navybankerteacher

What my British brother in law calls a hacking jacket.

My guy also “liked what he liked” — but the problem I saw was that he also hated what he hated - and there seemed to be a hell of a lot more in that category —- and he made that very clear.

Valid question - but did it occur to you to also wonder who (if anyone) would take care of housing and feeding you for those 4-5 days (and at what quality level - if someone did pick up the tab)? Again - do not think of “Flying in on day of cruise” (theme of this thread) as being anything other than stupid.

Anyone living in Manhattan, while on a trip, would not think of saying "going back to New York" if they were headed anywhere other than Manhattan (which, by the way, is formally referred to as "NEW YORK County").

Depending upon weather, I would suggest taxi or Uber to South Street then ferry across to Red Hook - followed by a very short walk to the terminal. If it is winter/rainy/frigid, just take the taxi/uber to terminal. Do not pay any attention to the mavens who will suggest subway from Penn Station -- you are taking a cruise because you want a good time -- why start it with a ride in the electric sewer?

Simply put - when you are ashore at any port, make certain that ANYTHING you REALLY WANT, AND NEED, to keep is either on your person at all times or in the possession of an intelligent and honest person in whom you repose absolute trust.

La Quinta - right at I-95 Exit 6 in Stamford - 45 minutes from NYC (hour or so at rush hour), with a pretty good diner/restaurant attached.

Perhaps the best way to experience Mediterranean ports (especially if you are going to fly over there a number of times) is to pick a few, fly to one, train or fly to one or more other ones, then fly - or better still, take a repositioning cruise home, experiencing a few more on the way.

To each his own -- itinerary (Rome) is important - but ship - good service and food helps -- and 5,000 plus passengers does create something of a mob scene. I might agree in this instance on Royal -- but service and crowding are valid concerns - not to be dismissed as "garbage".

That, and the Spice Market. If time permits, Topkapi palace also.

I know HAL always used to -- surprisingly fresh and warm.

About 5,000 miles - New York to Istanbul (unless you count U S Navy “cruises” —- then about 9,000 miles Norfolk to Manila)

To each his own - while the Quantum Class ships (5,600 passengers) are “amazing”, they are mob scenes. Oosterdam is well laid out and her 2,200 passengers have a lot more room. I have sailed both lines enough to have a strong preference for the food and service on HAL. However - Rome is a powerful draw - if this is likely to be your only Med experience, you should look at itinerary. But do not think a day or so is enough — if Rome is you deciding factor, give it at least two or three days.

If you really mean “driving in from the east” (curious for someone from Cleveland) - which likely means I-95 through Connecticut, you might check out the La Quinta off Exit 6 - probably a $10 cab ride to Stamford station for Amtrak to Penn Station or (less expensive) MetroNorth to Grand Central.

I did a bit of checking (assuming you live near Omaha) -- and found that, aside from Houston (which offers very few sailings) , Manhattan, NY does seem to be your " neighborhood cruise port";

I can't resist asking the question: how many cruise ports are not "far away" -- for you?

Everyone picks his own tour destination.

I think the HAL option might be preferable : while each has a great itinerary, I believe HAL provides somewhat better service and food, but probably a bit weaker entertainment. RCI is likely to be a bit more crowded - with a more active crowd: Perhaps just symbolic: on our last RCI cruise the “library” consisted of about four feet of shelf space providing mainly frayed paperbacks. HAL is likely to be more sedate - carrying a larger contingent of “old souls” (a good number of whom will still be chronologically well under 60).

Obviously some of the people who have missed their ship had been on private tours - but I doubt many will post here.

Depending upon your taste and budget, there are many about an hour from CL - La Quinta just at I-95’s Exit 6 - with a pretty good diner on premises for about $75, and Hyatt Regency in Greenwich for $275 or so.

I’ve never noticed any controls on local foods being brought on board at port calls.

Maasdam sailed not that very long ago. I sailed her twice: a good itinerary from Fort Lauderdale to the western Caribbean in 2002 (almost empty due to lingering post 9/11 concerns) and a great one from Norfolk to the eastern Caribbean in winter of 2005. That was when HAL still was a notch above other mass market lines - she was a good size, had great music, entertainment and service. Too bad HAL got Carnivalized.

Manhattan is about an hour from home, and offers a magnificent sail away.. San Juan is good - as most sailaways seem to be at night. Quebec is close to the old city’s attractions.

That could be scary - if insurance premiums go down it usually means one of two things : fewer risks protected against, or less value to the property being protected. In a period of inflation, the same protection should cost more year to year - and a property should be worth more year to year.