zephyrgirl

The Epic is a nice ship and Europe is, of course, always enjoyable (although hot in August). I'd consider maybe taking the cruise and then spending some time post cruise exploring wherever it disembarks.

The one other piece of advice I have is to make sure to give yourself some solid downtime between the bar and the start of the cruise, personally I was in deep hibernation for at least a week afterward because the stress leading up to and throughout the exam is very draining. Netflix and takeout was about all I was up for.

I recently stayed at the Element near the airport. I was there less than 10 hours after my flight got in very late, but it was very nice. And cheaper than some of the other options people often list here.

First, I want to say that I had a fun cruise and met some nice folks and had a couple of very nice meals. But I can't really give any of the credit for that to the Solo Coordinator, Lio.

Things got off to a rocky start when Lio changed the first dinner reservation at the last minute and didn't inform either the restaurant or the people who had signed up. I only later found out through the grapevine of talking to other people who had happened to hear the announcement that was made in the Solo lounge immediately before the scheduled dinner.

I spoke with guest services about it and met with one of the Assistant Cruise Directors who ensured me he'd reinforce that Lio needed to contact people when he had to move a reservation. I never did find out why the reservation was moved - especially as the restaurant had it for the original time.

Fast forward to the last night, where 4 of us had signed up for a dinner at Cagney's - we'd all signed up for the dinner by midweek. The dinner was then changed (again last minute) because there wasn't room at Cagney's. We all felt pretty sure that this was because Lio had waited until that day to try and make the reservation. We rolled with it and ended up at Le Bistro for a nice final dinner, but the change seemed completely avoidable.

I think based on this experience, I'll probably go back to RCI for my next cruise. Assigned dining really takes the pressure off of trying to figure out who to eat with and NCL's attempt to remedy that through having a Solo Coordinator just didn't cut it for me. YMMV.

I also live in NYC but have yet to take a cruise from here. I find that when I want to cruise (winter months) it just doesn't make sense. I want to get to the warmth asap and cruising takes too long. I have thought about doing a fall foliage cruise one of these years up to Canada, but I feel like I'm too young (early 30's).

I must just be really lucky because I can't remember the last time I was actually checked for my liquids when traveling. I don't even use the clear bags anymore. That said, I also don't try and bring anything full sized. Sunscreen, I either check a bag or buy it when I get there (depending on what is more cost effective).

Everything else - travel size works. I will have to give this more thought next year as I'm planning a month long trip to Asia and want to travel relatively light.

Another fan of gel, it really makes a difference for vacations where you are putting a lot of wear on your nails - salt, chlorine, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. It is more expensive, but it also lasts longer. And for vacations/special occasions it's worth it. I also love that the drying time is so quick - I am terrible at waiting long enough for my nails to dry that I don't smudge them.

I enjoy buying souvenirs, usually small things that will fit in my backpack. I also buy them to give to family - mostly my mother and sister but sometimes a friend or other family member if something strikes me. if I didn't enjoy buying them, then I wouldn't bother but for me it's part of the fun. I never spend very much - the most I've ever spent was on a work trip to South Korea because the beauty products there are awesome and overall much cheaper than in the US. I had to buy an extra bag there to take back - first time that's ever happened to me.

Yeah - sunscreen is the real problem with flying carry-on only. I try and buy it when I get to the area (I fly the night before). Worst case, I buy some on the ship - it's overpriced but not as overpriced as paying to check a bag (or having the bag lost even if it's free to check and then having to buy replacement everything).

But I don't carry my carry-on suitcase on to the ship usually, just my personal sized carry-on - backpack or giant purse depending on the trip. I also wear a swimsuit on to the ship under a sundress. I usually pack some undies in my carry-on in case my suitcase doesn't show up by dinner so I can still shower and change.

I agree it's not beautiful, but it's perfectly safe. If you exit to 8th there are indeed more cabs.

I live in NYC. It's hot and humid right now, I expect it to be similarly so throughout the month. It may rain some. The key to NYC in my opinion is layers, I always have some sort of cardigan with me but I wear sleeveless shirts pretty much year round. In winter I just put more layers on. And I wear skirts/dresses year round too. In winter I add tights. In summer I swear by skimmies (Jockey makes them) for under my skirts/dresses. Very comfortable and eliminate any "chub rub" and also any concern about accidental flashing.

I love them too, I've gotten some super cute things for my kitchen and also some good finds clothes wise. I've never been disappointed in the quality, for the price it's dead on.

Some of the comments on this thread remind me of when I worked at IHOP and the company would occasionally change the menu - either increasing prices or taking off certain items. Regulars would demand that I, their waitress working for $2.13/hour plus tips, explain this change. It was like they thought the menu and prices were somehow guaranteed to never change. No business is like that.

My first cruise I had an oceanview, the porthole made for some fun pictures but that was about all the use we got from it. Since then, I've only booked insides. For the cost of the upgrade I can get a spa pass, go horseback riding, etc.

All cruise cabins are small in comparison to land based hotels, so I don't think it's really a fair comparison to say you wouldn't book an indoor hotel room. Sure when I'm at an AI in Mexico I want a balcony with a jacuzzi, but on a cruise ship there are better ways to use money IMO.

I also don't suffer from seasickness or claustrophobia though and I live in NYC so I'm used to small spaces. So maybe that's why it bothers me less.

Just my opinion, but Empire State Building and Top of the Rock are pretty similar so I might consider only doing one and throwing in something else instead.

I live in NYC and I always rely on Yelp for these sort of questions. It let's you search by area - or use the map to zoom in to specific blocks - and by looking through the reviews you get a decent idea.

Just to clarify, if you want wine, you should be looking for a wine store. Liquor stores will have wine and vice versa, but they tend to specialize.

From a search I ran, looks like there are several options on 10th and 9th avenues:

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=wine+store&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY&ns=1#start=0&l=g:-73.98663282394409,40.77021859852671,-74.00010824203491,40.76209278308003

This thread makes me glad I don't own a car or a house, my list is much simpler!

I tend to make sure I do any laundry for things I want to bring and set them aside sometime in the week before and then wait to pack until the night before. I make sure I have any meds and toiletries I need. I also make sure I have all the cat food and extra litter I need for the cat sitter. The day before, I'll go online and set up travel alerts for my credit cards.

Otherwise, I just suffer through work until it's finally time to go :cool:

I have plantar fasciitis so I have to go for comfort over style when doing a lot of walking. I have a pair of these skechers that do not look too terrible with skirts:

http://www.skechers.com/style/22692/ez-flex-2-joy-ride/crl#Color=NAT

Personally I prefer getting a cab at JFK. Whenever I arrange a car service to pick me up I just end up frustrated with trying to find them and if your flight is delayed that's a whole other hassle. Whereas the taxi line is pretty straightforward. Yes, occasionally there is a wait. But I prefer chancing that over trying to locate my car. YMMV, but that's my two cents.

I've used both numerous times as well without issue. I usually will look at their websites and compare the costs and go with whatever is cheaper for trips to the airport. With both of them the driver will contact you when they arrive, so you don't have to go outside until they are there.

Within the city, if I'm not taking public transit then I take cabs. Your hotel should be able to hail cabs for you, most in midtown have someone who does that. You'd have to split up into 2 cars, but if you're all going the same place, it shouldn't really be an issue. Or you can go with the car service, really it's up to you. I like the ability to leave when I'm ready as opposed to at a specific pre-arranged time but YMMV.

Enjoy your visit!

I live in NYC, so I would say that my usual weekly dinners out usually top what I experience on cruise ships. But since you asked, my favorite meals in the past five years have probably been at:

Le Grenouille, Daniel and Bouley - all NYC.

French isn't even my favorite cuisine, but those places really give the best in experiences plus food IMHO. And also I haven't paid for any of those meals (all through work), so that doesn't hurt haha.

I find that whatever space I allow myself I manage to fill up, so I just decide I'm taking only a 21" carry on and go from there. My difficulty is always wanting too many clothing and shoe options, I don't take most of the other items you have on your list.

For instance, I don't even use a clock at home, so why would I want one on a cruise? My cell phone (in airplane mode) is a clock, alarm, flashlight, etc. I do often take a camera but it's a tiny point and shoot. I also take OTC meds, but that's all for first aid. The one time I injured myself on a cruise no amount of band aids or gauze would have helped (very badly sprained an ankle). I don't take a fan, the ship has AC and outside is well outside.

I guess it's up to you if you need all this extra stuff to enjoy your trip, but I would maybe try it without once and see how it goes.

There's all the obvious midtown tourist attractions. But, if you are willing to travel a bit away from the cruise port (but still on the westside of Manhattan), I really recommend checking out the High Line park which has great city views and also maybe a stop at Chelsea Market for some shopping.

http://www.thehighline.org/

http://www.chelseamarket.com/

My first impression is that you are trying to do a lot of things, you might want to reconsider and take a couple off the list or you may get burnt out and not actually enjoy your time.

I would pick either Top of the Rock or Empire State, not both. They are too similar IMO to justify doing both when you have such a short period of time.

I would also consider doing the same with the MET and the Museum of Natural History. Both are very large museums and can easily fill a day (or more with the MET). If you really want to do both museums, then look at their exhibition maps beforehand and decide on what you are going to see ahead of time.

My advice would probably be to do things grouped like this:

Day 1

SOL/Ellis Island

NYPL

St. Patrick's

Top of the Rock

Day 2

MET or Natural History

Central Park - depending on the time of year you are visiting there are different activities. Since you have kids, if you are coming in the fall -the conservatory pool where you can rent remote controlled sailboats might be fun. The Alice in Wonderland statue is nearby and makes for some fun photo ops. Or if you come in winter, there is an ice skating rink.

Anyhow, those are just my thoughts. Whatever you end up doing, enjoy!

Earlier today, I read on NCL's facebook page that this past Sunday, about 50+passengers who were on an NCL sponsored bus from CT and MA on their way to board the Breakaway and because of traffic were stuck in Manhattan and the ship left without them 90 minutes before they got there. Traffic must have been beyond ridiculous that day.

I believe this was because of the People's Climate March. 400,000 people marched through midtown west last Sunday, so basically the entire area was closed to traffic. The tunnel seemed to be closed too, from what I noticed when we got to the end of the march. I guess NCL missed the memo about that one.

I pretty much agree with the others that recommended going with a car service. And whatever you do, leave way earlier than you think you need to. I've missed flights due to transportation enough times in this city to have become very wary, especially with late flights like that where there's not another flight likely until the next day.

I find that on cruises I end up getting up earlier than normal on port days, since I don't have to be at work all that early (I often stay late, it balances out). But my actual routine is similar, since at home I wake up, shower, dress and commute to work and then eat breakfast at the office. So that's not that different than shower, dress and eat at the buffet. I don't like to eat when I first wake up, so room service is wasted on me.