need new york help!!

[Winters in NZ]

dont know if its possible or practical, but we are arriving a little after noon on the day of our cruise, sept 6th, labour day, and the one thing we wanted to see was time square! could we get a taxi/shuttle from newark airport, swing by to see TS and then go to the cruise terminal?? speaking of which, does anyone know which terminal it might be? can/new eng cruise on the eurodam:confused: thanks!!

 

Probably a lot easier to drive through Times Square than Caledonia.:D

[RuthC]

Is there any reason you can't do the tour AFTER your cruise...on the way to the airport or next destination?

 

:) I totally agree with the previous poster - save this for the

conclusion of the cruise ---

The NE/Cananda cruise on the E-dam terminates in Quebec City. Unless the OP is doing a back to back (and she didn't say she was), then touring NYC at the end of the cruise is out.

[catergirl]

have had varying comments and again will see how things go when we get there and ask the cabbie. if the traffic is nuts, i definately wont push it. i do try to cram a lot of things into my cruise and ports, but im not suicidal:eek: Math man from Ottawa, cute comment about Caledonia!! anyway time square wont make or break my cruise. theres always peggys cove:D

[3rdGenCunarder]

Labor Day Parade is held every year in NYC. Turnout was dismal for a few years and the city was going to stop it.

Things have turned around and the turnout is better than ever. It was shortened to 72 Street instead of 86 Street a few years ago.

 

Are you sure there's going to be one this year? Hizzonor has been cutting back on parades and street fairs. The only parade I saw on the city calendar site was one in Brooklyn.

[SailorNYC]

Hello Catergirl - Do you mind if I ask why you would like to drive through Times Square? Is it for sightseeing purposes? (Just curious to help better answer your question).

 

In general, I would advise against routing through Times Square as it seems you are pressed for time and as someone explained, this is an extremely congested area due to the pedestrian zones & for other reasons. (Doesn't matter if summer weekends are, generally, more quiet in the city from a resident's point of view -- Times Square is always crowded. Also, many visitors spend time in the city over long weekends making the touristed areas as - or even more - busy than customary).

 

From the perspective of one Manhattan resident, Newark is my least favorite airport to fly home to... especially when cabbing. Perhaps, money is not an issue, but it is very expensive to taxi from Newark to Manhattan. Because cabs are crossing state lines, they operate under different rules. My last cabfare from Newark cost approximately $92 = meter + tolls. Tip was extra. (After that experience, I stopped flying into Newark!)

 

Normally, we are charged a flat rate at area airports (LGA & JFK). I advise you to ask inside the airport if there is a flat rate to Manhattan... and, if the answer is yes, confirm with the dispatcher BEFORE entering the taxi. [And, then, if you are successful with this, and the cost is less than $92 dollars, write me when you return from your cruise to tell how you did it! ;)] However, if you are paying a flat rate, it is not likely the cab driver will be excited to drive you through Times Square. (Although, I will add, pleasant surprises occur here every day).

 

I hope the New York portion works out for you (maybe your flight will arrive early?) ... and, also, that you have a wonderful cruise!!

 

:)

[CruisefromNY]

Are you sure there's going to be one this year? Hizzonor has been cutting back on parades and street fairs. The only parade I saw on the city calendar site was one in Brooklyn.

 

Gotta love Mike!

 

Actually the parade will be held this year on Saturday Sept 11, 2010

Actually called NYC CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL LABOR DAY PARADE.

 

On 5th Avenue from 44 Street to 72 Street stepping off at 12 noon.

[catergirl]

sailornyc, yes it was for just 'seeing' times square. guess we got a good deal on the flight and didnt realize the airport would be more expensive to drive from. live and learn! maybe we should skip it and see if there is a shuttle to the port which should be cheaper. we may just have to return someday!

[3rdGenCunarder]

sailornyc, yes it was for just 'seeing' times square. guess we got a good deal on the flight and didnt realize the airport would be more expensive to drive from. live and learn! maybe we should skip it and see if there is a shuttle to the port which should be cheaper. we may just have to return someday!

 

I had no idea it was so expensive to take a taxi from Newark to NYC because I don't have to cross state lines to get home from the airport. SailorNYC mentioned the dispatcher, which is a good point. Don't take a ride from someone wandering around he airport offering cab or limo service. Get in the taxi line and the dispatcher will put you in a cab when it's your turn.

 

The only time we took a cab home from Newark was several years ago. I have a vague memory of paying in advance and giving the cabbie a voucher/receipt, not money. Does anyone else know if this is true?

[serendipity1499]

There is a shuttle service called Airlink NYC...It costs anywhere from $18 for a shared Van up to about $90.00... You can book it in advance one way or round trip..

http://www.goairlinkshuttle.com/page.php?id=49

From Newark you probably will have to allow 1 1/2 -2 hrs for this shuttle if taking the shared van, as it stops at the various Hotels in Manhattan to drop off people....

I agree with others...Plan on a few more days in NYC on your next trip..It's a fascinating city & so much to see..

As a former Long Island Girl, I still miss going into Manhattan 8-10 times a year for meetings, Dinner with DH & family fun..

We're leaving out of NYC on Aug 15 (Veendam) & arriving to see family on Aug. 12..Can't wait to get back into Manhattan again..

Enjoy your cruise..:)Betty

[RuthC]

maybe we should skip it and see if there is a shuttle to the port which should be cheaper. we may just have to return someday!

Have you considered taking the HAL transfer? A HAL representative will meet you in baggage claim, have someone take your luggage, escort you to the bus. Then you will be driven directly to the pier without any concerns about traffic, etc. When you get there, porters will descend on the bus to get your luggage long before you have gotten off the bus. Another HAL representative will give guidance on where to go, and what to do.

Very simple, very easy.

[SailorNYC]

Hi 3rdgencruiser - Just a note, we always use the dispatcher too... never the "floaters." And, we do always receive a slip with the flat rate from LGA & JFK.

 

I think our bad luck may have had something to do with the type of taxi (different rules may apply to a NY city cab and a NJ cab), but I am not 100% certain. We arrived late at night on this particular flight and had not flown into Newark for some time... as a result, I do not know if our experience was the exception - as in we were taken for a ride - or the rule. We meant to look into it, but we ended up letting the whole thing go.

 

Hi again, Catergirl - You have lots of options from Newark (again we arrived late at night and leaped into a cab, before we looked :) ). Some good suggestions have already been made. There is also Newark Liberty Airport Express ($15 to the Grand Central and a couple other mid-town locations): http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp

 

I don't think you have to buy tix in advance. If you arrive early enough, and take one of these shuttle services that drop off in a mid-town location (and, then, grab a cab from there)... you could ask the cabbie to take you through Times Square - again, if you have plenty of time to get to the ship.

 

The point I am trying to make is:

If time permits, I would recommend going to Times Square from a cab from the city (rather than one from Newark).

 

Final thought -- Is it possible to go to the ship using the HAL transfer or another less expensive service, check in and THEN leave the ship? (I don't know if one is allowed to leave the ship after embarkation). If so, this is what I would do. Then, you would be able to make your decision based on the time... and you could get out of the cab and walk around a little. It's not a long ride to Times Square... and it's a nice walk if you have the time. However, it does take a little time because it is about 5 or 6 of the long blocks (avenues) from the pier to Times Square. There are also buses - again time dependent suggestion.

 

I wish you a lot of luck! Maybe you could leave on an earlier flight? :)

[madelinerose]

Wow, naked cowboy:eek: didnt know there was one, :)

 

 

[serendipity1499]

Have you considered taking the HAL transfer? A HAL representative will meet you in baggage claim, have someone take your luggage, escort you to the bus. Then you will be driven directly to the pier without any concerns about traffic, etc. When you get there, porters will descend on the bus to get your luggage long before you have gotten off the bus. Another HAL representative will give guidance on where to go, and what to do.

Very simple, very easy.

 

Also agree with Ruth's suggestion...

We decided to use HAL's one way transfer from the Pier out to JFK when we disembark from our Bermuda Cruise....That's $34.00 per person..It costs more than the shared van but is well worth it just for the convenience...

The only problem on the arrival, is that when you arrive in Newark, you might have to wait for other arriving passengers on other flights..It could take an hour to two before the bus leaves Newark for the pier...

In that case the OP may not have any time to see Times Square..

Cheers.....:)Betty

[RuthC]

The only problem on the arrival, is that when you arrive in Newark, you might have to wait for other arriving passengers on other flights..It could take an hour to two before the bus leaves Newark for the pier...

I guess that's possible, but I've never had to wait anywhere near that long. In my experience, several planes are arriving about the same time, everyone descends on baggage claim together, and we all meet up with the HAL rep. It really doesn't take two long.

 

On my last two arrivals I was put in a pre-paid cab and sent off to the HAL pre-cruise hotel. Talk about not waiting!

But even when I was heading directly to the ship (including NYC) there wasn't any long wait.

[m steve]

you will want to get to the pier the fastest way. You can easily run a $100 cab ride.

[serendipity1499]

I guess that's possible, but I've never had to wait anywhere near that long. In my experience, several planes are arriving about the same time, everyone descends on baggage claim together, and we all meet up with the HAL rep. It really doesn't take two long.

 

On my last two arrivals I was put in a pre-paid cab and sent off to the HAL pre-cruise hotel. Talk about not waiting!

But even when I was heading directly to the ship (including NYC) there wasn't any long wait.

 

OK...Sounds doable if they arrive in Newark early & agree that might then be the fastest way... The OP could use the HAL transfer, board the ship have a light lunch in the Lido...Then they could go back out for a brisk walk up to Times Square.. But they must be sure to be back OB for Muster Drill probably by 4.. I don't recall her saying when they arrived in Newark..

Cheers...Betty

[serendipity1499]

you will want to get to the pier the fastest way. You can easily run a $100 cab ride.

 

Agree..

BTW Steve just a quick note..It was our Battery backup which was causing both our PC's to shut down twice a day..Took your advice & checked out our settings & both PC's were fine..Then we disconnected the Battery back up & all is well..Will have to get a new one very soon..

Thanks...Betty

[Boytjie]

Are you sure there's going to be one this year? Hizzonor has been cutting back on parades and street fairs. The only parade I saw on the city calendar site was one in Brooklyn.

 

Parades are still being held in the city - they are just being shortened. A parade routes are being cut by 25% and have to finish under 5 hours to save overtime for police.

 

The Labor Day parade takes place the Saturday after Labor Day, on 5th Avenue and as said, its on the east side of Times Square.

 

The city is dead on Labor Day weekend, traffic should not be an issue.

 

If you want to do a look-see, you could board the ship, drop your luggage and disembark again. You can take the M42 bus (catch it near the Intrepid and Circle Line a few blocks south of the piers) .It goes accross 42nd Street into Times Square where you can get off, walk around and take it back again. It is walkable too but far.

[catergirl]

just booked the shuttle service from newark to the pier $17. each. will go to the ship, check in and see if we have the time and energy then:rolleyes: thanks again all:)

[m steve]

that shuttle service seems the way to go and you'll still see the tall buildings as well as the bums on the street washing car windows they spit on first.

[Love the beach]

that shuttle service seems the way to go and you'll still see the tall buildings as well as the bums on the street washing car windows they spit on first.

You have been gone a long time----haven't seen that in YEARS! Think it was Guilani who got rid of them!:)

Marge

[SailorNYC]

Catergirl, Good for you! Probably the least expensive way to get into the city from Newark.

 

I really like Boytjie's idea of taking the M42 bus, time permitting. Hope everything works well for you. :)

[BumperII]

 

I think you made the right choice. We have two loves. Cruising and theater.

 

We live in a suburb just outside of Philadelphia. We can take regional rail,(Public Transportation) from our town to Pennsylvania Station in NYC. That is what we will do for our cruise on the Veendam out of Manhatten on July 18.

 

For future reference, here is our drill. We go up the day before the cruise and take a 2 star hotel room just off Times Square. Then we hit the half price tickets booth and find out what Broadway shows are available. With tickets in hand we have dinner in one of several favorite restaurants in TS area and take in the show. Then we get a good night's sleep. Next morning we have plenty of time for a lazy breakfast and a short taxi ride to the pier.

[Boytjie]

that shuttle service seems the way to go and you'll still see the tall buildings as well as the bums on the street washing car windows they spit on first.

 

Wen last were you in New York City?

 

I have never seen them spit on windows... as for thesqueegee guys, they date back to the 90's and used dirty water to 'wash' windows.

[mamaofami]

Wen last were you in New York City?

 

I have never seen them spit on windows... as for thesqueegee guys, they date back to the 90's and used dirty water to 'wash' windows.

 

 

I agree. Haven't seen that in a while and never saw anyone spit, but those guys were scary because they would jump on the car roof and you had to pay them to wash your window.