monicuba23

Put it this way.... I was on the Valor about a decade ago, and still recall the steakhouse. It was excellent.

NY is right across the river and very convenient, but we like San Juan. We enjoy spending a few days enjoying the sights and sounds and tastes of Puerto Rico, and the itineraries are great, with more time in port.

And.... we've stayed at all of the Hilton properties on the entire island, but our favorite hotel is El Convento in Old San Juan, which is a wonderful boutique hotel in an old convent, dating back to the 1600s.

NY is right across the river and very convenient, but we like San Juan. We enjoy spending a few days enjoying the sights and sounds and tastes of Puerto Rico, and the itineraries are great, with more time in port.

Always (in hotels, too) wipe down the door knobs, and tv remote. Also if you have real glasses wash those. Saw a tv documentary and it showed cleaning staff wipe those with a towel and use the same towel on all rooms! Also never sit on bedspread-remove it since they are rarely washed.

No kidding... those drinking glasses are disgusting.

We were fortunate enough to have Cosol as our guide earlier in March and it was wonderful. He makes sure everyone is having a good time. We had my 15-month grandson along and as soon as Cosol found out he loves bananas, he got him about 5. We had a wonderful day.

Thank you for posting this. We were considering this tour and our son will be 23 months at the time. My concern was at 7 hour duration, but with so many stops, it should be enjoyable for him. And he LOVES bananas, especially the small ones!!!!

They are alive and well!

We're in the process of booking with them for an upcoming tour and Stephen has been very quick and courteous in his responses to our questions.

I really appreciate all of the suggestions, but have to say it's confusing/overwhelming for a first timer. I'm wondering how expensive it would be to just use a car service or cab? I know it would be more, but sounds much easier ;-)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

From Secaucus, you'll pay more than $80 each way. It'll be a nightmare to locate your car service when you leave the stadium. If you're open to it, you can rent a car and drive. I live just 3 miles from Secaucus and I usually drive, if I'm not already in NYC before heading a game. And we go to LOTS of games each year. It'll cost you $30 for parking in the lot right across the street from the stadium, and the bridge will cost you $12. If you plan to drive, I can provide you the best route that will minimize traffic.

If you can swing it, really try to see a game....it's an incredible experience at a very vibrant stadium. I've been to over 20 baseball stadiums across the country, and nothing compares to the energy in the Bronx.

Yes, but not entirely. I wipe down the tv remote and I usually disinfect the bathroom and ask the cabin steward not to clean the bathroom during our cruise, because they just use the same towels and sponges that they use in every other cabin. I just clean I myself, when necessary.

Thanks for the review. I like the idea of a cabin crawl!

My first choice would be the train to the subway, as mentioned above. There used to be a ferry system called the Yankee Clipper, which is now cancelled.... the remaining water options are quite complex if you are new to the area.

On a few cruiselines, you may select the first or second seating of either Main or Late. For example, on Carnival Valor, Main seating is either 5:45pm or 6:15pm and Late seating is either 8:00pm or 8:30pm.

We prefer to have the first late seating:

1. Spend more time in port

2. Take a nap before dinner - to unwind from a busy day

3. Take our time getting ready for dinner

4. Fewer children in the dining room for the late seating, so there's a better ambiance for those of us without children

5. Do not feel rushed to finish the meal and get out of the dining room because the staff needs to set up for another batch of diners

6. We take the first late seating in order to make it in time for the shows before the theatres become packed with guests. We feel that the second late seating lets us out too late

7. Prefer to stay up later and enjoy the nightlife on a full stomach

8. We like to spend time on deck during the twilight hours with fewer people around - so we can enjoy it while the rest of the folks are having the Early meal

9. The only hesitation was to avoid being too full for the 'Midnight Buffet'. Since Carnival no longer has a TRUE Midnight Buffet every night, this isn't a problem anymore.

I remember the Emerald Seas in 1992 - I was on my very first cruise -- with my parents and my aunt.

I thought it was a beautiful ship.