NYC CRUISES PLANNING/INFO ThREAD!

[Troop o' Goofs]

I'll rent out the In-law suite in our house for a measly cruise ticket.

 

[SeaSpray]

Well, DH and I discussed this last night, and since we're taking the train in to Penn Station the day before, we want to stay in the city. We will probably do a little sight-seeing while we're there, too.

So....I bit the bullet and just booked a room Times Square view room at the Marriott Marquis. Booking it ourselves is saving about $200.00 over having to book 2 separate rooms through DCL. And according to our TA, we can still add on the DCL transfers to the port if we want. That's probably what we'll do IF it includes baggage service from the curb of the hotel, to our cabin. Does anyone know if this is how it works when you use DCL transfers???

 

[peachygreen]

I wonder when DCL will let you book those add ons if you don't have a TA? They don't show up on the website yet.

 

[SeaSpray]

hi - there are other options for pre-cruise stays - try nj & use limo service - i'm expecting that what save in hotel cost would more than cover your limo -

right in hoboken/weehawkin - directly across from the ship is a sheraton suites - in hoboken itself is a W - move out to secaucus are more & in east rutherford there is another sheraton - and if you don't have to leave a car - it's a nice option - just don't get the hotels on tonnelle ave in north bergen - lots of traffic & noise

If we were planning on driving down, then we'd most likely stay in NJ and take a car service to the port. Back when I first booked this cruise, I thought we might stay at a relative's house in central NJ (about 30 minutes from NYC), so I got a few quotes from limo companies. The first one was $340 (round trip, plus tip) and that's just for a town car because originally only DH and I were going... and the other quote was $500 for a small limo to hold the 4 of us and our luggage because at that point DS and his DGF decided to join us.

I guess maybe the prices of Amtrak and the Marriott don't seem too bad now afterall.... LOL Plus we'll have the fun of being in the city the day/night before the cruise.

 

[templed]

I love the train... Such a mellow way to travel...

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Well, DH and I discussed this last night, and since we're taking the train in to Penn Station the day before, we want to stay in the city. We will probably do a little sight-seeing while we're there, too.

So....I bit the bullet and just booked a room Times Square view room at the Marriott Marquis. Booking it ourselves is saving about $200.00 over having to book 2 separate rooms through DCL. And according to our TA, we can still add on the DCL transfers to the port if we want. That's probably what we'll do IF it includes baggage service from the curb of the hotel, to our cabin. Does anyone know if this is how it works when you use DCL transfers???

The Marriott Marquis is a great choice! You will be within walking distance of Broadway shows and the TKTS discount booth. The revolving restaurant on top of the hotel is amazing! You are a very short cab ride away from the cruise terminal.

Also, for anyone else thinking of staying there, they offer AAA, Senior and
Government and Military leisure travel discounts, depending on the date requested.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

The Marriott Marquis is a great choice! You will be within walking distance of Broadway shows and the TKTS discount booth. The revolving restaurant on top of the hotel is amazing! You are a very short cab ride away from the cruise terminal.

Also, for anyone else thinking of staying there, they offer AAA, Senior and
Government and Military leisure travel discounts, depending on the date requested.

Great we qualify for the AAA and Gov't discounts so I must price it!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Any info about dining or shows on the 2 night NY cruises? Just wondering what to expect! Will all spa treatments and Palo be available?

 

[kmitchel]

Thanks for the websites showing what is playing on Broadway!

My son will be 11 and has seen Annie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Billy Elliott. He loves anything with singing and dancing. His favorite song is from the Sound of Music, but I don't think that is playing now. What would be your top two recommendations for him? I heard the Lion King was great, but he is not a big fan of that movie. I was thinking I should take him to see Mary Poppins, but I don't think it had better reviews than the Lion King.

I want to see Wicked and Book of Mormon, but I think those may be over his head.

Thanks!

 

[Ladyshopper]

Have just seen The Lion King in London with my 2 children aged 12 and 13, and it was absolutely amazing. Would see it again in a heartbeat. Guessing its the same show as on Broadway. Would definitely be my recommendation.

 

[RedSox68]

I am just going to cab it all the way from Jersey to NY - The train IMO is no not worth it -
And before I commit to a cab, I will be begging my brother to drive us and pick us up

What about Patco? Might be cheaper than a cab all the way there. I was wondering if Disney was going to offer shuttle service from Penn Station. In this case, that train station will be just as active as any airport in the area!

BTW: Do we know it is the Manhattan Terminal for sure?

 

[SeaSpray]

BTW: Do we know it is the Manhattan Terminal for sure?

This is from my TA, from DCL:

Manhattan Cruise Terminal NYC
Port of Manhattan
711 12th Street
Pier 88, 90 & 92
New York, NY 10019



What is Patco?? And I agree about Penn Station!

 

[RedSox68]

This is from my TA, from DCL:

Manhattan Cruise Terminal NYC
Port of Manhattan
711 12th Street
Pier 88, 90 & 92
New York, NY 10019



What is Patco?? And I agree about Penn Station!

Thanks. Patco is the train system through New Jersey that also runs into Penn Station.

I did get a response from DCL to my email inquiry about shuttles from Penn Station. Here's the response I received:

The transportation options available through Disney Cruise Line are
listed below. We regret that transportation is not offered from any
other locations.

Round-trip motor coach transportation can be arranged between the JFK
International Airport, Newark International Airport or LaGuardia
International Airport and the Manhattan Cruise Terminal for $72.00 per
person, 3 years and older. There is no charge for children under 3 years
of age.

OR

One-way motor coach transportation can be arranged from the JFK
International Airport, Newark International Airport or LaGuardia
International Airport and the Manhattan Cruise Terminal for $36.00 per
person, 3 years and older. There is no charge for children under 3 years
of age.

It is highly recommended that transfers are pre-purchased from Disney
Cruise Line as they may not be available to purchase upon arrival.

Flight details such as carrier, flight number and times (inbound and
outbound) are required to provide transfer service. It is recommended
that all Guests with independent air arrive on or before 1:00pm.

After the cruise, once the ship is cleared by Customs, Guests may debark
the ship. Because the time can fluctuate, we recommend that you make
flight arrangements to leave one of the above airports by 1:30pm or
later. This allows for travel time, customs clearances, and pier/airport
security checks.

Transportation options may be a motor coach, mini-bus, or taxi depending
on arrival time and party-size.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you!

 

[42trvl]

kmitchel - when we first saw Lion King several years ago, not everyone in our group was that into the movie but still liked the show. It is very well done and very entertaining. Just saw Book of Mormon and loved it, but not sure that it's appropriate for an 11 year old. Our youngest is now 16, and I felt that it was okay for him just by about a year maybe...Wicked on the other hand is a lot of fun, even if they don't get the story completely. Ours saw it at around 10-12 years and enjoyed it.

 

[cass'mom]

Me, being a complete NYC newbie, did a little research about Broadway shows and the TKTS booths.
Some shows like The Lion King and Wicked are never listed there according to the search on their site :
http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ShowsSearchResults.aspx

But Mary Poppins frequently has tickets available...

I just wanted to give anyone the heads up in case they thought maybe they could score discounted tickets to some of these shows through the TKTS booth.

 

[shippedtosea]

Thanks for the websites showing what is playing on Broadway!

My son will be 11 and has seen Annie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Billy Elliott. He loves anything with singing and dancing. His favorite song is from the Sound of Music, but I don't think that is playing now. What would be your top two recommendations for him? I heard the Lion King was great, but he is not a big fan of that movie. I was thinking I should take him to see Mary Poppins, but I don't think it had better reviews than the Lion King.

I want to see Wicked and Book of Mormon, but I think those may be over his head.

Thanks!

I don't think Wicked would be over his head. it has a lot of singing and is very fun. I think that he would enjoy. Mary Poppins is really good and I def recommend it. Those would be my top choices.

But I have also heard good things about Addams family. Imaginocean also looks good as well.

Hope that helps

 

[RedSox68]

We saw Addams Family with the original cast and they were great, the show was funny and the songs were fun. I know the cast has changed, so can't speak for it now, but it sure brought back a lot of memories when the theme song started (everyone in the audience immediately started snapping their fingers)!

Try playbill.com -- they have discounts and specials all the time. They just recently had one for Lion King. If you can get one, buy your tickets now and avoid the lines. Plus they list all the information about the plays, theaters and nearby restaurants. (Just be sure you are looking at the NYC info and not the London info).

It's a shame Beauty and the Beast is gone! We liked Wicked (didn't love it), but we did not see very many young ones in a sold out theater.

There's also Madame Trousseau's was museum which is great fun.

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Super hotel! Just stayed there on Saturday night courtesy of Hurricane Irene. Great AAA rate. Amenities included:

Separate living room and bedroom, with two large flat screen TVs.
-Kitchenette with table and chairs (refridgerator/freezer, microwave, electric range, coffee maker, sink, dishes / glasses / cutlery)
--Breakfast buffet (included)
-Monday-Thursday happy hour with hot light fare (included)
-Large desk
-Large bathroom with separate sink/dressing area

 

[ksloane]

Yea. Thanks for all this great informaiton. My daughter and I will be crusing in June and I can't wait! I'm ready to start planning. I really want to do 2-3 days in NY before of after the cruise. Probably before. I'll be asking lots of questions soon!

 

[mmouse37]

Some pics I took of the terminal and down the Hudson.......

From the Jersey side looking down toward the Verazzano Narrows Bridge (which the ships pass under).

Night shot of a Carnival ship leaving port.....with the lit up Empire State Building in the background.

MJ