Tutone56

She does not work for the government and wouldn't be affected by a shutdown.  Just wanted to know if booking a last minute cruise would possibly be less expensive.

10 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Search for cruises starting 9/30 and see what you find. You decide if it is worth booking during the shutdown. 

What do you mean by shutdown, I'm not familiar with that, thanks.

Hey everyone, I’ve seen this question asked before but couldn’t find the posts.  My SIL was wondering if she has some unexpected time off and booked a cruise somewhat last minute, are there any cost savings gained.  I realize room selection would be limited.  Anyone have any experience with this?

2 hours ago, mugtech said:

     We cannot finish our check in because we cannot post pictures.  So it looks like we will not get our e-docs or luggage tags.  What happens if we show up at the Baltimore terminal without tags and with no e-docs?

What I ended up doing was uploading a picture of my wife that I knew wasn’t going to work.  It said the picture wasn’t in the proper format so they would take a photo of her at the pier.  I could then finish the check in.

Okay thanks!

I'm checking in tomorrow (12:01am est) and won't have a photo of my spouse with white background, no glasses, etc.  I have one I was going to use that I know is not what they are looking for.  Should I just check in and skip the photo for now and add it within the next few days (if that's possible)?

Thanks everyone.

Hi everyone, I searched for this but couldn't find it - can you walk on Deck 8 in the early morning as opposed to using the track?  I thought I read somewhere that the track is shorter and would require more laps?  I'd prefer a longer circuit.  Thanks.

Received an email today from NCL informing us that they are adding Newport, RI to our itinerary for our upcoming cruise to New England and Canada on September 3 on the Escape out of NYC.  We will have one less sea day as a result.  I worry that they might take Bar Harbor away since the residents there are not too happy with the onslaught of tourists.  Not that we've taken a lot of cruises but it seems kind of unusual to me.  Is this something that happens occasionally?

Terrible summer for many, I hope it continues to improve for you all!

Just curious about the conditions (fire/flooding) in Nova Scotia?  I feel so bad about everything they are dealing with.  A couple of days we smelled the smoke in Rhode Island.  I can only imagine how devastating it’s been there.

We cruised the POA in March 2020, the last cruise before covid shutdown.  It went through dry dock that spring.  Although an older ship, we found it to be a very nice ship.  I had read good and bad reviews, including complaints of sewer odors prior to our cruise.  We did not experience any of that, and in fact we had a wonderful cruise.  
Unlike other cruises, Hawaii is very port intensive.  We were off the ship more than any cruise we’ve taken.  The time spent on the ship was very enjoyable.  I would not hesitate going on another POA cruise again.

When we cruise the Caribbean is always in the winter. The main reason is that we like to get a break from the cold New England winters.  I see many people cruising that region in the summer months.  Besides the joy of cruising, what are your reasons?  Are you concerned about hurricanes messing with your itineraries?  Just curious...   

Thanks!

16 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

The drop off is simple, but a pick up at MCT can be a nightmare - especially if there are several thousand passengers debarking with you.  Our approach is to arrange to meet our ride near the corner of West 49th Street (which is midway between piers 88 and 90) and the east side of 12th Avenue.  We pick a time - say 9:30 or so, and walk across to the east side of 12th Ave and then call our ride , who will be hanging out nearby - and can come westbound on 49th and pick us up, then turn right on 12th.

That sounds good, I’ll look at google maps so I can get a better idea of the area, thanks!

My brother-in-law has graciously offered to drop us off at the terminal and pick us up the following Sunday.  We'll be coming from Ridgefield Ct.  Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm assuming we'll just follow traffic, etc. for the drop off. Where is the best place for him to meet us?  I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for him (and us).  Thanks.

My daughter is flying into Newark, arriving at 10am for our cruise out of Manhattan on the Escape in September.  She will be using NCL for shuttle transportation to the cruise terminal.  Does anyone know approximately when she can expect the shuttle to leave EWR?  I’m sure there are many variables but just looking for a ballpark time, thanks.

26 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

Just a note. Your profile says you're in RI. How are you getting to NYC? Amtrak goes to Penn Station (or whatever it's called now), not Grand Central. To go in to Grand Central, you would need to take Metro North in CT.

I would take Metro North out of New Haven, CT to Grand Central.

On 6/10/2023 at 8:55 PM, Bunny620 said:

Hello All. My husband and I are booked for this cruise. It’s just our third cruise but the second one in two years. We did a Mediterranean cruise last summer. We live in the NYC area and are looking forward to just getting an Uber to the pier. Also looking forward to seeing Maine and Canada! Hoping for great weather!!

15 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

OP, apparently sailing NE/Canada this September on NCL (Escape) on a holiday weekend / Sunday - traffic should be light and there's usually a long line of licensed yellow taxi just outside on E. 42nd Street waiting ... it's an easy & quick trip across town.  For 2 or 3 travelers with average sized luggage, it will all fit easily, my guest - as it will be a metered fare based mostly on distance - for a 10 minutes (or less) ride, about $20 to $25 plus tips.  

 

Just check Lyft's lowest rates for post evening rush hour ... ranged $19 to $21, theirs typically slightly lower than Uber - plus, tipping as "encouraged" on the app.  10 ... 15, 20+ years ago, I wouldn't rule out walking 2 miles with a carry-on rollerboard w sturdy wheels and cabin/backbag in tow to save a few bucks myself, doubtful that DW would go along with that idea - nowadays, forgetaboutit, LOL.  

 

Slightly off-topic but this will come up here on E.C. Departures sub-forum:  NYC's (Manhattan) Congestion Pricing surcharge is apparently getting the final green lights from the feds ... and, depending on how MTA figured out who, how much, exemption rules, etc. in the formulas - it will be another bite coming into the NY (NY County) affecting many cruisers using taxis and for hired vehicles (car service, Uber & Lyft, etc.) 

Thank you, great information. You were spot on regarding walking by the way 😂 

2 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

I haven't done the trip, but the Uber website's fare estimator at https://www.uber.com/global/en/price-estimate/ is giving an estimate of $36 to $39 for an UberX.

Ok thanks, I didn’t realize they had a fare estimator on the website, never used Uber before, thanks again.

Has anyone ever taken a cab or Uber from GCS to Pier 88?.  Just curious of the approximate cost? I’m thinking about doing that in September for our cruise on NCL Escape.  Thanks.

15 minutes ago, quagmire0 said:

On one hand, it's a freak occurrence and it was out of the hands of the cruise companies to dock. Flights and excursions were going to be missed no matter what. On the other hand, it's well within the cruise companies' power to try and do as much as possible to make it as right as they can.  They can't fix the transportation issues for the disembarkers, in many cases, but they can dish out discounts to try and assist with the added costs. $20 or $25 is a joke. I'd expect that if a popular show was cancelled or a port time was cut short.

With the exception of their poor communications, I think they did as much as possible to deal with the situation.  They did not create the problem, yet they worked hard trying to mitigate the myriad of issues that were created.  The $25 per person was only meant to help ease the cost of buying lunch and nothing else.  Why should they offer more when this wasn’t their fault.  

We flew into Honolulu from SFO 2 days prior to our cruise, good flights, no problems at all.  And that was the first week of March 2020, at the start of covid.  We were on the last POA cruise before everything was canceled.   

Does anyone know how far in advance you can make a reservation?  We sail on 9/3/23 and I can't make one yet.

So I called the number above and they were able to redeem my points into OBC.  Thanks for the help!