Cruisin'4Us

20 hours ago, meadowlander said:

Either option will get you to the toll plaza. There will be no sign indicating CFW leads to the turnpike & it may be easy to pass the right turn onto CFW if cars ahead of you are not turning there. If you pass Costco, you have missed the turn for CFW & then just continue straight to the traffic light and turn right onto 440.

 

If you need a ticket at the toll plaza be aware there is/was 1 lane there  that has the dispenser not at car height but much higher for truck drivers.

Thank you!  I'll try to remember to use Costco as an initial GPS destination or a waypoint.

Our PA E-ZPass is old and infrequently used.  If it doesn't work I assume we, or PA, will be notified (or will the NJ Turnpike Authority send a Reaper drone after us?)  😉

10 hours ago, meadowlander said:

After paying the toll at exit 14A, there are 3 route options to Cape Liberty. Avenue E is 1, 440 is another. The easiest option is via Chosin Few Way.

 

Stay left after the toll plaza, go up the ramp-following signs for CFW & 440.Exit right onto CFW (ignore the small sign for the terminal pointing to 440). CFW to the end. Left onto Goldsborough. 2 miles to the terminal. There are no traffic lights on CFW as on 440 or Avenue E.

Thank you for the directions!  I was able to step through this on google street view.

When the cruise is over, would you recommend taking CFW (as opposed to 440N) to get back to 14A?

On 1/23/2024 at 6:40 PM, Tatka said:

 

 http://www.cruiseliberty.com/directions_parking.html

 

Regarding directions, the above link states:

"From Exit 14A:

Follow the signs for Route 440 South. Proceed 1 1/2 miles and make a left into the Bayonne Ocean Terminal. The cruise terminal is two miles straight ahead."

Do we still make the left turn onto Goldsborough Drive?  We're not sure what "the Bayonne Ocean Terminal" is.

When will passengers learn ... use the "Do Not Disturb" sign!

14 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

And I say it again; there is NOTHING in Labadee they want

Jet skis?

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

You would order the virgin drink with your package, then pay for a shot of alcohol. Two separate transactions.

Good thought.

To try and figure out which drink package is best for us, what is the approximate price for the typical shot (rum, gin, tequila, Canadian whisky) that a bartender would use in mixed or frozen drinks?

If a passenger has a Refreshment Package and wishes to purchase an alcoholic drink that would normally cost $14 (without any drink package), will they be charged $14, or some other incremental amount?  For example - if the only difference between a virgin frozen drink and an alcoholic frozen drink is the alcohol, and the virgin drink is included under the Refreshment Package, is the passenger charged the full price for the drink with the alcohol?

Thanks in advance!

Thank you.  I wasn't sure if Barefoot was one of the exclusions of the Royal Up program.

Will a Royal Up upgrade to a Junior Suite or a Grand Suite permit access to Barefoot Beach?

Thank you!

On 8/8/2023 at 7:38 AM, Cruisin'4Us said:

Our old passports and cards were returned yesterday.  That's good, but they did not appear in the USPS informed delivery email.  Also, the envelopes were not secure at all - the flap could easily be pulled apart and resealed.  The adhesion was good enough for mailing, but not for security.

 

DD's application is still In Process.

DD's passport received 8/16.  Still waiting for her new passport card and the old passport and card to be returned.

6 minutes ago, Tinknock50 said:

I notice something missing from some of these posts.   How many of you put your travel date down when you applied?  I ask because I am seeing some waiting for months to get their passport. That makes sense if your travel dates are months away.

And those leaving within a few weeks may rightfully be getting priority.

Good question.  We listed our travel date as roughly 11 months away from the mail date.  Our renewal took about 7 weeks,

I was wondering if passport renewals were being processed faster for typed (on a computer before printing) vs hand written applications, or for renewals with no changes from the prior passport.

Our old passports and cards were returned yesterday.  That's good, but they did not appear in the USPS informed delivery email.  Also, the envelopes were not secure at all - the flap could easily be pulled apart and resealed.  The adhesion was good enough for mailing, but not for security.

DD's application is still In Process.

5 hours ago, Etta1213 said:

I grew up in PA with rough winters. For me, warm weather vacations hold a strong attraction. However, if your trip will be in summer, expect to accept possibly intense heat in the Caribbean. I've loved some Carib excursions, such as interacting with stingrays, the sea turtle sanctuary in Grand Cayman, the swim with dolphins, interact manatee, sea lion show in Cozumel's Chankanaab Park. 

Add us to the list of Grand Cayman excursion fans!

It's been years, but we loved Pancho's Backyard (Mexican restaurant) in Cozumel.  We went to the original location (not the one at the port.)  If you go, go early to avoid crazy long lines.

On 7/27/2023 at 11:31 AM, Cruisin'4Us said:

Our non-expedited renewal applications were received on 06/13/2023 for books and cards.  Prior to today, our status was "In Process".  Today, the status is "Approved" with an anticipated arrival date of 8/1/2023.  We did not reach out to our Senators or anyone else.  Maybe the complaints regarding delays are helping?

 

Our DD's application is still "In Process", but her application was "New", since she was going from a 5 year passport to a 10 year passport.  I suppose her application is being processed differently than our applications.

On 7/30/2023 at 1:41 PM, Cruisin'4Us said:

2 passports arrived yesterday.  No passport cards yet.  Still waiting for passport approval for DD and the return of all old passports and cards.

2 Passport Cards arrived today.

We are still waiting for DD's approval and the return of all old passports and cards.

15 hours ago, SC LTC said:

When was yours submitted?

Our applications were received on 06/13/2023.

Although we are signed up for email status notifications, we haven't received any (even in our spam folder)! 

2 passports arrived yesterday.  No passport cards yet.  Still waiting for passport approval for DD and the return of all old passports and cards.

Our non-expedited renewal applications were received on 06/13/2023 for books and cards.  Prior to today, our status was "In Process".  Today, the status is "Approved" with an anticipated arrival date of 8/1/2023.  We did not reach out to our Senators or anyone else.  Maybe the complaints regarding delays are helping?

Our DD's application is still "In Process", but her application was "New", since she was going from a 5 year passport to a 10 year passport.  I suppose her application is being processed differently than our applications.

On 7/17/2023 at 2:56 PM, meadowlander said:

Hotels in Jersey City will be more expensive and probably charge for parking....

Even the Hampton Inn & Suites Elizabeth Newark Airport online booking system shows $20/night for "self parking."

However, their "AAA Park and Stay" rate appears to include parking for 1 vehicle per room.

Thank you for the dinner suggestions!

DD loves to crochet.  Other than posting here and on the roll call, what have you found to be good ways of finding good homes for these pets?

I saw online (and confirmed with the hotel) that the Ruby Tuesday restaurant that was next to the Hampton Inn & Suites Elizabeth has closed.  That's a shame since it was so convenient to walk next door for dinner.

Any suggestions for other restaurants nearby (for dinner)?  The Bossa Fish restaurant has great google reviews.

On 7/10/2023 at 12:04 PM, Cruisin'4Us said:

The current price is $79.99 for the Deluxe Drink Package, but it drops to $74.99 regularly (give it a week or so to drop.)  Also, the refreshment package is at $33.99 right now but it should be $29.99 soon.

As it turns out, "soon" is today.  🙂 The lower prices that I mentioned above are back.

Hi Marg.  I just saw your post in the Roll Call (we are on the same cruise!)

The current price is $79.99 for the Deluxe Drink Package, but it drops to $74.99 regularly (give it a week or so to drop.)  Also, the refreshment package is at $33.99 right now but it should be $29.99 soon.

We're waiting for the Black Friday sale to book them.

Since passport picture cost was mentioned -

Some AAA plans include the benefit of free passport photographs for your family.  We just had free pictures taken for the three of us a few months ago.  They provided us with two pictures for each of us, but only one picture was needed for submission.

Once passport renewals are available online again, the option to take and submit your own digital photos will be another free option.

Have you tried a different internet browser?

On 5/24/2023 at 8:38 AM, chengkp75 said:

It's actually quite easy for a lifeboat to overturn, especially if there are not 150 passengers acting as ballast to weight the bottom.

Passengers should be required to help prevent a potential ballast issue by eating as much as possible in Windjammer.