NYC CRUISES PLANNING/INFO ThREAD!

[kiddisney]

the jersey lighthouses are ambrose & sandy hook - and in the hills is the twin lights - the highest elev on east coast

 

[*Flower*]

subbing......

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

the jersey lighthouses are ambrose & sandy hook - and in the hills is the twin lights - the highest elev on east coast

Great information!! THANK YOU
Do you think that we will theoretically be able to see all three from the ship as we leave NYC? I'm going to look up the twin lights - wonder if they are a pair of lighthouses or just one. On the "Eastern Canadian" thread the Canadians have been having fun with DISigns using the Halifax lighthouse. I'm thinking of how to combine some lighthouse designs into one magnet. I'm imagining a Warhol-esque picture with 4 of the lighthouse in a square...
THANKS for the follow up!

Edited: Twin Lights is beautiful, looks like a fortress with lighthouses as a bonus! And the Ambrose - also different, out there in the water. Thanks!

 

[mommy2tati]

As a PP mentioned port adventures are up for Port Canaveral and for debarkation day in NYC.

 

[SeaSpray]

Well after all of my planning for the Marriott Marquis, tonight the four of us were talking, and checking Amtrak fare and then someone mentioned FLYING from Boston to NY.NJ.

I went on the JetBlue website and got round trip tickets for $49 each way!

So.... I grabbed the plane tickets, and now I need to find a hotel as close to EWR (Newark Airport) as possible, since we will be taking DCL transportation from EWR to the ship the next morning.

Any recommendations? I see that the Marriott has a hotel right on the airport premises and that's ideally what I want. But before I book it, I wanted to post here to see what everyone has to say/experiences to share.

Thanks!

 

[Zeppelin]

I read that overnight parking at the port is $30/night. Eek! That being said, we are driving in and parking. DH is handicapped and we need to bring in his scooter. It's too much of a pain to get it on and off the trains.

Amtrak is nice. You can check their website for all the information. It's a fairly easy site to navigate.

I'll leave the hotel request to someone that actually stays here. I just come in, work and then leave for the night. No hotels for me.

We're on a 5 night to Canada too. Can't wait!

NYer here- feel free to post questions and i will try and help out...

as far as the parking:

1) go to cheap parking.com NYC and there should be plenty of places offering a discount....

2) there are plenty of other lots around the dock....you can google park at Pier 88 or whatever then price them out- i've done it before for other spots...

3) parking in NYC is crazy expensive- you may want to consider looking at parking in NJ then taking a train over or even parking way uptown and taking the subway downtown depending on how much luggage you have...

 

[NJGirl]

Well after all of my planning for the Marriott Marquis, tonight the four of us were talking, and checking Amtrak fare and then someone mentioned FLYING from Boston to NY.NJ.

I went on the JetBlue website and got round trip tickets for $49 each way!

So.... I grabbed the plane tickets, and now I need to find a hotel as close to EWR (Newark Airport) as possible, since we will be taking DCL transportation from EWR to the ship the next morning.

Any recommendations? I see that the Marriott has a hotel right on the airport premises and that's ideally what I want. But before I book it, I wanted to post here to see what everyone has to say/experiences to share.

Thanks!

Check tripadvisor.com for reviews. You should be able to search for Newark Airport area hotels.

We're staying in the city the night before the cruise (hilton garden inn). We only live about an hour/hour fifteen away on the NJ transit commuter rail but they've had so many issues this year, we're coming in the day before and spending the night and letting it less stressful. And its my birthday the night before the cruise, so it'll be nice to celebrate in the city with dinner and a show. We've got tickets to see Evita already booked.

 

[SeaSpray]

Check tripadvisor.com for reviews. You should be able to search for Newark Airport area hotels.

We're staying in the city the night before the cruise (hilton garden inn). We only live about an hour/hour fifteen away on the NJ transit commuter rail but they've had so many issues this year, we're coming in the day before and spending the night and letting it less stressful. And its my birthday the night before the cruise, so it'll be nice to celebrate in the city with dinner and a show. We've got tickets to see Evita already booked.

That's what we're going for too; the least amount of stress involved in getting there. That's why we're flying in the day before. I'm SO used to flying in the day before that I don't feel comfortable leaving transportation until the actual sail day.

My birthday will fall during this cruise, it's the 27th. I refuse to acknowledge another year older though.

Congrats on the Evita tickets, there's nothing like a Broadway show!

I will definitely research Newark hotels.

 

[Ladyshopper]

Ok, I have a two random questions about New York if anyone can help?

Firstly, I will be staying in Times Square the night before the cruise having flown in from England. Is there anywhere I can pick up a couple of bottles of wine to take on board with me?

Next, after the cruise we will be staying in Times Square for 4 nights. I am seriously considering buying Kindles for my children, as they are the same price or cheaper in dollars than they are in pounds - read on a different forum they start at $79, whereas our cheapest model is £89 which is LOT more money. People on Florida forums talk about getting these from Walmart or Target, do they have those anywhere near Times Square, or is there somewhere else I can get them for that price?

Any info much appreciated!

 

[mommy2tati]

Ok, I have a two random questions about New York if anyone can help?

Firstly, I will be staying in Times Square the night before the cruise having flown in from England. Is there anywhere I can pick up a couple of bottles of wine to take on board with me?
You could probably ask the hotel concierge if there are stores near where you are staying. I'm sure there are just not sure exactly where.

Next, after the cruise we will be staying in Times Square for 4 nights. I am seriously considering buying Kindles for my children, as they are the same price or cheaper in dollars than they are in pounds - read on a different forum they start at $79, whereas our cheapest model is £89 which is LOT more money. People on Florida forums talk about getting these from Walmart or Target, do they have those anywhere near Times Square, or is there somewhere else I can get them for that price?

There are NO Walmarts in NYC. There are a couple of Targets but nowhere near Times Sq. I believe the Toys R Us in Tomes Sq carries the Kindle. They show in stock as of today.

Any info much appreciated!

See my answers above in red.

 

[NJGirl]

head over to 8th avenue. There's a bunch of places that carry wine over there.

There's also a best buy over on 6th avenue. They may have it as well.

Ok, I have a two random questions about New York if anyone can help?

Firstly, I will be staying in Times Square the night before the cruise having flown in from England. Is there anywhere I can pick up a couple of bottles of wine to take on board with me?

Next, after the cruise we will be staying in Times Square for 4 nights. I am seriously considering buying Kindles for my children, as they are the same price or cheaper in dollars than they are in pounds - read on a different forum they start at $79, whereas our cheapest model is £89 which is LOT more money. People on Florida forums talk about getting these from Walmart or Target, do they have those anywhere near Times Square, or is there somewhere else I can get them for that price?

Any info much appreciated!

 

[gometros]

Ok, I have a two random questions about New York if anyone can help?

Firstly, I will be staying in Times Square the night before the cruise having flown in from England. Is there anywhere I can pick up a couple of bottles of wine to take on board with me?

Next, after the cruise we will be staying in Times Square for 4 nights. I am seriously considering buying Kindles for my children, as they are the same price or cheaper in dollars than they are in pounds - read on a different forum they start at $79, whereas our cheapest model is £89 which is LOT more money. People on Florida forums talk about getting these from Walmart or Target, do they have those anywhere near Times Square, or is there somewhere else I can get them for that price?

Any info much appreciated!

In addition to mommy2tati's answer, Staples also carries the Kindle in the same price range. I know there is one on 35th and 8th, just a little west of Times Square (I only know that because it's across from my favorite Starbuck's).

I just checked, there's one at 40th and Sixth too.

 

[sabrecmc]

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.

 

[ksloane]

Well after all of my planning for the Marriott Marquis, tonight the four of us were talking, and checking Amtrak fare and then someone mentioned FLYING from Boston to NY.NJ.

I went on the JetBlue website and got round trip tickets for $49 each way!

So.... I grabbed the plane tickets, and now I need to find a hotel as close to EWR (Newark Airport) as possible, since we will be taking DCL transportation from EWR to the ship the next morning.

Any recommendations? I see that the Marriott has a hotel right on the airport premises and that's ideally what I want. But before I book it, I wanted to post here to see what everyone has to say/experiences to share.

Thanks!

I booked The Hampton Inn,Newark Airport for (I think) $89. Hampton (Hilton) offers a price guarantee. If you you can find a cheaper price, you get the hotel for that price PLUS a $50 American Express Gift Cheque.

Expedia had this hotel for $67.15.

You must book at the $87 rate (prepaid rate b/c Expedia is prepaid) and then fill out the form.

I have already gotten back confirmation that I will be receiving the $22 credit upon checkin to the hotel and the gift cheque will be mailed upon checkout. So this room is actually costing me $17.15!!!

 

[annichan]

As I'm currently busy planning the two days we will be spending in NYC prior to our cruise in August (our first ever visit to NYC), I have a question for all the experts out there:

I am looking for a nice bar high up, to enjoy a drink in the evening and have a good view of the night-time skyline. That said, we won't be packing any cool party clothes but will probably want to go in jeans and sneakers, so anywhere with long lines and a hip crowd would most probably be a bad idea.

I have read about the revolving bar in the Marriott Marquis hotel on Times Square and about the rooftop bar on 230 Fifth. Would one of them be good for us poorly-clad tourists?
Or any other good ideas, maybe?

 

[Minnie Monellen]

As I'm currently busy planning the two days we will be spending in NYC prior to our cruise in August (our first ever visit to NYC), I have a question for all the experts out there:

I am looking for a nice bar high up, to enjoy a drink in the evening and have a good view of the night-time skyline. That said, we won't be packing any cool party clothes but will probably want to go in jeans and sneakers, so anywhere with long lines and a hip crowd would most probably be a bad idea.

I have read about the revolving bar in the Marriott Marquis hotel on Times Square and about the rooftop bar on 230 Fifth. Would one of them be good for us poorly-clad tourists?
Or any other good ideas, maybe?

I've been to The View restaurant at the Marriott Marquis. IMHO it's one of the nicest dining experiences in the city. I wouldn't wear jeans and sneakers either to the Marriott bar or the restaurant. Dress code for the restaurant is business casual.

From The View website (http://www.theviewnyc.com):

The View is New York's only revolving rooftop restaurant, where the breathtaking skyscraper views are matched only by the restaurant's signature American menu. Express elevators whisk you 48 stories above New York City, where you arrive to an unparalleled dining experience. The revolving floor makes a 360° turn every hour, ensuring an ever-changing view of this celebrated city.

The View Lounge, New York's only revolving lounge, lies just above The View restaurant on the 48th floor and serves an array of cocktails and a dinner buffet until late evening. If it's just cocktails and desserts you crave, The View Lounge also features an exquisite cheese and dessert buffet and a flowing chocolate fountain with all of the fixings. No reservations are required. Children are not permitted after 9:00 p.m.



Re: the rooftop bar on 230 Fifth, the suggested dress is as follows: Casual smart are the key words. We encourage our guests to 'dress up, not down.' Nice dress jeans, sneakers and a collared polo shirt are fine, but torn, ripped or baggy jeans and plain t-shirts are not permitted. Also not permitted are flip-flops, athletic wear (sneakers are fine), any bold or brightly colored shirts or other brightly colored or boldly striped clothing, any shirts with writing on them, and any other attire that is not in keeping with an upscale environment.

 

[Ladyshopper]

Thanks for answering my questions. Had a look on the Toys R Us website - think my DS will be spending his money on starwars lego, as again, its the same in $ as it is in £ making it much cheaper to buy in the states. He will be a happy boy!!

 

[mousebrat]

We are staying at The Kimberly. They have a rooftop lounge on the 30th floor that seems to get good reviews. http://upstairsnyc.com/index.php

 

[mousebrat]

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?

 

[mmouse37]

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 port opens about 10:30-11:00 for new guests.....I have dropped my parents off several times in that timeframe and there has always been porters around to take luggage.

It would be very easy to go to the Intrepid...it is literally next door to the terminal...walking should be easy.

MJ