spdwain

We are thinking of staying here and using the Stay, Park, Shuttle & Cruise Option. It is a fairly new hotel, but it looks like it is in a rather questionable area. My DH is concerned about leaving our car here for over a week. Has anyone stayed here or does anyone know the area? The Hampton and Hilton Garden Inn in Ridgefield Park are my other options.

We recently bought an Otentik Sunshade and are thinking of bringing it on our cruise. It comes in 3 sizes and has 2 collapsible aluminum poles. It is very lightweight and comes with a bag that you can sling over your shoulder. It would take up little room in a suitcase and would be easy to get on a bus. It is easy to set up and what I like about it is that it is very open so air can circulate. We have had the pop ups that are open on one side and even with the "windows" they get very hot in the sun. Instead of stakes you fill up four bags with sand. The sand shakes right off when you take it down. It is even machine washable.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Otentik-Beach-SunShade-Original-Sunshade/dp/B01M9I9EQL/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1537286618&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=otentik+sun+shade&psc=1

Thank you all for your input. I have some good info to go on. There is a croc store near me where we could try on shoes which helps. I never thought about using them as water shoes. The other ideas and websites are also much appreciated. I would love to go to Maui to pick some up for our Caribbean cruise, but sadly I don't think that is going to happen.

I am trying to buy a pair of men's water shoes in wide. I need a shoe that would stretch to a EEE or EEEE. None of the search engines seem to helpful and most descriptions seem to say most shoes are narrow and fit tight. Just curious if anyone has had any success in finding water shoes for very wide feet. Since it is the end of the season, most local stores have little or nothing available to try on which would be preferable, I will probably have to order online.

Thank you again. I am looking forward to Howl At The Moon even more now. I hope the same guys are there in December.

I have done both the Celebrity Summit and NCL Breakaway (sister ship to Escape) to Bermuda. We sailed in June both times and enjoyed both cruises. There is a lot more to do on NCL in the way of slides, ropes course etc. It is great if that appeals to you. We didn't use it. NCL also has many more options for nightly entertainment. This we did enjoy. I will say the ship felt crowded compared to Summit although a fall sailing may eliminate the younger crowd and be quieter. One thing I loved about Summit was the adults only Solarium. It was a relatively quiet pool area indoors. It would be perfect for cool fall days or rainy weather if you enjoy pools. The Escape does not have an indoor pool unless you have a spa room or pay for the weekly pass to the spa (limited number). The Haven may also have its own indoor pool area, but someone else would have to speak to that as we have not sailed in The Haven. Also The Summit sails out of Cape Liberty, NJ which seemed a bit easier than driving into Manhattan for NCL. Overall, the Summit is a bit smaller and quieter. I would just compare prices and freebies.

Thanks. I guess it is worth it to bring one and hope for the best

I've heard there are USB ports in the balcony cabins on Escape. This would help a bit. Can anyone confirm this?

• Cruise Power Strip with USB Outlets - Non Surge Protection - Cruise Ship Approved
  
• In Stock
  
• Eligible for FREE Shipping
  
• Amazon has this power strip made by "Cruise On". I wonder if this would be acceptable?
  
• With all the electronics we all have now I can't imagine how to charge them without some sort of extension cord.
  
• 
  
• I've read there are USB ports in the balcony cabins on Escape. Can anyone confirm this?
  This is a gift
  

I will be on this ship in December. I really am enjoying your review and all the pictures of food and menus. Thank you.

Thanks

Is there a savings in purchasing the dining package before the cruise verses waiting until you are on-board. The 4 meal is $100.80 if I purchase online. Will it be more or less expensive on-board? Thanks.

Is there any chance of a meal option other than Bamgers and Mash. DH is on a restricted diet. If not we will probably eat somewhere else first as others have suggested.

I found it depends on the phone. I have an older Galaxy Light. I would sign in and use one function like checking my onboard account and it would kick me out. I would have to go out and sign in again. My son's Galaxy 5 had no such problems. Needless to say we didn't sign up for the 7.95 texting because my phone wasn't able to stay signed in. Guest Services didn't seem to understand the problem. They would just sign in and say "there you go". Bit of a language problem.

I did Breakaway 2 weeks ago. It was quite smokey. In Maltings we were listening to music and every time the door to the Waterfront deck opened smoke would come in. We had a cigar smoker next balcony over and often found cigarette butts and matches that had blown onto our balcony. Not sure where they came from, but lots of people ignore the no smoking on balconys rule. There were lots of areas and outdoor bars for smokers. Not criticizing smokers, just stating what I experienced.

 

I agree with the post saying Celebrity is much more restrictive about smoking. We sailed Summit last year and never had a problem. I assume people who smoke prefer ships with less restrictive policies like Norwegian.

This is the best! My DH is originally from NYC and he thinks this will make it much easier for us to drive into Manhattan on this Sunday.

They also sometimes run express buses Horseshoe Bay. These are regular pink and blue public buses, and the transportation pass is good on them. Is there any chance that's what you took rather than a shuttle?

 

I bet that is what happened. I am not sure what the shuttles look like, but this was a bus that went directly to the beach. Since we intend to buy the passes again, hopefully we can find the express bus. I would hate to pay an additional $16 each way.

If you purchase a 2 or 3 day pass, can you use it to take the shuttle to Horseshoe Bay? Last summer we had the passes and somehow we were directed onto the Horseshoe Bay shuttle. We showed our passes and were not charged extra.

 

Curious if it was a mistake, have things changed or are the passes good for this shuttle?

Reboarding the Summit last year in Bermuda we noticed the person in front of us holding a very obvious bottle of liquor. Everyone smiled and fussed over her and she went right through. Turns out she was that weeks guest entertainer. Do the same rules apply to everyone or not? I would have been annoyed if I had also been carrying liquor and had it confiscated after seeing that.

Thanks for the info.

I had heard that Breakaway has sold the Bermuda Transit passes in the past. Does anyone know if they are doing it this season? If so what is available: 1 day, 2 day, 3 day etc.? Are they selling them for the same price that they go for in Bermuda at Dockyard? Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the tip on the crossings. We never drive into NYC so I find it a bit intimidating. We have gone out of Bayonne NJ and that was pretty easy.

Thank you all for your input. Right now I'm leaning towards getting up early and leaving here at 6am. That should put me at the cruise terminal by 10am. Sunday morning should not be too bad, and if there are delays, we have built in a time cushion.

 

Waiting for the shuttles makes me a bit nervous. I may end up getting to the Breakaway later than if I drive on my own. And if I have to call and wait on the return it could take forever to get out of NYC. Parking at the port is expensive, but convenient.

I have to decide soon whether it is better to drive to NYC from MD on a Sunday morning for our Breakaway cruise (approximately 3 1/2 hrs), or come up the night before and stay in one of the Trinity Reservations Hotels in NJ. Does anyone have any recent experience with the 3 suggested? They are the Newark Ramada, Ridgefield Park Hilton Garden Inn, and the Newark Wyndham Garden. We are just looking for a clean and safe place to stay. I am particularly interested in how the shuttle works. I think you have to make your own reservations. Does it get you there early? How about on the return? I like the option of parking at the port and being able to take off immediately, if the shuttle is a long wait. I can see pros and cons both ways so I am looking for input. Cost wise it is almost the same for the hotel and shuttle vs. parking at the port. Thanks.

I probably wouldn't have thought of them. It may be a good alternative for me as I am not a big (plain) water drinker. Thank you for your suggestion.