NYC CRUISES PLANNING/INFO ThREAD!

[disny_luvr]

A friend of mine was in NYC for the Fantasy christening and offered this option for parking - -

I have not experienced this myself, but trust this person totally!

I am so glad someone posted this. Last month, DH, myself and our two sons went to NYC for a day trip. It was suggested, by people on the DIS, to take the ferry from Weehawken over to the City. We loved it! Finding the terminal and parking were a breeze (and cheap too). Anyway, while in the terminal in NJ, I got talking to a guy who (along with his wife) were on their way over to NYC to board the Norwegian Jewel. That got me thinking about doing the same for our upcoming DCL cruise out of NYC. It will only be DH and myself and we're only doing the 2-night cruise so we won't have much luggage at all. I think we'll be able to pack everything into DH's rolling duffle bag. I just have a few questions though:
1. Can we walk from the terminal in NYC to the pier? How bad would it be to walk four blocks in the August heat pulling a rolling duffle bag? If we take a cab, how much would that cost the two of us?
2. Is parking $10/day at Weehawken/Port Imperial? Or is it $10 for the length-of-stay?
3. If we decide to drive into the City to park how much would we pay to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel? Is it easy to find the pier once inside the City?

Thanks for any and all help. DH and I have never cruised so we have no idea what to expect when we arrive at the terminal. Our goal is to pay as little as possible to park/get into the City so I am trying to explore all options.

TIA!

 

[minnie1012]

I thought it was time to bump this thread back to the front as I have spent the last 2 days trying to plan our NYC time after our cruise.

We have a "really want to do" list and then "if there's time list."

I have 2 hotels booked because for now we can't decide.

My questions are....
1. Hop On Hop Off Buses - opinions from the locals? I know you don't use them, but maybe you know more...I've read a lot of good reviews and then some that talk about waiting FOREVER for them so not worth it. I looked at Gray Line and CitySightseeing....Good idea? If so, do you know if one is "better" than the other....

2. NY Pass (newyorkpass.com) seems like a great deal as it pretty much includes everything on our list plus lots of things we added to that "if there's time" list.

3. Do you know of anywhere to get a map (free or reasonable fee) that would kind of label all the popular tourist spots? Now that we have our list, I'd like to group them by area for each day. I know I could look them all up on google maps, but I think I'd confuse myself and never remember where the first thing was by the time I got to the 5th thing...

Hi I don't know about the other stuff but I had this map from when I worked there that I loved. It's the New York Pop out Map. It has a subway map on the one page and when you open it shows all the streets and marks the diferent places like Radio City, Bloomingdales, Grand Central, different hotels etc. Then the back page is the theater district and it marks all the theaters. It was pretty helpful every time I used it. Even though I worked there, I worked downtown so I didn't always know where certain places were in midtown etc. I believe I got it at a Hallmark store. I actually just went and found it and on the back it said it was 4.95 but mine is pretty old so the price may have gone up. If you have more questions about what it has on there let me know.

It looks like they have them on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Popout-Map-Manhattan/dp/1898277532/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_4

 

[Carol36]

After sending an email inquiring about our dining schedule on 8 night out of NYC Bahamas itinerary, DCL responded with this(in case anyone would like to know):

Dining attire varies by venue or theme night on your cruise. In general,
most meals are "Cruise Casual"-- jeans, khakis and capris are permitted;
however, we ask that Guests refrain from wearing shorts, swimwear or
tank tops in the dining rooms.

Below is the recommended attire for your cruise itinerary and is subject
to change:

On 8-night Bahamas cruise out of New York City departing Friday or
Saturday:
*Nights 1, 3, 5, 6, & 8: cruise casual
*Night 2: "formal night" - formal wear for men: tuxedo or suit; for
women: gown or dress
*Night 4: pirate night with deck party - cruise casual or bring your
best pirate outfit!
*Night 7: "semi-formal night" - semi-formal wear for men: suit/jacket;
for women: dress or pantsuit.

Palo is our romantic alternative restaurant exclusively for our Guests
18 years and older. To maintain this elegant feeling during the various
dining options, a dress code is in place for the Palo Champagne Brunch,
Palo High Tea and Palo Dinner.

-Palo Champagne Brunch and/or Palo High Tea:
Cruise casual wear suggested.
No shorts, swimwear, tank tops or blue jeans are permitted.

-Palo Dinner:
Men - A dress shirt or jacket is required.
Women - A dress or pantsuit is recommended.
No shorts, swimwear, tank tops or blue jeans are permitted.

Each day on the ship a Personal Navigator, like a daily newspaper, will
be delivered to your stateroom with a complete updated listing of all
onboard activities, adventures, and entertainment. Once onboard you can
check the Personal Navigator each day for special activities/events.

 

[mmouse37]

I am so glad someone posted this. Last month, DH, myself and our two sons went to NYC for a day trip. It was suggested, by people on the DIS, to take the ferry from Weehawken over to the City. We loved it! Finding the terminal and parking were a breeze (and cheap too). Anyway, while in the terminal in NJ, I got talking to a guy who (along with his wife) were on their way over to NYC to board the Norwegian Jewel. That got me thinking about doing the same for our upcoming DCL cruise out of NYC. It will only be DH and myself and we're only doing the 2-night cruise so we won't have much luggage at all. I think we'll be able to pack everything into DH's rolling duffle bag. I just have a few questions though:
1. Can we walk from the terminal in NYC to the pier? How bad would it be to walk four blocks in the August heat pulling a rolling duffle bag? If we take a cab, how much would that cost the two of us?
2. Is parking $10/day at Weehawken/Port Imperial? Or is it $10 for the length-of-stay?
3. If we decide to drive into the City to park how much would we pay to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel? Is it easy to find the pier once inside the City?

Thanks for any and all help. DH and I have never cruised so we have no idea what to expect when we arrive at the terminal. Our goal is to pay as little as possible to park/get into the City so I am trying to explore all options.

TIA!

When the Fantasy was in town my friend and I parked at the Ferry terminal in Weehawken and took the Ferry over and walked to the port. Granted we did not have any luggage but it should not be a bad walk with just a duffle bag. There is sidewalk the whole way. You will also walk right past the Intrpedit Museum.

The parking at the ferry would be $10 per DAY not length of stay. You would also have to figure in the round trip ferry tickets.

Parking at the port is easy but expensive...I think someone posted it is up to $35 per day.

MJ

 

[Minnie Monellen]

I am so glad someone posted this. Last month, DH, myself and our two sons went to NYC for a day trip. It was suggested, by people on the DIS, to take the ferry from Weehawken over to the City. We loved it! Finding the terminal and parking were a breeze (and cheap too). Anyway, while in the terminal in NJ, I got talking to a guy who (along with his wife) were on their way over to NYC to board the Norwegian Jewel. That got me thinking about doing the same for our upcoming DCL cruise out of NYC. It will only be DH and myself and we're only doing the 2-night cruise so we won't have much luggage at all. I think we'll be able to pack everything into DH's rolling duffle bag. I just have a few questions though:
1. Can we walk from the terminal in NYC to the pier? How bad would it be to walk four blocks in the August heat pulling a rolling duffle bag? If we take a cab, how much would that cost the two of us?
2. Is parking $10/day at Weehawken/Port Imperial? Or is it $10 for the length-of-stay?
3. If we decide to drive into the City to park how much would we pay to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel? Is it easy to find the pier once inside the City?

Thanks for any and all help. DH and I have never cruised so we have no idea what to expect when we arrive at the terminal. Our goal is to pay as little as possible to park/get into the City so I am trying to explore all options.

TIA!

The cab ride from the NY Waterway Terminal in Manhattan to the Cruise Terminal wouldn't cost you more than $8 to $10 (including tip).

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Hi I don't know about the other stuff but I had this map from when I worked there that I loved. It's the New York Pop out Map. It has a subway map on the one page and when you open it shows all the streets and marks the diferent places like Radio City, Bloomingdales, Grand Central, different hotels etc. Then the back page is the theater district and it marks all the theaters. It was pretty helpful every time I used it. Even though I worked there, I worked downtown so I didn't always know where certain places were in midtown etc. I believe I got it at a Hallmark store. I actually just went and found it and on the back it said it was 4.95 but mine is pretty old so the price may have gone up. If you have more questions about what it has on there let me know.

It looks like they have them on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Popout-Map-Manhattan/dp/1898277532/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_4

I just checked in my office drawer and found my TRANSIT New York Popout Map. More than 15 years ago it cost $2.95 at a Hallmark Store in lower Manhattan.

A more recent purchase was the Geographia (Map Company) QuikFinder, Midtown Manhattan ($6.95) that shows points of interest, hotels, theaters and cinemas, parks, restaurants, prominent stores, transportation, etc.
http://www.geographiamaps.com/

 

[minnie1012]

I just checked in my office drawer and found my TRANSIT New York Popout Map. More than 15 years ago it cost $2.95 at a Hallmark Store in lower Manhattan.

I think I bought mine at the Hallmark in the World Trade Center : (

 

[chllywlly911]

My colors aren't working so my responses are in Comic Sans....

I thought it was time to bump this thread back to the front as I have spent the last 2 days trying to plan our NYC time after our cruise.

We have a "really want to do" list and then "if there's time list."

I have 2 hotels booked because for now we can't decide.

My questions are....
1. Hop On Hop Off Buses - opinions from the locals? I know you don't use them, but maybe you know more...I've read a lot of good reviews and then some that talk about waiting FOREVER for them so not worth it. I looked at Gray Line and CitySightseeing....Good idea? If so, do you know if one is "better" than the other.... I personally have never travelled on either (but I always say how I want to pretend I am a tourist one day and try it) but I see the Gray Line buses EVERYWHERE ...they are double decker, red, really quite visible, and I feel like there are a million of them, and a million people on the streets handing out maps and ads for them. That doesn't mean the City Sightseeing isn't good, I just never noticed them. Does either line have reviews on line. I would try googling their names and see what pops up.

2. NY Pass (newyorkpass.com) seems like a great deal as it pretty much includes everything on our list plus lots of things we added to that "if there's time" list. This is a great deal if you plan on visiting all the places. We priced it out last year when my friend from England and her husband were visiting. Dollar for Dollar you save a few bucks, nothing crazy, but you won't save anything unless you get to all the places.

3. Do you know of anywhere to get a map (free or reasonable fee) that would kind of label all the popular tourist spots? Now that we have our list, I'd like to group them by area for each day. I know I could look them all up on google maps, but I think I'd confuse myself and never remember where the first thing was by the time I got to the 5th thing...

Gray Line has a decent map to just see an overview of the town, I wouldn't use it to navigate, but to see what is where it is ok with all the touristy places mapped out. I will include the link. When we go into the city we are big "walkers" or we'll jump in a cab to get here or there. Things in manhattan are relatively close. http://www.newyorksightseeing.com/GLNY_Map.pdf

 

[ksloane]

My colors aren't working so my responses are in Comic Sans....



Gray Line has a decent map to just see an overview of the town, I wouldn't use it to navigate, but to see what is where it is ok with all the touristy places mapped out. I will include the link. When we go into the city we are big "walkers" or we'll jump in a cab to get here or there. Things in manhattan are relatively close. http://www.newyorksightseeing.com/GLNY_Map.pdf

Thanks!!

 

[Minnie Monellen]

The NYC info site www.nycgo.com has a NYC map app for free.

Also, check the above website to find specific info about the NYC Information Kiosks that provide free guides, maps, pamphlets and brochures:

Official NYC Information Kiosk–City Hall
Official NYC Information Kiosk–Chinatown

Official NYC Information Center–Times Square Alliance
Seventh Ave between 46th and 47th Sts

The Official NYC Information Center - Midtown
810 Seventh Ave
Manhattan, NY 10019
phone: 212-484-1222

The center is a futuristic attraction in and of itself. The mod-ish space features City specialists to help you plan your trip, multilingual FAQ stations and free WiFi. Once inside, you’ll find a bevy of guides and maps along the wall, plus the City’s only aboveground MetroCard machine. This visitor hub also makes sightseeing as accessible as possible, selling CityPASS, Explorer Pass and The New York Pass, plus tickets for helicopter, boat and Gray Line bus tours—so you can see the city from every angle. The Official NYC Information Center is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am–6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am–5pm; and 9am–3pm on major holidays. The Center is easily accessible, too—just steps away from the B, D and E trains.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

If anyone is still looking for a hotel room for a pre or post cruise stay, definitely give Hotwire a try. I just booked the Westin Jersey City for $116 for 6/2. It is a 4 star and gets rave reviews on Tripadvisor. Two blocks away from the PATH train that takes you right into Manhattan.

 

[Tina]

.

 

[Tina]

I'm a bit confused by those of you that said you were able to book your hotel stay through Disney as well. I booked our Aug 12 New England cruise last June. At the time, there we no add-on packages available. I just pulled up my reservation and I still see nothing. I went to modify reservation and the "Resort" and "Add-On" options are grayed-out. Does this mean they are not offering anything for my cruise. We plan to come into NYC on the 9th and were hoping to comparison shop between what we can book on our own and what Disney may offer. We plan to stay in Times Square.

 

[jennypenny]

Two questions about parking at the terminal in NY...

1. If we use the Lincoln Tunnel and drive up the West Side Highway, will we be able to make the left into the cruise terminal? Or do I need to head up another street and be coming back down toward the Lincoln Tunnel and make a right into the parking lot?

2. I have a high-top conversion van. Has anyone parked there? Will it fit? I called them and the girl who answered said "I guess so" which didn't make me feel very confident in her answer. We don't have a handicap sticker so that parking isn't an option.

thanks!!

 

[b080972]

I'm a bit confused by those of you that said you were able to book your hotel stay through Disney as well. I booked our Aug 12 New England cruise last June. At the time, there we no add-on packages available. I just pulled up my reservation and I still see nothing. I went to modify reservation and the "Resort" and "Add-On" options are grayed-out. Does this mean they are not offering anything for my cruise. We plan to come into NYC on the 9th and were hoping to comparison shop between what we can book on our own and what Disney may offer. We plan to stay in Times Square.

I had to book direct through Disney by phone. like you when I tried to book a package online nothing came up but if you go on to them with your reservation number they should be able to offer you the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Also on offer were the Loews (very expensive) and the Westin. We got the Marriott at a rate less that what it was on the Marriott website. Hope this helps. I believe the Westin Times Square is a nice hotel too.

 

[mommy2tati]

Two questions about parking at the terminal in NY...

1. If we use the Lincoln Tunnel and drive up the West Side Highway, will we be able to make the left into the cruise terminal? Or do I need to head up another street and be coming back down toward the Lincoln Tunnel and make a right into the parking lot?

2. I have a high-top conversion van. Has anyone parked there? Will it fit? I called them and the girl who answered said "I guess so" which didn't make me feel very confident in her answer. We don't have a handicap sticker so that parking isn't an option.

thanks!!

1. Yes you can make a left into the terminal from the northbound west side highway. It's essentially a u-turn into the terminal. It's the left on W 55 St I believe.

2. The parking is on the roof of the terminal so you should be fine. I don't believe there are height restrictions.

 

[Tina]

Thanks Ally. I'll give them a call today.

 

[ksloane]

Just a note...I just received a notice and code from Broadway Box that Peter and the StarCatchers is now open through July 4 and it had a discount code as well for $99 orchestra/front mezzanine and $59 middle/rear mezzanine.

I'm considering it but we already have Mary Poppins tickets.....but we may never go back to NYC ....

 

[ksloane]

Ok...Broadway fans....I'm looking at Peter and the Starcatcher, Brooks Atkinson Theatre.....

which would you choose...


11 rows back middle or closer (1st 7 rows are available) but on the outside section of seats but the first two inside seats??

 

[JAM113]

Realizing it may be a personal preference, I would always rather be as center as possible, even if it's a little further back. The front rows are almost too close to see anything happening toward the back of the stage, so you're really only looking at 5-6 rows difference then.