and Flemish beef stew over fries and cappuccino - yummy 😋 

Belgium Chocolate Store - checked 😋

2 hours ago, dexddd said:

We were booked on MSC Virtuosa June 2021 for a long Northern Europe trip to some very nice ports.  Ship was brand new.  Celebrate two graduations.  Even brother was going. No go.

Here is your virtual ship images of MSC as we returned to the ship around 1:45 PM - she's huge 

We are rolling down the highway, once we exited the industrial port & now heading into the city.  LTE signal is now 5G 👍 

Free port shuttle to the small terminal building, quick 50 steps across the street to the shuttle bus office to exchange our tickets.

@dexddd You are on MSC this morning "stalking" us and providing security 😁😁😁

@Ellis1138 I think your hubby's walking boots should be fine as flat ones, they don't want heels, sandals or flip-flop shoes for the race cars. 

@Sugar Magnolia  suspecting someone is at NCL is spying on our live reporting & trying to downplay the shortage or cutback. Are the cookies freshly baked ?  

Nice illustrated pix in Amsterdam for the friend of friend asking 😁

Gangways on Deck 6 AFT and FWD, passports needed - clear now at 8:25 to exit ship & take required port shuttle buses to leave the port area, walking around here not permitted.

Full stop just a short while, minutes ago ... 

Welcome to Belgium, my Google Pixel is out of airplane mode, we are next to the MSC ship, sun is coming out of the fog and as Sharon @Fogfog said, docking now.

Data use is up from MiFi tethering and 1 international call made at only 28 cents. 

Room service breakfast is here, Susan doesn't have to get ready to go downstairs to eat first, etc 

Today's plan, free shuttle inside industrial port to outside, and private shuttle bus to town, explore & roam, waffles & chocolate ... maybe shopping - once we come to a full stop, gangway is ready & clear to go outside (not yet, at 0.2 kts)

No cigars ... I mean, no hash browns or cookies on any of the plated items. 

Buffet has a small ice cream station, maybe 😉😉😉