2010/06/23
The Epic has left Southampton
The Epic has left Southampton, and is currently way out of the Solent near the Isle of Wight. She is due back into Southampton at 6am tomorrow morning according to the shipping movements site. So fingers corssed whatever was up with the prop is now fixed and we can be on our way to New York tomorrow.
It's the Day Before!
I slept 9 1/2 hours last night and feel almost human once again. Had an excellent, decidedly non-lo carb beer battered fish and chips last night at Joe Daffreys restaurant. My body is all a Twitter at the carb influx. Oh well, deal with it, bod!
Today I am hoping to lasso DH to walk down to the pier and join me on the ferry to Wythe. Where we can explore the village, browse the shops, and stop in to a pub for sustenance before returning to Southampton able to say we explored a non-touristy English town. Non-touristy is the way to go.
Tomorrow, God willing, we board the new Norwegian Epic for a week of relaxation and fun, a week of pampering and losing our shirts at the casino, a week of riding the beautiful deep blue sea. With good food, good drink, good friends, and the Blue Man Group.
Today I am hoping to lasso DH to walk down to the pier and join me on the ferry to Wythe. Where we can explore the village, browse the shops, and stop in to a pub for sustenance before returning to Southampton able to say we explored a non-touristy English town. Non-touristy is the way to go.
Tomorrow, God willing, we board the new Norwegian Epic for a week of relaxation and fun, a week of pampering and losing our shirts at the casino, a week of riding the beautiful deep blue sea. With good food, good drink, good friends, and the Blue Man Group.
2010/06/22
Embarkation Rotterdam
The train ride was easy and we didn't miss our connection in Utrecht but luggage was way to heavy for me. I still have sore muscles from carrying our little surprise for the courtyard party.
We took a cab from Rotterdam Centraal to Cruise Terminal for the bargain of only 15,- EUR. So we arrived around 10 am when the embarkation should started.
Epic came in late and it took way too long to disembark all the drunken travel agents. First we met Paul and his wife so we stayed with them in the VIP lane still weren't sure if we would belong there. But we knew for sure when Karan welcomed us. We were passenger #2 to check in shortly after 11 am. Finally we embarked at noon after customs shut everything done for unknown reasons. There's no VIP area at the cruise terminal and they were totally unorganized.
We were guest #1 at Cagney's for lunch this day - THANKS TO KLAUS for the royal treatment!
Due to the construction zone deck 16 and above are closed. That's why they were offering breakfast and lunch at Cagney's instead of Epic Club.
We had the best lunch ever. They are now offering Cagney fries for lunch. Steak was just perfect like everything else. In that moment we knew vacation just started.
First pics are already online: http://epic.sellie.de/main.php?g2_itemId=8040
We took a cab from Rotterdam Centraal to Cruise Terminal for the bargain of only 15,- EUR. So we arrived around 10 am when the embarkation should started.
Epic came in late and it took way too long to disembark all the drunken travel agents. First we met Paul and his wife so we stayed with them in the VIP lane still weren't sure if we would belong there. But we knew for sure when Karan welcomed us. We were passenger #2 to check in shortly after 11 am. Finally we embarked at noon after customs shut everything done for unknown reasons. There's no VIP area at the cruise terminal and they were totally unorganized.
We were guest #1 at Cagney's for lunch this day - THANKS TO KLAUS for the royal treatment!
Due to the construction zone deck 16 and above are closed. That's why they were offering breakfast and lunch at Cagney's instead of Epic Club.
We had the best lunch ever. They are now offering Cagney fries for lunch. Steak was just perfect like everything else. In that moment we knew vacation just started.
First pics are already online: http://epic.sellie.de/main.php?g2_itemId=8040
June 22nd,2010 pm
Made it. Safely landed at Heathrow, through the pulsating hoards at customs, visited Stonehenge and Windsor Castle, to the hotel in Southampton. Yay. A smooth, on-time ( if virtually sleepless) flight preceded by the brilliant idea of a shot of tequila--who's afeared of flying, not me, not after a shot of Mexican elixir. As good as a Xanax, even if it was likely more expensive at $11).
I would dearly like some sleep, people. Not happening. I wonder how long a person can go on an average of 2 hours sleep. So far so good(?) for 2 days. Just another lazy hazy crazy jet lagged day in England for this ole gal.
I would dearly like some sleep, people. Not happening. I wonder how long a person can go on an average of 2 hours sleep. So far so good(?) for 2 days. Just another lazy hazy crazy jet lagged day in England for this ole gal.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @11:30am BST
What a beautiful day, clear skies and lots of sun for the arrival of the Epic. The newest reports have her coming into Southampton this afternoon about 2pm, maybe slow but still here. We are at the Jury's Inn and last night many people were here. We were hearing talk of ships, cabins and cruising talk all around us. We think we were in the middle of a Travel Agent meeting. Dave and I want to be out at the pier to get some pictures of her arriving in Southampton.
10am 22nd June : Epic is nearing Southampton
At 10am BST the Epic is currently doing just under 15 knots and is 38 NM from Southampton (about 44 miles). Unless tides are an issue in the Solent, she should dock in Southampton earlier than the predicted 17:30 time tonight. Current ETA on Marine Traffic is showing as 13:00 (UTC) which is 2pm local time.Update from Jeorg on board : Arrival is now expected to be at 3pm.
2010/06/21
Epic departs Rotterdam on route to Southampton
The future remains hazy but a least the Epic is under power and heading out on the next chapter of the book.
I just got an email from my PCC they got an email that the problem is a propeller shaft and they say it is a simple fix. They are telling her the June 24 sailing is going on as planned !!!
June 21 - Epic delayed into Southampton
Well just to add a little stress another late bump in the road to this cruise.
I got an IM from Joerg and Petra onboard the Epic in Rotterdam that they were notified the Epic will be late getting to Southampton. Found this article online.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8230450.New_cruise_ship_delayed/
NORWEGIAN EPIC, the £128m super cruise ship, has been delayed due to major engine trouble.
The 19 deck ship was due to arrive at 10am tomorrow, but will now sail into Southampton at 5.30pm.
Thousands of passengers are booked onto the first cruise from Rotterdam to Southampton and have been offered full refunds if they wish to leave the ship before she sails.
There goes the Latitudes Lunch on the 22nd. Lets just hope it does not impact the transatlantic. Is it too early for a martini.
The problems, NCL confirmed, are due to technical difficulties with the propeller shaft.
I got an IM from Joerg and Petra onboard the Epic in Rotterdam that they were notified the Epic will be late getting to Southampton. Found this article online.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8230450.New_cruise_ship_delayed/
NORWEGIAN EPIC, the £128m super cruise ship, has been delayed due to major engine trouble.
The 19 deck ship was due to arrive at 10am tomorrow, but will now sail into Southampton at 5.30pm.
Thousands of passengers are booked onto the first cruise from Rotterdam to Southampton and have been offered full refunds if they wish to leave the ship before she sails.
There goes the Latitudes Lunch on the 22nd. Lets just hope it does not impact the transatlantic. Is it too early for a martini.
The problems, NCL confirmed, are due to technical difficulties with the propeller shaft.
On the way to Rotterdam
Sellie & Madhatter Joerg are sitting in an ICE (German Highspeed Train) to head to Rotterdam.
We will start the EPIC adventure today with an one night cruise to Southampton.
As usual "Deutsche Bahn" is behind schedule ....
2010/06/20
sitting at Newark awaiting our flight...
Sunday, June 20th, 2010...6:45pm EDT
Arriving at Newark, specifically Virgin Atlantic early, we found the temps very warm inside the ticketing area. VA people would be there @5:15 pm and we were about an hour early. We went and found a little cooler place to sit, drink some water and people watch. As Jim said, this cruise was long in coming, many questions, would there be a cruise and now wondering where we will be sleeping. if it happens that the CY is not finished, we have decided to be flexible and are excited to see the Epic.
While waiting in line, we were people watching and listening to conversations. We did over hear a couple talking about obstructed views cabins and assume they were on the cruise, since they did have luggage with the name of a travel agency on them. We think we saw another couple that we assume they also will be joining the cruise.
Our first part of this trip find us waiting for friends, Pattie and Joe, making it throughout the Long Island traffic and arriving to start our party...have to quiet Pattie's fears of the flight. The gate sign has now changed to...
Virgin Atl
002. 9:10pm
London Heathrow
More to come as we land in London and meet more friends, Fil and Pierre.
Until tomorrow, we wish you a wonderful time cruising with all of us in Blog world.
Arriving at Newark, specifically Virgin Atlantic early, we found the temps very warm inside the ticketing area. VA people would be there @5:15 pm and we were about an hour early. We went and found a little cooler place to sit, drink some water and people watch. As Jim said, this cruise was long in coming, many questions, would there be a cruise and now wondering where we will be sleeping. if it happens that the CY is not finished, we have decided to be flexible and are excited to see the Epic.
While waiting in line, we were people watching and listening to conversations. We did over hear a couple talking about obstructed views cabins and assume they were on the cruise, since they did have luggage with the name of a travel agency on them. We think we saw another couple that we assume they also will be joining the cruise.
Our first part of this trip find us waiting for friends, Pattie and Joe, making it throughout the Long Island traffic and arriving to start our party...have to quiet Pattie's fears of the flight. The gate sign has now changed to...
Virgin Atl
002. 9:10pm
London Heathrow
More to come as we land in London and meet more friends, Fil and Pierre.
Until tomorrow, we wish you a wonderful time cruising with all of us in Blog world.
June 20th - A little history
June 20, 2010
The team that gave you the Epicmadhatters website will be blogging together here.
As I get ready to head to the airport in 24 hours it is time to start another cruise blog. Since you are here you knopw this time I will not be doing it on the cruise message board. I will also be adding some updates for my friends on face book.
The Epic sails for NYC on the 24th from Southampton. It is a cruise many times I thought would never happen. A number of us who first started planning to take this cruise in March 2008 before we knew when this cruise would take place will be adding to the blog. I don’t thing any of us knew how long and bumpy the wait would be.
We watched each of the announcements from NCL and the anticipation grew as the first vision of the Epic rolled out. Then came the near cancellation of the ships construction in Sept 2008. The dark days until mid Dec 2008 when NCL reached agreement with STX for delivery of just one F3 in May 2010.
March 2009 NCL announced bookings would open in May 2009 for the Epic. No dates for the TA but NCL promised some time in the summer of 2009. August 2009 they started a waitlist for date and itinerary unknown. Finally Sept 14th NCL announced the date and itinerary with waitlist passengers able to book first. AC aft facing suite booked. Sept 15 with an A3 only $300 pp more I moved my booking to the courtyard gaining more the 200 square feet and a second bedroom and bathroom before they fixed the pricing. The wait was on.
Well I failed engine, 4 fires later, it is 24 hours before I head to the airport and start this adventure. One more major hurdle to clear. Will the courtyard be ready. One member of the group has already been called and told their Owners Suite will not be ready. The current 2 night by invitation cruise the courtyard area is closed as they continue to work.. Those booked in the courtyard for tomorrows 1 nighter to Southampton have been moved. They can move me anywhere. A free cruise would not be a bad thing.
That brings us to the beginning of this blog from the Epic transatlantic. Stay tuned for updates here or on face book.
The team that gave you the Epicmadhatters website will be blogging together here.
As I get ready to head to the airport in 24 hours it is time to start another cruise blog. Since you are here you knopw this time I will not be doing it on the cruise message board. I will also be adding some updates for my friends on face book.
The Epic sails for NYC on the 24th from Southampton. It is a cruise many times I thought would never happen. A number of us who first started planning to take this cruise in March 2008 before we knew when this cruise would take place will be adding to the blog. I don’t thing any of us knew how long and bumpy the wait would be.
We watched each of the announcements from NCL and the anticipation grew as the first vision of the Epic rolled out. Then came the near cancellation of the ships construction in Sept 2008. The dark days until mid Dec 2008 when NCL reached agreement with STX for delivery of just one F3 in May 2010.
March 2009 NCL announced bookings would open in May 2009 for the Epic. No dates for the TA but NCL promised some time in the summer of 2009. August 2009 they started a waitlist for date and itinerary unknown. Finally Sept 14th NCL announced the date and itinerary with waitlist passengers able to book first. AC aft facing suite booked. Sept 15 with an A3 only $300 pp more I moved my booking to the courtyard gaining more the 200 square feet and a second bedroom and bathroom before they fixed the pricing. The wait was on.
Well I failed engine, 4 fires later, it is 24 hours before I head to the airport and start this adventure. One more major hurdle to clear. Will the courtyard be ready. One member of the group has already been called and told their Owners Suite will not be ready. The current 2 night by invitation cruise the courtyard area is closed as they continue to work.. Those booked in the courtyard for tomorrows 1 nighter to Southampton have been moved. They can move me anywhere. A free cruise would not be a bad thing.
That brings us to the beginning of this blog from the Epic transatlantic. Stay tuned for updates here or on face book.
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