Subway question for New Yorkers

[guernseyguy]

I was told last year by Cunard uk that it was part of the plan to return the QM2 to westside with longer pier

 

Oh No! Then we'll have the 'Red Hook is Fab!' crowd who want to pop into IKEA on their way to or from the pier up in arms........:eek:

[QueensChick]

well at least its not Queens :)....

 

Whoa... I take issue with this! What's so bad about Queens? :)

 

Seriously, nothing beats sailing up and down the Hudson.

[southwestie]

Oh No! Then we'll have the 'Red Hook is Fab!' crowd who want to pop into IKEA on their way to or from the pier up in arms........:eek:

 

 

LOL

 

IF they find there way into ikea they get out again.

[pnhmrk]

Oh No! Then we'll have the 'Red Hook is Fab!' crowd who want to pop into IKEA on their way to or from the pier up in arms........:eek:

 

The idea of Ikea and either the QE2 or the QM2 do not sit well together. Ikea tend to sell things that look expensive but wear out incredibly quickly; Maybe they'll fit in better when the QV comes along:p

[travel-to-go]

Got a mirror, dear?:rolleyes:

I prefer to avoid them. If you looked like me, you would too! <G>

 

Karie,

Now you wouldn't know what a transatlantic crossing ending up at Manhattan was like, would you? No. I thought not. Matthew

If you could explain to me the difference between sailing into New York Harbor under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and up the Hudson while sailing in from a TA and sailing into New York Harbor under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and up the Hudson after a long cruise out of New York, then I might better be able to answer your question.

 

Yes, I have sailed up the Hudson on the QM2 (Now you're going to argue QE2 vs. QM2?) and into the Manhattan piers. And yes we were both up for it. We have pictures and videos. If all that means anything to you is that sail up the Hudson, and it makes or breaks the trip, then I suppose you could just get a Circle Line cruise a heck of a lot cheaper. (Or whatever else) Or perhaps you could get a Carnival Ship coming into New York City.

 

The New York City skyline is lovely, but it is not sacrosanct to me. I very much resent those who feel the need to express strong negative emotions that result in what appears to be tearing down Red Hook because they want the grandeur and majesty of Manhattan. (or what THEY feel it is) It really sounds like a bunch of spoiled cry-babies, If I can't get what *I* prefer, I am going to scare everyone and make them afraid, and reticent about going to Red Hook. change happens. Believe it or not, there are people who would not want to go into Manhattan on a bet. Or a dare! I have been there, and alone, enough times now but I watch my back, so to speak, and am nervous. I am equally nervous driving my car around Manhattan, even to and from the pier. New Yorkers are not always the most polite of drivers, and when you are unfamiliar and they are, it can be harrowing. Of course that stands no matter where you are. People, in general do not have a lot of patience with those who are hesitant and cautious and unfamiliar when they have somewhere to go.

 

You don't have to drive to the terminal. I find it to be a frightening experience, not at all relaxing. When I come into New York for a show (Never been to Broadway0 I've done Jimmy Buffett at MSG, though) I take the train. Even then, I am anxious. That doesn't necessarily mean Manhattan is a bad place. But I don't feel the need to denigrate it because of that. However, I do gt defensive and act stupid and obnoxious when I react to what I perceive as others being that way in the opposite direction. There is too much pro-Manhattan snobbery, as though anything else is sub-par. Too many people seem to not want to give Red Hook a chance, "because it isn't Manhattan." what people have said about Red Hook, I have always pretty much heard and feared about Manhattan. For decades, I thought of it as a scary, crime-ridden place full of porn palaces (times Square) prostitutes, touts, scam artists, thieves and rip-off artists, along with pick-pockets, beggars, crazies, and assorted ne'er-do-wells. But now I realize that is only Wall Street area. <G> (It's a joke folks!)

 

Enough.

Karie

[Wadadli1]

Manhattan hasn't been "scarey" since the Guiliani regime ;) cleaned it up. Hate him if you need to, but he got the city out of the hideous Dinkens mess. The subways are now pleasant and a wonderful way to get around, esp. if you get an all-day Metro Card. We've been out walking the streets at 2:00am (for a good cause) and later I realised I'd forgotten to be afraid.

 

If we are voting, it would be much easier for us to drive to the West Side piers than to the Red Hook terminal. As it is, this Friday we are taking the train down to Grand Central, and will take a cab with a higher fare over to Brooklyn. So it would be easier even without driving. I can't comment on the ambiance because I've never been and that would be presumptuous of me.

[Kindlychap]

Manhattan hasn't been "scarey" since the Guiliani regime ;) cleaned it up. Hate him if you need to, but he got the city out of the hideous Dinkens mess. The subways are now pleasant and a wonderful way to get around, esp. if you get an all-day Metro Card. We've been out walking the streets at 2:00am (for a good cause) and later I realised I'd forgotten to be afraid.

 

I'm not noted as a fan of New York, but I don't feel unsafe there - or at least any more unsafe than any other country where they insist on driving on the wrong side of the road!

 

I've felt far less safe in Leicester or London......

 

Matthew

[Kindlychap]

If you could explain to me the difference between sailing into New York Harbor under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and up the Hudson while sailing in from a TA and sailing into New York Harbor under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and up the Hudson after a long cruise out of New York, then I might better be able to answer your question.

 

It is difficult to explain. Part of it is that the crossing is very much about getting from A to B and therefore the sense of journey's end is greater than on a cruise, which is just the end of the holiday. I have done New York as an incidental port on a cruise (to Manhattan) which didn't have the same magic about it as the two crossings did.

 

I was hugely disappointed by Red Hook last January - or to be strictly honest, I was hugely disappointed by the arrival to New York which was to Red Hook. I'm happy enough with the terminal, but that doesn't make up for the loss of an arrival at Manhattan.

 

We're booked on QE2 to do Autumn Colours in 2008 - and if we come into Red Hook then we'll probably not bother with New York because of the trouble getting in. No, it isn't much trouble. But unless there is a good reason, why not have a quiet day on the ship?

 

Were it Manhattan, we'd probably walk in.

 

Karie - might I also say that you are completely unable to see the viewpoint of others on this topic. Remember that whilst Red Hook is more convenient to you, it isn't to others. And if you are embarking on a cruise then you might have different views to those disembarking. I've not embarked at New York.

 

I'm in agreement that Red Hook is a better terminal. But it is anonymous. The Manhattan piers are not. But then they are scruffy......

 

Matthew

[Cornus]

Sorry to have created such a conflict of opinions. I've sailed from Red Hook several times, but they always involved a return to Red Hook so there was no transportation problem since I drove and parked my car there. I've sailed more times from the west side piers and find that ever so much more convenient, even though I think RH is a nicer terminal. As I said earlier, we're huge public transportation fans so the east side is ever so much easier to get to for us. We arrive at Penn Station by train from NJ, hop on the Eighth Ave. subway and get off at 50th St. We then walk the four VERY LONG blocks over to the piers. We often joke that we're likely the only two passengers who actually walked to the ship! ;) We even walked to the QE2 from the Holiday Inn this past January for the WCC...it was a beautiful afternoon in Southampton and Julia even joined us on this trek!

 

Anyway, I'll get to Red Hook somehow in just ten more days. If I have internet access when I arrive in London, I'll post to let you know how I got there and how it all worked out. :)

[southwestie]

To me it seems so very ODD to want to travel on such a beautiful ship in 7 start luxury, BUT to want to turn up tired, sweaty dirty from travel on public transport or walking :(

 

we have been to NYC many times and from the sirport after a 7 hour flight taken PT and today the sky train helps with that, but then after that trip you dont care.

 

Im not putting on best suit and trudging the streets on new york or sitting on the dirty subway trains, NOR would I want to stand in line next to someone who had just done that either.

 

as for NYC they as I said before as friendly as anyone else, no more no less we have met many new yorkers and always found friendly, helpful etc, YOU just have to stop one lol, they are a big city rushing round.

 

as for safety in NYC it was bad a few years back, but not now, we have walked the paths by the docks, central park etc with no worries.

 

I would do likewise in london, and LOOK now at liverpool and the shooting here, also we have chatted on line to many new yorkers from this board and thay are all great people AND to say any different would be an INSULT to them and that city.

as for the sail up the HUDSON, well that does not bother me so much, it is just the TRADITION . BUT try stopping the sail past the Statue of liberty and you have QM2 rage lol

 

also if it docked in westside CORNUS could walk to and from it, covered in gigerette smoke and traffic fumes lol.

FOR us it a limo :p :) cant wait for luxury

[VirginCruiser II]

I cannot disagree with that. Even a yellow cab is better than taking the furness of the subway in a suit with luggage????:eek: :eek: :eek: on a hot NYC summers day. Give me that limo to and from the QM2 anyday!

BTW they may not have a subway in Southampton but I'm sure they have cabs there the last time I looked.:)

[VampyBuff]

We'll be arriving at Penn Station on Sept. 4 to make our way to Red Hook for the QM2 TA. We're big *public transit* fans and thought, rather than taking a taxi from Penn to Red Hook, that we would get the #2 or #3 at Penn and get off at Borough Hall and then hail a taxi to take us to Red Hook from there. Might this be doable? Or should we get the taxi directly from Penn to RH? I'm not at all familiar with Brooklyn, other than the infamous Belt Pky! We travel lightly so schlepping lots of suitcases is not a problem...we'll have only one each.

 

All our other cruises started and returned to RH so we drove and parked there, which was a lot more convenient.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Honestly...And I'm usually all for public transit...I use the subway on a daily basis...but I gotta say it's definitely A tad annoying when people are traveling with lots of stuff and just ugh yea, cab it.

[VampyBuff]

 

CALL IT 'DEAD HOOK'

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08132007/news/regionalnews/call_it_dead_hook_regionalnews_heidi_singer_and_rich_calder.htm

 

CRYING IN THEIR BEER IN RED HOOK

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/28/30_28cryinginbeer.html

 

 

 

LOL, Jean, I think you've more than made your point, and honestly after reading through this thread I don't know why it even had to come to this. You stated you'd rather not have to deal with the INCONVENIENCE of going to Red Hook. That fact makes it obsolete as to whether or not Red Hook is a nice area. Who cares! You'd just rather not go there!

[VampyBuff]

Oh No! Then we'll have the 'Red Hook is Fab!' crowd who want to pop into IKEA on their way to or from the pier up in arms........:eek:

 

Maybe it's the fact it's 6:40am but LOL

[Cornus]

To me it seems so very ODD to want to travel on such a beautiful ship in 7 start luxury, BUT to want to turn up tired, sweaty dirty from travel on public transport or walking

 

It always amazes me how some posters arrive at conclusions from info that was NEVER even stated nor implied!!! We've never turned up tired [last time we left from RH, it took just over one hour from the time we left our front door in NJ to the time we were in our cabin on the QM2!], nor sweaty, nor dirty. Obviously, erroneous conclusions on your part. :confused:

 

Im not putting on best suit and trudging the streets on new york or sitting on the dirty subway trains, NOR would I want to stand in line next to someone who had just done that either.

 

I won't be putting on my best suit either. Actually we usually arrive wearing jeans...I know to the horror :eek: of many on this board. ;)

 

also if it docked in westside CORNUS could walk to and from it, covered in gigerette smoke and traffic fumes lol.

FOR us it a limo :p :) cant wait for luxury

 

Hope you enjoy your luxury and limo as much as we enjoy helping the environment by using public transit and walking. :)

[southwestie]

It always amazes me how some posters arrive at conclusions from info that was NEVER even stated nor implied!!! We've never turned up tired [last time we left from RH, it took just over one hour from the time we left our front door in NJ to the time we were in our cabin on the QM2!], nor sweaty, nor dirty. Obviously, erroneous conclusions on your part. :confused:

 

 

 

I won't be putting on my best suit either. Actually we usually arrive wearing jeans...I know to the horror :eek: of many on this board. ;)

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy your luxury and limo as much as we enjoy helping the environment by using public transit and walking. :)

Please remember that public transport, ships etc all harm the enviroment?

 

and as for Jeans thats up to you, BUT not us and thankfully not many on this board.

 

I hope you enjoy your your cruise whatever:) and im sure the walk will do you both good.

[VirginCruiser II]

My TA who is from Phoenix just was in NY and said she couldn't believe how helpful and friendly New Yorkers were. We are sometimes hurried and harried but we will all try to help tourists....with the RIGHT directions.

I agree......:D New Yorkers are brilliant!:D Thats one of the reasons we visit so often. I remember our very first trip to NYC in 1980 where, despite many comments about the crime and unfriendliness of the people in New York, we found no problems at all and folks just went out of their way to help us. The place just keeps getting better and we look forward to many more trips there.:) :)

[Cornus]

and as for Jeans thats up to you, BUT not us and thankfully not many on this board.

 

Wrong again! Have you checked the *jeans poll* on this board? It shows that almost 3/4 of those taking the poll find jeans acceptable:

 

Jeans should be worn at any time on Cunard - day or evening. - 3.11%

Jeans should be worn at any time on Cunard - day or evening - including the restaurants. - 2.48%

Jeans may be worn during the day, but in the evening people should dress more formally/elegantly. - 65.22%

 

Again you've drawn an erroneous conclusion from the facts presented. :confused:

[lexxity]

I absolutely LOVE New York. Love it, love it, love it! I think Guliana did a brilliant job cleaning up. I have spent many a happy hour wandering around on my own, riding cabs on my own, using Penn St station on my own and have honestly, hand on heart, never felt safer! It is the one place I would upsticks and move to right now!

 

Cornus is you want to get the subway then you do that! Don't let anyone else tell you how to arrive at your ship. Personally, it is easier for us to take a car service or cab, but then there are three of us and my shoe collection.:D

[Jean Lafitte]

 

Im not putting on best suit and trudging the streets on new york or sitting on the dirty subway trains,

 

Thousands of New York businessmen do this every day, on their way to Wall Street, Midtown etc....and I put on my suit and took the subway from my home to have dinner at Aureole a couple months ago, it's a short ride anyway...

 

Now, I'd rather show up at the ship in a cab (most likely taking the subway part way), or a limo myselft but...

[stowaway2k]

It is difficult to explain. Part of it is that the crossing is very much about getting from A to B and therefore the sense of journey's end is greater than on a cruise, which is just the end of the holiday. I have done New York as an incidental port on a cruise (to Manhattan) which didn't have the same magic about it as the two crossings did.

 

I agree.

Arrival into NYC after a crossing, there is a palpable sense of "Arrival" after an epic journey.

It's an event, because, for many on board, it's also the start of something fresh, the next chapter in their journey. Often, it's the first time to America or New York, and that excitement is contagious and spreads throughout the ship.

 

Arrival into NYC after a cruise, there is sense of "Let's just get off the ship and go home"

 

Physically, of course it's the same thing.

Emotionally, it's two completely different things.

[pinkflood]

"I think Guliana did a brilliant job"

 

:) :) Sorry, but if you refer to the former mayor of NYC and possible future president of the United States of America, then his name is Rudy Giuliani. (Actually, full name is Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani).

 

 

I understand it’s just a typo.:)

[southwestie]

Wrong again! Have you checked the *jeans poll* on this board? It shows that almost 3/4 of those taking the poll find jeans acceptable:

 

Jeans should be worn at any time on Cunard - day or evening. - 3.11%

Jeans should be worn at any time on Cunard - day or evening - including the restaurants. - 2.48%

Jeans may be worn during the day, but in the evening people should dress more formally/elegantly. - 65.22%

 

Again you've drawn an erroneous conclusion from the facts presented. :confused:

 

A poll that ONLY 162 people took part in?, NOW take a poll of all the cc members and I will belive it.

 

What ever I certainly dont wear jeans at any time. and any way who ever heard of saville row jeans, the very thought:eek: .

 

I have no objection at all to anyone wearing Levi's, Diesel, Replay, Firetrap or

Timberland jeans, but not me, sorry,

[Jean Lafitte]

Please remember that public transport, ships etc all harm the enviroment?

 

The more people that take mass transit/public tranist, the less greenhouse gasses pumped into the atmosphere, than if all of those peoople arrived in individual automobiles (private cars, limos, taxis). I'm not saying one shouldn't arrive in a limo if one so chooses, but don't try to say that public transit has an equal impact on the enviroment as private automobiles do.

[Jean Lafitte]

 

Arrival into NYC after a cruise, there is sense of "Let's just get off the ship and go home"

 

Or after arrival into Red Hook: "Let's just get off the ship and get out of here!"