mking8288

OP, apparently sailing NE/Canada this September on NCL (Escape) on a holiday weekend / Sunday - traffic should be light and there's usually a long line of licensed yellow taxi just outside on E. 42nd Street waiting ... it's an easy & quick trip across town. For 2 or 3 travelers with average sized luggage, it will all fit easily, my guest - as it will be a metered fare based mostly on distance - for a 10 minutes (or less) ride, about $20 to $25 plus tips. Just check Lyft's lowest rates for post evening rush hour ... ranged $19 to $21, theirs typically slightly lower than Uber - plus, tipping as "encouraged" on the app. 10 ... 15, 20+ years ago, I wouldn't rule out walking 2 miles with a carry-on rollerboard w sturdy wheels and cabin/backbag in tow to save a few bucks myself, doubtful that DW would go along with that idea - nowadays, forgetaboutit, LOL. Slightly off-topic but this will come up here on E.C. Departures sub-forum: NYC's (Manhattan) Congestion Pricing surcharge is apparently getting the final green lights from the feds ... and, depending on how MTA figured out who, how much, exemption rules, etc. in the formulas - it will be another bite coming into the NY (NY County) affecting many cruisers using taxis and for hired vehicles (car service, Uber & Lyft, etc.)

Roughly 22:55 (10:55 pm EDT) at POM, checking the live cam feed & Marinetraffic: C's Celebration and M's Seascape are still moored at their berth ... just like the Escape. Disembarked pax trying to book or fly standby on available, alternate flights to get home might have just limited luck and success - 3 ships ... even if that's just a fraction of the combined 10,000+ ship passengers. It's not as if airlines got plenty of seats available ... on the other hand, flights that departed earlier today/afternoon probably had a good # of no-shows or cancellations, etc. What a mess triggered by the small boat collision with the ferry 😒

Uh-Oh. Getting a #503 access error (Linux / Chromium OS) and Android too, page didn't load properly. It was down overnight for a brief planned maintenance and did come back up earlier, apparently not. Surely not helpful, hey ... Miami, anyone at the IT Help desk on duty. Too busy, perhaps, with the Escape at PC ??

Live feed - Port of Miami video cam streaming w audio ... all 3 cruise ships holding outside the channel, basically still at a full stop @ 10:49 EDT A reminder to not ignore having a good trip interruption/travel insurance package. https://www.portmiamiwebcam.com/

Fall in New York is a busy time for NE/Canada cruises ... NCL probably using the extra time (and, paid for the port fees/charges) to load provisions and allow NCL Air passengers to make their airborne connections and ground transfers to board the ships, later than usual. We're on the Epic TA earlier this year with a scheduled 7:30 pm departure time and the terminal wasn't locked down entirely after 5 or 6 p.m. - still busy with cargo pallets AND luggage being loaded or transfer to the ship, and port security & others were around, as we had a starboard side direct view from above, watching the frenzy below on the pier. Ropes and lines were finally released around 8:10 p.m. and we're underway shortly thereafter, with thrusters on & going sideway on pushing back or away from Pier 88. Probably a good idea to get a hold of the port agent's contact info in NY, mobile/cell #'s and email, etc. just in case. That's published in the Freestyle Dailies, ask someone on the sailing or roll call to find that info and share it - things & emergencies do happen. Happy cruising and travel.

Good luck, bartering ... maybe, see whether you can trade that for two (2) 16.9 oz/500 ml "cartons" of Flow water. Brut was worth - accordingly - no more than $4 or $5 retail. At one of the CC Meet & Greet, we had like 4 or 5 donated bottles for door prizes and finally, gave them away to the newbies sailing NCL for the first time. as others didn't want them ... Too heavy to be bothered with bringing them home.

As noted by others, it is portable & designed for the outdoors and camping, use no electricity. I might pick one up next month during Amazon Prime Day, use it on road trips but probably stick with other options ... Hot water brewed using the Hamilton Beach 1 cup maker probably isn't hot enough, short of taking a walk to the buffet & get hot water and that's probably still not near broiling temperature, likely just at/near 185 to 195 deg. F. The ones that I can now get from the Vietnamese supermarket chain - Lee's Coffee in a pouch is a better match. Otherwise, onboard cruises ... the ones they brewed in specialty restaurant, coming out of the French Press is usually quite good.

Once onboard last year, yrs - you can make dining reservations for FR. It was supposed to open for lunch on full sea days, but only dinner on other evenings.

OL had early bird, light breakfast in the morning and wasn't crowded last year and in the afternoon, Tea services with finger sandwiches, scones, fruit salad and dessert - can make that into a late lunch or early dinner (port side) Comfortable sofas and low back chairs, outlets along the wall by the window (BYO 2 pins 220V-110V outlet adapter) to read, listen to music (wireless headset/earbuds) and perhaps an insulated mug. If it's too crowded, move to starboard side & restrooms near the entrances. Garden cafe is relatively "huge" on Deck 16 Fwd and during non-peak hours, shouldn't have trouble finding a nice window spot to check out the scenery at sea, or watch the waves. Deck 8 Fwd is your District Brew House, port side and it's mostly quiet in the morning unless it's reserved for private functions (i.e. CC Meet & Greet/Mingle, etc.) and there are also comfortable sofa/lounger chairs. Food Republic, Deck 8 Fwd (starboard side) is one of the specialty dining restaurant, a hidden gem on ships with them, usually open for dinner by reservations only, was never busy in 2022 but might be open on a full sea day - if you are traveling solo or dine with another guest, shouldn't have any trouble getting a table onboard - lots of food, choice of any 4 items on the digital tablet menu (none with upcharge) ... they're more than happy to wrap & pack them to go for us then (apparently, "take-out" is not permitted as a matter of policy, enforced in 2023 (maybe, NCL will flip-flop again, whatever.) A great place to enjoy peace, tranquility - never rushed by the server unless you are in a hurry to catch something else in the club/lounge, etc. Away from the crowd, Deck 8 AFT in the morning & afternoon, plenty of sofa/chairs in the corridor leading into Cagney's & Moderno, quiet ... sometimes, there might be a private function inside but otherwise, little to no traffic - especially if the outdoors aren't accessible due to weather and/or rough seas ... shouldn't be, sailing north to NE & Quebec/Canada in early September. Already mentioned, the Waterfront outside and it goes all the way around at the back of the ship ... can be quite windy. MDR - we stick to either Taste or Savor, Deck 6 Mid - faster service and less noises from the crowd and as you probably know, go early & shouldn't have trouble getting a small table to dine, with luck by the windows. Stay away from the busy atrium lobby as there's something going on there from morning until night, game shows, presentations ... discover the lounger hogs' newest indoor campground in small clusters. American Diner - Deck 17 Mid/Aft is a paid option but you can sit there & sip coffee, tea or juice, etc. with the jogging track and fitness center nearby.

LOL on spending money at Starbucks to pay for grossly over-priced coffee flavored milky beverages - apparently, some considered it a status symbol. But, to each her/his own. Another gadget that we are looking into, it's portable and designed for travel - just need to add water, viola ... Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine available online (anyone else tried and/or use this, or similar ones)

Online hobby days go back to GEnie and CIS then, Hayes (you 😉 meant to write ?? ) 9600 analog dial-up using RJ-11 twisted pairs ... RS-232 external hardware. Back in the days of Altos mini computers in the "networked" office and training others running Wang OS on standalone workstations with monochrome 80 characters display terminals. Okay, fun aside ... back on topics. We still have the Prima booked (postponed again) for later on, not yet reaching final payment or cancellation deadline - prices dropping like flies and with the latest TripleUp promo, saved another $125 on the deposit / total "costs" - as we will be cruising on reduced & tailored, lowered expectations - hopefully should not be as bad. We just have to worry about the squeaks and structure noises, etc. by design - and hopefully, our chosen deck/location isn't among the worst cabins identified by others.

First of all, thank you for sharing your trip experience onboard NCL ... we missed the Norwegian Star. As far as I am concern, this is a valid and fair reporting from your points of reference, please accept my sincere appreciation and recognition for taking the time to post, being on CC since 2002 - and, clearly not a frequent "poster" but sailed 20 times on NCL, that matter. What is alarming, others are free to agree to disagree, or flame me (and you) for posting the "negatives" is this is reflecting a negative trend, heading NOT in the right directions but rather, the wrong ways. I like to think the we are finally looking at the global pandemic in the rear view mirrors and moving forward, supply chain logistics and labor issues aside - that ships are finally sailing full and above double occupancies again, things should ease up and float toward the new normal. But, not at the expense of negative onboard and pre-cruise experience, coupled with higher fares and more for less - in the quest for bottom line profits and stockholder's equities (and, full disclosure - we've owned NCLH for a long, long time, as well ...) Absolutely agree, 100% that lately, NCL's shore excursion prices are shocking ridiculous and, IMHO, grossly over-priced, ignore the cheerleaders that will continue to defend NCL's practices. Surely, NCL charge more and comes with the supposingly "peace of mind" if the ship-sponsored tour is late, etc. etc. The scenic-selfies walking tours as highlights for some of the ports on our recent cruises, LOL, were not funny nor a joke with the asking prices, which we laughed at and declined to do. Bad news travel faster than good ones, and no wonder ... I am seeing poor bookings ahead for this Fall's Viva TA crossing on the southern routing, prices sliding downhill instead of rising and/or cabins filling out ... I / we don't want to nor like to see NCL continue to fail - aren't they on a mission to self-destruct, hopefully not. Lately, most of the reports and post-cruise feedbacks are - apparently - suggesting something that some of us as "critics" are paying attention to. It is not looking good no matter what others say otherwise. Yeah, "cheers" 🤔

First, IMHO only, you didn't missed much, if anything at all ... aside from the CruiseNext sales talk, where they sometimes will mention also the upcoming ports of calls & encourage the audience to book now, yada yada. We're on a 15 nights and there was no welcome abroad or invitation letter or anything else in the cabin upon embarkation, nothing, nada, zero - aside from the mini Latitudes booklet. This is absolutely in line with latest "sail and sustain mindset by NCL being "eco-friendly." There was a sign or placard posted at the CruiseNext office and a small paragraph in the Freestyle Daily on consecutive days, mentioning the dates & times of the "Welcome Back, Latitudes Reception for Decks X, Y " sub-groups organized by the floors or decks. Haha, there must be hundreds with assorted tier status on that sailing, as they repeated the "reception" over 4 days. BTW, you'll find those little cheese cubes being circulated and offered in the buffet plus the crackers - as served lately ... plain & simple, nothing fancy or worthwhile to attend especially if one has to change dinner plans. In the old days, you need to show the letter or flash your key card to get into the "gathering" - this year, apparently, they didn't even bother with it.

🙄 😁 😉 - neither do I / we ... we only ordered it on a sea day when all 3 of us got lazy, didn't feel like getting ready and out of the cabin to stand in line to get seated in the MDR. Once was enough b/c I wanted to see - we ordered plentiful to make get our money's worth, also knowing that direct cash tip will be directly in the hand of the crew making the delivery, not to line indirectly Frankie and/or Harry's compensation package. Hey, at least they lowered the "charge" or "fee" for the 3 hot breakfast menu items. That's "better" than paying $3.25 & change plus 20% for a highball glass worth of fountain soda filled with ice, something that we used to get over dinner as - unlike others - we don't go for the beverage or soda packages, etc. I suspect and purely speculating on my part, by adding this $4.95 charge, NCL truly discouraging others from ordering the continental breakfast and hence, free up at least a handful of crew members assigned to assemble & do the morning deliveries - it is, not, for our convenience, rather as another cost-cutting measure to reduce staffing level.

Onboard NCL recently (April 2023) - based on the newest accounting rules for posting charges - morning continental breakfast is free (that included the "free" hot items like eggs & choice of sides") and of course, coffee & juice, etc. It WAS (is) subject to a $4.95 delivery charge or fee, plus 20% - hence, it showed up as a Room Service amount of $5.94. If other items from the Room Service Menu is ordered during the day/evening/late night, etc. - the delivery charge is $9.95 plus 20% (disclosed in the "fine prints" at the bottom of that slip - fonts, 2 points sized ... really impossible to read) All these are true, whether you are ordering just a pot of coffee or a big order to feed 3 or 4 in your cabin, maybe for 5 or even 6 ... NCL doesn't really care on the quantity. The itemized detailed/final invoice will have a line-item entry that looked like this ... 04/29 2445 Room Service 5.94 For a one-time charge of $5.94 ... we surely got our money's worth and it was offset by non-refundable OBC credit, which are becoming more difficult to use or spent. Of course, some of us always add or do a cash tip to the crew member actually bringing or delivery those items - ours were rolled out of the service elevator/crew only corridor in a service cart. Carry on the debate about whether it's free or not ... shall I about popcorns & chips 🙄 😁 😉

OP hasn't provided sufficient info - travelers and flyers are jamming airports and cities all across, in and out of Europe this summer - just because they might possibly barely or just meet MCT guidelines do not necessary provide that extra margin for delays, air-side transfer if different flight segments aren't booked by NCL on the same airline/carrier or possibly due to a last minute gate assignment change ... on top of it all, checked luggage needs to be offloaded & transferred. Our US Homeland Security / TSA have extra screening & secondary (boarding gate/area inspections) requirement for all USA-inbound flights ... Here's a simplistic "EasyCDG" guide, not officially published by French government authorities - but will give extra "insight" as to how to better prepared. The good news out of it all, is that, in the event of a missed connection - subject to EU rules & regulations, the airline(s) are obligated to assist the stranded travelers with onward arrangement, i.e. on standby for the next available flight and/or with confirmed seats, possibility different routing, etc. It increased the odds for luggages to get routed differently & lost in transit ... best advice is to invest in trackers like AirTags. https://easycdg.com/passenger-information/transit-connecting-flight-connections-paris-cdg-airport/ Nearly 5 decades of flying and living out of the pre-rollerboard & garment bag days, personally speaking, I will not accept ticketing thru EU airports (and, most definitely - US airports these days) with anything less than 90+ minutes on a "simple" connection, regardless of "legal" MCT as permitted. We recently transited thru Lisbon, Spain on a single ticket connection and there was no way - boarding started at the gate at the 1 hour mark prior to scheduled international departure (Schengen to Non-EU Schengen) CDG is the largest and busiest EU airports and ATL (Atlanta) is small in comparison. We no longer fly international these days, it is best to check with the FlyerTalk experts on their native forum (like coming to CC for cruise info & help) and at least, check & ask over there.

I can confirm that works for our existing reservations later this year (more than 4 months or 120 days out and it is for two (2) balconies) - that a third CruiseNext coupon was successfully added to the booking. Just log into your "MyNCL" account, pull up the reservation to make a payment, indicate the amount (i.e. $250) and select one of your available CN coupons, click the checkmark box & then apply - within seconds, it should display success & acknowledged an additional payment is being credited. It will probably take the system 48 to 72 hours to show or display the lowered & new balance for your final payment. Last night, we had a deposit of $500 (using 2 CN coupons) for the balconies - as of this moment, we have a new/additional & higher deposit total of $750 (using 3 CN coupons) - reducing our final payment again. In years past, NCL usually does not offer this TripleUp promotion approaching the busy & sold out summer weeks, and typically wait until the early Fall to promote this. Do take advantage of it, if you can and will be sailing NCL anyway.

Well, looks like "tabletop" exercise is going to be one of the newest entertainment option - how exciting for some guests onboard this Fall. NOT. Supper Club (as in the Spiegel Tent on some other *Away ships) being the other (paid option would be my guess) ... It's a good thing, for this Fall itinerary - it is port intensive and odds are NCL won't offer anything. On the last sea day, most would be busy packing and sorting out their onboard accounts, and CAS players cruising on subsidized & discounted fares likely occupied donating to the digital machines. Ships might continue to sail at 110% double occupancies ahead as Frankie proclaimed, leaving it up to Harry to execute and bring in the dough ... good news, Alaska this summer is on fire sale, Inside cabin base sailaway fares as low as $299 p/p not including all the extras, nickels & dimes, dollars and of course, going to cost more Benjamin (bill)s - what can one truly expect. Times are surely changing 🤔

Thanks 👍 Now, I see them listed as "B5" on Deck 8, same square footage as the "BB" next door that sleep up to 4. The convertible sofa is larger than the ones on the Dawn, Gem & Jewel - plus, an upper pullman that drop from the ceiling ... wow, that's wall-to-wall bedding, workable for some. Won't work if one of our SIL is tagging along & sharing the cabin with us, her morning routine is easily 45 minutes in the bathroom ... Good to know.

@Sunseeker20 - which NCL ship are you trying to find and book a family cabin that sleep 5 ?? (and, that is with just 1 bathroom ... which you are okay with, from what I can gather here.) As noted, Norwegian Joy is the one and only ship in the fleet with Family Inside Suite - 2 bedrooms & 2 baths, plus a living room - it is spacious and will sleep up to 6 with the upper pullman in the smaller bedroom, the LR pullout double sofabed is really too small for 2 adults to sleep but okay for younger children. It isn't exactly a bargain from my recent price check ... we did booked and sailed the Joy last year, with two of these family inside suites - mainly b/c we wanted the extra bathrooms. Curious to know which NCL ship has a balcony cabin (obstructed or otherwise) that sleep 5 ??? as that's news to me. On the *Away/+ class ships, like the Breakaway, Getaway, Escape and also the Joy, there are a (smaller) number of larger, Family Oceanviews (usually mid-ship on Deck 5) that can sleep up to 6 - just 1 bathroom but not as "cozy" as the average oceanview or regular balcony cabins - they are bigger (longer) lengthwise - a large picture window and if I'm not mistaken, a curtain can be pulled to provide privacy & separation between the main bed and the sleeper/sofa & upper pullman.

@FluffyCat123 FWIW, we've been using MCT for over 25 years now (oh, mine) and porters are typically there by 7 to 7:30 am, usually not any later than 8 am - and, I have yet to hear or read about porters refusing to accept or check luggage b/c "security and/or check-in" aren't open until 9:30, 10:00 or later, etc. etc. Just make sure it's properly tagged, valuables & important belongings, passports & meds, etc. are kept with you - safely & securely at all times - and your "carry-on" or personal bag / daypack as you go about visiting friends in the NY. If this is on a weekend, traffic is usually not bad (unless it's Marathon Sunday, etc. etc.) but allow extra time to return to Pier 88 to go thru security & complete check-in ... in other words, don't cut it too close to 5 pm if that's the latest time to check-in even if sailaway is 9 pm. There is always a remote possibility that for weather/tides, river currents, offshore conditions & other reasons, the ship/captain choose to and/or given the go ahead to leave earlier than scheduled (or, further delay departure time) You do not have to go inside at all, porters are outside at the curb - upstairs on level 2 - to take your luggage, and you can leave and make the most out of the earlier part of the day in the city. BTW, welcome to CruiseCritic

Yes, was shown onboard the Epic's TA, Burn The Floor was the one & only show for 2 nights ... subsequently added 1 more evening while en route, sailing at 95% double occupancies (quite a few solos) Saw it twice already within the past year, skipped it but DW and SIL went. Look what just showed up, yippie ... exciting offers coming up. NOT 🙄 😕 😬 Almost forgot, didn't capture it on the screenshot - The Price is Right Live ... that's considered entertainment, really 😟

Windy is one of the app that's loaded alongside the NCL app to use, the other is ShipMate - within that, you can access deck plans & it can be downloaded ahead for offline use, no need to access WiFi and/or roaming data, very handy. NCL's app remains promising but ... not always link or work, and it's plain annoying while at sea. Give it a try and dry run before your cruise.

Hear hear ... That would be my/our post as well - we're all excited and booked the Prima for 2023, twice cancelled before final payment, booked again and the red circle on the digital calendar is coming up soon. It's another strike lately, nearly fleet-wide, with the major entertainment "changes" - we go for the main theater big production shows, comedy & magics aren't our cup of tea, and, can't stand being packed like sardines in an overcrowded venue that one must line up 60+ minutes before door(s) are open to get in. Selling vibe passes & behind the scene tours aren't exactly "entertainment" per se, not in my/our cruise dictionary anyway, but to each her/his own & those still cheering are free to disagree, don't bother me but anyone wish to flame, go ahead ... just add to the "ignore" list. We finally cruised the Epic this April with an open mind and it was fine, despite reading about it all. Burn The Floor was the only onboard major entertainment for the long TA, the other sea days filled in with comedians, singing duos/trios - trending exactly what we are now reading about with the changes announced ... the atrium was packed & jammed full, and long lines daily at Shorex, CruiseNext and Guest Services. Anyway, let's see how things go this summer with the Prima. Elsewhere, just heard that NCL is partnering with land casinos here in the NE, players promotion deals & discounts will surely help fill some of the last minute, unsold cabins - sometimes, I wonder ...

@graphicguy Hey, how's retirement for you ... speaking of the Prima, have you look at her TA, 11 days/nights BCN to NYC - FWIW, it's not selling well (Viva's TA isn't either, for whatever reasons, at this point & it's not quite final payment/cancel deadline yet.) Check it out, airfares & hotel deals < on your "own" > to be found - the "spacious" balcony should do (BF) - just priced it, cruising solo - $2,200 all inclusive including your basic unlimited beverage. Between your TA, Amex & deals/discounts and if DSC is covered, sweet !! We're looking at her NY repo to Galveston, TX which I suspect will eventually fill up. Sea days, these crossing are always a toss up but there's 3 ("planned") short/quick port stops to get off & stretch. Friends on a similar TA - different ship - last Fall ended up skipping ports & ship took a big detour going southerly, dropped down to the Caribbean seas with great weather before turning north toward NY. Was just chatting this weekend with an old TA friend about MSC when this came up at a friend's 80th b'day. Regards - Henry Back on topic - been reading, following recent threads & feedbacks regarding the Prima ... that's on top of direct observations from extended families & friends that sailed her this Spring, none too positive about this new ship, if at all. And, trending the wrong way against the promised upscale experience - not surprised one bit about the comments by OP. Harry & company in Miami has got work to do to "fix" and make changes, and the onboard GM has got to face the songs & music coming from passengers. Some of the issues, I think, are partially with the ports and can't really do much if a given sailing run into rough weather & seas, except for their contingency and backup plans to manage passenger dis/satisfactions ...