ctrinco

Sounds like there is a hack here - but I'm trying to figure out what the best plan of attack is.

Husband and I are Diamond.  We each get one day - is it cheaper to use the one day period Day 1/Day 2 - after we sail away (and have to turn our phones off), and then buy the remainder of the days onboard? OR is it cheaper to purchase the internet package online with the discount they offer.

Cruising out of Seattle...flight home isn't until 11:50 at night.  We were in Seattle last summer so we've seen the "sights".  Is Mt Ranier doable with 10 hours to kill?  Is the best way to rent a car near the pier?

Thanks for all the replies...I ended up getting the Have it All package.  At $50 a day per person, with $100 shore excursion credit and 1 specialty dinner (plus drink package, wifi) it seem to make more financial sense.

1 minute ago, kazu said:

 

The corkage fee of $20 is for each bottle of wine.  So, one bottle is $20, two bottles is $40, etc.

The Signature Beverage Package is sufficient for most.  If your drink is over the limit, they are now just charging the difference.

Many get the HIA (Have It All) package as it often works out cheaper but you do need to do the math.

Thanks...I suppose with the cost of the actual wine perhaps it's not worth the hassle.  I didn't realize there was a different package than Have it all.  I'll take a look at that too.  

Thanks so much everyone for the info!

Thanks!  Was specifically looking for the rules for HAL as this is our first time sailing with them. For those that have paid -- was the corkage fee per bottle or just $20 total of 2 bottles?  I'm assuming glasses of wine are probably $14 on board, so the corkage fee is still less than what it would cost for 3 glasses.

We still haven't decided on the drink package, so I was trying to figure out what I might spend if I brought a couple bottles on board with me.

Perhaps we'll get lucky and they'll let us through security without making us pay 😛

I read the updated carry on beverage policy and it notes that wine brought on board is subject to a $20 corkage fee.  Royal Caribbean only charges this if you bring the wine to dinner, not if you consume in your stateroom.  Does Holland America charge this regardless at the time of boarding?

Awesome!  Thanks for the tips martincath!! 

The hubby loves beer, so it sounds like a perfect way to spend a few hours during our nighttime port.

Much appreciated!

On 1/8/2023 at 6:25 PM, martincath said:

Port arrival and departure times are very relevant to your question OP - if this is an evening stop, your options drop dramatically as Victoria pretty much rolls up the sidewalks soon after 5pm... Back in TheBeforeTimes Butchart stayed open much later in the evenings - if they have sorted out staffing they might do so again this summer, so an evening tour there might be on the cards...

 

Otherwise some touristy shops stay open, especially around the inner harbour, but otherwise it's beer, food, beer, walking around the pretty downtown with many illuminated buildings, beer, a carriage ride if that's your thing, beer, 'afternoon' tea for a ridiculous cost in the Fairmont Empress until as late as 9pm some summers, or beer. Did I mention the beer? Victoria does have the distinction of not just one but two different brewpubs offering traditional naturally-carbonated and served at the correct cellar temperature 'Real Ales' - both Swans and Spinnakers operate dual cellars, so the poor unfortunates fooled into believing beer tastes best at barely-above-freezing can drink with civilized folks who know it should be consumed at ~10C/50F in the same establishment.

 

 

 

 

You mention beer....and beer...and beer.  Are there local breweries within walking distance from port?  Pubs that offer local beer?

On 3/27/2022 at 8:21 PM, kroberts0525 said:

We ended up hiring a driver who took us around in a very nice van. It was $110 total for the two of us, booked online. He took us to the rum tasting, to take pictures at a couple places in town and at the old fort, lunch on a beach and pictures from up the side of the mountain. Then we returned to enjoy the pool in the port. I lived in South America and have traveled extensively but I was sort of glad we had a guide to move us quickly through the streets because things were chaotic...motorcycle taxis weaving in and out of traffic, such a huge police presence. Our guide was friendly but I wish his command of English or ours of Spanish would have been a bit better. I had lots of questions! The fort was beautiful and for a $2 fee we were given a headset with explanations for what we were looking at. I think the city will get better as they get their tourism game better organized. 

What was the name of the website that you booked with?

8 minutes ago, 138east said:

The 911 Memorial is right by the bow of the ship.

Awesome! I’m hoping to give our bags to a porter and then walk over!

Curious about this too!

We are flying American and they said we could check same day fights starting at 3:30 am.  Traveling with two teenagers, so the mall is really for them.

i was under the impression that the 9/11 park was walkable from the port. Was hoping to do that when we board the ship? Is that not possible?

This is where I ended up for my options - thought I would share in case it is helpful to someone else.  We planned a day trip into NYC the day before the cruise after we check into our hotel and drop luggage, so we aren't planning to go back post cruise.

Post cruise airport transportation provided with our pre-cruise Stay and Cruise package.  Shuttle will pick us up from port and can take us to the airport or back to the hotel.

• Option 1: Shuttle to the airport and hang out there all day (approx. 7 hrs)
• Option 2: Shuttle to the airport, check in luggage and uber/taxi to Jersey Mills Outlet mall (approx. 5 min) – Taxi ride is ~$15 each way ($30) or bus shuttle is $9 pp round trip ($36).  We will still have to manage carry-on bags.  Mall offers SmarteCart rentals for $7 so we could push it around instead of carry it.
• Option 3: Shuttle to hotel, hold luggage at hotel.  Pay $25 per room for a round trip transport to mall and back to hotel.  Then shuttle to airport in the afternoon.
• Option 4: Purchase post-cruise excursion which will hold luggage and provide transport to airport - $69 pp x 4 ($276)

I think we are going to end up doing option 2. 

Cruising out of Bayonne for the first time at the end of the month.  Our flight out of EWR isn't until 5pm, so we have some time to kill.  I've done a fair amount of digging on luggage storage/private tours/cruise tour options and I'm coming up empty handed in terms of "good" options.  Am I missing something?  Help!

The tour is free, you pay for drinks in the cafe and it is cheap. I doubt they have discounts. Yes you can buy bottles of any rum plus they have a wide selection of branded merch.

 

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Oops - was thinking of something else!

We booked a room at Comfort Suites through resort for a day and that came with admission. It was less than $300

following...interested also.

We did this without issue - but booked through Resort for Day - check the prices there if you want to avoid the booking.com fees.

Can anyone confirm if the ship tour includes the KSC Explore add on or is this just a straight admission ticket tour? Here's the description for RC Anthem:

Enjoy a guided tour of the Space Shuttle program, from launch preparation to lift-off at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. View the Space Shuttle launch pads before arriving at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Re-live the historic launch of Apollo 8 at the Firing Room Theater and marvel at the monstrous 363-foot Saturn V moon rocket. Finally, stand face-to-face with America's only orbiter—Atlantis—displayed in all her mid-flight glory.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: See this working space facility on a guided tour.
  
• Space Shuttle Program: Be awestruck by the Shuttle Launch Experience and enjoy an IMAX film on the future of space exploration.
  

The Holiday Inn is 3 exits away on the Turnpike. It does not cater to flyers. Reviews indicate some issues connecting with their airport shuttle. I have not stayed there and no one has posted about their experience at the hotel with the cruise package.

 

The Ramada is right by exit 14 on the Turnpike and is one of the closest hotels to the port.

 

The whole area is a highly industrialed urban area. With the exception of the hotels on International Blvd, there is no place to walk to from any of the airport hotels except perhaps a neighboring hotel. Hotels which offer free breakfast often have no other food service except delivery.

 

Newark Airport is not a vacation destination.

You are like the Newark cruiser whisperer! No issues with the Ramada being next to a state prison!!?? :eek:

The Airtrain is a monorail connecting all terminals, some of the rental cars, the pickup area, and the train station and it is free. When you fly in, you will have to take it to the P4 station to connect with the hotel shuttle. https://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf/ewr-airtrain-brochure-english.pdf

 

No free breakfast at the Ramada. They have a restaurant and a very nice cafe where you can get something light for breakfast. Anthem will be awash with food starting at 11am.

 

I used Trinity at the Ramada 2 years ago and was very happy with it. I used their package that includes parking.

 

When you get to the hotel, you sign up for the shuttle with the Concierge. The shuttes left at 9, 10 and 11.

Awesome information THANK YOU! Have you stayed at the Holiday inn trinity has packages for? Looks like for $221 you can get breakfast included plus the same for all 4. Any thoughts about 1 over the other?

The Ramada through Trinity for 3/22/19 is $200 tax included for a room for 4 people and round trip port transportation for 4. You will get 2 double beds.

 

This is a great deal. The main thing you need to know us that on your return, you will get shuttled to the hotel and then on to the P4 Airtrain station to connect to your terminal, so you need to allow enough time to do that.

So the P4 air train is to and from the airport then? Is that free? Do they offer free breakfast at the Ramada?

Have you used trinity in the past and are happy with the service? What time do they normally get you to port? My hubby likes to be there early enough that we can get on when they open the ship.

What are your exact cruise dates? You definitely want to fly into Newark.

 

What is your "affordable" hotel budget for 4 people? One room? Bed size - 2 doubles, 2 queens, or king/queen + sofa bed? Are you traveling with kids?

 

There is no place to stay within 8 miles of the port. Given your requirements, an airport hotel is your best option. The airport is in Newark and Elizabeth. Three hotels offer port transportation - Embassy Suites, Country Inns, and the Ramada through trinityreservations.com.

 

Return flight time depends on your exact date. Definitely not 9:30. Maybe 11 if you self disembark.

2 adults, 2 Teens (15/12). I’m hoping for around $150 but if it included port transport I would pay more. Dates are 3/22-3/30 (cruise leaves 3/23). I did check trinity but it looks like they may not have everything available Yet? Would prefer 2 beds over a bed + pullout but we can make either work.

Thanks for your response! Much appreciated!

We are going on the Anthem March 23, 2019 sailing.We will come into Newark on Friday late morning (probably- since I have yet to book airfare) It will be myself, my wife and our two children (boy 15, girl 13). The loose plan would be to take the ferry (which the hotel provides a free shuttle) and just walk around Manhattan, 9/11 memorial, maybe take the subway uptown a little further towards Central Park. We were thinking just an afternoon and then jump back on the ferry and head back to Staten Island. I have checked out the trinity website which has been mentioned multiple times on this thread. It is an option, but I am more interested in hearing about experiences with these Staten Island hotels. I haven't seen much mentioned in this thread (lately) about them.

We are on this cruise also -- traveling with 2 boys ages 15 & 12 :)

First cruise out of Cape Liberty. Flying in from Chicago the day before the cruise March 2019 -- from what I gather on this thread I definitely want to fly in to Newark. Do you recommend staying near the airport - we are NOT planning to go into NYC or do any sightseeing in NJ pre-cruise, just a decent, affordable place to stay with easy access to the port area in the am. There are 4 of us.

What city should I focus my hotel search - and it sounds like Uber is the best way for hotel to port transportation?

Also, most ports I do not book a return flight before 11am - same for Newark? Or is a 9:30 flight doable if we walk off the ship with our own luggage?