Rooms for the Breakaway

We (11) will be on the Breakaway over Thanksgiving and need three rooms for pre cruise. I have ALOT of points to use thru Marriott and was trying to see if staying in NY was better than staying in NJ. Rooms in Manhattan naturally are much cheaper than NJ, but the three taxis from NJ to the cruise port would run about $165 each plus tips. Sightseeing would be nice but a heated pool in NJ would also be appreciated by the 5 kids. I have done alot of research and have a brain clogged with too much info.

Hotel rooms in NYC are definitely more expensive than NJ. That said, being in NYC around the holidays can be frantically magical, and a hotel pool doesn't come close!

Marriott Marquis has double rooms for 45,000 points.

You might want to switch over to Hilton, as I know Hilton in NJ is much cheaper than Hilton in NYC. Very surprised Marriott in NYC is cheaper than NJ.

I assume you meant to say that rooms in Manhattan are much more expensive than NJ (not cheaper as you wrote).

How are you arriving in the NY/NJ area? Flying into EWR?

If you're flying into EWR you're going to have to travel from NJ to Manhattan at some point to get onto your Breakaway cruise. That travel can either the day your arrive, going from EWR to a hotel in Manhattan, or the day of your cruise, going from a hotel in NJ to the cruise pier in Manhattan. As a result your ground transportation costs between NJ and NY should be about the same regardless of which day you do it. By the way, where did you get $165 taxi costs for each of three taxis? A car service should cost about $50-$55 plus toll and tip for each vehicle to travel from EWR to Midtown Manhattan. It's about $165 total for 3 taxis, plus tolls and tip for each of the three, not $165 each.

You can check the websites of the various Marriott properties near EWR to see if they have an indoor pool.

I did mess up. The NYC rooms are way more expensive than NJ, I had ir backwards. I use Marriott due to points so like to use them again. As far as car services, Yesterday,I called ALL STATE and was quoted $85.00 per hour with a four hour minimum, non negotiable, plus tips etc. Dial 7 had $225.00 plus and maybe 11 and 11 luggage MAY fit at that price. Taxi $ was from other posts that I found.

Just pull a quick/free mobile APP lookup on Carmel Car Service/Limo (iOS or Androids) - I show a weekend fare quote from EWR Airport (that'll cover/include the nearby Marriott & Fairfield Inn on/near the airport, etc. along Rt. 1/9 Service Road (local lanes) to MCT for your NCL/Carnival sailings at Pier 88/90 - of $62.00 per minivan, it will comfortably sit 5 to 6 with room for reasonable amount of luggage & hand items for flyers, plus one-way tolls into NYC and tips.

With at least one adult in each of two minivan - your total out of pocket costs will be $90 to $95 per vehicle, after deducting a $3 to $4 online/coupon discount widely available. It's easier than splitting into 3 sedans - Carmel's base rate for a full-size van is $200 + toll + tips. See this link (with the quotes) -

https://www.carmellimo.com/WebApp/Job_Pricing.jsp?uqid=7681153638173273782

If you stay closer toward Manhattan, i.e. Newport/Newark, etc. by the waterfront along the Hudson - your transport costs will be even lower - for dollars, you can take the PATH trains into NYC to do some sightseeing instead of "confining" the entire party to hotel pool & limited food choices.

It's nice to hotel points & save money on lodging costs - keep in mind the overall picture/budget and your sightseeing costs - including these taxis and car service fees, ferries/trains & subways/buses with 11 in your party, depending on # of nights pre-cruise. Just my two cents & enjoy the BA.

I did mess up. The NYC rooms are way more expensive than NJ, I had ir backwards. I use Marriott due to points so like to use them again. As far as car services, Yesterday,I called ALL STATE and was quoted $85.00 per hour with a four hour minimum, non negotiable, plus tips etc. Dial 7 had $225.00 plus and maybe 11 and 11 luggage MAY fit at that price. Taxi $ was from other posts that I found.

You don't need by-the-hour rental that you were quoted by whatever company you called. You want simple point-to-point transportation. Mking8288 has provided you with good information about Carmel Limo.

No factually accurate post made on this forum would have quoted a price of $165 plus tip for an ordinary taxi from nearby NJ to Manhattan.

Glenpointe Marriott in Teaneck NJ is 20 minutes from the port. Great Hotel right off route 8o. The ride to the Port from there is VERY reasonable through GW Taxi and Limo 201 363-0555. We live there and use them all the time to the cruise port and airport and we eat at that Marriott all the time. I think you would be very happy if you price it.

We (11) will be on the Breakaway over Thanksgiving and need three rooms for pre cruise. I have ALOT of points to use thru Marriott and was trying to see if staying in NY was better than staying in NJ. Rooms in Manhattan naturally are much cheaper than NJ, but the three taxis from NJ to the cruise port would run about $165 each plus tips. Sightseeing would be nice but a heated pool in NJ would also be appreciated by the 5 kids. I have done alot of research and have a brain clogged with too much info.

I am sure it would take a lot of point but Marriot Marquis is in the heart of NYC theater district.

I reserved the rooms at Marriott Newark Airport, wil be looking for shuttle or ride to Manhattan Cruise Terminal. I will try the suggestions I saw here.Thanks.

You don't need by-the-hour rental that you were quoted by whatever company you called. You want simple point-to-point transportation. Mking8288 has provided you with good information about Carmel Limo.

 

No factually accurate post made on this forum would have quoted a price of $165 plus tip for an ordinary taxi from nearby NJ to Manhattan.

I did try the Carmel service today and was told that 11 passengers and 12-13 pcs of luggage was $235 plus tolls and tip. That would be a little more than $300. That was what I was also quoted where we will be staying at the Marriott ,Saturday nite, pre cruise. I thought that my wife had reserved it, but today, I called to verify my reservations (don't even ask why) and found that my wife thought that I had done that. Needless to say, nothing left, already had been reserved. I even offered to go real early as the other group had the 10:30 slot reserved. Still no go. I wondered if anyone local had phone numbers for local taxi services so I could get quotes.

I did try the Carmel service today and was told that 11 passengers and 12-13 pcs of luggage was $235 plus tolls and tip. That would be a little more than $300. That was what I was also quoted where we will be staying at the Marriott ,Saturday nite, pre cruise. I thought that my wife had reserved it, but today, I called to verify my reservations (don't even ask why) and found that my wife thought that I had done that. Needless to say, nothing left, already had been reserved. I even offered to go real early as the other group had the 10:30 slot reserved. Still no go. I wondered if anyone local had phone numbers for local taxi services so I could get quotes.

Did you try Dial7?

Another option could be Independent driver - 888-816-0973.

If you're really stuck there is the airport bus to Port Authority and cabs to the pier. Adults are $16, kids under 12 are free, and kids 12-16 are $10. You would have to take the hotel shuttle to the P4 Airtrain station and Airtrain to a terminal to get the bus, but you could all go as far as Port Authority together.

I did try the Carmel service today and was told that 11 passengers and 12-13 pcs of luggage was $235 plus tolls and tip ...

When you call Carmel & ask for transport for 11 pax & 13 pc. of luggage, they quoted you a full size van (i.e. similar to those blue SuperShuttle or Go Airlink modified 14 pax XL verisons) - which I'm showing on my Carmel Mobile App at $200 + tolls + tips. Perhaps, your specific date & time has a surcharge, making it $235 + + , translating into about $300 total ($235 + $20 toll + 20% tip, less a $4 or $5 online discount code being applied). Keep in mind this is door-to-door, curbside-to-curbside pickup and dropoff transportation with no stairs, steps, elevators and escalators, etc. with other forms of ground transfer/travel to the pier.

However, if you request/book 2 separate vehicle, you will save a little money - even with doubling the tolls to $40 for 2 vehicles - unless all their available vehicles in the fleet for that day has been reserved/assigned and fully "soldout" for the time slot desired - in which case, call Independent Drivers and Dial7 quickly, get quotes & book it now with confirmation codes.

On pricing from Carmel - for Sat. 11/28 with a 9:15 AM pickup - a minivan is good for 5 passengers & 5 pc. of luggage, maybe 6 pc. and priced at $62 online. XL SUV is good for 6 pax & 6 or 7 pc. of luggage, priced at $80 online. Estimated toll is $20 per vehicle, plus 20% tipping - for the minivan with a total of $95. SUV (XL/extended) is $116.

If you can book 1 of each, your total is about $211 without the online coupon discount of $4 or $5 per vehicle, which they always issue and honor. If you book 2 SUV instead, total is $232 - which is still about $70 less than riding in one single large full size van (and, tall van - which require a bit of "climbing up & down) with everyone + luggage. From my APP, both types shown availability.

Prices with Dial7 are a little higher, usually and hence we stick with using Carmel ourselves & found them to be reliable and good for our airports & cruise terminal needs. Dial 7 also has "surge" pricing to reflect demands - so your costs will be higher than above & savings would be less.

If you really do need other alternatives - besides going back to EWR to catch the airporter bus to NY and then 3 taxis for the short ride to Pier 88, I can post contact info & phone #'s for several local Queens-Manhattan neighborhood car service for you to call & get in touch with - they do many EWR airport jobs and can most likely come up with minivans or possibly a mini-bus to transport everyone + luggage, and quote you their prices.

Please kindly let us know & post your success, so that we can be of further help if necessary. Good luck & safe/happy travel for the upcoming holidays - long term weather forecast is good for Thanksgiving, no snow in the forecast :D

The problem with Carmel, even breaking into two units is the luggage costs. 11 people with 4 female adults and the rest of us means loads of luggage. We have cruised many times and ALWAYS have way too many pieces of luggage we do not need. Plus we had planned on taking our own soda, hate Pepsi and water. At $10 per luggage, makes no sense about the water and soda and roughly 15 pcs. of not needed luggage. If you can post local car services or taxi phone number, it would be appreciated, especially if there were mini buses available. Yes, the answer to packing lighter is , you never know. Rather than hearing, I told you so, we just carry the luggage.

That's a lot of luggage plus soda and water - how big are the suitcases (25" or jumbo's) - not fun to fly with them with airline fees for excess weight, LOL - ruling out train & even airporter buses with taxi transfer. No chance for downsizing and the group need to understand & accept the higher costs for the liabilities with the bags coming along. :eek: :D DW & I each packed a 22" expandable roller for 2 weeks of TPAC travel, and a personal bag sized backpack (her's a tote bag) & did 1 quick load of laundry at one of the hotel during our land-based escorted tour - less is more with mix and match.

Besides using Carmel, we called one of the local car service as their main "base" is near us and we've been using them for 20 years when they're literally almost around the corner from us then ... they grew their fleet of vehicles and are quite reliable. "New Golden Horse" - they used Honda & Toyota minivans, which are good for up to 6 pax & 5 pc of luggage, smaller/excess items will have to fit inside & on laps.

https://car8888.com/about.html

Give them a call first & have the details ready, and see what they can do & quote a price - if it's fine, book it & get it confirmed - with a CC deposit if necessary (offer it) Not sure if they can do a mini bus & worth asking - and, let them know - while on the phone - you're referred by one of their old regulars on "Pople Avenue" by Western Beef.

For comparison to Carmel & NGH above - check this one out & price it http://www.lincolnlimousine.com/services/

Otherwise, if it's not too late & you haven't call -as 138east/Carol suggested earlier - Independent driver - 888-816-0973.

Do these STAT as clock is running & time running out on confirming availabilities - whomever you choose & decided, make sure you re-confirm with them at least 12 to 24 hours before scheduled pickup time, just to be assured that the base dispatcher has the contact info & details all set - give them an extra contact # to call your group to avoid "we called you but nobody answered, etc."

Good luck & keep us posted - and a post cruise note so that we can past things along to others in the future, as warranted.