NYC CRUISES PLANNING/INFO ThREAD!

[Minnie Monellen]

Thank you ladies, I am going over to trip advisor now to check out both hotels.

Can anyone tell me the date of the first Canada cruise?
I can't wait to read all the trip reports.

The first cruise to Canada is June 10 -15.

 

[annichan]

First-time visitor to New York City here, with a question for all you NYC experts out there:

We have two days in NYC prior to the cruise, and trying to cram as much sightseeing into them as we possible can (which will be a bit limited due to the fact that we'll likely be quite jetlagged by our transatlantic flight, and falling into bed by 8 pm ).

Originally, I was wanting to go on top of Empire State Building - for the view as well as for memories of all the movie scenes we've seen that take place there!

However, DH has found out that it is apparently cheaper and much less crowded to go on top of the Rockefeller Center instead. (While it's not as high up so the views may be less good? )

If we had more time we would probably even do both, but on this trip I think we'll have to limit ourselves to one of them.

Which would you recommend, and why? Also, which of the two has more other interesting things within walking distance?

Thank you!

 

[lorimay]

The first cruise to Canada is June 10 -15.

GREAT!
I will be looking for your report when you get back!!!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!!

 

[lorimay]

First-time visitor to New York City here, with a question for all you NYC experts out there:

We have two days in NYC prior to the cruise, and trying to cram as much sightseeing into them as we possible can (which will be a bit limited due to the fact that we'll likely be quite jetlagged by our transatlantic flight, and falling into bed by 8 pm ).

Originally, I was wanting to go on top of Empire State Building - for the view as well as for memories of all the movie scenes we've seen that take place there!

However, DH has found out that it is apparently cheaper and much less crowded to go on top of the Rockefeller Center instead. (While it's not as high up so the views may be less good? )

If we had more time we would probably even do both, but on this trip I think we'll have to limit ourselves to one of them.

Which would you recommend, and why? Also, which of the two has more other interesting things within walking distance?

Thank you!

We have done both thru the years, and I have to say just because of the history of the Empire State Building I enjoyed it the most.

 

[lorimay]

I am not sure if anyone has posted on here about the September 11th Memorial site.

But it is open to the public and you can get reservations online in advance. They ask for a donation while you are making the reservation (it is optional).

Just google 9/11 memorial and it will pop up.

I already ordered mine since we will be there just before the 11th anniversary.

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Another good choice for discount shopping in NJ (Bergen County):


The Outlets at Bergen Town Center is a dominant super regional shopping center conveniently located at Route 4 & Forest Avenue in Paramus, New Jersey, featuring specialty shops and eateries, including Century 21, The Outlet Store Bloomingdale's, Marshall's, Saks OFF 5TH, Whole Foods Market, Target, Nordstrom Rack, Nike Factory Store with more to follow.


BY STORE:

A&J Computers, AT&T, Banana Republic Factory Store, Baskin Robbins, Blink Fitness, BLOOMINGDALE'S, The Outlet Store, Bobby’s Burger Palace, Carters, Celebrity Salons, Cell Mart, Century 21 Department Store, Chapel on the Mall, Chase Bank, CHICO'S OUTLET, Claire’s, Columbia Bank, CVS, Desigual, Disney Outlet , Dressbarn, Dunkin Donuts, European Wax Center, FrozenPeaks, Gamestop, Gap Outlet, GNC, GUESS Factory Store, Gymboree Outlet, J. Crew l Crewcuts, Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, JOS. A. BANK, Last Call Studio By Neiman Marcus, Leonardo Furniture, Lincoln Technical Institute, Lindt Chocolate, Lowe's, Maidenform®, Marshalls, Massage Envy, Midas, New York & Company Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Nordstrom Rack, OLD NAVY OUTLET, OPINION, Oshkosh B'Gosh, Payless Shoesource. PERRY ELLIS, Qdoba, REI, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH ,Sarku Japan, Skechers, Sock Drawer, Sprint, Street Corner News, Stride Rite Outlet, Subway, Sugar and Plumm, T-Mobile, Target, Tates Menswear, The Children’s Place, Tommy Hilfiger, U.S. Polo Assn., Ulta, Ultra Diamonds, Valley National Bank, Verizon Wireless, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Whole Foods Market, Xqzit, & Yamaha School.

Parking

Parking at Bergen Town Center is very simple. We offer over 5,000 spaces for your convience and parking is free. You can get to the parking lot from various directions. The new parking garage with over 1700 spaces is now open.

BY BUS
FROM MANHATTAN - NJ Transit

#168 (from NYC Port Authority Bus Terminal)

#171 (from NYC George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal)

BY CAR
Garden State Parkway
North bound exit 161 to route 4 East, straight approximately 1/2 mile
South bound exit 163, proceed to Route 4 East

From George Washington Bridge
Route 4 West, Straight approximately 9 miles to Forest Avenue

From Lincoln Tunnel
Route 3 West to Route 17 North to Route 4 East

From New Jersey Turnpike
I-95 (Turnpike) North to Exit 18. Take Route 80 West to 17 North to Route 4 East, 1.2 mile down on right-hand side.

Route 80 East to Route 17 North to Route 4 East
Route 46 East to Route 20 North to Route 4 East


Mall Hours:
Monday - Saturday
10:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Closed Sunday

 

[taximom00]

First-time visitor to New York City here, with a question for all you NYC experts out there:

We have two days in NYC prior to the cruise, and trying to cram as much sightseeing into them as we possible can (which will be a bit limited due to the fact that we'll likely be quite jetlagged by our transatlantic flight, and falling into bed by 8 pm ).

Originally, I was wanting to go on top of Empire State Building - for the view as well as for memories of all the movie scenes we've seen that take place there!

However, DH has found out that it is apparently cheaper and much less crowded to go on top of the Rockefeller Center instead. (While it's not as high up so the views may be less good? )

If we had more time we would probably even do both, but on this trip I think we'll have to limit ourselves to one of them.

Which would you recommend, and why? Also, which of the two has more other interesting things within walking distance?

Thank you!

I would definitely do the Empire State Building. It's an iconic NY building.
Links below to buy the tickets online. They seem to be about the same price. ($23-$25)

http://www.esbnyc.com/buy_tickets.asp
https://secure.topoftherocknyc.com/ODTInternet/Web/BuyTicketOnline/captureticket.aspx

Not sure if it's cheaper that way but it will save you time when you get there.

You can go to Rockefeller Center, check out the Today Show window (if you are brave, you can get there at 6am to be seen on TV!) Plus in the summer, they have concerts on Friday...big names...I'm pretty sure I saw the schedule already. If you have little girls, the American Girl store is right there.

Also with kids, the Toys R Us Ferris Wheel (Times Square) is fun as is the Central Park Zoo!

Hope this helps!

 

[Ladyshopper]

I'm not a fan of Woodbury Common and would not spend the time/money to go there unless wanting something specific. Jersey Gardens has a good selection of stores with good prices as well. Also, no sales tax on clothing/shoes like at WC. I wouldn't let the recent carjacking attempt scare me away. Follow the same precautions that you would for any new place you're visiting. Happy Shopping!

Thanks for this. My DD is desperate to go to the Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister outlets there, so thats the main reason I'm looking at that one. I'm sure Woodbury is great, but it sounds a bit too designer for me!

 

[sabrecmc]

If you have slightly younger children, let me suggest the Children's Museum of Manhattan. www.cmom.org. Took DD there at about 3.5 and she loved it. Also, many of the more "adult" museums have child-specific activities. The Met, for example, does a great sort of children's art walk.

 

[pjstevens]

GREAT!
I will be looking for your report when you get back!!!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!!

Lori,

You may be in for a treat on TR. Our group of very active, but it seems most discussions turn to alcohol, so I think I better do a photo TR to remember what was going on when, lol. We are so excited for June 10th to get here.

How are those beautiful grandbabies

 

[annichan]

We have done both thru the years, and I have to say just because of the history of the Empire State Building I enjoyed it the most.

I would definitely do the Empire State Building. It's an iconic NY building.
Links below to buy the tickets online. They seem to be about the same price. ($23-$25)

http://www.esbnyc.com/buy_tickets.asp
https://secure.topoftherocknyc.com/ODTInternet/Web/BuyTicketOnline/captureticket.aspx

Not sure if it's cheaper that way but it will save you time when you get there.

Thank you! It seems that we should stick with the Empire State Building instead of Rockefeller Center after all, thank you for helping us make up our minds!

 

[DonnettaR]

Anybody heard anything about this hotel? Only review I found is negative about staff, which I can live with.

 

[jilljill]

Anybody heard anything about this hotel? Only review I found is negative about staff, which I can live with.

Is this the one on 8th Ave? If so we had friends that stayed there a couple years ago and they liked it a lot. We met them at the hotel and thought it was nice.

 

[DonnettaR]

I'm not sure it's address is listed as 305 39th street

 

[lorimay]

Lori,

You may be in for a treat on TR. Our group of very active, but it seems most discussions turn to alcohol, so I think I better do a photo TR to remember what was going on when, lol. We are so excited for June 10th to get here.

How are those beautiful grandbabies

HI PATTY!!!

Looking forward to your report, I told Amanda I was excited you were going in June so you could give me details.

Babies are wonderful. I have Emmie for a few days, Amanda, Eric and Little E left this morning for Universal.

We are having girl fun together.

 

[Tina]

I'm not sure it's address is listed as 305 39th street

I googled the hotel name the map shows it on 39th near 8th ave.
I recommend checking Trip Advisor reviews and be sure to check the pics too. I use this site often to help in choosing hotels.

 

[DonnettaR]

thanks

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We'll be doing a 2nt weekend cruise but it's only me and ds11, (12 at time of trip.)

Would you feel safe to take the NJ Transit train from Hamilton and then taxi to the port? This is the least stressful (traffic-wise) and most economical too.
My other alternative would be to park at Newark airport and take DCL transfers but that would be a lot more money. I'd hate to ask dh to take off work to drive us to the port or airport. (He could have cruised with us but opted not to.)

 

[NJGirl]

We'll be doing a 2nt weekend cruise but it's only me and ds11, (12 at time of trip.)

Would you feel safe to take the NJ Transit train from Hamilton and then taxi to the port? This is the least stressful (traffic-wise) and most economical too.
My other alternative would be to park at Newark airport and take DCL transfers but that would be a lot more money. I'd hate to ask dh to take off work to drive us to the port or airport. (He could have cruised with us but opted not to.)

I live in Hamilton about 10 mins from the station and regulary take the train in from there on my own so it's safe. The only thing you need to think about for Hamilton is that to park overnight, you must be in the parking garage on site. If you're departing on a weekend, no issue finding a space. If you're departing on a weekday, you're fighting with the daily commuters for spots.

I went in to NYC on Friday, it wasn't too bad finding at spot even at 9:30 am. I've found Fridays aren't too bad trying to get a space since many ppl take long weekends, especially in the summer.

Any questions, let me know. We're probably getting dropped off at Hamilton for the cruise and not parking there since ours is an 8 night one.

 

[jilljill]

We'll be doing a 2nt weekend cruise but it's only me and ds11, (12 at time of trip.)

Would you feel safe to take the NJ Transit train from Hamilton and then taxi to the port? This is the least stressful (traffic-wise) and most economical too.
My other alternative would be to park at Newark airport and take DCL transfers but that would be a lot more money. I'd hate to ask dh to take off work to drive us to the port or airport. (He could have cruised with us but opted not to.)

You will be fine taking NJTransit and then a taxi, DD (then 14) and I did that a few years for a cruise.