Everything Breakaway!(LIVE on 4/28)

[KEPE]

We are staying at the Millenium Hilton right across from the World Trade Center complex. We are fortunate to have enough to be able to use comp points to reduce the financial cost.

 

This is a big deal for me because I am a survivor of 9/11 from the south tower. I know that it will be tough emotionally, but it is something I want/need to do. I am also lookig forward to seeing the memorial cobblestone I purchased for the 9/11 Memorial.

 

I still get chills whenever I pass it. While I agree with Dandy 7, it's coming along nicely. For me I will always remember it as it was! I think it's a great way to start your trip!

[philamike]

We want fireworks on the transatlantic. They have to test them sometime. ;)

 

I agree! I'm disappointed that we won't get fireworks on the TA. I'm quietly hoping they surprise us with them on board...

 

- Mike :-)

[time2cruise1]

I agree! I'm disappointed that we won't get fireworks on the TA. I'm quietly hoping they surprise us with them on board...

 

- Mike :-)

 

I am thinking exporting explosives may be the reason we don't.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

[hpecorari]

You may want to consider the Megabus that leaves from Newark, DE. The GoToBus (some call it the Chinese Bus -- google it to read reviews) is cheap, but I found it was an experience I would not want to have again. In New York the first stop before Chinatown is opposite Macy's and near Footlocker, they drop off at the curb. I was able to flag a taxi for the short trip to the pier. I did this because I was looking for an inexpensive option on a cruise I was taking solo. Hubby and I will be driving to New York for the Breakaway and paying to park. There is no way he would do it after I described my experience and he saw the "station" in Wilmington where he dropped me off.

 

Thank you! I'm going to look into that.

Harrie

[graphicguy]

We're flying into LGA and staying at the Marriott Marquis. It's not cheap, but the location is good.

 

We haven't decided on transportation yet, but Dial7 has gotten good reviews on the East Coast Departures board.

 

Hope this helps :)

 

That does help....thanks much.

[graphicguy]

graphicguy - You might want to look at the Skyline Hotel, 10th Ave. & 49th Street. It even has an indoor pool.

 

We stayed there in January, 2011 because a major snowstorm was coming to N.Y. the night before we were to embark on the Jewel. The snowstorm did come, and we were delighted to be just a few blocks from the ship.

 

Stude....thanks so much.

[SliceOfLife]

We're flying into LGA and staying at the Marriott Marquis. It's not cheap, but the location is good.

 

I've stayed at the Marriott Marquis in 2008, it was amazing!! I had enough reward points to stay for free. The location is great for walking around and exploring the area. Wicked is within walking distance if something like that interests you.

[SliceOfLife]

 

This is a big deal for me because I am a survivor of 9/11 from the south tower. I know that it will be tough emotionally, but it is something I want/need to do. I am also lookig forward to seeing the memorial cobblestone I purchased for the 9/11 Memorial.

 

Wow, I just cannot imagine. To this day it is still hard to wrap my mind around what happened. I hope your visit to the Memorial goes well and you can see the cobblestone you purchased.

[whobean]

Hello there! I'll be on the October 20th sailing and I can't wait! I'm seeing a lot of people are planning to stay overnight in NYC before the cruise departs and I thought I would post a restaurant recommendation. Victor's Cafe is near the Times Square/Theater District area. Located at 236 West 52nd St, between Broadway and 8th. Great cuban food, great atmosphere and great mojitos! Their black bean soup and Ropa Vieja are excellent.

 

You can check out their website too: http://www.victorscafe.com/index2.html

[HUBison2008]

We are staying in the comfort inn that just opened up by the port. Great location, not a cheap hotel but reasonable for NY standards. I think we are flying into LGA can't recall, I'll have to look into that.

 

What's the specific location name?

[dpomes]

I've stayed at the Marriott Marquis in 2008, it was amazing!! I had enough reward points to stay for free. The location is great for walking around and exploring the area. Wicked is within walking distance if something like that interests you.

 

Thanks for that info! We've never been to NY, so it's nice to get first-hand information. :D

[gambee]

What's the specific location name?

 

Comfort Inn

 

548 W 48th St, New York, NY, 10036 United States

 

‎1-855-239-9246‎

[cruisebear84]

Thinking of leaving from Wilmington, DE taking the GoToBus to NY 34 W 31st St station. My understanding is that it's not that far from the Manhattan cruise terminal. It's about a 2 hour and 15 min. bus ride. I'm guessing there are taxi's at the bus station to take to the terminal? Am also thinking of leaving early in the morning to get the NY by 10 a.m. or so. It's just so much more reasonable to do this way then to spend $35.00 a day for parking if we drive since it's just the two of us. Anyone in the area have any other suggestions, thoughts, etc.?

Harriet

 

i don't know about cheaper transportation options, but you will definitely be fine taking a cab from 31st street on the west side. the cruise terminal is only on 42nd street, at the end of the west die. i would imagine it shouldn't cost you more than $10 unless you sit in traffic for a while, and even then you'd be there in 15 minutes... then again, i very rarely take yellow cabs living here. Will probably take the subway from my house!...which you could definitely do as well, by the way, it's like 1 train stop uptown to port authority and then you can decide to walk it or take the bus-- but then you'd have to pay $3.50 for a metrocard each and honestly not worth it if you don't live here to use the metrocard again. can you tell i'm a commuter?? lol just giving you all your options!

[j603]

I am feeling like I am going to be missing out on the precruise fun in Manhattan. We are spending the night in East Elmhurst. Lol

[grobma]

As someone already pointed out, for those seeking information on NYC, there is a a lot of good info on the East Coast Departures board (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=415)

 

That being said, some general tips:

 

1. While Pier 88 is at 48th Street and 12th Ave/West Side Highway, vehicular traffic enters at 55th Street so factor that into your planning. Alternatively, when coming from the south or east, you can have them drop you at 48th & 12th (on the northbound side only) and you can just walk across the highway (yes, there is a traffic light and crosswalk).

 

2. Traffic on the weekends should be fine, so taking a cab should not be a problem. If you're concerned about the fare, try to get one heading west or north from most of the locations discussed (Port Authority, Penn Station, Times Square, etc) to save on fare and time. During the day in midtown, there are lots of turning restrictions at major intersections that may cause a cab to have to go out of their way to get pointed in the right direction.

 

3. Hotel rates in NYC vary greatly by demand. A room which is going for $450 one night may go for $199 the next and I've seen rooms at the Waldorf going for less than the Holiday Inn. It all depends on what's going on in the city at the time. Weekends are generally cheaper than weekdays.

 

4. NYC hotel rooms are generally smaller than what many of you might be accustomed to. I suppose it's good practice for life in a stateroom :-)

 

5. LGA is the closest airport and the least expensive by cab, though because of its runway configuration, it is subject to the most delays. There is no reasonable public transportation option from LGA. EWR is closer to the port than JFK, but not by much. Cab from EWR costs more than JFK (JFK has flat fare in Yellow cabs, private car service also recommended for both). Both JFK and EWR offer AirTrain connections to public transportation which will take you to Penn Station, but you have to be prepared to schlep and allow some extra time.

 

Hope this helps!

[SliceOfLife]

Thanks for that info! We've never been to NY, so it's nice to get first-hand information. :D

 

You're welcome :) If you're a coffee person there is a Juan Valdez Cafe within walking distance. My husband was in love, lol!

 

Also M&M World and a giant Toy's R Us (it has a ferris wheel inside!) is up the street.

[spidybabe]

We're flying into LGA and staying at the Marriott Marquis. It's not cheap, but the location is good.

 

We haven't decided on transportation yet, but Dial7 has gotten good reviews on the East Coast Departures board.

 

Hope this helps :)

 

We live right by LGA, and do not like Dial7 for many reasons including pricing, reliability, and customer service. Try Four Two's Car Service 718 746 2222. They are a local company that we have used for over 30 years, without a problem. However you arrive at the ship, arrive safely and ENJOY!!:) We will be arriving at the Breakaway in a Four Two's car. So hard waiting ... and waiting....for our cruise We CAN'T wait!!! ENJOY:D

[Dandy7]

Robert - I walk through there to the path station every day. The new tower is almost finished and looks great. I'll try to post a picture. I take them from time to time when passing by. Unfortunately, I think the memorial is currently closed since Hurricane Sandy. It was flooded and I don't think it has still reopened.

 

The first two pics were taken this morning. The weather is not cooperating today. Ironically, this might be the closest I get to the tower in a while. I reason I come this way is because I walk my wife to the Path that takes her into NJ. Today wil be her last day at work after 20 yrs. as her job function has been terminated. So, I'll be watching the tower grow from afar. The last pic is from my office building in Brooklyn.

 

 

 

[tlreze]

Can't decide between cabin 10842 which looks to have an angled balcony or aft 13304. Any help would be appreciated. I am concerned that in 10842 the next door neighbor sees all the balcony so no privacy? With the AFT will they fit lounger chairs do you think? We stayed in AFT on Star to Bermuda last yr and loved the views but just got off Gem side balcony and enjoyed that as well

[dcipjr]

Thank you! I'm going to look into that.

Harrie

 

Amtrak is a good option from Wilmington. It's $41/person each way on the Northeast Regional line, so you're looking at a higher price than the MegaBus, but you can get from Wilmington to NYC in under 2 hours.

 

From Penn Station, you can get a cab to the pier for about $10.

[bravesfan19]

If you really want to know, I have a list (hard copy) of rates from Feb.19, 2012

What cabin category/type ?

 

 

Yes Ship Shape, I would like that, we booked at Category IC (inside)

[SissasMomE]

We usually book Aft-facing balcony cabins, but we are going on the Getaway in April and then doing the Breakaway 2 months later, so I took a cheaper cabin - 9126. Does anyone see any issues with this? I was concerned about noise from the waterfront, but it looks to be no where near that. Thanks for the help!

 

PS - Never thought I'd be on the Getaway before the Breakaway!

[SissasMomE]

We live right by LGA, and do not like Dial7 for many reasons including pricing, reliability, and customer service.

 

Well, back to the drawing board for me! I was going to book them for a ride from north jersey to the pier. :(

[hpecorari]

Amtrak is a good option from Wilmington. It's $41/person each way on the Northeast Regional line, so you're looking at a higher price than the MegaBus, but you can get from Wilmington to NYC in under 2 hours.

 

From Penn Station, you can get a cab to the pier for about $10.

 

I did check Amtrak, it's 1 hours and 30 min., whereas Megabus is 2 hours and a 15 min.. However, Amtrak said they have a limit on the size of the luggage and I'd have to take 2 med. size suitcases instead of my one large suitcase. I don't know if I really want to do that as they don't 'check' luggage.

 

Harriet

[gambee]

We usually book Aft-facing balcony cabins, but we are going on the Getaway in April and then doing the Breakaway 2 months later, so I took a cheaper cabin - 9126. Does anyone see any issues with this? I was concerned about noise from the waterfront, but it looks to be no where near that. Thanks for the help!

 

PS - Never thought I'd be on the Getaway before the Breakaway!

 

you're are all the way in the front of the ship with one of those extended balconies. Noise issue should be none as you have rooms above and below you, unless you get loud neighbors (and trust me it is possible). Overall looks like a nice cabin, my only concern there is the distance to the nearest elevators.