navybankerteacher

Agreed --your suggested site is probably best. But if OP comes back here, I would suggest he use Uber or Lyft -- there is an airport tram which would get him to the local train connection to Fort Lauderdale -- but someone getting off a flight from London should consider the easier Uber option.

Someone preferring to drive from Detroit to Bayonne rather than flying strikes me as someone interested in trading his time to save some dollars.

3 days, followed by about a week ashore in Bermuda, then the rest of the cruise back to New York.

I’d prefer to pick my own itinerary, by choosing a ship with a plan, - and the thought of being on a ship even with just 500 folks suddenly joining the several thousand already swarming over a place like Santorini does not appeal.

This is standard across all lines with which I am familiar. At the end of the meal, if there are just lees in the bottle, it is done; If there is just enough for a small sip, I will have it; if there is enough for a full glass or more, it will be saved for you.

I think we have done this one to death.

I am inclined to think the “best” restaurant anywhere would not just specialize in BBQ. While I really enjoy it, I would suggest that if someone wants a really great dining experience in Charleston near the cruise terminal, they should try High Cotton or Magnolias - both on East Bay Street, a couple of blocks from the cruise pier.

Of course it’s not. I generally prefer Hilton brands - but the topic here was a motel about two hours short of Bayonne, NJ for someone (presumably on a budget) driving from Detroit. But, I have to ask: why is it a matter of having experienced them “year after year” if your opinion of the brand is so low?

The Inn at Virginia Mason (next to hospital), while a bit away from the middle of things, is clean, comfortable, reasonably priced (about $120-$130) and near several good restaurants. Walkable down the hill to Pike’s Place, etc - but you would probably like a cab back up.

Plus easy several block walk up to plenty of Restaurants.

I am not advocating all Red Roof Inns - I happen to have stayed at this one about two years ago. Clean, quiet, inexpensive and helpful staff. No signs of “scabies and bed bigs”. Is that what you experienced at Mifflinville - or at those you know in DE and SC?

Because we are not addicted to cell phone connectivity, we find that the Mobal international phone works for us - it handles very inexoensively the rare calls we need to make - and anyone who needs to reach us can do so with email, which we usually check once a day.

There is no real magic time to grab a significantly discounted cruise. The lines carefully monitor sales rates, and if it appears that one sailing might not be filling up, they will adjust prices according to their pricing models.

The reason most ships leave the Caribbean is because there is so little demand - meaning that prices are likely to be low on the (quite a) few remaining. But there must be at least 15 to 20 sailings in the first couple of weeks in May - before the summer vacation mob scene starts up.

Possibly mid-May for the Caribbean, before schools let out for the Summer. Mediterranean: mid November until April.

Remember - OP is talking about sailing on Anthem of the Seas, and not some Oceania or other premium line - so low cost might outweigh lack of posh accommodations - we’re only talking about a convenient part way stopping point here.

I saw a news story last night concerning the ongoing trend of airlines shrinking seating space for passengers. Since the average American man weighed about 168 lbs. in 1960, about 189 lbs. in 2000 and about 200 lbs. in 2020; the trend seems to go against logic. Could the all-you-can-eat buffets aboard cruise ships be contributing to the problems facing people flying to cruise ports?

And the easiest change (especially in an industry trying to hold down costs to attract more customers) is in a downward direction - with gravity to help.

Generally agree --except for notion of movement in rough waters. Because forward cabins are never over the bow - often 100 or more feet aft, while aft facing cabins are as far aft as possible, the effect of ships pitch are as likely to be felt in aft as in forward cabins.

Of course, you “shouldn’t” - but you should allow for it. And a noon flight closes its doors at 11:45 , and starts boarding at by 11:30 or earlier. Anyone who has flown recently will suggest that (at least at LGA and JFK) you want to be getting into the terminal by two hours before take off time.

I hope the reason you want to be at the airport by 10:00 is so that you can allow yourself an hour for checking in and going through TSA so you can allow 30 minutes to get to your gate the necessary 30 minutes before departure time— meaning a 12:00 (or later) flight. Also, if you are thinking about getting off the ship by 9:00, you should not plan at all seriously on getting to LGA by 10:00.

Agreed. Perhaps I have an insensitive palate, but I am inclined to think that perfectly good is acceptable.

I have also suffered through a “Red Roof” past - but this was one that I seem to recall as being OK . It’s ease of access is a plus, as is the number of (admittedly uninspiring) eating options nearby. What really struck me was its close-to-ideal distance from each end.

i would suggest the Red Roof Inn in Mifflinville, PA. An easy off/back on to I-80, probably just under 7 hours from Detroit, and a bit under 2 1/2 hours from Bayonne.

I felt it was more than enough - less than half way through that first time.