Mom.to.2

The directions you posted are my directions and they definitely include the George Washington Bridge. I did them myself three weeks ago. Stopped to visit in Westchester off the Hutch and left about 3:30 pm from there, just at the start of rush hour. Radio said 25-30 minute wait at the GWB, but I had no trouble getting directly on from the Henry Hudson - it's a dedicated lane onto the upper bridge. Coming back I was in morning rush hour trying to get through the city. I cut through Jersey City to sneak into the Holland Tunnel at 7:45 and went all the way up 12th Ave to the Henry Hudson to escape the city. Wait times at the Lincoln Tunnel and GWB were supposedly 35-40 minutes.

Alrighty then, looks like I'm taking the GWB!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

An option to avoid the GW Bridge is to just stay on the Henry Hudson to the Manhattan Cruise terminal and then follow 12th Ave down to the Holland Tunnel. Even though there are lights, the traffic really moves and the Holland Tunnel isn't usually bad outbound in the morning.

I thought the directions I posted above, avoids the GWB? Does my memory fail me?

I'm pretty sure those directions were from 138 east, years ago.

We've done the Holland Tunnel route to port before too. Since I have driven to Cape liberty for 4 or 5 years, but only do it once per year, the routes are a jumbled mess in my head. All I remember was following 138's directions was the easiest & least painful. GPS route was awful.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The ship normally does table assignments around 2 weeks before the cruise, so they should be working on yours very soon..

Thanks Bob, I'll sit tight.

I'm also wondering if the rumors about Anthem switching to traditional dining have anything to do with it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for coming back to finish the story. Enjoy the specialty dinners.

I hope you're having a wonderful cruise!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There are some recent posts stating that the Anthem will return to all traditional dining on May 18 sailing. Don't k is what that means to those of us who are booked and already made DD reservations.

I have also seen rumors that Anthem will switch to traditional dining (using the 4 complimentary restaurants as MDR) on April 1st or May 1st.

We should know soon. April 1st is fast approaching.

I prefer traditional dining to NCL's model. Admittedly, I've never done DD choice on a RCL ship.

We're signed up for DD classic on our 4/8/16 anthem cruise.

I prefer to avoid the GWB. PTSD from weekly trips between Stamford & Staten Island about 20 years ago. [emoji33]

Thank you again for the advice

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How long is your drive from Conn?

2.5 hours without traffic

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is construction as soon as you go through the toll at exit 14A. You have to take a right onto Avenue E once you go through the tolls then left on to E Centre Street then straight onto Chosin Few Way and left onto Goldsborough Drive.

 

Of course with constuction they could even re-route this path. We just sailed March 7 - 19 and this is they way we got to and from the New Jersey Turnpike from Cape Liberty.

 

If you have a smart phone download the Waze App. It will save you a lot of headaches.

Thank you CruisingChick.

Does the waze app have real-time info about construction/road closures? If so, that sounds like the best instructions to follow once we're off exit 14A.

Do the rest of the directions prior to getting off at 14A sound right? I don't want to use my GPS or follow Google maps for that part because in my experience, they want to take me a different way that ends up being more complicated and painful. The easiest trips to port I have had, have been following directions from this thread (or an earlier version of it.)

Thanks again!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll be sailing on Anthem on 4/8 and driving to the port the morning we sail, coming from Central Connecticut. Below are the directions I have saved from our last trip to Cape liberty. Would The regulars on this board (138east?) please take a look and let me know if anything has changed? TIA!

Merritt south, to

Hutchinson River Pkwy (at NY/CT line), to

Exit 15, Cross County Pkwy, get in middle-left lane (turns into left lane) to

Saw Mill Pkwy to

Henry Hudson Pkwy (at NYC line) - $4 toll, to

GWB exit, get in middle left lane, to

NJ Turnpike, (follow signs for Lincoln Tunnel) to

exit 14-14A-14B-14C, follow signs to 14A

pay toll & go straight across the toll plaza and get on a 2 lane ramp that goes up and curves left.

On the ramp stay on the right and make the first right,

stay to the right and make another right.

Left at light at route 440

stay left, and make a left at the first light onto Goldsborough Drive.

Goldsborough Drive will merge with Port Terminal Blvd.

Follow the crowd about 2 miles out to the ship.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!

Sorry about all the questions, it's my first time buying a package. I'm not much of a drinker but the way drink priced have sky-rocketed since our last cruise (2014) and with 20% off packages, I figured I'd indulge myself.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you pre purchase, where do you get your sticker? The first time you use your sea pass at a bar?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I uploaded mine today. If you click on "upload photo" a pop-up opens showing what is acceptable, before it allows you to upload. Basically, a head shot in front of a white background. No one else can be in the picture with you. No full body shots.

Can you do the online registration without the picture and then upload one at a later date? Our 90 day is coming up soon and my nephew is at college and won't be home before we need to do the registration. We want to do it as early as we can so we can get an early boarding time.

Yes, I did just this. Checked in on line a month plus ago. Today, I went back in and clicked "edit" under profile and it brought me to the screen where you upload a photo.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Has anyone here sailed on Anthem and pre purchased a beverage package? Was it reflected on your setsail pass?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've seen the question asked about how to take advantage of a beverage package as soon as you board the ship and before you have your sea pass cards (sailing on Anthem.). I thought the answer was that there will be a notation on your set sail pass that you use until you receive your sea pass card.

My setsail pass does not have any notation regarding the beverage package I purchased. Should it? Or does the bar staff scan the barcode on my setsail, and that's how they know?

TIA

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

$50 on top of the pre-paid does sound like a lot to me. Are there particular extra things you ask for? We usually give an extra $20 having asked for ice, extra towels, and on our last cruise a bed topper

We ask for ice in the adult room, daily towel animals in the kid's room, and for our room to be serviced on the early side (i.e. during early dinner seating & before noon.).

We typically sail on 9-11 day cruises.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guess I've been over tipping. I (hand directly to the steward) a thank you card with $100. We have 2 rooms, so I suppose it's actually like tipping $50.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hope the OP doesn't leave us hanging for the remainder of his/her cruise. Hopefully he bought an Internet package!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For technical maritime knowledge, Chief is "THE" go to guy. :)

This!

That's true, Bob. However, your generous contributions can be counted on not only for absolute accuracy, but a healthy dose of common sense as well. Thank you!!

And this!!!!!

Thank you both, Bob & Chief!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am conversing with the same person. Perhaps since my sailing isn't till 4/8, it will take longer to get my assignment.

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was told my request was forwarded to the vessel (Anthem) When I didn't hear back after 7 days I e-mailed RCL dining again and she forwarded again marked urgent.

 

I received a confirmation today with my DD classic dining rotation and table number stating a table for 2 as requested :D

 

 

 

Now does anyone know where table #107 is? LOL

 

 

 

I didn't know they would send the rotation too, that helps a lot for making reservations at Coastal kitchen, Solarium bistro and specialty restaurants.

 

 

 

Thanks for all your help!

When are you sailing Anthem?

I emailed back, 9 days after I was told my request was forwarded to the vessel, and was told the ship is behind on requested and will do mine soon. That was 3 days ago. I'll wait another week and try again.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is this true for all Royal ships? Specifically, on Anthem. No towel check out?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good, glad I just missed her response. It bothered me to think you went through all that effort and she didn't see it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks from me too. Also interested in connecting balcony pics.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So very kind of you, comesailaway!!!! I wonder if cpayne received the videos? I don't see an acknowledgement/thank you posted since the videos were uploaded.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk