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

[mking8288]

Unofficial FAQ 2023-1  The upcharged Breakfast Menu, for your convenience at $4.95 plus 20% and ...

 

Unofficial FAQ 2023-2  How to connect to ship's satellite WiFi

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[smillerholmes]

I absolutely loooove your reviews.  Details, details, details.  So thorough.  And it is much appreciated.

I am newly Sapphire and was super curious about the Dine with Officers event.

[mking8288]

Good early morning, 7:30 am ship/local time, we are 10 nm from reaching St. Thomas to dock, joining a smaller NCL ship (Sky) there today.  Overnight cruise speed about 11 knots, currently at 14 knots with a strong diagonal crosswind of 35 knots, waves 4.9 ft. 

 

A short stay from 9 to 4 pm, really about 6 hours. Google Fi just picked up a faint, stray cellular signal now ... still about 7 nm to St. Thomas (over 1,600 nm to NYC)

 

While having late breakfast yesterday at OSH, watched the crew respond to Code Bravo, Deck 4 Starboard, reporting to Assembly Station Port side.  With many crew members pulled away, meal service were slower. 

 

Hash brown potatoes ... plentiful. 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Ahead, Charlotte Amalie at St. Thomas

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

We are docked at Havensight now after an easy escort by the pilot boat into the harbour.  OSH is quite busy for breakfast as many discovered it's faster in service & food served hot.

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Almost 9:15 am and ship has just been clear yet, huge & long lines of pax stretching into Deck 6's atrium from FWD stairs, including many with Shorex & hoping for 5, now maybe 4.5 hours at Megan's Bay or other nearby beaches. We are going to skip Drake's Seat this time & skip those scenic ride. 

 

Taxi shuttles are $6 p/p one way to nearby downtown's waterfront shopping area. Duty-free shops are all here in (a 5 to 8 minutes walk on level pavement) Havensight pier, Sky is docked in front of us.  Skyride, 700 ft. up to Paradise Point is open on cruise ship days, $25 p/p round trip and NCL shorex priced it at $35 p/p for your convenience ($50 FAS credit, free for pax #1)

 

[mking8288]

Scenic pix from our balcony, port side views - shopping area on the waterfront in the distance ... some folks walk to / from the shop on their own.

 

Here, it's fast 5G cellular coverage for us ... zoom zoom 👍

 

 

 

That's the largest super yatch in jthr harbor with its own helipad.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

There ... They are on their way, first boat loaded with diving gears 

 

 

 

 

Breezy, sun is out, beautiful day ... what shower ?? Just windy 

 

 

 

AccuWeather forecast for St. Thomas

 

Google Fi & T-Mobile 5G services here

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[PistolPete13]

32 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

 

 

 

 

I think this might just beat being in The Haven...maybe...

[mking8288]

Let's roll to downtown next

 

[tsahall01]

Welcome to St Thomas, my home for the last 22 years!!  Have a great time!  Magens is one of my favorite beaches and is only 5 minutes away from my house--I can see it from my driveway!

[mking8288]

Shopping ... anyone

 

 

[mking8288]

Paradise Point via the SkyRide - taxi van dropped us off directly in the parking lot.

 

Rates for crew $10 w ID, local $6, visitors $25 roundtrip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

On top of the hill at the "point" - nice view with a breeze, windy & can see for miles & miles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[Red-Sol]

1 hour ago, mking8288 said:

On top of the hill at the "point" - nice view with a breeze, windy & can see for miles & miles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful! So nice and at least one million times better than the ice I need to shovel out of our driveway! Keep enjoying!

[mking8288]

More scenic pix and entrance info, etc for DIY planners next month & beyond ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Most of the shops in the port area are open but seemed like 10% never did, shuttered stores & for rent signs can be seen everywhere (also in nearby "downtown").  Crew's favorite store, KMart survived & is open, many off-duty ones coming back with filled bags.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If these prices aren't good enough, there's a KFC and a Wendy not far from the shopping area, walking distance 🙄 or just eat onboard later.

 

One of the Shorex boat (diving) returning to the pier now, about 20 minutes before all abroad time.

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[LauraAnneC]

Really enjoying your review. Never been to the Caribbean before but I’ll be there in 10 days. Just wondering what the humidity is like? 
 

thanks, 

 

Laura

[mking8288]

Heading back to the ship next, years ago - Jenny (Lim) was among the ship officers on the Gem then, on the pier and led crew members singing festively in welcoming everyone back. Not in 2023, however - times are changing 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

We didn't go to Megan's Beach or Sapphire Beach, Drake's Seat or do the scenic overlooks up on the hills ... been there, done that. 

 

The buffet food is what I expected, nothing to really write home about or take pictures. Seemed to noticed fewer crew members working & smiling and in cheerful mood, not seeing if those laughs & smiles are genuine or faked. Could use extra hands to clear tables & quickly set up utensils for next clusters.  Plates, cups, dirty plates remained sitting at a corner for 20+ minutes until a supervisor was flagged down.

 

Jumbo dessert - cream burlee is wow, tiny & finished in one bite, LOL. Less waste ... got it.

 

Tea bags in the Lipton's tray. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, LauraAnneC said:

... Just wondering what the humidity is like?

Here you go, from Weather Channel - live data

 

[mking8288]

Shorex ?? ... a bit late at 3:40 pm already. Heard cheers 

 

But, will wait for them if it's booked thru NCL.

 

Thrusters started on the Getaway already ... maybe, they are returning to the Norwegian Sky, as it looks like we are leaving now or shortly.

 

 

 

Ooops ... Guest Services just paged 3 guests to contact them, 2 with same last names plus a 3rd person (not back or accounted for, or something else ...)

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

We've set sailed, pushed back about 5 minutes to 4 pm & completed our turnaround to head out ... it's a quick one.  

 

On our way to Amber Cove, DR arriving in the morning. Let's hope everyone was accounted for & not left behind in St. Thomas today.

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

These pictures taken with Google Pixel 7 Pro ... others from either DW but mostly my Galaxy S22+

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2023 by mking8288

[goldmom]

Thank you for your report and all the gorgeous pictures.  I also remember Jenny from the Gem and her welcome back dancing.  I was sorry she left.  I think I still have her card somewhere!