Becky

If memory serves me correct 5 years ago I called from San Juan to the US without any additional calling plan or charges. Is this correct? Are there any Caribbean ports that this can be done without extra charges? I have an iPhone.

I actually chose the tour time at 4:00 p.m. The segway company asked me what time my ship arrived and I told them the itinerary says 3:00 p.m. My confirmation email from the segway company says "look forward to meeting in local time" that is why I asked the question. So, what am I to think? Will it be 4:00 p.m. local time when we arrive or 3:00 p.m., as you can see this will make a big difference.

Anne,

Yes, we will be on NCL. So do we stay on ship time? Can 5 people fit in a taxi? If we didn't do the safari type tour, what would you recommend for say 3 different stops for the day. I'd like a beach & mountain top for pictures. We will not be snorkeling. I've read that we should catch the 2:00 p.m. ferry, is this correct?

NCL itinerary states we are in San Juan from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. I have booked a segway tour in which the tour states to arrive at 4:00 p.m. San Juan time (it is not booked through the ship). Is there a difference between the two? I want to make sure 3:00 p.m. ship time is not 4:00 p.m. San Juan time or I will arrive late to the segway place.

Hoping someone will reply in the next two days….

My group of 5 of us will also be on the Gem 1/1 and I was wondering the same question. We are planning on being there around 11:00-11:30 and we do not have a suite.

Where is lunch available?

We will be sailing on New Years Day. We have two rooms booked for 5 people. One room handles a triple which I believe will be a bunk bed.

When should we request the bed configuration changed (prior to sailing or after we arrive)? Meaning the two twin beds put together.

I did put in the destination address that was provided in my cruise documents, which was 711 12 ave. manhattan., but now that I look closer it has me ending in Astoria.

I changed my destination to New York City Passenger Ship Terminal and it has me on saw mill parkway/henry hudson parkway 9A, continue to 12th ave. with destination on the right. WOW!! this is totally different!!! :eek: and seems rather simple. So what is the bridge name that I will cross on 9A it says Henry Hudson? Thanks all, as this could have been disastrous!:(

I think we will take the sawmill and not cross GWB. It will also save us $12/13 toll to cross bridge I believe.

NJhorseman - I put in the address of the cruise ship terminal for my destination. It did not find manhattan cruise terminal as a destination. It also did give W 29th street, it was 287-Bruckner Expressway W.

Boo214- you make it sound so easy??

138 East- yes there will be two cars of us coming down from Albany area. One car will be staying in the area after the cruise etc. so we will only be together on the way down. I've traveled Sawmill pkwy before and it was very easy. I would need someone to provide detailed instructions if I was to head that way and to the port. Anyone??

Google maps offers two options:

1. I-87S, I-287E, Palisades Pkwy S, GWB, Exit 1C for I-87, I-278W-exit toward 31st street, keep right on 29th street, etc. on to pier

2. I-787S, I-90, Taconic Pkwy, Sprain Brook Pkwy S, keep L on Bronx River Pkwy S, Exit 5 E 177 St, 895 -Sheridan Expy S, 278 -Bruckner Expy W, 29th Street, etc. on to pier

I've only been to the pier once and we went through NJ and used the Lincoln Tunnel, do either of these routes use the Lincoln Tunnel?

Route 1 is estimated to be 15 minutes quicker.

I read on a previous post that from the upper bridge take the first exit on the right and from the bottom bridge take the first exit on the left. I don't know how to choose top or bottom as I've been across twice in my life and just went with the flow (scared to death).

Any advise as far as either route or help crossing the GWB would be greatly appreciated. We will be driving in on New Years Day.

Should we bring our own towels for beach days, e.g. St. Thomas & St. Martin?

Thank you.

With our booking we will receive a bottle of wine and strawberries. Specifically will we be charged a corking fee to open it? I have to ask as I do not want to assume anything.

My husband and I purchased an anniversary ring at Ballerina jewelers. This was 4 years ago before gold skyrocketed. Depending on your budget fine jewelry may be an option. When it was fitted my fingers must have been swollen and then was loose that evening after swimming. So on our next stop in St. Martin they resized it at their store there. I believe they also have a store in NY so if you have any problems there are other options. Save on $$ by wearing it off the ship. Ooops did I say that!

We arrive in St. Thomas the first week of Jan. with 4 ships in port. We arrive at 8:00 a.m. and depart at 5:00 p.m. I would like to catch the first ferry over to St. John. I know from reading the boards that the first ferry would be at 9:00 a.m., would this be ship time, so 1 hour after ship arrival?

I would like to visit some high points of the island and get a real 'feel' for the area. We will be spending time in St. Martin at the beach so allotting a lot of beach time is not a must but if this is a highlight of St. John then it can be on the list.

I've read about hiring a taxi to show us around once we exit the ferry. There will be 5 of us and I'm not keen on sharing a tour. I am the mom and the other 4 are in their 20s. If you could help me ask for specific points and time frame to return I would be most appreciative.

Since mom is footing the bill I do not want to spend a lot of $$. I've read that a tour is typically $20-$25pp. which is doable.

Thanks.

Yes! Ballerina

:confused: Looking at the CC port section today (Dominican Republic) I read that RCCL and NCL are leaving Samana in 2014 for Tortola. Is this true? I sail on Jan. 1st and Samana is on my itinerary. Will we be stopping there?

It's been about 6 years since we've been to Coki. There was a bar on the opposite side of the road from the beach that we sat and had some beer. It was a family run operation and next to it was a couple of jet skis that we rented. Does anyone know if these two areas are still there? It was a great time and would like to jet ski in that area again.

I am taking my son/girlfriend and son & DIL on a cruise that has a stop 8a-5p in St. Martin on a Sunday. Their ages are 21-25.

I have been to St. Martin once before with my husband and we went to Sarafina's, Orient Beach, and shopped on Front Street.

Since my boys are not sun worshipers but would like to jet-ski, I'm thinking Orient Beach should be on our list for a few hours, they will also like the beach bar atmosphere. The girls are more into the beach lounging. I need a suggestion for chair rental & food as well (I'm looking for value for the money since I'm paying).

I think watching the youtube video of the jets landing/taking off would be enough for them so this is not a must.

I'm also interested in views for photo ops - would this be Ft. Louis? How would you suggest we get to these places? Am I correct that from the pier to Orient Beach would be $54 for the 5 of us.

Any other suggestions?

I would also like to visit Bertilini's ?sp., need to find their card. I purchased an anniversary ring there and have been very happy with it.

Holy smokes!! So for 5 people from the cruise pier to Orient beach it will cost $54? Is this correct? If so, I should rent a car.

Great ideas, and yes we have an inside so all the posts that mention window and balcony will not help us. I will definitely do the roll up in a towel and step on it, then hang.

We will be driving in from upstate NY and I'm wondering what to expect for traffic/rerouting for cleanup after New Years Eve. Have only driven to the port once and only remember white knuckles and elevated heart rate and it was during the summer.

Since there will be 3 adults in a triple inside, any suggestions on how to dry out our bathing suits? My thought is letting them dry next to us while sun bathing wearing an alternate suit.