LivininPA

We drove from near the OH line into Brooklyn, NY for a cruise in 2011. We took 80 across into NJ onto the NJ turnpike. Very easy ride and about 5 1/2 hours to Brooklyn from OH line.

I tell people not to use the PA turnpike (RTE 76 in PA---be careful when you are coming through OH with that) as it is very expensive and not a good road to drive.

Port Liberty is not far from Brooklyn, so save money and aggravation and use 80 across.

Once you get to the eastern side of PA, there will be plenty of places to stop for the night.

Our flight from FLL on Saturday February 1 was at 9:45 a.m. - I booked it based on the price and thought that that would be plenty of time to disembark. I later realized 9:45 was too early to comfortably reach the airport and this thought was confirmed by many posters who replied to my query about it. Others thought we would be OK and I promised to provide an update so here it is!

 

We were in the first walkoff group and disembarked very quickly at 7:00 a.m., breezed through Customs with hardly anyone in front of us, caught a cab right away. The lineup for security at the airport was also very quick, and we were sitting at the departure gate by 8:15 a.m.

 

As a backup I had reserved flights the following day with our mileage points, but we didn't have to use that flight. I was able to cancel that flight, but as the tickets have already been issued we must use them before December 19/14. I may just have to book another flight to Florida before then! But I will make sure I don't plan the flight home until at least 4 hours after the ship arrives.

 

Thanks everyone for all the advice and comments. By the way: the cruise was great, especially since we had the luxury of a full suite. The full credit has now been applied to the Baltic cruise we will be doing in May of this year.

 

 

Nice work! We must have been a little behind you as we were in section 3 of the walkoffs. Still made it to the airport by 8:15 via cab even though we had to go through a little extra questioning at customs and wait a short time for the cabs to show. They seemed to flock in big time right around 8. This is the second time we used the walk off and it is getting better with Princess.

Your Coffee Card Can Also Be Used On Other Princess Ships If You Don't Use All Your Punches, I have one I've been using for 2 years. You won't be able to get the Free Brewed and Free Tea after your first cruise.

 

If you purchase the card through princess prior to boarding you can also save a couple of dollars.

 

We just got off Crown yesterday and I was going to post about this very thing.

We had a card left over from last year. The employees at the IC made it very confusing as one time I would go and there would be no problem just getting a "regular" coffee that they would pour from a pot (no punch on the card).

Come back the next day and told could only get the beans and needed the card.

Third day--did not need the card for an iced coffee. Fourth day--went and ordered the "large freshly brewed" (read from their sign) for the wife. He went and poured it from the pot and was not going to charge me. I told him I wanted the one on the sign. His reply was "You want the espresso Americano" and that was punched on the card.

Used our six punches that remained and now I refuse to buy another card as that costs $33 (as least according to the server). At $1.75 plus tip equalling $2.04 per cup--cheaper if only one per day to not buy the card.

 

Princess seems to be making it a practice to be confusing on more and more things--- result is we spend less on the cruise and more off the boat.

Coconuts is a great casual place, and there is also the G & B Oyster Bar next door (attached). Neither takes reservations, but if you call while you're on your way they'll put you on the list. It is about a 20 minute walk.

 

Steak954 next door to the Hilton (in the W) is also very good but dressier. They do take reservations.

 

For really casual inexpensive seafood, Lulu's Bait Shack is a 10 minute walk, in Beach Place. It's a great place for lunch, overlooking the ocean from the 2nd floor. It's also a sports bar.

 

 

We will be heading dwon first thing tomorrow morning. We are staying at the Best Western up on 24th.

Can you recommend any good seafood places that way or would we have to head into the beach?

Thanks for your insight!!

We stayed at the extended stay. Run, do not walk from this hotel! Many hotels near the port this close to sailing are either full of have high prices. We were able to get a Renaissance for ~$260/ night.

 

 

Okay. We got the Extended Stay for $180 a while back--good rate. DId you have specific problems with the hotel or just the rate they list now? Saw many good reviews on tripadvisor.

Have a couple others we can get, but we basically just need a bed near a decent restaurant for a nice dinner.

Hey all- for those interested in the LMTCLUB that has been talked about on cruise critic. You can get a free year ($50) if you go to their facebook page and like them.

Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/LMTClub

 

This is the only promotion for the free year that I could find.

The flight was on an AA 737. The seats were more comfortable than the previous time I had flown first class. They did not have the video screens on the back of the chairs, just a ceiling screen for every 2 rows.....I didn't watch, but a Percy Jackson movie was playing. I loaded my e-reader with the following books: James Patterson-Run, Roger Hobbs - Ghostman, Michael Connoly- Gods of guilt, Dan Brown - Inferno, John Grisham- The Racketeer, and the Mike Tyson Auto biography....which is what I started reading on the plane.

 

We were offered water or oj as soon as everyone was seated. The plane left the gate 20 minutes early, but had to de-ice before taking off. Once in the air, we were given hot towels and warm mixed nuts, plus anything we wanted to drink. I had a coffee, and the birthday girl had champagne. For lunch we were offered a salad with Thai beef, or a Dijon turkey sandwich. I had the turkey which came with a side salad, humous, and a bag of pita chips. the salad came with a package of balsamic dressing....it was good until a cucumber covered in dressing rolled of the plate....what a mess. I managed to jump out of the way, but somehow it sprayed the under arm sleeve of my white shirt. Could have been worse!!! The sandwich was good. My wife does not eat meat, and no special meals are offered for shorter flights. Mark, our flight attendant was great, and got her a nice salad, and a cheese-cracker n grapes plate. After lunch we had warm chocolate cookies. The rest of the trip was smooth flying.

 

After retrieving our luggage, I went to the Super Shuttle desk to inquire about getting to our hotel. I was surprised that the price would be $79. We took a taxi, and it was only $68 including a generous tip....during rush hour. The Springhill Suites is very nice. Our check in was fast and friendly. We were able to reserve our shuttle to the pier right away.....we will be early, leaving at 10am. The room is huge! There are 2 queen beds, and a full living room, including 2 LCD TVs. I need to go back in the roll call to remember who introduced me to the website where I got this amazing deal....$130 a night for this....including wifi, shuttle and breakfast!

 

There is a huge outdoor shopping complex across the street. We went for a walk and ended up having dinner at the Moonlite diner. I had a Caesar salad, and a brisket w onion rings plate....it was just ok for me. Ro ( the DW), had fish tacos and fries, which she liked. After eating we walked back and stopped at BJ's where we picked up two 1.5L bottles of wine for $18.....we are now ready for the cruise! That's it for tonight, tomorrow is the big day :)

 

 

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If you can forward that post with the website, or the website that would be great. I can't find it now that I need it.

[quote name='Ctrinh225']Yes. If u walk one block towards beach u r on a big strip of hotels and restaurants. Tranquilo will also give out a brochure of all restaurants...bars...convenience stores....etc. they have a little shuttle that picks u up at the hotel and take u anywhere around. We did a mini tour on our way to Los Olas blvd. It was amazing watching yatchs/boats parked in front of the homes. Have fun and be safe!


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Looking into it--Thanks

[quote name='Ctrinh225']If u r staying a few days before cruise....I recommend the little boutique hotels by the beach. We stayed at Tranquilo in November. The best I'm stayed at so far. From airport to hotel by cab is 10 minutes and under 20 bucks. From hotel to port was 15 bucks. Having a car is nice but no need. They have a shuttle service all day for 3 bucks and they bring u anywhere from las olas to beach or just cruise around areas. It was wonderful. The beach was one block away from hotel. We got a 2 bedroom suite for 120 with a small kitchenette. 2 brand new pools. Rooms were revonated to modern furniture and the cleanest place. We woke early to walk on the beach and got Starbucks 2 blocks away. I stayed the Hilton and Atlantic beach hotels that cost me an arm and leg. Yes they were nice but saving tons of money and got a better experience was Nicer. I know a lot of people on here like Embassy but my experience with them was horrible and will never go back. I'm booked again for April 2014. My family is also coming back in July 2014 but we wanted to try Marriot Pompano Beach. It's new and I hope to get reviews on that. If anyone stayed there I would like ur opinions. Thank u


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Were there good restaurants close by to the Tranquillo?? Going down next week for one night pre cruise.

We are staying Thur-Sat before our cruise and are looking for a nice clean affordable hotel. Nothing lavish. We are trying to do four of us in one room to save $$ too, but everything I find has 2 double beds which seem small to me. Anyone have any recommendations? Looking to hopefully spending under $200 a night for a bigger room to split between four.

 

Also, we will have a rental car so something a little bit further away from the port isn't a problem

 

 

I just saw the Comfort Suites Airport/Cruiseport with 2 queens for $239. I was looking at one night next Friday- so do not know if they have rooms on other nights.

Not really a big laundry person while on vacation rather be at the pool or any where for that matter then wasting time at the laundry.

 

I plan & pack so I don't need do laundry on a 7 day cruise.

 

Wrinkled clothes I hang in a steamy shower and give a shake, you can buy wrinkle free cottons these days as well.

 

I did an Oceania cruise once and was surprised that the pax would pay so much for their cruise yet waste time in the laundry just seemed odd.

 

 

We are leaning toward packng less and doing laundry. When it comes down to paying extra for the luggage and carrying it around, it is wearing on us. Add to the mix that one of us is blind and that removes an arm for carrying (as she needs it to hold onto me). Not there yet but discussing it.

If we go for more than 7 days, I am sure we will be doing laundry to simplify packing and carrying--- thus reducing the stress before and after the R&R.

Anyone have comments on which would be a better hotel for precruise in Lauderdale?

Extended Stay America by the port or the Comfort Suites Airport. Like the location of Extended but Comfort sounds like a nicer stay and it almost equals out if we have to pay for the shuttle from airport to Extended.

Thanks for any input!

I am officially on vacation now, so why not start my thread right away !!! :) !!!

 

This will be Princess cruise #9, and #16 over all for the DW and I. We are both in our late 30s…..actually, it is my DW’s birthday tomorrow and lucky her gets to celebrate every year on a ship. We are flying first class to Miami tomorrow (thank you AA miles), and will be staying at the Springhill Suites in Lauderdale for the night (thank you to the person in the roll call who told me about the LMTclub website).

 

I will be reporting on my observations from the ship & will gladly answer an questions as best I can. Unlike previous trips, I have nothing planned for our two weeks…no excursions booked, haven’t done any research on any of the ports, have nothing on the shopping list, etc. We have one goal for this B2B cruise, to get some R&R. With that being said, this will not be one of those amazing live posts which has stories, adventures, and a lot of pictures. I gladly invite anyone else from this sold out cruise to feel free to post as well in this thread if they have not started their own….everyone is welcome. One thing I will be doing, is posting EVERYTHING that I eat during these 2 weeks…..let the games begin!!!

 

I assumed after last January’s cruise, that the 2014 version would be on the new Royal Princess, but after reading through all the comments about that ship, I decided it was not the right fit for me while in the Caribbean (perhaps, a Can/NE cruise in Oct). I chose the Crown after very carefully exploring all my options. We normally book a mini-suite, but this time around we will have an inside cabin…..which I must admit has me feeling a little anxious as of this moment. I chose this ship with an inside because of the number of nights compared to the price. It was sooooo cheap at only $1000pp for 14 nights. I am sure I will feel better once we are unpacked and everything has found its proper space….I hope everything fits, including me!

 

I just did our on-line check in, and printed the boarding passes. The last load of laundry is almost done. Only thing left is to bring the dog to my brother’s house, then finish packing.

 

FEELING GOOD RIGHT NOW!

 

 

 

All of you doing the two week thing making the rest of us sad and jealous! Will be there in one week from today for boarding on the 25th. Guess that will cut the crowd getting on next week.

Agree with you on the Royal-- we may not get on her as balcony time is very important part of out R&R. Plus a few other things we heard. Enjoy your time and don't eat all our food!

For a relatively uncrowded laundry room, try just after first seating dinner.

 

That's the asnwer to the question I had on this topic! Thanks.