BonTexasNY

Greg, two words: Total Perfection!

As far as micro planning a trip, the only spreadsheets I ever created were work related. We've driven from TX to NJ, to Miami and back, and all we did was get in the car and drive. No advance plans. When we needed a potty break or food, we stopped at the next available area. We don't like driving at night so when the sun started to set, we stopped at the next available hotel, preferably our favorite, Hampton Inn of which there are many along the way. We love the drive down Galveston. We pass 3 Buc'ees! It heightens our cruise anticipation slowly. We love passing the giant statue of Sam Houston on 45. I think @TravelGirlinDallas Bethany and @firefly333 Jane can relate.

Yes!!!! Thanks for finding it. The only restaurant I ever waited in line for was 1-1/2 hours for Durgin Park in Boston. Best prime rib ever. This was many, many years ago when we were in our late 20s. Most we would wait now is 15 minutes.🙄 Some wonderful advice from other folks.

Jennifer, that says it all. Great pictures!

I would definitely fly into Newark. JFK is quite a distance from the cruise terminal and NYC. Quite a few people have posted staying in Newark and maybe Ubering into Manhattan pre-cruise. I don't know much about transportation to and from Newark. Just walking around Manhattan is the best. I would add Chinatown for some authentic ethnic food. Wo Hop 17 Mott Street has to die for Chinese food. I always loved walking along Rockefeller Center to see first hand where the Today Show is broadcast. Top of The Rock is an amazing observatory 70 stories high but comes with a price, approx. $50. Chelsea Market on 9th Avenue is a great place for shopping and eating. Wish we still lived in NY. We loved showing people, especially first time visitors, the city. I don't know how you'll get around the city. Subway and buses are plentiful. It really is an exceptionally, exciting, wonderful city. I look forward to reading all about it!

And how usual is that? AND you get drenched in slush when cars pass you. @bobmacliberty Your NYC plans sound fabulous, best part is the Billy Joel concert. I haven't been back in "the city" for many years. If weather permits, I would walk along the Highline, meander thru South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan, maybe a visit to the Met for some culture. I remember HBE4 posted some neat NYC spots a while ago. Maybe he can repost?

Goodness, were they all Painkillers? Hope you all found your way back to the ship! Looks like you had a fabulous time.

It really works, honest. Please post results. NYC in January could be brutal. Hope the weather cooperates. Don't forget to have pizza, bagels and deli if they're foods you like. Where in NYC will you be visiting? I once answered a land line phone message for Jack who was on a business trip. Guy was from wayyy down South: Ahd lock sum uh thayim bayinds. Translation: I'd like some of those bands. (for watches). I'm glad I wasn't home when the guy actually called.

There are people here who were born in Dallas as their parents were. True Native Dallasites. Yet, they have absolutely no accent at all. Hard to tell where they're from. Then there are those native Dallasites who talk pure down home Texan. Whenever I meet someone, they KNOW where I'm from.

@dani negreanu Dani, thanks for popping in to let us know you're "ok". I wish I had your email. Things I would say to you I won't post in here.

On a totally different note than any topic discussed, I am so happy to finally find a way to peel hard boil eggs without taking half the egg off with the shell. For those interested: . Place refrigerated eggs in boiling water. Cold eggs in hot water shrinks the membrane away from the shell. . For hard boiled, bring back to boil and cook for 13 minutes. . When time is up, pour out the hot water and pour some cool water in the pot. No need for an ice bath. . Cover the pot and shake vigorously for a few seconds. . Some of the eggs actually peel inside the pot . Take out eggs and the peel slides off of the egg effortless. We had egg salad for lunch. 😄🥚🥚 .

We ex-NYers are all over the world. Easy to find us when we start "tawking".

Apologies, but I wasn't the one to mention this in the first place. I agree, no reason to drag it out. Peace!

I didn't know there was a set time. Good idea!

I'm doing the same. Looks like a gorgeous sunny day. @Sea Dog Greg and friends, I hope Soggy Dollar meets or exceeds your expectations.

I doubt she meant 911. Insults are very rare in here. I've seen your posts for quite a while and I have no idea what your ethnic background is, nor do I care. This is a place where we share life's adventures. Why would anyone comment on a person's ethnic background?

I know it's a special place for you and your family. Funny, I've been in TX for 20 years but all it takes is a picture or some words about a place I know so well to bring me back home again. Something happened to me that I must share. Today was my weekly card game and a Southern lady who sat next to me asked where I was from. A new player and I thought how nice to get to know one another. I proudly said "NY" and she said "Oh, I'm sorry". No smile, no smirk. No kidding. I saw red and I quickly responded "well bless your little heart" which down here can be seen as a compliment dipped in venom. The nerve AND she's a lousy card player!

I misread that as Blue Bell, wonderful TX made ice cream. 🤣

Relaxing pictures of a place that brings back sweet memories of many walks around that lake.

double

l appreciate your .02. However, we're sticking with our Voyager b2b. My fault. I gave Ken the wrong cruise date. Pays to have an aware TA. He advised me that I gave him the date for a 10 night cruise. He knows I need 11 more points to make diamond. My bad! Big difference in price. Stay warm and dry! I remember when it snowed in NYC in April, more than once. Here in TX we get hail, tornadoes, ice storms but very little snow. 😏

Greg, how are your knees holding up? So far it seems like you and Linda are having a relaxing cruise. I can't wait to read all about your Jost Van Dyke Soggy Dollar experience and of course see some pictures Seadog style! Your review is aces!

I think My Time Dining is really Their Time Dining. We're confirmed with traditional early but thought to reserve MTD at 6. Now I know we can't. I guess we'll have to miss Happy Hour $$&**!#!! Greg, any plans for a group meet up with the Bella squad? Waiting to read about your 2nd MDR experience. I hope Royal comes through for you and Linda.

Thanks for everyone's input. We were on Adventure in Feb. and Oasis in March. If not for Bella 02 on Wonder, we would stick with Freedom or Voyager class ships. We're considering Jewel based on its itinerary. We'll miss the ice show, Cafe PR. I'm anxious (not so much Jack) to experience a totally different ship than Voyager/Freedom class. Goodness, I'm now veering toward keeping Voyager! Jack is trying to put the guilt on me. "Choose whichever you want", he says, which really means "don't consider what *I* really want".

Reaching out to my fellow CC friends for some feedback: We’re thinking of switching our April b2b Voyager with an 11 night November Jewel cruise out of Galveston. Ports of call on Jewel: Curacao, Aruba, Cozumel, Grand Cayman. Ports of call on Voyager: Usual W. Caribbean itinerary 6 sea days which is a lot but we love them.. 11 nights will make us Diamond! I always wanted to try a Radiance class ship. Jack isn’t too keen since he likes the Promenade especially the café. @Jimbo you were on Jewel recently. How is her condition? Any negatives? We’ll be having dinner in the MDR. Where can we go for a late night snack? Thoughts anyone?