NEW YORK 2016 CRUISES planning & info thread. NYC

[MaleficentRN]

Hi! Im doing the 5 night Canadian cruise out of NYC in 3 weeks!!

I should know this, but I think I'm overthinking - is there a pirate night on this cruise? I know that when I sign in to my activities it tells me there is (on the Halifax day) but then it doesn't mention Halloween anywhere, so I'm wondering if Pirate night is really Halloween and then if not, when is Halloween? I'm trying to start thinking about packing and am not quite sure what I need!

Any other night would just be "cruise casual," is that correct? I don't need any other dress up (I know really, I don't NEED any dress up, but I'm not one to pass up an opportunity to look silly!).

Thanks!

Monday is semi formal, Tuesday is Mickey's Mouse-querade Party and Wednesday is pirate night. Sunday and Thursday are casual.

 

[chipscinderelly]

Monday is semi formal, Tuesday is Mickey's Mouse-querade Party and Wednesday is pirate night. Sunday and Thursday are casual.

For our NYC cruise in late Oct we've been told Sunday is Formal night, Monday is probably Halloween, Tuesday is Pirate night and Thursday is Semi Formal. This is due to only having 2 port days.

 

[MaleficentRN]

For our NYC cruise in late Oct we've been told Sunday is Formal night, Monday is probably Halloween, Tuesday is Pirate night and Thursday is Semi Formal. This is due to only having 2 port days.

*Edited* I was replying to the poster leaving on 10/2. That's a Sunday and only 5 nights. I'm sure sailings that leave on a Saturday and are 7 night are different.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've never known a cruise to have a formal night on the first or last evening. To chaotic. You need to have clothes unpacked and pressed by dinner. Not to say that it wouldn't happen, but I'd be surprised.

Well, the 7 night NY cruises Sunday is night 2, so formal is possible.

 

[Disnut4925]

Is there any way of knowing which night Tangled is on the 7-night? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Birdie dog]

Following because I booked 2017.

 

[msmama]

Has anyone done a pre-cruise hotel and ground transfers through Disney?

What time? How much $$?

My ride has decided to go away, too, so now I'll be getting to NYC a day earlier than I thought. Trying to decide whether I want to handle things myself or go through Disney.

 

[chilepeppr4]

Is there any way of knowing which night Tangled is on the 7-night? Thanks in advance for any help!

jus a few more weeks and we can see the Navigators for the same sailing of this year... Im really excited to see them lol

 

[cscream13]

Park Right on 43rd has white glove service. http://www.parkright.com/670-w-43-st-new-york.shtml

Has anyone used this parking garage that can weigh in on their experience? This seems like a good deal and worth saving almost $100 off the port parking rates.

 

[gometros]

Has anyone used this parking garage that can weigh in on their experience? This seems like a good deal and worth saving almost $100 off the port parking rates.

We just booked it for our cruise next week.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

If you are driving and want to save a BOAT LOAD of money on parking for the week, consider driving to Weehawkin NJ. They are directly across the Hudson. They only charge $14/day to park and the ferry cost $9/pp one way. It's an 8 minute ferry ride and you are really close to the terminal.

We were going to do it, but then I decided to take Greyhound up from VA for $34/pp.

http://www.nywaterway.com/PortImperialWeehawkenTerminal.aspx

 

[disneymomaholic]

Following for 2017 cruise! Does anyone have any tips after you have experiences your cruise? Where did you park/stay/transfer with? Cost? Do's and Don'ts.

 

[Pens Fan]

Following for 2017 cruise! Does anyone have any tips after you have experiences your cruise? Where did you park/stay/transfer with? Cost? Do's and Don'ts.

One tip I'll add. I know a lot of people will want to spend some time in NYC prior to the cruise. In our case, our schedule didn't allow for that and we ended up driving in the evening before the cruise. So we basically were looking for a clean, safe place to lay our head - and a place to park.

We chose the Hilton Garden Inn in Ridgefield Park, NJ. It had easy access from the interstate and was located in what seemed to be a nice, safe area. It was in the middle of a bunch of office buildings with a movie theater across the street as well. They offer a stay, park and cruise package that we thought was a terrific bargain for the NYC area. For roughly $284 we got a room, breakfast, parking for the duration of the cruise and transfer by private vehicle to and from the cruise terminal. Considering it's $40 per day to park at the cruise terminal, depending on the length of your cruise, you could almost be getting the room for free. It was an easy 20-30 minute ride to the terminal. Pick up was a little chaotic as you have to go across the street and then try to call and meet up with your driver in a rather congested area, but it all worked out. The hotel itself was perfectly fine, about what you expect from a typical Hilton - clean, comfortable and professional staff.

Living in PA, we loved the convenience and cost savings of sailing out of NYC and not having to fly. I would book this same package again in a heartbeat. If you are looking to spend time in the city, it might not be the best idea, though I did see on Trip Advisor several reviewers mentioned that there was a bus stop very close by that would take you into the city for sightseeing. We didn't make use of that, so I can't vouch for that or have any more information. But for anyone just looking for a place to sleep and park, this is great option!

 

[disneymomaholic]

This is exactly what we are looking for! We are coming from western PA and like you, we don't plan on spending much time in NYC

 

[bbn1122]

Would love to see more information on recent cruises out of NYC! Just booked for 2017.

DH and I did a 2 night to no where in 2012.

 

[Pens Fan]

Would love to see more information on recent cruises out of NYC! Just booked for 2017.

DH and I did a 2 night to no where in 2012.

I don't know if you're heading north or south from NYC, but for those heading north:

We used Dave's Taxi Tours in St. John and Open Top Tours in Halifax. Both were excellent! The areas we visited were all absolutely beautiful:

St. John:
Bay of Fundy trail - beautiful ocean vistas
St. Martins - walked in the sea caves (check the tide schedule!!) They have nice little place for lunch at the caves - try the seafood chowder - really, really good
Reversing falls - saw the river flowing one direction in the morning and then the opposite later in the day - seriously cool!
Twin covered bridge in St. Martins are charming and worth a photo stop
Quaco Lighthouse atop the Quaco ledges had a beautiful view

Halifax:
Cemetery with graves from the Titanic victims - definitely worth a stop
Prospect Bay - charming little fishing village with incredible views (and NO tourists!)
Peggy's Cove - it's lovely but crawling with tourists - we stopped there briefly, took our photos and hurried on our way
The place just down from Peggy's Cove that our guide called "Peggy's Cove without the lighthouse and people" - If you take a left on the highway from Peggy's Cove it was just a mile or so down the road. He turned left and drove up a gravel road to this beautiful vista. The rock formations looked just like the ones at Peggy's Cove. You could see the lighthouse WAY out in the distance. We were the only ones there. Not a soul in site, save a few sea birds. There was a picnic table so this would be a great place for a picnic lunch. I wish I could give better directions, but we had a guide and were just along for the ride!
Lunenberg and Mahone Bay - both charming little villages with historic homes, shops and restaurants and beautiful harbors. I wish we had more time at both of them. Either would make a great place to spend an afternoon if you had the time. If I had to choose between the two, I thought Mahone Bay was more scenic.
There are tons of little places to stop for beautiful ocean or lake (depending on the side of the road) views. We stopped as much as possible. Our guide was terrific, and knew all the little special spots. Both my husband and I are amateur photographers, so it was a perfect day for us.

Weather overall was much better than we expected. It was cold and drizzling at sail away, but by the time we got to St. John it really warmed up. Pirate night was windy and cold, but on the last sea day there were lots of people in the pools, it was so warm. Bring layers, that way you will be prepared either way! We thought the seas were especially calm, though I've read other reports on here from passengers who thought it was choppy. I don't know, for us it was by far the smoothest seas we have ever sailed on. Maybe our previous cruises were just really bad by comparison!

Overall we loved this cruise. There were not a lot of kids on board and because of that the ship was not crowded at all even though it was almost completely sold out. I guess a lot of the rooms just had 2 in them. We would love to do this again some day. Sailing out of NYC was a treat for us as we didn't have to fly and we really enjoyed the ports.

 

[bbn1122]

I don't know if you're heading north or south from NYC, but for those heading north:

We used Dave's Taxi Tours in St. John and Open Top Tours in Halifax. Both were excellent! The areas we visited were all absolutely beautiful:

St. John:
Bay of Fundy trail - beautiful ocean vistas
St. Martins - walked in the sea caves (check the tide schedule!!) They have nice little place for lunch at the caves - try the seafood chowder - really, really good
Reversing falls - saw the river flowing one direction in the morning and then the opposite later in the day - seriously cool!
Twin covered bridge in St. Martins are charming and worth a photo stop
Quaco Lighthouse atop the Quaco ledges had a beautiful view

Halifax:
Cemetery with graves from the Titanic victims - definitely worth a stop
Prospect Bay - charming little fishing village with incredible views (and NO tourists!)
Peggy's Cove - it's lovely but crawling with tourists - we stopped there briefly, took our photos and hurried on our way
The place just down from Peggy's Cove that our guide called "Peggy's Cove without the lighthouse and people" - If you take a left on the highway from Peggy's Cove it was just a mile or so down the road. He turned left and drove up a gravel road to this beautiful vista. The rock formations looked just like the ones at Peggy's Cove. You could see the lighthouse WAY out in the distance. We were the only ones there. Not a soul in site, save a few sea birds. There was a picnic table so this would be a great place for a picnic lunch. I wish I could give better directions, but we had a guide and were just along for the ride!
Lunenberg and Mahone Bay - both charming little villages with historic homes, shops and restaurants and beautiful harbors. I wish we had more time at both of them. Either would make a great place to spend an afternoon if you had the time. If I had to choose between the two, I thought Mahone Bay was more scenic.
There are tons of little places to stop for beautiful ocean or lake (depending on the side of the road) views. We stopped as much as possible. Our guide was terrific, and knew all the little special spots. Both my husband and I are amateur photographers, so it was a perfect day for us.

Weather overall was much better than we expected. It was cold and drizzling at sail away, but by the time we got to St. John it really warmed up. Pirate night was windy and cold, but on the last sea day there were lots of people in the pools, it was so warm. Bring layers, that way you will be prepared either way! We thought the seas were especially calm, though I've read other reports on here from passengers who thought it was choppy. I don't know, for us it was by far the smoothest seas we have ever sailed on. Maybe our previous cruises were just really bad by comparison!

Overall we loved this cruise. There were not a lot of kids on board and because of that the ship was not crowded at all even though it was almost completely sold out. I guess a lot of the rooms just had 2 in them. We would love to do this again some day. Sailing out of NYC was a treat for us as we didn't have to fly and we really enjoyed the ports.

Thank you so much for your post. And great info.

We booked the 4 night with one day in St. John. We have been there before. We are looking forward to just relaxing on that beautiful ship and love the convenience of only having to travel an to port.

I am hoping for Palo Brunch on sea days. And taking in a few movies. The spa and relaxing.

Thanks again.

 

[mmouse37]

Is there a 2017 info thread for NYC cruises?

MJ

 

[MnkyGirl]

Is there a 2017 info thread for NYC cruises?

MJ

Hey MJ! It's not an "official" planning/info thread, but this one just started and I think it will most likely turn into it.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/nyc-cruisers-whos-going.3637127/#post-58257924

 

[cscream13]

Does anyone remember what time they disembarked the ship last year, for those who sailed out of NYC in 2016? I'm embarrassed to say we were one of the families that sailed last year, but I can't remember the timing! When we got to the parking deck, my car was dead and so my recollection of the timeframe is thrown off a bit by that monkey wrench -- it took us a while to get someone who could come and jump my car.

Anyway, the time to be picked up from the port is being debated in my cruise group and I was curious if anyone remembers from last year what time they got off the ship, and if you had family/friends or booked private transfers, what time you were picked up from the port?

TIA!