Finabear

The Summit will sail up past the SOL, turn around, and then proceed out when she is able. We did that on our trip to Bermuda.

There are hotels that offer parking for the "whole cruise" and shuttles to/from the port with a one night stay. Check out the East Coast board as suggested or just google "Bayonne hotels park and cruise." I found Country Inn and Suites near Jersey Gardens Mall with a package. The cost for the night with parking and shuttles is $280. For a 14 day cruise parking at the port is $280. Normally, we park at the port but in this case the package makes sense.

Really easy way to get the reminders to stop. Pay it.

Bayonne traffic can be BAD. Like parking lot bad. I would not risk arriving in the afternoon. Plus, our last cruise from there the ship left early due to weather. We like to arrive around 10-10:30. Less stressful for us.

Also, I see you are coming from Cromwell. We drive from northern CT and take the Tappen Zee and the Garden State. Just preference but we avoid the NJT.

Free luggage storage if you buy tickets to the aquarium and a small charge if you don't. Right across the parking lot in the port.

The deck 11 Aqua cabins get too much sun for us. Deck 9 with the big overhang is perfect. Great view and it can be raining really hard and the balcony stays dry.

Luckyinpa:

You are right that Anthem is designed for cold/bad weather. We were on the Anthem for the Hermine cruise in September. We left NJ early as everyone was on board and booked due East at top speed. The captain recorded TV updates for us so we knew the plan. Early Sunday we turned South and clipped the Eastern edge of Hermine. Very cool. I had a perfect seat in the solarium as we enter the storm. We rocked and rolled for about 4-5 hours (just as the Captain had said we would) but never felt like we were in any sort of danger (contrary to what that woman told the press that met her on the pier in Bermuda). Seriously. We were fine. Plenty to do indoors. Different layout. Some like it and some don't, but for going out of NJ in the Winter it is really is a great ship.

Consider the ease of getting to the port too. I have no problem going to Bayonne from Connecticut (Summit or Anthem) but I will NOT drive into NY for Breakaway.

We have done both Anthem and Summit to Bermuda. While I preferred the Summit, a 17 year old would most likely prefer Anthem - much more to do.

Normally I would suggest the public transportation system using a day pass. However, because you have time constraints - one day there - you should probably do a ships tour. It takes a long time to get anywhere in Bermuda using public transportation and taxi's are expensive.

We did both caves on our own. Used the great public transportation system. Each cave was about half and hour but there was a wait for each one. Then a wait for the bus. I think we also did the aquarium on our way back to the ship but that and lunch took most of the day.

I would absolutely do Bermuda alone. It is generally safe and the public transportation is excellent. I would just use common sense and stay in public/populated areas.

Loved the Summit. Captain Leo sailed up to the SOL and then we turned around and followed Breakaway out. When we were in Bermuda, docked right next to Breakaway we only heard complaints from those passengers. We heard no complaints from Summit passengers. As others have said - as non-smoking a ship as can be found, great staff, great food. The only reason I would consider the Breakaway would be if traveling with kids - multiple, active kids - and only in the Haven.

Use their great public transportation system.

A one day pass will let you use the buses and ferries all day. Ask for a map when you get your pass - right in the dock area.

Trust me - I am NOT a public transportation type of girl - except in Bermuda!

Please consider bus or Amtrak. If you have never driven in NYC - it is not for the faint or heart OR the inexperienced.

From what I read on the CDC website, the virus can be transferred from infected people who are past the incubation stage. This is of particular importance to possible infection from crew or pax who are on B2B cruises, not only direct mosquito contact.

Zika is only spread by mosquito bite or sexual contact. NOT casual contact.

In my opinion food, show and service appreciation are subjective and often influenced by expectations. Expectations of more experienced X cruisers, appears to be very specific and defined; while newer cruisers, may have fewer expectations. As a result, people seem to be commenting negatively on past privileges they used to enjoy, while the brand is attempting to attract new crowds and offer updated amenities; which may satisfy new customers. We will be on our first X cruise in May, and thanks to comments and support on these boards, I feel that we are better informed, and hopefully, that our expectations will match better with reality, thus avoiding to be negatively surprised. Lastly, in answer to your question, at least twice, I have seen a X representative intervene on these boards. Once to offer support and info concerning CPAP machines and once, to clarify a corporate philosophy regarding time to vacate staterooms on disembarkation day.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Well said. Thank you.

I find that my likes and dislikes have changed with the times. My husband's not so much. Our two Celebrity cruises were actually quite different even though we sailed Aqua for both. Out last two RCI cruises were very different too. A few things that only bothered me a little bit before (smoke) now bothers me A LOT. That made me appreciate my Celebrity cruises in a new way.

And yes, I believe the cruise lines do read Cruise Critic. Captain Leo on the Summit made a point to say he reads it when he came to our meet and mingle.

They do this last minute warning to remind women who may have just found out that they are pregnant to reconsider the risks. Zika is the biggest risk for that population.

Right behind the Aquarium is the American Victory ship museum. We spent some time there after our Cruise since we had a 2:30 flight. Were able to leave our luggage at the aquarium for a small fee. Then took a taxi back to the airport for $25. Lots of taxis waiting.

Beware of traffic delays. It is not far to the airport but can take a LONG time if traffic is heavy. There is also construction but that looks better than when we were there. More lanes open so hopefully not as backed up.

May 11th is a Thursday. We found that weekday traffic leaving Bayonne was TERRIBLE. It took well over an hour to get TO the bridge, never mind over it. Then, not so bad. I would be more worried about traffic than the ship getting in late.

Starboard side, deck 9 by the pool - smoke drifts down to deck 8 balconies

The casino, which drifts out into deck 5 areas

Also noted a sewer smell all open decks on the starboard side, fairly constant.

Ship - Rhapsody OTS

Deck - 8

Stateroom # - 8582

Stateroom Category – JS

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – yes. Occasional noise from above when they moved a cart - but not a problem

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - no

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – no obstructions. covered.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? -

Was wind a problem? - no

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - no

Any specific problems with this cabin? - Smoke from smoking area above.

Any other comments? - Sewage smell on all open decks on this (starboard) side

Captain Kate is not the first female captain of a cruise ship. She is the first female American captain. Although she is the first for Celebrity, RCI has at least one other female captain. Of all our cruises I only remember two captains by name. One was captain Liz from Vision of the Seas and the other captain Leo from the Summit right before captain Kate came on board. Both captain Liz and captain Leo were memorable for their visibility and friendly participation in various events - captain Leo plays a mean game of water volleyball, and captain Liz led the charity walk and was wonderful at the captains corner. On our second Celebrity cruise our waiter found out we had just been on the Summit and told us he had been on the Summit for 6 years and was so "homesick". He pulled out his phone to show us pictures and we pointed out who had taken care of us. He was so happy to see us all week. Honestly, he was the highlight of that cruise. Captain and officers - not so much. I think the captain can have a huge impact on the ship's overall personality.

I have lived in Florida and have been on Anthem. Not sure what temperature your husband would require to go on the flowrider but they will start opening it up as soon as feasible. By feasible I mean not windy, not really cold, not storming and not rocking to badly. Early March out of NJ the weather could be anything from snow storms to over 60 degrees and beautiful. Florida could be 60s to 90s. Could be open all week or not at all. No way to tell no matter what time of year really.