NYC-Bahamas 6/22/12: True Tales from under the Verrazano update 7/20

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

I have decided to start a Trip Report for our DCL Cruise out of NYC. I have done a few TR in the past (should have done Alaska last year, but never got around to it!), and its fun to share the Magic with others! Especially when its the first time the cruise has done an itinerary, people have so many questions!

I think we end up as the 3rd (maybe 4th) cruise out of NYC to the Bahamas for 2012. I can't tell you how excited I am to not have to fly. I am also very excited to not have to pack for an Alaskan Cruise! While I love that itinerary, its laborious to pack winter clothes, coats, and some summer stuff for Seattle! There is only so much space in a suitcase, and lord knows one must leave some room for souvenirs and FE gifts!

This will be our 7th DCL Cruise. We had also sailed on HAL to Alaska (1st Alaska Trip) in 2000, and the NE/Canada Cruise out of Baltimore on RCI in 2010. It will be the 6th cruise for one DD, and the 5th for the other. They have sailed on ships since they were 18 months, so they are pretty comfortable with cruising. They are also really looking forward to yet again participating in the FE Exchange. DH, not so much, as he hates lugging all the loot home afterwards.

I have barely started to pack for this trip, and we sail in just over 2 weeks. Usually I have started packing months before our trip. I think the fact that this is the first summer I have off (I now work in the Schools rather than the Hospital, so I have my first summer off this year!!) has lulled me into this false sense of security. I think, "I have a full 10 days before we leave to get packed up, do FEs, etc, etc." I think I may be cutting it close, but we will see!

I am looking forward to the trip UNDER the Verrazano too. I am a born/bred Jersey girl, who has been transplanted to Maryland since 1989. But my relatives are all from Long Island, so there have been MANY a trip from NJ to LI over the Verrazano. And when we were kids, we always had the choice by my parents, "Do you want to go on the Under bridge, or the Over bridge?" Of course, we could never agree, and just short of the entrance my parents would make the decision to go on the top road or under road of the bridge. Now, I get to go UNDER the bridge. Its just a goofy thing for me, but I am looking forward to it!

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust, my friends! Let the Magic begin!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Last night, I finally pinned DH down and we made a decision about the hotel. Not sure why this was so agonizing! He had originally wanted to drive up Thursday to Knobels, ride some of the rides then head towards NY to stay overnight. But, I told him that was ridiculous, since it would be over 3 hours to get to Knobels from Baltimore, for a few hours in the park, and another 3 hours to get near NYC!! Crazy!

So, the kids got 2 free tickets to Great Adventure from the reading program at school. My husband HATES Great Adventure, the one time he had been there (before we were married) someone keyed the entire side of his brand new Blazer. Being a Jersey girl, I loved Great Adventure (Six Flags as the rest of the world calls it) and I felt this is the perfect opportunity to go briefly, not spend a lot of $$ and travel on to NYC. DH finally agreed!!!

SO, we will drive up on Thursday, and spend some time in Great Adventure exploring. Not a lot of time, as DH can't stand the heat for long or he gets a migraine. But enough to use the free tickets, and the discounted tickets DH and I will get. The we will drive up about 45 minutes to stay at the Holiday Inn Express in East Brunswick. It has good reviews, and free breakfast-what more can you want? Then on Friday it a 1/2 hour trip up to port.

We have a "later" boarding time (12:30pm) which considering what I have been reading, is a really good thing. It should give the other passengers an opportunity to get out of my parking space in time for me to pull into it!! 12:30 also give us plenty of time to get onboard and eat, and still enjoy some time before we set sail.

Getting closer! This weekend, I will start making the final packing lists and also do some toiletry and item shopping for the trip. And hopefully finish the FEs! I am really pushing the timeline here--hopefully I'll get it all done and not forget something really important...like the spending money.

 

[JAM113]

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

In August (2011) we were ready to set sail on the Wonder for a trip to Alaska...

Isn't she beautiful? Notice the Canada flag flying from the top of the ship?

Characters, even in Vancouver's Port! I have no doubt it will look the same in NY!

After we got our stuff into our room, we headed up to eat some lunch! Can't wait for some shrimp in 2 weeks!

And when we sail out of NY on June 22, Mommy will probably be "Shakin' her Groove Thing" while the girls will be finding any streamers or pompoms they can find. Particularly the very special ones that came cascading down as the ship's horn sang.... "When you wish upon a star"

Yes, that is the MAGIC (and the WONDER) of DCL--no matter where they are in the World. And we can't wait!!!

Taken sailing to Alaska, Summer 2011

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Only 2 weekends left to pack for this trip, and I am still sorely behind! I did get a couple of more items to complete our FEs, trying to keep it simple, I have done elaborate items before, and they are such a pain to pack!

Staring getting those "essentials" too...the Pepto Bismal, Bonine, small theater boxes of candy for the shows ...can't turn down 88 cents a box when they are like $4 on the ship! Need to save my onboard credits for items such as adult beverages and all those darn photos I always end up buying WAY too many of each cruise!

I have been trying to think of a Photo Theme for this cruise, both for myself and for the girls. Last year we started out trying to do an "Alaskan Alphabet" montage, (making the scrapbook follow all the letters). It proved more difficult than I had thought, and I abandoned the concept a few days into the cruise. One cruise, a fellow DISer made it a point to take pictures of all the public area restrooms on the ship. An eye opening expose' of all the porcelain and marble aboard the Magic. I think everyone has maxed out the Food Porn by now. I have also done the chronological scrapbook, including pictures of our daily events along with a brief synopsis of the day's best, worst, craziest, goofiest....

I need to think about this...only 13 days to come up with some ingenious idea for my Trip Report photos, along with my own scrapbook

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

One week til we meet up with the Mice, Duck, Dog and... what IS he anyway?

It's been so gorgeous here the last few days, and the next few.. sunny low 80s--perfect for boarding a ship...but then I looked at the future forecast YIKES! 94 for Thursday, when we are heading up to NJ for a trip to Great Adventure! Seriously? 94? ugh!

I've been working on some strategic planning for the suitcases. If I can help it, I plan on just needing the "Day Bag" for Thursday into Friday, so we don't end up unpacking all the big cruise suitcases for a simple overnight in NJ. I've started my usual "lists" including Port, dining rotation for the day, Palo's etc. I try so hard to minimize all the "stuff" I pack, but I nevertheless end up packing far too many clothing items...and still forget something that I really need! One trip I'm going to just toss everything in a bag, and say "Que sera, sera" but I'd probably forget something important...like all my bottoms/skirts.

Good news: I found my FE!! I have 2 from previous cruises, and didn't want to have to recreate the wheel for this trip. As my husband says, "you always leave things in a 'safe place', so safe not even you can find it!" Bad news: still working on my FEs. I'm not as happy with them this year, but I still think they will be well received. Much like that You Tube Video of the marriage proposal to "Marry Me," I think the bar keeps getting set higher and higher! So much pressure to succeed!

One week! Yippeee!! Wait one week? uh oh! ONE WEEK?? better get packing!!!!

 

[gaporee]

I'm following along.

Glad to hear to found your FE's!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

So, here's the thing. I LOVE<3 <3 cruises. Particularly Disney Cruises. They are awesome, they are relaxing, but they are A LOT of work...

Why?

Because sailing in the middle of the Ocean, and being Type A, I need to pack to the inch of my life. I need to make sure I have EVERYTHING I can possibly need for the week, and then some. I need to bring things I otherwise do not use ALL YEAR, but can't bear not having access to. And it makes me crazy!

You would think that now, on our 9th cruise, I would have the packing thing down to a science. But noooooooo. I admit, it has been FAR easier to pack clothing for this cruise, than say last year's Disney Alaskan Voyage, or even our RCI Cruise from Baltimore to NE/Canada. And even when we take winter cruises to the Caribbean it is a challenge. Multiple types of clothing are required-warm clothes, sweatshirts, pants, dresses for the dining rooms, etc. etc. Add airfare and baggage fees to that non-sense and it really makes a girl like me nuts!

So what's the problem? I am overthinking this, yet again. AND, the biggest part of the problem? I end up packing everything for everyone! I usually let the DH fend for himself, but that still leaves me to pack for 3 girls!! And, when I return, I need to UNPACK for 3 girls and DH as well (don't get me started on laundry detail!)

Sure, I'll be happy as a calm come Friday, but right now, I need an intervention! LOL Or at least an assistant

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Shhhh,

Its just about midnight here at our house, and yes, I am still up. I am really not sure if its always because I'm so excited to be going on our Disney Vacation (whereever that may be) or because I have so many damn things to do, I can't GET to bed! BUt its OK, the 10 year old is currently awake as well. Good thing she can sleep in the car!

We have decided to abandon the Great Adventure stop tomorrow, in light of the 100 degree predicted temperatures for NJ/NY. Instead, we purchased tickets to the Camden Adventure Aquarium in NJ. Its only 1 1/2 hours from our house, and then its only 1 hour to the hotel we booked for tomorrow night in East Brunswick. That then puts us an hour out from the Port on Friday morning. Considering we have a Port Arrival Time of 12/12:30, that allows us to sleep in, get in some free breakfast, and then take a leisurely drive up to NYC (hahahaha, did I say leisurely and drive to NY in the same sentence?)

I have directions printed, sent to my phone and will call OnStar en route, so hopefully we don't get lost. I think I may be able to find a boat with red stacks and Mickey Heads on it, but its a big city, I could be wrong...

As much is packed as can be at this point. Hard to believe that the next time I will sleep in my own bed, we will have cruised, swam with dolphins, been to Disney World and mastered the drive in NYC.

Bon Voyage Friends. Talk when we get back!!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Well, we have made it out of NYC alive, and back safely into Maryland. My husband is originally from Colorado, and is so NOT a city driver....

Despite some rough weather, high waves (18 ft swells!), Monsoons on Castaway Cay, and humidity so high my camera fogged up everytime I stepped outside...we had a great time! Will start the TR and post pictures hopefully starting tomorrow

Jealous of the family currently in "our" room and at "our" dining table right now!!

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Our original plan had been to take the day before, and head to Great Adventure for the day with the kids since they had earned free tickets to the park by doing a reading thing at school. That plan had been ursurped by extraordinarily high heat (only 102 degrees) predicted for that day. So, we decided to instead head to NJ Aquarium in Camden. Only 1 1/2 hours from our house, and then only 1 hour to the planned hotel we had booked. It was neat to look across the river to Philadelphia, and the Aquarium was nice and COOL...

The kids found the sign in the Hippo Area particularly entertaining. I didn't find the smell particularly appealing, however...

We tried to leave Camden by 3pm, so we could get to the hotel by 4pm and hopefully miss the rush hour traffic. We were successful, and stayed in the Holiday Inn Express in East Brunswick, which is immediately off the Turnpike. The room was basic, but what else do you need for one night? We drove down Rt 18 to eat at Olive Garden. The nice thing about this location was every possible restaurant you could think of all down this strip of highway. After dinner, the girls swam in the pool, and it was off to sleep, dreaming of ships, characters, pirates and pixie dust.

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Argh, I typed up a whole post on the trip into port with pictures, and the internet froze. I left the computer open and ready to continue when we left for the fireworks. When we got back from fireworks the post was completely gone!

I'll retype the saga tomorrow, when my brain is adjusted again.

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

OK, let's try this again...

I was awoken in the morning of the 22nd by "Mommy, get up, we are going to miss the Disney Cruise." Rolled over and peeked at the clock--8:30am. Nope, we've got some time At least for some free "Breakfast" at the Holiday Inn Express. Otherise known as the "glorified continential breakfast with a mass produced pseudo-omlet tray" Its all good, we are going to be eating like kings for the next 8 days, we can suck up a miserable breakfast for today...

3 or 4 last checks through all the drawers and under the beds, I am convinced that we have, in fact, not left any items, or "friends" behind. We may have only stayed the night, but we could still manage to loost a Littlest Pet Shop or two in a 12 hour timeframe (oh, if I could be so lucky...). We head on out to the most stressful part of my journey...the trek into N.Y.C

Girls ready to go, in the adorable DCL shirts my cousin designed for us. Great, great, great design...wrong, wrong, wrong color shirt for 100 degree temperatures...

Prior to the journey (about 12 midnight on Wednesday night) I printed off Map Quest directions and the PDF from the Port of NY so I can make sure we know how to get there. Additionally, we place a call to OnStar, but have to wait "for the next available OnStar Advisor." Lord, I hope that in a real-life emergency, there is not a wait for my OnStar Advisor!! Our trusty lady looks in her roladex o' addresses, and...can't find exactly what I need. She chooses what she *thinks* we need, and the directions are sent to my car... Luckily, I paid attention to the address the car said we were heading to...actually the Port Authority main offices located somewhere NOT near the ship terminal we actually need to find! So I call yet another trusty OnStar Advisor, and let her know we have been sent on a path to nowhere. At least no where I want to go. I explain we need the SHIP Terminal, and directions are magically resent to our car. This time, I believe we are heading in the right direction!

View of NYC from the NJ Turnpike (though the haze)

Approaching the exit for the Lincoln Tunnel, after exiting the NJTP

Never underestimate the magic of the EZ Pass. Of course, that magic will disappear once the bill shows up at the door. $12 just to go through the darn tunnel!!

Strategic advertising by the Big Apple for the Big Apple??

Note to those who haven't driven in a tunnel. Its narrow, there is no wiggle room. Just ask the Lexus next to us who decided to test the theory with the side of his vehicle as we approached the daylight on the NY side of the tunnel...

Cue the music..."its good to be a part of it...New York New York"

How many people cough up $350 every day in NY while in traffic?

Traveling along 12th Ave (West Side Highway)...wait, is that a Magic Ship I see in the distance?

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Getting closer...

DIS said something about Pier 88!!

Yes, friends, behind the lovely landscaped tall weeds stands the sign directing you to the terminal you so desperately desire!

We made it around the "Safe UTurn" we were guided to by our OnStar Advisor, and are now on the correct side of West Side Highway, onto terminal parking...

An easy $280 later, and another UTurn off the one parking tier to the other, we have safely made it to park! *HINT* keep your eyes opened to both lanes of parking, and if you see a few spots on the "upside" of the parking landing, drive all the way around so you are closer to the elevator!

Home sweet Home

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

Since we had parked on a different Pier Deck than the Magic was docked, we ended up taking a small hike to get where we needed. At first, we had just taken the HUGE elevator downstairs, to an empty terminal. We finally found a Terminal employee who directed us back outside (we were at least on the correct level now) to walk the luggage from the Pier we had parked on to the Pier the ship was on. We did have a slightly small struggle with all the Kids Pillow Pets and such, luckily my kids are now old enough to wheel their own kid-size luggage, which made the transition slightly easier. There were porters right outside of the terminal, at the roadside, and after a little tip (the porters give you the hint by keeping the huge wad of cash clutched tightly in their fist) we were about 4 bags lighter and heading into the terminal.

More people in this terminal, plus all the Disney Cruise Line signs--sure giveaways that we were in fact closer to where we wanted to be! Security took the longest, not because they didn't keep the line moving, but rather because people didn't know what they had to have out for inspection. The family in front of us struggled to find their Cruise document booklet, and fish out all their birth certificates, and so we waited. Having done this a few times, we had all the Passports opened to our pictures, and the Cruise Document book opened to the correct page, moving us through quickly from that point.

We were met and guided to a line (not so sure the "Castaway Club" line was any quicker than the regular line)... where we were "helped" by a most unfriendly woman behind the desk. Not only was she not friendly, she keyed our room incorrectly, and we later ended up at Guest Services on the ship getting new cards! We were told we were "Group number 15", which was pointless by then, since "all numbers had been called already"

After a quick venture down the walk, and getting our Welcome Aboard pictures, we were onboard by about 12:50pm. Now, we typically wait to board until after 1pm because we hate, HATE, hate dragging our luggage around with us when trying to eat. But, since it was just about 1pm, and we couldn't get into our room until 1:30, we decided to head up to Topsiders to eat. Wrong choice. The place was absolutely mobbed!! Luckily, we had searched around for a table prior to getting our food, so we weren't standing around with food trays and luggage waiting on a seat. We fought our way back out of Topsiders and went down to the much less crowded, Parrot Cay.

Thinking it was safe, we headed up to the room, but, as I had said, the person had incorrectly coded our Key Cards. It took a few minutes to find a crew member who could help us...which meant telling us to go to the Laundry Room and call Guest Services. Guest Services sent someone up to open up our door, but we still had to go down to the desk to have our keys checked. That is when we discovered (gasp!) that that most unfriendly woman was also pretty incompetent, as she keyed our cards to a room somewhere on deck 6...Sadly, that meant we lost our cool Mickey Red KTTW cards, and traded them to the Blue Mickey KTTW cards.

We decided to do some exploring since we were out and about already, and the kids jumped around the kids club once we had checked them in. Since we moved so quickly onshore, we totally missed where the Kids Club sign-in was in the terminal. Its OK, there was really no wait to get checked into the club on the ship at that point-good for us and the kids

Kids Lab:

Back in the room, we took time to check out our Castway Club gift:

Our backpack was very handy this trip, esp. in WDW. I think its my favorite bag (after the carry on bag we had gotten back in 2002). DH called the keychain this time, since I got the one from last year:

The view from our Verandah (7106, port side)

The kids loved this stairstep building

View of NJ from our room:

Bags just arrived! A little time to unpack prior to the muster drill!

We always have the girls try on their life vests, and I made them take them off and put them on by themselves again prior to the drill.

We don't bring cameras or smart phones to the drill, although plenty of people in our lifeboat did. People also came down with beer in hand, and one family strolled (literally, with the baby stroller) past the crew member reviewing the lifeboat procedures! Frustrating to see people so laid back considering the cruise ship tragedy earlier this year!

Anyway, drill over, some more unpacking and we headed up to the Sail Away Party, where the girls anxiously waited to see if they would get to meet their new-found internet buddies!! Let's get this party started!!

 

[podsnel]

The girls have gotten so big!!! A friend of mine was on this cruise- she and her hubby renewed their vows on the secret aft deck- and she was able to do it as a surprise to her family! Isn't that sweet?

Looking forward to reading more about your adventures....

Ellen

 

[Kristina - Mom]

great trip report....I am loving reading it. We are going on the magic to Canada on 8/12. Can't wait to read more!

kristina

 

[mtquinn]

Yes, I want to see more trip report!! You have my permission to post pics with all the kids together, if you like. Edie and Jesse would get a thrill seeing their pics with Lyn and Syd whooping it up.

I am still going through major DCL withdrawal. -sniff-

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Can't wait to hear more. We are hoping DCL returns to NYC in 2014!

 

[mtquinn]

Can't wait to hear more. We are hoping DCL returns to NYC in 2014!

Yes, so are we! We have plans to do Hawaii/Aulani, but we may go with another cruise instead if they come back to NY. You just can't beat the no-flying.

Here's hoping!