Cruisenewbie2023

8 hours ago, JFontaine said:

Any pharmacy should have decent masks, and there are pharmacies all over. Also, all fire  and police stations are supposedly giving out masks for free.  If you are staying in NYC there will be a pharmacy,  a fire station and a police station within walking distance.   Your hotel might be giving them out. And check the airport on your way here. Not sure about masks for your daughter, but I've seen people tie knots around the ear loops to shorten them for kids. 

 

The good news is that they are reporting today is the worst day.  Tomorrow will reportedly be slightly better, and Friday even better (chance of rain).  Many outdoor activities were shut early today (like the zoos) so check before you go. Indoors - Museum of Natural History and the Children's Museum might be appropriate.  Good luck to you. 

Hi,

thank you so much, we will make sure to look at those places, the hotel weren’t helpful and said they didn’t have any, thank you that’s a good idea about the knots. I don’t know if she will keep one on as she is only young but I’m worried for her health so want to try. 
 

Thanks you for the children’s museum suggestion, we will take a look, and I have managed to book the natural

history museum for tomorrow so at least we have that x 

Hi all,

we are due to arrive tomorrow from Manchester and are really worried and upset,

We have our 3 year old with us for our honeymoon. First time in New York for 3 nights, and cruising the Meraviglia on Sunday.

We called our hotel and they’ve not been helpful, but we won’t have time to go out and find FFP2 masks before our flight tomorrow. Are they easy to come by? Will they have ones for toddlers?

she has gone to bed so excited after 18 months of waiting to go to see the statue and all our itinerary is out the window.

please can someone advise on the masks? We aren’t sure what we can book or do indoors with her now either.

thanks

Natalie 

On 6/1/2023 at 10:40 PM, Match Game 72 said:

How about fruit sorbet? My husband orders it nearly every evening in the main dining room.

Thank you! Yes she would love that actually, it’s usually vegan in most restaurants. It’s reassuring to know they have it 🙂 

1 hour ago, Mark_T said:

Not the same as vegan / dairy-free though as it would still contain milk products, but with the lactose neutralized.

Yep sadly no good.

I am Lacto/free so good to know but our daughter is allergic to dairy and most recently only just overcame her Soya (which was fantastic news as she can now eat most vegan ice cream!) but leaves her in a pickle if there is dairy 😔

11 hours ago, AtSeaWithChris said:

Congratulations on your honeymoon and your first cruise. 
 

I’m not sure about there being vegan ice cream. If they do it would probably be at Crepes and Gelato. 

Thank you for your kind words, I was hoping it would be included in her minors package. When I booked via Cruise 118 she assured me there would be some and now I think the soft serve is free and the Crepes/Gelato is a shop maybe?

I don’t see why she needs the minors package at 3, she drinks water and oat milk but they insisted and said it was obligatory for all in a cabin, but for $12 a day, that seems a waste doesn’t it!

I am enjoying your live 🙂

we sail in a couple of weeks (11 June -18 June) and first time cruisers on honeymoon!

can I please ask- do they offer vegan ice cream? Our 3 yo is allergic to dairy and we can’t get a call back from MSC to confirm 😔

Thanks

Natalie 

3 hours ago, meadowlander said:

While disembarkation may begin at 7 am, you can stay on as late as 9, possibly 9:30 am. Ask at guest services for the last luggage tag # if you want to stay onboard late.

 

Recently a poster from Canada asked about luggage storage in NYC following their cruise, having an evening flight from Newark. They followed up stating they had used Bounce and had a "fabulous experience'. Was the first time I had heard of Bounce.

 

Cannot help you with anything else but did want to make you aware that the NYC ferry (South Brooklyn route) is within walking distance of the Brooklyn terminal. It is 2 stops & 20 minutes to Pier 11 near Wall Street, if you have interest in going to Manhattan.

 

Hi meadowlander,

Thank you for replying and sharing this information, as someone very anxious about this journey and all the bits and bobs, you’ve really made me feel a lot better! The MSC website is limited in practical advice, and knowing that is how disembarking works gives up time to not worry about chasing taxis early or dragging luggage. Now Princeton has recommended somewhere I am going to go for them and if no space, we know we can stay later on than I assumed and we have more options at 10am. 
 

thanks, so is that route the alternative to the taxi to and from the terminal? I might look at that for us. We are stopping in Manhattan the days before cruise with a little itinerary planned based on lots of suggestions on different NY Facebook groups. Trying to do the main sights but avoid some of the others and a lot of the famous food places seem very touristy. 
 

Thanks so much ✨

5 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

There's a lot to unpack here so I'm going to take it in pieces. Generally I recommend storing luggage at a hotel that has a formal bell service. I would not recommend storing luggage at a deli or bodega. Any nicer full service hotel will provide this-- usually we will have breakfast/lunch/drinks at them and tip the porter well. Based on what you said you want to see the Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge might be a good candidate-- near Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, and pretty central to the things you said you wanted to see. Obviously hotels are open 24/7 so no need to worry about hours like some of the other options you were looking at. 

 

In terms of car services Dial7 and Carmel are usually recommended (I have not heard of or used Pre Luxury and have lived in and around NYC for a good portion of my life). Dial7 and Carmel are aggregators to third party contractors but are fairly consistent and will be a nicer car overall than taking a taxi. You also have taxis and Uber/Lyft as options. Transportation on demand in NYC is so plentiful that making prior arrangements isn't really necessary but you can if that makes you feel better. 

 

One isn't necessarily better than the other-- the car services companies will be a little more expensive, you'll need to make a prior reservation, but the car will be nicer than a yellow cab. The yellow cab offers flexibility of going whenever you want without needing to schedule ahead. Again, Uber/Lyft can give you the best of both worlds here. 

 

Yellow cabs have a flat rate of $70++ between JFK and Manhattan on the front end of your trip-- it can be a good deal vs other options at peak times. 

 

Also worth mentioning that car seats are not required by New York law for taxis/car services and children can sit on their parents lap. Obviously this is a very personal safety decision but wanted to make you aware in case that changes your thinking about bringing it. Uber actually has an option called UberCarSeat which will provide you a car seat for that ride. 

 

For this one I would either use the flat rate taxi or schedule an airport pick up which will be more expensive but give you some help with the driver meeting you in the terminal, assisting with luggage, etc. 

 

I would personally use Uber for these short trips. Car service companies are going to charge significantly more (they really dont want short trips like this) or use a taxi. 

 

I would use an Uber or taxi. Taxis will be easy to come by if you store your luggage at a major hotel. 

 

 

Princeton,

Thank you so so much for your reply, it’s so kind when people take the time to really help and respond with advice like this and I am so glad I asked as I had reservations about this Prem services, thank you for the second recommendation for Carmel’s!

Thank you for the Marriott recommendation! That would be perfect for us I am going to look at that, like you say getting a taxi, a proper service. I was really reluctant about using these shops/delis as I’ve seen similar in London when visiting and although cheap for a few hours for one bag, it didn’t feel secure. 
 

Yes that is a good point about Uber/Lyft and providing a seat. We would rather rear facing her as she does at home (not common in the UK but in Sweden it’s standard practice) so I would be wanting to use our rear facing seat, we have bought a suitable car seat to install with the seatbelt, and read that they legally have to allow one to be installed and can’t refuse, I’ve bookmarked this link🤞:https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/passenger-frequently-asked-questions.page#:~:text=The TLC encourages everyone%2C including,sit on an adult's lap.

when you say schedule a pick up from JFK, would that be a car service like Carmel’s? And is taxi same as the yellow cabs you flag?

thanks again for your message I feel a lot better taking advice on those routes and it’s very nice of you to share your wisdom with a nervous (but excited!) traveller 

thanks,

Natalie 

Hi!

We disembark on Sunday 18 June at Red Hook terminal and our flight is at 7pm. (First time cruisers, honeymoon and we have our 3 year old daughter with us!)

We want to store luggage, including the child car seat in a suitable place in Brooklyn whilst we explore the area- but are overwhelmed with choices, and at the same time, unsure about safe storage (where is this stuff stored in say, a deli) and does anyone recommend anywhere? A lot aren’t open until 10am so not sure if you are off the ship at 7am or how quick it is to disembark?
 

We want to be able to pick up either a taxi or book a car service (Prem Luxury and Dial 7s I’ve heard are good?) and go to JFK from Brooklyn at about 2pm. 

Our sights in Brooklyn are: Park, walk half way across the bridge, DUMBO, photo under Williamsburg Bridge (I am huge Brooklyn 99 fan!), and I think Time Out market. 
 

Sorry for such a big ask but can anyone recommend anything we can do that is safe and reliable?

Also, would you say the car service is better than flagging a yellow cab, for transfers? I am anxious they won’t wait for us to pop her car seat in, or will be double the price of yellow cab and cabs are obligated to wait? 

These are the car journeys:

1- JFK- Times Sq, (about 6pm Thurs 08 June) 

2- Times Sq Manhattan-Red Hook terminal, (10am boarding time so I guess 9am taxi?- Sun 11 June)

3- Red Hook terminal to Brooklyn luggage storage (Sun 18 June- anytime on disembarkation, I am guessing 9am as that’s what the itinerary shows 7am?)

4-Brooklyn Luggage storage to JFK (Sun 18 June about 2pm for 7pm flight) 

thank you to anyone for help, I’ve tied myself in knots on google and emailing JFK and car companies for advice! 
 

Thanks, Natalie