Drewtastic86

Great advice from everyone!  Honestly the more I think about it @twangsterand @Lovetocruise2002are probably right about Covid.  I probably need to be slightly more realistic but I am just dreaming of partying like @Matt and @WAAAYTOOO LOL.  I appreciate the advice and at the end of the day, it is great to just have open and candid discussions about cruising.  I literally am in cruise withdrawal lol.

On 2/14/2021 at 4:49 PM, GaryAA said:

It’s the anticipation that keeps you going. If we did not have things to look forward to, life would suck! As soon as the new schedules come out, I start booking way in advance.

DITTO!!!

Hi!  Need some advice....We want to partake in a cabin crawl but I have never organized one before?  Thought @WAAAYTOOO may be a good one to ask about this.  We have a Grand Loft suite booked and I wanted to coordinate one with the Facebook group that is on my sailing.  Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated!

Andrew & Rob

Thank you everyone!

2 hours ago, SPS said:

Last January, we booked a third party excursion to visit Topper's Rhum, a local distillery with MANY varieties of rum available for tasting.

In addition, it included lunch at Topper's restaurant and a couple hours of semi-private beach time. (Transportation included)

The year before, we rented a small car to drive over to the French side to go parasailing at Orient Beach and also to visit Topper's Rhum. (What can I say, we like their products!)

Agree with @AlmondFarmer, the nude beach does not live up to any teenage fantasies you've ever had! 

That sounds great! do you have information on that rum tour?

We have been to St. Maarten/St.Martin many times and I feel like the beach & port shopping there is getting a bit tired.  Any suggestions on fun things to do/see/go or unique excursions to do here?

On 2/2/2021 at 3:46 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

@Drewtastic86

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/02/02/royal-caribbean-releases-spring-2022-2023-remaining-schedule

@Lovetocruise2002 you are the "Royal Genie" of this thread THANK YOU!!! I am so excited to book more LOL.  It is crazy because I do not even know when we can cruise again, but frankly I do not care anymore LOL.  I will just keep booking and switching until I finally can sail LOL. Looking forward to vacationing again is keeping us sane through all of this.  

Who else is dying for the 2023 itineraries to come out??? Part of me wishes they could release half or all 2023 so I can get excited and book ahead.  Anyone else chomping at the bit to book more cruises???

Buffet LOL 

10 hours ago, Jax said:

If you haven’t I would read the reviews on these hotels and pay particular attention to the reliability of the shuttle service, parking and cleanliness of the properties. I did a quick look on Trip Advisor and some recent reviews on the Country Inn & Suites and Renaissance are not the best.  I am not comfortable posting what was found in a coffee maker at the Country Inn....but you should definitely look into this more.  

@JaxI have not gone through the reviews, because I was lured by the deal...silly mistake lol. I never want to know about that coffee maker LOL.  Even though I have not experienced the Newark hotels, I have stayed in the Hilton Garden Inn of Staten Island.  Free parking , reliable shuttle and clean room.  It’s nothing fancy but is attached to a restaurant/ballroom space. This spot is definitely worth checking out. We were just looking for other options that were a bit more upscale and different from what we’ve done. Probably will wind up finding a decent place that offers free or low parking without worrying about the shuttle since we want to arrive to “zone 6” in style!!! I’ll probably contact one of the companies @Jax used.  I think @WAAAYTOOO would be proud lol!

Hi!!! 
Super curious and interested to hear everyone’s input (not class of ships, rather the ship itself and one reason why?

Drew

10 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Make sure to report back if you find anything.  I have never seen anyone mention a park and cruise package for Cape Liberty.  I would think the hotels closer to Newark airport would possibly have park and fly rates available but with them being airport hotels usually there isn't much immediately available nearby.  With the cost of parking that I am seeing at the non-airport hotels, when you factor in the cost of transport to the port you might as well just pay to park at the port.

Hi!  been a busy week but I did find some information.  There are multiple hotels in the area that offer a cruise and stay package, however many still charge for parking at a reduced rate.  BUUUUUUUUTTTTTTT......There are three hotels 10 miles or closer from the terminal that offer free parking for at least seven nights if you stay the night before. In addition these hotels offer free shuttle service to and from the cruise terminal.  While I was looking for a few different "upscale" options, free shuttle transport AND free parking is really nice!  These hotels are:

Hilton Garden Inn of Staten Island

1100 South Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314

(718) 477-2400

Country Inn & Suites Newark International Airport

100 International Blvd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

(908) 282-0020

Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel

1000 Spring St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

(908) 436-4600

Hi everyone,

@Rmauch1163 and I would like to say THANK YOU for welcoming us into your Cruiser Community!  While I have @Rmauch1163 catching up on all the Live Blogs I have already read, I am sitting here reflecting.  I am reflecting on how much information we have already learned in the few weeks since we have joined this blog.  Special shout out to @Jax, @WAAAYTOOO, @SweetPea and @Lovetocruise2002 .  Your blogs and information have REALLY helped us with planning.  Yes, we have over a year to go but planning this cruise out is keeping us going everyday.  I have said it before but after our long days working the front lines, we look forward to coming home to read/post cruise blogs and plan.  It is even better when we are having a glass of wine and dominos (that is unfortunately most of we eat lately due to time constraints ).  We try to make a nightly habit of cruise talk.  LOVE IT!!!  We both look forward to learning even more information and more about the fellow bloggers on this site!!!  Last but not least @Matt , this blog is amazing and we are forever indebted to you!!! 

HAPPY 2021!!!

Drew & Rob 

Thank You Matt!!

5 minutes ago, Jax said:

One other bit of advice....be sure to try the Labbadoozie  

That good huh?  I wonder how far in advance we can reserve a cabana.  Would I do that through my genie or Cruise Planner?  Do they ever go on a special price? Do they deliver drinks and food to cabana?

@Jax Beautiful Pictures!!!!

I have been to Labadee once on a past Celebrity Cruise I have done.  I was there over 10 years ago so I imagine there is a lot more to do.  Debating whether this would be a place for us to go to.  We are doing Star so I know we have access to Barefoot Beach.  Cabana or no cabana?  Input is much appreciated!  We love planning this vacation even if it is a year and a month away lol.  I think everyone on this blog needs a cruise vacation!

Drew

I am still having issues uploading my picture.  Help Me LOL!!!

Hi @Matt! Happy New Year!  I am also having an issue loading a profile pic.  I have tried different pictures and it never loads when I save.  Thank you!

4 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

@Drewtastic86 see this thread.  

Awesome Sauce!

Could my cruise be added as well please? 
 

Anthem of the Seas

February 11th, 2022

WE WILL PERSEVERE!!! My husband got his Monday (Moderna) and mine will be in a week and a half (Pfizer). Husband still has two eyes and all four limbs!!! Lol!!! If we notice any differences, I will let you all know! Both of us are in medical and cannot wait to be vaccinated. I am so curious what the new guidelines for cruising will be!!! We are very hopeful that we will be able to see safe cruising by EOY 2021!!! 
 

Sending you all happy thoughts and virtual hugs!

Drew

@Lovetocruise2002 @USCG Teacher @karl_nj Thanks for the added input. Hyatt House seems to be a good option! I will definitely be contacting them soon to see if they indeed do a cruise package where parking at the hotel would be complimentary or discounted. Also will check out the W. If these hotels do a package, I will post my findings on this thread. In the meantime, I can gather the information of the hotels in the nearby area that I know for sure offer a package and post it here. Like I previously mentioned, we have stayed at two hotels that offer such perks.  Keep the awesome input coming!!!

Drew

All of these responses have been so helpful! We have stayed at the Hilton Inn at Staten Island and a hotel (forget the name) at the Newark airport. They were both OK. Yes it’s just one night but to us a trip like a cruise is an experience and the entire experience should be as positive as possible. With that said, while the previous hotels had the complimentary parking, we would like try another option that has better accommodations. I think I’ll check out the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City. @Lovetocruise2002  and @Jax I would love to stay in NYC but my husband would think I’m crazy to drive and park the car in Manhattan. He doesn’t like driving in the city (He also doesn’t like when I drive ). The free parking perk at the hotel as opposed to the cruise terminal is really nice. So for those of you following look for a hotel with a cruise package for parking and/or transportation! @WAAAYTOOO I’m getting a “Zone 6 Star Class” tattoo on my wrist so I don’t forget LOL.

Hi again!!! I have some questions regarding the Cape Liberty Cruise Port. We are sailing on the Anthem in February of 2022. We have cruised from there multiple times since it’s pretty close to our home in Delaware. Even though it’s close, we like to stay at a hotel the day before so we don’t rush to board the day we set sail. We have stayed at a few places before and tried to find some hotels that offer cruise and stay packages for free parking and shuttle. It’s a great amenity but the hotels we have stayed at that offer the program were not the best. Any suggestions on hotels that offer the free parking? Also I know @WAAAYTOOO said that getting to the Star Class section of the terminal can be a headache with the shuttle, so we are looking at hiring a limo service to take us to the terminal from the hotel. Would this be any better? Any suggestions on a service in the area? Trying to pre plan everything now because it gives us something to look forward to. 
 

Thanks, 

Drew