shipgeeks

DH has had great success at finding good quality tuxedos in charity/thrift stores. It can take some time, but so worth the hunt.

Lightweight pure wool looks best and packs well.

As a female who likes to look at men in tuxedos, I can say that I prefer a self-tied bowtie, cufflinks, shirt studs, flat-front trousers, and plain leather dress shoes.

At least some of that area appears to be crew work space and storage -- the thousands of towels, sheets, tissues, etc. that they need for our cabins, plus storage for the carts they use when making up, the vacuum cleaners, collection areas for room service discards, cabin trash, and so on.

Thank you!

Did you consider Amtrak? I'm seeing a $58 fare for 9/7/17 from Newark Penn Station at 11:09 am. You could make that train if you self disembark or get a very low number. About a $60 cab fare to Newark Penn Station, which is a lot less than a car service to Manhattan.

Thank you, I will look into Amtrak.

Our arrival date would be April 30, not September, on Summit.

Secaucus isn't that far, about 13 miles. You can call the local Bayonne taxi company Archie's (201) 858-8800 for the cost.

Thank you. Further investigation, though, tells me that Megabus doesn't do Secaucus to Pittsburgh (my destination), so it looks like Manhattan is the way to go.

Life was so much easier when all sailings were to and from Manhattan! Go a day or two earlier, enjoy NYC, walk to the ship. Sigh....

I see that Megabus runs from New Brunswick, Princeton, Ridgewood, and Secaucus NJ, as well as from Manhattan. Are any of the NJ pickups within a reasonable distance from Port Liberty? Looking for a way to get home after a repositioning cruise.

DH has bought some very nice tuxedos at charity/thrift stores. The downside is that you can't be sure of finding the right one at the first visit. The upside (besides the price) is that you can try on different brands, styles and fits, to find what really suits you.

Lightweight pure wool looks best, and packs well.

Flat front trousers.

Self-tied bowtie and cufflinks are classic.

Happy hunting!

When we returned to FL recently, the longest holdup was Customs. Several ships were in port, and we were allotted only two Customs officers to screen over 2000 pax. It took us at least an hour to get through, with no priority line or other privileges. Perhaps you can find out how many other ships will be disembarking.

Apart from that, getting a taxi was easy, and going though airport security was the usual. We had booked an afternoon flight, and were glad we did.

We have seen the "no shorts" rule enforced on casual nights.

Runningtide, I agree with everything you wrote, and I'm so glad to know that we will be on the same Grandeur cruise with you in a few days!

The nicely dressed group on your cruise was from The Weekly Standard.

The group in t-shirts was from The Nation.

Actually, the nicely dressed (and behaved) group was National Review.

On our recent Oosterdam cruise, there was a large (350 or so) political group who totally ignored the 'collared shirt" requirement. They wore their very plain tee-shirts with their logo emblazoned, all day and night, and even in the MDR on gala nights. They were not hassled by the matre'd, but didn't seem to care about the very minimal requirement of a collared shirt. These t-shirts were not even the polo style with a collar, just a plain $10 t-shirt with logo, front & back. This is the same group that complained that they were "offended" by the holiday themed music that was being played, only 2 weeks from Christmas, and HAL caved to the pressure and went back to rock-n-roll. I guess money talks and traditions walk.

Yikes! Totally unacceptable. In contrast, we were on NA in November with a large political group, and the men wore suit or blazer, most with ties, every evening (not just Gala), with the women appropriately and nicely dressed as well. They were recognizable around the ship by their lanyards, but did not interfere with any other passenger activities or spaces. Ideal shipmates.

Since this is an ongoing/universal question, I'd like to add my two cents worth.

Several have said you will feel the motion on a ship. I would say you might feel the motion. Or not.

If DH and I had read Cruise Critic before our first cruise, we probably would have worried about seasickness, as so many posters offer suggestions about medications, etc. But in our ignorance, we didn't do anything....and in 37 cruises, we've never had a moment of seasickness, including in hurricanes and other very rough seas.

Most cruises are smooth sailing, most of the time, and most cruisers are not adversely affected.

Can anyone give me an estimate from Crown Bay to Coral World? I know it is a long drive. Is there a set price? Thank you.

When we sailed AK in May/June several years ago, I wore silk turtleneck, wool sweater, and down jacket every day all day. On the one rainy day I wore a lined rain jacket over all of those. I know that others have worn shorts and t-shirts on their AK cruises; we could not have done that! I was glad for all the warm layers, especially as we spent every day out on the upper decks, to enjoy the sun and the fabulous views. Gloves, sunglasses, hat with visor (for the sun), hat that covers ears (for the cold), socks, and warm water-resistant shoes were all appreciated. You never know how warm/cool and dry/wet it will be, but it pays to be prepared if you like to be outdoors.

The shows are normally timed to complement the two set dining times.

We, too, will be on Grandeur in January. As we always do, we will be in tux and gown. What date are you sailing?

OP, maybe I am misunderstanding your question. Our TA's website prices include all port charges, so if I see a cruise for $600 and one for $900, those are the prices I would be paying.

Yes, that appears to be like the one we had a few years ago.

I agree, it's very hot in the Caribbean. However, since OP asked about evenings, I was reminded of the fact that when the ship is in transit to the next port, it can be cool out on deck, due to the wind.

OP, you asked about pros/cons of being on Deck 3. It's fine! We have been on 2, 3, and 4; all are good. More stable on a lower deck. Closer to theater, dining room, Centrum. Nice views of the sea. We will be on Deck 3 in a few weeks.

I take sweater, jacket, and long pants on every cruise I go on, just in case. I have, in fact, used each piece at least once.

Last month we had a long port day in Cozumel. By evening it had become windy and cool. Everyone on top deck was wearing a jacket. That's unusual, but personally, I like to be prepared.

Reading all of the above has brought back many happy memories of our Christmas cruise on HAL several years ago. We greatly enjoyed the special decorations, concerts, etc. The only thing I would add is that the majority of passengers dressed up on both Christmas Eve and Christmas day evening. (Not Ugly Christmas Sweater, but dressed-up party attire.)

Also, interestingly, passengers were given Hannukah mementoes, and on Christmas Eve, there was a Chinese meal and a movie for the Jewish passengers. Fun all around!

Sometimes a port will require a photo ID as well as your ship card. We take our drivers licenses rather than passports. Small, waterproof, and not as hard to replace if lost or stolen.

Maybe "We are out of beer and wine" is a polite way of saying "Sir, we are cutting you off before you harm yourself or others".