Finabear

Yes, I-95 is basically a straight shot over the GWB and on to the Jersey Turnpike. But we have done this 1,000 times since my DH is a Jets Fan, so we are use to it.

 

Having said that since you are coming from Waterbury is a different story. You are right you could take the 84 to 684 to the Saw Mill to get to the GWB over to New Jersey and then pick up the New Jersey Turnpike. Or you could take route 8 all way down to pick up I-95. All depends on which you are most comfortable with.

How far is it from the GWB to the port? Time-wise I mean.

We are half an hour north of Waterbury, so I figure 2 and a half to 3 hours from the port, which makes me want to get closer the night before. Hotel in Stamford? Or would we have have to take out a second mortgage?

This is why I was thinking of staying north, going over the Tappen Zee, staying the night then heading straight south.

Also - re: bridges - I don't remember - is the GWB (or the others) steep? high? see through? (steel grid instead of paved) narrow? All four is BAD...

We live in Stamford. First off it takes forever to get to 684 to 84 (for us) and puts us out of the way. We'd be half way to Bayonne by then. Also, I would never take the Tappan Zee bridge to get to Bayonne. Unless of course the GWB was totally shut down and impassable.

 

Not sure what is closer for you to pick up but we always go I-95 straight over the GWB to exit 14 A. We just drove Sunday, May 24th and came home Sunday, May 31st. It took us one hour and 5 minutes to get there and the same to get home. We have EZ Pass which is the greatest invention since sliced bread.

 

We have cruised out of Cape Liberty 12 times and only once it took us 2 1/2 hours because it was a Saturday morning and 2 lanes of the upper level GWB were closed until 10:00 AM for construction. On a Sunday you will not have this problem.

We come down 8 and go through Waterbury. If you lived in Waterbury how would you go?

So, 95 dumps you on the NJT?

Hi all!

We are going on the Summit Aug 2 and will be driving to Cape Liberty from NW CT (rural). I did the drive years ago on a Thursday morning with little kids in the car and it took me 3 days to recover. Just me and hubby this time and on a Sunday morning so I expect it will be much easier. Still, am considering getting across the bridge Sat eve - maybe Nyack area? Not a fan of city driving or having to make split second decisions in fast traffic. i.e. Boston type traffic - sorry Carol. Seriously not a fan of having to correct wrong decisions with or without traffic. Easy driving is way more important to me than fast. I plan to get an EZPass. We have GPS, a good car, and even though it may not sound like it, I am the family driver and always have been. We like to get to the port early.

With all this in mind, here are my questions:

Tappen Zee instead of the GW?

Garden State?

I see directions going through Stamford on 95 instead of 84 to 684 - never done that - compare for me please.

How far is Cape Liberty from the Nyack area time wise?

Better place to stay? We like Hampton Inns.

Suggestions please!

I will continue to head to the buffet in the morning, get breakfast for myself and my wife, and bring it back to our cabin. If true, it's a stupid rule and I will refuse to follow it. The crew will have to forcefully knock my eggs and bacon on the floor to stop me :D:D:D

I am an early bird and my husband sleeps late. I frequently go to the buffet or a cafe to get a coffee etc to bring back to the cabin. I love sitting on the balcony enjoying danish and fruit with my coffee. It is so much a part of my cruise experience that I might be tempted not to sail with NCL IF I can't do that. Not certain it applies to the new rule though. Was looking at booking Breakaway soon. Will wait to hear how this turns out...

 

 

 

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Is that really $26 for a tuna sandwich???

US dollars??

There is not enough money in the world...:eek::eek::eek:

I agree - not in this lifetime - probably not in the next one either...:D

We found the service in the buffet on Vision OTS better than the Golden Princess.

I prefer the muster on RCI because lifejackets are not required and I get to see EXACTLY where my lifeboat is. It just makes sense to me.

Going to a lounge or theater (on princess) does not help me - what if that is where the fire is? What do I go then? I have no idea what to do then. Yes, yes, I know the staff will tell me, but I rather know and see for myself. Plus getting and lugging the life jacket around is a pain.

My opinion based on sailings listed below!!!!

Things RCI does better:

Muster - no life jackets and at actual station

Buffet food - layout and taste

Food in general hot and tasty

Multiple coffee/tea beverage areas

Activities/pool bands

Solarium pools more weather tight and usable in cold weather

Things Princess does better:

Self-serve laundry

Cabin access when embark

Walk-in closet/cabin layout

International Cafe and coffee cards

Smoke-free areas - especially casino

We were on the Vision OTS in November and bought the unlimited internet. 9 day cruise and it was just over $200 for two devices. It worked very well. We were able to use both the ipad and iphone anywhere on the ship. Texted, emailed pictures, connected to Blackboard and even to collaborate (although I was dumped a couple of times and the audio and video were intermittent). We did have to manually disconnect when we wanted to switch from one device to another which was a pain but overall VERY pleased.

Can you talk a little more about RCI's internet capabilities and shortcomings?

In particular, will I be able to use my ipad? I will need to use the Blackboard Collaborate app on my cruise next month.

Caymans are one hour earlier than Eastern Time.

So 6:30 - 7:30 for my class is 5:30 - 6:30 Cayman time

I forgot that was tendered! Thanks.

All your ideas are helping me sort this out so please continue!

I was wrong, it will not be on the Aruba port day, it will be Grand Cayman leaving at 6 pm so if there is a time change in my favor as my "class" is 6:30 - 7:30 Eastern time i might be able to squeak it in.

We have Verizon for cell phone and an ipad coverage. I might be able to connect to Blackboard with the ipad. Would have to play with that but would there be roaming on Grand Cayman? That would NOT be good. Would be too tight a time frame to be off the ship in a free wifi zone.

Blackboard is a website. Collaborate might need a download but I have it already on my laptop. The presentation will be Powerpoint (I believe) and will already be loaded on Blackboard. The audio is most important. If no audio is not possible I can text responses to the site. Not ideal, but might get me the "participation points" I want.

I wish!

Unfortunately we will be a few hours out of Aruba.

Even with a time change - is there a time change? - we won't be in port.

I am taking an online class Fall semester and also going on Vision for 9 days in November. I was planning on just getting anything due during that time in early - silly me!

I just got a peek at the syllabus and there is a required presentation while I am away. Of course!!! We use Blackboard Collaborate. This will be a group project/presentation so everything but my interaction will already be on Blackboard.

Questions:

How reliable is Vision's internet?

Can I access Blackboard from the ship's terminals or must I use my laptop? (I will bring my own anyway, plus mic)

Can I stream audio/video?

Is there an unlimited internet package on Vision?