meadowlander

6 hours ago, Buckeye10640 said:

We are cruising in August and are driving instead of flying this time. Looking for recommendations for a one night stay pre-cruise (clean, safe) with free or low cost 7 day parking and transportation to/from Manhatten cruise terminal.

There is another hotel in Ridgefield Park that has the MCT package. Think it is the Hilton.

The Fairfield Inn in North Bergen also has a MCT package.

1 hour ago, desibee said:

Hello, has anyone here taken the T.A.M. shuttle bus from Ostiense to Fiumicino Airport?  It looks like a vastly cheaper way for us to get to the airport but the trip advisor reviews are so terrible that I’m hesitant.  Can anyone share their experiences, good or bad?

I am researching for a 2025 Rome visit & have no experience with TAM bus. Being that it is the only bus that serves FCO from Ostiense, that may appeal to you but there are 3 other bus lines to FCO from Termini, Terravision,SIT & Rome Airport bus .

The Leonardo Express train is 14 Euro but I found the regional FL1 train from Roma Trastevere is cheaper at 8 Euro and a shorter ride in time. Trastevere is easier for me from my hotel than Termini and Leonardo Express & I will use the regional train next year.

3 hours ago, ladysail2 said:

I need to get into Manhattan. I see PATH, commuter train and light raiI. I cannot find which one to take to get to NY Penn Station.

 

And does one buy a ticket at a booth or a machine?

 

Is there an easy-to-understand website with alot of explanation for me to learn these details.   Thanks so much for any help! 

As posted in #2 NJ Transit trains from Newark Penn Station will get you to NY Penn Station. PATH trains (different from NJ Transit) can get you to lower Manhattan & 33rd Street in NYC. Light rail serves Newark and surrounding areas, not NYC.

Was in NPS last December and there are booths staffed by people that will sell NJ Transit tickets. There is also an info window near the ticket booth & seating area manned by a security guard.

NJtransit.com will be helpful, especially their 'plan your trip' link.

7 hours ago, sunnydaysmile said:

@Volk9048 any recommendation on hotels? 

I read the above posts and noticed conflicting advice.

One said  "avoid hotels in Newark and (in this case)those on International Boulevard in Elizabeth"  and the other

" hotels in Elizabeth, NJ on International Boulevard would be a good choice"

 

You missed that the poster originally stated they were flying into LGA which is why I gave the advice I did. When they wrote they were flying into EWR, hotels on International Blvd. would be an option, not having to travel from NYC.

On 5/4/2024 at 10:07 AM, Beach Basket said:

We are waited listed on our ship for next April 19 for a tour from La Havre to Rouen.  We are wondering if there our local tour groups that we can join or even an easy train ride to and from Rouen? We are in port from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Did the train from Le Havre to Rouen, easy trip with the exception of getting a taxi to and from the train station. It was a holiday in France and I departed the cruise terminal at 7 am before any taxis were at the terminal.

Also check Bee Le Havre. At present they do not have a tour to Rouen but our guide 2 weeks ago mentioned they will be adding one.

There is free, though limited, parking at the Tear Drop memorial.

The entrance to that parking lot is about where employees are stationed before the drop zone. Stay in the right lane as you approach the terminal. Then go further right when you see the employees or tell them you are going to the memorial.

5 hours ago, turtle1947 said:

Sailing in May on Symphony out of Cape Liberty with my handicapped grandson. Is there a reserved area for handicap drop off? Our van has the exit ramp in the rear so we nedd about 8 to10 feet of room for his wheelchair to exit. Any have any experience with procedure for handicap drop off at Terminal?

 

I know I'll be able to park in the garage just wondering if I should  drop him off where you drop the luggage off or take him with me into garage?

I am aware of a large/lengthy cut out area past the luggage drop zone and just past the terminal entrance doors. It is where the overhead canopy from the bus drop zone leads(via crosswalk) to the terminal entrance.

As already advised, speak with the traffic personnel stationed prior to the luggage zone.

6 hours ago, Cruisin'4Us said:

When the cruise is over, would you recommend taking CFW (as opposed to 440N) to get back to 14A?

Either option will get you to the toll plaza. There will be no sign indicating CFW leads to the turnpike & it may be easy to pass the right turn onto CFW if cars ahead of you are not turning there. If you pass Costco, you have missed the turn for CFW & then just continue straight to the traffic light and turn right onto 440.

If you need a ticket at the toll plaza be aware there is/was 1 lane there  that has the dispenser not at car height but much higher for truck drivers.

12 hours ago, Cruisin'4Us said:

Regarding directions, the above link states:

 

"From Exit 14A:

Follow the signs for Route 440 South. Proceed 1 1/2 miles and make a left into the Bayonne Ocean Terminal. The cruise terminal is two miles straight ahead."

 

Do we still make the left turn onto Goldsborough Drive?  We're not sure what "the Bayonne Ocean Terminal" is.

 

 

 

After paying the toll at exit 14A, there are 3 route options to Cape Liberty. Avenue E is 1, 440 is another. The easiest option is via Chosin Few Way.

Stay left after the toll plaza, go up the ramp-following signs for CFW & 440.Exit right onto CFW (ignore the small sign for the terminal pointing to 440). CFW to the end. Left onto Goldsborough. 2 miles to the terminal. There are no traffic lights on CFW as on 440 or Avenue E.

25 minutes ago, commodoredave said:

Has anyone stayed in Jersey City? Looks closer to the cruise terminal, and has lots of hotels and restaurants.

Of all locations listed in this thread Jersey City is the closest to NYC. The view of lower Manhattan from JC is spectacular. PATH train service will get you into NYC 10-15 minutes from Jersey City, if you care to visit pre cruise. Hotels in Jersey City will most probably charge you to park overnight & their rates will be higher than other locations listed.

On 3/18/2024 at 2:53 PM, barric said:

 Hard to find coffee in the am unless you don’t mind getting it outside on the pool deck. 

 

Did you not go to the coffee shop Cafe Latte-tudes on deck 6? Opened 6:15 every morning on my 12 night cruise in December. Good coffee & great staff.

5 hours ago, mirrs20 said:

Hi all,

What is the best and most economic way to get to the Cape Liberty Port from Manhattan.

PATH train from NYC $2.75  $1.25 senior/child

Hudson Bergen Light Rail to 34th Street Bayonne $2.25   $1.10 senior/child

Uber from 34th Street to CL $9-16  or Taxi $9-12 

4 hours ago, robtulipe said:

Our feelings are similar after our sixth time on Anthem out of Cape Liberty this past January.

Main theatre shows were alright seeing them the first time but we didn't bothering seeing them again.

Seeing "The Gift" in 2016, I promised never to repeat that mistake. I saw "We Will Rock You" twice then skipped it for several cruises. After noticing in 2022 that WWRY was using a projection screen, I attended a performance in 2023 and the screen enhanced the enjoyment along with multiple costume changes that were not part of the show n 2016-2017.

I attended "The Gift" and they too use a screen. That along with an explanation before the performance of what the show was about made it much more tolerable. Give both a try if you get the chance.

4 hours ago, brenderlou62 said:

What is the walk like from ship to shops?  Have elderly parents and want an idea if it's doable or not.

I was there in December and used the water taxi for the first time due to mobility issues. If docked at the outside pier, the walk from the ship to the terminal is a hike. There is a complimentary shuttle(seats about 12) provided by the port from the ship to the center of the terminal. The walk into town is at least 15 minutes.

I think I was charged $7 for round trip water taxi, they also solicit for tips during the ride. The ferry dropped us off at the Captain Hodge wharf with maybe a 50 yard walk to the boardwalk. The wharf is directly in front of the courthouse (1 block up). You will have to wait for the ferry to be loaded before departing from the cruise port but it will benefit your parents from walking into town.

On 3/10/2024 at 1:56 AM, Minuet888 said:

Is an uber worth it? 

At what price? Uber has surge pricing, the price you see on a random day and time may not be what you will be charged. The question you ask is best answered by yourself. I don't think you have enough time from your flight landing to check in at your hotel and then travel by auto to NYC to make the start of the performance you choose.

6 hours ago, LB_NJ said:

I usually park at the port however, it is getting a little pricey.

 

Any good alternatives?

 

Not staying at a hotel so park and stay is not an option.

No reputable alternatives.

3 hours ago, Lois R said:

Thanks so much🙂 Would you know of a car service that would pick me up at the hotel to get to the ship?

Oh I missed that....you mentioned Uber and Lyft. What if I told you I have never used them before?

If you are reluctant to use Uber/Lyft, Dial 7 or Carmel are 2 limo companies recommended on this board. I think you will pay more for either than using Uber/Lyft or taxi. Some of the hotels on International Blvd have cruise shuttle service, would be cheaper than a limo.

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

Hi friends, this will be the first time sailing from Cape Liberty in MANY years for me. I know back in the day there were multiple hotels near the Jersey Gardens Mall. Anyone recently stay in this area and would recommend a place for 1 night pre-cruise? AND I need to get to the port the next morning.

Elizabeth, NJ hotels on International Blvd are within walking distance of the Jersey Gardens mall which will have dining options. There is also an IHOP nearby and I think Ruby Tuesday has reopened. Some of these hotels have cruise shuttle service for a fee, otherwise Uber of Lyft.

All hotel shuttles at EWR are met at station P4 of the air train(monorail).

While car services are allowed to pick up disembarking passengers at the terminal at Cape Liberty, taxi service is from a parking lot. After passing facial recognition follow signs for the parking garage and exit right. Once outside, walk up to the road. Near the glass doors entrance of the parking garage will be a crosswalk. Go across 2 crosswalks to the parking lot where taxi service is located. There will be a dispatcher as cabs are not always waiting for passengers. Allocate a minimum of 15 minutes. Your taxi may arrive sooner just as it may take 30 minutes or more. There used to be a shared taxi shuttle to EWR, do not know if it still exists or only private cabs.

Type 'cheap Newark airport parking' in Google for hotels that offer long term parking. NJ Waterways in Weehawken has a parking garage and ferry service to NYC close to the MCT. NJ Transit has a parking garage in Ramsey, NJ on route 17 that allows overnight parking but it would be far from your travel route to MCT.

On 2/10/2024 at 4:16 PM, SSBrickNJ said:

 

I've started a thread here for the purpose of requesting posters to suggest RCI cruises that #1 Depart Miami #2 Do not depart until at least 12/22/24....departing 12/23/24 would be ideal btw...and #3 the cruise must be back by 12/31/24.  5 day...6 day..7 day...8 day cruises are all fine.

Steve from NJ

I see these cruises that fit your guidelines...

December 23

Liberty 4n Ft Lauderdale - Allure 4n Miami - Indy 5n Miami - Utopia 4n PC - Voyager 5n PC

December 22

Oasis 6n Ft Lauderdale - Grandeur 5n Ft Lauderdale - Symphony 7n Miami - Wonder 7n PC

There are also 3 night cruises departing on the 27th, one each from PC, Ft Lauderdale & Miami.

On 2/7/2024 at 8:07 AM, zebra36 said:

Has anyone seen or heard of plans for RCL to cruise out of Baltimore past April of 2025?  I see they do have schedules posted for other ports  into 2026.

The schedule for Royal's cruises for 2025-2026 from northeast ports is supposed to be released next week.

47 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

All i care about is my wifi and last 2 times even paid for additional access. I hate not knowing what the stock market is doing. ..

Doing tremendous. Record high after record high. I'm not one of those hoping it crashes.

2 hours ago, cruzlover said:

Thanks for your input.

 

It’s actually my son and a group ranging in age from 16 - 68.  He’s familiar with NJ transit and will be using it pre-cruise. They are actually taking the train into Moynihan and using the transit system once there. However, not sure if it’s doable Sunday morning. They are hoping to be at the station for a 9 am train. I know it’s crazy and certainly would not be my plan but hopefully they’ll make it. Express walkoff and minimal luggage will help.

 

It is from Cape Liberty in Bayonne to Penn Station in NY at the end of the cruise that you are seeking assistance with, correct?

There are 2 public transit options depending which would be best for those traveling. Each starts with transportation from CL via taxi or Uber/Lyft. 

For the Newark Penn Station option, transit from CL to NPS, then NJT trains directly to NY Penn Station. As indicated NJ Transit has 3 trains per hour to NYPS (though according to the NJTransit trip planner, all 3 trains depart between 10 minutes after the hour until 29 minutes after the hour). By going to Newark, you are traveling away from NYC for the convenience of ending at NYPS.

The other option, which I think would be faster, is PATH train from Jersey City to 33rd Street in NYC then a 3/10th mile walk to NYPS. PATH frequently has weekend track service, so have a backup plan if you choose this option.

PATH train from the Journal Square or Grove Street station terminates in NYC at 33rd Street (via Hoboken station). The travelers could go directly to any of these 3 stations via Uber or taxi, which would save time.

The other option getting to these 3 PATH stations is via light rail. The 34th Street Hudson Bergen light rail station in Bayonne is about 2.5 miles from CL but to save time go directly from CL to any of the 3 PATH stations, bypassing the Bayonne light rail station.

Car service (other than taxi) at CL is in front of the terminal, zones 6-10. After passing facial recognition, exit left, once outside you are in zone 7. Zone 6 is to your left, 8-10 to your right. This is where you wait/meet the Uber driver.

Taxi service at CL is operated from a parking lot. After facial recognition, exit right towards the parking garage (ignore signs indicating exit left). Outside, go left, walk up to the road by the glass doors entrance of the garage. Go across 2 crosswalks on the road to the parking lot with taxi dispatch. Using self assist departure will lessen the wait time for a taxi. Many times there are not enough cabs, sometimes none are present and must be dispatched.

13 hours ago, sharod103 said:

My question is, once you make the reservation, at what point do you secure the details for your shuttle to and from the cruise port? And are there any issues getting a specific time?

 

Check with Bruce at Trinity or better, directly with the hotel. My most recent sleep/park/cruise package the hotel had a single drop time at the port and a single pick up time. I had a better experience, less waiting time, with shuttles that were dispatched when I called the hotel.

2 hours ago, CruisingInFebruary said:

Any recommendations for a park and cruise hotel near Cape Liberty? 

Check Trinity Reservations(located in Hamburg NJ) for their arrangements with Cape Liberty area hotels. Very reputable company. They will charge your credit card at time of booking but I had no problem getting a refund when I later cancelled. Prices listed online include tax.

Check the shuttle schedule as to one demand or a specific time or 1 specific drop off/pick up time.