djo53

Many thanks for all your responses. Very helpful!

We are sailing on Celebrity Equinox out of Miami next Jan/Feb. We are in two minds whether, on disembarkation, we should pre book our taxi transfers to Miami airport or simply pick up a cab from the rank at the cruise port. We are inclined to the latter as we have no time constraints (flight home is at 18.00) and to pre book would cost about $86, which seems expensive. Can anyone please offer advice? Particularly; are cabs for hire plentiful at the cruise port?; approximately how much should I expect to pay (for two adults plus luggage)?;

are there any cab types/companies I should avoid? All and any advice welcome.

Like many other posters, we have just returned from this cruise which was massively disappointing because we were not able to visit St Petersburg, which was to have been the highlight of the cruise. On both days, the captain deemed the wind speeds to be too great to attempt a safe transit into St Petersburg harbour. We do of course accept that safety is absolutely paramount and we also acknowledge the captain's expertise and experience in these matters, and the responsibilities attached to his position. However, whilst at anchor off St Petersburg, at approximately 9.00pm on the first day of our scheduled visit, we witnessed the P&O ship Britannia (a bigger ship than ours) sail out of the harbour. We were all left wondering why it was apparently 'safe' for Britannia to leave the harbour yet it was not safe for us to enter. No explanation was offered.

In addition to the massive disappointment of not visiting St Petersburg, the consequence was an additional two days at sea, making 9 in total, which on a 14 day cruise is far too many. The additional two days were in poor weather so the entertainment programme for those days was very important, and VERY disappointing! Yes, there were Celebrity Life Activities arranged such as throwing bean bags at a hole in a target board, and paper aeroplane making completions, and many others of a similar ilk, but these are not of interest to many on the ship. It was disappointing that no additional performances were staged by the many professional entertainers on board. In addition to the resident acts, these included at least two visiting acts who were not scheduled to leave the ship until the port after St Petersburg. Why were there no matinee performances for example? This would have been very much appreciated. In conversation with one of these acts, we learned that they would have been delighted to have been asked to put on an extra performance, but we're not asked to do so. Was this because Celebrity did not want to spend the money?

All this said, we have to say that Sue Denning is a brilliant Cruise Director, by far the best we have sailed with. We presume that the inadequate entertainment programme on the two days in question was due to budgetary constraints rather than a failing in her part, but whatever the reason, inadequate it certainly was.

We are due to visit St Petersburg with Celebrity this summer. In the light of the current political tensions between the UK and Russia, how do fellow Brits feel about visiting St Petersburg at the moment? Do you feel there is a significant risk?

We are joining the ship on 20 March, who is the Cruise Director? What do you think of him/her?

We are sailing on Eclipse on 20 March, can someone tell me who is the current Cruise Director please? What did you think of him/her?

Hi All

We are sailing on Eclipse out of Miami in March. On return we have a 17.15 flight back to the UK from MIA for which we will need to be at the airport by about 13.00. We will most probably be off the ship by 09.00 so we will have 4 to 5 spare hours and we are looking for advice on how best to spend it. We are distinctly unimpressed with the disembarkation excursions offered by Celebrity which offer the choice of an airboat ride on the Everglades or a hop on, hop off bus tour of Miami. A bus or taxi tour of Miami would be nice but the Celebrity offer gets bad reviews and its risky because there are many uncontrollable variables that could cause our late arrival at MIA. Does any one have any advice please on the best way to get a taste of Miami culminating with an airport drop off?

Many thanks to all who replied

Many thanks

Many thanks

Hi all

We are cruising the Caribbean on Eclipse in March. Can anyone who has already done a similar cruise on Eclipse this season please tell us the times of the shows in the theatre? Many thanks.

Hi all

We are cruising the Caribbean on Eclipse in March. Can anyone who has already done a similar cruise on Eclipse this season please tell us the times of the shows in the theatre? Many thanks.

Hi All

We are a British couple sailing on Eclipse out of Miami in March. We fly in a day before the ship sails so we need to book an overnight hotel stay and we would appreciate recommendations. We will have an afternoon and an evening in which to enjoy our surroundings so we are looking for a good quality hotel in a pleasant safe area where we can explore and dine. We look forward to hearing from you.

I hope not. We are on Canada New England 6/9/15.

We love the Summit. Platinum on Princess but sometimes do Celebrity for the itinerary. Did a back to back on Summit from San Juan in 2013 and loved the ship.

Great staff, friendly, elegant. I prefer it to Equinox. It has all the best of the bigger ships. Normandie has the most superb food we have ever had on a cruise. Love it:)

We are on this cruise too. Are you going to be staying pre cruise at the Hilton Doubletree Newark? Will you have a look at my thread 'Pre Cruise Hotels Newark New Jersey' and let me have your comments please. Thankyou

Hi all. We really like Celebrity ships having so far sailed on Solstice, Silhouette and Eclipse. How does Summit compare to Solstice class ships? Are we going to be disappointed with it when we cruise New England and Canada next year?

Yes, I was talking about the Newark Hilton Penn Station.

 

If you like the Hilton brand hotels, I'd seriously consider the DoubleTree In Jersey City which is showing for $201 tax included for Sep 5. It would be worth paying the $46 plus tip to get there. There are lots of restaurants within walking distance and the views of NY are spectacular. I think the Westin and/or the Hyatt have bars or restaurants on a high floor for an even better view of Manhattan.

Once again, many thanks. You have given me lots of options and plenty of food for thought. Thankfully we have plenty of time to decide what to do.

Do you happen to know where Cunard and Princess ships sail from in the New York area? and are there any advantages from a departure port perspective?

It's a 4* hotel in downtown Newark. The quoted rate on Sep 5 is $218 tax included, so paying $266 is not a deal.

 

Sept 5 is in the middle of Labor Day weekend, so hotel prices in this area should be rock bottom - no business travel going on and as I said, Newark is not a vacation destination.

 

If you are committed to taking what Celebrity has to offer, I'd suck it up and stay at the Doubletree. When I stayed there, I really liked the whole layout of the property with the pool in the main lobby surrounded by plants. They are a full service hotel.

 

If you are looking for an interesting area to eat, spend the money and take a cab to the Ironbound District in Newark - http://www.goironbound.com/ibidsite/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=36&Itemid=34

 

If you're looking for more of a pub style, you can walk next door to Teddy's in the Ramada.

Is the 4* property you're talking about the Hilton Penn Station?

No, that's at the train station that goes into New York. I have no idea how "nice" it is. You take a similar air train to get there, I believe it's attached right to the station.

 

Will they still give you free transfers to Bayonne the next day?

We didn't get that far but I would hope so. It would need checking if we decide to go that way, but I don't see us paying extra for this hotel unless someone tells us it's great.

We just completed the Summit NE/Canada cruise in late September of this year. Thanks to advice from the people, including 138East who posted here, on the Eastern Departures board, we stayed at the Elizabeth City Country Inn and Suites. It is next door to a Ruby Tuesdays and there are other hotels/places to eat within walking distance. It was just fine, although an older property. However, due to the coming of the Quantum to Bayonne, it is now in renovations, so should be in very nice shape for next fall.

 

Because we did not want to deal with traipsing with luggage across the airport and awaiting a hotel shuttle (one way free) , we made arrangements with Independent Driver at 888-816-0973 (Abdul) to get to the hotel, to ship the next day and to airport after the cruise. Each way was $45. I would do that again for sure. Again he was recommended by 138 East and others on the departure board.

 

So you do have options.

This is really helpful. Thank you!

Out of curiosity - what is the hotel that Celebrity says you can pay so much extra for? Would that price also include the transfers to Bayonne?

 

You of course have your standards and if the things you have read about the Doubletree are that offensive to you, no one should try and change your mind.

 

Just make sure you are not jumping from the frying pan into the fire with a hotel that is just marginally better. I can think of no luxury properties at EWR at all.

Its the Hilton Newark Penn Station. Is that an airport hotel?

What I'm hearing is that you want to stay at the airport and not mess with Jersey City. Look at the hotels on Glimcher Realty Way in Elizabeth - Courtyard Elizabeth, Residence Inn, Embassy Suites, and Country Inns. Embassy Suites is the newest hotel at the airport. The Courtyard has a restaurant, but there is a Ruby Tuesdays and an IHOP across the street. Jersey Gardens Mall is right there with an Applebee's and a food court. None of this is fine dining - basically US chain restaurants - but it is the only hotel area that is not totally isolated with no additional services.

 

To get to Cape Liberty you would book at car service like Dial7 or Carmellimo for about $55-60. If you go on your roll call, it might be possible to connect with other folks to share transportation. Always be sure to specify how much luggage you have when booking a car service.

That's really useful. Many thanks

Mr Sloop & I travel a lot for business & pleasure... We are long time Hilton Hhonor Members... And here is what we have learned over the years.

 

Generally speaking, Hilton Hotels (all chains / brands) are good. We have never stayed in a truly horrible Hilton Property... Cannot say that about other Big Name Hotel Chains.

 

Of course that does not mean that all their Hotels are identical... Some are for sure better than others.

 

But we have found them all adequate enough for a one night stay.

 

As far as Reviews... I have always felt that Hilton's pickiest customers are those that stay the most, and therefore have racked up the most points (lol, I find this also true with Members of other services that provide Loyalty Points & Incentives too). Interestingly, those that complain the loudest, are those that cash in their points and take a freebie... Many times these are the folks who feel that they did not receive good value for their comp.

 

I looked at the Rating & Review on TA ( http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g46671-d98490-Reviews-DoubleTree_by_Hilton_Hotel_Newark_Airport-Newark_New_Jersey.html ) it truly runs the gamit and is all over the place from frequent TA Reviewers who gave it a 4 or 5 Rating, to TA newbies who gave it a 1.

 

Personally, I'd be more prone to believe those who have a long time posting record with TA.

 

And worse case scenario... It is just one night.

 

Cheers!

Thanks for your advice. it is appreciated

We are loyal Hilton travelers and have only been disappointed a few times by some of the properties not being up to Hilton standards. I read reviews, however, with a grain of salt. As stated above, as you are only there for one night before the cruise, be assured it is not a Motel 6. We have not yet stayed at that property, but would not hesitate to do so in the future based on some Trip Advisors reviews. It is a great location for the terminal. Enjoy your cruise.

Thanks for your post, it is appreciated

Hopefully it's another option for you. I definitely would NOT spend another £83 ($133)/pp for any hotel at Newark Airport!!! Transportation is plentiful in the area and you can arrange it yourself.

 

If you decide to go this route, post back with exact dates, arrival time, and your budget and we can offer suggestions. There are definitely nicer properties at the airport, but as someone mentioned, food service options can be limited. Also, can you manage your luggage to get to the hotel shuttle pickup at the P4 Airtrain station?

Hello Carol

Thanks for getting back to me

We will be needing a hotel for the night of September 5/6 2015. According to Celebrity's itinerary we will be arriving at the hotel at 15.00 and departing at 11.00 the next day. Cost is not an issue (within reason) but we would want to have a nice meal on the evening of Sept 5 either in the hotel or somewhere easily accessible close by. We would be able to manage our luggage to the shuttle pick up. What would our options be for getting to Port Liberty the following day?

Thanks once again

David