NCL Getaway July 9-16, 2022-H9-Live w/pics

[graphicguy]

Good thing I have back up luggage.  The roll aboard I usually use for cruises busted a zipper.  So, drug out the tried and true mid-sized Travel Pro which I’ll have to check.  Bummer!

 

 

Edited July 8, 2022 by graphicguy

[cruiseny4life]

Good luck checking the bag! I hope it makes it to your destination, along with you. I just completed business travel this week and it was much smoother than my trip last month, so there's hope! 

 

One more day and we get to see your live report - definitely looking forward to it! I'm traveling this weekend, so may not see anything until Monday or Tuesday, but know I'm looking forward to your reports. 

 

Bon voyage!

[mking8288]

5 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Good thing I have back up luggage.  The roll aboard I usually use for cruises busted a zipper.  So, drug out the tried and true mid-sized Travel Pro which I’ll have to check.  Bummer!

 

Are you there yet ... back to follow your summer adventure.  I see you & I still hang on to those eBag tags with the QR codes ... I'm 99% sure you know that it's no longer functional & useless for tracking purposes (and, I'm not sold on using Air Tags either)

 

Waiting to read about your landing & being in Florida shortly.  Have a happy, fun and safe cruise ... stay healthy ... Henry 

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

 

Are you there yet ... back to follow your summer adventure.  I see you & I still hang on to those eBag tags with the QR codes ... I'm 99% sure you know that it's no longer functional & useless for tracking purposes (and, I'm not sold on using Air Tags either)

 

Waiting to read about your landing & being in Florida shortly.  Have a happy, fun and safe cruise ... stay healthy ... Henry 

Yes….in Orlando, actually at the hotel (Best Western) at Cocoa Beach.  

 

Everything went off without a hitch….even baggage claim was uneventful.  We actually landed early.  So, as much ballyhoo about flights and airport delays, we’re off to smooth sailing.

 

I just keep forgetting to remove that eBags tag.  I was in a hurry to repack given the original bag that I had already packed, would close, but after 3-4 zipper “zips”, I realized the zipper was toast.  Should just stick with my TravelPro, which is what I ended up using.  It never lets me down.

 

Will keep everyone updated here.  For now, it’s time to find some lunch.

 

PS…side note, the cruise port/Cocoa Beach hotels are roughly 50 mins-hour from MCO.  Pre-booked Cocoa Beach Shuttle, which had middling reviews.  Landed, gathered my checked bag, went to Level 1 at the bottom of MCO, and about 5-7 minutes later, the shuttle showed up.  Easy-Peazy….even the driver was super pleasant…….they get my recommendation. 😉

Edited July 8, 2022 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

Just to this in an email from NCL….

 

Jul 8, 2022 Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners, We are delighted you will join us onboard Norwegian Getaway very soon. As we return to sail, we are doing everything we can to make your experience truly spectacular. To that end, we are requiring all guests to re-watch the pre-boarding safety video, which you first viewed during online check-in, before you set sail. This will ensure a smooth embarkation process at the pier. The video can be found here. We appreciate your cooperation and we look forward to welcoming you aboard! Katty Byrd, Senior Vice President, Guest Services   That leads to this video….         Now, won’t know until tomorrow if I have to watch this video again while on the ship.   But, this has probably been the smoothest “pre-cruise” I’ve ever had.   From COVID testing, which took all of 15-20 minutes for the proctored test by onpoint-testing.com (nominal $14.95 cost) using the iHealth COVID test I had mailed to me at no charge.  To the “backup” testing plan here in Cocoa Beach a block from my hotel…..cancelled it since I won’t need it.   To landing early, to having the shuttle take me directly to the hotel without haste, to being able to check into the hotel early…to being upgraded to a two room “suite” at Best Western….   If embarkation goes as well tomorrow, I’ll be wearing a Cheshire Cat grin!   Off to find a beer and a burger…..

[graphicguy]

View out of my hotel room.  Older hotel, but very clean.  And, the location is great!!!!!

[YVRteacher]

Following along and I hope you have a wonderful cruise.  I love live reviews.

[graphicguy]

Time for a stroll and a ‘lill’ dinner.  5 minute walk from the hotel….

[graphicguy]

Maybe some gator?

[graphicguy]

52 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Following along and I hope you have a wonderful cruise.  I love live reviews.

Thanks!  

[drumming cruisers]

On 7/5/2022 at 1:35 PM, graphicguy said:

https://onpoint-testing.com

Closest one on this location list id 50 miles from us. Wouldn't work. 

[debenson0723]

6 minutes ago, drumming cruisers said:

Closest one on this location list id 50 miles from us. Wouldn't work. 

You do the virtual appointment from home or the hotel prior to your cruise with your own test.

[graphicguy]

7 hours ago, drumming cruisers said:

Closest one on this location list id 50 miles from us. Wouldn't work. 

It’s done via smart phone, tablet or computer.  No need to go to their office.

 

7 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

You do the virtual appointment from home or the hotel prior to your cruise with your own test.

Correct!

 

Super easy……super convenient!

Edited July 9, 2022 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

IT’S CRUISE DAY!!!!!!

[vacation44]

Have an wonderful cruise!

[Jac199]

Have a great cruise. Looking forward to following along on your adventure.

[graphicguy]

10 hours ago, drumming cruisers said:

Closest one on this location list id 50 miles from us. Wouldn't work. 

Just looked up the link for the virtual Procter (teleservice)….

 

https://onpoint-testing.com/product/certified-teleservice-covid-testing/

[graphicguy]

And….I’m aboard.  Left hotel (although the bus driver driving the hotel shuttle was a sphincter) 10:36.  Was onboard at 11:00 a.m.

 

 

[graphicguy]

Partial Haven…..

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

We’re not alone…

[graphicguy]

American Diner is free for Haven guests the first day….

[graphicguy]

Check in was quick and painless.  There were NCL folks checking VACCINE proof, Negative COVID TESTS and matched both to ID (my passport) before we got to the inside checkin area.
 

Checkin was the usual….Passport, ticket, fill out and sign a declaration that you don’t have diseases, gastric, COVID related symptoms, etc.

 

Butler(s) escorted us in small groups to the Haven.

 

30 minutes from hotel to setting foot on the ship.

[gatorchinsky]

19 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

And….I’m aboard.  Left hotel (although the bus driver driving the hotel shuttle was a sphincter) 10:36.  Was onboard at 11:00 a.m.

 

 

Wow! That was a super fast check in and boarding.  Did the non Haven guest line look long?

 

Have a great trip!  We will be on the Getaway at the end of September for a 9 nighter.

[graphicguy]

Just now, gatorchinsky said:

Wow! That was a super fast check in and boarding.  Did the non Haven guest line look long?

 

Have a great trip!  We will be on the Getaway at the end of September for a 9 nighter.

Thanks!!!!

I think I was pretty early.  So, not much in the way of ANY lines.

 

Heard some folks who just boarded said it was getting crowded at checkin!