Cape Liberty - Bayonne

[Sunshine3601]

42 minutes ago, Auntiemomo said:

I compare NJ to Canada -- the same mentality -- nothing regarding cruising will open up in 2021.  Florida is a different case.  They will probably be the first to open up.  

Florida will definitely be the first to allow ports to open, look how many they have.  It's a huge impact on economy for all those Ports NJ only has the one cruise port same as Md/Baltimore.  

I suspect FL to open later this summer and Nj to open in the fall as long as all goes well with vaccinations and first cruises out of FL.  Time will tell.

[Etta1213]

6 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

So they've been doing virtual?  

Yes.

[JerseyGem]

3 hours ago, Etta1213 said:

Yes.

Only some NJ schools are still closed.  Our granddaughter is in school two days a week (soon to be three) and virtual the other days.  Each school district decides for themselves whether to open fully, partially or not at all.  Very confusing! 

 

Just like every county seems to be handling the Covid vaccine centers differently- also confusing.  

 

We're still wondering about cruising from Bayonne in July and December- more confusion.   

[Iamcruzin]

15 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

Amplified is a marketing term. What it means on Royal Caribbean is taking away public space with more cabins and adding more extra fee dining venues. Plus some new carpeting in public areas and USB ports in the cabins. 

Just like their sister company Celebrity is "Revolutionizing" their ships, which translates to book a suite so you can be segregated from the riff raff.   Neither of these terms actually suggest an improvement for the mainstream cruiser but they sure fall for it hook, line and sinker. 

[Milwaukee Eight]

11 hours ago, Etta1213 said:

Nj schools for my daughter's children are still closed. Might open part time in March.

Sad.....  

[Ourusualbeach]

22 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

Neither of these terms actually suggest an improvement for the mainstream cruiser but they sure fall for it hook, line and sinker. 

There’s no falling for anything.  It’s what about appeals to that individual.  I’ll sail on an amplified ship any day over one that hasn’t been amplified.  I like the extra choices that are now offered.

 

Just because the changes don’t appeal to you does not mean they don’t appeal to others.  Given that Royal  is turning their focus to families I would suspect that their amplified ships are appealing to a whole lot more customers than than they are losing because the6 don’t like the changes. 

[Iamcruzin]

12 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I live in the tri-state area.    what is going on?   Our covid numbers are way down after the holidays.   We have everything open in PA and NJ  just somethings with limited capacity (NY I'm not sure about).    But Cape Liberty is in NJ.

The NYC boroughs capacity restrictions are less than eastern Long Island and the mainland. Restaurants are operating at 25% capacity. It's probably a pleasure to eat in them now. Masks and social distancing is still in place. School is 1/2 in class 1/2 online. In terms of shopping it has become more relaxed.

The Long Island Railroad is still empty because people are still working from home.  I think they are all enjoying working from home. My wife works from home 2 days a week. This week she worked from home all week because of the snow. She is fully vaccinated so it's a personal choice to work from home. 

My oldest son is still working from home. Again a personal choice. Every once in a while he will go to the office. My other son works for a bank and has been on paid quarantine a few times due to being in contact with a co worker who tested positive.  Last week they sent him home because he was coughing. He tested negative. This kid has been quarantined several times during the year but has never had covid. 

 

I work for a drug store chain and are around God knows what on a daily basis. Next week I get the first dose of the vaccine.

[boscobeans]

33 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

Just like their sister company Celebrity is "Revolutionizing" their ships, which translates to book a suite so you can be segregated from the riff raff.   Neither of these terms actually suggest an improvement for the mainstream cruiser but they sure fall for it hook, line and sinker. 

So very true.

Back when we started cruising, not that long ago, in 2001 it was with Celebrity and they had NO distinction between the top suite and the lowest inside next to the screws in the aft. Yes there was a butler with your suite but aside from that nothing else.. They didn't even have specialty dining because the food in the MDR was excellent.

 

Looking at how Celebrity has become so enamored with their "Suite Life"  we have avoided them almost entirely and switched over to Royal. 

[Iamcruzin]

6 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

There’s no falling for anything.  It’s what about appeals to that individual.  I’ll sail on an amplified ship any day over one that hasn’t been amplified.  I like the extra choices that are now offered.

 

Just because the changes don’t appeal to you does not mean they don’t appeal to others.  Given that Royal  is turning their focus to families I would suspect that their amplified ships are appealing to a whole lot more customers than than they are losing because the6 don’t like the changes. 

 

I would never sail on an Oasis class ship because of size and most importantly because of the unappealing itinerary. The biggest concern with any renovation no matter what the line is, They always seem to add more staterooms to load on more passengers.   

[boscobeans]

9 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

 

I work for a drug store chain and are around God knows what on a daily basis. Next week I get the first dose of the vaccine.

My wife and I feel your pain.

We remember back when this all started and to just enter an E.R. at a hospital you had to get through a Triage tent before you got past the front door.  All this while Pharmacy employees continued with NO SUCH precautions giving seasonal flu shots, filling prescriptions and doing their best for the hundreds of walk ins off the street..

[Iamcruzin]

2 minutes ago, boscobeans said:

So very true.

Back when we started cruising, not that long ago, in 2001 it was with Celebrity and they had NO distinction between the top suite and the lowest inside next to the screws in the aft. Yes there was a butler with your suite but aside from that nothing else.. They didn't even have specialty dining because the food in the MDR was excellent.

 

Looking at how Celebrity has become so enamored with their "Suite Life"  we have avoided them almost entirely and switched over to Royal. 

A lot of regular CC celebrity cruisers have moved on to the real luxury lines that offer a true luxury experience through out the ship. Smaller ships, better service and probably better itineraries. I have been cruising since 1986 and even my first sailing on Carnival was more luxurious than what these lines are offering up now.

[Ourusualbeach]

5 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

 

I would never sail on an Oasis class ship because of size and most importantly because of the unappealing itinerary. The biggest concern with any renovation no matter what the line is, They always seem to add more staterooms to load on more passengers.   

That’s fine and I respect your opinion I was just objecting to you saying that everyone is falling for it hook line and sinker....we aren’t.   Many of us enjoy the larger ships and having sailed on every class of ship I find Oasis class to feel the least crowded of them all.  TBH I didn’t notice a difference with the added staterooms on Oasis. 

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, Iamcruzin said:

which translates to book a suite so you can be segregated from the riff raff. 

LOL   I couldn't believe how the suite passengers on the Summit have virtually the entire front of the ship to themselves with their "retreat". I totally get offering more to suite guests, but X took what was the only forward-facing deck of the ship that formerly had public access and made it private. 

[Mapleleafforever]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

That’s fine and I respect your opinion I was just objecting to you saying that everyone is falling for it hook line and sinker....we aren’t.   Many of us enjoy the larger ships and having sailed on every class of ship I find Oasis class to feel the least crowded of them all.  TBH I didn’t notice a difference with the added staterooms on Oasis. 

On our first Oasis class cruise (on Oasis) we were shocked at just how little crowded it felt. I mean, there are times when it gets crowded such as busy times at the WJ but for the most part it doesn't ever seem like there are 6000+ passengers onboard (not inlcuding crew). 

[Sunshine3601]

14 hours ago, Etta1213 said:

Nj schools for my daughter's children are still closed. Might open part time in March.

Schools in county in Pa have been open for months and the families have options of full classroom, partial classroom or all virtual learning.  It's been a mix for all ages.   

Just this week a  local elementary school in my neighborhood had a breakout of covid with 2nd graders, age 7.   A classroom had 10 out of 25 test positive (so far) so the students and their families are all in quarantine.   With that news I expect a lot of parents will revert back to virtual learning.  It is very sad.

[Sunshine3601]

20 minutes ago, Mapleleafforever said:

On our first Oasis class cruise (on Oasis) we were shocked at just how little crowded it felt. I mean, there are times when it gets crowded such as busy times at the WJ but for the most part it doesn't ever seem like there are 6000+ passengers onboard (not inlcuding crew). 

So true.  The only time the amount of people seems overwhelming to us is days of embarkment and disembarkment.

[OnTheJourney]

While I don't think I'd ever become a fan of large-ship cruising, what M says makes sense. The combined factors of number of people relative to the size of ship determines how much (or not) it feels crowded. Smaller ship = less space to spread out in, and vice-versa. That being said, I'm becoming partial to the smaller size. I think where the size difference really becomes pronounced is when you're in the MDR - one that has 3 (or more?) levels with just so many people in there. Other than eating or atttending other larger scale events like evening shows, etc. everyone does tend to spread out in all areas of the ship, thus reducing the 'crowded' aspect. Another factor I like about smaller ships (at least on the Viking cruise I did) is the absence of certain things that are always present on larger ships, e.g. photographers snooping around always trying to get your picture - I think I have enough cruise pics to last me the rest of my travel days - and things like noisy, crowded casinos. I did not miss any of that stuff on the Viking cruise. (Hate to say it...but also enjoyed the absence of kids all over the ship as well). I also like open (meaning completely non-reserved) seating times to eat. Walk in whenever you want. This, however, may become a thing of the past, along with having access to serving utensils at the buffets. I also like having wine/beer available for lunch and dinner - not that I used it that frequently, but I have no interest in these drinks packages that are offered. On board, it gets old constantly being asked if we want it. Yet another thing...I really don't like the staff badgering me to sign up for dinners in specialty restaurants. Gets to be annoying. You walk by these guys at the various stairwell landings and they're like vultures. The deals being hawked at "special, low prices" and so forth probably aren't anyway. Gotta say, though, some of the 'pitches' are rather humorous. Apologies for making my post sound like a "pitch" for Viking! It's just that it was my first experience on any small(er) ship and I loved some of the things that were absent from every other cruise I've taken. 

Edited February 20, 2021 by OnTheJourney

[nelblu]

2 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

So true.  The only time the amount of people seems overwhelming to us is days of embarkment and disembarkment.

I've been on all of the Oasis classes.  I love these ships.  The only times that it felt crowded is if you want a chair near the pool or the other times when an event is happening in the Promenade deck.  We  basically  stay away from the WJ (xcpt breakfast) and dine either in the DR or the CP Cafe.  Remember, the DR at lunch has not only a menu but also a buffet type dining.

[OnTheJourney]

I think much depends on what level of activity you're looking for. For me, the attraction is not the daily schedule full of games, parties, whatever... to attend with hundreds of other people...but rather the quiet to be found either on my own balcony or just being out at the deck railings watching the water, sky, scenery and so forth - especially approaching or leaving ports. If I want to feel like I'm in a large shopping complex of some sort, I'll go to one. My approach to cruising probably has to do with having grown up in a family that routinely went boating - on smaller craft (17'-20') that only held a few people. I'm also destination oriented, and choose cruises accordingly. If where I want to go conveniently winds up on a larger ship, I'd probably do it. I can't imagine, for instance, cruising just for the sake of cruising...i.e. a cruise to nowhere. Even though it would still offer the relaxing aspects I referred to, it just wouldn't have much appeal for me - same applies to doing the same cruise itineraries over and over again. BUT...each to his/her own!!! 

Edited February 20, 2021 by OnTheJourney

[Ashland]

Back to topic....Does any one have any idea when the Canada N/E 2022 Cape Liberty Oct 2022 schedule will be open? I know it now says TBD.

[Baron Barracuda]

1 hour ago, OnTheJourney said:

While I don't think I'd ever become a fan of large-ship cruising, what M says makes sense. The combined factors of number of people relative to the size of ship determines how much (or not) it feels crowded. Smaller ship = less space to spread out in, and vice-versa. That being said, I'm becoming partial to the smaller size. I think where the size difference really becomes pronounced is when you're in the MDR - one that has 3 (or more?) levels with just so many people in there. Other than eating or atttending other larger scale events like evening shows, etc. everyone does tend to spread out in all areas of the ship, thus reducing the 'crowded' aspect. Another factor I like about smaller ships (at least on the Viking cruise I did) is the absence of certain things that are always present on larger ships, e.g. photographers snooping around always trying to get your picture - I think I have enough cruise pics to last me the rest of my travel days - and things like noisy, crowded casinos. I did not miss any of that stuff on the Viking cruise. (Hate to say it...but also enjoyed the absence of kids all over the ship as well). I also like open (meaning completely non-reserved) seating times to eat. Walk in whenever you want. This, however, may become a thing of the past, along with having access to serving utensils at the buffets. I also like having wine/beer available for lunch and dinner - not that I used it that frequently, but I have no interest in these drinks packages that are offered. On board, it gets old constantly being asked if we want it. Yet another thing...I really don't like the staff badgering me to sign up for dinners in specialty restaurants. Gets to be annoying. You walk by these guys at the various stairwell landings and they're like vultures. The deals being hawked at "special, low prices" and so forth probably aren't anyway. Gotta say, though, some of the 'pitches' are rather humorous. Apologies for making my post sound like a "pitch" for Viking! It's just that it was my first experience on any small(er) ship and I loved some of the things that were absent from every other cruise I've taken. 

We're big VO fans.  Only thing missing for us is the casino.

 

Oasis only feels spacious when the weather is good.  If rain, snow or cold force everyone  below deck it can get pretty crowded.  Royal is smart only basing her in Bayonne during warm weather months.  During winter Anthem works well.

[mjkacmom]

18 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

So they've been doing virtual?  

Not the OP but are schools have been closed since March (20 miles from cape liberty), starting back 2 mornings a week next month. Most colleges have been virtual.

[Ourusualbeach]

50 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Back to topic....Does any one have any idea when the Canada N/E 2022 Cape Liberty Oct 2022 schedule will be open? I know it now says TBD.

No one has any other information other than TBD.

[ONECRUISER]

4 hours ago, Mapleleafforever said:

On our first Oasis class cruise (on Oasis) we were shocked at just how little crowded it felt. I mean, there are times when it gets crowded such as busy times at the WJ but for the most part it doesn't ever seem like there are 6000+ passengers onboard (not inlcuding crew). 

Yeah, people hear "6000" and think Crowded. Most don't realize smaller "Love Boat" size ships of 25-30+ years ago yes only had 500-1000 passengers but Public Space per person was in 20's(square feet). in 1990's came Vision in the 30's and Voyager in 40's, then with Oasis Class with over 50sq pp. More room to spread out in more public spaces and Dining Choices. My Kids love Oasis and Quantum Classes, Me, travel SOLO and will enjoy Radiance and Vision Classes while still around...

[Ashland]

14 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

No one has any other information other than TBD.

Not even you