Where to stay?Parsippany or Elizabeth?

[labatsman]

Last time we and first time we cruised from Bayonne to Bermuda we were encouraged thru CC to stay at Parsippany. We did and had a great time there with shopping and restaurants and a leisurely drive to the port next morning where we parked our car at the pier parking.

After reading some great reviews and comments at staying at Elizabeth area hotels with a stay and park and shuttle to the port,we're interested in reading some thoughts on what may be the best way to do it.

Background we are driving from the Toronto Ontario area and no rush to disembark early

 

Couple of questions:

 

How far away is Elizabeth from port?

Are the shuttles on time and hopefully not the cram you in versions or wait till were we are full before we leave type ?

This applies to disembarkation as well

Is Elizabeth a safe area and are there restaurants and maybe shopping there?

Can anyone comment on what may be best way to do this?

As always Thanks in advance.

[138east]

Last time we and first time we cruised from Bayonne to Bermuda we were encouraged thru CC to stay at Parsippany. We did and had a great time there with shopping and restaurants and a leisurely drive to the port next morning where we parked our car at the pier parking.

After reading some great reviews and comments at staying at Elizabeth area hotels with a stay and park and shuttle to the port,we're interested in reading some thoughts on what may be the best way to do it.

Background we are driving from the Toronto Ontario area and no rush to disembark early

 

Couple of questions:

 

How far away is Elizabeth from port? About 11 miles

 

Are the shuttles on time and hopefully not the cram you in versions or wait till were we are full before we leave type ? It depends. Others will need to comment. My understanding is that you have to sign up for a specific time and that the staging area in the hotel lobby can become crowded. The vehicle can vary from a van to a large bus

 

This applies to disembarkation as well Ditto

 

Is Elizabeth a safe area and are there restaurants and maybe shopping there?The hotels in Elizabeth are clustered on International Blvd (formerly Glimcher Realty Way) next to the Jersey Gardens Mall. It's still a highly urban industrialized area, but there have not been any safety issues reported. Restaurants are Ruby Tuesdays, IHOP, Applebee's, Johnny Rockets, and the mall food court

Can anyone comment on what may be best way to do this?

As always Thanks in advance.

 

You have to identify your priorities. Shopping? Budget? Ease of getting on the road home?

 

You said that last time you enjoyed the restaurants and shopping in Parsipanny and the leisurely drive to the port. Personally I would try to recreate that experience. You've already driven to the port and parked. You've already had the experience of disembarking, getting in your car, and hitting the road to go home. You can have a similar experience again no matter whether you stay in Parsipanny or come closer to a hotel in Secaucus or Elizabeth.

 

The park/sleep/cruise packages in Elizabeth run $250-350.

[debandbruce]

We have stayed at the Country Inn and Suites in Elizabeth previously and are doing so again in November. Nice hotel with gated area to leave your car. We like taking the shuttle, very easy, about 15 minutes to port. Not a lot of shopping, there is a mall but for us we want a place to stay with restaurants nearby. It has everything we need.

[mikeriv79]

If you enjoyed Parsippany the first time, the experience won't be much better in Elizabeth. I'm not saying it will be bad, just won't be an improvement. And since you mention that the drive to the port was pleasant, the stay/park/shuttle won't really give you any advantage. But there's nothing wrong with trying and experiencing it for yourself.

[labatsman]

Thanks for the replies, we do like to try new places.

[138east]

You may also want to look at Secaucus, which has a lot of shopping, hotels, and restaurants. No port shuttles, but much closer than Parsipanny from turnpike exit 16E or 16W. Just be sure there is no big event at the Meadowlands for your date.

[labatsman]

You may also want to look at Secaucus, which has a lot of shopping, hotels, and restaurants. No port shuttles, but much closer than Parsipanny from turnpike exit 16E or 16W. Just be sure there is no big event at the Meadowlands for your date.

Thanks as always Carol much appreciated will check out

[labatsman]

Ok kinda of decided,after talking to daughter in law's sister who worked for a year in Morristown P.A. we are leaning to staying there the night before cruise and parking at pier,It does not seem that far away,

Thanks for help all

[138east]

Ok kinda of decided,after talking to daughter in law's sister who worked for a year in Morristown P.A. we are leaning to staying there the night before cruise and parking at pier,It does not seem that far away,

Thanks for help all

 

Morristown PA or Morristown NJ? Morristown NJ is near Parsipanny and is on your route to the pier. Morristown, NJ is across the Delaware River from Trenton, NJ, the capital of New Jersey, and is not a "destination".

[njhorseman]

The town in PA across the river from Trenton is actually Morrisville, not Morristown. Not only is it not a destination, driving there would require a detour of more than an hour from any route you might be taking from Ontario to the Cape Liberty area. Hopefully you mean Morristown NJ, which is a very reasonable overnight stop-off point.

[njhorseman]

There's also Norristown, PA, but again it would be a long detour from a direct route to Cape Liberty.

[labatsman]

Morristown PA or Morristown NJ? Morristown NJ is near Parsipanny and is on your route to the pier. Morristown, NJ is across the Delaware River from Trenton, NJ, the capital of New Jersey, and is not a "destination".

 

The town in PA across the river from Trenton is actually Morrisville, not Morristown. Not only is it not a destination, driving there would require a detour of more than an hour from any route you might be taking from Ontario to the Cape Liberty area. Hopefully you mean Morristown NJ, which is a very reasonable overnight stop-off point.

Sorry yes I meant Morristown N.J.