NYC CRUISES PLANNING/INFO ThREAD!

[Minnie Monellen]

Is it possible to drop luggage off at the port and then go down to the Intrepid museum? If so, do we know yet when the port will open?

The terminal opens at 9:00 a.m.

 

[mmouse37]

Also, I have heard that Ava Lounge is a beautiful rooftop bar...they just had a deal on Travelzoo but is sold out...it was six drinks for $39.00

http://www.avaloungenyc.com/

MJ

 

[slg]

I am going to be booking my flights soon and I need to figure out which airport to fly into. We are staying at the Radio City Apartments which is close to Times Square and then going to the cruise.

Are there any advantages to any one of the airports? We've never been to New York before so any advice is appreciated on the pros and cons of each would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mmouse37]

I am going to be booking my flights soon and I need to figure out which airport to fly into. We are staying at the Radio City Apartments which is close to Times Square and then going to the cruise.

Are there any advantages to any one of the airports? We've never been to New York before so any advice is appreciated on the pros and cons of each would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I would avoid JFK if at all possible...that is the farthest away from the Port. LaGuardia (in NY) and Newark (in NJ) are about the same distance. For Newark you have to cross the Hudson River. For LaGuardia you have to cross the East River.

MJ

 

[slg]

Thank you. How about coming into Manhattan? We can take different airlines, so we can come in to one airport and leave from another.

 

[mommy2tati]

Thank you. How about coming into Manhattan? We can take different airlines, so we can come in to one airport and leave from another.

The port is on the west side of Manhattan so like MJ said either Laguardia or Newark are your best bet.

 

[annichan]

Thanks everybody for your info on rooftop bars, I'll look into them!

 

[kstategrad]

I'm so glad this thread is here, because I have never been to New York before, and we're sailing on 9/2! I have lots of newbie questions and would love some advice!

1. We're flying from Memphis to LGA the day before the cruise. Anyone know of a good hotel near that airport that we could get shuttle service to the port from on the morning of the cruise? If not, what's the easiest way to get to the port the next morning? If we decided to stay in a hotel near Times Square instead, how would we get to the port the next morning?

2. When we get off the ship, we are staying for two more nights and would like to do some sight-seeing. We are DVC members and would like to do an RCI exchange--has anyone had any luck using their points in NYC? I've tried calling member services several times and nothing is ever available...what's a good time window to check into this again? If we are unable to use DVC points for those two nights, where's a good place to stay for under $200/night, or does something like that even exist?

3. We want to see Wicked on Broadway but don't want to pay full price for the tickets, nor do we want to spend hours in line at TKTS (or whatever it's called ) the day of the show. Where's a good place online to get tickets ahead of time for a good discount?

4. If we do one of the sight-seeing tours like NYC city pass or a bus tour, what's a good one to do? I'm assuming we'd have to take a taxi to the tour company and then when we're done touring we'd take another taxi back to our hotel?

5. Getting back to the airport on the day we fly home--do any hotels provide shuttle service back to LGA or do we need to take a taxi again?

Just trying to plan for how much $$ I'll need to have for cabs and incidentals related to travel!

Sorry so long...hopefully this will be enough info to get me started--it's right around the corner!

 

[jilljill]

kstategrad - I can handle one question for you. IF you stay near Times Square a taxi to the port would probably run around $12-$15, it's about a 10-15 minute ride.

In this thread somewhere there's a post about show tickets.

Many of the tour buses have stops in the Times Square area, these are the hop on hop off type buses.

 

[NJGirl]

Wicked is never at the TKTS booth and they have never issued a discount. It's pretty much full price or nothing it since it usually sells out.

If you are dead set on not paying full price, you may have to consider a different show. Discount codes for shows are tracked on broadwaybox.com

 

[kstategrad]

kstategrad - I can handle one question for you. IF you stay near Times Square a taxi to the port would probably run around $12-$15, it's about a 10-15 minute ride.

In this thread somewhere there's a post about show tickets.

Many of the tour buses have stops in the Times Square area, these are the hop on hop off type buses.

Thanks for the quick response!! That definitely helps!

 

[kstategrad]

Wicked is never at the TKTS booth and they have never issued a discount. It's pretty much full price or nothing it since it usually sells out.

If you are dead set on not paying full price, you may have to consider a different show. Discount codes for shows are tracked on broadwaybox.com

Yeah, we definitely want to see Wicked, and I appreciate the advice!

 

[disdel]

Yeah, we definitely want to see Wicked, and I appreciate the advice!

Wicked is costing $134 rear orchestra, $104 mid-mezz and $84 rear mezz.
Availability late August is about 10% on weekends, best is about 33% on Tuesday nights. I wouldn't delay if you have your heart set on it, especially if you want a particular day.
Besides BraodwayBox, try playbill.com, and here's the direct link to the seat map buying tool

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/03004735858B96C4?artistid=965961&majorcatid=10002&minorcatid=207

Hope that helps.

Another piece of advice - if you are getting in the day, or days, before, you may as well book a Manhattan hotel, just to avoid the possibility of departure day traffic from the LGA area to the pier.

 

[JAM113]

Okay locals, driving in from the other side of the state the night before our July cruise... how is the Paramus, NJ area?

 

[gometros]

Okay locals, driving in from the other side of the state the night before our July cruise... how is the Paramus, NJ area?

In what way, proximity to the port? Paramus is a big shopping area. You have the Paramus Mall and the Garden State Plaza. The George Washington Bridge is reached by taking Route 4 East. Depending on traffic anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. I know there's a Courtyard Marriott on Route 17, which is the major north/south artery. I live 15 minutes from Paramus, so if there's something more specific you had in mind, let me know.

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Okay locals, driving in from the other side of the state the night before our July cruise... how is the Paramus, NJ area?

Fort Lee or Edgewater NJ might be more convenient. Check the first post of this thread. You do not want to be driving in Paramus on Route 4 on any day other than a Sunday.

 

[gometros]

Fort Lee or Edgewater NJ might be more convenient. Check the first post of this thread. You do not want to be driving in Paramus on Route 4 on any day other than a Sunday.

Truer words were never spoken, although if they want to get to the port early, the traffic on Route 17 is worse in the afternoon and evening rush hour.

 

[disdel]

Okay locals, driving in from the other side of the state the night before our July cruise... how is the Paramus, NJ area?

As gometros said, specifically regarding what?

 

[ksloane]

Looking for place to stay for 3 nights after our cruise. At this point, I've narrowed it down to Staybridge Suites-Times Square or Candlewood Suites-Times Square?

Anyone have any thoughts? opinions? knowledge?

 

[mkmommy]

Hilton and Starwood both have some specials for weekend rates now(but are prepaid, no cxl) lots of their different brands and locations.

Trying to find a room with 2 beds for August for less than $200 is proving to be a challenge, but I found a couple with the above deals, just need to pick which one.