young_ens

On 11/26/2023 at 6:02 PM, Norwich Cruiser said:

On MSC a couple of weeks ago the rope course was free.

We looked at MSC, are considering them sometime in the future.   What's your review of their food?  I've heard some say it's ok, others love or hate....

WOW!  I looked at the "course" and holy $##@, what a joke.    Apparently it's called a "ride" the 90 seconds is what they call a drop over the edge of the ship?   Unclear what this is... 

We got off the Carnival Venezia this summer and that ship has an actual ropes course and it's free.  Kids has a blast for hours every day, heck even I did. 

The way RCI is going, I don't think I'll be going back.  At least not anytime soon.

I saw a few problems but it was mostly/all from people just turning off their brains when on-board.   So many times I'd be in line watching ahead and folks seem bewildered with the buffet:  "what do I do?". "Do I like this?" "Hun, what do you think this chicken-looking thing might be? (Sign says Masala Chicken....).   

Other big problem is people piling up plates like they're building the Empire State building.  Get a reasonable plate (less food, faster loading) and move on.  If you liked something a lot, go back for seconds (hint, they don't run out of food).  I lost count how many times I saw heaping abandoned plates on tables (actually witnessed a family sit with three plates, kid takes 1 bite and says "this ain't no good" and they all left).   What a waste.....

As for popping in: who cares?  Again, lots of food.  I'll ask to sneak in and grab a milk/salad.   A few times I just went around salad builders because they were the ones holding up the main buffet line.    Also, line is too long at 1 buffet section, check other side of that section or go to the other section.

Thought I should add a final entry for anyone who searches this topic.  

Just got back from our cruise and about a week out we decided to reserve a spot at Pier 81 (North Lobster),. Total cost was 285 for 10 days and spot guaranteed through SpotHero.   Took us 10 minutes to walk to Pier 88 with a large suitacase and 2 carry-ons.   Car was still there when we got off, no damage and I kept my car keys. Can't guarantee anyone else to have the same experience but also can't see why not..... Pier has security guard and seems to have a gate for overnight.

I'll also say when we sailed away, there were about 30 spots still at the port.  Had I been able to reserve at MCT, I would have gone there, so a fail by the operator I think....

2 hours ago, Brighton Line said:

Why not just reach out to the parking operator since their contact information is on the NYCruise website (Operator of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Terminal):

 

For inquiries regarding Manhattan Cruise Terminal parking, email Jason.Rubino@propark.com or call 646.299.4670.

Have.  He said "should be OK".  Not super inspiring!  

Cruising out of NYC in a few weeks now and have been planning on parking at the pier all along.   For whatever reason, they are no longer taking reservations after the 20th of July.

My questions to the seasoned folks: Should I expect to get there and have the lot be full/be turned away?  Is there a sweet spot time-wise to get there to be sure I have a spot at a secure facility?  

What is a good (safe) second option folks use?

TIA! 

@steveknj current plan is a sleep over outside Springfield Massachusetts, then leave around 6-7 am to the pier.   Seems to be a 3 hr drive.   Seems fine on paper, will be an adventure for sure!

@steveknj  Thanks.   We will be driving down to the cruise port (from Nova Scotia, think Maine direction).  As a local I'm guessing (NJ=Jersey?), any driving advice for a NY noob?

@steveknj  We'll be on too.  Sniped a room on Monday (someone cancelled I guess), first cruise since 2019.  Been a while and we last minute decision to go, ports are OK.   Mainly looking forward to getting away and Guy's. 

20 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

It is also a secure parking lot so you can have peace of mind about your car being where you left it. You also don't have to worry about lugging your luggage on a ferry, or walking with it for a block or two, or loading it out of your car into a cab (or a bus).

+ @jpurdy

Good to know it is secure.   I had those exact feelings in the second sentence, leaning me to local parking which would be nice at disembarkation. 

Follow up: Does the lot become full and I'd need plan b (or c) for parking?   How's driving in NY?   Signage good for out of towners?

Morning all!   Last night I found a good deal to me for a Caribbean cruise out of NY, she's on hold until I figure out a few things. 

Main reason for starting this: I'd be driving from Canada, so I'd like to hear some opinions on how cruising out of NY is.  Those who drove, where did you park (I know NY is painfully expensive land)?  Any of you park in Jersey and ferry over?  Some other option?

TIA!

25 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

...

Just wanted to say I'm a bit envious of you folks!  I'm still not ready to travel (5hr direct flight, which is non-existent now) but I'd love to get away....  Might have to say ____ and go soon.

Nice itinerary, I'll live vicariously through this if y'all don't mind!  Enjoy the sailing!

@Jamman54 thanks for story so far and looks like fun!   This does send me into cruise withdrawal!   Hopefully things settle down to something of the old normal, mostly pocketbook items like flights.  Like you guys, I can't justify the ticket prices for 1 week of fun but catch 22 is I don't have time to do a 4 day drive.  

16 hours ago, EMOSEA said:

 If you've done the ABC cruise, what was your favorite thing to do on shore? 

🙂

When we went that far south, we visited Curacao and Aruba.  Curacao was a shopping and town visiting day for us, lots of little corners to explore for shops, some cool forts, the swing bridge was also fun.  

Aruba has lots of shopping nearby, people are super friendly.  Taxis were available and safe.  We took a taxi to a beach on the west side (5-10 minutes from the port), we went to Eagle Beach on the advice of the cabbie: great water and quieter than Palm Beach (resorts/casinos nearby). 

On 5/13/2021 at 6:46 PM, Dakrew said:

Brother and I are booked for a 14 day cruise and we aren't heavy drinkers of the wobbly pop or umbrella drink varieties. A can or two per day pp = more than the initial embarkation allotment. 

14 days, I thought cruising was limited to 7-nights or less until we know better how the virus behaves with vaccinated people.   Maybe you're doing a B2B.   Or that rule changed already?  

Just curious.   And for your question, I would bring some pop on and see what happens. You've read the worse case already (confiscate/return).

My last cruise was April 2019, on the Carnival Sunshine.  An older ship but had a nice retrofit and one of the best itineraries.

If specifically RCI, then March 2017 on the Allure otS.  Fantastic ship, lots to do on it, itinerary was alright. 

We were planning on going spring 2020 (a milestone anniversary year) but we sort of waffled on booking and seeing what happened we were some glad to have drug our feet!   Hoping to get back to a spot where we feel comfortable to go back to vacations sometime soon!  

The crocodile bites were good!  Escargot, frog legs.  The Ringer from Guy's is also a fav!  

Basically, if I don't have to cook it, I'm game!

8 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Many would argue (and have) that children should actually be a higher price because of the extra amount of work the cause the cleaning staff, the absolute lack of onboard spending, and the resources that must be invested in to entertain them. 

Uh-huh...   I guess there are some kids with terrible manners, but that is a reflection of parenting and I'm sure they also contribute to the extra work staff have to do.   

I lost count how many times I've seen adults throw up on ships.  Many in the buffet lounge.....  They just walk away.   Never seen a kid throw up.  

Lack of onboard spending: my wallet begs to differ.  They don't gamble, so I guess that is the only difference.

Entertainment: there is lots of entertaining for everyone, kids don't add much.

I know I have it easy, my kids are well behaved and I don't see it your way (kids=more work and should cost more).  They don't run around like morons, sit patiently and respectfully at the dinner table, and we spend time on the ship with them for entertainment (not just chuck them up at adventure ocean).

I like how guests 1&2 are priced ridiculously high to make the KSF option close to moot.  Especially when you see the price for kids and adults is the same for guests 3 and 4.  Should just be an adult price and a kids price since they will vastly be different in how much food they eat, activities they can do...

On 9/5/2020 at 11:57 AM, AmberTeka said:

They have, or are, moving the Breeze to Cape Canerval. We are booked on the Dec. 5.2020 Cruise to Aruba.

1. Did this cruise in 2013.  Was fun, nice ship, Aruba and Curacao were very nice!

2. I wouldn't count on it.  The Port Canaveral chairman stated no passenger cruises out of there until at least Jan 2021.  

Our first two cruises we were young and liked knowing a cruise ex booking would not leave us stranded.  So like other, learned later on how inlated prices were.  What made this apparent was the advancement of interest and accessibility.   So now we book ourselves and arrange for transport and keep track of time: I always take my way to the ship 2 hours before departure because you never know.   Seen far too many fools running and some left behind.  

Rip off might be overpriced merch but the kids wanted momentoes, so whatever!  I save a lot on booze to bring back to Canada (duty free), it pays for other items.  

I'll always remember the first cruise walking about, 6 am debarkation, the bills wedged in doors.  Our neighbors had a book worth!  I was nosey (I prefer curious) and flipped to the last page: $3,400 (no specialty restaurants or drink packages then). 

40 minutes ago, zonacruiser25 said:

Just goes to show how everything is clear as mud.  And it changes day to day, state by state and depends on what country you are in.  I would have to believe cruising will not start until there is enough consensus to all move in the same direction with regard to this virus

The article is light on details.  Reporter should have found out if they have dual citizenship, that's the only way they should be able to cross to their cottage (or so we're told for border crossing for non-essential reasons).  

Rules are clear and easy: isolate for 2 weeks so you don't unknowingly spread the virus.  It doesn't mean stop to get food, haircut, check out the tourist trap.  Get a neighbor to buy food and stay put.  Don't do it, risk an outbreak and fines.  

10 hours ago, seaman11 said:

I dont know, with the cases exploding , i have my doubts, unless they just come to a decision covis is here and we have to carry on amd allow ships to sail.

I feel confident they should be sailing Oct 2021, very confident for 2022.   

Oct 2020: not a chance for US departures.

12 hours ago, d9704011 said:

Don’t be ridiculous.  They’ll become the cruise line’s/industry’s problem about five minutes after they’re diagnosed and contact tracing leads back to a cruise ship.

You can't guarantee you can screen someone out before they get on and I'm sure there will be waivers in the set sail pass saying the line is not responsible if you get the virus.  

Also with short cruises and the incubation period, who's to say they did not get it the day before cruising somewhere?   One could easily get on then, and spread the virus unknowingly, and debark without any symptoms.

Unless there is an outbreak on board forcing the ship to stay at sea, not their problem.  

I think this is by design for now, until the virus cases teeter off or a vaccine is found.  Why?: Chances are much higher in a long cruise for the ship to turn into a giant Petrie dish quarantined offshore.   With short cruises, there should be no trouble leaving and getting back to port before someone exhibits symptoms (they are still contagious but with no symptoms they are not the cruise lines problem ).  

This is how I would do it.  Cruises would still fill up because people are itching to get back out.