Zenith to Bermuda - some questions

[Betty4]

My DH and I are sailing on Zenith in October celebrating ten glorious years together. We are also celebrating the first time we've managed to get away alone for more than one night without our 4 adorable children, ages 2-9. We are paying dearly for the sitters, and therefore want our vacation to begin as soon as possible---so a 1 hour drive to Port Liberty seems to be just the ticket.

 

So.......What time is best to arrive at the port if the ship is scheduled to leave at 4:30? We love the anticipation of going on vacation, but want to avoid that "too long in an airport waiting" feeling. So I guess what i am really asking is, what time is happy hour? Just kidding, sort of, but I am hoping we will not experience the "mad dash" we witnessed aboard our first and only other cruise (Disney Wonder), during which those "in the know" split up every which way racing toward sign up tables to grab all of the prime dinner/spa reservations, activities and babysitting times. We are going without the kids this time, so no problem there. I have to say the overall format of the Zenith appealed to us in that although we may not sit with the Captain, or be invited to exclusive parties (perks which I think those of you who are truly supporting this industry deserve), we won't feel like we are missing out on something we basically paid for too, but weren't aggressive enough to make happen the second we stepped on the ship. It's a vacation, not a roller derby, right?

 

So...the questions....

What time is ideal to arrive at Port Liberty?

 

Is chair hogging a problem, or can I hope to get a lounge chair at 10 am on a fair weather sea day if I so desire?

 

When are the Connections parties usually held and where? I am most excited to meet a few board writers who are to me, "Celebrities" themselves. Never did a Character autograph line on the Disney cruise, but I'd consider waiting on line to meet a Blue Ribbon or (gasp) 5000 club member. You are truly an inspiration for living your lives the right way - by enjoying it! Someday......

 

Where can I get the best Martini onboard? Where are the best places to sip a Martini onboard- indoors and out, please? Same for a Bloody Mary / Coffee in the am.

 

Our cabin is on the Atlantic deck, just past the forward stairs, a few cabins toward the middle, on the right as you face forward. (Don't know the lingo yet, sorry. Tennis scoring also confuses me.) Any thoughts on the noise factor there? I'd never complain or to the management or stick my head out of my door wearing curlers and an evil glare - (so if you see that lovely gal, it's not me) - just want to be prepared.

 

Is there Sushi every day on Zenith too - or is that the bigger ships only? Can you (getting chills) have sushi delivered to a cabin, CC cabin or suite? Will a very genuine PLEASE help make it happen? $$?

 

Is it necessary to race onboard to get an Aquaspa appointment if I just want a mani-pedi-facial on our first day at sea. Seems, I can't make an appointment unless I want to be rubbed with rocks n goo for 5 hours. Honestly, it does sound nice, but its a lot of spa time and $$ to commit and I can drive to Boston in that amount of time.

 

More questions to follow if these are tolerated well! Thanks all!

[DeltaOne]

So.......What time is best to arrive at the port if the ship is scheduled to leave at 4:30?

Is chair hogging a problem, or can I hope to get a lounge chair at 10 am on a fair weather sea day if I so desire?

Where can I get the best Martini onboard?

Is there Sushi every day on Zenith too - or is that the bigger ships only? Can you (getting chills) have sushi delivered to a cabin, CC cabin or suite?

We were on the 7/29 Zenith to Bermuda run. Embarkation at Port Liberty is efficient. We got there at 1:30 and were in our room by 1:40.

 

Chair hogging is a problem. At 10 am you'll have to settle for a chair on the upper deck or at the front or back of the ship...not by the pool.

 

Sushi every day, 5 (or 6) to 10 pm. No delivery to the room that I know of. You could, of course, make your own plate and take it to your room.

 

The martinis in the Martini Bar are fantastic...we always had one or two before dinner.

[Mistimoop]

Hi, Betty! What date are you sailing to Bermuda in October? This is my first one, too, and we're sailing on 10/7. Over on the Roll Call Board, there is a "sail away" party being organized in addition to the Connections party. So, if you're on that sailing, c'mon over & meet everyone! We're getting antsy...

[Betty4]

Thanks.

 

I just don't get the chair hog thing. It's not the inconvenience, it's the shear lack of consideration shown toward others that makes me sad. I understand holding a spot for your friends/family/significant other if they are basically on their way up, but not when not even a single person from the saved seat group shows for an hour or more - that's what gets me. When did it become okay to be so blatantly selfish? I was hoping the fact that there are so many loyalists and avid cruisers on the Zenith each sailing, good manners may be a little more the norm.

 

I am on the 10/14 cruise, so unfortunately we won't meet. Looks like your cruise pax are a lot more talkative on this site. I am really lookiing forward to time away and know there will be many great people aboard! Enjoy your trip!

[rianvi]

We sailed on the Zenith August 5 to the 12th. Had a wonderful time. My parents' first cruise, our fourth.

 

C.C. party was Sunday, I think around 10am. in the Fleet Bar. You will meet the Cruise Director and other Dept. Heads as well as your fellow cruise critic passengers.

 

We drove to Cape Liberty from Canada stayed in N.J. and we arrived at the pier around 11am. Parked the van. By 12:15 we were on board and at 1:20pm. we were in our cabin and our luggage had arrrived.

 

Life boat drill was at 3:35pm.

 

Great Martinis at the Martini Bar. See if Anna is there{bar tender}. If she is please tell her that Anna Banana says hello.

 

Great coffee at the Cova Cafe but you have to pay for it. The danishes and croissants are free though and delicious.

 

Sushi was 5pm. to 10 pm. We ate it right there as they decorate the dining area for that purpose.

 

You might be lucky to get a chair around 10am...better chances when you are in port. But you can ask the pool butler and he will gladly bring you a lounge chair from the upper deck.

 

We found embarktion and disembarktion very organized. Once you are done inside the terminal, you will be directed onto a shuttle that will take you to the ship.

 

Make sure you have your express pass done. It makes everything go smooth and quick.

 

Take care.

Peace, Anna:)

[pattycakes]

I don't believe you will have the same experience in October as in July or August -- it will be much better. The ship will not be as crowded and the weather at sea will probably be cooler, so I would not be too fearful of the poolside chair situation, except on the sail away from St. George when it was the most crowded. I would make the spa appointment now as I understand that they get booked quickly on sea days -- there's usually a sale or specials on port days. Coffee in the windsurf is ok -- better in the main center area than at the pool entrances. Bring your own cup if you want more than 4 oz. at a time. Breakfast pastries and desert in the Cova daily and good cappacino. Rooms are generally ready by 1 and its a very easy check in/boarding process so basically get there around then.

[CaribbeanBound]

Here's everything you wanted to know and more!

 

Here is a very detailed review of Zenith to Bermuda. We were there for a week. We stopped in Hamilton and St. George. Hints and tips about the ship, island transportation, beaches, caves, forts and sea glass. http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/bermuda.html

 

For example, did you know that Fantasy Cave is a much better cave than Crystal? Did you know you could walk from St. George to a beach with a small cave on the shore and gather all the sea glass you can carry? Did you know you can easily walk to an incredibly cool Fort in Hamilton that has underground passageways and a moat you can explore?

Enjoy your trip.

[Spurs Fans]

We traveled on Zenith in June. We arrived at the port at 11 a.m., waited about 15 minutes in a holding area and then were escorted to check-in. Check-in took about 5 minutes. By 11:35, we were on board the Zenith. No crowds whatsoever.

 

You asked about Martini's. You MUST visit the Martini Bar on board and have Ana make you a martini. We suggest the AnaBananaSplit. It is her own creation and awesome. She is a great person as well.

[Longboysfan]

We traveled on Zenith in June. We arrived at the port at 11 a.m., waited about 15 minutes in a holding area and then were escorted to check-in. Check-in took about 5 minutes. By 11:35, we were on board the Zenith. No crowds whatsoever.

 

You asked about Martini's. You MUST visit the Martini Bar on board and have Ana make you a martini. We suggest the AnaBananaSplit. It is her own creation and awesome. She is a great person as well.

 

Yes. You can arrive by about 11:00am and be on in no time.

 

Just watch out. When you go through the Turnpike exit. And up the ramp to go over to the ship following the signs.

As you come down the overpass and the road goes straight and also turns to the right. Go to the right. You want to follow the road that is next to the lite rail.

[judithdooley]

Betty 4

I was on the Zenith to Bermuda last October on the Atlantic Deck, you will have a seperate embarkation area. We got there at 12:30pm and there was no one else at the check in desk. We were on the boat in 10 minutes. There were no problems with chairs at all by the pool. I always got a chair poolside when I wanted one. It is different in the fall than in the summer. I am 48 and my husband is 59 and alot of the passengers were older than us. It seemed as if they had the six oclock seating and disappeared after dinner. It was almost like we had the ship to ourselves. Very uncrowded. Michael's lounge was very nice at night. Most nights there were only my husband and I, or four or five other people. The Martini Bar had a tasting the first day around 7pm I think where you got about 6 different tastes of different flavored martinis...had quite a buzz and got to try different martinis. I didn't have any trouble booking a couples massage when I got on the ship for when I wanted it. I'm sure You can get your manicure, pedicure,facial if you book when you get to the ship. I find that cruises in October aren't as hectic as those in the summer when sailing from NJ/NY. There is a wonderful deck aft on the Atlantic Deck, don't tell anyone, if you are forward it is all the way on the other end. I book a cabin back there and take my coffee and before dinner drink out there since there are no balconies. Hope this was helpful.

[Betty4]

All of the above comments will be very helpful, I'm sure!

 

We picked late seating, do you think will be be in an empty dining room given it's the October 14 sailing? I booked through celebrity, but I don't think I had an opportunity to pick a table size. Did I overlook something? Thanks!

[Robert in the Hudson Valle]

LONGBOYSFAN:

 

Are your directions when exiting the turnpike apply from either the north or south? What is the "lite rail"?

 

Thanks,

 

Robert

[judithdooley]

Betty 4

I didn't mean that the late dining would be empty, I meant that alot of the common areas were uncrowded after the late seating. If you didn't pick a table size they'll just arbitrarily assign you one. I usually don't get the exact size table I request anyway. The only problem is if you want a table for 2 and get put at a table for 10 or if you want to sit with others and get put at a table for 2. You can check if you have a table request online. If you booked through celebrity just give them a call and tell them your preferences.

[rianvi]

When you get on ship, the matire'd will be in one of the lounges usually the rendezvous lounge..around 1pm. You can check where your table is, etc. then. They have a chart and will show you. Then if you need/want to make changes you can request and they try to accommodate you. I always do this and check, just to make sure . Peace, Anna:)

[drfun48]

LONGBOYSFAN:

 

Are your directions when exiting the turnpike apply from either the north or south? What is the "lite rail"?

 

Thanks,

 

Robert

Exit 14A on the turnpike merges north and south before the tolls ,so no matter what direction you come from you will be going up that ramp.Simply follow the signs...you will probably be able to see the ship and even if you take a wrong turn and go straight instead of the right turn described,you won't be able to go too far without knowing it as the river will be in front of you. The most you could mess up is a minute or two.

The light rail is an above ground rapid transit-I think it's electric. The tracks and overhead power lines will be on your right as you approach your last turn for the ship.

If you get lost in the city of Bayonne ask someone to direct you to Judicke's Bakery...a great pit stop before boarding.