NYC to Canada July 8, 2012: Its Magic, Eh?

[taximom00]

The four of us are staying in a suite at the Doubletree Times Square before the cruise. It's more expensive than a regular/standard room at a hotel but cheaper than getting two rooms.

How old are your kids? The Doubletree is literally in the heart of it all Ask for a room that overlooks Times Square (as opposed to the other side of the hotel) Amazing 'only in NY' view.....lights on all night...but all part of the experience.

Though if your kids are very young, that might not be the best option!

Tweens/teens will love it though!

 

[sabrecmc]

You are in a good location and really only a little over a mile from the Port. You'll need to take a taxi that morning with your luggage, though.

Definitely safe and convenient and you will enjoy your time before the cruise!

Good to hear, taximom!

Got my New Brunswick travel guide in the mail yesterday. It is really quite nicely put together. Gets me all excited to go. I'll be interested to read how the early June cruises go...I'm excited to be back on the Magic, though wonder how she will appear after the Dream...

Anyone doing anything post-cruise? We are going to Niagara Falls, since none of us have ever been (we're FL folks).

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

Our kids are young men...22 and 24 (and still willing to travel with us!).
Although we've been to NYC before, and have seen Times Square at night, we've never had that view from our hotel. So, this time, we reserved a Times Square view room at the Doubletree.

Also, my husband has been posting so far, so he says I should tell you that I am also a teacher (apparently there are several of us on this cruise).

 

[sabrecmc]

We have main dining and I'm wondering about that first night and cruising past the Statue of Liberty...anyone else? Seems like we might miss the SOL while at dinner, though I'm not sure of the exact times. I'd skip dinner in the main dining room to see the SOL and just eat at the buffet, if needed. Just not sure how that might work out...

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

We have main dining and I'm wondering about that first night and cruising past the Statue of Liberty...anyone else? Seems like we might miss the SOL while at dinner, though I'm not sure of the exact times. I'd skip dinner in the main dining room to see the SOL and just eat at the buffet, if needed. Just not sure how that might work out...

I believe the Statue of Liberty is only 7 -10 miles from the pier. The sail away party is scheduled from 4:15 to 5:00pm. On our previous cruises, the ship departs before the sail away party ends. So, IMO there should be plenty of time to see the SOL before your early dining time in the dining room. If it is cutting it too close, you could always be a little late to the dining room. It takes about ten minutes to let all the guests who are waiting in line to go into the dining room.

 

[trudyt623]

Well....this looks like this is it...we did add one more family to the group!

Happy planning, happy shopping, happy creating, happy organizing, happy packing and happy delivering to you all!

Let the pixie dusting begin!

(1) Tinkified. Cabins 2571 and 2573..but hanging only one FE
Werner (49), Michelle (42), Eric (17), Emily (11) and Erin (11)

(2)Princess81499. Cabin 5522
Patty, Mike, Emilly(11) and Taryn (8)

(3)taximom00. Cabin 7546
Virginia(grandma), Maura, Zoe (13)

(4)trudyt632. Cabin 5008
DW, DH, dd (15), ds (10)

(5)Caldis2007. Cabin 5509
Calais, DH, ds(7)

(6)Psm729. Cabin 2062
Penny (56), Frieida (78), Thomas (16)

(7)Laurie12820. Cabin 6015
Jerry (28), Laurie (28), dd (2)

(8)Jmpm. Cabin 7548
Jamie (37), Peggy (37), Ceyenna (11), Jadynn (8)

(9) Cathicool, cabins 5022 and 5024
Cathi, DH Jeff, DD Alassia (12), DS Zachary (10), DD Victoria (7.5), grandparents

Hi Tinkified. Our family names are Trudy, Terrence, Tiffany and Terrence II ( Lil Terrence). I noticed I never listed them.

Trudy

 

[taximom00]

Our kids are young men...22 and 24 (and still willing to travel with us!).
Although we've been to NYC before, and have seen Times Square at night, we've never had that view from our hotel. So, this time, we reserved a Times Square view room at the Doubletree.

Also, my husband has been posting so far, so he says I should tell you that I am also a teacher (apparently there are several of us on this cruise).

22 and 24 can handle the view at the Doubletree! So nice that they still want to travel with you. My daughter will celebrate her 13th birthday on the cruise. I"m hoping she still wants to travel with me at 22!

Yes, there are several teachers on the cruise....the only time we can all travel! Though it would be nice to travel in October or March when there are no crowds!

I teach Kindergarten. After today, 11 days left! Needless to say, I'm as excited as the kids for summer!!

 

[jmpm]

Should be interesting to hear how many teachers are still using their "teacher voices" on the cruise. LOL!

I feel happy with our plans for Canada, but we've started planning New York. We're arriving on the 6th, so we'll have a little time that evening and then a full day before the cruise. When they heard we'd have time in the city, my nieces immediately said, "FAO Schwarz!" So, that's on the list, as well as the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, the Top of the Rock, Central Park (one particular playground, and maybe Balto), 911 Memorial, and Madison Square Park (to lunch at the Shake Shack and get a great pic in front of the Empire State Building.) I may need a vacation after this vacation!

 

[Laurie12820]

Hi Tinkified. Our family names are Trudy, Terrence, Tiffany and Terrence II ( Lil Terrence). I noticed I never listed them.

Trudy

Another add for Tinkified. Our DD's name is Cassie.

 

[Laurie12820]

22 and 24 can handle the view at the Doubletree! So nice that they still want to travel with you. My daughter will celebrate her 13th birthday on the cruise. I"m hoping she still wants to travel with me at 22!

Yes, there are several teachers on the cruise....the only time we can all travel! Though it would be nice to travel in October or March when there are no crowds!

I teach Kindergarten. After today, 11 days left! Needless to say, I'm as excited as the kids for summer!!

13 more school days for me! Although, I feel like the kids and I have already "checked out".

 

[Laurie12820]

Here she is at her home in NYC!

 

[irish_neverland]

I know we are way past the deadline, but my husband and I would like to join the FE exchange if that is possible. Sorry we are so late. We are in the middle of selling our house and moving and we haven't been spending as much time on the boards as we usually would before a cruise. If it is possible, we are Leslie and Andy and we're in cabin 7119. However, we totally understand if we are too late to join.

 

[taximom00]

I know we are way past the deadline, but my husband and I would like to join the FE exchange if that is possible. Sorry we are so late. We are in the middle of selling our house and moving and we haven't been spending as much time on the boards as we usually would before a cruise. If it is possible, we are Leslie and Andy and we're in cabin 7119. However, we totally understand if we are too late to join.

I'm not in charge but will gladly add you to my list! Hope your moving goes well and that you will be able to relax once the cruise is here!

 

[taximom00]

Should be interesting to hear how many teachers are still using their "teacher voices" on the cruise. LOL!

I feel happy with our plans for Canada, but we've started planning New York. We're arriving on the 6th, so we'll have a little time that evening and then a full day before the cruise. When they heard we'd have time in the city, my nieces immediately said, "FAO Schwarz!" So, that's on the list, as well as the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, the Top of the Rock, Central Park (one particular playground, and maybe Balto), 911 Memorial, and Madison Square Park (to lunch at the Shake Shack and get a great pic in front of the Empire State Building.) I may need a vacation after this vacation!

Too funny re: teacher voices! It is true! But then, I can be at the local pool and kids will gravitate toward me....I think they, too, have a sense of who is a teacher...or maybe it's because I answer them if they talk to me! Maybe I should stop engaging!!

Sounds like you have a good plan for your day in NY. Where are you staying? Have your nieces been to Toys R Us in Times Square? Indoor ferris wheel...we still take a ride when in the city. Love the Balto statue too! Did you make reservations for the 911 Memorial? You need to do this online ahead of time. Also, have you been to the top of the Empire State Building? If not, I would do that over Top of the Rock. Maybe it's just me, but I love the iconic image of it! You can also get online tix for that ahead, too. Avoids that line when you get there.

Another thought if you find you are pressed for time.....I love the Staten Island ferry simply because it is still a great bargain! But as we will sail past the Statue of Liberty on the cruise, if you find you don't have enough time, you could skip this from your day. Just a thought!

I was born in NY and grew up there (live in Boston now) but am so looking forward to our cruise leaving and seeing my favorite city from the ship! It should be amazing!!

 

[taximom00]

13 more school days for me! Although, I feel like the kids and I have already "checked out".

I know the feeling! Plus we are moving to a new school and have to pack everything!! So I've started packing and the kids are helping so we really are 'done' in many ways!

Next week Field Day, Field Trip and Portfolio Share.....the week after...hmmm....get through in one piece?!!

 

[Laurie12820]

I know the feeling! Plus we are moving to a new school and have to pack everything!! So I've started packing and the kids are helping so we really are 'done' in many ways!

Next week Field Day, Field Trip and Portfolio Share.....the week after...hmmm....get through in one piece?!!

This is what my week looks like too. Although I think our field day may be rained out on Monday...Which, I'm totally ok with!

 

[Laurie12820]

Trying to decide if it's worth our while to check out Times Square after debarkation. We will have to leave the Port Parking Lot though before we go. Not sure we want to drive in the city (been there done that...once was enough). Any suggestions on how to make this plan work from the NYC savvy crowd?

 

[jmpm]

Too funny re: teacher voices!

Sounds like you have a good plan for your day in NY. Where are you staying? Have your nieces been to Toys R Us in Times Square? Indoor ferris wheel...we still take a ride when in the city. Love the Balto statue too! Did you make reservations for the 911 Memorial? You need to do this online ahead of time. Also, have you been to the top of the Empire State Building? If not, I would do that over Top of the Rock. Maybe it's just me, but I love the iconic image of it! You can also get online tix for that ahead, too. Avoids that line when you get there.

Another thought if you find you are pressed for time.....I love the Staten Island ferry simply because it is still a great bargain! But as we will sail past the Statue of Liberty on the cruise, if you find you don't have enough time, you could skip this from your day. Just a thought!

I was born in NY and grew up there (live in Boston now) but am so looking forward to our cruise leaving and seeing my favorite city from the ship! It should be amazing!!

Once, in the Barnes & Noble, I was looking at a book with my niece who was 5 or so at the time. I wasn't really reading the book. Just pointing out the pictures and talking about the story. I looked up to see two little guys holding up books. One says, "Do this one next!" Within minutes, I was actually reading books to a group of about 10. I took several requests! A little guy sat on my lap! One parent finally said, "I don't think she works here." LOL! Now in public, I try not to use the teacher voice, but I'm not always very successful!

We're staying at the Loews Regency. It's one of only two hotels that participate with DVC points. My nieces have never been to NY and I haven't been since I was a teen. My friend, Peggy, has been more recently, and we have a friend who lives there who will spend Saturday, or most of it, with us. But, I'm still doing lots of research to figure out what we'd like to do. If we have to choose FAO vs. Toys, which would you do? We didn't make reservations for the memorial, but I did know we need to. Why Empire State over the Rock? We chose Top of the Rock so we could see Empire State, and I hear it's less crowded. I'd really love to see Cirque at Radio City Music Hall, but I'm budget conscious, so I'm afraid that's out! Skipping the SOL isn't out of the question. . .I would love any advice on making the most of our limited time!! Thanks!

 

[jmpm]

When I say Peggy has been recently, it was still many years ago. . . . We're clueless!

 

[jmpm]

I know we are way past the deadline, but my husband and I would like to join the FE exchange if that is possible. Sorry we are so late. We are in the middle of selling our house and moving and we haven't been spending as much time on the boards as we usually would before a cruise. If it is possible, we are Leslie and Andy and we're in cabin 7119. However, we totally understand if we are too late to join.

I will also add you to my list.