Teddy123

Thanks for the insight. We've travelled all over Europe, Australasia and N America - mostly NOT on cruises - and often do our own thing for shore trips, so that's not too much of a problem IF I've got info in advance, which is why forums like this and the replies are helpful, once I've exhausted all the info on websites!

Thanks for the response. It'll be my wife and I, and we're used to walking fairly long distances so 30 minutes to the subway (which is what I expected from Google) isn't too bad. Still, I'm now thinking that perhaps I will try for a taxi first, and if we can't get one for some reason, go for the subway. That way we retain flexibility over timing for both getting to Manhattan and back, which neither a Cunard transfer nor a pre-booked car allow. I think you're right about walking back over the bridge being a bit ambitious though!

Thanks a lot - especially for the IKEA Express idea! Maybe my Plan A for getting to Manhattan should be a taxi, with subway as fall-back if there are none for some reason.

After my experience with Soton parking I would say "Never again". We had a Jag with computer controlled seats and steering wheel reach. We handed over the car keys before the cruise and a young lad employed by the parking company took control of the car.. On return from our cruise and on our way home along the motorway, the drivers seat and steering wheel started to adjust themselves for reach and position. Luckily I was driving and could cope but if my wife had been driving, she is shorter than me, the controls would have been out of her reach. I mentioned this to Jaguar who told me that the computer had been given too many input signals and was resetting itself. Obviously the young lad employed by the parking company had been playing with the on board computer.As for parking now; we go to Soton the day before our cruise and book into a very nice hotel, dinner b/b 14 days parking and taxi to/from cruise terminal all for £30 more than cruise terminal parking

If this happened as you drove along and Jaguar told you it was because of something done several days earlier, you should be seriously complaining to Jaguar, because that is nonsense.

Thanks. Given how long ago this cruise went on sale and how quickly it gets booked up, I find it difficult to believe Cunard don't already have a good idea of numbers!

A transfer to Macy's would be convenient, but as far as I can see from other posts might cost $50 instead of $5 on the subway; also it would be an extra constraint to have to get back up from southern Manhattan to get the return bus. Worth considering though.

Thanks again for all the info.

As others have said: a) statistically, the risk is very small - much more dangerous to drive to the port/airport; b) if you let terrorists run your life, they've won; c) people in the UK (at least of my generation) have had this all before from Irish terrorists.

About to visit BCT (twice) as a port of call on a Queen Mary 2 cruise Southampton - NY - Quebec, and back again. I've read the helpful stuff here - thanks to everyone who has contributed - but would welcome some additional/up to date info about visiting Manhattan (from Central Park south) while in BCT for the day - so no heavy luggage.

In particular:

I understand a walk to Carroll St subway station might be the best public transport option (a better walk than to 9th/Smith and I prefer to walk to a subway because of fear of missing the stop to get off a 61 bus! - or is it very clear?). Can I get a MetroCard at the subway station? The MTA website says The Check Cashing Place across Carroll Park sells them, is this the best option? Anything else I should know about the card or getting in by public transport?

Cunard say they can't tell me what options they will offer until after we sail - very helpful! I have read of a return transfer to Macey's being offered but would welcome up to date info from anybody who has travelled recently.

Booking a car (eg with Dial 7 - any other recommendations?) is attractive but I have no real idea what time to book it for. Any experience of when I might get off the ship if it's just a port of call? Cunard say we should arrive at 06.30. I assume immigration is still involved even though disembarking luggage isn't. Should I also think about booking a car back? This would be somewhat constraining but I read horror stories of huge taxi bills because the cab is stuck in traffic from embarking passengers. Of course, I could possibly get the subway back, or perhaps even walk it over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Lots of questions! but any answers or other input to help smooth the way to/from Manhattan would be much appreciated. Thanks.

About to visit BCT (twice) as a port of call on a Queen Mary 2 cruise Southampton - NY - Quebec, and back again. I've read the helpful stuff here - thanks to everyone who has contributed - but would welcome some additional/up to date info about visiting Manhattan (from Central Park south) while in BCT for the day - so no heavy luggage.

In particular:

I understand a walk to Carroll St subway station might be the best public transport option (a better walk than to 9th/Smith and I prefer to walk to a subway because of fear of missing the stop to get off a 61 bus! - or is it very clear?). Can I get a MetroCard at the subway station? The MTA website says The Check Cashing Place across Carroll Park sells them, is this the best option? Anything else I should know about the card or getting in by public transport?

Cunard say they can't tell me what options they will offer until after we sail - very helpful! I have read of a return transfer to Macey's being offered but would welcome up to date info from anybody who has travelled recently.

Booking a car (eg with Dial 7 - any other recommendations?) is attractive but I have no real idea what time to book it for. Any experience of when I might get off the ship if it's just a port of call? Cunard say we should arrive at 06.30. I assume immigration is still involved even though disembarking luggage isn't. Should I also think about booking a car back? This would be somewhat constraining but I read horror stories of huge taxi bills because the cab is stuck in traffic from embarking passengers. Of course, I could possibly get the subway back, or perhaps even walk it over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Lots of questions! but any answers or other input to help smooth the way to/from Manhattan would be much appreciated. Thanks.