Lyn1Lyn

1 hour ago, shof515 said:

its does not have it. you need to use a clean cup at the water machine to fill your bottle

ok, I was hoping this wasn't the case, but I guess it is what it is. Thanks!

 

Does the Venezia have the water bottle fill fountains (like the drinking fountains, but the ones you stick your water bottle under and it fills automatically) and if it does, where are they located? 

2 hours ago, KaiBlue said:

Assuming you are staying in a standard size room with 2-3 of the kids - highly recommend a cheap over the door pocket hanger to help organize stuff.   Doesn't weigh much and takes up very little packing space.  We always put this on the outside of the bathroom door so it could be used even if someone was in the bathroom (or even hung it on the wall using multiple magnetic hooks) to provide extra space for the stuff you grab more often (sunglasses, sunscreen, deodorant, etc).  

We have 5 rooms. Hubby and I will be in adjoining rooms with the 3 youngest children. Then the others are spread between the last 3 rooms. I will definitely be going out either tonight or tomorrow and grabbing some items like the hooks and the organizers. I am sure we can all benefit from them.  Thanks 

2 hours ago, LPut714 said:

don't forget immodium, dramamine, benadryl, tylenol first aide bag with band aides clippers, floss, etc

here is my packing list

Cruise packing list 082822.odt 37.25 kB · 1 download

Thank you so much for this. 

4 hours ago, havanadaydreaming said:

main thing, for me, would be to be aware of the debarkation process in NYC.  its an absolute madhouse.  we just debarked last month.  chaos city.  4k people dropped on the streets of midtown manhattan.  

 

if you're going to airport highly recommend taking the Carnival shuttle.  

No airport thankfully. And yes I completely agree.. it can be an absolute madhouse. 

9 hours ago, mz-s said:

Really the same things you'd need for any other vacation. Don't over think it. There are plenty of blogs online where people write 5000 word essays on what they pack for their cruise that were probably written by Chat GPT, complete with dozens of Amazon affiliate links to the useless crap they recommend.

Now I need to look up what Chat GPT is....lol, I have no idea.

These answers have already been so helpful.  So many reminders in these replies of so many things that would have been in my "bin" that are now missing. And I really was truly stuck on clothes. Couldn't think past it. 

I would have completely left even simple things like sunblock, bug spray and hats. 

... thanks to everyone who is shooting over replies. Greatly appreciated!!

 

• So we are cruising for the 1st time since 2019. First time with our whole family since 2016. I used to have a "cruise bin" that had everything we needed. As we went yearly.  Since it's been so long, the cruise bin has slowly been dismantled and I have no idea what to grab. I feel like my head is spinning. I honestly feel like it is my first time cruising and I know nothing. I am stressing out a little (alot!). Because I work so many hours a day 4 days a week, I don't tend to even be able to settle down to think about the trip until Fridays when I am off, or late at night (when everything is already closed). So here I am sitting at my table at 1am, trying to wrap my head around all the packing I need to do... (IN SECRET, because the trip is a surprise early Christmas present to the littles). I have this weekend to really get things together, since I will be working Mon-Fri next week to prepare to be off and we leave that Sunday.. AAAAAHHHHH!!!
•  
• Please help me... Can you suggest things I might forget?
•  
• For Reference: Carnival Venezia, 8 days Bahamas, out of Manhattan
• Family of 9 Including, 2 adult parents, our adult son and wife 25yrs old and our 5 other children ages 7yrs to 20 yrs. (as well as my parents travelling with) 

Any help greatly appreciated. 

It has been many years since I was in Freeport (maybe like 8), when we went there last it was due to being rerouted around a storm. Nothing planned ahead of time. Getting off the ship was extremely chaotic, due to no one knowing what to do or where to go. All I remember was literally fighting crowds of people to get a ride out on a van. and winding up at a beach somewhere....lol

 

This time, it is an actual stop on my Dec. 10th trip on Carnival Venezia. 8am-4pm  But we will have all our kids with us (ages 7-25) and my parents. A party of 11. It is also our first stop after 2 days at sea, so I am sure my kids will want to do some beach time or something to get off the ship. Not trying to go broke on an excursion for this amount of people, so shoot me some ideas of what we can do. ALSO, want to exit the ship leisurely after the crowds. 

 

I can't remember the free beach, but I do remember having to pay for chairs and activities, but there was also a "snack shack" that cooked things like burgers, conch salad etc. etc.. 

 

Any suggestions? 

Found the answer. Venezia does not have laundry rooms. 

Not sure if any of the ships have laundry rooms anymore. Does Venezia have one? or just the send out laundry bags? 

 

8 hours ago, Nitemare said:

Lots of parking threads here. 99.9+% don't have any issues with parking.  Get there early and get on the ship and start your vacation and the worries will quickly disappear

Yes, I did do a little digging on the parking. I will be reserving in the next couple weeks. Thanks for the response. Second guessing the carrying on luggage thing. But it should be a nice trip. 

Been reading through your trip. It's great to get the perspective of someone on board.

Maybe you can help me...

If you can, can you possibly take a pic of the room service menu? Is there a fee for room service these days? 

Does anyone have a sample room service menu? What are the current fees? Sailing on Venezia soon and I always like to sit on my balcony at night with my room service tea and snacks. First cruise since 2019, not sure what to expect. 

We are a party of 11. We live about 1.5 - 2 hours away in PA. We will be driving into Manhattan that day and parking at the Terminal. 

We have 4children 7-17 yrs old going with us. 7 adults 19yrs -75yrs old.

 

I want to make our transition from car to ship as easy and smooth as possible. We are cruising with Carnival Venezia in December, so don't have my check in time yet. But definitely don't want to wait outside to get into the terminal in a long line. I am going to attempt to get us an early boarding time, but would it be wise to arrive later in the day? We will be carrying on all luggage, so really don't want to board til 1:30pm or after, but I know the process of checking in can take time.

I am also worried about getting parking at the terminal if we arrive too late. Any advice? 

We are a party of 11. We live about 1.5 - 2 hours away in PA. We will be driving into Manhattan that day and parking at the Terminal. 

We have 4children 7-17 yrs old going with us. 7 adults 19yrs -75yrs old.

 

I want to make our transition from car to ship as easy and smooth as possible. We are cruising with Carnival Venezia in December, so don't have my check in time yet. But definitely don't want to wait outside to get into the terminal in a long line. I am going to attempt to get us an early boarding time, but would it be wise to arrive later in the day? We will be carrying on all luggage, so really don't want to board til 1:30pm or after, but I know the process of checking in can take time.

I am also worried about getting parking at the terminal if we arrive too late. Any advice? 

Can anyone apprise me on the current benefits of getting a Suite? I am planning to possibly take a cruise in June to celebrate our 20th anniversary and was considering a suite. I usually get a balcony room, because I love sitting outside in peace and quiet. Are there any benefits to getting a suite. Probably won't go any higher than a Grand suite on most ships. But would consider a Havana Cabana Suite on Mardi Gras. I know depending on the level suite, you used to get escorted onto the ship. But I am not sure of any other benefits. 

Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

10 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

Don't pay for an excursion. Been there many times. One trick is book a hotel room across street from Atlantis, it comes with water park passes, you use it to change and bail when done...way cheaper than some excursion

 

You get off ship, walk towards land, go to end and there are water taxis to take you there, or can go to any "jitney" (Bahamian taxi where it carries as many as possible) and get there.

 

An excursion to Atlantis would be a total waste of money

We are on a similar itinerary and arrive at 12pm. What hotels would you suggest?

Hi there, Loved your review. We will be travelling on MSC Seaside in May.  Very excited as this will be our first MSC experience. I am soooo needing the caribbean sun right now. 

Just a quick question. You mentioned in your post that you had parked your car at a hotel and Uberxl'd to and from. What hotel did you use and was there a fee to leave your car there? Also can you give me an idea of how much the uber costed? There are 4 of us travelling all adults.  

Just wanted to follow up on my post from Feb. Just got back from my Repo cruise on RC Adventure of the Seas San Juan to Bayonne.

We arrived at Bayonne terminal at about 7pm..on Thurs the 3rd..

 

As port director said, garage was easily accessible even though no one was around.

As he instructed just moved cones in front of garage entrance and proceeded in. Grabbed our ticket, found a spot, ordered a lyft and were on our way to EWR in under 15 mins.

At airport by 7:30/40pm..

 

Arrived back on Thursday morning 10th. Self assisted off the ship. 7am..25 mins process from ship to pay machines.

Paid at the machine, elevator up and were pulling out of garage in just a few mins.

Was at work by 9:30am.

 

It was so easy i would def do it exactly like that again if i had to.

Stress free of u give ur self a cushion.

Much preferred doing the airport transfer in the beginning of the trip instead of standing in line for a taxi or waiting for an uber at the end of the trip.

 

Hope this helps.

 

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One more thing. I think It is important not to order the uber or lyft before u get there. The app pinpoints exactly where u are located. But its hard to give an address when its the garage.

I did it from the garage and the lyft driver was waiting at the entrance when we came down to meet him, didn't even need to tell him directly by phone. I thought that was great too.

 

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Actually this is not true..

I received a call from the port director today after leaving a message concerning the parking garage and whether or not I could park there prior to leaving from EWR to fly over to PR to embark on my repositioning cruise back to Bayonne.

As per his message he said the garage is automated and open 24hrs. He stated that upon arrival I would receive a ticket at the gate which I needed to keep and present when I was leaving the garage. I will pay for however many days my car has been parked there.

So apparently it is possible to park there as long as u are returning there.

I am calling tomorrow to speak to him directly just to make sure, but his message was very clear.

 

I will confirm with you all tomorrow.

Just wanted to follow up on my post from Feb. Just got back from my Repo cruise on RC Adventure of the Seas San Juan to Bayonne.

We arrived at Bayonne terminal at about 7pm..on Thurs the 3rd..

 

As port director said, garage was easily accessible even though no one was around.

As he instructed just moved cones in front of garage entrance and proceeded in. Grabbed our ticket, found a spot, ordered a lyft and were on our way to EWR in under 15 mins.

At airport by 7:30/40pm..

 

Arrived back on Thursday morning 10th. Self assisted off the ship. 7am..25 mins process from ship to pay machines.

Paid at the machine, elevator up and were pulling out of garage in just a few mins.

Was at work by 9:30am.

 

It was so easy i would def do it exactly like that again if i had to.

Stress free of u give ur self a cushion.

Much preferred doing the airport transfer in the beginning of the trip instead of standing in line for a taxi or waiting for an uber at the end of the trip.

 

Hope this helps.

 

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Hello to all! We are just booking a cruise out of Port Liberty in Oct. Looking at flying in the day before on SW airlines to EWR. Problem is..there isn't a late enough return on Saturdays from EWR to home.

 

Looks like we will have to fly home from LGA. If the flight is at 1:45pm on a Sat, will we have enough time? We've never cruised out of this area before so all new to us.

 

Also, what would be the best transportation to get us from port to LGA and how much time should we allow?

 

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

What time is disembarkation? I am thinking you probably will have enough time. In my opinion a private car would prob be best. One that you have scheduled as u don't have to wait for them to arrive AFTER you request them like lyft and uber. CARMEL limo is one i like to use. There is also DIAL 7.

 

 

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That is great news! I'm glad to hear that they are making use of the automated capabilities of the garage. Please keep us updated so we can share this info with others. The name and phone number of the port director would be helpful.

 

Just a few comments. Folks have reported that the parking machines won't take $100 bills. Another consideration would be the hours you choose to drop off or pickup your car. I would plan to do it during the day when the 911 Memorial is open (7 am - 7 pm?). Personally I wouldn't want to be wandering around CL in the middle of the night and trying to arrange a cab or Uber/Lyft pickup or drop off. Unattended means unattended, so probably not much assistance available at odd hours.

 

Confirmed with the Port Director whose name is Timothy. Got his number through the automated system.

 

He stated that the garage is always open and you can park there at whatever hour you need to. Although like you said, for safety reasons, earlier is probably better. I will be arriving between 6:30-7:30pm, but I plan to set up my Uber/Lyft, prior to arriving, so we don't have to wait in the garage at night.

 

**He did state that every once in a while there may be a cone in front of the entrance lane, but I can just move it over and enter. **

"It's not a public parking garage" means "NO". This question has been asked for other repo cruises and the answer has always been no.

 

You can certainly park at EWR for less than the $20/day rate charged for parking at Cape Liberty. A lot of hotels offer parking only. Post your exact dates and we can look around for you.

 

Actually this is not true..

I received a call from the port director today after leaving a message concerning the parking garage and whether or not I could park there prior to leaving from EWR to fly over to PR to embark on my repositioning cruise back to Bayonne.

As per his message he said the garage is automated and open 24hrs. He stated that upon arrival I would receive a ticket at the gate which I needed to keep and present when I was leaving the garage. I will pay for however many days my car has been parked there.

So apparently it is possible to park there as long as u are returning there.

I am calling tomorrow to speak to him directly just to make sure, but his message was very clear.

 

I will confirm with you all tomorrow.

Many hotels will hold your luggage, even after check out. Just ask at the front desk.

 

 

 

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Thank you to everyone. We will figure it out. Maybe we will board early and eat, then drop luggage as soon as room is open. That shld give us a solid 4hrs of sightseeing I think.

 

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