Bringing the JOY with as live-ish a review as the lousy wi-fi will allow: Bermuda 7/9-7/16!

[Pitzel]

Oof! We usually try to get to the terminal when they first open. Earlier this year, we selected the 9:30 am check-in time slot and it was so nice to be able to breeze through the check-in process. I would much rather get there early and wait in the terminal to board than wait in a line to check in, but that is just me. Even if the waiting time is the same, it just seems more relaxing to wait while seated than while standing in line surrounded by other people.

Good luck, may the lines move quickly for you!

[Dorhead1230]

Aaaaaand the wi-fi in the terminal is down. They’re literally attempting to sift through printed manifests on paper to get some people through security and checked in while the IT people work on the wi-fi. Oof.

[vacation44]

1 hour ago, bkrickles1 said:

Sunday mornings are great for going to the pier from LI. I'll be coming from Smithtown in 14 days, but my group of 13 is meeting in Deer Park at 7:30am to start our journey as we like to board as early as possible! 

Have a fabulous time! 

Can't wait to hear all about it! 

Are you driving or taking car service? We will be 12 next June coming from Holtsville and Islip and I have been weighing our options.   

[Dorhead1230]

22 minutes ago, Pitzel said:

Oof! We usually try to get to the terminal when they first open. Earlier this year, we selected the 9:30 am check-in time slot and it was so nice to be able to breeze through the check-in process. I would much rather get there early and wait in the terminal to board than wait in a line to check in, but that is just me. Even if the waiting time is the same, it just seems more relaxing to wait while seated than while standing in line surrounded by other people.

Good luck, may the lines move quickly for you!

Back when, DH and I would usually show up earlier and wait. Definitely not relaxing to wait with a 4-year-old, though lol, so now we try to push it closer to boarding time. The wi-fi is not in our favor today, alas. Otherwise we’d definitely have been on board already 😕. At least people aren’t being terrible in line! Everyone waiting patiently with minimal grumbling. I hope everyone is nice to the workers here when it’s finally their turn—not their fault that MCT is a crappy glorified warehouse lol.

[Pitzel]

30 minutes ago, Dorhead1230 said:

Aaaaaand the wi-fi in the terminal is down. They’re literally attempting to sift through printed manifests on paper to get some people through security and checked in while the IT people work on the wi-fi. Oof.

😭😭😭😭😭

[cruisinbunny]

39 minutes ago, Dorhead1230 said:

Aaaaaand the wi-fi in the terminal is down. They’re literally attempting to sift through printed manifests on paper to get some people through security and checked in while the IT people work on the wi-fi. Oof.

We're waiting too. It definitely is not the workers fault that the wifi is down but it seems crazy that there is no good backup plan... Hardware? Can they use my hotspot? 🙂

[Dorhead1230]

7 minutes ago, cruisinbunny said:

We're waiting too. It definitely is not the workers fault that the wifi is down but it seems crazy that there is no good backup plan... Hardware? Can they use my hotspot? 🙂

We were watching the man at the security podium flipping and flipping and flipping through a list. My mom and I were like aren’t they alphabetized? Organized by cabin number? Then I said they need to make an announcement for all available English teachers to come read through the manifests to find names. Actually, there’s probably enough teachers here overall that we could have this ship loaded in an hour or less…we’re pros at dealing with disasters on the fly and overcoming broken tech 🙃

[Pitzel]

Just now, Dorhead1230 said:

We were watching the man at the security podium flipping and flipping and flipping through a list. My mom and I were like aren’t they alphabetized? Organized by cabin number? Then I said they need to make an announcement for all available English teachers to come read through the manifests to find names. Actually, there’s probably enough teachers here overall that we could have this ship loaded in an hour or less…we’re pros at dealing with disasters on the fly and overcoming broken tech 🙃

Add librarians to that request and you would be golden!

[Dorhead1230]

The wi-fi came back up and great cries of rejoicing rang through the land. Then the security staff starting moving the line with the speed you would expect from an evacuation prior to a volcanic eruption. We cleared security within two minutes of the line beginning to move again. We’re waiting for check in now, but thanks to the Casinos at Sea booking and/or our Platinum status, the check in line is blissfully short. The regular check in lines…😬…may the odds be ever in your favor. There’s cold drinks and fun for us all right around the corner!

[mking8288]

1 minute ago, Dorhead1230 said:

The wi-fi came back up and great cries of rejoicing rang ... waiting for check in now, but thanks to the Casinos at Sea booking and/or our Platinum status, the check in line is blissfully short. 

That's good, LM must be yippee 😎 along with his new travel companion 

 

Joy was docked, very early, this morning at her berth and if the terminal building's WiFi, that's bad, should be just partially down ??  as I know they have assorted (hidden) SSiDs running in that "warehouse"   Security usually don't need to check against any list or manifest, just a quickie glance at the printed or e/Docs & travel documents before sending forward to get that, free, full body scanning.  You get to keep your shoes, slippers, sandels, etc on and for men wearing metal belts/buckles, no need to drop them (LOL, couldn't resist saying it) or pulling it 😄  Then it's off to next station to be triaged for different check-in lines, or do the long walk if in Haven or upper decks ... as that's usually back or far end of the building on the Hudson.  

 

Did something changed recently that they are looking for "SSSS" san airport TSA, I hope not.  If NCL's WiFi beamed into the terminal is down, then it's another story & a bigger problem with truly checking in and getting some mugshots taken (again or otherwise)   Did they get instructions to reboot their servers & laptops in the building ... just kidding, poking fun at NCL.  

 

Well, looks like no sit-down lunch as it's late, maybe O'Sheehan's / The Local ... and, by the time you are done - fingers crossed that the staterooms are ready, suites & Havens usually/always done first.  Good thing you've watched those safety videos 99 times already and just need to make a quick pit stop at the designated muster station en route to the cabin.  

 

You've made it, Bon Voyage. 

[Montanagirlalways]

we boarded the Joy at Port Canaveral December 2022. We were there early and in the handicap/haven line. Still waited a good hour outside the terminal. Once inside it was chaotic. But once onboard - it was wonderful. Except at the excursion desk-always a line. Enjoy!!!!!!!!

[Dorhead1230]

I will go backwards shortly to the rest of embarkation and lunch. Right now, we’re sitting in the Observation Lounge. Often things I’m excited for don’t live up to expectations, but this OL is INCREDIBLE. Beautiful, comfortable, quiet, great views out the windows, drinks and snacks right here. You could seriously spend a good chunk of your cruise in here, especially if you’re not pool deck people.

[Dorhead1230]

I’m still out of chronological order right now and I’ll have to go back to fill in more later, but they just called a code alpha in Garden Cafe. I hope the person is okay…not a way to start a vacation 😐

 

We were able to come to the cabins by maybe around 4-4:30 (they had announced a couple decks much earlier, but not all cabins until then). I would like to take this moment to reiterate that the Joy deck plans are incorrect regarding angled balconies. They are indeed one off. I am so glad I found that on a previous thread on here. 10342 is the angled balcony cabin, not 10346 as is shown on the deck plan. If you like to look for angled balconies when booking, keep this in mind!

[Dorhead1230]

Little photo dump from OL. I originally took a video, but it’s too large to load on here and I don’t do YouTube. Also, even though it wasn’t crowded, there were enough people there that there are people in the video, and I don’t really like to post video of random unsuspecting people if I can avoid it. So, these are all screenshots from the video I took. Doesn’t really do it justice in terms of what a lovely space it is!

 

Not pictured here are the bar and the Starbucks, which are also great features of the area!

 

[vacation44]

Just looked on the webcam to see if it was raining and happy to see it isn't as it was just pouring out here at Exit 63 LIE.  Have a great sail away!  And we loved the OL too on the Joy.  It is also a nice place to hang out at night.

[mccoy132]

59 minutes ago, Dorhead1230 said:

I will go backwards shortly to the rest of embarkation and lunch. Right now, we’re sitting in the Observation Lounge. Often things I’m excited for don’t live up to expectations, but this OL is INCREDIBLE. Beautiful, comfortable, quiet, great views out the windows, drinks and snacks right here. You could seriously spend a good chunk of your cruise in here, especially if you’re not pool deck people.

That is exactly us.  We just got off the Joy this morning and the Observation Lounge was our favorite part of the ship.  We went every evening after the show and hung out there for at least an hour or two.

Have a great cruise!

[Dorhead1230]

Ok…going a bit backwards now. We only waited about 10 minutes in the priority check in line. As we approached the boarding exit to get on the ship, my jaw fell to the floor when I saw the regular check in line from the rear part of the terminal. It was through all the stanchions and then extended most of the way toward the front check in desks. I really felt sorry for everyone who was going to wait that long to board, but I was so grateful we weren’t waiting on those lines.

 

Upon boarding, we immediately went to our muster station in front of the Cagney’s and Le Bistro entrance and got our cards scanned. We then proceeded to The Local, as the MDRs were closed by then and I cannot handle the chaos of the buffet upon embarkation. We had a very tasty lunch, that was served fairly

promptly (a little wait between apps and entrees, which the waiter came to apologize for, but it wasn’t nescessary—it wasn’t THAT long). Our food included: nachos for me, a Caesar salad for DH, and pretzel bites shared by DM and LM. Then fish sandwiches for DM and me, a wrangler burger for DH and a plain cheeseburger for LM. I am surprised by how much I like their chili (they put it on the nachos)—no heat at all, but it is tasty. I’ve always thought the battered fish there is pretty decent, and it does make a good fish sandwich—it was nice and crispy and the slaw adds a nice flavor and texture. I didn’t bother with the bun because it would be too filling, but DH did say it was coming apart on his burger way too easily and LM said it was “too soft” (he meant it was crumbling), so I ended up just cutting his burger patty for him to eat with a fork. We skipped dessert there and had a couple treats afterward in the OL.

 

Not pictured are the burger and sandwich because the files keep failing to upload. I’ll try again at another time.

 

We also stopped by CruiseNext to book DH’s and my very first Platinum ship tour, which will be bright and early tomorrow at 8:35 AM. Wines around the world is Tuesday (can’t remember the time), and I may or may not go depending on what we’re doing then. As it has been reported on here that Latitudes parties are just CruiseNext sales pitches now, I doubt I’ll attend. I have the drink package and a casino drink card, so I don’t need the cocktails, and I don’t need to hear about Prima or Viva haha.

 

 

We realized when we arrived at the cabins that our steward must have inadvertently left DH the wrong Latitudes welcome card, because his Platinum card wasn’t here. We were going to head to CruiseNext because we assumed Joel (our steward) would be busy, but then we ran into him in the hallway and he took the incorrect card to fix it. Hopefully he’ll return with the correct vouchers later or in the morning!

[Dorhead1230]

21 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

Just looked on the webcam to see if it was raining and happy to see it isn't as it was just pouring out here at Exit 63 LIE.  Have a great sail away!  And we loved the OL too on the Joy.  It is also a nice place to hang out at night.

I’ve been sitting out on our balcony for a while because the cell service has been ok here for posting, and there have been two brief downpours…I could swear the first one was hail 😮. Either way, I was glad to be on my balcony with the overhang over me!

[laudergayle]

Do try the chicken salad sandwich at The Local this cruise.  It is really good snd a nice switch-up from the usual favs.

[Dorhead1230]

I’m posting fast and furious right now because I may hold off until tomorrow to post anymore once I lose Verizon service now. This is today’s Daily and photos of the screen that shows the current officers. Of course the officer pics are doing the upside down loading. I guess you could save them and rotate or portrait lock your phone to look if you’re interested in them…sorry! Can’t figure out why it does that sometimes!

[Dorhead1230]

A somewhat gloomy sailaway, but so happy to be onboard nonetheless!

A fun farewell from NY’s Bravest!

Edited July 9, 2023 by Dorhead1230

[mking8288]

Step away for a short CC break and see that she did a quick sideway & backed out of her berth, turned & sailing down the Hudson already, that's a good on-time, scheduled 6 pm sailaway.  Rain started again here in NE Queens, quick check of Windy App showing a good & smooth sailing path out to Dockyard, unlikely to hear any serious rattles behind the wall & ceiling, etc.   

 

Make good use of that nice OL & in the afternoon, they keep restocking those cute & petite desserts - picturing myself sitting there for the afternoon with the mini iPad, NR earbuds and powerbank for a quick smartphone boost (bring your own 220v outlet adapter & 6' USB/Lightning cord to recharge from the wall outlets near the windows with the comfortable sofa/loungers) - favorite hideway, feel like owning a piece of your "own" giant living/family room. 

 

Some of the uploaded images are upside down, sometimes they ended up sideway ... don't worry about it.  I see that Ron is on station as GM, he's very nice & visible - in excellent hands plus the bridge team in charge of navigation & overall comfort and safety.   

 

P.S.  It's nice to have the FDNY Fireboat saluting with their firehoses ... instead of being "escorted" by NYPD and USCG's armed fast patrol boat (which you might still sometimes see)  Now, you just need a rainbow for photo op.    

Edited July 9, 2023 by mking8288

[Dorhead1230]

4 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

quick check of Windy App showing a good & smooth sailing path out to Dockyard, unlikely to hear any serious rattles behind the wall & ceiling, etc. 

Thanks for this! You’re always the best for keeping those of us onboard informed about weather and sea conditions 😊

[Dorhead1230]

9 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Some of the uploaded images are upside down, sometimes they ended up sideway ... don't worry about it.  I see that Ron is on station as GM, he's very nice & visible - in excellent hands plus the bridge team in charge of navigation & overall comfort and safety.   

 

P.S.  It's nice to have the FDNY Fireboat saluting with their firehoses ... instead of being "escorted" by NYPD and USCG's armed fast patrol boat (which you might still sometimes see)  Now, you just need a rainbow for photo op.    

I can’t figure out why that happens with the photos sometimes! Once, I even tried turning the original upside-down and uploading it, thinking it would then post right-side up. Nope! Foiled!

 

Once a few years ago, we got the rainbow, or maybe it was red, white, and blue…great fun either way, though!

[Dorhead1230]

Service seems to be gradually fading as we approach the bridge, so I may be signing off for the evening now. I’ll continue to write up notes and take photos, and I’ll post more tomorrow with my FAS minutes. 😃