Leaving from Philly Out of Towners

[nitnee]

Any of you taking the Empress from PHL that would like a tip or reccomendation from a native, ask away.:)

[tinker]

How much of a hassle would it be to take a cab from the bus station in center city to the port?

 

We are two hours away in PA and would rather not drive. Car service is $200 one way. There is a Greyhound bus that would get us to Phila. about 11:00 a.m. so plenty of time to get a cab. How much would the cab be?

 

We would more than likely use the car service to get us home.

[donato]

Are cheese steaks as good as they say? Where can you get a good one?

[CPT Trips]

Are cheese steaks as good as they say? Where can you get a good one?

 

They are great, how is your cholesterol? Where will you be staying in Phila - makes a recommendation easier.

[CruisinMommas]

How much of a hassle would it be to take a cab from the bus station in center city to the port?

 

We are two hours away in PA and would rather not drive. Car service is $200 one way. There is a Greyhound bus that would get us to Phila. about 11:00 a.m. so plenty of time to get a cab. How much would the cab be?

 

We would more than likely use the car service to get us home.

 

Ther are usually cabs at the bus station. You come into the downtown area of the city.

If you do not have a traffic problems, it may take 15 mins using 95S to the port after you get to the highway.The center city area can get congested. It might take a little longer going south on Broad St. I can not give you an estimate on the fare.

[CruisinMommas]

I do not know if this would help, but RCL has buses that take you directly to the pier very easy. Maybe you can get to one of the pick up areas.

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/r....coach RCI.pdf I am hoping this helps.

[TPKeller]

Here's the link to my cruise map of Philadelphia. It shows the airport and the cruise terminal.

 

You can get driving directions to either one by clicking on the marker, then using the "To here" link. Just enter a starting address, zip code or airport code to get a new window with the driving directions from Google.

 

Theron

[nitnee]

Are cheese steaks as good as they say? Where can you get a good one?

 

YES. Do yourself a favor and try one. Best bet is to take a cab to 9th and Passyunk- Pats Steaks- the original. It will take about 15 min each way from the port, less if you are in center city. Make sure you get Cheez Wiz, not real cheese...I know, sounds bad

[NJBill]

YES. Do yourself a favor and try one. Best bet is to take a cab to 9th and Passyunk- Pats Steaks- the original. It will take about 15 min each way from the port, less if you are in center city. Make sure you get Cheez Wiz, not real cheese...I know, sounds bad

 

There is also a Pat's Steaks in the Reading Terminal Market in Center City.

 

Here is a link for Philly taxi's. You can request a free quote.

http://www.philly-taxi.com/fares.htm

[Amy from Delaware]

YES. Do yourself a favor and try one. Best bet is to take a cab to 9th and Passyunk- Pats Steaks- the original. It will take about 15 min each way from the port, less if you are in center city. Make sure you get Cheez Wiz, not real cheese...I know, sounds bad

 

I second the "Pat's Steaks" suggestion. Last year our family did a "cheesesteak tour" of philly, went to the 3 famous places, and we all agreed that Pat's is best. Here's their website:

 

http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/

 

Click on "order" for a quick lesson on how to order your cheesesteak correctly ;)

[ED MARY ANN]

No matter what you may hear PAT'S IS THE KING OF STEAKS IN PHILLY !!!

[bubbie617]

JIM'S all the way!!!

[mandabear]

YES. Do yourself a favor and try one. Best bet is to take a cab to 9th and Passyunk- Pats Steaks- the original. It will take about 15 min each way from the port, less if you are in center city. Make sure you get Cheez Wiz, not real cheese...I know, sounds bad

 

Nitnee is right that the cheese wiz is the original way to go... but my favorite is Jim's steaks, on South St. And you'll find that all of the locals will have an opinion about which steak is the best! Many will refer you to Geno's, just down the street from Pat's!

 

Whichever you choose... the answer is YES, they really are as good as everyone says. Just ignore any thoughts of nutritional value and healthy eating and ENJOY! Or better yet... do as suggested above and make your own cheesesteak tour!

[jlines]

We are flying in the morning of our cruise (I know but it is a direct flight). There are 12 of us and we arrive at 8:00am. Is this too early to head for the port (is there anywhere to wait there)? What would you suggest as the best way to get there for our group? Thanks for your willingness to help.

[Mac303]

We are flying in the morning of our cruise (I know but it is a direct flight). There are 12 of us and we arrive at 8:00am. Is this too early to head for the port (is there anywhere to wait there)? What would you suggest as the best way to get there for our group? Thanks for your willingness to help.

 

There will be plenty of Taxi's and larger airport vans available outside of the terminal.

 

8:AM, is a little early to get to the port not much to do there. You could go to 9th & Passyunk, for either Pat's or Genos Steaks they are across the street from each other. (both open 24 hours) I personally prefer Geno's, Pats is for tourist's LOL.

 

Or you could go to 5th & Market, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center, either way you not more then 25 mins away from the port.

[mstyrs]

Hi, We will be cruiseing on the Empress in late Oct.After are cruise will be renting a car and driving to Atlantic City.How is the Traffic,and the weather that time of the year? We love to gamble is there any close by casino in phil?

[Pumbaamd]

You should use that extra time to sea the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. As well as the Betsy Ross house, Carpenters Hall, and other landmarks and museums, if time is available. And, a cheesesteak!! One problem, what about your luggage? You can't schlep it all around downtown Philly. I don't have that answer. Go to the Pier, check in early? When do they open? Does RCL have a bus from downtown to the pier? Research this a bit more, and have a wonderful pre-cruise in Philly!!!

Rick and Deirdra

[cruisinmom1]

Call the hotels around the pier ahead of time- RCCL will tell you their host hotels- Talk with the bell captain and ask if they'll store your luggage-

I would suggest coming in town 1-2 days early and then you got it all set-

Get a quote from RCCL for hotel and transfer,sometimes it is cheaper than cabs and luggage storage!

Franklin Institute now has the Pharoh exhibit, see the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, Franklin Mint, Independance Hall....(Atlantic City if you come in really ealy-can take a one day junket from the downtown Philly Hotels for cheap via bus) eat at The White House off the boards from Trump Plaza.

When in Philly.....

Pat's is the best! Take it from a "Philly Girl"! Also, have a soft pretzel with mustard on me and think of me; misplaced now in :( Atlanta.

[harry0]

Hi, We will be cruiseing on the Empress in late Oct.After are cruise will be renting a car and driving to Atlantic City.How is the Traffic,and the weather that time of the year? We love to gamble is there any close by casino in phil?

 

Traffic to AC should be non existant. Go over the walt Witman bridge to Jersey then the AC expressway, should take you 1 hour. Enjoy

[Demongear]

Hi, We will be cruiseing on the Empress in late Oct.After are cruise will be renting a car and driving to Atlantic City.How is the Traffic,and the weather that time of the year? We love to gamble is there any close by casino in phil?

 

Two slot parlors just opened near Phila. 1 is in Chester (not too nice an area )but it is right off the exit of I-95 and just a few minutes south of the airport. The other is about 30 mins north of the airport.

[john & Gerrie nj]

Levis's for a Hot Dog combo and a Cherry Champ,

 

While on South St don't miss the Cheese Fries at Ishkabbles.

Enjoy Philly.

John

[SAYHEYRENEE]

I have to disagree-Steve's Prince of Steaks is the best as the steak is not chipped. Pats and Genos are know because of their location to each other (across the street from each other and that they have a rivory). Don't get me wrong, their steaks are good but not the best.

 

If you want a great italian sandwich go to Tony Lukes. Wonderful chicken cutlet with swisschard or spinich and some olive oil.

 

Try a Tasteycake too. They are snack cakes prepackaged and sold in corner stores. Either peanutbutter cakes or krimpets. Yum.

 

Atlantic City is 1 hour and 15 minutes from downtown Philly. But traffic will be killer on Sat and Sunday because half of Philly goes to the shore points in the summer.

 

RCCL bus fare is crazy! Your better off taking greyhound and a cab. We went from Philly to NYC for $20.00 roundtrip on greyhound and took a cab to the port.

[john & Gerrie nj]

Also the "Rocky" steps at the art Museum and the liberty Bell all

reasonably close to each other

[royal4life]

First off no self respecting Philadelphian calls a cheese steak a "sub".

 

Second, Jims all the way, Pat's and Genos are good but Jims is the best, 2nd and South Street.

 

Since you would probably be heading to South Street for a steak on Sunday morning/afternoon you will have no problems on South Street and will be very safe. Have fun.

 

I love A.C and go there about twice a month but for someone from A.C to call South Street unsafe kind of blows my mind.

[NJBill]

Hi, We will be cruiseing on the Empress in late Oct.After are cruise will be renting a car and driving to Atlantic City.How is the Traffic,and the weather that time of the year? We love to gamble is there any close by casino in phil?

 

You do not need to rent a car to drive to AC if you do not ewant to. You can take a short taxi ride to 30th Street station and board a NJ Transit transit train to atlantic city. It leaves about every hour. Upon arriving in AC, you exit the train station and there are free shuttle busses waiting to take you to any casino you wish,and they will bring you back to the train station for free too. The cost is $8 each waypp. here is a link for more information

http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/rail/r0090.pdf

 

PS you can also grab a SEPTA train from 30th st which will take you right to the airport.