CAPE LIBERTY 411 (and NYC too) Version 4!!

Ditto to what Meg said.

Coming across I-80 from Ohio makes Parsippany a great place to stop for the night. From there it's a pretty easy drive to the port (follow Carol's directions!).

I agree with parking at the Port. It is very convenient. Following our cruise we simply walked to our car. It was well worth a few extra dollars that we would have saved parking somewhere else.

I have read through a number of the pages of this thread but want to make sure I have the info correct in my mind. There are five of us (all adults) who will be flying in to Newark on Oct. 7. We will be leaving on Liberty OTS the next day. We have spent the afternoon looking at a number of sites for hotels and transportation to and from the cruise port. The best deal I have seen is with Trinity Reservations package staying at the Ramada which includes transportation to the cruise terminal and back. From the prices (even though we don't need the parking) this seems to be the way to go. Any comments, please?

With 5 people you have to book 2 rooms. I think you could do better if you arrange your own transportation. Could you do a room for 5 (if it can be found)? With 2 rooms what kind of bed configuration do you need?

The price for Jet Blue flying into JFK dropped significantly yesterday so even with a car service we are still ahead of the game as opposed to Newark. We don't have enough hotel points so I booked a room at the Candlewood in Jersey City. We are using Carmelimo to get from JFK to Candlewood. We will take the PATH from the hotel to the World Trade Center and then the light rail/taxi combo to the port in the morning. Just have two questions: PATH is the bus service I'm assuming. However what is a light rail? Is that like a subway?

The price for Jet Blue flying into JFK dropped significantly yesterday so even with a car service we are still ahead of the game as opposed to Newark. We don't have enough hotel points so I booked a room at the Candlewood in Jersey City. We are using Carmelimo to get from JFK to Candlewood. We will take the PATH from the hotel to the World Trade Center and then the light rail/taxi combo to the port in the morning. Just have two questions: PATH is the bus service I'm assuming. However what is a light rail? Is that like a subway?

PATH is a train service similar to a NY City subway. It will run in a tunnel under the Hudson River to get from Jersey City to the World Trade Center.

Light Rail is a street level train similar to a trolley. There's a good picture of the Light Rail trains in this Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson%E2%80%93Bergen_Light_Rail

The price for Jet Blue flying into JFK dropped significantly yesterday so even with a car service we are still ahead of the game as opposed to Newark. We don't have enough hotel points so I booked a room at the Candlewood in Jersey City. We are using Carmelimo to get from JFK to Candlewood. We will take the PATH from the hotel to the World Trade Center and then the light rail/taxi combo to the port in the morning. Just have two questions: PATH is the bus service I'm assuming. However what is a light rail? Is that like a subway?

Congratulations on the Jet Blue price drop! PATH is a subway service. From Candlewood Suites it is about a 4-5 block walk to the PATH station at Exchange Place or one stop on the light rail to Exchange Place if you don't feel like walking. The light rail is surface transportation - a 21st century version of a trolley with 100% accessibility.

Look at post 586 on http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2163707&page=30 There is a Video that shows Candlewood Suites in the background.

Bayonne City Yellow Cab

201-339-5000

Archie’s Cab & Van Service

201-858-8800

Campbell Taxi

201-339-8300

Thanks guys! I looked at the pictures and watched the video. I think we can do this!!! We can handle the 4-5 block walk to Exchange PATH station. Is there a particular train number or line that we need to catch to get to the World Trade Center? Then the light rail to get to the cruise port, it is behind Candlewood? And we get on which route or whatever to which stop to catch a cab in Bayonne? I'm going to write this all down and put it in my travel binder. Oh, and do we need to buy tokens or something for the PATH and the light rail or do we drop exact change into a container next to the driver?

We are driving in on I-80 from Ohio and was thinking of staying at a Hyatt House in Parsippany, NJ. We are on the Liberty 10/3/15 cruise.

Hey, we live right off of I-80 in PA and we're on that cruise too. Can you pick us up? ;)

Thanks guys! I looked at the pictures and watched the video. I think we can do this!!! We can handle the 4-5 block walk to Exchange PATH station. Is there a particular train number or line that we need to catch to get to the World Trade Center? Then the light rail to get to the cruise port, it is behind Candlewood? And we get on which route or whatever to which stop to catch a cab in Bayonne? I'm going to write this all down and put it in my travel binder. Oh, and do we need to buy tokens or something for the PATH and the light rail or do we drop exact change into a container next to the driver?

1). From Exchange Place all trains going in the World Trade Center direction go one stop to World Trade. The same is true coming back - both the Newark and Hoboken trains stop at a Exchange Place as the first stop. This is a very quick trip.

2). The light rail is in front of Candlewood down the street a bit. The stop is Harborside Financial Center.

3). You want to take a Bayonne train to 34th St in Bayonne. You need the phone numbers to call a cab. IMO it is easier with luggage if they can pick you up on the back street on Ave E instead of in the parking lot on the other side of the tracks.

4). Tickets for PATH and the light rail can be bought from a machine with cash or credit card. This is the video of how to buy and validate a light rail ticket -

Relax and enjoy you trip to Cape Liberty on the light rail. I took in in Jan from Exchange Pace having come from Newark on PATH. It was empty - plenty of room for luggage and of course no problem getting a seat. In a world of $55+ quotes for car services to Cape Liberty, $2.10/pp ($1.05 senior) plus a $10-12 cab fare seems like a steal for spending a little more time on an interesting light rail ride.

Hey, we live right off of I-80 in PA and we're on that cruise too. Can you pick us up? ;)

Lol, It's a small world! There will be four of us in our group of my immediate family on the cruise... However, we are joining a large group of casino / golf folks on this cruise... Should be fun!

Kyle

Sorry if this has been asked but I couldn't quickly find it...I have read several things about safety...does anyone know if it is ok to walk around the area in Elizabeth near the Courtyard Marriott on Glimcher? DH found a big lots near there that he thinks we could walk over to and get water or anything else we may forget. We like to stay near a store as you just never know if you might forget something or something goes missing from the luggage or the luggage itself. Also saw that there is a mall near by that states it has a Max Mart or something in it that sells, snacks and other convenience items and toiletries...is this store still there and would they sell a case of water? DH is particular about his water and likes to pick up a case before we board the ship. I like being near a store in case something is lost or is forgotten and we need to grab it.

Sorry if this has been asked but I couldn't quickly find it...I have read several things about safety...does anyone know if it is ok to walk around the area in Elizabeth near the Courtyard Marriott on Glimcher? DH found a big lots near there that he thinks we could walk over to and get water or anything else we may forget. We like to stay near a store as you just never know if you might forget something or something goes missing from the luggage or the luggage itself. Also saw that there is a mall near by that states it has a Max Mart or something in it that sells, snacks and other convenience items and toiletries...is this store still there and would they sell a case of water? DH is particular about his water and likes to pick up a case before we board the ship. I like being near a store in case something is lost or is forgotten and we need to grab it.

Buying water or sundries is a big problem from the Newark Airport hotels. Big Lots appears to be 1.1 miles from your hotel. I can't tell if there are sidewalks for all of this route. That would be the primary safety concern. I don't think I would do it in the dark at all. It's a long way to tote a case of water. Jersey Gardens Mall is an outlet mall. No drug store. Folks have said they have found toiletries in Bed Bath & Beyond. I have no idea what Metro Mart sells.

Yes that was it Metro Mart...the description on the mall listing page says

Metro Mart

Convenience Store. NYC souvenirs, Snacks, toiletries, over the counter drugs, coffee, & more!

See all things: Metro Mart

Specialty Shops

Health, Bath & Beauty

Grocery & Deli

Thanks guys! I looked at the pictures and watched the video. I think we can do this!!! We can handle the 4-5 block walk to Exchange PATH station. Is there a particular train number or line that we need to catch to get to the World Trade Center? Then the light rail to get to the cruise port, it is behind Candlewood? And we get on which route or whatever to which stop to catch a cab in Bayonne? I'm going to write this all down and put it in my travel binder. Oh, and do we need to buy tokens or something for the PATH and the light rail or do we drop exact change into a container next to the driver?

Ashiepooh ~

Just a quick supplement to the excellent information already provided by Carol (138east)...

The Harborside Financial Center light rail station (which is just an open platform where the light rail train stops) is indeed behind the Candlewood Suites. You'll likely be able to see it from your room if you're on the side of the hotel facing the tracks. The short walk from Candlewood Suites to the station couldn't be easier:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.7209672,-74.0337954/40.7195784,-74.0339405/@40.7202454,-74.0329482,17.75z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2

The walk from the Candlewood Suites to the Exchange Place PATH station is a little longer, but no less straightforward. There are two easy routes for this walk; the second of these (my personal preference) takes you right along a short stretch of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, with great views of Manhattan:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.7209795,-74.0337234/40.7168877,-74.0325003/@40.7188557,-74.0324614,17z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e2

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.7209618,-74.0337167/40.7168553,-74.0327082/@40.7189533,-74.0333305,17z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-74.0327037!2d40.7185924!3s0x89c250aa344a605f:0xfaca0e00aa986cd1!1m0!3e2

Great details as always Post Captain. My bad on the positioning of Candlewood. I thought the entrance faced south, but apparently it faces north. If we had stayed there last Sep instead of at the Courtyard, I would have known that. Thanks.

Great details as always Post Captain. My bad on the positioning of Candlewood. I thought the entrance faced south, but apparently it faces north. If we had stayed there last Sep instead of at the Courtyard, I would have known that. Thanks.

Thanks. I only recently discovered (during a walk in the area) where the Candlewood entrance is actually located--it's not clearly visible from the road until you're right at this spot on Hudson Street:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.720949,-74.033735,3a,75y,244.74h,97.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soU0a8ig7o6VW_tEDbUEjgw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

(The Harborside Financial Center light rail station is just barely visible at the left of the picture.)

Incidentally, for people who are staying in the area and looking to stock up on wine & such before their cruise, there's a liquor store--Hudson Vine--on the northwest corner of the ground floor of the condo building ("Portofino Residences") next door to the Candlewood Suites on 2nd Street. I didn't go inside, but from what I could see through the windows, the place looks fairly decent.

With 5 people you have to book 2 rooms. I think you could do better if you arrange your own transportation. Could you do a room for 5 (if it can be found)? With 2 rooms what kind of bed configuration do you need?

We would be booking three rooms - it is two couples and me. We are just a tad apprehensive booking through Trinity even though the reviews look good.

Lol, It's a small world! There will be four of us in our group of my immediate family on the cruise... However, we are joining a large group of casino / golf folks on this cruise... Should be fun!

 

Kyle

Yeah, there's a bunch of people on our Roll Call going to the golf tournament too.

Not me. Federal law prohibits me from playing golf due to safety reasons to everybody in the vicinity.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47280092#post47280092

We would be booking three rooms - it is two couples and me. We are just a tad apprehensive booking through Trinity even though the reviews look good.

I'm not sure why you are apprehensive. We recommend these folks all the time and have never had any negative feedback. I used them several years ago and was very happy and many others have used them since. It was very exciting when they introduced the cruise package with 21 days parking AND round trip port transportation for the same price that many airport hotels charge just for the lodging. My friends mapleleafvoyage have used the package several times and been very happy with it. I also really like that they quote tax included. No sticker shock when 15% is added on to the price.

Why don't you email Trinity with your concerns. They are very nice folks. They are a faith based independent operator.

To contain your costs I would recommend that you book two rooms for 5 people through Trinity as 2+ 3. This will get you the transportation for 5 people. Then book a third room directly with the hotel for one person. This is really important. The transportation is organized by Trinity, not the hotel. All of your party MUST be booked through Trinity to get the transportation. You cannot add foks onto the transportation afterwards.

This may be more for the Celebrity area but does anyone know what hotels Celebrity typically uses for its pre-cruise stay in/near Bayonne for the Bermuda cruises? Trying to find out info on the hotels to see if we are better arranging stuff on our own or just showing up and letting someone else take care of us. :confused:

This may be more for the Celebrity area but does anyone know what hotels Celebrity typically uses for its pre-cruise stay in/near Bayonne for the Bermuda cruises? Trying to find out info on the hotels to see if we are better arranging stuff on our own or just showing up and letting someone else take care of us. :confused:

Here's a thread from 2014 - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2117540

The essence is that Newark Airport is not a vacation destination and the hotels reflect that.

Full service vs free breakfast (i.e no restaurant) is a consideration.

Celebrity will charge you a lot for a hotel you can book on your own for less money.

There is a lot of livery transportation available to be booked in this area.

Spending the money to stay in Jersey City in the Newport area near the Hudson River waterfront offers real dining options,services, and shopping. There are often hotel deals on a Sat night. Courtyard, Candlewood Suites, Doubletree, Westin, and Hyatt are your choices. You will have to pay $55+ for a cab to the hotel and another $55+ to the port, but no trolling luggage to get to the Airtrain to go to the P4 station for a hotel shuttle.

Here's a thread from 2014 - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2117540

 

The essence is that Newark Airport is not a vacation destination and the hotels reflect that.

 

Full service vs free breakfast (i.e no restaurant) is a consideration.

 

Celebrity will charge you a lot for a hotel you can book on your own for less money.

 

There is a lot of livery transportation available to be booked in this area.

 

Spending the money to stay in Jersey City in the Newport area near the Hudson River waterfront offers real dining options,services, and shopping. There are often hotel deals on a Sat night. Courtyard, Candlewood Suites, Doubletree, Westin, and Hyatt are your choices. You will have to pay $55+ for a cab to the hotel and another $55+ to the port, but no trolling luggage to get to the Airtrain to go to the P4 station for a hotel shuttle.

I found the Westin but do you know which Courtyard? I found one Courtyard in Elizabeth that looked nice had a restaurant but not much for water or wine before hand to buy for ship. Which would you recommend. We don't need luxury but don't want cheap either...

All the hotels I listed are options in the Newport section of Jersey City. You can buy wine in Jersey City. You cannot buy wine at Newark Airport. You have a choice of non-chain restaurants - http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Waterfront+Restaurants&find_loc=Jersey+City%2C+NJ

There is a boardwalk on the Hudson River. https://foursquare.com/v/newport-boardwalk/4c64b21ecdb6e21e1d5d333e

But it costs a car service to get there and the hotels are pricier, but not nearly as pricey as NYC. PATH will take you quickly under the Hudson River to the World Trade Center to see the 911 Memorial if that is of interest. It's another option outside the "box" of just staying at the airport.

Anyone know how/where to buy wine after flying into Newark before our cruise? We are staying one night at the Staten Island Garden Inn. We had planned to get some at the airport at Vino Volo but they do not have a location there.

Margee