Striking Out to New Turf – A Joy(ful) Live – 3/18 – 3/25, Western Caribbean

[cruiseny4life]

Shoutout to this lady that held the line up for five minutes at Shake Shack. She also tied an employee up as she couldn't understand how to operate a TOUCH SCREEN! Yep, that's me shouting. 

 

 

[Jordan61]

Love the expression on the employee's face! Like, "see this big picture of a burger? TOUCH THAT."

[akwalker]

5 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

We stopped at one of the brand new NYS Thruway service areas. I've heard a lot about how badly these were designed. Suffice it to say, I was underwhelmed. Whomever approved the design of these pole barns needs to be fired Pronto!

 

 

That's the entire seating area. That's it. Nothing else. Imagine a coach bus pulling in with fifty people. 

 

And the bathroom. We get to spray our hand juices everywhere. I was happy to find the roll of helpful TP on the baby germ spreader.

 

 

 

And, finally, in my esteemed opinion, the urinal situation. There are two on this side and two on the other. I can only imagine the giant ladies line if they have the same situation!

 

 

Bottom line: NYS bid this hatchet job out and privatized the service areas. I love privatization, said no one ever. 

 

 

Birthday breakfast! I grabbed McDonald's before getting on the Thruway.  My husband loves Chik Fil A, but there's none around us so....here we are. I did get a free cappuccino from Starbucks for my birthday and the lady at McDonald's gave me one of the sausage, egg, and cheese McMuffins free since the app didn't work properly. Yay, saving money!

 

 

Not to mention, Chik Filet is CLOSED SUNDAYS.

[cruiseny4life]

Last in line to board x two flights! Yes!! This makes me 😊 

 

[cruiseny4life]

Everything? What are you doing on the beach? 😁

 

[cruiseny4life]

As my husband said, "it's so good to be fat." There were three of us. Then the guy pleaded with the flight attendant for a different seat. She took pity on the poor gent which means we now have this beautiful extra seat in our row!

 

[cruiseny4life]

31 minutes ago, akwalker said:

 

 

Not to mention, Chik Filet is CLOSED SUNDAYS.

Don't get me started! Haha...I'm not a fan of the Cathy's.

[cruiseny4life]

56 minutes ago, Jordan61 said:

Love the expression on the employee's face! Like, "see this big picture of a burger? TOUCH THAT."

Oh that was a good laugh we had. Thank you!

[cruiseny4life]

Third in the lineup. Next up, Fort Lauderdale!

[Sugar Magnolia]

1 minute ago, cruiseny4life said:

Third in the lineup. Next up, Fort Lauderdale!

 

Will still be sunny and daylight when you land. 😎

 

[cruiseny4life]

Delta has in-flight WiFi for free...so here I am. 

 

I'm not annoyed, but I am curious. I seem to be on a plane full of amateur travelers. Getting on the plane took more than 45 minutes for a flight that's not full. A friend on the plane texted to say people don't know how to out their bags in the bins. 

 

Now the flight attendants need to alert people to the fact they cannot put bags, shoes, etc in the aisle.

 

I've flown a few times since the pandemic and this is the most ignorant group of travelers I've encountered. Due to them (not Delta) we departed about thirty minutes late.

 

We are in the air, on the way to Ft. Lauderdale so I'm happy. 

 

BOGO NCL Airfare is working just fine for us!

[Sugar Magnolia]

12 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Delta has in-flight WiFi for free...so here I am. 

 

I'm not annoyed, but I am curious. I seem to be on a plane full of amateur travelers. Getting on the plane took more than 45 minutes for a flight that's not full. A friend on the plane texted to say people don't know how to out their bags in the bins. 

 

Now the flight attendants need to alert people to the fact they cannot put bags, shoes, etc in the aisle.

 

I've flown a few times since the pandemic and this is the most ignorant group of travelers I've encountered. Due to them (not Delta) we departed about thirty minutes late.

 

We are in the air, on the way to Ft. Lauderdale so I'm happy. 

 

BOGO NCL Airfare is working just fine for us!

 

Many folks who fly during the holiday weeks are not frequent flyers, so that might partially explain your experience today. The other reason might be that people have started to celebrate St Patrick's Day (and your birthday) and have made use of the unlimited adult beverage package.

 

[cruiseny4life]

I spy a MSC ship. Wonder what a cruise on this vessel would be like. Not quite Haven, right?

 

[cruiseny4life]

41 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Many folks who fly during the holiday weeks are not frequent flyers, so that might partially explain your experience today. The other reason might be that people have started to celebrate St Patrick's Day (and your birthday) and have made use of the unlimited adult beverage package.

 

Hmm. That's a good point. There are not many, if any business people on this plane!

[zzdoug]

8 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

We stopped at one of the brand new NYS Thruway service areas. I've heard a lot about how badly these were designed. Suffice it to say, I was underwhelmed. Whomever approved the design of these pole barns needs to be fired Pronto!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's no Howard Johnsons, that's for sure.  Which is what I think of when driving the NY Thruway (?), which I last did in 1983.

 

Also is "Thruway" a word?

[justhappy]

2 hours ago, zzdoug said:

It's no Howard Johnsons, that's for sure.  Which is what I think of when driving the NY Thruway (?), which I last did in 1983.

 

Also is "Thruway" a word?

Why yes, yes it is! Thanks for letting me quote my favorite movie!

[cruiseny4life]

We woke up about an hour ago. The hotel room is cozy with beds that hug you back. 

 

Last evening, our Uber driver was great! He had a Toyota Rav4 Hybrid XSE which is what I'm considering when my lease runs out. Anyway, he took a few wrong turns, but we made it. I think I distracted him with conversation.

 

Prior to arrival at the hotel we enjoyed some fine dumplings, dough, and cheese at Kavkaz.

 

 

 

 

 

There was a really loud group singing Russian songs in celebration of St. Patrick's Day (and I). It was fun to watch my husband, bereft of Russian culture where we live, sing along.

 

The singers were dancing with the crowd in this very poor photo.

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

The hotel we're in is amazing! As I mentioned before, the Dunn Josephine is a black- woman owned hotel just outside downtown Miami. Each room is dedicated to an amazingly strong person of color who persevered. 

 

Our room is the Madam CJ Walker Room. It's everything we need! And tastefully outfitted with antique furniture. The beds are comfy and soft. I'm in the city, but reminded of home as a friendly neighborhood rooster announces the arrival of morning and another day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[evanskl4]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

 

 

Prior to arrival at the hotel we enjoyed some fine dumplings, dough, and cheese at Kavkaz.

 

 

 

 

 

This looks soooo good!

Thanks so much for sharing your travels! Hope that embarkation goes smoothly and you're on the boat with a drink in hand soon!

[cruiseny4life]

Hey @ColeThornton, the real cruise is happening now! No more fluff and excitement...Well, there is excitement, but not expecting anything.

 

Check-in in Miami is a breeze. There's a big beautiful Haven display right at the entrance where some lovely gentlemen lead you past security, into the terminal.

 

 

We arrived VERY early, so we were in the pre check-in holding area for a few moments.

 

 

And here is where everyone else had to wait for the magic doors to open.

 

 

We were sent to the security station, via elevator...but no one was there to inspect us so we milled around for an awkward few moments.

 

 

And here....is Joy! Pure Joy!

 

 

And, of course, breakfast. Along with my puddle of coffee...I should never try to be a server. It won't go well for anyone!

 

 

 

A tale of two emotions...those disembarking and those awaiting embarkation.

 

 

Hanging around the Haven Lounge. My husband was "expecting so much more." OH well, we can't win them all.

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

It's 10:13. Get off my ship!! 

 

[mking8288]

6 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

...

And here....is Joy! Pure Joy 

A tale of two emotions...those disembarking and those awaiting embarkation.

 

Hanging around the Haven Lounge. My husband was "expecting so much more." OH well, we can't win them all 

Bon Voyage 😎 

 

That nice & new NCL terminal in Miami is nice, imagine that for a moment, the same experience in NY.  

 

Next week, those emotions will be flipped 🙃 - make the most, max out of it all. 

 

Happy Happy 😁 Washy Washy 🐱

 

 

[graphicguy]

18 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Delta has in-flight WiFi for free...so here I am. 

 

I'm not annoyed, but I am curious. I seem to be on a plane full of amateur travelers. Getting on the plane took more than 45 minutes for a flight that's not full. A friend on the plane texted to say people don't know how to out their bags in the bins. 

 

Now the flight attendants need to alert people to the fact they cannot put bags, shoes, etc in the aisle.

 

I've flown a few times since the pandemic and this is the most ignorant group of travelers I've encountered. Due to them (not Delta) we departed about thirty minutes late.

 

We are in the air, on the way to Ft. Lauderdale so I'm happy. 

 

BOGO NCL Airfare is working just fine for us!

Good to hear SOMEONE found the NCL BOGO to be worthwhile.  Seems like all I hear is how terrible it is.

 

Shocked that Delta is now offering FREE WiFi on board.  How good (or bad) is it?

 

Glad I’m retired.  It amazed me, even seasoned frequent flyers, all thought the plane was all theirs and didn’t have to worry about anyone who might need to get to their seats, stow their luggage, etc too.  Then I see all these passenger videos of many times just horrendous behavior.  So you act that way at home?

 

Get to your seat, stow your overhead stuff.  If it doesn’t fit, put it somewhere else or give it to the nice attendant to check.  Sit down, buckle up, shut up.

 

Off the soap box.  I’m turning into one of those people who shakes my fist and yells at the clouds for blocking my sunlight.

 

You guys have a GREAT cruise.  Keep us in the loop.

[www3traveler]

21 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Shoutout to this lady that held the line up for five minutes at Shake Shack. She also tied an employee up as she couldn't understand how to operate a TOUCH SCREEN! Yep, that's me shouting. 

 

 

At 70 something, I have NO idea how to use a touchscreen, nor do I own a cellphone.

[cruiseny4life]

It's shrimp and grits time! Thank you for your reporting @Sailing12Away!