lazydaz

One of the reasons I like the aft cabin is for view.  When the Joy heads to Victoria, the view will be on the right side, then heading out and down the west coast the view will be on the left side.  With an aft cabin, I get the view on both sides.  

After many cruises some of the things I'm glad I packed - a few clothespins and cord for a clothesline (wet bathing suits etc), pillow case to use as laundry bag, small container of laundry detergent, needle and thread for emergencies.  

My first cruise was with HAL inn 1994. During our first online dinner, I felt the call of nature and left to find a ladies room. I spotted an attendant and asked him where the washroom was. He gave me an odd look and directed me - to the laundry room.

Was on that Gem, it was great fun to spend 10/31 in Boston, trying to figure out who was in costume and who always dressed that way. Everyone I spoke to on the Gem was impressed with how we raced Sandy to NYC, only to have the port close and then head to Boston. A 13 day cruise for the price of 9, missing one port but being better off at sea than on land. Some stayed on for a 5 day to Bermuda for the port fees and taxes only, but most had had enough.

The Dawn arrived in Boston just ahead of the GEM and when we heard all the hooping and hollering from passengers standing on the decks and on their balconies of the GEM as it prepared to dock, we wondered why there was so much excitement. Then someone leaned over and told us what had happened and how the passengers had been unable to land at their home port of NY so had been at sea trying to avoid the storm until they finally landed in Boston. In Boston we saw a lot of people in costume as well.

We were onthe Cruise (NCL) when Hurricane Sandy hit-leaving from Quebec- so we missed out first time in NY also. Just back from a Cruise on the Breakaway- got to see NY finally!! Stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn times Square- perfect location for us, rate $260.00- took the Hop on Hop Off bus, both routes, got on a few blocks from Hotel- we had beautiful weather. We only had one full day before Cruise but felt we saw alot. Saw so much, everyhing we see on TV but close up and pesonal. Sailed by the Statute of Liberty, that was on my "bucket list" for sure. We did not see a play, but the location of the Hotel was just a few blocks from many Theatres.

I have cruised many times but the Dawn cruise during Hurricane Sandy was amazing. We followed the developing story of the hurricane on TV as the captain delayed our ship in Halifax. It was chilly and raining but we never had really rough seas. We finally got to Boston where we saw the GEM arrive with its passengers who had had a rough trip and were glad to be in port. I can't say enough good things about our captain and how he guided us away from the heart of the storm. It was definitely a trip I'll remember and I would have given it another try but the 16 day Quebec to Tampa package was not offered the following year. Because we had to skip NY, that's also been on my bucket list and now have it booked for the spring of 2015.

I'm writing down all the ideas for sightseeing and good places to eat as well as the names of various hotels so I can look them up on the internet. DH and I are seniors so probably won't be looking at fashions but we do love to walk and will definitely cross the Brooklyn Bridge. Thanks again.

Thank you everyone for your help. I am writing down all your great suggestions and look forward to a fun filled couple of days. I live in Western Canada and have always wanted to visit New York, so you can imagine my disappointment when we had to bypass New York and stay an extra day in Halifax because of Hurricane Sandy.

Lazydaz

I should add that I almost saw New York before but I was on the Dawn during Hurricane Sandy and we had to skip New York. Going to give it another try.

Two days to enjoy New York before my cruise next spring. Where should I stay and what should I see, can hardly wait!

DH and I were on the Dawn in Boston when the Gem arrived in port. We had started out in Quebec City and were enroute to Tampa when we had an unscheduled stop in Halifax to avoid the storm. We then proceeded to Boston and by that time had missed most of the hurricane .

As we got off the boat the Gem arrived along side us and you never heard such cheering and hollering. I wondered what was going on and it wasn't until a few hours later that I learned about their delays, trials and tribulations with the storm. We continued on later in the day but unfortunately our New York City stop was cancelled so a visit to the Big Apple remains on my bucket list.