CateW

Are you certain that the ship docks in Manhattan?

Usually, Princess ships dock in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

If it is the Brooklyn location, it may affect the drive time to LGA- perhaps for the better.

I would check drive times for both Manhattan and Brooklyn to LGA.

By the way, I was recently chatting with a neighbor who drives people from our area to all the NYC area airports. He told me LGA is still under construction and is difficult to manouver in the resulting traffic.

If it was me, I would consider booking another flight time.

Good luck !:)

It's a Sunday so the BQE won't be bad but there is tons of construction on that too coupled with the construction at LGA could be a disaster.

We've done over 30 cruises over the years, the last one in February 2017. We love cruising but sometimes I feel cruised out. My husband is not going on the family Disney cruise (he would hate it) so the next one we have together is February 2018.

Good morning everyone....we have a bit of a Flight dilemma as our Carrier has moved our flight up 1 hour and 20 minutes out of Laguardia on Oct. 15th.....our flight is now 11:05 AM. .......the ship docks at 7:15 am and we need to be at the airport 2 hrs in advance....being 9:05 am

 

I googled the driving time and it states 24 minutes from the pier in Manhattan to LGA......therefore we would have to be off the ship with luggage and into a cab by approx 8:30 or preferably before.

 

Would appreciate any comments from anyone in the know......prefer not to take our own luggage off ......in these circumstances does this seem possible/doable or should we look at changing to a later flight if at all possible

 

Would appreciate info from anyone who has disembarked early for similar reasons in Manhattan and traveled to LGA

 

Thanks

Ken

October 15th is a Sunday so there is a possibility that you could make it. We disembarked a much larger ship in February and we were off before 9 a.m. However, there is quite a bit of construction at LGA right now so that's always a wild card. I am not sure that being worried about making a flight is the best way to end a cruise. I would probably try to change the flight if possible.

We have liked all of the speciality restaurants but particularly like LeBistro until they changed the menu. Now, my fave is Ocean Blue.

I sure hope so. We are not fussy people and we never had any complaints when cruising NCL. But we are booked for the Breakaway in Jan for 14 days so reading some of these negative reviews has me concerned. Also...about the "over served" drunks. Perhaps they did not have the free UBP bonus the last time you went. You may see a difference now. We got that package as I am sure many others have as well..........but we don't plan on spending our vacation in a coma so it won't be us walking around looking for our next drink. ha! Enjoy your cruise and thanks for the "ray of hope" with your positive comment.

We did the 14 night 1/29/17 cruise on the Breakaway and are repeating 2/2/18. I think you will find the 14 night in January or February to be a totally different dynamic. The pool will be crowded yes, but far less children than you would find in summer and while people will be enjoying a few cocktails, I doubt they will be falling down drunk, at lest that was not my experience.

I don't mine doing things together during the day and a couple of dinners or drinks but other than that, everyone can do whatever they want to do. Make it clear in advance, it is everyone's vacation after all so everyone should be able to do what they want. #nopressure!

We received marketing material from Oceania through our email. Although we are based in the UK, sometimes our computer is logged in a remote access VPN site based in the Netherlands. Sometimes, we just not use VPN so our server would be based in the UK.

 

We were shocked to see two substantially different prices offered to those who reside in the UK and those residing in the Continent (Netherlands). The difference could be about 25 percent HIGHER if you live in the United Kingdom.

 

For example, for their "Stars of the Pacific" cruise from Papeete to Los Angeles (May 28-June 15, 2018), for a B1 Veranda Stateroom, they offered Dutch residents Euro 4449 (which is about £3,999). However, if we checked the fare offered to us if we did not use VPN, and therefore they know we were in the UK, the fare offered is £5099, a difference of more than £1,000 , or 25 percent. This did not seem to be an isolated case, other fares showed differences offered to Continental Europeans to be substantially lower than British residents who were "hampered" with paying more.

 

Could we be right? We could not believe our eyes!!!!

 

We know cruise lines like airlines, offer different fares to different residents in different countries, but 25 per cent is too much, don't you think?

 

Please tell us we are mistaken (maybe other Cruise Critic posters would like to double check?) because if we are right, we feel rather disappointed with Oceania Cruises. We always think so highly of them, but then, we discovered this!!!!

The US price for this sailing is $7099 for O'Life and $5699 cruise fare only. That is the website price. Depending on the Travel Agent, the price would be reduced in some way.

Hello everyone! I am new to the boards (although I've been lurking for some time) and getting ready to go on my first cruise ever on the Breakaway last week in August to Bermuda :D with my mom and 3 kids (14, 11, and 10).

 

My main concern is my mom. She has chronic pain/lupus/some breathing problems and is not able to do a whole lot of strenuous activities, which is part of the reason I chose to do Bermuda beings that I hear it's much more laid-back and relaxing. We are booked on deck 12 in the rear of the ship, although I did ask for us to be placed near the elevators. She refuses to use anything such as wheelchair or scooter yet but I'm concerned about how much walking is involved initially getting on the ship and if there are any tips anyone would be willing to share on getting around the ship when you aren't able to walk for long distances?

 

I am also wondering what is close to the ship in Bermuda that would be fun for us to do as a family but that also doesn't involve a whole lot of walking around in the heat for her? Any good excursions that someone could recommend? I know she won't be able to do everything she's hoping she could do, but I'd like to be able to get her out on to the island just a little bit. Are there taxis available close to port? I have a feeling she will probably be spending most of her time in the casino, lol.. and I'm hoping to surprise her with a spa pass so she can get some much needed R&R, but I'd love to plan something for us to all do together while in Bermuda that doesn't involve sitting out or walking around for too long in the direct sunlight.

 

Any tips/info would be greatly appreciated :)

It is a fairly long walk from when you get to the port to the check in and then on the ship. Breakaway is a big ship and there is walking involved to get most anywhere. You mention that you got a spa pass and that you re in the aft. The spa is all the way forward so it is a hike. For dining, Cagney's in the aft as is the dining rooms. Most of the other specialties are mid ship. There is no mid ship elevator so if you are aft, you take that elevator and walk forward.

The Ship docks at Kings Wharf in Bermuda. There are taxi's right there to take you anywhere you want to go (i.e. beaches which are beautiful) and I believe there is one of those little shuttle trains to take you from the ship to the ferries (to Hamilton and St. George) and the shopping area right in Kings Wharf. It is a hike for someone with mobility issues to get from the ship to the shopping are without taking that little shuttle train.

I hope this helps.

Does Amazon not sell steamer trunks? :D

Seriously though, our first Cunard cruise was on the old QE2. Ours was only a 21 day cruise but many passengers were traveling with multiple steamer trunks that were stored elsewhere than their cabin and rotated regularly (it might have been a world cruise?)

Hahahahahah! I don't think I'm that bad, but my husband might say otherwise.

The segment that I wait listed was the 51 night NY-Sydney. I was checking the Oceania website this morning and each segment of this cruse - NY-LA and LA Sydney was available in our category and the same cabin was available on each segment. I called Oceania and was able to book this as two segments (which was actually less money than booking as one segment). Do you, or does anyone, know why my category (A1) would be waitlisted if cabins were available in the category? I'm just curious....thanks.

Just an update from the OP -- our cruise moved to "sold-out" and we were still on the waitlist, so we just cancelled. Hard to make plans if everything is up in the air. We did keep our World Cruise segment on the Queen Victoria; SFO to Southampton (80 days) at a great price. Since the QM2 and the QV are in Southampton on the same day, we will cruise back to NYC and avoid any overseas flights.

Prefer the food on Oceania, but Cunard is adequate.

 

Thanks for all the insight,

Kel:D

That's so strange, I booked this cruise yesterday and we are #1 on the waitlist for an A1 (and we also waitlisted for an A2 and A3 and are 2nd and 3rd on the waitlist respectively). All categories are still showing as waitlisted. Since this cruise is still so far away, not doing any planning just yet. We are platinum on Cunard and your cruise on the QV looks amazing, but on such a long cruise I would be worried about the formal clothes and all the luggage. I am not a light packer, lol. Enjoy the QV!

We used Larry's limo's. They were prompt and the cars were very new and the driver friendly. http://www.larryslimo.com

My husband insists on wearing a sports jacket every night but he is most definitely in the minority.

My husband and I went for lunch one day, we just paid because he had a beer and a burger and I had some appetizer and an ice tea. There were only 3 tables occupied and the service was awful. They were cleaning the ceilings (I think the ceilings have surf boards on them). All kinds of dirt was falling on the tables which they were not wiping down. It was kind of gross.

:confused:Does anybody actually use the haven pool? With the lounge chairs in the middle, I have never seen it put to use.

We did the 14 night sailing on the Breakaway on 1/29/17. I never saw anyone in the pool, day or night. It might have been used at some point on port days had they opened the retractable roof which was closed the entire time. I didn't use any pool or hot tub on this trip:mad: but the Caribbean water in all 8 ports was fantastic.

We were in the suite below you on emerald deck on that sailing, and didn't have an issue with soot.

Two years ago we were in D726 on the fall TA on Royal, and are taking the same cruise in the same cabin on the Regal this September.

We love the spacious aft corner suites and large balconies on this class and also Celebrity S class. The positives far outweigh any soot issues.

The cabin attendants clean the balconies every day.

 

 

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Thank you, you have reassured me!

I am currently holding C-738 on the Royal, would you advise against booking this suite? It is pricey but I do love the location and the size of the balcony. Any advice would be appreciated.

I looked at the package link that was included with the post that said this statement was wrong.

 

Read the link information carefully. The transportation is arranged and the cost of the transportation arranged affects the cost of the room.

 

Given the cost of using a car service and the cost of paying for the round trip through the tunnel or over the bridge (would be included for the one way trip for the transportation vehicle's return to NJ), SNJ Cruisers statement rings true.

 

 

Also a side note, there is no way that this hotel is 10 minutes away from the Manhattan cruise port (not even at 3 AM in the morning). Twelve miles in that area translates to at least a half hour or more. Hint: NYC and its environs is properly the only place where distance is given as a measure of time instead of measure of length.

Agree 100%. First, it seems that every Avenue from South to North as some kind of construction. Going East to West is a nightmare on a good day. I was in the City for the Theatre on Wednesday and walked from GCS to the Shubert Theatre. It's about a 15 minute walk, had I taken a taxi, it would have easily cost $25 if not more.

Also be aware that you must purchase the insurance within 2 weeks of your deposit IF you want to have pre existing conditions covered. As with most insurance the price varies considerably based on coverage.

I normally use Alliance; pre-existing conditions are covered provided you secure it before final payment.

We were on the 14 day sailing (1/29/17) and although the menu did not change daily, there was a special at dinner each evening.

We haven't had a problem with wine in the dining room, probably because when we sit down I say that we don't want to order until we get the wine. :p

We always tip a couple of dollars for room service. I always thought that Todd English was worth the uncharge on the QM2 (although I know others will disagree) but we are not fond of the Verandah and unless they change the menu, we will not go back.

We are looking at Marina. Another reply suggested $80 per visit. Is that close ? Do you know what the blood work cost ? Our situation would be a 'pre existing condition' ergo no trip insurance payment. I think I could submit bills to my secondary back in the States as they cover costs incurred outside of the US. Thanks.

Pre-existing conditions are covered by cruise insurance (at least through Alliance) as long as you purchase the insurance prior to final payment.

We just got back yesterday. Honestly, we sat inside and I didn't smell any smoke at all. That said, I did have 2 reservations (it was a 14 day cruise) and cancelled the second one. This used to be my favorite but since they changed the menu, I don't care for it as much. :mad:

Thank you for your review. We will have our first Haven experience on the Breakaway in a little over a week. I'm not going to lie, your review has me very excited about this trip!

We have been on the Gem twice and really enjoyed it. It didn't feel crowded at all and we were able to get into all the speciality dining venues without any problems. We will be on the Breakaway in a few weeks, which we know is significantly bigger but we splurged for the Haven for that reason. We are also booked on the 14 day in February 2018 at the moment. Depending on how we like it, we may repeat. I wanted a specific cabin which is why we booked so early.