cruzlover

Thanks for your input.

It’s actually my son and a group ranging in age from 16 - 68.  He’s familiar with NJ transit and will be using it pre-cruise. They are actually taking the train into Moynihan and using the transit system once there. However, not sure if it’s doable Sunday morning. They are hoping to be at the station for a 9 am train. I know it’s crazy and certainly would not be my plan but hopefully they’ll make it. Express walkoff and minimal luggage will help.

They originally were planning to Uber/Lyft but that can be iffy at the port with so much demand. Although a private car service would be more expensive, it might be a better option in this case due to time constraints. 

Looking for recommendations for a car/limo service from Cape Liberty to NY Penn Station. 

9 people mostly with carry-ons/backpacks

Thanks

My concern is that there are passengers disembarking who will have luggage and I assume, have to go through customs. Is there a separate line for people just getting off for the day?

We are on MSC Seaview

We are arriving in port for the day at 7:00 am and there will be people disembarking and others embarking. 

Will that affect our getting off the ship to catch a train on our own? Trying to figure out what time to book the train

Same thing happened to me when I changed my booking. I logged out and then logged back in and my new booking was there

2 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Not sure about during sailaway, but I took this photo from my balcony while we were still docked.

 

 

Thanks so much! You have been so accommodating and it is much appreciated!

Hoping the weather will co-operate

Quick question.  We are on the next sailing. Our cabin is on the port side almost directly above yours. Can you see the Statue of Liberty from your balcony or would you have to go up on deck. Weather doesn’t look very promising for sail away. 

Thanks so much. Awesome reporting!

Just trying to clarify the Internet users included in the “Free Drinks and Wifi” package. Is it 1 device per person or per cabin? I think I read you can only use the first device you sign up with. In other words, you can’t log out of your phone and then into your iPad. 

No problem for my husband and me but my sister is sharing a cabin with a friend. Will they have to do rock, paper, scissors to see who gets the internet? Also, it’s my understanding that a wifi package is not needed to contact other passengers via a messaging service. Is this correct?

Thanks so much for your Live Report. We’ll be boarding Apr 29 from Brooklyn. Thanks as well for the bar list. I read the following and it sounds like you can get a drink and just pay the difference, meaning you can get a $16 drink for $6 if you have the Easy Plus Package. This is not what I understood to be the case. Wondering if you could get confirmation on this. 

“Upgrade Your Drink Choice
If you’re thirsting for a cocktail, favorite spirit or special glass of wine that’s not included in your purchased beverage package discounts are available to ensure you quench your thirst.
Easy Package holders
save $ 8 on all beverages $ 8 or more.
Easy Plus Package holders
save $ 10 on all beverages of $ 10 or more.
Premium Extra Package holders
save $ 16 on all beverages of $ 16 or more.
Enjoy your beverage package responsibly and treat yourself to a discounted upgrade.”

27 minutes ago, captainkurt said:

 Also, I've been unable to register a credit card.  Are others having similar issues?

I was unable to register my credit card on the website but finally got it to register on the app. We are 20 days out so you may have to wait

Thanks for the tip on Red Caps. We used them before to get on the train. They take you down before everyone and look after the luggage as well. There were 4 of us and we tipped him $20. 

Leaning more towards cabs with the help of Red Caps. 

Love these boards!

Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate the input.

We’ve definitely decided against the subway idea and are possibly looking at a car service. We can get a limo that will transport everyone together for $300 all in, which is $30 per person. 

If we decide on separate cabs, how easy is it to get a cab from the train station and what would be the approximate cost? I know Uber or Lyft is probably the better option but I’m not really familiar on how to use them

Thanks again. Uber and Lyft would be great if we knew how to use them 🤣 We don’t even have those services where I live. We are all 70ish and looking for the easiest way to get to the hotel. The quotes I am getting are around $300 so $30 each. Sounds reasonable to me

Thanks so much for your input. It’s been very helpful. 

I’m now looking into a car service. I think it would be easier for everyone to stay together since I’m kind of guiding the group. Some are not confident travellers.

I sent for a quote from NYC Perfect Transportation based on Trip Advisor reviews. Any other suggestions?

We are a party of 10 adults sailing on the Meraviglia out of Brooklyn in April.

We are arriving at Penn Station on Amtrak at 3 in the afternoon and planning to take the subway (with 1 suitcase each) to lower Manhattan (Fulton Street stop) to our hotel. Next morning walking to Pier 11 to catch the ferry to Red Hook.

I’m asking if this is as easy as it sounds. Is the subway above or below the trains? Also, can I buy subway tokens for everyone or does each person have to get their own?

Is there a better alternative?

Does anyone know if you have to book the shows and if so, how?

We are staying in Manhattan and planning to walk to Pier 11. Also, there’s a great YouTube video that shows how close the ship is from the Red Hook ferry landing https://youtu.be/hcY8KcbUgN4

This is our first time cruising from Brooklyn so I hope it’s as easy as it looks 

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Your question is a good one. I know from experience that in the Yacht Club everything we ever ordered was complimentary (aside from the tip). However the question remains in the MDR. I reposted the Gala Night MDR menu again below and noticed asterisks * after the Rack of Lamb and Surf and Turf. Went down to the very bottom line and got out a magnifying glass. It reads ' Prices are subject to change, your check may reflect applicable VAT for additional tax for certain ports or itineraries.' 

  Whatever that means ? Confusing......

 

I believe the asterisks refer to Public Health advisory regarding the cooking of meat

Some cruise lines are catching on to the “any credit card” trick. We were just on the Disney Wish and the room card was the only one that worked. Not sure about MSC though

18 minutes ago, Got2Cruise said:

I’d stay in Financial District which is near the ferry. Nicer properties and not expensive because the area is not fully back since many still work from home. 
 

You can visit South Street Seaport, World Trade Center/9/11museum, Battery Park, all within walking distance. Plenty of places to eat. Put in Financial District in a search matrix like Kayak to see what comes up for your dates. 

I’m leaning toward this option. I found a Hampton Inn that seems reasonable. It’s an 8 min walk from Fulton St subway stop and a 15 min walk to Pier 11/Wall St or we may Uber

Thanks so much for your input

We are sailing on MSC Meraviglia in April and have never sailed from Brooklyn. We are taking Amtrak into Penn Station and sailing from Brooklyn the next day. It seems like the best option is to take the Ferry from Pier 11/Wall Street Terminal.

I don’t think we want to stay in Brooklyn so we are trying to decide if

1) we should stay somewhere within walking distance of Penn Station and take the subway the next morning or

2) head straight to the Pier 11/Wall Street area when we get to Penn or

3) possibly somewhere in between near a subway stop.

Any thoughts?

Does anyone know if you can upgrade to Premium if you got the “free” Easy Plus?

Anyone know how much the drink packages are on board? What if you don’t buy the first day but want it later in the week?

Thanks! Can’t wait till Saturday 🚢😎🍹🏖🍸

On 11/6/2021 at 8:48 AM, justcrusn said:

By the way, we cruise in 7 days and our cruise documents are not ready either!
Ive never experienced this on any other line.

However MSC emailed them to me and i printed them.

Our TA has tried everything to get the docs but no luck. It has something to do with our address. When you enter your postal code, the information automatically fills in but it’s the wrong info and no way to fix it manually. She was told today our names would be at the gate, but to my knowledge there is no gate. Bringing our original booking confirmation and the info is on MSC for me app. Fingers crossed 🤞

Wondering about the drink package prices. I’m thinking it will be cheaper to wait till we get on board due to the Canadian exchange rate. The CDN website shows Easy $357/pp and Easy Plus at $469. That’s $51/day and $67/day CDN. Also, is gratuity added on to the package or on each drink? Thanks so much! Boarding Saturday and can’t wait!!