MisterBill99

Only concern about that is that the prices seem to have risen quite a bit for those sailings. A Tampa sailing isn't necessarily going to skyrocket in price in the way that Q/A have.

That ship has already sailed (pardon the pun). I really wanted to do the 12 night on Quantum out of NJ but the prices seemed high when reservations opened up, and they only went up from there. Thus I booked Anthem when it opened for reservations. It's still expensive (probably more than Quantum was originally) but not quite as bad as Quantum and thanks to getting over the sticker shock it doesn't seem as bad as it did when I first saw it on Q. I haven't compared the prices for the 7/8 night cruises but I wouldn't be surprised if the same was true.

I'd do Quantum now, while you have the chance, and put a sailing out of Tampa on "to do" list for later.

On the other hand Quantum and Anthem are going to be pretty much identical, so it's not like they won't be able to do Anthem next year instead.

I think I'm leaning towards Quantum. She's brand new and I'd love to experience that. I checked the website and Vision is doing the same itinerary through spring 2016, so I think I'll save that for next time.

I would definitely do Quantum. If what they say is true, it's designed to be an all-weather ship and cold weather when you leave won't be an issue in finding stuff to do. And unless you really like the older ships, there's going to be much more stuff do than on Vision. With Quantum, the ship's the destination. And you won't have to fly.

 

On the other hand the Vision itinerary is WAY better. We did the Quantum itinerary on Explorer last year and the times in port are terrible, as you mentioned in your first post.

 

You do realize that you're not getting any of the promotions for sailing on Quantum, right? If you do find a way to get one, please let me because I was under the impression that both Quantum and Anthem are excluded from all of the offers. So I wonder if the prices will really be comparable, even with airfare.

Just wondering if there has been a increase in drunken behavior,with the introduction of Royal Caribbean drinking plans.Your opinion on this. :)

People claimed that Celebrity would be full of drunks with the free drink package being given away with the 1-2-3 promo but I don't think anyone has noticed this happening.

 

I would expect the same with RCCL.

You should call them. In the future they are going to charge $10 per person for this. It was supposed to take effect sooner but they delayed the implementation. I have a feeling the website is not up to date and that's why you can't book it.

I was just able to book it for my Oasis cruise next March and it was still free. We aren't even sailing with kids :-). It was the only thing I was able to book. No specialty dining or shows (which is what I was looking for).

 

BTW I found it under Onboard Activities, not Specialty Dining.

Of course? If I had been 100% sure I would not have asked the

question.....:eek:.....I know Jersey City is close by but had no idea

about Secaucaus.

I'm sorry, I meant to say "why don't you check Google Maps instead of posting here and having someone spend the time telling you" but I wanted to be nice. Here is how you can find your answer.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Newark+Liberty+International+Airport,+3+Brewster+Rd,+Newark,+NJ+07114/Secaucus,+NJ/LaGuardia+Airport,+New+York,+NY+11371/@40.7823386,-74.0297788,10z/am=t/data=!4m20!4m19!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c252e1c5ec0cef:0xb3f3b437c5d7f286!2m2!1d-74.174462!2d40.689531!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c257b6ccc6e50f:0x5f5d048ca6540e4f!2m2!1d-74.0565298!2d40.7895453!1m5!1m1!1s0x89c25f8983424db5:0x772fc4660e9666b3!2m2!1d-73.873966!2d40.776927!3e0

 

Not to mention that traveling from LGA to NJ is going to be much more expensive than from Newark (which has been discussed here).

 

Teterboro might be closer if you have a private jet.

 

I must say that I wish I had the patience of Carol. I still think that people should make some effort to find the easy information themselves and let her answer the difficult stuff.

Thanks Carol:) when staying in Jersery City or Seacaucus is Newark

still the closest airport?

 

Yes, of course.

 

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With regard to dropping bags before parking, I am now reading that the line to drop off bags is very long (1 hour) and it was recommended to park first then drop the bags. Any thoughts or advice?

 

 

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Where did you read this supposed wisdom?

 

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Why would any top tour guide agree to book a tour without a deposit? What's to stop you from changing your mind and leaving him without a booking for the day??? I understand your point but I would think that any reputable place will refund your deposit if there are problems with your getting there.

Here's my post from back on June 3rd:

 

So Raluca left Summit on 6/15 then Ashley took over. Not sure how long the hosts(ess) stay on board, but it should be Ashley.

Ashley was really excellent. She joined towards the end of our 6/8 cruise and was instantly so friendly and accommodating. I'd be curious to see if others agree with my opinion.

Here are two quick progress photos I grabbed on Thursday 6/19 and Saturday 6/28. The steel work for half of the terminal is now up. They are pouring the floor and foundations for the rest. Things were moving swiftly and the change from when we left 9 nights earlier were amazing.

 

 

Eric

 

That's good to see after so much inactivity. I thought people were talking about a prefab building. Maybe that will be the parking garage.

 

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Thanks Carol...would this be anywhere along the route we would take from the Embassy Suites-Elizabeth to the pier or is it out of the way on that trip?

 

You might want to consider using Google Maps to check this out for yourself as it will be easier than asking someone for the information. You'll be able to see the relative location and the directions and should be much more understandable.

 

I just pulled it up on GM and Port Terminal Boulevard was visible in the default view. I see there is a Super Walmart nearby as well.

 

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So I wanted to mention that Ashley is now the Captains Club hostess on Summit. She returned from vacation on Thursday during our cruise last week. I hadn't dealt much with the original person (short and a high pitched voice, I think she is mentioned as Raluca here) but in the two days that Ashley was on board, I found her to be incredibly friendly, more so than any other CCH I have dealt with, to the point where she gave him a good-bye hug when I was leaving the departure lounge. I've always wondered why people care so much about who's on which ship but I can say I would be thrilled to see Ashley again on a future cruise.

 

And for the person who asked whether Ashley is male or female, she is a tall blonde woman.

 

BTW Ken Mills is in fact the former NCL CD. He wasn't bad, especially considering it was only his second week on Celebrity. My only complaint would be that after saying at the start of the cruise that he wasn't going to do the normal CD jokes, he did exactly that towards the end of the cruise, including the joke about the 85 year old woman with the hat in the wind. I'll scan the Spotlight sheet and upload it later.

My son, Jordan Peterson, will be sailing the Summit again from 5/11/14 - 9/21/14. He is a piano entertainer/singer and is currently on the Century.

Your son is an amazing performer! We went to several of his shows and he really added to our enjoyment of the cruise. Most of his shows were standing-room only! His Billy Joel hour was amazing, and they even had him perform Scenes from an Italian Restaurant at the Welcome Aboard show the first night.

 

He was much better than the Celebrity Singers. I have to be honest and say that he was the second best singer on-board, since Liz Callaway was the 54 Below performer we're long-time fans of hers. But she doesn't do Billy Joel, so maybe they tied :).

I wanted to share my experience getting to the pier a couple of Sundays ago (6/8). My plan was to get there at 10:30. I stopped to get gas so I only got there at 10:40. We hit no traffic on the turnpike or anywhere heading into the port. I drove right up to the terminal!!! I was shocked!!! Dropped off our luggage and they directed me to the parking lot straight ahead. The longest wait I had was getting into the lot and paying. We had no line to check in (we were Aqua, but the regular line wasn't very long, either) and we were able to get right on a bus. We were on the ship at 11:15. Not quite as good as our experience in Amsterdam last summer but much better than I expected!

 

We got off the ship at 9 and had a fairly short wait at immigration (a far cry from our last time going thru there in late 2011 on Silhouette when there were long lines, although we got off the ship later in that case, I believe). We were going to Wayne afterwards, so my GPS directed me to take 1-9 to 3, which I didn't complain abut since it saved me from having to get onto the NJTP.

 

BTW the folks in Bayonne might consider putting up new signs directing people to the port. At least one of them (on some sort of exit ramp) was partially covered by weeds. Some of them were so faded that I think they're the original signs from when the port opened.

 

Oh, and I saw some sort of foundation for the new terminal but no building. I don't think anyone there is expecting the garage to be done in time for Quantum.

We were planning on meeting at Times Square. How far is it to walk from MOMA to Times Square? I am an avid walker and son is young. Would it be doable? I thought of taking a stroll through Central Park and just enjoying the day and early evening.

I wanted to mention that I'd recommend walking to MoMA from the PATH station on 32nd/33rd street. It's not a bad walk. Talking the subway from there to 47/50th street is a waste (was about to say "of a token", you can tell how old I am!).

My duck in Blu on Reflection was cooked perfectly both times - pecan crusted and pomegranate glazed - and was tender with the fat layer perfectly rendered down to between 1/8 and 1/4 inch. Even though it was as tender as it should be, I would also prefer it carved into slices prior to plating.

So we are back from Blu and I wanted to say that they did not do the duck breast properly -- either time. I just finished doing the online survey that they sent, and the advantage of that was that I now have my write-up available to share. I will say that the pecan crusted duck was possibly the worst duck breast I have ever had (I should have used those words in my write-up, too late now, they'll get the idea). The amazing thing about that duck was that we had to wait a half hour between courses (maybe longer) because they had apparently run out and had to make more (the maitre'd came over twice to apologize, the third time he just walked past and didn't try to explain the delay). Oh, and that duck breast did not have the skin attached -- they could just have easily done it as a chicken cutlet -- and it probably would have been better. And the pomegranate version had no pomegranate taste, but it was served sliced (unlike what was described here). I have photos that I can upload. I was so upset about the pecan-crusted version that I found photos of properly cooked duck breast on my phone and showed the maitre'd how it should have been done (he didn't care, said they could not cook it like that since it had to be fried, what BS). The waiter asked if I wanted a different one, but I told him what difference would it make since I was told this was the way it was supposed to be served! Can you tell that I'm still angry???

 

My write-up:

 

I was very disappointed in the food and service at Blu. There were a few good things on the menu but many more things that were not. Many meals took much longer than they should have with long waits to order and between courses. This was my first time in Aqua Class. I had looked at the Blu menu on past cruises and longed to be able to eat there. Now that I’ve finally been there, I don’t think I would spend the money to do it again. I was unable to get my duck breast medium-rare. The first time it was on the menu the waiter told me they do it medium and it was served brown with a slight bit of pink. The second time it was coated with some pecan mess and fried and ended up a disgusting brown. And then they insult my intelligence by telling me it has to be cooked that way even though the menu had the asterisk saying that it may be served rare or undercooked. According to posts I had read pre-cruise on Cruise Critic, Blu delivered perfectly cooked medium-rare duck breast. I did not have that in either case. The portion of a half quail as an appetizer one day was a joke. Getting 4 small pieces of beet in a pickled beet salad (two pickled) was ridiculous. The rib eye steak you served one night was a fatty mess. The Pepper Steak had no sign of pepper.

 

I was very disappointed that the servers were not able to get me an appetizer I wanted from the main dining room menu which were much more appealing than what I found at Blu. Several nights we left without dessert because we wanted to go to a show and there was not anything appealing on the menu. The servers were very friendly but probably overloaded.

Hello,

Any ideas how to get to NJ Port from Long Island. Looking for Bus or Van . Does anyone have any ideas? There are 3 of us.

Thanks,

Jon P:)

Academy used to have a bus route along the LIE to the pier but they appear to have stopped since I don't see it on their website anymore. Do you not have a car available? That is going to be the most economical choice. Winston Transportation claims to have shared ride programs but their website doesn't give a price.

 

 

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So I know this is an old thread (and I am also not a gambler and wish this thread had a better title so it would be obvious what the topic is) but I have a question about match play certificates on Celebrity. At one point I knew that there was a way to (usually) make money if you had 2 match play coupons and bet both black and red (and hope that the 5% or so odds of neither didn't come up). But now I can't recall how it worked. What's the deal.. if I bet $5 on each with a match play on both, then assuming one wins, do I get $10 back or $15? I had been thinking $10 (which would just break even) but I guess it's $15 (as mentioned earlier here), which is where the profit comes in. I'll be on Celebrity this week and will have a bunch of match play certificates. Last cruise I didn't use them because I couldn't figure out how I had made them work in past cruises.

If you are just going to use data in ports, why not just go to a McDonalds, Starbucks, or other place that has free wifi. I know there is an old thread that talks about the free wifi places in the Baltics.

Because it's sometimes easier to just be able to use your phone when you want to use it and not have to spend/waste time somewhere eating food you may not want.

 

 

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for sure visit the East coast link here on Cruise critic.

 

I used trinityreservations.com, both times I have cruised out of Bayonne and then call Independent driver (a small shuttle company)

I split the ride with others in my roll call staying at the area hotels that trinity uses :)

I'm a big fan of Trinity but their rates include parking, which this poster doesn't need, so there might be better rates available. However, you can certainly pick a hotel that others are staying at and share a van (I did that when we stayed at the Fairfield Inn at EWR and left my car there).

We are flying in the day before our cruise out of Bayonne and are looking for hotel recommendations close to the port. We called several hotels and they were quoting us rates for taxi/car services beginning at $48.00, which sounds high for a 4/5 mile trip to the port.

You really should post this in the area that talks about the Bayonne port. In particular, there is a Cape Liberty 411 thread where discussion of this sort takes place regularly.

 

The quick answer is to stay near EWR and use Independent Driver to shuttle you to the pier. It's not 4-5 miles and it can take quite a while sitting in traffic.

Would the AT&T plan work for a TA cruise? Somehow I'm thinking no but thought I'd ask.

It's using the ship's cellular service, so where the ship is (near land or in the middle of the Atlantic) makes no difference.

It doesn't apply to cruise ships. It is 0.50 to send a text and 0.05 to receive. Their international texting plan lets you send from the US to a number of countries, but I do not believe it covers you taking your phone to those countries and texting back to the US.

It doesn't. There was someone on a FB group who kept posting that Verizon had called her about this new plan that included International texting and she was sure that it included texting from outside of the US. I kept telling her that I doubted that was the case and asked for the plan name to look it up. I finally found the plan on my own and sure enough, it didn't.

Pulaski Skyway is closed Northbound for the next two years. (towards Jersey City)

 

From the NJTP go to exit 14A and follow signs to the pier.

this is NOT the Pulaski Skyway.

 

Vicki

Then what is causing delays that people are reporting, other than "because it's NJ"?