mike215

23 hours ago, checkard said:

How were the lines when you arrived at the pier at 11:15?  Was it a long wait to board?

Traffic congestion in the terminal area is usually bad. Once you get inside the terminal, you move along quickly. Seapass card is in your room so no time wasted searching for your card. Get a roaming ambassador to check you in is the best.

12 hours ago, allentownahoy said:

Thanks. How long did it take to get off the ship and through customs? 

 It took about 30 min. Facial recognition has speeded up the process.

12 hours ago, allentownahoy said:

It has been several years since I have used them. If anyone has used this service back to LV from Cape Liberty do you find you are able to time your disembarkation in such a way as not to stand out in the cold too long waiting for the bus. I will be using it in late January . Since there is no longer an indoor space to wait after going thru customs I am concerned about standing out in the cold for long. Thanks in advance.

I used them last year and had no problem. I was at the pick up 20 min before arrival time and the bus was already there. I will be using them next month and don't anticipate any problem.

I need the following blocks and have multiple Anthems and Explorers to trade.

 

Empress, Grandeur, Harmony, Legend, Mariner, Monarch

Sovereign, Splendor, Symphony, Voyager

I'm very sure this hotel is the Yotel. If you go up to the $210 4* hotel, it is likely to be the Westin or Seaport. Yotel is the newest hotel in the Seaport District. Read about its unique concept. Both hotels can be accessed by a free Silver Line ride from the airport, so that could be a $25-30 savings. You can also use the Silver Line to go to the port to save another few $$.

 

 

I have no idea if Hotwire prices will go down between now and the fall. College weekends are busy here and the schedules are just coming out. If you don't want to book now, I would make some sort of cancellable reservation you can live with and watch the Hotwire prices.

I am contemplating using Trans-Bridge Lines to the cruise terminal at Cape Liberty Pier in Bayonne N.J.

 

Can anyone tell me if they have used this service, and were you satisfied with the service you received ? Also what time did you arrive at the port?

 

thank you in advance for any information I will receive.

I have used Trans-Bridge to Bayonne many times and have been very happy with the transportation and parking arrangements in Bethlehem. Arrival time at Bayonne can vary. Sometimes they have two buses and can leave early. The last time I used it, it was Liberty’s reposition to Galveston, TX. Not too many people on that cruise so they combined it with the bus to the Manhattan terminal. We arrived in Bayonne around 10:30AM and hit congestion in the terminal area. Normally you arrive in Bayonne between 11:30 – 12:30 and encounter little congestion and get on board very quickly.

I have never missed a cruise using them. :)

RC is having a 72 hour “sale” on Anthem of the Seas. Factor in your balcony discount and OBC from TA and rates aren’t too bad.

Check out RC Liberty of the Seas' repositioning leaving Bayonne, NJ Nov 1 and ending in Galveston, TX Nov 13. There is a low single supplement and some online TAs were offering an additional $200 OBC last week. There are many unsold cabins on this cruise so it will be appearing as a special again.

Agree COMPLETELY! :)

 

My favorite pick right now would be the 12 night Liberty OTS repositioning cruise on 1 November. $712pp with $200 OBC from an online site, (a different online site is offering prepaid gratuities) and another $200 OBC from the shareholder benefit.

 

THAT makes for a pretty darn reasonable price on a nice vacation! :D

I jumped on this one yesterday. The $200 OBC is as good as a price reduction on an already low price.

After a long wait: Grandeur 14 months post cruise, Quantum 4 months post cruise, I finally received the two blocks via FedEx.

If anyone is owed a block from either of these ships, now would be a good time to "remind" C&A.

I have done the SA trip around Cape Horn twice as a solo (March 2008 HAL Rotterdam, Rio to Valpariso(Santiago) Chile; Jan 2009 RC Mariner of the Seas Pt Canavaral, FL to Valpariso(Santiago) Chile).

Do not miss the opportunity to visit Rio de Janeiro and the surrounding area. Yes Rio has problems as most major cities do but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Most cruise lines avoid Brazil because of the Visa requirements. Visa was required when I did the two cruises.

I have no physical limitations such as a cane so I can’t help you there. Go to your roll call for the cruise you decide on. You can join others who are looking to fill a private tour or you can go with the cruise line tours.

If the opportunity and right price presented itself again, I would go again without hesitation. I probably haven’t helped you much but it is a great part of the world to explore.

Mike

This is the story (March 17, 2015) I am getting from C&A on two blocks I never got:

"Normal delivery time for these items is six to eight weeks; however with both of these ships blocks currently on back order the process could take an additional 3-4 months. We truly apologize for any disappointment this may cause and will deliver these items as soon as possible. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention."

The two ships are Granduer and Quantum.

My first cruise was Costa Carla C, March 1979, 7 night Caribbean/Central America from San Juan, PR about $800 (1 person) which included air to San Juan and all transfers.

On the last night before our return to San Juan, another Costa cruise ship, MS Angelina Lauro, burned out in St Thomas. I will always remember that evening but it did not deter me from taking another cruise the following year.

By chance, was anyone else in St Thomas that tragic evening ?

http://www.ssmaritime.com/oranjefire.htm

RC Explorer of the Seas, June 19, 2014, 9 night Bermuda / Caribbean, Inside L & M, $968.06 Total (786.50 Cruise + 181.56 Taxes, fees, & port charges) This is a significant price drop for anyone who can take advantage of it

This is a change from the SB's on the Quantum. We got full balcony discounts back when Quantum opened.

When I booked on Quantum I was told I would get the full discount. I will find out when final payment is due. On Anthem booking it is half.

You only get half on SB. From Member Benefits Page:

12 Special Rates on Balcony and Suite Staterooms is a dollar off discount to applicable balcony and suite categories only available to Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor Society members. Savings are not redeemable for cash and non transferable. When reserving the applicable offer code and a valid Crown & Anchor Society membership number must be included in the reservation. Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor Society member will receive an increased discount for making a reservation for a sail date outside of 6 (six) months. This offer can only be combined with the Onboard Booking Bonus while making a reservation onboard a Royal Caribbean ship. This offer cannot be used with certain restricted fares and is not combinable with any other promotion or offer, including, but not limited to Shareholder Benefits, dollars off and onboard credit offers, MyCruiseSM Upgrades, Companion Fare and Free Cruise promotions and benefits. Offer can be used in conjunction with crown & Anchor exclusive Onboard Booking Bonus. Royal Caribbean International will deduct the applicable offer value from final payment upon review. Discount applies on a per stateroom basis; double occupancy. Singles paying 200% are entitled to full face value. Prices vary by ship and sail dates; space is subject to availability at the time of making your reservation. Please call or have your travel agent call our exclusive precruise number at (888) 437-1953 to answer additional

The category is SB: Super Studio Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony - (NEW)

It looks like RC corrected the pricing on this category.

It appears RC corrected the pricing on SBs. I just booked the Jan 25, 2016, 12 night for half of what they were previously charging.

Here's a couple quotes I got for solo:

Ship: AN

Sail Date: 1/25/2016

Number of Nights and Itinerary: 12 NIGHT WESTE

Number of Guests: 1

Stateroom Category: SB

Total Stateroom Price: $4,596.78

Ship: AN

Sail Date: 1/3/2016

Number of Nights and Itinerary: 12 NIGHT SOUTH

Number of Guests: 1

Stateroom Category: SB

Total Stateroom Price: $4,547.75

Ship: AN

Sail Date: 1/25/2016

Number of Nights and Itinerary: 12 NIGHT WESTE

Number of Guests: 1

Stateroom Category: E1

Total Stateroom Price: $3,674.78

Ship: AN

Sail Date: 2/21/2016

Number of Nights and Itinerary: 12 NIGHT SOUTH

Number of Guests: 1

Stateroom Category: E1

Total Stateroom Price: $3,977.75

Ship: AN

Sail Date: 3/27/2016

Number of Nights and Itinerary: 12 NIGHT SOUTH

Number of Guests: 1

Stateroom Category: E1

Total Stateroom Price: $3,977.75

The SB is double what I am paying for a similar cruise on Quantum. Yes the balconies are a better deal than an SB.

Jan 11, 2015 - 12night - Balcony - $2409.21 Total minus $325.00 Diamond Discount = $2084.21 plus I get $150.00 OBC on Next Cruise Cert and $100.00 deposit holds the reservation

Carnival is having a one day sale today - Wednesday....definitely worth considering. Carnival is going through a rough time now but I always had a positive experience with them. One or two I am considering.

That's for solo, of course.

I did mention the $600 rate is military. Check "An Active duty or retired U.S. Military or Canadian Forces" and it will come up. Current rate solo inside is 923 - 2703 / non-military.

RCCL Explorer of the Seas, 11 night Southern Caribbean from Bayonne, NJ, Inside $861.67 Total (754.00 Cruise + 107.67 Taxes & Fees) Nov 4 to Nov 15, 2012. This is a military rate for anyone who qualifies but other rates might be reduced also.

Price dropped to $599.67 Total (492.00 Cruise + 107.67 Taxes & Fees) unbelievable. :eek:

RCCL Explorer of the Seas, 11 night Southern Caribbean from Bayonne, NJ, Inside $861.67 Total (754.00 Cruise + 107.67 Taxes & Fees) Nov 4 to Nov 15, 2012. This is a military rate for anyone who qualifies but other rates might be reduced also.