mjkacmom

21 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Whether or not the guy was a cancer patient is totally irrelevant. It is against the law (cancer or not) and against the cruise line rules (cancer or not). The guy was fined and should have been thrown off the ship and should have been deported from the country. 

So now you are in charge of making laws and consequences for other countries? He had some pot, he paid his fine, life goes on, seems like an appropriate punishment for a crime that literally hurt no one. Bermuda gets some money, sounds like a win.

18 minutes ago, erisajd said:

Maybe if you understood what her promises were as part of the deal to get the business - you might understand why I say that.  

 

So - I'll be painfully direct:  "We [the agency] SHALL [emphasis mine] make regular efforts to determine if there are any specials, deals or limited time offers concerning your travel booked with us that can save you money.  This is at no cost as part of our service."

 

 

I just don’t know why a travel agent would go out of there way to check for discounts that would lower their commission. 

18 minutes ago, dvan68 said:

Another vote for staying in Secaucus/Harmon Cove area.  There is a Residence Inn, a Courtyard and an Aloft to choose from in that area.  Restaurants are in walking distance and it is an office park, so separate from the actual city of Secaucus.  Unless you are familiar with the area, I would not stay in Jersey City - I just did not feel safe, and I grew up in NJ.  

I think the waterfront area is very safe and a popular place in NJ (my mom and her entire extended family lived out their lives in Jersey city, but it has definitely changed for the better).

7 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Yup, bring edibles 

You can get lozenges sealed in plastic and stored in a tight container.

1 hour ago, Coral said:

I can't say that is the rule. It depends on the insurance and the individual person.

 

There are definitely reasons to buy insurance early.

Especially to cover preexisting conditions.

No matter how I book, I don’t expect a travel agent to continually check for new promos or price drops after I book, their job is done.

Can’t switch out packages, the gratuity on FAS is about $21 a day, so if you drink more than 2 drinks a day on average, it’s worth it. If the price goes down before Vinson payment, you can rebook with the current offer. You can tip in USD, I believe that’s the only thing you need cash for onboard.

13 hours ago, jsglow said:

Wow, very surprised by this. I must admit that my info is 15 years old. 

13 hours ago, jsglow said:

Wow, very surprised by this. I must admit that my info is 15 years old. 

Me too, this is the first time I read about any line allowing a legal adult in the teen club, I wouldn’t count in it happening again!

9 minutes ago, CQG67 said:

Who do we use for transport from hotel near jfk to either Manhattan or Brooklyn port ( which one not yet determined) and the. At end of cruise port to jfk.  Uber (are they safe in neck) or private company.  Got a quote yesterday for $330 one way - ouch- private company. 

Answered you on another board but taxi.

If you’re not sure it’s probably Brooklyn, taxis from jfk only have set fares into manhattan, but Brooklyn should be about $60. No need to spend $300+!

At 15 my kids flew alone, I don’t think you need anything for the airlines. For the cruise make sure you have something signed for medical decisions.

I’ve never had them sell out before our cruises. On our last cruise (Gem), our oldest of 5 were 19 and 20, and they thought they’d miss the teen club as a way to meet others. We signed the beer and wine waiver, and they went to young adult meetups onboard. By day 2 they had a posse.

On 4/13/2024 at 2:41 PM, Essiesmom said:

The problem with suing the expired passport as ID is that if you have applied for a renewal, you have to send the expired passport in with the application.  So you wouldn’t have it is the new one didn’t arrive in time…but if it did, you wouldn’t need it anyway.  The great thing about the test period for online renewal was that you didn’t need to send in the expired passport.   EM

Not in this case, it’s not a renewal, it’s a new passport, the previous passports was a 5 year child’s passport. You can submit it if you want, but you don’t need to.

After all of the crappy weather we’ve been having, I’m very envious of those departing from nyc today!

21 hours ago, JGmf said:

 

That's really odd.  I've done 10+ trips out of MCT, 3 last year, all of them parking adjacent to the ship, all of them having luggage porters right there, as soon as you pull-in, to unload your luggage and take your bags.  It's a smooth operation.

When we’ve taken a car service, porters took our bags and we just walked in, when we’ve driven, we drove up the ramp, stopped for the dogs, parked, and brought our bags to the elevator, went down a level, and gave our bagels to a porter. We arrive between 9 - 9:30.

We always gotconnecting balconies with our 5 kids (youngest were 4 on our first cruise, no problem with balconies). 

22 minutes ago, stinkyharriet said:

My sister & I just booked the 8 day 2/15-2/23.  We are aware that NYC schools have off that week but we can’t do the longer cruises.  We loved the Escape when we sailed on her last year and decided we will just deal with the kids.  Probably book the Vibe.

 

I have tried to search for a web site that lists all public school district calendars for the country (or at least the eastern half of the country) but the only thing I came up with was a paid service meant for travel agents.  

It’s not just NYC schools, lots of NJ schools are off, and NE schools.

1 hour ago, OBSESSIVEWORLDTRAVELER said:

Is there something factually wrong with my post? I was giving a range that can be applied to any year. For example Villanova University Spring Break 2022 started February 28. Hence my starts late February comment. Easter 2025 is on April 20. Hence my ends mid to late April comment. Your comment is accurate as well. Just trying to determine if there's something incorrect with what I said.

No, there is a range, I believe the majority are in march thought. This list just shows the most popular weeks, and what state the colleges are in. My kids have had spring break all of the weeks in march (6 different universities). I’d assume most college students would prefer to drive to the port, so location can make a difference.

Ncl will book the cheapest.

7 hours ago, gizfish said:

Since mid winter break which happens during presidents week is only three weeks before the second cruise in your btb, the odds of spring break for school age kids being that week are quite slim, especially since the spring holidays are in April.  As others have said, college spring break is another story.  But since NCL doesn't allow under 21 to travel without parents or guardians, the odds of a cruise being a college spring break booze debacle are slim unless there are a bunch of masters and doctorate level students on board.  And obviously they can't afford a cruise or the drink package gratuities since they are paying for their higher education lol.

Most college students turn 21 during their junior year, so they have 2 years of being legal in undergrad.

11 hours ago, OBSESSIVEWORLDTRAVELER said:

Spring break for colleges start late February and once you include all grade levels including college it ends mid to late April.

The majority of public school spring breaks are later in march/April in the northeast, colleges are mostly in march. https://en.as.com/latest_news/when-is-spring-break-2024-complete-list-of-dates-for-us-colleges-and-universities-n/#:~:text=In 2024%2C the majority of,also check out the following.

12 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

 

wrt luggage, there are porters all along the curb and in the parking structure to collect your bags. They will have tags to put on your luggage. Make sure that the room number they write on the tags is clear and readable. 

 

There is a document check (red signs below)  before you get to the x-ray machines. Make sure to have your Guest Confirmation (printed better - it's only 4 pages) and passport/birth certificate. You will go through x-ray security and on to check-in.

 

Manhattan Cruise Terminal has two check-in areas based on what deck you are on - One immediately after security and one all the way at the back of the terminal (Haven check-in is about 2/3 the way back in the terminal). Chose wisely,,, your room keys are only at one. And with the late booking, they may have to go and print your keys manually, so expect a slight delay. 

 

Have a great cruise!

 

 

 

 

Except for me, I’ve never seen a porter on the parking deck level of the MCT, we bring our bags down the elevator and check luggage with porters there.

I’m guessing this will be moved to the NCL board. Some of your questions vary by ship. NCL is casual, but really wear what you want, especially if you want photos. We’ve never found the need to book reservations in a MDR, we show up when we want to. Specialty dining should be booked, but reservations are held back so if nothing you want is available, check when you board.

I’ve heard they do not, but folks do cancel.

On 4/9/2024 at 9:58 PM, sandiego1 said:

I only drink water - no alcohol, coffee, tea, soda, juice… I have been very content with the water on a cruise ship. No need to lug bottled water. Just being a refillable bottle. Most ships have a place where you can fill it.

I drink alcohol, coffee, tea and water, but A TON of water, gallons a day, all day long, I bring a yeti and fill it up at the dispenser, using a clean glass like the sinkage says.