cruiserking

You're sailing in 10 days what's with 635 Ed? Jonathan

I've never seen anyone vlogging during a meal in the MDR. Typically, a lot of these vloggers are friends and they sit together so I don't think they would interrupt anyone's dinner. Jonathan

Do yourself a favor and hire a car service; Carmel 212 666-6666. You will be exhausted the day your debark and it's worth every penny to arrive comfortably and stress free into Manhattan with all your luggage instead of having to haul them aboard two different trains. You're on vacation, enjoy it. Jonathan

I would suggest calling a car service in advance. Some other reliable New York car services are Carmel 212 -666-6666 and Dial 7 - 212 777-7777. Jonathan

Perhaps I'm one of the four people that actually enjoys Nassau. We sail there every February and I rather enjoy it. Stopping by the local restaurants, hotels. We discovered a wonderful authentic Bahamian pastry shop The New Duff which makes these pillow soft cakes with a sublime vanilla sauce. Picking up some gourmet chocolates at the Graycliff Hotel built by a pirate no less. We always enjoy this stop. Jonathan

Favorite Port Stops Cobh, Ireland Glasgow, Scotland Kirkwall, Scotland Inverness, Scotland Monaco, Monte Carlo Lisbon, Portugal Barcelona, Spain Key West, Florida Nassau, Bahamas Jonathan

Have been wanting to cruise to Kotor for years finally going there next year on new Sun Princess. I've read so many amazing tales of the view cruising into that port. I cannot wait. Jonathan

The OP is sailing on Anthem of the Seas which sails from the New York/New Jersey area. 90% of the kids on board will be from that area. Jonathan

Presumably you'll research the ports before hand to determine which ports particularly interest you and that you'll book excursions for. There are bound to be several ports where you might just explore the town on your own and head back to the ship. Often times a cruise excursion is only three or four hours which gives you the ability to either go back to the ship and relax or perhaps enjoy a nice lunch ashore at a local restaurant. Perhaps you'll only book three or four all day excursions and the rest of the time you'll have to be back on board or explore on your own. I'm sure you will end up with plenty of time on board. Have a wonderful cruise. Jonathan

Don't think I'm the only one that does this but, I often am so excited to finally be back on board I am unable to sleep and bound out of bed in the wee hours then stroll around the ship while it's empty. Very magical time. Jonathan

We booked Icon last year and I can barely wait. Half off the online price go for it. It won't be perfect, a glitch here and there but, to be one of the very first to sail this brand new leviathan don't miss it. Happy Cruising. Jonathan

Call your travel agent and see if they can get the lower price for you. Once you've paid the final amount it will be too late to get any price changes.

Princess is more old school. A bit dressier, no rock climbing walls and slides. Very elegant lounges, great service. We've very much enjoyed several Princess cruises. Their brand new Sphere Class Sun Princess due out in February 2024 is the game changer for the cruise line. They have taken a lot of design themes from Royal Caribbean with a full kids area with rope bridges, a rollglider and a rock climbing wall. There is a large interior domed area forward with a water show that's very reminiscent of Icon of the Seas. Jonathan

Usually bookings for shows and most excursions and on board events opens up around the 3 month mark till your cruise. Jonathan

The week before Christmas should be quiet. There may be a few kids who go to private schools that get out earlier. But, public schools don't let out until December 23 so you should be okay. Jonathan

Perhaps you've already booked your cruise. Here are some other ideas. Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas - does 4 & 5-night Bermuda cruises from New Jersey all summer. The prices go up a lot during the summer months when everyone and his brother wants to travel. You would get better deals on an off-peak Bahamas cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Anthem sailing round trip from New Jersey. Early February, March are the best times when schools are in session. Port stops are Port Canaveral, Florida - Nassau, Bahamas and Coco Cay, Bahamas (Private island). Coco Cay is absolutely gorgeous the cruise line spent a quarter billion refurbishing it a few years ago. Nassau, Bahamas has a brand new port area with shops, restaurants and a museum. Florida is great to stay on board. Hope you have a great cruise. Jonathan

You have nothing to worry about. The cruise line has this down to a science. They will get you back to the ship in plenty of time. The great thing about excursions booked through the cruise line is if the trip is late returning the ship will wait. Have a great cruise. Jonathan

If the ship arrives in port at 6:00 am you can usually debark by 6:30 am. Typically ships arrive at port stops from 7:00 am forward. If your ship is set to depart at 6:00 pm the all aboard time is 5:30 pm. You should allow yourself a good buffer amount of time to get to the pier. As it's your first cruise it's a very good idea to book your excursions with the cruise line. If for any reason your cruise line booked tour is late returning to port the ship will wait. If your independent excursion is late the ship will not wait. Have a wonderful cruise I'm sure you will be hooked shortly after you stroll up the gangway. Jonathan

Here's a link to the Autism of the Seas group that has professional staffers who take care of Autistic kids during cruises. We've seen them often during our February cruises on Royal Caribbean from New Jersey. https://autismontheseas.com/royalcaribbean Jonathan

You can't really go by the ratings. People enjoy complaining it's a hobby for them. They go on a cruise vacation and can barely wait for the first snafu so they can start whining. I wouldn't stay we are spoiled. I think we're all really fortunate to travel and do so in style aboard these magnificent ships. Happy Cruising. Jonathan

Till Silhouette

We did a fabulous 12-night British Isles cruise last summer on board the Emerald Princess which included stops in Cobh, Ireland - Belfast, Ireland - Glasgow, Scotland - Inverness, Scotland, - Kirkwall, Scotland - Edinburgh, Scotland plus Guernsey, UK and Le Havre, France. Princess is a terrific cruise line they have been doing the British Isles run for ages. This season the fairly new Regal Princess is doing the 12-night British Isles cruise. We loved every minute of it and can't wait to go again. Jonathan

Hi Eltigre, I would skip the HOHO buses. You pass so much stuff in a short period it's information overload. You'll see a lot but, by the time it's done you won't really be sure just what. Try and focus on one general area. If you go to Rockefeller Center you can see a bunch great things right in that area. Head up to the Top of the Rock on the 70th floor for a terrific view of the skyline, the Empire State Building and Central Park. Try and get there early in the morning when the prices are still half-way reasonable you'll pay a hefty price later in the day for sunset. Rockefeller Center is steps away from MOMA, Radio City, Saks Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Central Park, the Plaza Hotel and quite close to the theater district. There's a great art and architecture guided tour at Rockefeller Center that will give you interesting insights into the construction, the art and everything at this complex. It lasts an hour. I would skip the Radio City tour it entails lots of walking up steep flights of stairs. Pick One Deck I would suggest just picking one observation deck. It's a waste of time to do any more. Top of the Rock is a great view because on the 70th floor you can still recognize the nearby buildings whereas at Empire State everything below looks like Lego pieces. Trip Suggestion You could visit Rockefeller Center, take the art tour and go to the top stroll around the area then catch a cab to the piers to board the Circle Line trip. This is a lovely relaxing ride narrated by a knowledgeable guide who will give great information as you circle Manhattan Island. Theater Discount Sites Broadwaybox.com, Theatermania.com and Playbill.com are great sites to picks up some discounted theater tickets in advance and will save you lining up for hours at TKTS which will be mobbed. Dinner recommendation Before the show. We're big fans of a reasonably priced French restaurant; Cafe Un, Deux, Troi at 123 West 44th street between 6th and 7th Avenue. The food is delicious, the prices are great and the service is top-notch. They cater to the theater crowd and will get you in an out fast. Reservations recommended. Getting to the Ship The New York cabbies will get you to the Brooklyn Cruise Ship Terminal but, if you any concern contact Carmel Car Service 212 666-6666 very reliable, clean comfortable cars that will get you there without a hitch. Happy planning and have a wonderful time in the Big Apple. Jonathan

I would suggest catching a cab to South Street Station and storing your luggage with this service: https://luggagehero.com/boston/south-station/. Afterward you can take a short walk to the North End the Italian section, it's like going through a vortex and ending up in Italy. Lots of character, many terrific restaurants and pastry shops particularly Modern Pastry. The Aquarium is near there and Faneuill Hall Market Place filled with dozens of shops, food halls and places to grab a bite. After you've strolled around for a bit collect your luggage at the train station and head to Logan airport which is quite close by cab. Jonathan