NYC CRUISES PLANNING/INFO ThREAD!

[mickeyluv]

It was the Crowne Plaza in Times Square on 49th street. We disembarked practically opposite 49th, so just walked up 5-6 blocks. Took us about 15 minutes.

We also walked from there to the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd to get the bus to Newark Airport when we left.

We are cruising on 8/17 out of NY on the Magic and haven't decided yet where we'll be staying for the night before we sail but I keep coming back to The Crowne Plaza.

How did you like the hotel?
Did you like the location?
Did you have any problems?
How was in terms of noise while you where trying to sleep?

Thanks so much!! I can't seem to find a better rate right now than $349 a night so unless I a deal comes along we might have to stay someplace else....I mean it is only for 1 night you know.

 

[Ladyshopper]

Glad you had fun and enjoyed your 5 days in New York as well - we have 5 nights post cruise for our trip in August too. Out of interest are you also on the PTS forum? I recognise your screen name - I was a PTS regular in the glory days of Clubcarding but am now only an occassional visitor.

Mel
x

Hi Mel. Yes, it is me from PTS - what a small world!

 

[Ladyshopper]

We are cruising on 8/17 out of NY on the Magic and haven't decided yet where we'll be staying for the night before we sail but I keep coming back to The Crowne Plaza.

How did you like the hotel?
Did you like the location?
Did you have any problems?
How was in terms of noise while you where trying to sleep?

Thanks so much!! I can't seem to find a better rate right now than $349 a night so unless I a deal comes along we might have to stay someplace else....I mean it is only for 1 night you know.

Location was amazing, especially for Times Square.

Hotel was very busy all of the time, but there wasn't noise in corridors, outside room etc. Did hear some traffic noise, even on the 41st floor, but I am quite noise sensitive and wore earplugs and had a pillow over my head (my son is a big snorer!) and this cut out the noise!

Had a problem with the bathplug and shower, so phoned down and someone came up and fixed it. Other than that everything was great. Beware the elevators, they travel so fast your ears pop!!

We stayed 1 night pre-cruise and got upgraded to a corner room with a view of the river which was nice, then 4 nights after the cruise, and apparently got upgraded to a higher floor. My stay was done on priority points plus some cash, no way I could afford the standard rates! In fact the priority points was the only reason I managed to afford to stay in New York, it is so expensive.

They also store your luggage, so after walking up from the port we got there around 10am which was too early to check into our room, but we did the check in paperwork and left luggage there. On the last day we were able to stay in the room until 12.30, then we could leave our luggage securely until we returned for it around 4pm.

 

[mickeyluv]

Location was amazing, especially for Times Square.

Hotel was very busy all of the time, but there wasn't noise in corridors, outside room etc. Did hear some traffic noise, even on the 41st floor, but I am quite noise sensitive and wore earplugs and had a pillow over my head (my son is a big snorer!) and this cut out the noise!

Had a problem with the bathplug and shower, so phoned down and someone came up and fixed it. Other than that everything was great. Beware the elevators, they travel so fast your ears pop!!

We stayed 1 night pre-cruise and got upgraded to a corner room with a view of the river which was nice, then 4 nights after the cruise, and apparently got upgraded to a higher floor. My stay was done on priority points plus some cash, no way I could afford the standard rates! In fact the priority points was the only reason I managed to afford to stay in New York, it is so expensive.

They also store your luggage, so after walking up from the port we got there around 10am which was too early to check into our room, but we did the check in paperwork and left luggage there. On the last day we were able to stay in the room until 12.30, then we could leave our luggage securely until we returned for it around 4pm.

thank you so much for answering all my questions.. hope it wasn't too many! I just saw that you had a trip report and cannot wait to come back and read it! I don't have a lot of time at the moment because my nephew is graduating from eighth grade but I do want to come back and tell you about our first disney cruise.

 

[mommy2tati]

I can't seem to find a better rate right now than $349 a night

There are a few hotels below that price point per night before taxes:

Sheraton NY
711 7 Ave @ W 53 St
$254/night Prepaid or $299/night Guarantee

The Manhattan at Times Square
790 & Ave
Rates same as above

Hilton New York
1335 Ave of the Americas
Rates start at $207/night

 

[annichan]

There are a few hotels below that price point per night before taxes:

Sheraton NY
711 7 Ave @ W 53 St
$254/night Prepaid or $299/night Guarantee

The Manhattan at Times Square
790 & Ave
Rates same as above

Hilton New York
1335 Ave of the Americas
Rates start at $207/night

What about the Casablanca Hotel 43rd St (near Times Square), anybody know that? It's at $287 before taxes and has really good reviews on Tripadvisor ...

 

[mickeyluv]

There are a few hotels below that price point per night before taxes:

Sheraton NY
711 7 Ave @ W 53 St
$254/night Prepaid or $299/night Guarantee

The Manhattan at Times Square
790 & Ave
Rates same as above

Hilton New York
1335 Ave of the Americas
Rates start at $207/night

Thanks so much for posting this. I have seen the Hilton NY on the web & I think that's an excellent price! We may just end up doing that one.

 

[shoes99]

There are a few hotels below that price point per night before taxes:

Sheraton NY
711 7 Ave @ W 53 St
$254/night Prepaid or $299/night Guarantee

The Manhattan at Times Square
790 & Ave
Rates same as above

Hilton New York
1335 Ave of the Americas
Rates start at $207/night

We just booked Ink 48 between 11th Ave and 48th st., its close to the Intrepid Museum. Senior rate $327 plus tax, more than I want to pay, but I'll keep checking for specials as we get closer. We are 66+ so walking is an issue for DH and since he said he wants to go to the Intrepid, I'll consider this hotel that is 1/2 mile from the pier.

 

[pkmingo]

We just booked Ink 48 between 11th Ave and 48th st., its close to the Intrepid Museum. Senior rate $327 plus tax, more than I want to pay, but I'll keep checking for specials as we get closer. We are 66+ so walking is an issue for DH and since he said he wants to go to the Intrepid, I'll consider this hotel that is 1/2 mile from the pier.

Join the Kimpton Intouch reward program. It is free and they often have specials. We booked Ink48 just a few weeks ago for one night pre cruise next Saturday night for $239 per room, these are the premier king city view so a great deal!!! We are 3 couples over 55 so not into walking too far to the port either. Kimpton will email InTouch members when specials come up. We are looking forward to a great time!!

 

[shoes99]

We just booked Ink 48 between 11th Ave and 48th st., its close to the Intrepid Museum. Senior rate $327 plus tax, more than I want to pay, but I'll keep checking for specials as we get closer. We are 66+ so walking is an issue for DH and since he said he wants to go to the Intrepid, I'll consider this hotel that is 1/2 mile from the pier.

Join the Kimpton Intouch reward program. It is free and they often have specials. We booked Ink48 just a few weeks ago for one night pre cruise next Saturday night for $239 per room, these are the premier king city view so a great deal!!! We are 3 couples over 55 so not into walking too far to the port either. Kimpton will email InTouch members when specials come up. We are looking forward to a great time!!

Yes, I joined the Kimpton Intough rewards program before I booked my reservation. It is cancellable so I'm going to keep checking as my cruise gets closer. We don't sail until 9/2/2012.

 

[mommy2tati]

Yes, I joined the Kimpton Intough rewards program before I booked my reservation. It is cancellable so I'm going to keep checking as my cruise gets closer. We don't sail until 9/2/2012.

That rate may not change much since that is a holiday weekend.

 

[Tina]

I'm having the worst time finding good hotel rates. We're on the 8/12 cruise and coming into the city for 3 nights before the cruise (8/9-12). I stayed in Times Square at the Marriott Marquis 2 years ago during this exact same time frame and paid $189 per night. I'm looking at well over $400 a night at this point. It's crazy. Disney's package rates are significantly higher than what I can find on my own. I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't something going on in NYC that weekend. The rates are high all over the city, not just in Times Square.

 

[lovetheworld]

I booked really early but I got a room at the Hampton Inn MSG for $250.00 AAA Discount. Gets great reviews on TripAdvisor. Not sure what rates are now. It is about 1 mile from Times Square and 2 miles from Port. When I have stayed at the Marquis we have paid $400 per night.

 

[mkmommy]

I'm having the worst time finding good hotel rates. We're on the 8/12 cruise and coming into the city for 3 nights before the cruise (8/9-12). I stayed in Times Square at the Marriott Marquis 2 years ago during this exact same time frame and paid $189 per night. I'm looking at well over $400 a night at this point. It's crazy. Disney's package rates are significantly higher than what I can find on my own. I'm beginning to wonder if there isn't something going on in NYC that weekend. The rates are high all over the city, not just in Times Square.

I read somewhere that weekend there is a big Ironman race on.

 

[Tina]

I read somewhere that weekend there is a big Ironman race on.

You are exactly right. I Googled the Ironman race and it's Saturday Aug 11.

 

[Tina]

I booked really early but I got a room at the Hampton Inn MSG for $250.00 AAA Discount. Gets great reviews on TripAdvisor. Not sure what rates are now. It is about 1 mile from Times Square and 2 miles from Port. When I have stayed at the Marquis we have paid $400 per night.

Thanks for the tip. The Hampton Inn gets fair reviews, but is fully booked for my weekend.

 

[Evasmommy]

Has anyone thought of staying in Brooklyn? Rates will probably be cheaper and its a quick cab ride.

 

[shoes99]

If you google the ironman website, the full schedule is on the site for the NYC championships.
There is also some good info on the cruisecritic website on the northeast departure board for the ironman championships.

 

[taximom00]

If anyone is looking for a pre or post cruise activity, you might be interested in seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors, visiting Times Square from China.

Here's the link: http://www.discoverytsx.com/exhibitions/terracotta-warriors

I saw the King Tut exhibit there and it was well done and worth the admission price. Tickets are timed and you order ahead online.

Just thought I'd share if you were looking for ideas for your time in the city!

 

[*Flower*]

We just booked Ink 48 between 11th Ave and 48th st., its close to the Intrepid Museum. Senior rate $327 plus tax, more than I want to pay, but I'll keep checking for specials as we get closer. We are 66+ so walking is an issue for DH and since he said he wants to go to the Intrepid, I'll consider this hotel that is 1/2 mile from the pier.

We're also booked into Ink48 for the night before our cruise! We were lucky- we usually do a NYC trip in early July because it's our anniversary month, and when we saw the July 'cruise to nowhere' we knew that we needed to slide our trip for a week to take advantage of it.

I worked our hotel plans a couple of ways- one with the cruise and one without it. Luckily we were able to book the cruise, so we'll be here for the night before, and when we return we go to our 'usual' hotel closer to the Theater District. Both of the hotels are owned by the same chain, so we were able to get the same rate for both stays.

It gets really good reviews, so we're hoping for a relaxing night's sleep before going to the cruise terminal.