NYC CRUISES PLANNING/INFO ThREAD!

[kiddisney]

to the pp who wanted to know about paramus - don't worry about the traffic - unless there's an accident - it's not that bad - i would suggest taking route 80 to the gwb - but it's not that bad - the biggest problem you'll have is if you try to get to the port during morning rush hour - and the port wouldn't be open at that time - so if you wait until 9am you should be ok -

 

[Tinked]

I have seen many questions about whether there will be a Pirate Night. I have also seen the answer: Yes, Halifax night.
My question is: Will there be fireworks? Alaska cruises had Pirate night but no fireworks.

 

[ksloane]

I have seen many questions about whether there will be a Pirate Night. I have also seen the answer: Yes, Halifax night.
My question is: Will there be fireworks? Alaska cruises had Pirate night but no fireworks.

Great question. Since these haven't happened yet, someone would probably have to call DCL directly to find out. Hopefully if they do, they will post here and let us know.

 

[SUZI]

I would love some advice on ground transportation in NYC, specially involving children. One child is still in a car seat and the other is in a booster. I read that NYC taxis do not require car seats for children, but I would like my children to have them. However, I do not want to lug my own car seats all over the city. Any suggestions? Any reputable car services that provide car seats? Here is where we will need them:
1. Airport to the hotel
2. Hotel to the ship terminal
3. Ship terminal to the hotel
(we have not choosen flights or hotel yet)

Another question: what transportation would you suggest for sightseeing? I assume the subway, but I just wanted to confirm. (we would probably see the typical tourist places: (911 Memorial, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, etc)

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Thorb73]

Subscribing

 

[brookelizabeth]

I would love some advice on ground transportation in NYC, specially involving children. One child is still in a car seat and the other is in a booster. I read that NYC taxis do not require car seats for children, but I would like my children to have them. However, I do not want to lug my own car seats all over the city. Any suggestions? Any reputable car services that provide car seats? Here is where we will need them:
1. Airport to the hotel
2. Hotel to the ship terminal
3. Ship terminal to the hotel
(we have not choosen flights or hotel yet)

Another question: what transportation would you suggest for sightseeing? I assume the subway, but I just wanted to confirm. (we would probably see the typical tourist places: (911 Memorial, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, etc)

Thank you so much!!!

Suzi, we have used Eastern Car Service, they will have the seats in the car for your kids. It's a tad more expensive than your average car/taxi due to the service they provide, but good. 1-866-499-7177.

 

[brookelizabeth]

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!

I don't know of any hotels that provide a shuttle service, other than perhaps the ones close to the airport to/from their hotel. You will likely be having to take a cab. If you stay near the airport (LaGuardia) a cab will cost you around $30.

If you stay in Times Square, a cab will cost you around $15 to the port.

All the bus tours go through Times Square, so you won't need to taxi it to a pick-up point. Pretty much if you stay anywhere in Manhattan you can easily find a pick-up point! Or you could take the train too if you need to.

I once got very last row tickets to Wicked for $25. But...it was a special promotion and I was part of a paid Broadway ticket club. We were at the right spot, at the right time! The only other discounted Wicked tickets I have heard of are Student Rush and that's a crap shoot-and you have to have a Student ID! Book now if you want to see it!

Not sure on the DVC question - we are members too, but have never traded out points. You could try renting your points and then using the cash you earn for your hotel.

 

[sjs314]

This thread looks amazing, it is just what I need as in the beginning stages of looking at the cruises out of NYC to Canada. Need to go back and start reading.

 

[NTOFD]

Tickets for Disney's Newsies at the Nederlander Theater went on sale, it is a 12 week run through June 10. Might be of interest for those on the earlier NYC cruises. We saw this production at the Papermill Playhouse in N.J. and enjoyed it.

 

[shelleyr25]

Tickets for Disney's Newsies at the Nederlander Theater went on sale, it is a 12 week run through June 10. Might be of interest for those on the earlier NYC cruises. We saw this production at the Papermill Playhouse in N.J. and enjoyed it.

My daughter saw it at Papermill as well, she liked it a lot

 

[slg]

We are a family of 5 and our hotel told us to take a taxi from the airport (La Guardia) rather than booking a transfer or doing supershuttle. She said that there will be plenty of van taxis waiting.

Those of you in the know...are there plenty of van taxis that can accomodate 5? We are two adults and three kids ages 16, 13 and 10.

This is the only thing I still need to plan...transfer from airport to hotel and from hotel to port and need advice!

I think we are going to take the Disney New York excursion with transfer after the cruise just to have something else to do that day and extend the magic a little.

thanks in advance!

 

[cindy18]

Any opinion on getting from port to LGA for an 11:30 flight? Don't want to push it too much, but we will be early seating, so early off. It doesn't seem like it would be a problem, but I'd love some thoughts on it.

You can take public transportation to LGA, but it isn't easy or convenient from the port. You could do transfers with DCL, of course. I would just get in a taxi. If you are coming back on a weekend, there will be very little traffic early in the morning. If you are coming back during the week, though, you will have traffic getting across town (LGA is east of Manhattan and the port is all the way west). Even with midtown traffic, though, the drive shouldn't take longer than an hour.

 

[cindy18]

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!

Just thinking out loud about using DVC points for a hotel stay -- isn't one of the concierge hotels in NY? I could be wrong, but I thought there was one. If there is availability, you could use points to stay there.

 

[cindy18]

We are a family of 5 and our hotel told us to take a taxi from the airport (La Guardia) rather than booking a transfer or doing supershuttle. She said that there will be plenty of van taxis waiting.

Those of you in the know...are there plenty of van taxis that can accomodate 5? We are two adults and three kids ages 16, 13 and 10.

This is the only thing I still need to plan...transfer from airport to hotel and from hotel to port and need advice!

I think we are going to take the Disney New York excursion with transfer after the cruise just to have something else to do that day and extend the magic a little.

thanks in advance!

There are more and more van taxis in the city these days. You may have to let a few people who are behind you in the taxi stand line go ahead into regular car taxis, but there will be plenty of vans as well.

 

[SUZI]

Suzi, we have used Eastern Car Service, they will have the seats in the car for your kids. It's a tad more expensive than your average car/taxi due to the service they provide, but good. 1-866-499-7177.

Thanks for the above info. I really appreciate it!

 

[slg]

If I'm booking a taxi from the hotel to the port, can I call and ask for a van taxi? Can you call in for NY taxis or can you only flag them at the street level?

 

[cindy18]

You just flag taxis down on the street. Most hotels have a taxi line up. You can call a private car service if you want a specific type of car/van, but it will be more expensive than a taxi.

 

[ksloane]

Tickets for Disney's Newsies at the Nederlander Theater went on sale, it is a 12 week run through June 10. Might be of interest for those on the earlier NYC cruises. We saw this production at the Papermill Playhouse in N.J. and enjoyed it.

Darn. I'll miss it. We arrive on the 16th.

 

[slg]

So, if we're trying to get to port from our hotel (near times square), we go to a taxi stand and wait until a van taxi shows up? I worry it might take a super long time! Since I've never been to NY, I don't really understand how it works. Here at home, you can call a taxi and they'll come as soon as one is available. Hmm.

Any suggestions as to a good van pickup that could take a family of 5 to the port?

 

[Minnie Monellen]

So, if we're trying to get to port from our hotel (near times square), we go to a taxi stand and wait until a van taxi shows up? I worry it might take a super long time! Since I've never been to NY, I don't really understand how it works. Here at home, you can call a taxi and they'll come as soon as one is available. Hmm.

Any suggestions as to a good van pickup that could take a family of 5 to the port?

If a van taxi does not show up, you can always just take two cabs. The fare for one cab from Times Square to the port will be about $10 -15 dollars. If you have a lot of luggage, it might be easier to have 2 vehicles.