cruising out of new york HELP!!!

[wags111]

my family is thinking about either taking 8 day cruise out of nyc or 7 day out of miami- which would you do? how much of the skyline can you see? i have never even been to nyc----HELP

[138east]

What are the cruise lines and dates that you are considering? Would you be flying to either port?

[05mak05]

On Princess, we cruised out of Manhattan on 9/11 several years ago. This was at the time when the NY economy was so hard hit and we felt like we needed to do something to help. At any rate, Coast Guard ships and helicopters escorted our ship out of the harbor while some of the crew actually boarded the ship. It was quite emotional. We passed by the Statue of Liberty. The skyline is breathtaking. The plus in sailing out of Manhattan is the close proximity of the cruiseport (although I hear Princess has built a new one??? Not sure about that.) On our Royal Caribbean Canada/New England cruise, we sailed out of Bayonne, New Jersey which is across the harbor from Manhattan. We stayed at the Hilton Gateway and got a really good rate. Penn Station is right across the street so we took the train into Manhattan. It was fun and convenient but just not the same as being right in the middle of Times Square. If you choose NYC - either cruise line - you can go in 2 or 3 days early , take in plays and see the sights. NYC is my very favorite city! The view out of Miami is also pretty but I don't think it is quite as exciting as New York. By the way, we loved our cruise out of Cape Canaveral. We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn which is a wonderful hotel. You can see the ships from the hotel. We ate at "Fish Lips" ... another great spot with delicious, reasonably priced food. It's on the water and you can watch the ships going in and out of the port. We were extremely impressed and the drive from the Orlando airport was a no-brainer. Just one turn from the airport and you're on the tollroad to Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral. Have a marvelous time!

[Love the beach]

Sail-away from New York-----well,--- there is absolutely nothing like it! The skyline views, Lady Liberty-- the magnetism of the city itself--- spectacular!! To me, Miami is Miami-- nothing special, but New York-- that's another story! I love it-- always have, always will-- wouldn't live anywhere else!

[BlueHerons]

my family is thinking about either taking 8 day cruise out of nyc or 7 day out of miami- which would you do? how much of the skyline can you see? i have never even been to nyc----HELP

 

What time of year?

 

January through May definitely Miami. June through December NYC.

 

Keep in mind that Manhattan hotels will run you $300-$400 per night and food and transportation there will also put a big dent in your budget.

[Got2Cruise]

Not all cruiselines depart from Manhattan cruise terminal. Make sure the cruise you are considering leaves from Manhattan if you want to see the skyline and Statue of Liberty up close. It is awesome! Do you have a certain cruise in mind? NCL Dawn to Bermuda is a great ship and Bermuda is my favorite island, ever.

[2Cruise4Ever]

We would definitely choose NYC. We've sailed out of NYC 3 times (4th booked for this June!). With the economy the way it is now, prices for the hotels have definitely gone down. We always stay at the Holiday Inn Midtown on West 57th street (about 5 blocks from the pier). Last year we paid $300 for one night. Now, it's advertised for a little over $200.

 

If you choose to go out of NYC (especially since you've never been there before), I highly recommend going up at least one day before. The level of electricity in the city is like none other. Take a day to do some sight-seeing. You'll NEVER forget it.

 

Oh, and if the Empire State Building is too long of a wait, go to the Top of The Rock at Rockefeller Center. Breath-taking views, and not much of a wait. And, I recommend a tour of NBC studios. Big bang for your buck there. We loved looking at the set of Saturday Night Live. Big highlight for us.

[cruzin with the kidz]

The 8 day from NY... is that the Miracle? My family took the eight day cruise on the Miracle and we loved it but... keep in mind that I am from NY when I say this... the only draw back is that many of the people on the boat were from NY and surrounding areas and they can be a little bit pushy, loud and not always the most polite people. They took over the pool area each day! We met a family from out west somewhere and they mentioned this also. We went from Miami once a long time ago so I can't really comment on that. I find that going from Florida in general you get a larger variety of people.

[geegee1]

the views of Midtown, Downtown, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty can't be missed. For one time in your life you'll be eye level with Miss Liberty.

 

Miami has nothing compared to the view of NY.

[Smellytoes]

Can you see the Statue of Liberty if you sail out of Brooklyn or Bayonne??

[138east]

You can see the Statue sailing out of Bayonne, but you don't go right by it. It is in the distance.

[Cracker Ken]

There are a few shots of NYC in my album titled Rotterdam New England on my Flickr web page linked in my signature. There's a pic of the Statue of Liberty taken from the ship on the Hudson River leaving the NYC cruise terminal. It was rainy that day, but this will give an idea.

 

Also, my albums for Carnival Valor, E & W Caribbean, have pics of the Miami sky line and areas while leaving port.

 

I've done both - New York City is best, without comparison.

[smeyer418]

Can you see the Statue of Liberty if you sail out of Brooklyn or Bayonne??

out of Brooklyn Yes its right off the pier as you leave to your starboard....

[patseacruiser]

i go out of bayonne a lot and while you don't pass right by the statue of liberty don't underestimate sailing under the verazanno bridge that it clears by only 15 feet and looks like you are going to crash right into it. however, if you are sailing in winter, it will be dark when you ship leaves so you won't get to see a lot anyway.

[Smellytoes]

out of Brooklyn Yes its right off the pier as you leave to your starboard....

 

Thanks. That's a nice view too.

[Cracker Ken]

Here's another. I hope the weather is clear the next time we sail from NY.

 

[wags111]

thanks for all the responses. i get so overwhelmed when i start looking at all hotels and flights.......i am a tennessee girl with no idea of where to start in BIG NYC. we i think have narrowed our trip down to the miracle leaving out of NYC on june 1st. my 14 yr old daughter wants to go a day early so we can tour ground zero. i would like to also visit time square ....where to stay? any ideas.. i know hotels are expensive but i think we will save enough booking our own air to pay for 1 night in NYC. are we going to be able to find our way around to these places or just stand in 1 spot and not be able to move LOL

[smeyer418]

thanks for all the responses. i get so overwhelmed when i start looking at all hotels and flights.......i am a tennessee girl with no idea of where to start in BIG NYC. we i think have narrowed our trip down to the miracle leaving out of NYC on june 1st. my 14 yr old daughter wants to go a day early so we can tour ground zero. i would like to also visit time square ....where to stay? any ideas.. i know hotels are expensive but i think we will save enough booking our own air to pay for 1 night in NYC. are we going to be able to find our way around to these places or just stand in 1 spot and not be able to move LOL

Once you are in Manhattan its easy to get around on the SUBWAY. yes I know you have heard its crowded but that is generally only in the rush hour other than that there will be plenty of people there but not so many that you will be trampled. The subway is the fastest way to get around in Manhattan.

Taxis are relatively cheap but slow- the subway is much faster most of the day(late at night after 10 pm take a cab)

Any reputable(3 star) hotel will be ok for one night try price line and bid about $100 for a three star and see what happens---in Midtown east or west. The things that should be seen are

The Metropolitan Museum of Art(especially the Egyptian wing), admission is expensive but the real rule is you can give whatever you want....and is technically free one evening a week.

Macys(out of towners can get a 13% off almost anything including sales on

the courtesy desk on the Mezzanine)

 

If you want to see a play you can half price tickets on line in Times square for most plays that night).

 

Nike in Times Square is also something to see as is the NBC store in Rockefeller center is something you should see(you can also get up to be on the Today show which is there from 7-10 am weekdays)...

 

Ground zero shouldn't be missed but you should also take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry past the Statute of Liberty....It takes too much time to see the SOL if you are only here for one day.

 

Finally you can pre-reserve tickets to the Empire State Building which also shouldn't be missed.

 

Other places to shop Canal Street for a laugh and inexpensive goods(eat lunch in China Town) H & M...your daughter will love it and you may too. Lord and Taylors, window shop at Blooomingdales, Fifth Avenue and Madison ave(if you are like me you can't afford them)...

 

NY is the safeest large city and the subway is safer than the streets.

[wags111]

thank you so much for that info ... do you know cost of riding cab from airport to hotels in time square area. we are looking to fly to LGA

[smeyer418]

thank you so much for that info ... do you know cost of riding cab from airport to hotels in time square area. we are looking to fly to LGA

depending on traffic a taxi from LGA to midtown times square should be about $35.00 including tip...

[ECC Director]

I was just in Manhattan yesterday and noticed written on the side of the cab say it was a flat rate of $45 from JFK to Manhattan. It is possible that you may be charged the toll of $3.50-5, depending on which route they take. NYC is a fabulous city and you will really enjoy it.

[H20 Lover]

For one time in your life you'll be eye level with Miss Liberty.

 

.

 

This gave me shivers.