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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014
  • Rulocal

Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014

A 38-day adventure by Rulocal Read more
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  • Trip start
    January 9, 2014
    RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    On the countdown

    January 9, 2014 in England ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    10 days to go, everything booked, just hoping for the weather in New York to improve a bit.
    Personally I'm not worried about the cold or the snow while we are there, just hope it's not that bad, that it will stop us getting there.
    Having said that I am looking forward to a bit of warm sunshine in the Caribbean.
    But before that we've got two days in the Big Apple to look forward to.
    I've always wanted to see NYC in the winter, so as long as we can get there it should be an interesting trip.
    I've been out and bought some new cold weather gear so bring it on LOL    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    NYC

    January 19, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ -1 °C

    Just arrived in NYC, great flight no problems at all, except for a very ropey landing..!
    Checked in the hotel and sorted a car for the transfer to the ship on Tuesday.
    Just on 7th ave at the min having a burger.
    Sheila will be going back to the hotel after this, then I'll prob go for a quick pint and then off to bed.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    NYC

    January 19, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ -1 °C

    Just arrived in NYC, great flight no problems at all, except for a very ropey landing..!
    Checked in the hotel and sorted a car for the transfer to the ship on Tuesday.
    Just on 7th ave at the min having a burger.
    Sheila will be going back to the hotel after this, then I'll prob go for a quick pint and then off to bed.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Harlem, NYC

    January 20, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    What a day!
    So many New York bucket list items in one day.
    Ride the New York subway, see NYC in the snow, visit a genuine New York apartment and go to a Harlem restaurant.
    The day started with breakfast at the hotel diner, which was very good.
    Then a nice stroll down Broadway to Aimans apartment, from the 29th floor the views over the city are brilliant but even that high up you are still dwarfed by the other sky scrapers.
    Then it was of to the subway to get the uptown train to Central Park, the park is beautiful at the best of times, but in the winter months it's spectacular, with the frozen lake and the leafless trees allowing you to see more of the surrounding skyscrapers, reminding you of the unusual location of this beautiful park.
    After a rather expensive beer in the famous Central Park Boathouse restaurant, it was off to the subway for another uptown train to Harlem.
    This train was a lot older than the earlier train we took, it was just like the rickety old ones you see in 60s movies and American TV shows.
    After a while we reached our destination, 125th st station, the furthest north I've been in NYC. We strolled through a very run-down area to our final destination, the famous Harlem, Dinosaur BBQ and Grill restaurant.
    I know people usually say, wow that's the best food I've ever had, but this was, the ribs Sheila and I shared were the best we've ever had.
    Then after another subway ride back to Aimans apartment to pick-up our shopping (I'd bought some new jeans in the Levis, store, absolute bargain at $23 ) it was a taxi back to the hotel and off to bed, even earlier than usual.
    Brilliant day and all thanks to Aiman for taking the time out to show us around.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Just beat the weather

    January 22, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ -14 °C

    Our car was booked for 10.30am, but just after breakfast about 9am the snow started, so we got the bell boy to call the limo firm and get the car at 9.30, so we could miss the incoming storm.
    It worked out well because after a 30 minute delay in the Lincoln tunnel due to an accident the weather turned worse, and by the time we got to the cruise terminal it was snowing heavily.
    The boarding of the ship was a little bit of a shambles, but quite quick.
    The ship itself looks as if it's had a refit and is very nice.
    Can't go out on deck yet though as there is still quite a few inches of snow out there lol.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    BOGOF

    January 22, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 -10 °C

    Eight of us booked a table in Giovanni's last night, as we get a bogof deal on the first night of the cruise, so it's $25 for two instead of each.
    It was a disaster though, the food wasn't that good on fact in Sheila and Sues case it was downright bad, Sheila had a T bone steak which was all gristle, and Sue ordered a medium well fillet, which came to the table still mooing in pain and dripping blood.
    Maz ordered a T bone and got a fillet which he doesn't like so he sent it back.
    But by the time his correct meal came we had all finished ours so he sent that back also.
    We complained to the manager but didn't get much response out of him, he just said sorry and promised it would be better next time, well I'm afraid there will be no next time for me, not on this ship anyway.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Epidemic !!!

    January 23, 2014, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Found out tonight that there are over 500 guests ill with GI problems.
    That's quite a big proportion of the total guests on board.
    We have been informed that we are not docking at the usual berth tomorrow, we are docking at a different part of town.
    Originally I thought this was going to be a fair way out of town, but I've just come up to deck 14 and we are still in the town, just a different part, so really that will work out well as we've seen the other part of the town quite a few times, so this will be something new.
    Well I'm saying all this and it all depends how Sheila is tomorrow, if she's still not well, we'll not be getting off at all.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Shhhh this is the concierge lounge

    January 24, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ -8 °C

    Well I did it again, I got told of for being a bit loud.
    I know that is unbelievable as I'm the quietest person around.
    Ok ok, that's not strictly true I'm probably the noisiest person around, but all I was doing in all truth was laughing and giving the odd "woah" etc, during the penalty shootout with Sunderland and Man U.
    But the officious little prick of a concierge comes over and says "can you keep quiet, as this is the concierge lounge".
    Well, I apologized and shut up.
    Then I got to thinking, I wasn't really that noisy and it was a cup semi final after all and the noise I made was only for the last 10 mins of the game.
    I also got to thinking about next week when the Super Bowl is on and you can guarantee that the lounge will be full of noisy Americans.
    So I told him that if they make any noise during the Super Bowl, I will be complaining and expecting him to tell them to be quiet.
    Should be a very interesting evening.
    I'll keep you informed lol.
    Oh yes one other thing it's the Merseyside derby, next week also.
    So I'm thinking I might be better watching it in my cabin, as you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll make some noise during that, lol.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Virus alert !!!!

    January 24, 2014, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Well three days out of New York and the Norovirus has hit the ship.
    I'm not really sure exactly how many people are affected by the virus, but it is definitely well over 200, With Sheila,Eva and possibly Sue laid low with it.
    It's definitely at epidemic level as we have had our first port of call cancelled.
    It was supposed to be Labadee, but now we've go an extra day at sea as we head straight for our second port of call, San Juan, Puerto Rico, where we are going to have some enhanced sanitation done, which hopefully will clear the infection.
    We will arrive there about half a day earlier than expected, but I'm certain we'll be kept in quarantine for the duration of the sanitation.
    So all in all a pretty miserable start to the cruise :-(    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Docked in Old San Juan

    January 24, 2014 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    After all the speculation about where we will dock, and my thinking we where in a different part of town, we are docked in the usual place, it just looked different last night when it was dark.
    The US CDC (center for disease control) team is on board and are inspecting the ship to ascertain if sanitizing is required.
    I'm guessing that It can't be as bad as first suspected as they were letting people off the ship last night and continue to do so today.
    So we'll probably get off later and get a coffee and some free WiFi.
    Sheila should be released from her isolation this morning as it will be 24 hours since she had any symptoms.
    Not sure if she will fancy going out though, as she was still a bit weak last night.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Cruise Cancelled !!

    January 25, 2014 in Puerto Rico ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    Well this is a first for me, the CDC have cancelled the rest of the cruise, and we are now not going to St Maarten, we are heading straight back to Bayonne, New Jersey, for sanitizing.
    There will be compensation etc, but we've not yet been told what it will be.
    Also we're not sure what's going to happen to us back to backers, we don't know if we'll be doing the second cruise or if that's being cancelled also.
    No doubt we'll find out today.
    I will keep you informed.

    P.S. Just watching CNN and a report came on about the sickness on the ship.
    According to the report there are more than 300 people sick that is 280 guests and over 20 staff.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Free at last

    January 27, 2014 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Sheila was finally let out of her quarantine in the cabin, woo hoo!
    We had docked in the usual berth in Old San Juan, so as Maz, Jim & the girls had gone to a shopping mall for some retail therapy, we decided on a stroll in to town.
    We headed for an ice cream parlour we had found last time we were here.
    It sells beautiful frozen yogurt and most importantly has free WiFi, not only free but it has a good strong signal and is quiet.
    Unlike the popular places like Starbucks and Burger king where you struggle with low bandwidth and hoards of people.
    Oh yes,I almost forgot. A follow on from an earlier post.
    The concierge pulled me aside yesterday and apologized for his attitude the other night when he told me off for being loud during the penalty shoot-out in the Manchester United semi final. I accepted his apology, but I feel it was made more because he doesn't want to lose any tips from our group, which is usually 8 or 10 people four of which are pinnacle members. I'll just see how it goes over this and the next cruise.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Compensation sorted

    January 29, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The compensation for the cancelled part of the cruise had been sorted.
    We are getting 50% off this first cruise, which includes a $400 refund they gave us yesterday, and then a further 50% off a future cruise.
    It seems quite reasonable, so no real complaints from me.
    They did a forum with the captain, in the theatre yesterday, which was put together with the good intentions of giving the passengers information and the chance to ask any questions, but I'm afraid it turned into a shouting match.
    With people not listening and just shouting out some really stupid questions.
    For me all it did was give some light entertainment for the morning.
    We will find out today what the arrangements are for the back to back cruisers.
    We know we're being put up in an hotel for two nights while they sanitize the ship, we're just not sure where the hotel will be, as it's Super Bowl week and the local hotels are packed out.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Still waiting

    January 29, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ -7 °C

    None of the consecutive cruisers have yet got any proper information on what we're supposed to do for transfers, immigration or luggage etc.
    The right hand doesn't know what the left is doing, the buck is being passed with amazing speed.
    We were told we'd be getting a letter to explain everything by midnight last night.
    Well it's now 5.30 in the morning and it still hasn't arrived.
    So I've just been down too the pursers desk and they inform me that we will now be receiving the letter later this morning.
    Just have to wait and see.
    One thing we have been told is the name of the hotel we're going to, Le Parker Meridian on 5th Ave.
    We've Googled it and it looks nice and it's a 5 star, woo hoo!
    That's as long as we actually get off the ship lol.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    New York, a walk in the park

    January 30, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ -3 °C

    Finally in the hotel, and it's as nice as we thought.
    On Friday morning after breakfast Sheila and the others went back to the hotel.
    I had a walk up to Central Park for another tick off my bucket list, walking in Central Park in the snow (I know, I know, I'm sad).
    It was a cold but beautiful morning and the park was stunning.
    It's a really beautiful place no matter what time of year it is, but to me in to see it in winter it's especially lovely.
    It must have been a real shame in the years when it wasn't safe to walk through the park on your own.
    But since mayor Giuliani cleaned the city up many years ago it's been a brilliant city to walk around.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Always a silver lining

    February 2, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    The two nights in the hotel were, good, after a typical RCCL start, with no proper information about how we were to finance our meals etc.
    Eventually we were told to keep all receipts and submit them to the Miami office.
    Which is OK but the cruise line really should have supplied the finance up front rather than us having to spend our own money then claim it back.
    Anyway that aside the stay in the hotel was good it is a typical New York style hotel, with comfortable if a tad small rooms.
    We all actually had a brilliant time in NYC.
    Once again Mazens son, Aiman showed us around.
    He took us to another brilliant restaurant, this one was in mid town Manhattan, called Hill Country.
    A very busy and unusual restaurant, where you order your meat by weight and eat out of the paper it's wrapped in.
    I know that doesn't sound that good but it's actually brilliant and the food is amazing and the atmosphere is electric.
    So what started out as a disappointment with the cruise being cancelled, ended up being a great couple of days in New York.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    It's all Mr Englands fault

    February 4, 2014, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ⛅ -1 °C

    God I feel rough this morning.
    It's all the fault of the concierge barman, by the name of Clive England.
    We met him about 4 years ago on the independence and he's from Jamaica and is one of the best barmen we've come across on the cruise ships.
    Then again it's not all his fault, as after we finished on the concierge, we all went up for a bite to eat in the Windjammer, then some bright spark suggested we all go back to Jim and Eva's suite for a few more drinks, as we all had spare bottles of wine left.
    So that is why I feel like this, but I'm still blaming Clive for starting it all with his great service, lol.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Bayonne New Jersey

    February 4, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ -5 °C

    Back on the ship for the second cruise.

    We had a brilliant surprise today.
    Out of the blue we received an invitation to dine with the Captain.
    Apparently the guests in the royal suite had to refuse their invitation, so I think they must have felt sorry for us and invited us instead, lol.
    Anyway it's not really my kind of thing the dining with the Captain stuff, but it was nice to be invited and it was a very pleasant experience.
    The food was beautiful and the service second to none, which it being the Captain's table was only to be expected.
    The executive chef came to the table to say hello, his name is Gary Thomas and believe it or not he's a Scouser. Only problem is he's a red! Lol.
    It was funny as we met him the night before in the concierge overflow lounge.
    He was talking to Sheila and she said to me, "Gary's from Liverpool, I said have you asked him the most important question?" Sheila said "what's that" and Gary knew, quick as a flash he said "blue or red" lol.
    I said "exactly".
    Turns out he's a red :-( lol. But despite that he's a lovely guy.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Superbowl shocker!

    February 4, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ -1 °C

    Not that I follow American football, but the build up to the Super Bowl final in New Jersey was amazing, especially for the two unexpected days we spent in New York.
    Times Square and a chunk of Broadway where blocked off and then filled with outside TV studios and lots of sponsored side shows which ranges from simple kick a field goal, to banks of Xboxes where you could play virtual football games.
    Every big US company you could think of had a booth where you could play stuff or where you could get free memorabilia.
    As far as the game itself went I didn't watch it fully just bits and pieces.
    But Mazen, who is a big American Football supporter went to his cabin to watch the whole thing, that's about 6 hours, including all the build-up to the game.
    I'm afraid he was disappointed by the result as he was rooting for the Denver Broncos, who got hammered by the Seattle Seahawks by 43 - 8, which was a big shock as the Broncos were the strong favourites.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Samana, Dominican republic

    February 5, 2014 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Samana, in the Dominican Republic.
    We tendered in which I always enjoy, but I'm afraid there's not much of interest there, just the usual trinket stalls along the sea front and a couple of run-down bars.
    But the weather was beautiful so we had an enjoyable stroll.
    I spoke to Eric and Doreen, later and they had done a local tour and they said there was not much of interest to see.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Weather warning for NYC

    February 7, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Well we're three days away from the end of the cruise and the weather reports from New York are very bad.
    There are thousands of flights being cancelled and there are more storms expected for the weekend.
    I'm actually watching CNN at moment and they are reporting this as the coldest winter in twenty years.
    So it's looking quite likely we'll have to make some arrangements for staying in New York for a few days.
    I just hope it's not at the airport.
    Just have to wait and see.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Another meal!

    February 7, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C

    This cruise is full of firsts.
    Yesterday when Sheila and I got back to the cabin, there was an invitation to dinner this time with the hotel director.
    That's one step down from the Captain.
    Before this cruise we'd never had dinner with any of the senior officers.
    Now we've done it twice on one cruise.
    The meal was at the Captain's table with a number of other guests, and it was excellent.
    John Denton the hotel director was an excellent host and kept everyone entertained with his stories.
    The meal started about 8.30pm and didn't finish till turned 11pm, and in many ways it was better than the meal with the Captain.
    Not that the Captain's meal was bad because it wasn't it was great, but the meal with John Denton was much more relaxed, and boy did the wine flow.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Better weather expected

    February 7, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    The weather forecast is looking a little better for Sunday, the expected storm looks like it's going to pass further north, and most of it should miss New York.
    So with a bit of luck there should be flights taking off.
    I've been in touch with Louise just in case our flight is cancelled, and she's monitoring the situation for us.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Manchester airport

    February 14, 2014 in England ⋅ 🌧 4 °C

    On landing we had to go to flight connections for the boarding cards for our rearranged internal flight to Manchester.
    Our transit through customs and immigration was OK, up until I set the alarm of with my belt buckle.
    Then I almost had to strip down to my undies, while this prick of an immigration officer scanned me with his electronic wand, Maz had been stopped by him too, so that meant we were both in foul moods, lol.
    Sheila and Sue both said that we should calm down and forget it, but these immigration pricks think they're God and really piss me off.
    Then again the girls are right and there's not much you can do about the immigration guys because they always have the upper hand.
    Anyway despite that and the problems on the first part of the cruise, we really had a good time, and the second part of the cruise was one of the best we've ever had.    Read more

  • RulocalExplorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014Rulocal

    Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

    February 14, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 3 °C

    Then the snow storm that was supposed to pass to the north of us didn't and it hit NYC hard.
    we got to the airport ok, and on to the plane ok, but It came down so fast and with the freezing temperatures the snow froze on the plane.
    So that was our take off delayed.
    The captain announced that we would have to taxi over to the de-icing pad.
    Turns out we were ninth in line, so with us all on-board the plane we waited three hours to be de-iced.
    Then it was up up and away for what turned out to be the fastest transatlantic fight I've ever done.
    New York JFK to London Heathrow in five hours forty minutes.    Read more

    Trip end
    February 15, 2014
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