sunshine4me2

5 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

You carry it on.

Thanks!

We have UBP for our Escape  Color cruise this Sunday

I know the wine needs to be in a tagged separate carry on when we get to pier.  

My question, do I hand over the wine package, along with my luggage,  when I get to the pier, or take it with me when I check in at the NCL check in counter along with my documents?

Hoping no tropical storms will be with us next week!

Thanks

12 hours ago, mking8288 said:

OP, there is another semi - live trip report this week, here ...

I followed your semi live reports every day, enjoying updates and photos you shared.

Following the current Escape cruise this week, in anticipation of our Escape journey this Oct 15-22th.

With every cruise we take (this will be our 8th cruise), my first stop for insight and recommendations is CC.

Thanks to you, and all fellow CC members!  

2 hours ago, Ellis1138 said:

I was able to get into a cab about 15 minutes later. If you're traveling light, you might be able to walk a block east to the Ink 48 Hotel and have the pickup there, where it's less chaotic. 

That’s not a bad idea.  May give that a consideration. Thanks.  

Thanks so much for your very detailed response.  This really helps.  Using Carmel for the return to LGA, and changed our departure from noon to 1:15.  Having NCL’s color guide helps me plan, best of all, your suggested  pick up address is better yet.  Day of disembarking is always a zoo at any given port.  I will advise car service that’s where we’ll be at.

thanks again,

On 9/12/2023 at 2:53 PM, Steelers0854 said:

I think* you’ll be fine. You’re about a dozen cabins away from us, also it may only be certain nights and it appears it’s just from 9-10. They did it last night but tonight it’s scheduled for Karaoke so we will see. Other than when the live band plays it’s dead quiet in the room. I’ll keep you posted though. 

Thanks for update!

10 hours ago, Steelers0854 said:

Day 2 Newport, Rhode Island (06:00 - 16:00)

 

Pro Tip: Don’t book a cabin directly above the Pourhouse. I’ve had plenty of cabin locations across the years, below pool decks, above bars and lounges etc. this is by far the worst. They do live music at the pourhouse and the floor vibrates and it’s so loud it’s like you’re at a concert. Thankfully they stopped playing at 10:15 otherwise it would have been horrible. Would love to know what idiot thought putting cabins directly above this venue was a good idea.

We'll be on the Escape next month.  Guess what, I booked us in #9788 - based on proximately to stairs/elevators!  Think I need to double check WHAT is on the decks above and below, the next time we cruise!  Thanks for the heads up.

We will be on NCL Escape next month.  First time sailing from NYC for us also.

Followed other CC's recommendations and booked with Carmel from MCT to LGA, and we have a 1:15 pm flight.

Booked our ride this past June.  Just checked the rates to see if they changed from June to now, and they have gone us.  I was advised, book early for best rates (glad I did)  

Up to this point, their Customer Service Department and rates were super - hopefully our ride/driver will not disappoint us next month

I'll report back after our October 15th cruise to let you know how it went.

We were on the Prima for the NYE 2023 cruise.  It was a random select, as I was called to participate!

It was a lot of fun and exciting, but didn't win!  Winning isn't everything!😀

We'll be on the Escape Oct.15-22 (same itinerary)

A few questions:

• Does the MDR's rotate their menus as they did in the past, or  have same menu for the entire cruise? (as was on the Prima earlier this year?)
• We booked  an excursion thru an outside vendor, Fundy Coast to Fundy Shore - does any know if this is geared toward a Photography Excursion, (hoping not) or an excursion to experience what Saint John is all about?
• Do most of the ports have excursion vendors that you can book your excursion right there, if we didn't make any pre-planned arrangements?
• And as we didn't book excursions in every port, if we just got off the ship to walk around, is there things to see, restaurants, bars, stores, within walking distance of the ship?  Most of what I've researched here sounds these port stops are pretty user friendly.

A request

• As I need to make prearranged transport from the ship to LGA, can some take a pic of NCL's timetable of "Order of Disembarkation" (I know this info isn't provided until Saturday nite) Our flight is 1:15 pm, don't want to be too early or too late getting to airport.

Thanks to all,

Thanks so much for the info!

We booked this excursion thru an outside vendor.

Has anyone ever experienced it?

3 stops

St Martins,(2 hours)

Reversing Falls,(1 hour)

& Saint Johns City Market (1 hour)

It almost sounds like it is a "photography tour"

I enjoy taking pictures, but was curious if the tour is more for photography buffs, and not for everyday tourists

Or is there perhaps something more worthwhile to spend our time on money on.

(cruise is this October, and excursions are booking fast)

Thanks to all who respond

We are booked on the NCL Escape, this October 15th.

Google search Things to do in Newport RI cruise port.  Good starting point, that's what I did and proceeded from there. 

If you are planning on excursions, either with NCL or independent tour companies, don't wait too long as I did.  Quite a few were already booked up.

Thanks for the ARcadia vs ACadia misspell.

Will try a corrected search.

We are on the Escape, 10-15 to 10-22 2023

Lesson learned, Book excursions early!

Tried to book a 3 hour bus tour thru NCL, Arcadia National Park and Viator for 2 people, with no luck.  I will keep checking the 3 sites, in the event that there is a cancellation and also once on the ship, but need to know, once we arrive in Bar Harbor, are there tour vendors at the port that sell Arcadia tours?

Cruise Critic is my #1 'go-to' in all of my trip planning!  Thanks everyone

40 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

"Best" and "cost saving" are polar opposites. Best would be a luxury limo service, but that's going to cost you a lot more than the quotes you got from Carmel.

I assume what you want is safe, reliable,  convenient transportation other than mass transit (NY City public bus and subways) at a reasonable price.

Your price quotes from Carmel fit the bill. It's doubtful Uber or a taxi would cost less, absolutely not significantly less, and on any particular day they could be more, so if you want to lock in a ride and price then make the bookings with Carmel. 

I'd be off the ship at 9 .

 

Great information!  

As we usually cruise FL ports, I didn't know where to start in my planning from NYC port.

Thanks for your quick input!

We will be cruising on NCL Escape, Sunday October 15th, first time for us for East Coast cruise.

We are flying in "day of" from Chicago, arriving at 9:30 a.m. 

Considered NCL transfers, but have decided against it.

• Which is the best, costsaving, way to get from LGA to MCP?  Uber, taxi, or prebooked  ride, (I've already ran a quote from Carmel and it was about $42)
• Additionally, we are booked on a 12 noon return flight on Sunday, the 22nd from LGA.  Again, which is the best way to get back to the airport from the Pier? (Carmel quote for the return was about $39.00)  
• Also, since we have a 12 noon flight, what time should we schedule ourselves to disembark the ship to make it to the airport in time?

🙂Thanks to all in advance for your input and insight! 

2 hours ago, George C said:

i would never fly on the day we were sailing

Home2 appears to be in Long island city in queens with a view of Manhattan , i would suggest something in midtown close to times square, there are a few hilton hotels in that area

Thanks for your input.  We changed our plans to fly in Saturday, early a.m., drop our luggage (just booked a room at Choice Hotel on 48th St. less than a mile from MCT.  We'll take the day/afternoon/evening to explore NYC

Hi, we are sailing NCL Escape, 10/15/23, Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

We have never visited NYC - 2 questions I need CC input and feedback

1) has anyone stayed at Home 2 Suites by Hilton, Times Square?  If so, good/bad?

2) thinking of flying in from Chicago MDW to LaGuardia, arriving 9:30 am day of cruise (Sunday) 

I know weather, pilots, strikes,  all can hamper a timely arrival.  

IYO, is this a good idea?

Thanks!

We have always sailed on NCL for 7 cruises, over the past 15 years, most recently on Prima for the past New Year’s Eve.  We are young “in our 70’s”  cruisers.  We have booked all our cruises, except our first one, thru CAS.  We alwaysbook a Balcony, and never in the Haven.

We are seriously looking at booking our next Carribean cruise on Celebrity. Would anyone care to share their thoughts on the Celebrity brand, ie value, customer service, food on board, overall experience, etc.?

Thanks for your input.

Just got off the Prima about 4 hours ago.  A few mask wearers on ship.  Go with YOUR comfort level. Your vacation, your money paid for it, your health.  Look at it this way, after this 9 day cruise, you won’t see these folks again, so who cares!

Thanks everyone, and Happy, Safe, 2023!

5 hours ago, sunshine4me2 said:

Here’s the 11:00 am cst update from MDW.

Flight enroute from DEN.  ETA 11:30.  Our flight departure is 12:15,  eta MCO 3:45.  
Won’t be doing the “happy dance” till we land!

Thanks for all your suggestions and kind words.

We r looking forward to our Prima NYE experience!

6 pm update from Orlando Hotel!  Finally made it!  All is good, see u all on the Prima, Happy New Year!

3 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

We are rooting for you.  Please let us know what happens.🚐✈️

Here’s the 11:00 am cst update from MDW.

Flight enroute from DEN.  ETA 11:30.  Our flight departure is 12:15,  eta MCO 3:45.  
Won’t be doing the “happy dance” till we land!

Thanks for all your suggestions and kind words.

We r looking forward to our Prima NYE experience!

7 minutes ago, AwesomO said:

AA and United has placed price caps on flights to/from some of the impacted cities. might be worth it to check prices again. I generally love SW, but I wouldn't fly them this week if I really, really needed to get somewhere.

Just checked both AA and United. Nothing available till.  Thanks for suggestion.