Escape New England-Canada Sept 10-17, 2023 updating Semi Live rev 3.0

[dritan]

Great thread as we are on this itinerary in mid Oct.  Fab to read about the little details like the amount of time to tender and when you found it busiest ( we have a 10am trolley tour so from reading your accounts, sounds like we'd be okay for an 8.30-9am tender).

 

Love seeing the menus etc as well. 

[mking8288]

Underway to Portland, ME with 10 AM arrival - pilot boat escort, starboard side. 

 

Tonight - Bayamo for dinner after a quick stop to meet the ship's officers at District Brew House for all from the roll call.

 

 

 

 

 

BTW, lots of things to do & see, many free, on your own. It's one of our favorite getaway - 3.5 to 4 hours drive from home. 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by mking8288

[MeriToT]

Thank you so very much for the updates! Lovely to see the weather clearing up a bit during your sail away, looks fantastic out there. Doing this exact itinerary in mid-Oct., so I appreciate learning from your experiences. Excited to see more Freestyle Dailies as the week progresses!

[Steelers0854]

Day 2 Newport, Rhode Island (06:00 - 16:00) cont.

 

Cabin service is a bit disappointing, we left the room just after 7:30 and tucked in after 12:30 and the room still hadn’t been done yet. If you’re only doing the room once a day I feel like this is a miss. Every other line I’ll leave my cabin for like 10 minutes and the cabin ninjas sneak in unnoticed and do a better job cleaning in 15 minutes then I could do in 4 hours. But here it seems like speed is not of the essence.

 

We found out the reason for the delay in leaving yesterday. There is a large group on board (300+) from an Ohio base HVAC company and their affiliates and one of the flights was delayed 4 hours. With so many on that flight they held the ship for them.

 

We found a very comfortable couch on the waterfront in the shade with a beautiful view, cool breeze and couldn’t ask for much more than that. Took a nap and enjoyed the afternoon until we left.

 

 

The ship really lacks indoor seating. With so many paid restaurant options on board all other space is taken up by basically a casino the size of an entire deck and bars. When I say bars I mean a literal bar, most bars have bar seating only and no associated lounge space with them. Even the main atrium area they have to bring in folding chairs to increase the seating options.

 

Tonight’s dinner was in Moderno. We knew that DW could eat almost every protein and she had a lot of options at the salad bar (I.e. filler bar, IYKYK). Shout out to Kirk for ensuring smooth service. Even though the meats were fine they had a dedicated person bring her meat exclusively, this was done to ensure no cross contact is done by other diners and their tongs. The best meat tonight was the Brazilian Steak, it was so flavorful and had a great crust on the exterior. From the salad bar the hits were the salmon, the green beans and the asparagus.

 

 

GF bread for DW

 

 

 

 

 

To finish of course DW got the pineapple and I tried the tres leches cake. The pineapple was delicious with the cinnamon touch which set it off. The cake was good but they only soak the bottom of the cake in milk, had they done the entire thing it would have been a home run.

 

 

 

After dinner we preordered for tomorrow night for DW and headed to trivia.

 

[sunshine4me2]

10 hours ago, Steelers0854 said:

Day 2 Newport, Rhode Island (06:00 - 16:00)

 

Pro Tip: Don’t book a cabin directly above the Pourhouse. I’ve had plenty of cabin locations across the years, below pool decks, above bars and lounges etc. this is by far the worst. They do live music at the pourhouse and the floor vibrates and it’s so loud it’s like you’re at a concert. Thankfully they stopped playing at 10:15 otherwise it would have been horrible. Would love to know what idiot thought putting cabins directly above this venue was a good idea.

We'll be on the Escape next month.  Guess what, I booked us in #9788 - based on proximately to stairs/elevators!  Think I need to double check WHAT is on the decks above and below, the next time we cruise!  Thanks for the heads up.

[Elvis1209]

Just a suggestion.  There is a really nice ice cream parlor in Bar Harbor if that's your thing!  We're on the 9/24 sailing, so you know where we'll be!

 

Elvis

[dexddd]

Early yesterday looked pretty gray then blue by sail out.  Today a dense blue.

 

As of now, and I'm no expert, my best guess they'll be scooting to east coast of US pretty soon.

 

Safe sailing.

[Steelers0854]

9 hours ago, Elvis1209 said:

Just a suggestion.  There is a really nice ice cream parlor in Bar Harbor if that's your thing!  We're on the 9/24 sailing, so you know where we'll be!

 

Elvis

Can you tell us the name?

[odie1024]

I am on the 9/17 cruise and have been to Bar Harbor a few times camping. If you are looking for something other a lobster roll, I highly recommend Atlantic Brewing on 15 Knox Rd as they have Mainly Meats barbecue right next door which has amazing pulled pork along with blueberry beer. Atlantic Brewing does have a location up the hill from the ship if you don't want to venture away from the port area as you should try the blueberry ale. My plan is to do a tour with Ollie's tours of Acadia since BF has not been there and then uber over to Atlantic Brewing which is about 8 miles away. Have a great week and hopefully none of us feel the repercussions of Lee. 

[mking8288]

Good morning again, about 3 miles to Portland pier and getting a good T-Mobile cell signal. 

 

[mking8288]

Snapshots from yesterday's CC Meet & Greet at DBH at 6 pm, who's who among officers, several more going on vacation this Sunday.  Not a well-attended CC event and small # of folks in general ... just an attendee myself. 

 

 

 

 

 

[JIMESOPUS]

@mking8288 So sad to see how Meet and Greets are slowly dying out. Eventually, NCL will stop offering this as a free event. I used to love organizing these events along with slot pulls and bar crawls but now I try to defer to others.

But somehow I'm in charge of the M&G on the Star, we see how that goes. 

 

Jim 

[mking8288]

 

 

Just about docked now at 9:45 AM - going to be a long walk with a smaller ship docked closer. 

 

Having breakfast at O'Sheehan's - menu is simple.  Sorry, they do not have hash browns 😕 Not a deal breaker but some will be disappointed ☹️ a bit. 

 

 

 

"Petite" full English Breakfast 😁😳🤔

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by mking8288

[shof515]

49 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Snapshots from yesterday's CC Meet & Greet at DBH at 6 pm

 

thats too early for a meet and greet. most people usually have dinner at 6pm

[Ellis1138]

2 hours ago, Steelers0854 said:

Can you tell us the name?

 

I can tell you. It's Mount Desert Island Ice Cream. Best tasting in Bar Harbor and they take credit cards. https://www.fearlessflavor.com/

[mking8288]

We had an excellent dinner at Bayamo last night, Platinum meal was supposed to be 1.1.1 plus dessert and Dining package 1.1.1.1 and dessert, said our server. I said, no problem and put whatever extra charges on my room account, since we have a total of 3 bottles of wine, and use 1 voucher for 2 with the dinner.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

This is the current wine list for the Platinum meals. 

 

[NYcruzzer]

34 minutes ago, shof515 said:

 

thats too early for a meet and greet. most people usually have dinner at 6pm

I agree 6:00 is dinner time for many. Most cruises I have been on day 2 was a sea day and CC meet up was at 11:00 am on day 2. For this itinerary they should have made meet and greet 4:30 pm on day 2

[cruiseny4life]

52 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

 

Just about docked now at 9:45 AM - going to be a long walk with a smaller ship docked closer. 

 

Having breakfast at O'Sheehan's - menu is simple.  Sorry, they do not have hash browns 😕 Not a deal breaker but some will be disappointed ☹️ a bit. 

 

 

 

"Petite" full English Breakfast 😁😳🤔

 

Oh my...so uhhh, how was the scoop of eggs? That photo has made my appetite vanish. Perhaps the point given the petite breakfast. 

 

Also....you sure do know I'm one of those that is going to be disagreeable about a lack of hash browns. Perhaps I should send the pre-cruise concierge a special request. 

[mking8288]

@shof515 and @JIMESOPUS  The port schedule for this year's NE/C cruise isn't that good to find a better time to schedule the CC Meet & Greet, and had I not stick with the roll call to push it, wasn't going to happen at all - was under the radar and happening elsewhere at the same time. There's a 2nd M&G later in mid afternoon, let's see how that go. Last year, one was hijacked. I've done & helped with putting some of them over the years, takes time & energy to do it and expecting nothing in return.  Have 2 good to very good CC roll call going with the newer ship later this year, B2B and not going to let that one slip away since I am putting my free time to keep it straight.  Anyway, will look back at this further post-cruise. 

 

On a side note, casino on this sailing is very busy & full, even table games ... apparently, lots of CAS players onboard. Good for NCL with the generous nightly donations 😁😄🤔

 

Light rain falling outside, picked up our priority tender tickets for tomorrow at CruiseNext and will meet in the Supper Club first. 

 

Going out shortly to do the scenic mini narrow train track ride, just outside the cruise terminal - slow & easy 3 miles track along the waterfront, good for our SIL using just a cane. 

[mking8288]

11 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Oh my...so uhhh, how was the scoop of eggs? That photo has made my appetite vanish. 

 

Also....you sure do know I'm one of those that is going to be disagreeable about a lack of hash browns. Perhaps I should send the pre-cruise concierge a special request. 

I "kindly" labeled it petite to be humorous but my old contacts are on vacation. Chewing the assistant manager on duty isn't going to help. By all means, see what the Prima pre-cruise desk can do for you in November. Save some & send it downstairs to us, 😆 lol - just kidding (we'll survive) 

 

All 6 of us were shocked. The scoop of eggs were okay ... weight watcher ☹️

[The P]

Hi, Henry! Is this cruise sold out? Everything, starting with boarding, looks like there's lots of room and few people. As ever, loving your pix and info. Hello to Susan.    Sharon

[cruiseny4life]

7 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

I "kindly" labeled it petite to be humorous but my old contacts are on vacation. Chewing the assistant manager on duty isn't going to help. By all means, see what the Prima pre-cruise desk can do for you in November. Save some & send it downstairs to us, 😆 lol - just kidding (we'll survive) 

 

All 6 of us were shocked. The scoop of eggs were okay ... weight watcher ☹️

Oh, don't worry. I guffawed when I read your words!

 

I don't think I'll be emailing them about hash browns...but I should! Mmmm weight watchers - gotta watch the figure when cruising as often as you. My figure is just round. 

[Steelers0854]

39 minutes ago, Ellis1138 said:

 

I can tell you. It's Mount Desert Island Ice Cream. Best tasting in Bar Harbor and they take credit cards. https://www.fearlessflavor.com/

Thank you! They have a Portland location so we may hit that now and tomorrow!

[Steelers0854]

3 minutes ago, The P said:

Hi, Henry! Is this cruise sold out? Everything, starting with boarding, looks like there's lots of room and few people. As ever, loving your pix and info. Hello to Susan.    Sharon

the ship actually feels quite full to me. Be interested to hear what others say but with the exception of the MDR the ship feels crowded to me. I think a lot of it has to do with layout. The buffet for example isn’t designed well and it increases the feeling of crowding.