bayonnejoe

Sorry if this has been answered somewhere already. Does anyone know which nights the formal nights are usually scheduled on the San Juan to Bayonne 8 day repositioning cruise? I realize the nights aren't necessarily the same on each cruise. The schedule is San Juan, St Thomas, St Maarten, 2 sea days, 2 days in Bermuda, 1 sea day, Bayonne. Thanks.

 

Last year we had three. We have done this cruise since 2011, and the formal nights have always been Sunday (St. Maarten), and Friday leaving Bermuda. Last year someone got the bright idea to add the sea day between Tortola and Bermuda as another formal night. Nobody was thrilled, I can assure you. This year, there is no Tortola stop, just an extra sea day, and more time in Bermuda, so I have no idea if they will keep this extra formal night or not. Stop by our roll call, it is a great bunch of people, and we have several activities planned.

Has anyone used exit 14A since construction that can let us know how much of a delay there is?

 

Thanks!

 

Read my post #163.

NYS thruway south to Nanuet and then west across to the Garden state then South on the Garden State to just South of Irvington NJ. Connect with 78 and straight to the port.

I realize we will be crossing the Turnpike at the construction site but hope that since we are just driving across it and not using any of its ramps or cloverleaves we may not get into too much delay.

 

Thanks for your correct information, I just hope it will not be too bad. In any case all will be fine once we turn off at the port. LOL.

 

bosco

 

Let me see if I can clear this up for you. Exit 14A is part of the NJ Turnpike. Exits 14 A, B, and C make up what is known as the turnpike extension. It runs from Newark at Exit 14 and runs to the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City. That part of the turnpike is also part of Rt 78. The construction will be at 14A in Bayonne, the exit for Cape Liberty.

There is no reason to worry. Read my post on the subject at the Cape Liberty 411 thread.

Hi, I am not sure if this was mentioned as I have not gone back and read all the posts in this new thread, but this link was posted today on the Main Celebrity boards about construction on Exit 14A that will go through the fall of 2018.

 

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2015/03/hudson_county_pols_turnpike_authority_break_ground.html#incart_river

 

Not sure if there is another exit we can take or how much this will actually impact traffic.

 

Anne Maria

 

I can tell you that at least in the early going it has been a problem at rush hour a couple of times. But this is only the first few days, and until people get used to it, we will just have to deal with it. It should be no problem at all on the weekends. Any of us who have dealt with the Turnpike extension (that is what we call exits 14 A, B, and C) madness on a regular basis will tell you it is less of a problem than when they spent about three years redoing the whole roadway, or anytime there is an accident somewhere on the extension. From what I've seen so far, at its worst, it will probably only add no more than about 15 minutes extra to your trip, and at the time most people will be getting to Bayonne, (somewhere in the 10 AM to 2PM window), it should be no problem. As far as using a different exit, from the south there is getting off at Exit 13 and going over the Goethals Bridge and going through Staten Island on 278 East to 440 North which takes you over the Bayonne Bridge. The Bayonne Bridge is also under a long term construction project, and is subject to closures on the weekend. From the west and north, there are ways, but none I would recommend to anyone not from the area. (Too many turns and different roads). My recommendation, at least for now, stick with 14A. I will report back sometime in the weeks to come if my opinion changes.

Boarding Reflection in two weeks was thinking of doing some of the wine tastings. Never done one before on Celebrity and was curious to get some feedback from those who have. Which was your favorite? Did they include food pairings? Did you feel they were worth the cost to participate? Thanks in advance!!

 

Around the world tasting is well worth the money. IMHO. The Riedel tasting can be very informative even if you are a wine aficionado. Don't buy the glasses. Just pay the fee for the class which is about $15.

Driving from Long Island for a Liberty of the Seas cruise this fall....how's tge parking at Port Liberty?

 

I very seldom chime in on this thread, but there is something I should correct here. The area where the ships dock is named Cape Liberty, Bayonne. It is NOT called Port Liberty. I have seen it called that here and on some other threads. Port Liberte is a condo complex on the Jersey City waterfront. If you use a GPS and especially if you say Port Liberty, it could send you there by mistake. It is only a couple of miles away, but you don't want to get lost in that area not knowing the roads.

[quote name='Bearcruiser66']Excited for my third bear cruise, it's going to be a great group this year. Who is going?
David from columbus ohio here


Sent from my iPad using Forums[/QUOTE]

Lots of the same people. Thread has been going for quite a while. Check it out. Bears and non bears alike. Many of us going on five years in a row now.

Will be on the Summit in Feb 2015 and docking at 6am. With early disembarkation and taking our own bags would we be able to make a 9:41 am flight.

 

This is way too risky for San Juan. Between customs, the agricultural check at the airport, and check-in itself, you stand a real chance of not making such an early flight. Besides, just because you dock at 6:00 doesn't mean you get off that early.

I can tell you I have stayed in a C3, a sweet sixteen, and a C1. Obviously, the C1 is most preferable, but you cannot assure yourself that is what you will get. The cabin is the same size, but you could host a party on the balcony. It is literally as large as the room. The C3 "extra space" is hardly even noticeable. The balcony of the sweet sixteen is at least twice the size of a regular balcony. Stick with what you have and hope for further discounts.

It doesn't appear to be a real time web cam, but rather a sequence of still pictures taken periodically.

 

From what I see I'd be very surprised if the terminal was completed in time for the Quantum's first cruise, but in this case I'd be happy to be proven wrong for the sake of the early cruisers on the new ship.

 

From what we've read in the Bayonne paper, the terminal is on schedule and on budget.

Wondering if anyone knows the status of the on going construction on the bridge.

We are traveling on Thursday, the 23rd of Oct., and this is our preferred route.

Open to options of another route.

Traveling up from the Jersey shore.

Ty.

 

Take the Parkway to 129 and get on the Turnpike to 14A. It is by far the easiest way. I have never gone through Staten Island unless there is a major problem on the Turnpike and this almost never happens.

Confused re upgrading after final payment date. Let's say the rate for a balcony cabin is $1000pp and after the final payment date, Concierge Class (which was previously $1500 pp) drops to $900pp. Will X allow an upgrade to CC, if available, or can you only upgrade to a higher category that costs MORE than you paid?

 

I did just this last year. A C1 was actually $50 less than what I paid for a 2A after final payment. It was a regular rate, no exciting deal, senior, or resident rate. If this is the case, you can upgrade with no loss of perks. You will not however, get a refund for the difference. Remember, if it is a special promotion, you cannot upgrade if you have any sort of perks such as the free beverage package, or anything else without losing them. Ask your rep before you commit and get a name!

Hello there. Have just booked on the Constellation for March. Does anyone have any information or pictures on cabin 9001. It looks larger then the normal cabins. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

It is. We have had a similar cabin. It is the first cabin at the front of the deck. It is the only cabin on the deck (one on both sides) that is not a balcony, never quite understood why, but it is the size of a regular cabin plus the balcony area. Very nice.

Thank you everyone for your help.

We decided we are driving to NJ the morning of, parking in EWR long term parking for 106$ for the 8 nights. free shuttle to the airport. When we get back into Bayonne we are taking a taxi back to our car at the airport.

We just cruised out of Bayonne last week and our friends who flew in from North Carolina paid appx $50 taxi fare one way from EWR

Not going to bother staying overnight in Jersey the night b4, I would rather sleep a few hrs in my own bed than in a crummy hotel - our flight is mid morning and we dont mind driving a couple hrs.

 

Just an observation here. First, have you already booked a non-changeable flight? If so, I would absolutely recommend you coming into the area the day before. There are several hotels in the EWR area that allow parking for the duration of your cruise. The Cape Liberty 411 thread is the thread to go to for the info. 138 East (screen name) is the best source for the info. Driving as far as it seems you have to,(I see Wethersfield is just south of Hartford) I estimate you have at least a two hour drive into the area. This is with perfect driving conditions. If you can change your flight to the day before, San Juan has great hotels for a night or two stay. Many of us on this repo are going on our fifth year in a row. We do several onboard activities, plus a get together at the Marriott in San Juan on the Friday night before the cruise. It is very well attended and a great way to meet your fellow Cruise Critic cruisers. I would also suggest you check out our roll call. Once it gets rolling, (no pun intended) it is one of the most active roll calls of any cruise. Great way to get involved one way or the other.

Becco and Carmine's. Both great but in totally different ways. Becco is great food. Great wine list. They also have the unlimited pasta special. Three different pastas, you never know what they'll be, for about $25. Best deal in New York as far as I'm concerned. Carmine's is more of a loosen your belt type place. Food is not a culinary masterpiece, but good and lots of it.

:D Thanks Bayonne Joe for the great advice! I'll find the Broadway diner on Google and print out the map. I really appreciate the time you took to help me out.

Judy

 

No! Not the Broadway Diner. You want the Lighthouse at 31st and Broadway. The Broadway Diner is a different place and would not be my first choice.

Will probably get there around 9. Can get gas and have something to eat/drink before going to the port.

 

OK. Now I know what to tell you. The Shell station is at 40th Street and Avenue E. You can get your gas there after getting off the turnpike. Stay all the way to the left out of the tolls. This will put you on Avenue E. The Shell is about 14 blocks away on your left. You can then go to the Lighthouse Diner at Broadway and 31st Street. This would be my recommendation for breakfast on a Sunday morning. When you exit the Shell turn left and go to 31st Street and make a right. Go one block and make a left. The Lighthouse will be on your righthand side right after the intersection. There is street parking (no meters on Sunday) and a small lot behind the restaurant. It is easy to get to the port after that. Go back to Avenue E. One block east of Broadway. Go to 34th Street and make the right over the bridge. At the second light make a left and get into the right lane quickly and the entrance to the port is on your right. And if you want to stop in the shopping center just go straight through the light.

We will be driving to Cape Liberty very early on a Sunday morning coming from Route 78. I've printed out the specific directions for Exit 14A.

 

Would you recommend a gas station near the port where we can fill up before parking at the port?

 

I see a Shell station on the corner of 40th and Ave. E. Is that gas station safe?

 

Maybe there is a gas station at South Cove Shopping Center? We are planning to stop there before going to the port.

 

Thanks for any help. I'm hoping that the traffic will be light and that construction delays will not exist on a Sunday morning.

Judy

 

How early do you want to get there and why?

I am ok on the directions getting to the Port but I am looking to print out directions home. I am coming from the Philadelphia area so I will be taking the NJ Turnpike Exit 14A to Rt. 440. Thank you 138East!

 

My question is when I look up the directions to go home it has me leaving the port and going South on Rt. 440 over the Bayonne Bridge and into Staten Island turning onto Rt. 278 and then onto NJ Turnpike. Is this correct?

 

Just curious why I can't go home the way I came to the port. Any help would be appreciated because I'm confused.

 

It's only telling you this way because it's probably a mile or two less. Just go back to the turnpike at 14A. Make a right at the entrance of the port at 440 and follow the signs.

I'll watch for that repo- cruise when it comes on the schedule, or if someone mentions it here.

 

If Celebrity stays consistent with the Summit, the repo will leave San Juan on April 23rd and get to Bayonne on May 1st. It is the Summit cruise that Celebrity opens up their new bookings with every year. It opens up in late March or early April of 2015.

Hmmmm... We may be on to something then

 

I went to the CruiseTT website for April 2016 (as far they currently have info ahead on The Summit)

 

http://m.cruisett.com/s/Celebrity_Cruises/Celebrity_Summit/April_2016/

 

And the info ends at April 22nd... With The Summit in St Thomas

 

I would therefore "assume" that she would finish up that 1 week regular sailing the next day, April 23, 2016

 

And that April 23rd would be start to the Repositioning Cruise (assuming that in Spring 2016 the Summit would be returning to a Season in Bermuda)

 

Having looked at her past itinerary for 2014 and the one listed for 2015 (again c/o CruiseTT) you might then surmise that 2016 would look something like this:

 

Apr 23 (Sat) - San Juan, PR

Apr 24 (Sun) - Sint Maarten

Apr 25 (Mon) - St Thomas, USVI

Apr 26 (Tues) - Tortola, BVI (as in 2014) -or- At Sea (as planned for 2015)

Apr 27 (Wed) - At Sea

Apr 28 (Thurs) - Kings Warf, Bermuda

Apr 29 (Fri) - King's Warf, Bermuda

Apr 30 (Sat) - At Sea

May 1 (Sun) - Cape Liberty, NJ

 

Interesting cruise for sure...

 

The downside of course is it would see you back in NJ the day before your actual Anniversary.

 

But I would say all is not lost... I would think that spending a few days in NYC after this cruise could prove out to be quite nice before flying home to Ohio.

 

NYC with its nice Hotels, Restaurants, Theatre and Cultural Scene might be just the ticket for romance IMO

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

 

Reference post #10, folks. This cruise will open up for booking late March or early April of 2015.

ALL OPINIONS/COMMENTS WELCOME

 

Hello everyone. My signature below shows my cruise history which will soon be 10 years old and all with Royal Caribbean. I did say one I make Diamond on Royal I would consider trying X. I will be Diamond after my Freedom cruise next April.

 

You will see my countdown clock shows Explorer of the Seas for 2016, but that is tentative. That cruise may or may not exist, so I am now looking at X for 2016. My two main requirements is that I want to be cruising on our 35th anniversary (May 2nd, 2016) We were on Voyager on our 25th and Allure on our 30th. We have boarded on our anniversary or flown home on that day, but for this one I want to have a fun day somewhere other than flying. May 2nd 2016 is a Monday I believe. I am primarily looking at 7 day cruises, but will consider 5,6, or 8.

You have plenty of time to explore other options. If Celebrity stays consistent with the Summit, the April 23rd sailing from San Juan will be the repo that

gets to Bayonne on Sunday May 1st. We have no reason to think otherwise. The May 1st sailing should be the first seven day Bermuda sailing. Celebrity begins their new year of bookings for the Summit with the repo. They do not open up until sometime around late March or early April of next year.

I feel I have to put my 2 cents in on this one. Or is it $200 as the original poster has complained about? First and foremost, having someone smoking on the next balcony, for me at least, would be a serious problem, because it involves my health. Second, and far less important, it's against Celebrity's rules. (If someone was smoking on a hotel balcony, and their room was not non-smoking, I would have no case.) First, I would go to guest services and ask that they handle this matter quickly, as I do consider it a personal health risk. If it was not handled in a timely fashion, and it happened again, I would contact the hotel manager. Having said all this, I would not want or ask for compensation of any kind, let alone $200 which I would consider far and above anything to expected.

Ok, I didn't ask right. We are staying 2 blocks from the NY Port Authority Bus Station. We plan to walk our luggage to the terminal. What would be the best bus for us to get on to go to Cape Liberty Pier? Thanks.

 

There is no bus to Cape Liberty from the Port Authority. There is NJ Transit bus, the 119 I think, but it goes nowhere near Cape Liberty, and I'm not even sure it runs on the weekend. If it does, it would be a very limited schedule. Your best bet, as 138 East has said is car service. Public transportation on the weekend from Manhattan would be PATH to Hoboken or Pavonia, and then Light Rail to 34th Street in Bayonne and then a cab to the port. I have always told people this is a logistical nightmare with luggage. Take a cab or the car service.