djandnic

I saw this post on Monday and checked my November cruise on Freedom. Got the deluxe drink package for $41 a day!! What a deal. Thanks for the heads up! Voom was the lowest I've ever seen it as well.

On ‎6‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 4:45 PM, mjkacmom said:

Since they can charge $50 a night, there is no incentive to offer long term parking, although you can park in long term parking a5 JFK for $18 a night.

$50 a night? I didn't a room less than $200 a night. If I could get a room for $50 a night I would gladly pay the long term parking fee at the airport.

I was looking at this hotel for a pre-night stay prior to a week long trip, but no long term parking. You would think a hotel at an airport would have some long term parking?!? Kind of odd I think.

On ‎3‎/‎30‎/‎2019 at 4:22 PM, CruisingJoe09 said:

Graham returned to EX yesterday.

Is this Graham Seymore? What ship is he on? He is absolutely the BEST CD ever!!!!

I was lucky enough to book the Royal Suite on the Freedom of the Seas next year; kind of a once in a lifetime celebration & 40 year wedding anniversary (got a good price).

The question I have is around the perks that come with the Royal Suite. I saw some ships indicate it comes with the drink package, internet, etc etc. I didn't see that listed for our sailing on the Freedom. Does anyone know if all the 'normal' add on perks like drink package and internet come with the Royal Suite on all ships?

I appreciate any responses as I have not been able to find this on RC's web page. Thanks.

3 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

I’ve never heard about not transporting wine across state lines? How would they even check? My sister has wine shipped to me in NJ and flies home with it.

If you would get stopped and they check it is illegal to transport liquor / wine across state lines, at least into Pa.  As an example Maryland prices are much lower but if caught bring it back across the state line, there are huge fines.

I looked at a couple on-line site but all indicate they cannot ship to Pa.

Our Pa government at work...….I can't wait to retire in a few years and move to a more reasonable state.

20 hours ago, 138east said:

This is close to the port on the next peninsula - 

Wine Warehouse
1 Lefante Way
Bayonne, New Jersey, 07002-5070
United States

(201) 858-2727 

 

Give them a call to see if they stock what you want.

I'll do that thank you

We will be going on the Anthem in September and it will be our first time sailing out of Cape Liberty. There is a wine we like that we can't buy in PA. but it is available in NJ so we were thinking of buying 2 bottles to take on board on our way to the ship Saturday. Does anyone know if there is a wine store (not sure what they're called in NJ, in PA it's a liquor store) near Cape Liberty (that we could easily find since we're not familiar with the area)?

If there isn't perhaps we'll take a day trip to buy it ahead of time, but I don't think you're really supposed to bring it back across state lines, so that's why I was looking to buy it on the way to the ship.

Thanks in advance for any and all responses!!

19 hours ago, 138east said:

Traffic should be less of an issue on a Saturday morning.  With all the folks disembarking Anthem, you have a better chance of getting a garage space if you leave home early.  Try to get to the port between 10-10:30 for Anthem.  She usually boards early and quickly.  It’s a short cruise, so make the most of your first day.  North Star is usually running.  Bumper Cars start at noon.  Pools will be open.  Reservation slots held for on board booking will still be available.

Thanks for the response. I'm sure we'll be leaving early since this will be our first time actually driving to a port versus flying in a day or more before. I'm thinking we'll leave by 05:00am for the 2.5 or 3 hour trip and stop for breakfast along the way. Thanks again for all your help and responses!

Thanks. Our cruise is Saturday September 7 to Thursday September 12 of 2019.

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions.

40 minutes ago, cruisedirectorakaMOM said:

Cape Liberty is the port we usually set sail from.  Following Google Maps to the dock is easy enough.  Roads right before the dock entrance can get rough - seems like permanent construction.  But doesn't take any extra time. They have ship signs (directional arrows) up all along the route as you approach the dock itself.   Parking is easy and right next to the ship.  Sorry, I can't remember costs.  We really like this port.

Great, thank you!! I feel a lot better now. Couldn't imagine it was as some reports indicated.

I've read through some of this, but didn't go to far back because I figured things probably changed in the 3+ years of this thread. This will be my first time cruising out of Cape Liberty and am confused with all of the different things I've read, so hopefully it can be cleared up here (and hopefully in a good way).

We are driving in from the Philadelphia Pa area, google maps says it's a 3 hour drive. Now's where the problem starts.

I've read reports saying the roads are so bad getting into the port it took 3 hours once at the entrance to the port area. Can that be anywhere close to true?

I've also read reports that roads are so hard to navigate it is almost impossible to find the right area to get to for the cruise ships. I've been to many different ports and there always seems to be good signage so I'm finding this hard to believe and especially with today navigation systems. Any help squelching my fears on this would be greatly appreciated.

Lastly, I'm assuming there is parking available (for a fee) at the port but have seen various information that says $20 per day to no parking available for miles. I have never seen a cruise port without parking available, but just want to confirm. I did see there are hotels 10 to 20 miles away that have a stay and park free for flying or cruising, with a $35 per person fee to get you to the port, but with the room charge and the roundtrip shuttle fee, $20 per day will be cheaper.

Sorry for the long note, but just trying to get answers as it seems there are a lot of varying information out there and this forum has generally always given me good, reliable information in the past. Thanks in advance for your help and responses!!

First time to Bermuda and looking for any help locating a restaurant overlooking the water with for a sunset dinner. I did a search of this forum but did not come up with anything. Also looked at Trip Adviser but didn't find anything there either. I have to believe there are some good restaurants in Bermuda with a sunset dining experience. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

So it looks like our cruise will be stopping in Key West during Fantasy Fest; there from 1:00 to 7:00pm. Has anyone been to Key West during Fantasy Fest and if so is there much going on during those hours? Thanks for the information.:confused:

I believe there are two different types of Cuban money. One has pictures of people and one has pictures of building, if I remember correctly. I have to research this again before our cruise the end of October, because one of them is a lot lower value then the others, so I remember reading about making sure you only get the one, but I can't remember which one to get and which one to avoid?!?!:eek:

$15 Canadian including a tip. Use your credit card for the best exchange rate .

Thank you very much, you have been very helpful!!:)

Yes taxi's are readily available at the train station. Are you going directly to the ship or a hotel?

If your on the morning one , taxi will be your best bet.

taxis will take US dollars , Canadian dollars and credits cards ( Normally Visa & MasterCard only). Your best choice is the CC. US cash will be accepted with a poor or no exchange rate at all. Cash change will be in Canadian currency only..

Thank you, very helpful. Yes, we are going directly from the train to the port, taking the morning train out Seattle arriving in Vancouver around noon or so I believe. Do you happen to know approximate cost to the port from the train station?

We are taking the Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver, and then to the port to get on a cruise ship. Several questions:

• I'm assuming taxi's are readily available at the train station, but if not, what is the best way to get to the port from the train station?
  
• Do you know how far this is and approximate cost of a taxi?
  
• I'm assuming taxi's take American currency? If they don't do they take credit cards or is there an ATM machine at the train station to get Canadian money?
  

Thanks for the responses, obviously you care tell it's our first time leaving from a Canadian port.;)

We had two cruises cancelled when the EOS first came out because the ship needed more repairs / upgrades. I can tell you from experience you have to keep calling until you can get to the right level of the organization to get adequately compensated. If I remember correctly, it was folks in the rewards office that final did the right thing and got us fully compensated for the actual money we were out (not trying to make money on their issue like some do).

Just understand before you start this process, it takes a lot of calls, and lot of time and a lot of frustration, but you can get recovery if you have a stamina. Good luck!!

I would be at the train station no later than 630am. This way you can get left side seats for sound views.

So if we left the hotel, Silver Cloud Inn at Lake Union by 6:15 Friday morning we should be okay with morning rush hour traffic to get to the train station by 6:30? Thanks for the help.

Wondering how Friday morning (train leaves at 7:45am) traffic usually is trying to get from Silver Cloud Inn at Lake Union to King Street Station? MapQuest indicates it's about an 11 minute trip, but I saw Amtrak requires 45 prior check-in for checked bags, so I'm thinking we should leave the hotel about 90 minutes before the train is scheduled to leave. Any locals verify this is a good strategy? Appreciate the help and advice, thanks.

Just did this a few weeks ago, my DW and I did the self assist walk off (which on the ship we were on was a total unorganized mess) and we were able to change to an earlier flight (we had a 11:10; left FLL at 9:25 am.

We can get the Ocean B or Atlantic Resort & Spa, both in Fort Lauderdale, both on the beach, for the same nightly rate. Anyone that has stayed at both care to provide a recommendation?

Thanks for the help!

Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour September 30 through late-January (Then who?)

Anyone know where Graham goes after Explorer? We are on the Radiance in June and would so love it if he were on that ship. He has to be one of the funniest CD ever!