Sept. 7, 2012 - Magic NYC - Canada

[EllaEnchanted]

Why don't you just pay in full now and book your ressies? I PIF just before the 120 days so I could get the Palo ressies we wanted for brunch, don't want to miss out on that Plat. perk that's still available.

Jill, I WISH I could, but my budget won't allow it. Having just gotten off the Hawaii cruise, I'm tapped out. I usually do pay in advance of booking, but when we just got off of a cruise mid-May and have to pay in full for the next one in less than one month, it's a little tight. I have to wait until June 20th and that's the best that I can do.

 

[jilljill]

I keep forgetting the HI cruise just ended the middle of last month. It seems like it was so long ago that people were talking about it just coming up.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I keep forgetting the HI cruise just ended the middle of last month. It seems like it was so long ago that people were talking about it just coming up.

Well the cruise certainly did go fast after a year of prepping. But we got off the boat 5/14 and flew home on 5/15. We arrived home at 3am on 5/16. It took me and DH John almost a week to get reoriented on local time. So to us it feels like we have only been home for about two weeks. We're just getting used to our daily routines again and starting to look forward to this cruise. The 20th is only ten more days. I'm sure I'll be fine with whatever is available at Palos. After all, I did just have Palo brunch recently, so it's not all that major. hahaha. But I would book it again in a heartbeat if it is available when I'm ready. I love Palo brunch.

 

[DisneyDream2B]

Hi EllaEnchanted,
We just booked excursions and Palo reservations (silver CC - window opened midnight last Friday), and it seemed like everything was still available - all dates/times for Palo brunch and dinner, and every excursion we checked. 11:00 port arrival time was also still open. Made me wonder if this cruise is rather empty? I know they'll offer specials to fill it, but I was a bit surprised that more people weren't booked by now (I assume - but possibly cruisers are just not booking Palo or taking DCL excursions). I hope the Canada cruises are popular enough that they might be offered again sometime.

 

[dthogue]

There's a parking garage right across the street from the terminal, I've seen it from our ship when I sailed out of NYC in 2008. But it would probably be cheaper to park at the port - $35/day - plus you don't have to drag your luggage across the busy street.
I think I've seen the close parking garages listed on the big NYC Port thread on the main board.

We're going back and forth about driving part way up and then taking NJTransit from Metropark or taking Amtrak. Both get up to PennStation and then we will take a taxi from there.

We are considering booking this cruise (or the one on the 12th), really want to sail from NYC.

Question on the parking - we would be driving from PA - what is the difference between parking at the "terminal" and parking at the "port" Aren't they the same???? I assume that the terminal parking is private and the port parking is for the cruise ships? Are they both $35.00 per day?

Can you give me more info about the NJ Transit and Metropark? Can we park long term at the Metropark? We could also take Amtrak to Penn Station. I read its about a 15 minute ride to the port and about $15.00 in fare - doees that sound right?

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Hi EllaEnchanted,
We just booked excursions and Palo reservations (silver CC - window opened midnight last Friday), and it seemed like everything was still available - all dates/times for Palo brunch and dinner, and every excursion we checked. 11:00 port arrival time was also still open. Made me wonder if this cruise is rather empty? I know they'll offer specials to fill it, but I was a bit surprised that more people weren't booked by now (I assume - but possibly cruisers are just not booking Palo or taking DCL excursions). I hope the Canada cruises are popular enough that they might be offered again sometime.

Hi DisneyDream.....Thanks for the update, it sounds very promising. I hope it stays that way until I can book. Sept may be a little less croweded because the ship is going there now and families take vaca when the kids are out of school. We'll be cruising after the kids go back to school, so I'm hoping a little less crowded.

I hope they are popular enough to be offered again and out of NYC too. I would take this cruise more than once since it's so close to home. It's easy to do.

 

[lpizzuro123]

We are also Silver but have not paid off our cruise yet. Hope to do this this coming weekend and then will be making Palo reservations. I think we might only do brunch - not sure yet. We still do not know what excursions we will be doing in either port.

I can't wait until the first set of Disney Canada cruisers get home so they can post their Navagators and see what they recommend for excursions.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on the cruise.

Linda

 

[nlm74]

Palo for dinner or Brunch?
Have never been, which do you guys suggest?

Also, anyone have ideas how I can get liquor on the boat. We're flying in from BOS and not checking baggage. Then we're going straight to the boat via Disney Transfers....I'm thinking they won't be so kind to stop at a liquor store for us. LOL

Does anyone know if there are places to purchase liquor at JFK?

 

[DL1957]

Palo for dinner or Brunch?
Have never been, which do you guys suggest?

Also, anyone have ideas how I can get liquor on the boat. We're flying in from BOS and not checking baggage. Then we're going straight to the boat via Disney Transfers....I'm thinking they won't be so kind to stop at a liquor store for us. LOL

Does anyone know if there are places to purchase liquor at JFK?

Regarding the first part of your question Palo's for brunch is the best in my opinon. Dinner is also great but if you had to choose I would do brunch. Great way to spend part of your at sea day.
Since I live in VA and I am from CA I can't answer your second question.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Palo for dinner or Brunch?
Have never been, which do you guys suggest?

Also, anyone have ideas how I can get liquor on the boat. We're flying in from BOS and not checking baggage. Then we're going straight to the boat via Disney Transfers....I'm thinking they won't be so kind to stop at a liquor store for us. LOL

Does anyone know if there are places to purchase liquor at JFK?

The only way that DCL will allow you to take liquor in the boat is in your carry on. So you're good there. I'm sure JFK has lots of stores....maybe even a duty free. Google it and see what you can find out. Good Luck!


OH and I love Palo brunch the best too.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Here's a list of all the stores in JFK airport. There's lots of them so good luck finding your liquor store.

[http://www.ifly.com/john-f-kennedy-international-airport/shops-stores

 

[nlm74]

Here's a list of all the stores in JFK airport. There's lots of them so good luck finding your liquor store.

Woot Woot. Thanks Ella.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Woot Woot. Thanks Ella.

You are so welcome. I hope it helps.

 

[dthogue]

DH and I made the decision - we'll be joining you on this cruise. Looking forward to sailing from NYC and visiting Canada.

Is there a FE exchange group set up?

Looking forward to getting to know everyone.

 

[wildel1021]

If there is going to be a FE count me in

 

[jilljill]

The only way that DCL will allow you to take liquor in the boat is in your carry on. So you're good there. I'm sure JFK has lots of stores....maybe even a duty free. Google it and see what you can find out. Good Luck!


OH and I love Palo brunch the best too.

Domestic air passengers aren't allowed to make purchases in the Duty Free shops in the airports. Not sure that JFK has any liquor stores for domestic air passengers to make purchases.

 

[jilljill]

We are considering booking this cruise (or the one on the 12th), really want to sail from NYC.

Question on the parking - we would be driving from PA - what is the difference between parking at the "terminal" and parking at the "port" Aren't they the same???? I assume that the terminal parking is private and the port parking is for the cruise ships? Are they both $35.00 per day?

Can you give me more info about the NJ Transit and Metropark? Can we park long term at the Metropark? We could also take Amtrak to Penn Station. I read its about a 15 minute ride to the port and about $15.00 in fare - doees that sound right?

The terminal and the port are the same. I was saying that parking right at the port/terminal is $35/day. There is a parking garage across the street but I don't know the name of it or what they charge to park there.

Yes, Metropark lets you park long term. It's $9/day and the cost of NJTransit is $20/person round trip - those rates are correct as of Jan. 2012. I've parked there before for a cruise and it worked out well.
Our other option is Amtrak as well. Just trying to figure it all out.
That taxi time and fare sounds about right. Although, I hear taxi rates are getting ready to go up soon so it might be a couple dollars more to get to the port from Penn Station.

 

[dthogue]

The terminal and the port are the same. I was saying that parking right at the port/terminal is $35/day. There is a parking garage across the street but I don't know the name of it or what they charge to park there.

Yes, Metropark lets you park long term. It's $9/day and the cost of NJTransit is $20/person round trip - those rates are correct as of Jan. 2012. I've parked there before for a cruise and it worked out well.
Our other option is Amtrak as well. Just trying to figure it all out.
That taxi time and fare sounds about right. Although, I hear taxi rates are getting ready to go up soon so it might be a couple dollars more to get to the port from Penn Station.

Thank you for the info - right now we are leaning towards Amtrak. It would cost us more to drive and park at the terminal than the cost of Amtrak. The Metropark option would be cheaper, but DH is preferring not to have to drive.

 

[jilljill]

Thank you for the info - right now we are leaning towards Amtrak. It would cost us more to drive and park at the terminal than the cost of Amtrak. The Metropark option would be cheaper, but DH is preferring not to have to drive.

We are thinking the same things too, with the same reasonings. OUr only drive would be to the train station in Wilmington or find an unsuspecting friend to take us and pick us up.

 

[dthogue]

We are thinking the same things too, with the same reasonings. OUr only drive would be to the train station in Wilmington or find an unsuspecting friend to take us and pick us up.

I was planning on asking our DD (20) - can you stay home, take care of your younger sister for 6 days and oh by the way, we need a ride to the train station at 5:00am the day we leave