Smurfie's Great American Adventure

Reports about cruises on Arcadia
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Kenmo1
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#26

Post by Kenmo1 »

david63 wrote: 09 Sep 2018, 16:07
After much prodding and poking, a bit of bloodletting and a chest x-ray I was told that I had pulmonary oedema (a.k.a fluid on the lungs) – treatment being water tablets and rest
Crikey, David -- I wasn't expecting to read that. You and your wife aren't having much luck with your holidays just lately. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Take care. Maureen.

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GillD46
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#27

Post by GillD46 »

Oh dear David, what a worry. Perhaps see your GP when you get home, a checkup might be worthwhile.

In the meantime, take it easy and try and enjoy what you can.
Gill

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david63
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#28

Post by david63 »

Sunday 9th September

Last sea day before sighting land (hopefully if the Captain has set his sat nav up correctly!)

The day started off much better than of late with little wind and a reasonable temperature, but unfortunately it did not last long with the wind increasing as the day progressed, and the temperature falling.

I am able to get around the ship somewhat better today, can now walk down stairs and up one deck at a time – also had a walk around the Promenade Deck this morning, trying to avoid getting trampled by those who thing that they have some divine right to race around the deck without taking prisoners. Having a minor limiting condition does give you a different perspective on many things – never used the lift so much in my life.

Again there was not really much of interest to us going on around the ship today other than the Captain’s launch of Iona – not sure what he was launching as we did not attend, basically as it was another occasion for the “freeloaders”.

Most of the day has been taken up with preparations for our arrival in New York tomorrow – let’s just hope it is not too big a fiasco – although the weather forecast is not good – heavy rain and thunderstorms. Had the Captain come on over the public address system at 18:00 telling us about tomorrow and also saying that it had been a good crossing – better than some he had done!

To be continued …

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david63
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#29

Post by david63 »

GillD46 wrote: 09 Sep 2018, 21:30
Oh dear David, what a worry. Perhaps see your GP when you get home, a checkup might be worthwhile.
Don't think I will have much choice about that Gill - Mrs63 will make sure I do!!

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Manoverboard
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#30

Post by Manoverboard »

Sums up sea days for me …. and why we always avoided them :thumbdown:

ps … Get well soon :wave:
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being

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Stephen
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#31

Post by Stephen »

Manoverboard wrote: 10 Sep 2018, 10:22
Sums up sea days for me …. and why we always avoided them :thumbdown:

ps … Get well soon :wave:


Ditto.


Whynd1
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#32

Post by Whynd1 »

Ditto from me as well.

Lindsey

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Gill W
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#33

Post by Gill W »

Sorry to hear you haven't been well, David.

Will be interested to hear how the arrival at New York is handled, as we'll be arriving there in a couple of weeks.
Gill

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gilly88
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#34

Post by gilly88 »

david63 wrote: 10 Sep 2018, 04:11
Sunday 9th September

Last sea day before sighting land (hopefully if the Captain has set his sat nav up correctly!)

The day started off much better than of late with little wind and a reasonable temperature, but unfortunately it did not last long with the wind increasing as the day progressed, and the temperature falling.

I am able to get around the ship somewhat better today, can now walk down stairs and up one deck at a time – also had a walk around the Promenade Deck this morning, trying to avoid getting trampled by those who thing that they have some divine right to race around the deck without taking prisoners. Having a minor limiting condition does give you a different perspective on many things – never used the lift so much in my life.

Again there was not really much of interest to us going on around the ship today other than the Captain’s launch of Iona – not sure what he was launching as we did not attend, basically as it was another occasion for the “freeloaders”.

Most of the day has been taken up with preparations for our arrival in New York tomorrow – let’s just hope it is not too big a fiasco – although the weather forecast is not good – heavy rain and thunderstorms. Had the Captain come on over the public address system at 18:00 telling us about tomorrow and also saying that it had been a good crossing – better than some he had done!

To be continued …
it is called a promenade deck, not a running track...designed for people to prom and show off their wealth! :lol: :lol: :lol: such fun!!
regards gilly.

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sunseeker16
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#35

Post by sunseeker16 »

Hope you’re soon 100% again

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Happydays
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#36

Post by Happydays »

As others have said, hope you're feeling better soon. I hope you both enjoy your holiday and get some nice weather 😎

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david63
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#37

Post by david63 »

Monday 10th September

New York, New York – Day 1

We awoke to a very wet and misty day, and whilst the rain alternated between heavy/medium/light all day the low cloud did not move.

First call this morning was to the doctor who was more than pleased with my progress and does not want to see me again (can’t blame her for that!) and to follow up with my GP when I get back home.

The sail into New York was somewhat disappointing due to the weather (but we were escorted in by armed US Coastguard vessels), but hopefully the sail out will be better! Having been to many ports in my time I have to say that the lack of safety with the stevedores is somewhat alarming – all wearing trainers, tee-shirts and no hard hats – even the Caribbean are better than that.

Anyway once docked the fun starts – US Immigration. I don’t know why but P&O always make life difficult for everyone in these situations. We were all given coloured groups for disembarkation and those groups would only be called in public areas – the trouble was that no approximate times were given and as it was expected to take four/five hours there were people sitting around most of the day! We were fortunate to get off fairly early in the process, so off we all trot with the documents we were told we had to have, cruise card – fine, passport – agree with that and paper copy of the ESTA – no idea why as nobody was interested in them!

Once off the ship and through the immigration process nobody was allowed back on the ship until all passengers had been through immigration – why as it makes no difference? (I am sure US Immigration just go out of their way to make life difficult for visitors. Normally being off the ship in New York would not be a particular problem but when it is pouring down with rain and you have to walk around for an indeterminable time it is not the most pleasant of experiences. We had a good walk round eventually finding Times Square and Broadway, ending up having a drink in a bar just off Broadway (that’s something crossed of the bucket list that was not even on). We then made our way back to the ship (after all there is only so much rain that you can cope with) and arrived back around 16:00 where passengers were being allowed through security and into the waiting area.

Now here is where all the US security falls down. To get back into the terminal you, as expected, have to show your cruise card but I, inadvertently, showed her my credit card and I was allowed in!!!!

We then sat in the waiting area but could still see passengers disembarking and going through immigration. This fortunately did not last long and we started to board about 16:30 – why cannot people listen and do as they are told? Part way through the waiting process some passengers jumped up as the door was opened and this resulted in a queue forming. The woman in charge asked them to sit down but no chance of that happened all that did happen was that the queue got longer!

Once back on board we did not have much time as we were going out on an excursion at night so we ordered some room service food to keep us going. Once fed and watered we set off again to disembark knowing that the rain had not abated, but that we would be on a bus for most of the time.

The excursion that we were on was New York and Empire State Building by night and if the weather and visibility had been better it would have been an excellent excursion, but you have to have whatever weather you are given and make the most of it. There really were two highlights of the excursion – the first being the trip up, and view from, the Empire State Building. The trip up the ESB was very “Disneyfied” and the view due to the weather was, at best, minimal. However, on a positive note, with the weather the way that it was did mean that there were virtually no queues to get to the top (well 86th floor actually). What nobody had had the foresight to mention was that the observation deck is actually outside – and you’ve guessed it, it was raining. Anyway another bucket list item crossed off.

The real highlight was Times Square which at night is spectacular – even in the rain.

To be continued …

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Kenmo1
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#38

Post by Kenmo1 »

david63 wrote: 11 Sep 2018, 15:18
First call this morning was to the doctor who was more than pleased with my progress and does not want to see me again (can’t blame her for that!) and to follow up with my GP when I get back home.
David
So pleased to read this. Just wish the weather was better for you. We preferred going to the top of the Rockefeller building as we preferred the view from there - hope you get a chance to do that one.

Maureen

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barney
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#39

Post by barney »

Rotten luck with the weather David, but just make the best of it.

US immigration is a law unto itself.
I don't think I've ever been made to feel less welcome than getting in to the USA.
Once in, great, but getting there?
Empty vessels .. and all that

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Gill W
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#40

Post by Gill W »

I was wondering earlier how you were getting on. I checked the webcam yesterday, and saw that it was wet, but saw you had docked in Manhatten. I'm off on Aurora on Sunday, and had just assumed we would dock in Brooklyn. I checked online, and we're also in Manhatten, so well pleased with that.

We have a 12.30pm excursion booked to the 9/11 Memorial, so I expect we'll be one of the first off. Must be frustrating for the people waiting all afternoon to be called
Gill

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GillD46
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#41

Post by GillD46 »

We also went to the Top of the Rock and that way actually got to look at the Empire State Building. Plus you could see loads from inside if you didn’t want to venture out. I am in two minds about NYC. Amazing but so hideously busy and blisteringly hot when we went.

Hope the rest of your visit is better.
Gill

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Stephen
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#42

Post by Stephen »

barney wrote: 11 Sep 2018, 15:38
Rotten luck with the weather David, but just make the best of it.

US immigration is a law unto itself.
I don't think I've ever been made to feel less welcome than getting in to the USA.
Once in, great, but getting there?
Agree barney. Haven't been to The USA for years, but we use to go fairly regularly as a family member was living there due to their job. Immigration was always a nightmare. I used to think if the immigration bod attempted half a smile they'd crack they're face. Miserable s*ds.

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Kenmo1
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#43

Post by Kenmo1 »

Stephen wrote: 12 Sep 2018, 07:27
I used to think if the immigration bod attempted half a smile they'd crack they're face. Miserable s*ds.
It makes you wonder what these people are like when they are not at work. We actually found a lot of New Yorkers absolutely wonderful and helpful. They went out of their way to help us if we needed directions etc. Even a large group of police who were policing a show in Times Square were prepared to pose for us for a photo. Also the lovely policeman on a horse in Times Square was the same.

Perhaps the most important condition for being an immigration officer is being a misery guts.

Maureen

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Manoverboard
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#44

Post by Manoverboard »

Some years ago the Immigration Officials in California went on a course to learn to be ' nice ' instead of miserable, they were run by Disney Corp … maybe the idea needs to fan out. :lol:
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being

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Stephen
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#45

Post by Stephen »

Manoverboard wrote: 12 Sep 2018, 10:01
Some years ago the Immigration Officials in California went on a course to learn to be ' nice ' instead of miserable, they were run by Disney Corp … maybe the idea needs to fan out. :lol:
Do they all wear Micky Mouse outfits now :)
Last edited by Stephen on 12 Sep 2018, 15:23, edited 1 time in total.

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GillD46
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#46

Post by GillD46 »

The worst we have encountered, by far, was in Miami. Truly awful each time except once. NYC was pretty bad though.
Gill

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Manoverboard
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#47

Post by Manoverboard »

Our worst was when we went on a river boat tour within the ' Thousand Island ' area on the Canadian side to Boldt Island which is situated mid channel and is an American ( USA ) Island. We two and two other couples were the only non North Americans on board so they made us wait while the 300> Canadian / US passengers went through their immigration control post. They said their computer wasn't working properly .... yeah, right :thumbdown:


.
Last edited by Manoverboard on 12 Sep 2018, 17:04, edited 1 time in total.
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david63
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#48

Post by david63 »

Tuesday 11th September

New York – Day 2

The day started off pretty much as the previous day weather-wise but with less rain. In fact we managed to avoid getting wet today.

With having been out on an excursion until around midnight last night we did not plan anything in the morning and had an excursion in the afternoon.

Most of the morning was taken up with a crew drill for the benefit of our dear friends the US Coastguard – no idea why but they wanted to play at being in charge.

After a quick lunch – everything was running late due to USCG we set off on our Discover Brooklyn excursion which, as you may have gleaned was taking us around some of the districts that make up Brooklyn and to experience life there. The first experience was some stupid local bus driver who had not taken a corner correctly as there was a truck parked on the corner and somehow the bus driver had taken the corner at the wrong angle The upshot of this was that the truck could not move as the bus was preventing him reversing, the bus driver would not move his bus until his supervisor arrived (which could be anything up to three hours) and everyone else was unable to move! Common sense eventually prevailed and the traffic moved.

First stop was at Brooklyn Bridge which was quite interesting as we had seen it from the same spot last night but today we saw it in daylight. We were then driven round various districts of Brooklyn finally ending up at Coney Island which did somewhat resemble Blackpool. The only downside of this excursion was the traffic, especially in Manhattan when we were leaving and returning to the ship. The “normal” horrendous traffic was compounded by the fact that some of the roads were closed due to the fact that it was 9/11 remembrance day.

The Headliners were doing Money Makes the World go Round, but we were too tired after the excursion to go and sleep in the theatre!

Wednesday 12th September

New York – Day 3

The day started with the same old same, misty and cloudy – and did not improve very much all day, although the mist did lift later in the afternoon.

Our first disappointment today was that we had not been able to get on Iona’s Maiden – well we did get a place but nowhere near the cabin grade that we would want! Never mind there will be another maiden in 2022.

Today we were on a full day excursion called New York insight and Top of the Rock. This started off in the usual chaotic Manhattan traffic (without the traffic problems the excursions could be two hours shorter!) driving to Central Park past the spot where John Lennon was shot. We then took a short walk into the Park and into Strawberry Fields and the Imagine monument. This was then followed by a drive past the Central Park apartment blocks where some of the [very] rich and famous live – this is an area of New York that I could live in!

Next stop was Grand Central Terminus (as it is now called) which has had a $500 million refurbishment spearheaded by Jaqueline Kennedy. Another bucket list item was ticked off here by having a proper New York hot dog for lunch!!! The Terminal certainly lived up to its reputation of being very busy and although it is one of those places that you have seen in films it did not really make a major impression on me.

After lunch it was off to the 9/11 memorial via Trump Tower which as you can imagine is surrounded with security. The drive to the 9/11 site was once again through the Manhattan traffic (cannot understand why anyone would want to have to drive through this traffic every day). To me the most impressive part was the latest addition which was the new shopping mall which has been designed to look like the wings of a dove. The whole site is obviously surrounded with security but it is quite poignant – especially the “Survivor Tree”.

Next we were off to the Rockefeller Building for a trip to the “Top of the Rock”. Fortunately the mist had lifted and we were able to see quite a lot of the New York skyline – it reminded me of Lego buildings. Then it was back to the ship.

We can honestly say that we had a good overall view of New York but it was exhausting. We would have liked to have had another day to have been able to do our own thing and re-visit some of the places that we had passed at our own pace.

The show tonight was Mike Doyle (didn’t know he was still doing the rounds) – but as we were far too tired he was missed.

Canada here we come…..

Thursday 13th September

Sea day.

A very quiet and relaxing day today after the last three days chasing around New York. The main thing that we did was to book a cruise later in 2020 on Iona.

Tonight was another Black Tie night and it was very well supported – if anything better than the previous two.

To be continued …

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Stephen
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#49

Post by Stephen »

A shame you missed Mike Doyle David. We have only seen him once and thought he was very funny. And has an excellent singing voice.....well he is Welsh.

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oldbluefox
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Re: Smurfie's Great American Adventure

#50

Post by oldbluefox »

Stephen wrote: 15 Sep 2018, 12:40
A shame you missed Mike Doyle David. We have only seen him once and thought he was very funny. And has an excellent singing voice.....well he is Welsh.
Nobody's perfect!! ;)

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