NYC CRUISES PLANNING/INFO ThREAD!

[Capt Stitch]

Try VEI in Aberdeen or Arrow in Redbank. I'm not sure how their pricing is but I know people that have used them and have been happy. Years ago I went on a cruise out of NY and there were 5 of us and we did a van to the port and it worked out great. So much easier than driving in or taking the train. The people we used that time are no longer in business so I also have to look into one for our trip at the end of June. I don't think you will have much trouble on a Saturday unless there is something big going on. Alot of time people leave the city in the summer months on the weekends.

thanks for the info will give them a call

 

[twinnybelles]

Does anyone know if the parking at the pier ever fills up? If it does what time would be a good time to arrive to assure a space. Is it best to arrive early or later once the people from previous cruises leaves?

I was also worried about this. I would like to be there and parked as early as possible. The parking opens at 9 am, but I believe, the returning cruise will still be disembarking at that time. I wonder how easy it is going to be to pull in an just get a spot. Also, on my registration it says my arrival time is
12-12;30. Does anyone know if they will let you into the terminal at 11 or 11:30 when it opens anyway?

 

[ksloane]

Starting to plan our daily plans for each day in NYC. I'm trying to group things by their location. This is one of my day plans....

Do you think it would work location/time wise (they are in no particular order)? Should I add anything else to this day? Ideally we'd leave the hotel around 8/9 am and return around 7/8 pm?

FAO Schwarz (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
FDNY Fire Zone (11:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Radio City Music Hall (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Rockefeller Center (10 am- ?)
Top of the Rock (8am – midnight)
NBC Studio Tour (9:30 – 4:30)
Build A Bear Workshop (10 am – 7:00 pm)
Ellen’s Stardust Diner

 

[Never to old]

Starting to plan our daily plans for each day in NYC. I'm trying to group things by their location. This is one of my day plans....

Do you think it would work location/time wise (they are in no particular order)? Should I add anything else to this day? Ideally we'd leave the hotel around 8/9 am and return around 7/8 pm?

FAO Schwarz (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
FDNY Fire Zone (11:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Radio City Music Hall (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Rockefeller Center (10 am- ?)
Top of the Rock (8am – midnight)
NBC Studio Tour (9:30 – 4:30)
Build A Bear Workshop (10 am – 7:00 pm)
Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Thats a busy day. When are you seeing your shows?

 

[tap & dap]

Does anyone know if once you board the ship in Manhatten and have lunch can you get back off the ship and tour the area prior to departure?

 

[ksloane]

Thats a busy day. When are you seeing your shows?

Too busy? Our shows are on other days....

 

[taximom00]

Starting to plan our daily plans for each day in NYC. I'm trying to group things by their location. This is one of my day plans....

Do you think it would work location/time wise (they are in no particular order)? Should I add anything else to this day? Ideally we'd leave the hotel around 8/9 am and return around 7/8 pm?

FAO Schwarz (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
FDNY Fire Zone (11:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Radio City Music Hall (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Rockefeller Center (10 am- ?)
Top of the Rock (8am – midnight)
NBC Studio Tour (9:30 – 4:30)
Build A Bear Workshop (10 am – 7:00 pm)
Ellen’s Stardust Diner

My NYer opinion....WAY too much to do...

Is this a weekday or weekend day?

All that being said, Radio City and Rockefeller Center are 'walk by's' as in, you aren't actually doing anything other than photo ops, I assume. Top of the Rock could take you 1-2 hours depending on number of people there.

NBC Studio Tour also likely 1-2 hours.

(both 'longer end' time guesses...but btwn waiting in lines, bathroom stops, gift shop stops....you get the picture!

As you are going to the Fire Zone, Build and Bear and FAO Schwartz, I'm guessing you have young children.....which makes everything take longer

Build A Bear on a weekend day will be mobbed....

Ellens Stardust Diner....LOUD, LOUD, LOUD and without a reservation, you can wait in line outside for up to an hour. They will take reservations, of sorts, for parties over 12, I believe. In fact, I was there with a large out of town group in Feb and Bob was the manager...great guy....call him if you have a large party (or even small...who knows, Disney pixie dust might be smiling down on you that day)

So, my two cents....you have A LOT going on in one day....assuming young children...I think they will crash and burn (and Ellen's might just push them over the edge!

If I were to leave some things out, I'd leave out Build a Bear....just one more thing to carry home and you will likely have Disney stuffed things.....ditto for FAO Schwartz.....and as much as Ellen's is fun, unless you know your children can tolerate a lot of stimulation, I'd pass on that, too!

How old are your children? Central Park Zoo is wonderful and easy. Nice escape from the city.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Starting to plan our daily plans for each day in NYC. I'm trying to group things by their location. This is one of my day plans....

Do you think it would work location/time wise (they are in no particular order)? Should I add anything else to this day? Ideally we'd leave the hotel around 8/9 am and return around 7/8 pm?

FAO Schwarz (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
FDNY Fire Zone (11:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Radio City Music Hall (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Rockefeller Center (10 am- ?)
Top of the Rock (8am – midnight)
NBC Studio Tour (9:30 – 4:30)
Build A Bear Workshop (10 am – 7:00 pm)
Ellen’s Stardust Diner

Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center are great to see in the winter for the Christmas show, tree, and ice skating, not so great to visit in the summer. The NBC studio tour is "ok", you get to see where Saturday Night Live is filmed. How about American Girl Place or the NYC Disney Store instead of Build A Bear Workshop? I would choose the Empire State Building Observatory (interactive tour) instead of the Top of the Rock.

Ellen's Stardust Diner is a lot of fun; also, you might want to consider going to Alice's Tea Cup [156 E 64th St (between Lexington and Third Aves) (212) 734-4832 alicesteacup.com]. For sweets, Dylan's Candy Bar [1011 3rd Avenue, New York, NY (646) 735-0078, dylanscandybar.com]

And of course, you'll want to see the American Museum of Natural History and the Statue of Liberty!

 

[Minnie Monellen]

I was also worried about this. I would like to be there and parked as early as possible. The parking opens at 9 am, but I believe, the returning cruise will still be disembarking at that time. I wonder how easy it is going to be to pull in an just get a spot. Also, on my registration it says my arrival time is
12-12;30. Does anyone know if they will let you into the terminal at 11 or 11:30 when it opens anyway?

The terminal will open by 9:00 a.m.

 

[mmouse37]

Does anyone know if once you board the ship in Manhatten and have lunch can you get back off the ship and tour the area prior to departure?

The all aboard is usually 3:00-3:30....there are no sights right near the terminal except the Intrepid Museum which is right next door. Not sure where you want tour. Times Square is a several block walk....most other things you would have to cab to.

I honestly don't think you have much time to tour on embarkation day but I think you can leave if you want to. Obviously just ask when you are at the terminal.

MJ

 

[mickeyluv]

I am wondering if there will be an upgrades for grabs if we get to the terminal early. Anyone have any thoughts on this subject? We would like to try to get a discounted upgrade. How early can we get to the terminal? We're going on the August 17th out of NY.

 

[ksloane]

My NYer opinion....WAY too much to do...

Is this a weekday or weekend day?

All that being said, Radio City and Rockefeller Center are 'walk by's' as in, you aren't actually doing anything other than photo ops, I assume. Top of the Rock could take you 1-2 hours depending on number of people there.

NBC Studio Tour also likely 1-2 hours.

(both 'longer end' time guesses...but btwn waiting in lines, bathroom stops, gift shop stops....you get the picture!

As you are going to the Fire Zone, Build and Bear and FAO Schwartz, I'm guessing you have young children.....which makes everything take longer

Build A Bear on a weekend day will be mobbed....

Ellens Stardust Diner....LOUD, LOUD, LOUD and without a reservation, you can wait in line outside for up to an hour. They will take reservations, of sorts, for parties over 12, I believe. In fact, I was there with a large out of town group in Feb and Bob was the manager...great guy....call him if you have a large party (or even small...who knows, Disney pixie dust might be smiling down on you that day)

So, my two cents....you have A LOT going on in one day....assuming young children...I think they will crash and burn (and Ellen's might just push them over the edge!

If I were to leave some things out, I'd leave out Build a Bear....just one more thing to carry home and you will likely have Disney stuffed things.....ditto for FAO Schwartz.....and as much as Ellen's is fun, unless you know your children can tolerate a lot of stimulation, I'd pass on that, too!

How old are your children? Central Park Zoo is wonderful and easy. Nice escape from the city.

Just my 2 cents.

My daughter is 11, and it's a Sunday. We can't leave out Build a Bear as she's already researched and found that it's the biggest Build a Bear in the world. She'll probably only buy clothes for some of her current animals though unless they have something truly unique to their store.

I'm back and forth on Ellen's. I don't know that I'm overly excited, but again, dd read some reviews on here and has it on her list.

We'll go back over the list though and maybe cut something and move something to one of the other days.

Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center are great to see in the winter for the Christmas show, tree, and ice skating, not so great to visit in the summer. The NBC studio tour is "ok", you get to see where Saturday Night Live is filmed. How about American Girl Place or the NYC Disney Store instead of Build A Bear Workshop? I would choose the Empire State Building Observatory (interactive tour) instead of the Top of the Rock.

Ellen's Stardust Diner is a lot of fun; also, you might want to consider going to Alice's Tea Cup [156 E 64th St (between Lexington and Third Aves) (212) 734-4832 alicesteacup.com]. For sweets, Dylan's Candy Bar [1011 3rd Avenue, New York, NY (646) 735-0078, dylanscandybar.com]

And of course, you'll want to see the American Museum of Natural History and the Statue of Liberty!

We are already doing the Disney Store on another day. She has never really been in to American Girl so I didn't put this one list. Thanks for the reviews of Radio City, Rockefeller, and Top of the Rock. That might help us with some of our planning. We have other days designated for Broadway shows, Statue of Liberty, and American Museum of Natural History.

 

[mommy2tati]

My daughter is 11, and it's a Sunday. We can't leave out Build a Bear as she's already researched and found that it's the biggest Build a Bear in the world. She'll probably only buy clothes for some of her current animals though unless they have something truly unique to their store.

If your DD is truly a Build-A-Bear fan then she shouldn't miss it. They have tons of outfits that you can't find anywhere but in NY. It's also 2 floors. My DD10 had a birthday party there a few years ago and even the parents had a ball.

 

[ksloane]

If your DD is truly a Build-A-Bear fan then she shouldn't miss it. They have tons of outfits that you can't find anywhere but in NY. It's also 2 floors. My DD10 had a birthday party there a few years ago and even the parents had a ball.

Do you know if any of the "bears" are specific? Just trying to budget. I know she won't want to miss it. We've never done a "party" as they are are all too far from our house, but we've done two birthday trips where she could pick 2 friends to take.

 

[mommy2tati]

Do you know if any of the "bears" are specific? Just trying to budget. I know she won't want to miss it. We've never done a "party" as they are are all too far from our house, but we've done two birthday trips where she could pick 2 friends to take.

I haven't been there in a bit but they did have a bear with NY all over him in blue. Next time I'm in the area I'll drop in and see what the current selection is. I'll PM you with details. They also had cats, dogs, bears, dinosaurs, unicorns, sheep, etc.

 

[ksloane]

I haven't been there in a bit but they did have a bear with NY all over him in blue. Next time I'm in the area I'll drop in and see what the current selection is. I'll PM you with details. They also had cats, dogs, bears, dinosaurs, unicorns, sheep, etc.

Oh, she'd LOVE a NY bear....I guess next time I'm in Kroger, I'll pick up another Build A Bear gift card. The $25 I have may just not be enough...

 

[Minnie Monellen]

FYI

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/attractions-kids-times-square-54059.html

Times Square, located in bustling Manhattan, is not typically associated with child-friendly attractions. However, there are many Times Square sites for children to enjoy, from hands-on museums to large candy and toy stores. In addition, New York City's Times Square area is also home to an assortment of Broadway shows that may be of interest to your child.

Museums

Madame Tussaud's wax museum (madametussauds.com) allows children and their families the opportunity to get up close to models of their favorite stars, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Children are even invited to pose for photographs inside the museum. Ripley's Believe It or Not (ripleysnewyork.com) displays a collection of historical artifacts, oddities and curiosities for families and children to explore. The museum invites parents to bring along strollers as well, making exploration easier for its youngest visitors.

Stores

Times Square is home to a 110,000-square-foot Toys R Us store (toysrusinc.com) where kids can ride on a Ferris wheel, see a life-size T-Rex model, walk through Barbie's house and test out an assortment of the store's products in addition to participating in periodic special events. The Disney Store (disneystore.com) also has a large shop in the heart of Times Square where children can shop for New York-themed Disney souvenirs as well as other Disney offerings. Children can interact with magical princess mirrors and look for flying fairies while discovering all the store has to offer.

Candy

Two popular candy brands have stores in Times Square that are sure to delight children of all ages. The Hershey's Store (thehersheycompany.com) lets children create their own candy mix and personalize a giant Hersey's Kiss under the store's large facade featuring an assortment of Hershey candies. M&M's World (mymms.com) is a three-story shop with a special children's area, a green M&M Statue of Liberty and plenty of M&M's candy.

Broadway Shows

Located in the middle of New York's Broadway district, Times Square is home to an assortment of child-friendly theater productions. ...[Now playing-Mary Poppins, Lion King, Newsies, & Peter & The Star Catcher] The TKTS booth (tdf.org) in Times Square provides discounted same-day tickets for most Broadway shows.

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Quintessential NY

Sarabeth's is a great place for brunch, lunch, and dinner:

http://www.sarabeth.com

 

[ksloane]

FYI

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/attractions-kids-times-square-54059.html

Times Square, located in bustling Manhattan, is not typically associated with child-friendly attractions. However, there are many Times Square sites for children to enjoy, from hands-on museums to large candy and toy stores. In addition, New York City's Times Square area is also home to an assortment of Broadway shows that may be of interest to your child.

Museums

Madame Tussaud's wax museum (madametussauds.com) allows children and their families the opportunity to get up close to models of their favorite stars, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Children are even invited to pose for photographs inside the museum. Ripley's Believe It or Not (ripleysnewyork.com) displays a collection of historical artifacts, oddities and curiosities for families and children to explore. The museum invites parents to bring along strollers as well, making exploration easier for its youngest visitors.

Stores

Times Square is home to a 110,000-square-foot Toys R Us store (toysrusinc.com) where kids can ride on a Ferris wheel, see a life-size T-Rex model, walk through Barbie's house and test out an assortment of the store's products in addition to participating in periodic special events. The Disney Store (disneystore.com) also has a large shop in the heart of Times Square where children can shop for New York-themed Disney souvenirs as well as other Disney offerings. Children can interact with magical princess mirrors and look for flying fairies while discovering all the store has to offer.

Candy

Two popular candy brands have stores in Times Square that are sure to delight children of all ages. The Hershey's Store (thehersheycompany.com) lets children create their own candy mix and personalize a giant Hersey's Kiss under the store's large facade featuring an assortment of Hershey candies. M&M's World (mymms.com) is a three-story shop with a special children's area, a green M&M Statue of Liberty and plenty of M&M's candy.

Broadway Shows

Located in the middle of New York's Broadway district, Times Square is home to an assortment of child-friendly theater productions. ...[Now playing-Mary Poppins, Lion King, Newsies, & Peter & The Star Catcher] The TKTS booth (tdf.org) in Times Square provides discounted same-day tickets for most Broadway shows.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Dawgsfan]

What excursion would you take in Canada when you have three kids at different ages?