biojeep

Has anyone used the NCL transfer from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal to LaGuardia? We thought this might be easy to do instead of car for hire service. A little more expensive but we thought this might be any easy way to get to LGA.

Dyea Dave uses a small bus with about 20 people. Highly recommend him. Used him last summer & it was one the best excursions in our 2 cruises to Alaska.

Highly recommend. One of the best excursions we took in our two cruises to Alaska.

In past cruises where we used the transfer it was very efficient & easy so I would hope NYC would be the same.

We will be in Bar Harbor in October on the Serenade of Seas & would like to use Oli's Trolley 4 hour tour. Will be in port from 8 till 6. Being this is a tender port & I am sure we will have to wait till all RCL tours have tendered. Any suggestions from past cruisers on what time to book. Times are 10, 11, or 1.

Casofilia - what hotel has a shuttle to LGA?

Would like to hear comments from people who have used NCL transfer after their cruise ended to get from Manhattan cruise terminal to LGA since the construction has begun at LGA. Was wondering if this was a hassle free way to get to the airport. We have done this on our past NCL cruises & had no problems- very easy. Been reading of the difficulties of getting to LGA so I thought this would be a good option even if it cost a little more. We will be returning on the Gem in October.

I would like to hear comments from people who have used NCL transfer after their cruise ended to get from Manhattan cruise terminal to LGA since the construction has begun at LGA. Was wondering if this was a hassle free way to get to the airport. We have done this on our past NCL cruises & had no problems- very easy. Been reading of the difficulties of getting to LGA so I thought this would be a good option even if it cost a little more. We will be returning on the Gem in October.

Flowers44,

Could you please post the names of the independent tour companies that you used.

Will take NCL transfer from ship to LGA after cruise to catch flight home. Just concerned about airport to hotel prior to cruise.

Sailing on the NCL Gem in October so we need to finalize our flights. Originally we were going to fly into LGA because we are staying in Times Square. But after reading of the transportation nightmare at LGA we are unsure. Considering we are not going until this October shouldn't some of the traffic problems have been fixed by then? Would like to hear advice from people familiar with LGA recent problems. If not flying into LGA, then suggestions on the best airport to fly into with transportation cost to Times Square. Flight costs to JFK & EWR are about the same.

Sailing on the NCL Gem in October so we need to finalize our flights. Originally we were going to fly into LGA because we are staying in Times Square. But after reading of the transportation nightmare at LGA we are unsure. Considering we are not going until this October shouldn't some of the traffic problems have been fixed by then? Would like to hear advice from people familiar with LGA recent problems. If not flying into LGA, then suggestions on the best airport to fly into with transportation cost to Times Square. Flight costs to JFK & EWR are about the same.

Totally agree, the Pearl is one of our favorite ships but its itinerary is mostly round trip Seattle. This Sun northbound from Vancouver does Glacier Bay & Hubbard Glacier. That is a fabulous itinerary plus you can travel from Seward to Denali or just explore Kenai peninsula. This is why I think NCL is a great choice for Alaska. Great ships & great itineraries!!!

Last year during first week of June there were not many kids. We drove to Denali after our cruise ended in Seward. We stayed at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood then drove to Denali. Not a bad drive & we stopped in Talkeetna. We were originally going to do the cruise tour but decided to rent a car & glad we did. That allowed us to stop when we wanted & not be on a time schedule.

We have cruised to Alaska twice on NCL & have loved both our cruises. We sailed on the Pearl & the Sun. The Sun was northbound from Vancouver to Seward & the Pearl was round trip Seattle. We were very concerned about the poor reviews of the Sun on Cruise Critic but they were totally off base. We loved the smaller ship & it was in great shape contrary to the reviews we had read on CC. As with food, all thing as are very subjective. There will always be people who are not satisfied. I would not hesitate to cruise with NCL. The itineraries are great & the relaxed atmosphere is perfect for Alaska. Their one way itineraries I think are better than the one ways. We have talked to people on the NCL ships who have also sailed on RCL & they have all told us that NCL was just as good or better than RCL.

An added plus is that with NCL you have a personal cruise consultant that can help you with all questions & can notify you if prices go down & about perks or special promotions. With RCL we have been told to just call the 800 number to speak to any rep. I much rather speak to the same person & develop some sort of relationship with someone who can help me.

NCL also has one main dining room open all days of the cruise for breakfast & lunch plus one MDR room is open for lunch upon embarkation so you don't have to eat with the crowds at the buffet. RCL ship to Alaska has a MDR open for lunch only on sea days & on MDR open during embarking.

NCL does Glacier Bay & Hubbard Glacier itineraries while RCL does only Hubbard.

Have never sailed with RCL so we would like to know if breakfast is served in MDR as well as Windjammer. Is lunch served in MDR as first come first serve where you can sit where you want or is it assigned seating?

Rubyfisch,

Love the review. We are sailing on Serenade in October. Can you tell me if there are many tables for 2 in the main dining room. Also can you comment on the comfort of the beds. We have heard that the beds are very hard. Any information on the shape of the ship would be greatly appreciated.

Again could we please get back to the real topic of this thread - pros & cons of sailing out of NYC or Boston. Thanks

Thanks 138east for the info. I am sure you are enjoying Alaska. We have cruised there twice & can't wait to return. I wanted to go back there this year but my wife wants to go to the East coast. Last Alaskan trip we rented a car & drove for a week after our cruise. Best trip we ever took.

Hope to hear from 138east on this thread. I know she is very familiar with this area.

Please explain how we use the Silver Line to get from the airport to the Seaport Hotel. Do we use SL1? Where does the bus pick up at the airport? Is it free? Also can you use the Silver Line to get to the cruise terminal from the hotel?

Still would like to hear comments regarding my original thread. This thread has gotten completely off topic for some reason.

Would the Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield be a good choice if flying in to EWR the day before cruise from Manhattan cruise terminal? Do they have shuttle from airport to hotel ? Shuttle to cruise port? Price is very reasonable for the hotel. Suggestions???

NCL Sun Alaska cruise northbound from Vancouver to Seward.

More than likely