ladysail2

32 minutes ago, philpcruiser said:

What you want to see in Manhattan will dictate which (NJT or PATH) you should use. Path and NJT wind up a block apart in NYC, but PATH makes numerous stops within Manhattan.  If you want to be adventurous in Manhattan and wish to try your luck on the NYC subway, check the connections with PATH and NYC.  One will bring you closer to certain subway lines than the other.  

Thank you for taking the time to answer….I like being adventurous and will take the subway, LOL. It so happens that one of my ‘visits’ is on 8th street at 6Ave so I will take the PATH to it….then the subway up to the Times Square area. Of all my visits to NYC, I’ve never been there..daytime or night time. So it’s time to change that!  My visit is a while away so I have lots of time to figure things out.   With help from those more knowledgeable….I’m sure to get it right! 😊

2 hours ago, meadowlander said:

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.

 

 

Thank you so much. I was hoping that there would be an ‘information’ set up at the station. I can usually figure things out once I arrive but I don’t like looking like I’m totally lost.  You and TheOldBear have been most helpful!  😊

2 hours ago, TheOldBear said:

NJ transit commuter train - according to the NJ Transit trip planner site - the trip takes about 23 minutes, with a $5.25 'regular' fare.

 

 

Thank you. I just couldn’t seem to get started in the planning.  Lucky me, I qualify for the senior rate (if there is one).  😊

2 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

I hope you have wider plans.

Of course. Have been to NYC many times…and I like to see the unadvertised spots, touristy or not, that make up a city. 😊

3 hours ago, orville99 said:

 

I would not hold my breath waiting for any personalized communication.

 

We have received two emails from X, but none from RCL or Silversea. The first one announced the new status match scheme, and the second was a video from the X president discussing the match from an X perspective. We have not received any communication from any of the three lines informing us of our new status on the lines - it just magically changed in the apps and on the web account pages.

I just checked on Celebrity and I’ve been ‘granted’ Zenith status.  😊

I finally decided where to stay…Double Tree Penn Station, NJ. About the same price as a decent NYC hotel but more space. So…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. I know it’s not PATH by the map. There are 3 coloured lines that lead from one Penn to the other, but they don’t identify what they represent.  There are yellow lines, red ones and blue ones.  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! 

9 minutes ago, markeb said:

Yea and no. There’s actually a definition from the board of health! Dealing with size and what they sell and do. 
 

Generally they’ll have basic grocery items such as milk and eggs. Most that I’ve been in have a sandwich and breakfast counter. Some have hot bars. They’re not a full service bakery. They have a certain feel (and attitude) that may not be unique to New York, but they’re recognizable as New York. I think the mix of retail and ready to eat is the main characteristic. 

Thank you…I look forward to seeing some of these bodegas when in NYC.  😊

5 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Granted Zenith is more appropriate than converted, but yes

 

Sorry…’granted’ Zenith status…will everyone receive an email to that effect?  I have sailed on X, so they should have my email..it hasn’t changed.

12 hours ago, markeb said:

That’s kind of funny actually. Not a native New Yorker, just a frequent visitor and I don’t know that I’d ever call a bodega a supermarket. I mean there are bodegas everywhere and some of them have a decent product selection, but they’re still bodegas. 

Is a bodega similar to what we call a corner store ( even if it’s not on a corner)?  Sometimes called a convenience store?

Are all Pinnacles being converted to Zenith…regardless of # of points?  Thanks!

3 minutes ago, VentureMan_2000 said:

I used to pre-pay, but now wait until Carnival adds the gratuities to my card.  I enjoy the float of the credit card - not having to pay for 30 - 60 days.  Just pay it later instead of early.

True, but one still has to pay…now or later, LOL.   It’s whatever one is comfortable with. 😊

2 minutes ago, VentureMan_2000 said:

 

yes, at the end for us.  we had a credit card on file.

Okay, thanks for confirming. I always pre-pay the gratuities and didn’t realize that they are handled differently by the cruise lines. 😊

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

I don't recall exactly when they post, but yes they do post in a single lump sum.

I’m mistaken then. I must be thinking of another cruise line.  Thanks for the update!

10 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

always had my gratuities added in one lump sum on CCL. 

At the end of the cruise?

On 5/28/2024 at 9:27 PM, staceyglow said:

So, what happens when they add the gratuities towards the end of the cruise?  Do they make those low cash people either add money or remove the tips?  That might explain the lines at Guest Services.

I  Believe the gratuities are deducted daily from one’s account…the people you see at GS at the end of the cruise are those just paying off a balance due to purchases..drinks, merchandise. I was one of them..I owed 31 cents!!  Reminder: keep your paid invoice in case Carnival tries to tell you that you owe on your account…2 weeks after the cruise ends. Ask me why…..😊

4 minutes ago, DanJ said:

Re-boarding during a back to back is more like a port of call rather than an embarkation, so it's generally a half hour before sailaway. They will tell you the details during the first cruise, as you probably don't even come through the same gangway as the new passengers.

That’s right DanJ..I never thought of it like that.  I don’t do many b2bs.  I will definitely find out the all aboard time before I head out! Thanks for that observation!  😊

4 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Chances are fair that your luggage would be sent to the "naughty room" and you'd have to go there to retrieve it (if they had liquid in them, if they are empty you'd be ok). Again, this isn't something because of plastic but because all beverages (except wine) need to be in cans (AFAIK wine in a plastic bottle would be accepted). 

I had wanted to keep the stubby, empty, water bottle because it fit into my purse nicely for going on shore.  Lesson learned…put it in the checked bag, empty. 😊

15 minutes ago, Pyxie said:

 

The security person absolutely misunderstood the rule. Plastic itself isn't the problem. It's that it is much easier to smuggle liquor in plastic bottles vs cans.

The one bottle was completely empty…and the other bottle wasn’t even open yet. And she didn’t throw that one out, she put it in a cooler.  She could see that there was no alcohol anywhere. If I wanted..I could empty a water bottle in my room, take it ashore and fill it up with alcohol if I wanted.  Her actions were not warranted IMO. There are no signs forbidding plastic bottles in the security area either.  Next time I’ll put my water bottles in my checked bag.  Just for a laugh..what would they do if wine came in plastic bottles?? 

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Currently FCC's cannot be used for the deposit.  During Covid there were FCC's that could be used for the deposit.  One of the dangers of opening an old pos\t.  There is outdated information.

I did say that FCCs couldn’t be used for the deposit…maybe you misread my statement.  Native Floridian 26 said that he/she thought FCCs could be used as a deposit.  It’s good to get it straightened out though.  Thanks for the confirmation.  😊

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

RCI's CFAR insurance should but that's a lot of money to cover a fairly small amount. A group rate or even a refundable rate might be a better way to go.

 

I agree..it seems that Royal is wanting us to pay even higher rates, it makes it risky to book far ahead.  Thank you for your answer! 😊

3 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

If you cancel you lose all the deposit. It doesn't matter why.

I understand that part….I was wondering if there is any insurance that covers deposits.  

On 1/14/2023 at 7:12 PM, Native Floridian 26 said:

I think I read that you can now use FCCs for deposits.  My question is then, if you use the FCC for deposit and the booking is a Non-refundable deposit, then you lose the FCC if you cancel before Final Payment?  I haven't been on the Royal boards much lately, so pardon if this has been clarified before.  My search didn't find the exact answer.

 

Also, have there been any promotions lately where FCC's are given a boost?

Actually I did ask a few days ago if an FCC can be used for a deposit and was told ‘no’ by a travel agent.  I haven’t seen a statement in the Royal policy statements regarding their rule though…🤷‍♀️

Thank you both for your answers. What I didn’t understand is that there’s a difference between just cancelling a cruise and cancelling a cruise to book another one. 
 

Now, the policy is if one cancels a cruise that was booked after 5/31/2022…one loses the whole NRD.  Am I correct?  Some deposits are quite high..upwards of $500….what protection does one have to recoup a deposit if the cancellation is due to a severe reason such as serious illness or death in the family?  Does travel insurance cover that in any way?  Of course one can opt to pay the RD amount but I’ve seen those rates increase by a few thousand $$ (unless Royal has decreased those amounts).

Sorry for all the question…thanks for any explanations..😊

Testing…

How does one recoup their deposit if a cancellation has to be made?  Does RC still have the optional refundable deposit amount when booking a cruise?  TIA 😊