Semi-Live Getaway 2.0 Jan 16 - Feb 1, 2023 NY - So. Caribbean ... 12 nights ( is it Live, Semi-Live or Limited ?? )

[mking8288]

Re-checking our ground transport option, nephew is working at JFK today, can't drop us off at Pier 88. Uber & Lyft are more expensive than last year. Good thing that we already booked Carmel, leaving at 9 am. Citi-biking, with luggage, is not an option, LOL.

 

Our pre-cruise diet is over, plain & simple breakfast until we get onboard later. Gallery at home closed for 12+ days now. 

 

DW realized after we booked the cruise, this Sunday is the Lunar (Asian) New Year celebrated in many countries around the world 🌎 

 

 

 

Thanks, Turtles06 (best wishes to you sailing on the GEM) & dexdd and others ... stay tune virtually sharing this journey with all.

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by mking8288

[cruiseny4life]

15 minutes until Carmel arrives. Have a safe land-based journey to port from Queens. And, of course, I hope your bags don't slip into the drink. Only thing drinking should be you in about 2 - 3 hours. 

 

Bon voyage! 

[mking8288]

Carmel is early, Honda minivan loaded, buckled up, on our way, going over Bronx WS Bridge, fastest route to Pier 88. ETA 40 minutes

 

Progress - 9:20pm  ... on I-95 under "The Apartments" in upper Manhattan, traffic is heavy but moving, should be there in 15 or 20 minutes as we turn south on the Henry Hudson Pkwy

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

 

@mking8288 have a great time and take good care of the Getaway as I will be boarding on Feb 1st. 😊

 

[mking8288]

Worst traffic this morning, at Pier 88 backed up to Pier 90 with Queen Victoria next to GA, delayed by 10 minutes.

 

Check-in was smooth & quick, long walk to back as we are on Deck 12.  Just a few quick health & travel questions, retake photos for DW and set w key cards. Boarding Group #6 but being Sapphire, we were among last to get into Platinum area to wait, it's full. Looks like ship at zero count already.

 

[mking8288]

Platinum & next to us, Special Needs waiting area, quite full already at 10:15 am.  

 

MCT WiFi is free, can also connect to GA's WiFi inTRAnet now to start booking shows & lookup dinner times to change. 

[PistolPete13]

Surprised to see the Queen Victoria in Pier 88.  She is starting on a round the world trip that ends in April in Southhampton from what I see on the schedule.

I thought Cunard always docked in the Brooklyn terminal?

[mking8288]

Connected to GA's WiFi, still good choice of Specialty Dining time for the week ahead ... Sunday at Moderno or Ocean Blue

 

 

 

Here comes the Haven escorts, looks almost ready for early boarding ... at 10:45 am

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by mking8288

[norwoodcruisergirl]

I am enjoying your report! Thank you for bringing us along ! 

[mking8288]

Clearing the boarding area, checking everyone's key card in the Platinum area.

 

Full of people, unlike last year's - as expected

[dcipjr]

Have a wonderful trip, @mking8288! Always a pleasure to see one of your reviews.

 

We were thinking of hopping on this trip, but we have to save up vacation days and funds for our cruise in April on the Jewel. Hopefully we get to be on the same boat again soon!

 

Sure does look a lot more crowded than it was when we were there last May! 🙂 

[dcipjr]

1 hour ago, PistolPete13 said:

Surprised to see the Queen Victoria in Pier 88.  She is starting on a round the world trip that ends in April in Southhampton from what I see on the schedule.

 

It's a dream of mine to take a Cunard round-the-world'er. One of these days, Pete...one of these days...

Edited January 20, 2023 by dcipjr

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, PistolPete13 said:

Surprised to see the Queen Victoria in Pier 88.  She is starting on a round the world trip that ends in April in Southhampton from what I see on the schedule.

I thought Cunard always docked in the Brooklyn terminal?

New York's a port call, not the original embarkation port (although it's possible some passengers may be embarking there if that was offered as a segment of the world cruise). I believe the full world cruise is Southampton to Southampton. 

Manhattan is typically used for port calls because the vast majority of passengers will be sightseeing there . Obviously far more convenient than Brooklyn.

[PistolPete13]

Just now, njhorseman said:

New York's a port call, not the original embarkation port (although it's possible some passengers may be embarking there if that was offered as a segment of the world cruise). I believe the full world cruise is Southampton to Southampton. 

Manhattan is typically used for port calls because the vast majority of passengers will be sightseeing there . Obviously far more convenient than Brooklyn.

Ahh, that would make sense.  Silly me thinking the world revolves around NYC.  Wait, it doesn't?  LOL 

[mking8288]

Started boarding for us at 11:05 and they roped off the area so everyone in the reserved area get to go ahead of others. Good. Facial recognition works at security podium for boarding.

 

On board, B6 Assembly Station at O'Sheehan's for virtual muster station. No crowded assembly later 👍 

 

Too early for MDR, up to Cafe to grab a nice window table & relax.

 

 

[PistolPete13]

The sun has gone away here in NYC and the winds have picked up.  I was hoping to get a photo of the ship leaving NYC this afternoon but I know better with this wind blowing at these temps.  LOL 

[goldmom]

Really enjoying your report.  Thank you for taking us along.

 

When you arrived at the pier, did it look as if there were people waiting to be picked up at the same area as you were dropped off?  DH needs a wheelchair assist and it would be much easier if he can be picked up at the terminal building instead of across the street.

 

Thank you and have a great cruise!

[mking8288]

Galaxy S22+ 3x zoom and 10x zoom

 

 

[mking8288]

Next door at Pier 90, there were pax with luggage waiting to get pickup, disembarking the QV.

 

@goldmom there are other disembarking pax upstairs waiting for pickup, street level is also possible - but massive traffic jam in the roadway, doubled parked unloading & loading.

Assumed you are using Special Assistance when disembarking on yours & use porter services, check & ask them whether upstairs or downstairs is better, as they know - don't necessarily need to cross 12th Ave. 

 

I'll check & look around when we come back on Feb 1st. 

 

Pizza in the buffet is good, much better than years past. 

[goldmom]

2 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Next door at Pier 90, there were pax with luggage waiting to get pickup, disembarking the QV.

 

@goldmom there are other disembarking pax upstairs waiting for pickup, street level is also possible - but massive traffic jam in the roadway, doubled parked unloading & loading.

Assumed you are using Special Assistance when disembarking on yours & use porter services, check & ask them whether upstairs or downstairs is better, as they know - don't necessarily need to cross 12th Ave. 

 

I'll check & look around when we come back on Feb 1st. 

 

Pizza in the buffet is good, much better than years past. 

Thank you so much!  Yes, we are using the Special Needs assistance which only works in the terminal.  They are not allowed to cross the street (although the porter will).  Last time a bike race closed off the street and it was a real struggle to get across the street to get picked up.  Hopefully no road closures next time!  LOL!  

[mking8288]

Staterooms ready about 1 pm, announced over PA system. 

 

Say hi to the bridge from our Fwd balcony. At 1:05 pm, there were folks still waiting to get pickup on level 2. Street or level 1 empty and clear.  And plenty of parking over at Pier 90 if needed.

 

[mking8288]

Coffee maker / services, on request ... hiding out of sights. 

 

Sapphire/Platinum vouchers & perks, 4 cartons of 500 mg / 16.9 oz Flow water. 

 

Latitudes/ CruiseNext Party - Mon. Jan 23rd 12:30 pm at Tropicana, Deck 7 AFT

 

 

Our ship captain comes from Greece, just announced that we should be releasing lines & sail on time at 3 pm.  Alvin, CD going over the mandatory safety procedures ... from the bridge.  Asst CD is Rod. Sailaway Party at Spice H20, Deck 16 AFT at 3 pm.

 

 

[goldmom]

Well, looks like the Captain was too optimistic.  It's 3:30 and you're still in port.

Hopefully, you'll have a beautiful sail away soon.

Wishing you a great cruise!

[PistolPete13]

It’s my fault that they’re late.  I decided to go out and take photos of the ship as it leaves!  
 

NCL always makes me wait 

[mking8288]

We are supposed to sail on time but ... 

 

Gives me a chance to test the new Google Pixel 7 Pro's new cameras, using the Queen Victoria as subject, at 2x, 5x, 10x, 20x and 1x. Looks great, looks like my Olympus digital camera isn't needed for backup.

 

S22+  battery down below 40% and fast charging wirelessly, tethering data to share among 3 devices. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by mking8288