Rocketlady

We went to see Lion King in Toledo and Vegas. Great show and worth it. And we went to see Jersey Boys in Toledo. Strong language but it was also well worth the money. I would go see them again in a heart beat.

We're planning our stay in Manhattan. We have rooms at the Hampton Times Square which has great ratings at http://www.tripadvisor.com

We need help with suggestions for plays. We have tickets to "Lion King." We'd love to see "Jersey Boys," too. The only tickets left are mezzanine. I can't tell from the August Wilson seating chart if the mezzanine is in back of the orchestra section or if it overlaps the back rows of the orchestra section. Have any of you been to the TKT Booth lately? If so, what plays are currently going at discount rates? And, then, Chinatown - I've lost the recommendations for restaurants and can't find the link. Thanks much as always for all of your great tips.

Ok, Royal Caribbean is building or has built a new pier for all of us to use.

Is it built yet? Or are they in the process?

And it sounds like Bayonne N.J. is also developing the whole area near the pier?

Some day they could have hotels, condos , businesses, shops, golf course, parks with walkways along the waterfront. Did they already pick a contractor

or is this all in talking stages only so far. It is hard to find any news about

Royal Caribbean pier . Just hope I am alive to see it all in the end. LOL

Thankyou . I will have the phone number with me and also call to arrange the ride. I am a person who plans everything out in advance. And get all the expenses paid ahead of time.

I will let everyone know when I get back how the hotel and cruise went.

Now I have to book the flight but probably can't do that till this summer.

I would rather drive but my husband doesn't want to leave his car for a week

in N.J. or drive in any snow storms.

Sorry it's not free, but better to find out now than the day of. I'm glad you double checked.

 

You can call these folks 4-6 weeks out for a car service. Independent driver - 888-816-0973. They should charge $45 for up to 4 people plus tip.

ok, I did call the hotel again. And I am sorry for saying it is free to the

port. It isn't. I really thought they said it was. It is 20 mins. to the port. The

lady figured it would cost $65. to get a cab. Oh well, just have to have more money available that day. Part of traveling I guess.

This is the newest hotel at Newark Airport.

 

It's my understanding that from the terminals you will have to take the free Airtrain to P4 to get the hotel shuttle.

 

I'm curious about your comment that they will take you to the port the next day. I haven't heard anything about Embassy Suites offering this service for this hotel and there is nothing on their web site about it. Did the hotel confirm that they will provide this service?

I called the hotel direct and made reservations. They told me they would provide free shuttle to the hotel and to the pier. The airtrain and P4 is true . We do the same thing in Vegas and it isn't a big deal. I just called to confirm

everything with them. Still hope any snow storms hold out for that weekend.

I don't care if it snows when we get back. Just get me on that ship on time.

This is the newest hotel at Newark Airport.

 

It's my understanding that from the terminals you will have to take the free Airtrain to P4 to get the hotel shuttle.

 

I'm curious about your comment that they will take you to the port the next day. I haven't heard anything about Embassy Suites offering this service for this hotel and there is nothing on their web site about it. Did the hotel confirm that they will provide this service?

I booked Embassy Suites Elizabeth, Newark Airport in jan. 2015.

2 rooms . 2- Double beds in one room and a couch I think it pulls out to a bed.

We have been in Embassy Suites before at other locations. Even get 2 t.v.s.

They said they will pick us up at the airport EWR. Take us to the port next day. $179.55 plus $36.81 taxes = $216.36

I know if might be too high but we wanted safe, shuttle , free breakfast

and a descent hotel to stay the night.

We are not planning on touring N.Y. in Jan. weather. It is a big concern to

me leaving out of Detroit and flying into N.J. with all the storms we had this

year. I doubt we will ever go out of N.J. again. I like flying to warm weather

in the first place. So back to Fla. the next time.

1-908-558-0752 phone number on my reservation. Go to the web page and probably will have a free number.

No I can not confirm all this is great. I know the Embassy Suites we stayed in before were outstanding. I will let you all know after we get back from our trip

if it was a hassle or worry free trip.

I wouldn't trust anyone with my kids. And if I took my grandson he would be with me or my husband. I am more protective of my grandson than I was with my own kids. Go figure.

We met a family that left thier kids go to the day camp on board ship. The two kids around 8-10 years old. They didn't like it. Done of the kids spoke English. So remember to check that out as well.

I really don't like seeing people belittle the employees. College kids were laughing at one employee for dropping a tray of glasses and he had to pick it all up. I was too far away to help in time. Or I would of helped him out.

Wish the RC would provide a place to wash my clothes. I hate paying them to

do it and hate taking home dirty clothes.

I never gain weight because I walk every morning. But people will go the wrong direction on the track or let their kids play on the track. It is a hazard for the runners.

I don't care if people drink but getting too drunk and making a fool of them

self . Making people around them feel very uncomfortable. And sometimes

not a safe situation.

I have more likes than dislikes on cruises. Try to go with the flow and not get all up tight with people on cruises.

I have ridden the Amtrak from Ohio to the West. And rode it when I lived at home with my parents because my Dad worked for the railroad. Coming home we were a day late. They ALWAYS let the freight trains go first. We sat out in the middle of no where for 8 hours. I guess there was a derailment ahead of us. So when they did clear the tracks all the freight trains went ahead of us..

It was the best trip our kids ever took but I never count on the train to be on

time ever.

Go the night before . All kinds of unexpected adventures could happen with Amtrak.

Looking to book a hotel on the beach front in Ft Lauderdale precruise..dont want to spend a mint but want atleast clean..I do realize prices will be higher than 17th street..any hidden gems along the beach...

We stayed at Westin Hotel. I got it through priceline. I signed up for a 4 or 5

star hotel. I wanted a safe , clean, near the water at a reasonable price.

Yes, you have to go over a walk bridge to the beach but there is no hotel

in front of it. And we walked to the drug store 3 times before we left.

Lots of places to eat and shop. Would go there again in a heart beat.

We need to catch a 1020 flight. Do you think there will be a problem walking off the ship and finding an available taxi?

 

 

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You will find hundreds of taxi cabs ready to take you to the airport. I did

a shuttle one time. We waited for 1 1/2 hours to get to the airport. Never again. Just take a cab. You will be there in mins.

Relax. I am a person who plans everything out for vacations but not to this

extreme. I scheduled all our shows before hand on both the Oasis and Allure.

Some we decided to just not go to and some we went to at another time because we could just walk in. I found out there is just so much to do on a ship

during the day that we just went with the flow. Each day the ships will give you a schedule the night before, of what will be going on the next day.

If was fun to go to events we never knew were available. And found friends

to meet up with.

Hope your schedule doesn't include a group of people. My husband and I

will not participate a group schedule ever. It doesn't work and a lot of

wasted time waiting on others to get their act together.

Good luck and have fun.

"Shingles" :eek::eek:..Luckily we have gotten immunized against this very painful viral disease.

You can still get shingles. I did. But it was very mild. I still had to have

horse pills medicine to clear it up. I have had friends who didn't get a

shingle shot and they were in serious pain for some time.

Been on both ships. Central Park was dead at night. I wouldn't book either one.

I want to see the ocean and know I am on a cruise. And get the fresh air at night.

I would rather wear it around my neck.

Thanks for the list. We have been on 4 cruises and have learned to pack less each time. You take a lot more than we do. I always pack over the counter

cold medicines. Prices on board are awful.

I just wish they had laundry facilities we could use on our own. I hate taking

home dirty clothes. And I can't see spending money for someone else to

wash my clothes. Underwear? I don't think so.

I also learn to take less shoes as well. I live in tennis shoes most of the trip.

Now if we don't have another major snow storm that weekend. I also read that $100. room hotels are charging $1000. a night. I am worried about even

leaving out of N.J. in Jan. 2015 but to throw in the Super Bowl weekend would

stress me out. Good luck to all you that weekend.

I have no idea what to do here. I am also freaking out about going to N.J.

to leave on a cruise. The weather in Jan. from Detroit to N.J. This will probably be our last cruise we ever leave out of N.J. Prefer to leave out of sunny FLa.

We want a hotel that isn't a dump , safe, and if we have to pay $200. a night

so be it. And we need transportation to the hotel and pier. Then back to the

airport. And prefer to have a restaurant in the hotel. Ok, what would you suggest?

We prefer to keep the transportation prices low. And stay away from shuttles.

We are not rich just want to stay safe. Could careless to see any attractions in N.Y. is zero degree weather. Will do that trip in the summer. If ever.

Would love to hear your suggestions. We are flying into N.J. airport. I have till 2015 . I keep reading all your responses.

Thank you for all your help. Have a Merry Christmas. Wish I had a planned vacation but have to wait till after Christmas to go to Vegas. Then finish our

plans for the cruise in 2015.

Can you give me phone number of Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn on Staten Island? I looked them up on the internet but nothing is saying Staten Island. I have never been to that area . I just want to know how we get to the airport and port. This is just making me crazy not knowing where the heck to stay . I prefer to leave out of Fla.since we are leaving in Jan. Now we have to worry about Detroit weather and N.Y. This might be the first and the last time

we go to N.J.

Sounds like you had a great time last year and thank you for all the tips!

 

We have reserved Grand Stand tickets with Royal and they are also providing us a large Thanksgiving dinner, so no worries there.

 

I am worried about how cold it's going to be! I don't do well in the cold weather and being from Tennessee anything under 40 is COLD!

 

Michael

Take some heat packs from Home Depot or Lowes for your hands and feet.

I even heard of people taping them to their arms and chest. Here in Ohio it is too darn cold to stand out side for a parade. I will be watching t.v. on Thursday and Sat. for the Michigan/Ohio game. Go Bucks.

Take a credit card. They all take them. A lot of businesses and casinos will not cash travel checks any more. Although I think they do on the ship. Even my bank warned me not to buy them.

We have been on both Oasis and Allure. We have ate in the WJ for evening meals. I am a meat and potato and plain salad person. My husband goes for the fancy food. So he liked the MDR. But neither one of us liked dressing up for dinner. I was disappointed in the Brazilian restaurant as was my husband. We have been to several all over the U.S. and it was no where near comparison .

We prefer to go in the WJ most of the time. Café during the day.

I am a walker and bike rider. People say you will gain weight on a cruise .

I never do because I walk the track every day. And always take the steps.

up and down.

I have learned to stay away from bread and potatoes. I look at either one and I gain .

I really hate gyms so I refuse to join any.

Don't skip meals .

Buy an Ipod and go out for walks every day. Try finding steps to throw into

the mix to get your heart beating. I hardly ever have any one to walk with and really prefer to be alone. Others like my husband has to have a partner or he will just say forget it.

Good luck. Sounds like you are ready for a change. Only you can change you . And it feels great when you do lose weight . I lost 30 pds in 10 years. Talk about slow way to go. But I didn't gain it back.

If I stay in Newark,NJ. at the Hilton I get a free ride to the hotel, right? Do I take a taxi to the ship? RC? And take a taxi to the airport when we get back? Is this really expensive?

I have no idea the distance going or coming back. I really don't like shuttles. I hope we can find a good price to the airport. I am not crazy at the thought of going to NJ in Jan. I would rather it be in Fla. I am from Ohio.

I have been on both Allure and the Oasis. I prebooked everything ahead of time. Both ships we decided not to go to some shows and some we just waited

to see if they had room for us without the reservation. We got in each time.

I think alot of people do the same.