mking8288

A few words, notes, and comments about this week's Joy cruise to New England & Canada as Day 6 is officially here - just the 2nd time turning on my Lenovo Chromebook, which is lighter than my Sony Viao notebook PC - it's perfectly suited to use on a NCL cruise, even without adding an USB dock - as it has HDMI output and sync. perfectly with my Google Pixel 5a 5G smartphone. However, no direct hookup possible or feasible via a HDMI cable between it and the Samsung HDTV monitor using an ethernet cable as its input source/connection ... no direct playback or casting ... just going to flip the Lenovo over as use it as a tablet. On the subject of MCT/Pier 88 pier (Priority) check-in for Platinum/higher status (i.e. Sapphire or Diamond, which apparently not all the outsourced, contracted terminal workers knew and/or familiar with) - this is what I can decipher, thus far - (There's lots of Platinum members on this cruise, making that small roped out seating area next to accessible passengers, impossible to hold everyone and/or with seatings for ... thus, even though we arrived & were thru documents checking & security, and completed pier check-in by 10:20 a.m. - we were stopped from trying to go into the roped area to wait, despite seeing available seating open for 25+ Meanwhile, we're given Boarding Card / Zone # 17 and instructed to wait anywhere in the terminal. (To put this in perspective, we're given Zone # 25 back in May on our "Joy to Bermuda") Hence, the "WTH" thoughts came to mind last Friday. This isn't about Priority boarding, related - perhaps ... we did overheard & observe 2 different vested employees with ID's having a "conversation" what & how it was being done as Platinum were announced & called. Haven guests that're already checked in, waiting - were escorted, as usual, about 15 minutes earlier than the rest ... in smaller groups. I cannot confirm, but, apparently, there is a small group with (paid) Priority boarding status and they're ahead or joining the Platinum lines at the same time. Never did hear CAS being called too before general boarding, as we're already thru security & up on the gangway already. We previously booked 2 of the SP (non-Haven Family Inside 2BR Suites) and there're zero priorities given then, had it not for our Platinum & Sapphire status and knew a little bit (or, at least thought we knew) about how embarkation at MCT used to be, should be and expecting to see ... NOT. Otherwise, the general embarkation for this sailing seemed to be smoother as a whole and haven't heard from others on the Roll Call / Meet & Mingle that they ran into problems. At this moment - checking Ch. 11 Navigation Channel - seas with small waves at 4.9 ft. and running 22.0 knots speed rounding Clarkes Harbour / Cape Sable Island (gone past Yarmouth) and will be turning northeast soon for Halifax. We will be listening for the Captain's daily 10 a.m. update from "The Bridge" in the morning - at this moment, checking weather apps & marine forecast for this area vs. Fiona approaching ... appeared we'll be just fine in getting back into NYC early on Friday. ... Q&A, specific replies, etc. to be continued

We are on the move tonight at almost 22 knots, running all 4 engines & just made the turn toward Halifax, sea state calm with large wavelets and 2 ft. waves. Definitely can feel the vibrations on Deck 15 AFT. Our laundry that went out at midday yesterday, ahead of today's $29 stuffed bag special, came back via our steward, dry & nearly folded, in a basket. We can repack them for the next trip - 20 items into the downsized paper bag, itemized cost would add up to $95 - free with Platinum status. We could've done a 2 bag, free but ... Satellite WiFi Internet onboard is a bit slower than usual. Those Vacations Hero Cards are available on the Joy, didn't see them back in May.

Town folks at the Market said they are prepared & missed the crowd and 6,000 to 7,000 passengers are fine to them - small shops & businesses had been hurt over the past 2 years with the pandemic. We happily shop, dine and spend a little while ashore. It's way too much food on the variety platter, DW and I easily do dinner with one order only. The short ribs and brisket were quite good, maybe a little on the dry side but that half chicken is a meal by itself, could be more juicy & tender - maybe it's Texas cooking. I'll say give it a try, especially if you have the dining package or comp'd coupon, and hungry - better than medicore for sure.

Dinner tonight at Tappanyeki was excellent, entertaining & nicely prepared - my filet mignon cooked perfectly to medium well.

2 more pix of SJ view from portside as it began to rain again.

Next stop - Halifax. 6:30 pm - we are turning around to head out & leaving the harbor. Bye, Saint John ... we were going 18 to 20 knots last night, probably the same to make the distance to arrive by noon tomorrow 🫣

Royal's AOS docked behind us and sailed ahead of us, made an "easy" looking turn in the harbor channel with the VOS on the other side ... and on her way. Almost 6 pm here, we should be under way at 6 - all abroad 5:30 pm BTW, there are taxis available just outside by the cruise terminal and also across the street.

Tips: 💡💡💡 From City Market back to (from, too) the ship, we went underground that connect to the shopping mall, then more inside skyways to another building, ending down by the waterfront - escalators or elevators that are accessible friendly ... then a matter of walking on flat street level to the terminal entrance. Because of rising tide, the gangway had moved up 1 deck AFT & lower FWD too.

Lunch at Billy's Seafood - seafood chowder & lobster roll, toasted bun ... yummy good, not expensive at all.

City Market at SJ - pickup 2 pullovers here as souvenir in support of the Purple Heart Project

On top of the world ... I mean, the hill & center of town & tourist area in Saint John ... indoor shopping mall too.

Slowly ascending the hill, stopping for photos & to rest our feet ...

We are braving the rain shower with a bit of wind & pounding wet pavement to walk up the hill to City Market ... and take pictures 🤓. More comments later, pix for now. See the church in the middle, we are going there now.

Gangways now open on Deck 5 Fwd and Deck 7 Aft, ship has been cleared and pax can proceed to go ashore. Proof of vax and ArriveCAN e-receipt/QR code needed, along with the usual ... And, rain poncho or umbrella ☔ and a lined jacket recommended 😉

Aren't you on the Prima this month ? All is well 😅 We're going between 18 to 20 knots overnight, fog horn being used and indeed left Portland behind the VOS. Plus, finally felt the ship moving 😆 Anyway, local time corrected to 8:29 ADT. Weather - wet ... this morning, going ashore a little later. Folks gathering by the gangway already

Good morning, local time 8:50 am now, ship is behind schedule but almost engine full stop now. Raining here in Saint John. Not expected to be cleared for guests to go ashore for maybe up to 1 hour w CBSA clearance. Satellite WiFi is slow & poor, switching over to Google Fi data and on 5G coverage on dual sim Pixel smartphone 😄

Q menus and dessert portions are huge, enough for 2 to 3 to share. Our total came to $109 and zeroed out, and as usual for good to exceptional services, we do a cash tip directly and always appreciated, and kept by the server's team. Tomorrow night, we'll do Teppankai 🥢🍚 for the fun ... the dedicated room is exceptionally large as the ship was destined for the China market when built.

Used on 2nd Platinum dining coupon tonight at Q Texas SH with live music, not very busy & no restrictions, etc. It's a lot of food for 2 to eat and finish, unless you are very hungry.

Ah ... Turn on the lights and found an unexpected guest on our bed tonight, again, 😁 Advance the clock by one hour tonight, per special notice. P.S. will upload all the Freestyle Dailies later with faster WiFi.

Some of the nearby small islands in Portland

The waterfront, easy walking & do it yourself exploring what’s nearby.

VOS left just we started the engines, on our way at 5:22pm. Today, we changed our clock to match local time.

Last pix above is an Irish naval offshore patrol vessel, the LÉ James Joyce (P62) docked at the marina. It started raining around 2:30 pm and it's been steady with a light mist. Apparently, many discovered the forward Observation Lounge, prime windows seating taken. Foliage chasing ?? No signs of colors or leaves changing yet ☹️ Weather forecast for tomorrow in Saint John, NB is showers in the morning, cloudy & 56 deg F in the afternoon.

It's a long walk on the pier as the VOS was docked much closer. Courtesy shuttles (mini golf cart that seat 8 😎 are available, subject to waiting in line to get a seat for the quick ride.

Twin lobsters, lobster specials, and lobster rolls, including lobster n seafood from mobile truck where cash isn't welcomed over mobile payment. Lines formed outside some businesses but sadly, not all survived the pandemic. Need to get a ride and can take a bike along, it's available just like NYC and Boston, etc.