SbbquilterUT

The title pretty much sums it up - flying in to JFK arriving at 8 pm. Do we take the train (2 changes) to Newark Penn Station and then cab to hotel. Or stay near JFK and the next morning train to Newark. Or just suck it up and pay for taxi/uber/driver? Any hotel suggestion would be appreciated. Thanks

The airport is a 20" ride after getting off the ship and walking to taxi stand - then navigate MIA security. While I will take early flights there is very little chance of making such an early flight.

I am a planner so make reservations in the 6:45 to 7:15 range each evening, then if we want to eat elsewhere we let our waiter know the prior evening. Has worked great except on the mega ships where we ran into lines even in the line with reservations.

Not that I have ever heard of - spa services but not chiropractic.

No special breakfast. You will be notified of the procedure for continuing passengers with all the information as there are some things that may be different depending on the country you are in. We usually head out to explore taking our Pass with us - it will allow you to bypass the lines to reboard but you must wait until boarding starts to re-enter. Or you can stay on board and enjoy the relative quiet. We also tell our cabin steward to leave cleaning our cabin until later as they are so busy.

We are sailing Celebrity in August - Iceland to NYC. Also Oceania departing Tilbury then Iceland, Ireland, Greenland, Canada and arriving in NYC.

To answer the question - we have made the 10:15 to Salt Lake City each of the past three cruises in August. Might we miss it, of course but we want to at least try so we get home to our regional airport that day. Even worked on a Saturday cruise this year.

An easy ride from the airport - about 20". We asked our driver to let us do a quick stop at the Whole Foods which is downtown and not far from the port. Ran in and picked up wine and a bouquet of fresh flowers for the cabin.

We have sailed out of Terminal 6 on Celebrity but all of them are in close proximity with plenty of parking garages. There is a $20 fee for valet service that many people seem to like.

There is breakfast as an Elite function - espresso based drinks are available as well as continental breakfast foods. Depending on the ship it will be held in one of the speciality restaurants. This information will be in your cabin when you board or you can ask your cabin attendant for it. My favorite is the free laundry and a complimentary drink before dinner (yes, I am a lightweight).

Have run into an issue with needles flying in Europe but not in the US. But I also put my project on less expensive needles in the event I ever run in to a TSA agent who decides they are not okay.

I do shop around for prices. For us I will use a Companion ticket for a RT from SLC or LAS to EWR for our next trip, then book a return from Europe to NYC - and will look at cruise line ticket for the return because those can be a good deal. Love extending our trip time and all those sea days before our busy time in Europe. Many more choices for those sailing out of Florida ports.

Have to say I cannot remember checking out a person's shoes unless it was watching someone try to walk in really high heels. More put off by folks wearing hats at the dinner table in MDR.

Travel with a refillable bottle - the water on the ship is RO and nice for us to drink. As noted above you can pick up water cans at the bars during your Happy Hour.

We travel carry on luggage only and use the laundry but not for dockers or nice shirts (those can be wash and press). Use the laundry bag for pjs, socks, tees, shirts, underclothes - things that can be worn without a lot of care. Travel in hiking fabric pants so those can be washed in the shower and will dry overnight. Be sure to have your laundry together early and alert your cabin attendant so it goes in early.

We have started scheduling a transatlantic to get to Europe (price point for our interior very close to plane fare) and then our time in Europe. I love arriving relaxed and ready to explore. It does involve one flight home but that is okay.

The flip side of this is we really wanted to use the cruise as a way to get to Europe for another cruise and it was sold out (10 months before sailing). Our TA got a Guarantee for us - and actually got a cabin assigned this week at 8 months before sailing. Very happy to be sailing rather than flying and there is not a big cost differential.

I have read about a hack using the bar code on your Set Sail pass to see your cabin assignment - maybe that would help.

This is only our experience but we have made flights at 10:45 and 11 am after disembarking at Pier 91 on a Saturday. We are aware we may miss if things go awry but later flights do not get us in to our home regional airport that day. We walked off (there was facial recognition as I remember but may be confusing that) and went straight to the taxi line.

This is for Saturday, August 17, 2024 - not sure if that will impact train availability. I will keep an eye on schedules.

The Edge

What I miss on E class ships is the access to outdoor areas at the bow of the ship. Love the 4 MDR concept. Sailed Solstice twice last year (sailing from the West coast was so nice) and really enjoyed her.

That looks lovely - thanks.

We snagged a Guarantee cabin for Aug 24 as the ship was sold out. Surprisingly I noticed this week that we have a cabin assigned and I am very happy with it.

We are sailing Sydney to Hawaii and then Hawaii to Vancouver in April 2025 - cancelled from 2021 and I am really looking forward to it.