sailing out of n.y

[mefidsr]

has anyone sailed out of new york in january

[mamaofami]

Not January, but the beginning of February. I have a friend who sailed out of NY last January and had very warm weather when leaving and very clam seas. However, you can also have very cold weather and rough seas. But, we were fine in February and we're doing it again this year. Not much difference between January and February, I don't think.

[frost63]

We sailed out of NYC on Noordam in early February and it was cold, but every hour sailing south it got a little warmer! On the second day the seas were 30-35 feet and she handled them well. She was sailing into the waves and pitched some but didn't roll much. (Also, Bonine and ginger work!) My suggestion is to plan for rough seas and then be pleasantly surprised if it's calm.

[RevNeal]

Yes.
I sailed out of New York City on January 6, 2007 aboard the Noordam. Photos can be found here (http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/noordam2007/PhotoAlbum192.html). It was a lovely departure. However, it was much warmer than a normal January departure would be. When we came back it was in the low 20s ... much more normal.

When we departed NYC on the Noordam's Inaugural Cruise, back in late February 2006, it was so cold I nearly froze. But it was still glorious. Photos of that departure can be found here (http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/noordaminaugral/PhotoAlbum91.html).

[mamaofami]

Greg, I love your photos, but how come it wasn't dark when you sailed by Lady Liberty? Did that cruise leave earlier than 4:45?

[spirit rev]

We have also sailed out of NYC in late January 2007. It was about 40 degrees and sunny when we left and only slightly coolder when we returned. We had calm seas except for about twelve hours coming back. The rough seas came as we entered the Gulf Stream and a major storm was approaching from land. I actually found these rough seas to be more tolerable than the Pacific, which wasn't classified as bad, the year before.

As is often said on these boards, the weather changes daily or even more often and one siling can hardly predict how it will be on the next.

Enjoy sailing out of NYC, nothing can compare to it.

[cruiserking]

I've had the great joy of sailing out of New York City on several ships including the ms Noordam. It is a very dramatic experience. Apart from passing the Statue of Liberty on the starboard side the grandest portion of the sailaway is cruising beneath the massive Verrazano Bridge.

Grab yourself a perch atop the ship and watch the bridge get closer and closer till finally it's looming above like some other wordly object. The twinkling lights, the myriad of skyscrapers glowing in the twilight, the gigantic bridge, there is nothing like leaving New York by ship.

Jonathan

[RevNeal]

Greg, I love your photos, but how come it wasn't dark when you sailed by Lady Liberty? Did that cruise leave earlier than 4:45?

In 2006 it was a late February departure. But, yes, it WAS dark. Or, rather, it was getting dark. I had to set the exposure for slower shutter speed in order to capture the image. Thats' why it's a little blurred ... the ship's motion and my inability to keep it exactly still/centered. Also, it was taken from Captain Card's verandah ... we had crashed his "party" in order to get a view from his balcony of Lady Liberty. :D Yes ... sad ... good American boys bothering an Aussie in order to get a view of a French statue! Go figure!

[mamaofami]

So, now I have to decide, for my upcoming NY departure, am I better off viewing everything backwards from my aft veranda, or going up front to the Crow's Nest? Any opinions?

[RevNeal]

Carol,

In my humble opinion the view forward and to port are better when departing NYC, except for when you want to see Lady Liberty. SO ... go forward and up to the crows nest. Then go down and OUTSIDE (in front of the gym, one deck down from the Crows Nest on the Lido Deck, forward) for great views of LL and also unobstructed views of the city. It's also easiest and quickest to get from Starboard to Port, quickly, from that location.

<Later: Looks like Jonathan and I were posting the same basic thing at the same time!>

[cruiserking]

Hi Carol,

Well, there's nothing like relaxing in the comfort of your own balcony and watching the New York sights slip by, but, if it's your first sail from NYC I would highly recommend watching it from atop the ship. Depending on how frigid it is, there's a great little outside observation area just below the Crows Nest.

It usually takes a good forty-five minutes to get to the Verrazano so perhaps you could enjoy your aft balcony and then try and squeeze into a good vantage spot for the bridge. At any rate have a great voyage.

Jonathan

[mamaofami]

Thanks Jonathon and Greg,

Last year we watched from the Crow's Nest...dropped our life vests and ran up and got some great viewing seats, so it's good to know about the deck below too. Somehow, as many times as I've sailed around NY Harbor, even on the Circle Line, it feels funny to see it from the aft.

Last February it was freezing. My DH was recovering from pneumonia and they let him check into the muster and then wait inside. So the Crow's Nest was a perfect spot for us to view the sights. And, I must say, it was the first time I saw ground zero from the water. Of course, unfortunately, there is nothing there but the empty space where the buildings used to stand. It takes your breath away, however.

[hammybee]

I used to sail into and out of NYC every week day, to Atlantic Highlands, in NJ. It is the most spectacular commute ever.

[mamaofami]

WOW, Hammybee,

Did you go on NY Waterway to Weehawken? I've been on that ferry a few times to eat at Arthur's Landing. I would have loved that commute.

[STM]

It's a spectacular sail away even during the winter. Years ago ships left from NYC all year round - I can remember sailing out of NYC as a child in the late fifties. You will absolutely love it! There's something so nice and cozy about being on the ship as it sails out of NY harbor in the freezing cold - knowing you are headed for a warmer climate and all those poor people who are just leaving work have to stay behind and freeze!!! We've done several cruises out of NYC during the winter (over the past several years)and there's nothing like it. It really beats flying to FL or San Juan....we just hop in a cab and we're at the pier in no time!

[mamaofami]

It's a spectacular sail away even during the winter. Years ago ships left from NYC all year round - I can remember sailing out of NYC as a child in the late fifties. You will absolutely love it! There's something so nice and cozy about being on the ship as it sails out of NY harbor in the freezing cold - knowing you are headed for a warmer climate and all those poor people who are just leaving work have to stay behind and freeze!!! We've done several cruises out of NYC during the winter (over the past several years)and there's nothing like it. It really beats flying to FL or San Juan....we just hop in a cab and we're at the pier in no time!



And that is why I'm so sad that HAL is pulling out of NYC !:(

[hammybee]

WOW, Hammybee,

Did you go on NY Waterway to Weehawken? I've been on that ferry a few times to eat at Arthur's Landing. I would have loved that commute.

It was Sea Streak Ferry, from Pier 11 to Atlantic Highlands. The 50 mile trip from Wall Street took about 45 minutes. Sea Strealk also offers affordable weekend trips from NJ and NY up the Hudson, for fall colors as well as transport to Westpoint games.

[Sunshine91]

Also, it was taken from Captain Card's verandah ... we had crashed his "party" in order to get a view from his balcony of Lady Liberty. :D Yes ... sad ... good American boys bothering an Aussie in order to get a view of a French statue! Go figure!

I thought he was Bermudian? ;)

If you find that it's too chilly outside, ask a steward for one of the blankets. I think (but please don't quote me) they are stored inside the wooden benches up on the Observation Deck.

Sailaway from NYC is one of those experiences that should be on everyone's "To Do List." It is an awesome experience. Once you actually clear the Hudson River & are in the NY Harbor, be sure to look BACK to the island of Manhattan - the lights twinkling on all the buildings is simply magical. And that's when it hits you what's missing.

[Chivalrygirl]

So what will we miss from sailing from Brooklyn in September and what do we need to look out for ?

Also perhaps you NYorkers can give me an idea of what our priorities should be for the 3 1/2 days we will have in NY city. I think we should maybe one day cross the NJ so we can look back at Manhatten? I did see Manhatten from the air way back in 1975, I nearly fell out of the aircraft. It was one of those crazy journeys we used to do by air, Auckland to Tahiti, Tahiti to LAX, LAX to SFO and over the NY, NY to London, that was when I got to see from the air, Golden Gate bridge and then Manhatten, it is still implanted in my mind. Oh those memories of yesteryear eh!

[STM]

I have to tell you, it's heartbreaking to sail past lower Manhattan now. I don't think we'll EVER be able to do it without thinking....thinking. But it's something you HAVE to do....just sailing past West St. and looking at where the towers once stood (I saw them THAT day and then they were gone...) However, I think it's something we all must do when leaving out of NYC...just take a moment to go out on your balcony or up on deck and stop what you're doing and let the whole thing sink in.

[innlady1]

So, now I have to decide, for my upcoming NY departure, am I better off viewing everything backwards from my aft veranda, or going up front to the Crow's Nest? Any opinions?


Are you in an aft stateroom this time, Carol? :confused: That's what I would love to have. What deck are you on this time?

I think we may book the same cruise again!

[innlady1]

has anyone sailed out of new york in january

I was on the same cruise as mamaofami last February. Weather in either month can be somewhat warmer than usual...or very cold. When we left NYC, I believe it was 18 degrees. Once on the ship and underway, it warmed up very quickly the further south we went. ;)

I brought a thermometer (with suction cups) and attached it to the window. I enjoyed looking at the temperature rise as we made our way toward the Caribbean! It was a little depressing to watch it fall as we made our way back, however! :rolleyes:

[barbels]

There is no reason to go to NJ to get great views of Manhattan. If you are staying in Manhattan take the subway to Brooklyn- Boro Hall stop on the 2,3,4 or 5 lines. Walk down through historic Brooklyn Heights to the Promenade for a breathtaking view of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge and then walk over to the Bridge and walk across it back to Manhattan. At the end of the Bridge you will be at City Hall Park. From there it's a hop, skip and a jump to the South Street Seaport, Wall Street, Battery Park and the World Financial Center. This is a great way to spend one of your days in the City. If you have time you could add a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island- although when leaving from Brooklyn you have a great view of the Statue the whole time you are at the dock.

Another place I would not miss is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is truly one of the greatest museums in the world. The only one that comes close to it in the US for depth and breath of its collections is the National Gallery in Washington. Don't miss the Impressionist collection and of course make sure to see the Rembrandts and Vermeers. Walk along Fifth Avenue and spend some time in Central Park- another matchless day.

The recently redone and expanded Museum of Modern Art is another don't miss site in the City and it's convenient to midtown hotels and Rockefeller Center.

What you'll miss sailing from Brooklyn- the sail down the Hudson from midtown to the tip of island. But you'll have a great view of lower Manhattan for your whole time at the dock. When docked in Manhattan you see some scuzzy areas of the West Side and New Jersey across the river. For great views of Midtown and all of the city I'd go to the top of the Empire State Building; the view from up there is truly astounding.

Three days is really just enough time to scratch the surface of NYC but you should have a wonderful time.

[mamaofami]

Hi Sheila,
We heard so many comments on this board about the aft cabins, that that's what we booked....5186. Should be a different experience. It's not that much longer to walk to everything, and maybe the walk will keep off the pounds.

We toyed with booking the 11 day cruise, but the dates didn't work for us. This way, I get to take the cruise and come home just in time for mid winter break and I can add another 10 days to my time off.

Anyway, we just love to get away from the cold winter and I don't really care what islands we go to. Hope you decide to book this cruise. That would be fun.:)

[Lynne Myrna]

has anyone sailed out of new york in january


We sailed out of New York last Christmas....it was so mild...you never know what the weather might bring....especially with the crazy weather we've been having.....you are going to love sailing out of the city, what a treat!!!!! Hope you have a terrific cruise.

Lynne:)

[Chivalrygirl]

There is no reason to go to NJ to get great views of Manhattan. If you are staying in Manhattan take the subway to Brooklyn- Boro Hall stop on the 2,3,4 or 5 lines. Walk down through historic Brooklyn Heights to the Promenade for a breathtaking view of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge and then walk over to the Bridge and walk across it back to Manhattan. At the end of the Bridge you will be at City Hall Park. From there it's a hop, skip and a jump to the South Street Seaport, Wall Street, Battery Park and the World Financial Center. This is a great way to spend one of your days in the City. If you have time you could add a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island- although when leaving from Brooklyn you have a great view of the Statue the whole time you are at the dock.

Another place I would not miss is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is truly one of the greatest museums in the world. The only one that comes close to it in the US for depth and breath of its collections is the National Gallery in Washington. Don't miss the Impressionist collection and of course make sure to see the Rembrandts and Vermeers. Walk along Fifth Avenue and spend some time in Central Park- another matchless day.

The recently redone and expanded Museum of Modern Art is another don't miss site in the City and it's convenient to midtown hotels and Rockefeller Center.

What you'll miss sailing from Brooklyn- the sail down the Hudson from midtown to the tip of island. But you'll have a great view of lower Manhattan for your whole time at the dock. When docked in Manhattan you see some scuzzy areas of the West Side and New Jersey across the river. For great views of Midtown and all of the city I'd go to the top of the Empire State Building; the view from up there is truly astounding.

Three days is really just enough time to scratch the surface of NYC but you should have a wonderful time.

Thanks Barbels that is most helpful, we realise we do not have a lot of time, quite frankly its probably more than we can afford as it is. Although with the fall in the USD, the kiwi is looking better, sadly I had already bought a heap of USD, all the pundits saying the kiwi was going to go into decline again like last year. Oh for a flamin crystal ball eh! :D
Val

[innlady1]

Hi Sheila,
We heard so many comments on this board about the aft cabins, that that's what we booked....5186. Should be a different experience. It's not that much longer to walk to everything, and maybe the walk will keep off the pounds.

We toyed with booking the 11 day cruise, but the dates didn't work for us. This way, I get to take the cruise and come home just in time for mid winter break and I can add another 10 days to my time off.

Anyway, we just love to get away from the cold winter and I don't really care what islands we go to. Hope you decide to book this cruise. That would be fun.:)

Trying now to book an aft stateroom, Carol. We were on the Verandah Deck in February. Liked it so am trying to get one of the aft staterooms there...the website keeps steering me to the Upper Promenade Deck! Staterooms beginning with "4".