Liberty of the Seas, 26 Sept 2024: Semi-Live or Not ... Times-a-changing, perhaps. Return to RCL after 10+ years

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

Decisions - no matter what, avoid going near or passing midtown Manhattan, especially near UN with the General Assembly in session 😉

 

Last year, the NCL Getaway TA from Southampton arrived New York on the Saturday morning before NY Marathon Sunday. Many of the cruisers who were unfamiliar to NYC were in a panic over how the Marathon was going to shut down the whole city and restaurants were all going to be booked because of the thousands of Marathon runners and spectators in town. New Yorkers know that the UN General Assembly week is by far the worst week to be in Manhattan...worst than the Marathon and all of the parades put together. The Marathon only shuts down certain parts of NYC for a few hours, not a whole week, and not at the whim of Secret Service.

 

One year I was stuck in a taxi on the FDR Drive downtown for over 45 minutes. I paid my driver, got out of the taxi and started to walk along the FDR.

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 06:00 PM by Sugar Magnolia

[mking8288]

Heaviest 45 lbs, 24" Samsonite spinner  ... lighter 22" plus Kirkland "carry-on" plus at 35 lbs. and, backpack at 18 lbs. with all the essentials & must-have at all times 

 

 

Time to affix printed cruise luggage tags plus Airtag tracking, checked 👌

[Tree_skier]

On 9/23/2024 at 10:58 AM, mking8288 said:

T minus Five ... 4,  and it is just 3 more days - on a short drive across NYC, for us - to Cape Liberty, NJ embarkation.  

 

Come along, let's catch up on what is new, good, not and the OMG, etc.  Got questions, we probably don't have most answers for but ask anyway ... someone else more familiar spotting the Q's might help and welcomed to pitch in to answer ***** 

 

 

This will likely be, a limited semi-not live review; touching on select areas.   Not a wide-ranging, full report ... plan is to look at the food and dining options onboard, satellite WiFi at sea and alternatives.  Compare this against NCL, the other line that we usually cruise on ... we just sailed Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, 10 nights Alaska earlier this month and really enjoyed that upscale experience, 2 balconies and an inside & got spoiled by daily afternoon tea.  Disclosure: we've owned CCL and NCL stocks for decades but not RCL.  

 

 

It's been a long time for us, 3 cruises on RC since the early 2000 (post 9/11 SARS era) and last on the Explorer of the Seas - Voyager class built in 1999 (May 2012) ... ships were "smaller" then.   NCL Latitudes Diamonds, Sapphire and Platinum ... Gang of Six (6) cruising together ...

 

Promenade Inside cabins with a view (2 connecting ones) and a 3rd cabin just down the hallway, Deck 8 Mid ... Port side.  This was booked earlier this year and we scored a great deal using discounts associated with our casino playing friends' offer ... one of our brother- and sister-in-law decided to come along.  

 

For NCL'ers that are going to be lurking along, LOS is the newer Freedom class ships, 1 of 3 built for RC and the largest in class, slightly bigger than the Norwegian Epic by 16 GT and we sailed that last April on a eastbound TA to Barcelona out of NY.  LOS's double occupancy is reported to be 3,798 and max pax capacity at 4,960 with about 1,300 crew members onboard - personnel ratio isn't as great as NCL (all lines said to be trimming their onboard staffing)  Ship is rated for 22 kts speed with 2 Azipods, 1 Fixipod and 4 thrusters ... was once the 11th largest cruise ship in the world, since replaced with the arrival of the Oasis class. 

 

We are not fans of ultra-mega-sized cruise ships but we shall see, still prefer "smaller" mid-sized ships with less passengers vs. sailing with a floating city of 7,000+ passengers and crews, dealing with 2 gangways going ashore & returning ... and dear lord, tendering operations.   

 

This morning, RC's email reminder that it's almost time ... unlike NCL, not another email (probably # 5, 6 or 7 of the same) about watching the virtual & mandatory muster drill/emergency drills required - that special requests, room arrangements, etc. should be submitted no later than today.  

 

 

Today, our mission - finish packing ... seriously, 95% should be done.  Going to re-check our passports (current & valid, not expiring within 6 months) and secondary government photo ID's.  Prescribed and OTC meds, motion-sickness remedies (ginger candies, too) and other items as illustrated, as a personal choice & taking responsibilities ... not going to "explain" - but feel free to ask what is "that" if you aren't sure or puzzled as to what or why (thus, agree to disagree, please be kind to others and respectful. thank you for the kindness.)  

Following for sure… I was supposed to be on this cruise. We had to change dates and itineraries for reasons beyond our control. Very disappointed.  It‘lol fun to follow along. 

[bedfordmom]

21 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Hi and hey, "jumping ship" sounds bad ... gotta come up with a more fun away of describing our diversification away from NCL ... niece said we should also give MSC a spin but only in YC, maybe in the years ahead.  We had a wonderful time with Cunard's Queen Elizabeth - you missed that review ??  (warning/caution: it's length as in long, very long - skim thru it and/or look at the pictures & videos alone should pretty much help you decide)  

 

Oh lordy, imagine if I stay under the radar and not attempt to do a limited review - the NCL clan will be wondering.  This week's RC cruise is sort of a warming up ... and you know what, I am going to have another review for others & you, surprise !  before your OTS cruise in March, wanna take a guess.   Anyway, let's just go with the flow and make it fun - the odds are against anchoring off Staten Island like last September on the Escape, this/next week - fingers crossed.  

 

Happy to have others & you come along.  

You are right jumping ship is so harsh perhaps diversification is better. Personally I’ve always enjoyed Royals’s product. I am probably one of the few that still likes traditional dining. I like being able to take a case of soda on. But Norwegians unique itineraries continue to be attractive so I put up with their nickel and dining along with the inconsistencies. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Heaviest 45 lbs, 24" Samsonite spinner  ... lighter 22" plus Kirkland "carry-on" plus at 35 lbs. and, backpack at 18 lbs. with all the essentials & must-have at all times 

 

 

Time to affix printed cruise luggage tags plus Airtag tracking, checked 👌

 

Which bag contains your size 13W shoes?

 

[mking8288]

@Sugar Magnolia  Kirkland rollerboard has the slippers that I picked up during the TA stop at Ponta Delgada ... Cunard's one-size-fit-all slippers, like H10 Hotels & NCL's freebies, good only for Susan & others.  Didn't wasted unused space, stuffed the sanitizer bottles & "spare" cables in the opening.  Yeah, "made" room in "her" suitcase for 5th pair of shoes - the joy of not packing a suit / formal wear, tie & party masks.  Royal does have themed nights, I realized but dress code easier to meet. 

 

There is room in the backpack for bottled water (rinse & re-use onboard by refilling in Windjammer) and maybe Ginger Ale and/or Sprite, up to 12 permitted as carry-on, embarkation day only (and/or wine & beer ... #cough #cough NCL) 

 

Cruising NCL these days, often advised to have ziplock bags around.  Cunard, not needed and Royal Caribbean, maybe good to have some handy ...  Woolite (or equivalent) to hand wash delicate in the sink, hang dry them the retractable shower string. 

[mking8288]

2 hours ago, bedfordmom said:

... probably one of the few that still likes traditional dining. I like being able to take a case of soda on. But Norwegians unique itineraries continue to be attractive so I put up with their nickel and dining along with the inconsistencies. 

Joining that school of thoughts with you too, fixed dining with late seating worked on Cunard, also b/c of the afternoon tea.  NCL's freestyle dining used to work great until Harry & Co decided to mess with it, and poorly trained / supervised and ignorant host/ess at the podium simply made the 15 to 30+ minutes wait unacceptable, plus another 75+ minutes to get thru dinner with lurk warm soup and entrees ... sail to relax & enjoy, not to pull out the printed card and start waiving for attention, asking to speak to the F&B or Restaurant Manager, etc.  For 8 out of 9 nights, we showed up around 7:45 PM, go straight to "our" reserved AFT dining table with window views, sit down & get the menu, order & 10 minutes later - starter/appetizer showed up, followed quickly at our pace with salad and/or soup ... Plus, they seldom made mistakes with who ordered what.  Between 9 to 9:15 or 9:20 PM, we are out of there ... plenty of time to go FWD to the main theatre, stopping at the restroom first, to pick our seats for the late 10 PM show - nothing to scan or tap, virtual wait or line up as stand-by, etc.  

 

This cruise, we have early dining at 5 PM b/c of the elderly in-laws but we'll manage - RC's pizza is good, our grand nephew/niece's opinions - and, we'll definitely checkout Windjammer.  

 

Had unfinished bottled water & soda from our B&B pre-cruise stay, and just walked onboard with them - no fuzz and no questions asked or visual exam, etc. 

 

NCL has unique and those once-in-a-decade itineraries out there, except - if you follow the board closely, not too sure if they are to be trusted 75% of the time to not pull more rabbits out of the dark hole, with the "surprised" mystery port changes and time adjustments ... really, really poor ethics and annoying, if not outright disappointing - no problem if it is medical emergencies or weather, and been in quite a few over last 25 years.  Have a balcony next March, price dropped recently and saved $400 before final payment - DW said the heck with the double point promo when we first booked it, travel agency covering the DSC (I can guaranteed that it will go up by then) so it's almost a steal ...  Still have 1 of 2 one-time free, Diamond cabin upgrade to use ... rather use that on a longer itinerary with a steep difference.  Not abandoning the fleet of ships, near-term - placed NCL on suspension.  

[Sugar Magnolia]

26 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Cruising NCL these days, often advised to have ziplock bags around.

 

For what purpose? Stealing cookies?

 

[mking8288]

36+ hours remaining on the final countdown ...

Plans, what, plans in place ? ... or, are we going to just "play by ears", look outside, check the weather/forecast and wing it, which we often do. 

 

Been to nearly all the ports before and within the past year or so ... except Sydney, NS and while it isn't diverse like Miami, Toronto, New York or Montreal -

 

Sydney, NS should be the highlight of this cruise.  

Booked a private morning tour via Viator/TripA for 6, driver/guide confirmed and will meet us at the private M&G parking lot right outside the pier - lunch ashore or not, TBA.  

 

Looking at the latest weather & maritime, hurricane forecasts, etc. - looking fine, except ... possibly Bay of Fundy, Saint John, NB with the crazy tidal changes and the, mostly unmarked, "secret" inside walkway from the mall next to the cruise pier to the town's market - occasional rain showers, daytime high of 62 deg F.  Will see ... 

 

 

Ready to - at 1 day prior (after 12 noon) to the cruise - complete the brief online health questionnaire, required as part of the online check-in ... when we're completing on return flight from Canada into USA, border control (US-CBP) mandated & requested contact tracing information - email and/or telephone number, just in case.  

 

Oops - just saw a post with news about Legionnaire disease associated with 3 Cunard QM2 passengers ... totally unrelated to the QE and/or us.  Disregard ! 
 

Edited yesterday at 04:13 AM by mking8288

[mking8288]

Engine starts - 24 hours from now, proceed to Cape Liberty with en route stop - trip time, about 90 minutes w usual traffic, noon arrival & luggage drop-off for 12:30 check-in.

 

Indicators looking fine & within parameters, LOS inbound w early docking 👍

 

[wolfcathorse]

Bon Voyage! Could you please post who the captain and cruise director is!

[mking8288]

25 Hours or about ... a little bit of shut eyes, alarm go off in the morning, coffee & light breakfast ... load up the luggage and take a 15 minutes drive to pickup BIL and SIL nearby, meet up with our friends - last minute GPS / Waze - Google Map traffic check for optimal, preferred route to Cape Liberty and the rest should all fall into place, as planned.

 

  DW asked whether we are going to be connected nearly at all times and ... hmmm, good question, maybe and maybe not.  Hon, unlike NCL, we don't have any "free" airtime minutes to play - let's wait and see.  I have ideas and plans, options - once ashore, including Canada - we are 100% covered since we are on Google Fi, global data, voice & messaging coverage ... 200+ countries at almost zero and nominal cost, with hotspot - data sims and tethering enabled.  

 

 

Challenge is the "at sea" part where we typically "want" to be connected, and, logically, satellite data, at prevailing ... discounted rates as available to us.  RC's Voom will be there and since it is via X-Starlink, fairly confident that it will work fine, going to buy at least 2 to 3 day passes, maybe 4 for those full sea days (yes, got a modest learning curve to figure out the deals, tricks & ways of keeping the expenses down)  No OBC credits here to offset.  

 

  Our Cunard Alaska cruise, did fine plus RedBullData (RBD) as a backup on a trial plan, connected at times to VZW and AT&T, especially when our regular lines couldn't and didn't pickup a T-Mobile or partner-carrier signals, worsen by the underground cable(s) that're severed and disrupted cellular services in Sitka, AK.  It also picked up ship's maritime carrier - Telenor Maritime as the "roaming" ISP ... interesting coverage (just not with RC)

 

  RBD does not have arrangement with RC, unlike Cunard.  For the next several days and week ahead, looking at another eSim data that promised, advertised as being a partner with and offering coverage on Royal, b/c of Cellular At Sea ... hence, satellite to cellular connectivity at 4G LTE speed.  

 

  Stay tuned for update and if you see a burst of post tomorrow evening, late night ... that will be positive confirmation that this CC "Station Zebra" from "mking8288" is posting "live" at sea, or at least trying to, and have a connection.  If not, ETA into Boston on Friday is 2 PM and should have cellular land tower signal somewhat earlier ... by "lunch time".  Monday, docking at Portland, ME by 8 AM - definitely will & should see posts, updates and/or at least photos & images.  

 

On a side note, RC's iOS app is working better (latest build) but the Android app isn't in a happy mood to connect & populate our digital SetSail Pass ... clear cache, clear storage, delete and clean install app, reboot and checking everything else, etc.  Hmmm, still ... no can't do.  Like NCL's App, they got "I.T. winners" trying hard to keep these apps 99% functioning ...

 

  Well, I am not going to do a factory reset of my Androids ... neither the Google Pixel nor the Samsung Galaxy's ... alas, we will "survive" somehow.  

 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

Bon voyage @mking8288!

 

[mking8288]

@Sugar Magnolia  Thank you ... are you on late night watch 😁 again   Been a busy day, picked up bread & light lunch after a cardiology follow-up, all good and next appointment in 6 month.  Finished re-packing, ditched the backpack and going with a 3rd carry-on so Susan can put her iPad in mine ("it's heavy" 😆 so I get the honor of bring her along)   Plus, bring 3 x 16 oz. bottled water, rinse & clean, recycled for onboard use ... refills at Windjammer.  Easier to deal with the rollerboard, leaving the walking stick/pole inside, use only if needed.  She's just going to have her 20L backpack with absolute essentials to stroll onboard.  

 

 

In other non-CC news, besides the bombshell about indictments in NYC, not really a surprise ... no further comments warranted, let the judiciary properly do its job.   With my luck, get called in for federal jury service, again, LOL.  3 cruise ships unable to dock at Juneau this Tuesday due to rough seas and wind, ouch.   It is what it is, like we missed our chance to cruise the Hubbard Glacier.  

 

Liberty slowed down slightly to 17 kts, perhaps the whales got the notice to go away since this isn't NCL (speed reduction zones due to sightings ...)  Stateroom expected to be ready for access by 1 PM, timing should work out fine for our 12:30 arrival/check-in ... been cautioned about traffic jams leading into/out of Cape Liberty.  Early fixed dining time is 5:15 PM but without afternoon tea, we can manage ... and do a mid/late evening "raid" on pizza (and, cookies ??) 

 

Weather-wise, looking fine as expected, no changes in outlook for Saint John, NB - otherwise, no triple layering needed, woohoo !   Longshoremen strike still on / possible next week - will we get - indirectly - extra days at sea, free ... unlikely and United Airlines strike approved by FA, not going to affect us either ... will just roll along and go with the flow, not the Icon (not a fan of those super, mega, monster floating city) 

 

Tech toys & accessories conditoned and checked, time to get some zzz's.  

 

P.S.  No emails or SMS reminders to preview & watch the safety video, not until we are onboard & connected to ship's WiFi ... then go to report at assigned muster station to scan/wipe & be done with, easy (# cough #cough - NCL) 

Edited 17 hours ago by mking8288

[dexddd]

On 9/24/2024 at 7:10 PM, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

Which bag contains your size 13W shoes?

 

And Snoopy?

[dexddd]

I was going to help give lower 48 news since you were busy packing but see you saw news about your mayor.

 

Just over a year ago we were doing similar route on a ten day.

 

Did I ever tell you about our one and done on RC?  Did a honeymoon trip through Panama Canal.  Had issue during trip, wrote them, never even acknowledged.  Result, never spent another nickel or dime on RC...saved that for NCL.

[mking8288]

 

Navigator, target sighted, mapped & locked on ... set course heading and proceed, once all abroad. 

 

I 

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, dexddd said:

And Snoopy?

Partner will be left behind on watch 😁

 

[Arzeena]

@mking8288
Welcome my friend! Welcome to Royal Caribbean!
Just found this trip report and am following. I am really interested in what you think of the Royal Caribbean experience, as a veteran NCL cuiser.
Regards to Susan. Enjoy your cruise!

[JIMESOPUS]

57 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

Navigator, target sighted, mapped & locked on ... set course heading and proceed, once all abroad. 

 

I 

Crazy traffic in that area and they seem to ignore crosswalks. They only had one gangway in Boston, a motorized ramp, and a single elevator to get you to street level. Taxi stand right outside, watch out for the crew heading to Dunkin' ( they dropped Doughnuts ), steading stream of boxes coming back when we were on the Gem last month. Harpoon Brewery, has good beer, and pretzels but they open at 4 PM.

 

Bon Voyage, Jim

[Arzeena]

On 9/23/2024 at 9:49 PM, mking8288 said:

Hi and hey, "jumping ship" sounds bad ... gotta come up with a more fun away of describing our diversification away from NCL ... niece said we should also give MSC a spin but only in YC, maybe in the years ahead.  We had a wonderful time with Cunard's Queen Elizabeth - you missed that review ??  (warning/caution: it's length as in long, very long - skim thru it and/or look at the pictures & videos alone should pretty much help you decide)  

 

Oh lordy, imagine if I stay under the radar and not attempt to do a limited review - the NCL clan will be wondering.  This week's RC cruise is sort of a warming up ... and you know what, I am going to have another review for others & you, surprise !  before your OTS cruise in March, wanna take a guess.   Anyway, let's just go with the flow and make it fun - the odds are against anchoring off Staten Island like last September on the Escape, this/next week - fingers crossed.  

 

Happy to have others & you come along.  

Some of us need to know about that "surprise" even if its via email😉. Some of us also need to put in our "Reading Days" leave in advance. 😉😆.  Because once you start an "mking" review, you cannot put it down! 😁

[mking8288]

Going - almost there, via Staten Island at noon

 

 

Here at Cape Liberty at 12:15 - curbside dropping off luggage first.

 

 

Ahead to paid parking & shuttle back to building for check-in, security as 1st stop.

WiFi, none. Cellular signal, barely and not usable.

 

 

 

 

All checked in by 12:55 and seated, waiting for our section to get called and up escalator to board 

 

 

 

Our turn to board about 1:15 PM, not bad 

 

 

[mking8288]

Windjammer lunch, after stopping at our muster station and stateroom, was ready, then elevator down to go up to Deck 11.

 

 

Up there, 5G signal has returned - inside CL terminal, nope and no free, guest WIFi

 

 

Hey AR @Arzeena what a surprise 🫢 say hi to RJ for us. 

[mking8288]

Coffee is good, DIY at the station ... reasonable tea choices 😉 ( this isn't Cunard )

 

 

Port security asked for a visual inspection of my arsenal of gadgets, no problem w all the cords, cables & led flashlight, etc.  Housekeeping delivered a long extension cable to 2 of our cabins, plus a gallon of distilled water per request. Wheelchair assistance at the pier worked fine, 1 companion allowed to board together to help. 

 

Windjammer was 100% jammed full, easing now at 3 PM, still 250+ guests need to report to their muster station. 

 

Where's the beef ? 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by mking8288

[Another_Critic]

4 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Housekeeping delivered a long extension cable to 2 of our cabins

 

"I couldn't get connecting cabins, so I'll create my own!"  😄