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

[mendi]

37 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Good morning 🌄  heading to MDR for breakfast, should reach SJ dock in about 30 minutes. New itinerary posted, $100 OBC issued plus 10% discount on a future cruise thru 2024. 

 

 

 

 

Ship looks quiet for 8 am, think NCL made right choices - safety first. Hope you all can still enjoy what they have to offer. Based on your experience I know you will. 

[mking8288]

Breakfast as we watch us pulling into our berth, 5G signal now vs. 4G LTE ... 9:45 AM local time (ADT) in front of the Caribbean Princess.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 13, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Docked in front of Marco Polo Cruise Terminal on Water Street, easy to walk 2 blocks north to the Market Square Indoor Mall, escalator up 1 level to the passage that connect the buildings along King  Street to SJ City Market ... we shopped here last September from the Joy, had a great lunch at Billy's Seafood attached to the mall. 

 

@10:40 AM, ship hasn't been cleared yet and pax still waiting to go ashore. 

 

 

[mking8288]

While logged into ship's satellite WiFi by EMC last night, did a speedtest to benchmark it, not bad for the basic 150 free minutes, unlimited is the same, premium just unblock those udp/tcp ports ... still won't be smooth streaming YouTube. As always, YMMV - depending on your choice of gears & equipment used. This is on Samsung Galaxy S22+

 

 

[John E. Canuck]

https://destinationstmartins.com/

 

The above is a link to a great Saint John destination. We saw many taxis there - presumably from town. About an hour's ride...great beach walk. Caves. Tide rises fast, so stay with the crowd. You can get trapped in an inlet. 

 

 

[mking8288]

Heading out via gangway on Deck 7 and 5 into Marco Polo terminal, out thru the Container Village stores toward the waterfront indoor,  Market Square (free WiFi, off-duty ship crew hang out here) 

 

 

[mking8288]

City Tour - 2 hours, book on the spot $35 USD or $40 CDN. 

 

 

 

Go in here and escalator upstairs within the mall for the skybridge to City Market 2 blocks uphill, minus the incline walk. The Skywalk 

 

 

Edited September 13, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Follow the yellow bricks road ... tiled floors thru these brick buildings toward Delta Hotel, check signage & get to City Market, indoors & without getting wet, rain hard outside at times 

 

 

[mking8288]

City Square at Saint John

 

[bedfordmom]

Remember being there in June 2013 with Carnival from Boston and as we got off the ship each lady was presented with a rose. It rained every day of that cruise. Only good thing is that my 19 year old daughter met her future husband on that cruise!

[The P]

Henry, tell Susan I hope she has a lot of fun spending that OBC!!

[mking8288]

Heading back to the ship, this health walk is about 1 mile to/back from the City Market along the waterfront, accessible friendly using elevators & ramps, our SIL made it slowly with her walking cane. 

 

Started raining again by the time we reached the terminal. Lobster place still has a line, shorter than earlier. Souvenir shop remains busy while some of the street vendors are getting ready to close for their day. 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

Noticed that we are now below pavement or street level with low tide, dropping lower than 2 hours earlier.  Gangway on Deck 5 near us won't be usable until high tide. Let's see when we sail at 9:30 PM ADT, with all abroad at 9 or 21:00

 

 

Latitudes party hosted by CruiseNext has been rescheduled to 1 pm tomorrow at the Supper Club since it's a sea day ... 👌 much better 👍 than 6 pm as that's prime time for dinner to many 👎 

 

[mking8288]

Since towel animals are no longer done, except ... notice the simple & subtle pillow placement trick for today.  Yesterday was a different pattern or arrangement - creative 👏 

 

 

More from Cagney's later ... 5:30 PM reservation for 6 of us 😋

Edited September 13, 2023 by mking8288

[sunshine4me2]

On 9/12/2023 at 2:53 PM, Steelers0854 said:

I think* you’ll be fine. You’re about a dozen cabins away from us, also it may only be certain nights and it appears it’s just from 9-10. They did it last night but tonight it’s scheduled for Karaoke so we will see. Other than when the live band plays it’s dead quiet in the room. I’ll keep you posted though. 

Thanks for update!

[Steelers0854]

Day 4 Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick - Maple Sugar Shack & Tasting (10:30 - 21:00)

 

We started the day with breakfast in the buffet. It was typical fare but the supervisor up there insisted the muesli had gluten in it and wouldn’t bring any for DW, but it would be very odd if that were true, especially since DW had it and didn’t get sick. No big deal they made her oatmeal instead and a about an pound and a half of bacon. I grabbed some eggs and some of the ham which was delicious!

 

We got off the ship about 11:25 and wandered around town for a bit. We came back for lunch and it was a disappointing selection for DW again. We started off so strong but now everything has butter or gluten in it. She made a taco salad with the French dressing, tortilla chips and a burger she said was good. So we clearly need to start ordering even lunch in the MDR going forward. I just grabbed a few odds and ends, I wasn’t too impressed and we probably should have just gone to OShehans. We did confirm after lunch DW can eat the chicken wings from there so she is stoked for tomorrow’s lunch!

 

We lounged around until 14:45. Our tour for the day was still on just rescheduled. We asked guest service about our 18:00 Cagney reservation and they said just show up when we get back and they will accommodate us due to the schedule change so we will see!  We won’t get back to the dock til 18:30 so I’m not hopeful.

 

We boarded the bus and headed out on a narrated drive through the country and across the river via ferry. We got to a wonderful little family run operation and in the pouring rain learned all about how maple sugar was made. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup. Not only do they do the maple syrup production but they also teach canoeing and skiing and snowshoeing during the winter.

 

After the walking tour we got to sample maple syrup in snow. They heat it to over 200 degrees and pour it over crushed ice. You use a popsicle stick to roll it up as it forms in a consistency kind of like taffy. It was delicious!  They only sell the maple syrup on site they produce and I felt the price was excellent.

 

After that we got pancakes and sausage with maple syrup. It was again just wonderful. Such friendly knowledgeable people it was a wonderful excursion I would recommend. Not for those with mobility issues, one part does require a walk up a steep rocky hill. Now we are headed back to the ship!

 

 

 

 

 

[molsiesmom]

1 hour ago, Steelers0854 said:

Day 4 Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick - Maple Sugar Shack & Tasting (10:30 - 21:00)

 

We started the day with breakfast in the buffet. It was typical fare but the supervisor up there insisted the muesli had gluten in it and wouldn’t bring any for DW, but it would be very odd if that were true, especially since DW had it and didn’t get sick. No big deal they made her oatmeal instead and a about an pound and a half of bacon. I grabbed some eggs and some of the ham which was delicious!

 

We got off the ship about 11:25 and wandered around town for a bit. We came back for lunch and it was a disappointing selection for DW again. We started off so strong but now everything has butter or gluten in it. She made a taco salad with the French dressing, tortilla chips and a burger she said was good. So we clearly need to start ordering even lunch in the MDR going forward. I just grabbed a few odds and ends, I wasn’t too impressed and we probably should have just gone to OShehans. We did confirm after lunch DW can eat the chicken wings from there so she is stoked for tomorrow’s lunch!

My husband is gluten free due to allergies and we never know he could have the chicken wings in O'Sheehans.  Which ones are safe?  We were on the cruise before you and will be on the getaway in November.  He will be so happy about this. 

[mking8288]

On 9/12/2023 at 12:45 PM, momtodani said:

First time cruising using wheelchair assistance. Can you tell me how it went and where do I find the assistance?  Is it at check in or a separate location? 

Hi, it went wait for our SIL at Pier 88. Go thru security first & then on your left, should be a greeter to show you to the small lounge for SA. Get checked in there & wait, patiently for crew to be free & do WC boarding. 

 

Our SIL was anxious using WC services, noted on her eDocs - said it worked. Good luck, slip the crew a $$ bill bring a big smile & thank you too 😉 🤗

[mking8288]

Once we sail tonight, unless there is anything urgent - we will be semi-live, able to read CC posts & comments, questions, replies will be limited until we are in range of cellular signal, to conserve remaining free WiFi minutes - but if necessary, add extra minutes. 

 

This sailing has 4,850 pax onboard, a lot but short of max capacity of 5,200+ guests - per CruiseNext team member. 

 

mking8288 - Henry

[mking8288]

An excellent dinner at Cagney's - takeout of food still not permitted, we asked but ... whether using the dining package or Platinum voucher, we ordered 1 starter, 1 soup or salad, entree + sauce and 2 sides, plus dessert; all without being charged extra. Itemized total came to $210 on average for 2, zeroed out. We tipped for good services, direct & in cash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 13, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Taste Private Dining Room on Deck 5 

 

Foggy evening on the waterfront in Saint John at 8:30 PM, soon to set sail, all abroad in 30 minutes. 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 13, 2023 by mking8288

[www3traveler]

Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankee game supposed to be played tonight in Boston is currently in a rain delay.

[mking8288]

All abroad ADT 9:45 PM and despite Guests Services paging some guests about 35 minutes ago ... We are setting sail now, underway & leaving Saint John, next port of call - home, New York bound. 

 

Laundry Special $29 per bag flyer distributed today, we sent our Platinum free one out already, today, avoiding the rush 😁😆😄 

 

Likely be out of AIS tracking - crossing the Gulf of Maine toward Boston direction - for NY on Marinetraffic, will upload periodic update & brief status, etc.  Quick check of latest forecast & storm track for Lee, should be okay for our sailing.  It is a foggy out there - expect the horn to be going 🤓

 

Wish us a safe ride, if somewhat bumpy  with a bit of rocking & rolling, to be expected during hurricane season.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U-turn done, moving forward at 10 PM 👍 👌

Edited September 14, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Express service - out at 11 AM and got our free Sapphire laundry back this evening - waiting for us when we got back 👌👌👌

 

 

[Cyndi874]

I’ve really been appreciating these updates from all parties onboard. I’m on the next sailing, fingers crossed. My original flight to LaGuardia was Saturday the 16th, but after watching what transpired with all the poor people trying to make it to your ship in time, I bumped my flight to tomorrow the 14th. All packed and ready to go in the morning, with plans for two extra days in the greatest city 🌃 as a precursor to this cruise.

 

Safe sails home.