navybankerteacher

I just checked out of curiosity - a one way to Boston this coming 12/24 on Acela would be $225 - vs the October 2024 round trip fare of $115. As with most goods and services it generally pays to shop early.

The $115 RT I cited was for Acela in October 2024 - in response to OP’s post. It makes sense to book in advance because Amtrak fares usually go up, sometimes drastically, as travel date nears. I am sure a this coming Christmas Eve fare booked now would be a whole lot higher.

Agreed - and some lines do provide talks by knowledgeable people, which go beyond discussing shoppertunities at upcoming ports of call.

Among the mainstream lines, Cunard seems to have more - certainly on their trans-Atlantic crossings. Other than them I only recall HAL having some.

Getting off the ship at 8:30 is not a sure thing. 11:30 flight is probably doable, but likely to be rushed/stressed. I would suggest planning on grabbing lunch at LGA and taking it easy.

I’m not sure a cruise line would go for it: that VR aspect could evolve into complete VR cruising, from the comfort of your own home, without worrying how to get from airport to cruise terminal, or what to pack.

Indeed - when we drive from CT to Florida we take the Cuomo bridge across the Hudson to avoid NYC area, then I 287 across north Jersey to I 78, joining I-81 in mid-Pennsylvania down through Virginia then I 77 southeast to get back on I 95. It is perhaps 100 miles longer — but being an easy 70 mph run all the way, with none of the NYC, Jersey, Baltimore, DC and Richmond traffic it takes a bit less time - while going through some of the most beautiful country in the East.

Matched only by I - 95 in northern New Jersey and that incredible I-95/ I-495/ I-395/ Va-644 mixing bowl in Springfield, Va.

All three are doable LGA is probably the easiest - shortest, least expensive taxi ride direct to MCT, EWR has good public transfer options but very expensive taxi option. JFK has workable public transfer option. Decision should probably rely on fares and scheduling options from/to your home airport.

Hey, don’t leave us hanging: do “say it here”. Unless, of course, you are seeking patent rights or something similar. The best way of getting acceptance of a new idea is to spread it, enlist others to support it, start a wave to sweep into existence.

The governing fact is the limitation of space at MCT: there is little room for several thousands of debarkers to shuffle around inside the terminal to pick up their bags - but even less road/parking space for the many hundreds of busses, cars and taxis there to pick them up. On our recent Oceania cruise embarkation was a breeze - just 600 or so passengers involved as ours was the only ship in. A week later it was a dog’s breakfast - our ship’s 600 plus thousands of other passengers from an NCL and one other ship.

One thing to help in deciding between driving and Acela from Boston to New York is the $45 daily parking charge: $315 for 7 days, while Acela tickets bought now for October 2024 travel would be about $115 per round trip ticket.

QM2 sails from Southampton to New York Sept 26, 2025 - and again in late October - if a visit to Ireland followed the Iceland ceremony it could be a great way to avoid jet lag.

You do not take a taxi from Penn Station “…into the city…”, Penn Station is in the middle of the city. And, if one is travelling light in good weather, walking from Penn Station to the cruise terminal is a reasonable alternative.

Boston to New York is a truly horrible drive. It also involves the expense of parking at the cruise terminal - which might exceed the train fare. While Acela is a bit quicker than regular Amtrak, it is significantly more expensive than the quite comfortable Northeast Regional. Very few who have actually experienced both driving and taking the train from Boston to New York and were aware of the costs of both modes would seriously prefer driving. There is unlikely to be any difficulty in getting a taxi at Penn Station.

Ginger cookies (snaps) contain minimal ginger, being largely cookie batter. Candied ginger - essentially sweetened pure ginger root - is effective at settling the stomach.

If you are going to be in Ireland, it would be an easy flight to England to catch one of many sailings from Southampton to NY.

We cruised Grandeur to the Caribbean a few Januarys ago -- there was an inch or so layer of ice as we left the harbor and went into the upper Bay, which we plowed through like an icebreaker. It was bitterly cold all that first night, but late in the afernoon of the first full day we hit the Gulf Stream and 70 temps (largely due to a strong south wind) -- there is no predicting.

Of course you can have a bad day on almost any line - when nothing on the menu appeals to you. But, back on topic: I have found NCL to offer the least satisfying food generally. This is totally logical: they want to hold down fares to entice the greatest numbers of cruisers, and providing the cheapest food, most easily prepared and efficiently distrbuted (read:poor service) is an essential part of their approach. Then, knowing that some folks want to enjoy their meals, they have an abundance of alternative (extra cost) dining options.

On almost any ship, on any itinerary, one is likely to experience a far wider variety of meals than he/she would at home.

If you are trundling a wheeled bag over rough sidewalks and up and down curbs, or carrying a heavy carry-on those long east-west blocks and then about a half mile uptown, I would not view that walk as a “good time”.

If it is a hub for United, EWR may very well be preferable - but anyone who has regularly done both will prefer LGA over EWR for getting to a midtown west location.

But the odds are that a cheap (inexpensive) hotel will provide a cheap (minimal) experience.

I would rather go from/to LGA of JFK to Manhattan Cruise Terminal than EWR -- unless the fare to EWR was really better - I am not clear on why you think EWR would be preferable: shorter as the crow flies, I suppose -- but are you a crow?

We are talking about late morning or early afternoon while getting to the cruise terminal - while not a prime New York neighborhood, it is pretty safe that time of day.. Of course, if I am paying for a cruise I am likely to be willing to spring for a $10 or so taxi ride rather than trundle my bags for a half hour or so -- it is meant to be a good time, after all.