Best of New York

“One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years” Thomas Wolfe

Welcome to my pick for the best city on earth!   In 2008, roughly 47 million people from all over the world visited New York and for a good reason:  the city is vibrant, energetic, safe, clean and New Yorkers are some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet.
And yes, we certainly feel the effects of the recession and we’ve all cut back on non-essentials, the same New York energy prevails today as it did when everyone was flush.

There is more to see and do here than any city on earth.  In terms of live entertainment, the best of the best are here.   You’ll find much of the world’s finest art in our museums and everything under the sun to buy.

Click on these links to view specific information for visitors:

*  Tips for Visitors

* Sightseeing
* Shopping

*  Hotels

One reason I love New York is because people from every country on earth live and work together amicably.  Anyone who lives here must be fairly resilient and hard working (unless they’re among our many billionaires).  Because we must all deal with the same stresses  we respect each other.  In fact, if you’re a first time visitor I’m sure you’ll remark about how “normal”  we all are.  New Yorkers LOVE tourists so don’t fail to ask us directions on the street.  And remember, New York is your city too!

Have a fabulous visit!
Copyright Anne Campbell, 2009

Hot Deals & Bargains

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Cruise Calendar

Cruise ship itineraries and departure dates from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ.

JULY, 2009

AUGUST, 2009

SEPTEMBER, 2009

OCTOBER, 2009

NOVEMBER, 2009

DECEMBER, 2009

Port Information

New York has three ports — Manhattan, Brooklyn and Cape Liberty (Bayonne) NJ — because of the enormous increase in passenger shipping.  And despite the recession (or perhaps because of it) ships today go out full of passengers delighted at the super deals they get.

However, reaching any of the piers brings up a whole host of questions:  is there parking and how much is it?  What is the best route for reaching the port?   What should I tell the taxi driver when he says he doesn’t know how to get there?

We’ve compiled information on everything you need to know to reach all ports.  Simply click on the link below.

MANHATTAN — Carnival Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line

BROOKLYN (Red Hook) – Cunard Line and Princess Cruises

CAPE LIBERTY (Bayonne) NJ — Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2009.  All rights reserved.

First Time Cruisers FAQ

If you’ve never cruised before chances are you have questions about matters ranging from what to take, wear and do during a day at sea.

1. WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF MY TICKET? Roughly 80% of your vacation costs are covered in the price of a cruise: Your stateroom; all food (except specialty restaurants which come with a surcharge); entertainment and the gym. Also included a list of daily activities as long as your arm ranging from lectures to a myriad number of special activities. There is no charge for kids facilities or supervised activities.

Typical extras include tips, liquor and soft drinks ( except on some ultra-deluxe ships, where liquor and soft drinks are included); shopping; gambling; spa treatments and shore excursions.

2. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? In tropical climes, such as the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico, daytime attire includes shorts, t-shirts, sneakers or sandals and a hat. Cruise ships normally schedule two formal nights per week or three in a 10 – to – 12 day cruise. Roughly half the men bring or rent tuxedoes and the rest wear dark suits. Women can get dressed up as much, or as little, as they like. A black knit skirt or pants will take you around the world; simply add tunics or blouses and add sparkly jewelry or scarves. It’s silly to buy items you’ll only wear once and I recommend borrowing glittery costume jewelry and chiffon scarves instead of buying them.
*** E-bay is a tremendous source for buying everything you want to take, from luggage to evening separates and inexpensive costume jewelry.

3. WHAT SHOULD I PACK? The essentials are your travel documents, credit cards or debit cards, photo identification and/or passport, prescription medications (in their original pharmacy containers) and eyeglasses – these items should be in your purse or carry-on bag. In addition to clothing, shoes, hats and tote bags, I take a magnifying make-up mirror, an alarm clock and night light so my cabin-mate and I don’t wake each other crashing into furniture in a dark stateroom at night.

4. WILL I GET BORED? For me personally, the joy of cruising is that I can be as active or lazy as I please. First-time cruisers typically choose an itinerary chock full of port stops while more experienced folks opt for more days at sea. When you return to your stateroom after dinner you’ll find the ship’s newsletter for the following day chock full of dawn-to-the-wee hours activities. Of course, meals - - breakfast, lunch and dinner to afternoon tea and late-night snacks – define the day. If you want to maintain – or even start – a fitness regimen you’ll find a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, available at no extra charge. On your daily program you’ll find pilates, yoga and stretching classes (occasionally, there’s a nominal charge for some specialty classes) and ships have jogging and fast-walking tracks.

Most cruise ships have a good library with all the best sellers in stock, plus non-fiction, travel, travel guides and atlases. The list of activities you can expect to find includes guest lecturers, singles dances, Friend of Bill W. meetings, poolside games, bingo, art auctions, the casino, computer classes, dancing lessons, classes ranging from making pottery to culinary techniques to bridge. Bridge players will always find games and tournaments scheduled throughout the day.

On days at sea, my favorite activity is finding a comfortable deck chair and sittling back to read a trashy novel. And frequently, I fall asleep in the wonderful fresh air while watching the ocean glide by.

5. WHAT ABOUT EXERCISE? All cruise ships have gyms where, at no charge, you’ll find state-of-the-art exercise equipment and pushing-and-pulling equipment. You’ll find jogging and fast-walking tracks on deck.

6. WHAT’S IN MY STATEROOM? Standard in cruise ship staterooms today are beds (you decide on twin or double configuration); television with remote control and radio; closets with hangers and drawers; a safe; private bathroom with shower, sink, vanity for toiletries, toilet, hair dryer and toiletries. Many ships also provide bathrobes for your use on board.

Your stateroom staff makes up your stateroom twice a day, including turndown service before you retire for the evening. Ironing is not permitted in staterooms, but many ships have self-service laundry and ironing rooms for your convenience, in addition to the ship-operated laundry and dry cleaning services.

7. WHEN WILL MY TICKETS ARRIVE? All tickets and other documents are issued by the cruise line and sent to your travel agent. Your agent is responsible for reviewing documents for accuracy and then sending them to you. Your tickets should arrive two weeks prior to departure.

VERY IMPORTANT: Be sure not to pack your tickets in your checked baggage. Tickets, passports, etc. should always be hand-carried

8. HOW DO I CHOOSE A STATEROOM? All modern cruise ships have standard size staterooms within specific categories. For example, inside and outside staterooms are the same size and have the same amenities. The same is true for the majority of balcony cabins. and what the industry calls a suite is really just a bigger sized room, usually with a balcony. In the tranquil waters of the Caribbean, it matters little where our stateroom is located on the ship. When raveling in any of the oceans of the world, you’ll feel the least amount of motion the closer you are to mid-ship. And, the irony of ship building is the higher your stateroom, the more motion you may feel. At the same time, the most expensive staterooms are normally found on the highest decks.

9. HOW MUCH IS TIPPING? When you check in at the pier you’ll be given a plastic key card which eliminates the need for cash. Tips in the cruise industry have risen little over the years and the amounts recommended by cruise lines add up to around ten dollars per person, per day. These gratuities cover your waiter, busboy and room steward. The majority of ships have a pre-paid gratuity policy whereby your tips are billed to your credit card when you board the ship and you may adjust it upward or downward during the cruise. Whenever the maitre d’ performs a special service, I tip him or her in cash at the end of the cruise. When purchasing cocktails, wine, soft drinks or bottled water, a 15% tip will be added on to the price of the beverage. When purchasing a spa treatment, it’s normal to add a tip when signing the bill at the end of the treatment.

10. WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED? Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. cruise passengers will need a passport or other government-approved document to enter Canada, Mexico Bermuda and the Caribbean. According to the U.S. Passport office, the wait time is approximately four to six weeks. The cost for the regular blue passport is $75 but you can cut the cost by obtaining a U.S. Passport Card for $45 which is good for sea travel but not air. If you are not a U.S. citizen and are entering the U.S. to begin your cruise, you must have the proper entry documents, usually a passport and often a U.S. visa. You may also obtain a passport from the U.S. Post Office, either online or at many branches.

10. WILL I GET SEASICK? When cruising in the Caribbean, the answer is generally not. The Caribbean islands act as a buffer to the Atlantic Ocean and as a result, the Caribbean is normally as smooth as a lake. However, seasickness is no old wives tale and since you’ll be sailing in the North Atlantic, it’s good to be prepared. If you don’t have your sea-legs and plan to sail in the North Atlantic, you may want to consider the prescription medication Scopolamine, available in pill or patch. According to the Centers for Disease Control website , “The choice of medication is based on trip duration, underlying medical conditions, and concerns about sedation. Scopolamine patches are appropriate for longer voyages and should be applied four hours before departure and changed every three days if needed. Oral Scopolamine is effective for six to eight hours and can be used for short journeys or for the interval between application of the patch and onset of effectiveness.” I recommend that you consult your personal physician or travel medicine center before taking any medication.

Many cruisers find that the non-prescription medications Bonine or Dramamine are all they need. Remember to take it before you board the ship. Once you’re sick, it won’t work. If all else fails, ships’ physicians have a rather pricey ($250+) injection for seasickness that knocks many passengers out for a few hours. For general queasiness I follow the advice of a ship’s officer: do not drink anything, do not lie down. Ask room service to bring green apples and crackers, which absorb the acid in your stomach. Go outside and stare at the horizon. Some people also choose to wear “Sea Bands,” which are stretch wristbands with a plastic button that uses acupressure to prevent nausea, and is non-invasive.

12. SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT HURRICANES? The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 so you do stand the chance of encountering a storm. How big are the chances, you ask? With global warming, it’s anyone’s guess. But the odds of being aboard a cruise ship during a hurricane are practically nil. If your ship scheduled to visit a port threatened by a hurricane, the ship’s Captain can change ports and head in a direction far away from a pending storm. Unlike a hotel, which cannot move, your “floating hotel” has the option of re-directing into smooth seas. And most ships are connected to the U.S. Weather Service and have all the information available to make choices that insure the safety and comfort of passengers.

13. CAN I CARRY ALCOHOL ONBOARD? No. Today, most cruise ships have airport-type x-ray equipment and when the staff finds a bottle of spirits in a passenger’s carry-on bag, it is taken away and returned at the end of the cruise.

14. SHOULD I BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE? YES! If there is any possibility you’ll have to cancel a cruise for any unforeseen reason (sickness, sick relative, accident, snow storm, hurricane, the arrival of Brazilian bees or whatever), it is prudent to spend a few extra dollars on insurance just for the peace of mind. If your luggage goes astray, you’ll be recompensed and should you get il outside the U.S., insurance will get you the best medical care possible, even if it means evacuation by private ambulance jet. I highly recommend purchasing Travel Guard or Access America insurance, available from your travel agent or online. 15.

15. SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT NORWALK VIRUS? Norwalk Virus is a very common bug that causes diarrhea and it is everywhere onland. . Sometimes a passenger walks on a ship with the virus and it spreads to many people. The best way of avoiding this virus is to wash your hands as often as possible. Taking anti-bacterial hand cleaners and using them frequently will also prevent you from picking up this bug. This same virus can occur in hotels or any other place with a large gathering of people.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2009

Carnival Miracle

The 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle has excellent programs and facilities for children and teens, large cabins, above average food and friendly service. Add to this a very flexible dining program that allows you to dine when and with whom you please in the main dining room. At 88,500 tons, this ship is today considered mid-sized.  Launched in 2004, Carnival Miracle has lots of balcony cabins, an indulgence worth the extra money.

But the heart and soul of a Carnival cruise is the high-energy, “let’s party, dance and gamble until dawn” experience. This ship best suits people who want to be energized, not imbibing champagne and caviar in an elegant setting. If this is your idea of fun, grab a cabin aboard Carnival Miracle. This cruise line offers the best entertainment in the cruise industry: lavish floorshows, piano bar, cabaret, disco, and a late-night comedian among the live performances. You may also enjoy a polished string quartet performing in the atrium.

Public Rooms:
You enter the ship on Deck 2 (Promenade), into what is called the Metropolis Lobby. This is the area where you will find a nine-deck-high. Additionally there are four glass elevators that will take you to Deck 9 (Lido), where you can take a glass stairway to the Nick and Nora’s Supper Club–the reservations-only, jackets-required dining area featuring prime beef, seafood and the stone crabs from the famous Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant. My favorite watering hole is the lobby’s Jeeves Lounge, great for people watching.

There is a bar with a three-piece orchestra for your enjoyment as well as the Purser’s and Shore Excursions desks. Most of the lounges, casino, shops, and main dining room can be found on Decks 2 and 3. Deck 9 (Lido Deck) is where alternative dining, pools, spa etc. are located. The other decks are mainly passenger cabins. Decks 2,3 and 4 also contain the main showroom. The arcade is located all the way forward on Deck 4, and the Children’s Funhouse is all the way forward on Deck 5. There is a quiet place Frankie & Johnnies located on Deck 3 that wraps around the main showroom, where you can sit in quite contemplation if you need time away from the activities and the hustle and bustle of the ship. To catch your games on ESPN, head for the Sports Bar.

Cuisine:
Considering the moderate cost of this ship, Carnival constantly surprises with the quality of its food. It is amazing that they can actually serve 2,000 passengers and almost 1,000 crew more than 10,000 individual meals daily and not only do it in an orderly manner, but present really wonderful tasting and beautifully presented meals. You can find food available 24/7 either in one of the restaurants, room service, the buffet, or specialty shops like the deli and pizza bar. New on this ship is a specialty coffee bar with pastries and desserts, available at an extra charge.

One of the very best meals I’ve ever had was in the alternative restaurant Frankie & Johnnies where, for a surcharge of $30, I dined on incredible stead and lobster. It was worth every nickel.

Restaurants:
The Bacchus Dining Room is the ship’s main restaurant where dinner runs like a well-oiled machine. You may opt for traditional assigned, single-seating dining or an alternate program that gives the freedom to dine when and with whom you please. For breakfast and lunch, most people dine alfresco from fare served at Horatio’s, a sprawling restaurant serving buffet fare. In this area is the 24-hour pizzeria and 24-hour ice cream/frozen yogurt station. Room service is also available 24 hours per day.

Service:
You can expect personal and friendly, if somewhat informal, service from the staff. They will learn your names the first evening and by the second night should have your personal preferences in drinks, extras, and breads ready and waiting for you. The staff is using a new concept called ‘team service’ with a headwaiter and a number of assistants serving up to four tables as a team effort–which seems to work better than the usual waiter/busboy concept. After all this they still manage a warm and friendly smile and perform dances and other entertainment almost nightly.

Entertainment:
Carnival is well known for its lavish Las Vegas-style shows in the main showroom. These are multi-million dollar productions, with nearly half a million dollars spent for the costumes alone! With nine female and five male dancers accompanied by two singers–and often-special guests–in the main show alone, the entertainment field is quite large. They also bring on featured entertainers such as musicians, jugglers, comedians, ventriloquists, magicians, etc., so the evening shows will surely have something for everyone. What’s more, they have bands in the lounges and in the lobby, piano bar, and on the Lido Deck. Add to this the games that the Cruise Director’s staff comes up with during the day and evening hours, and it would be hard to find anyone claiming to be bored.

Cabins:
The feature I most like about Carnival Miracle is the size of the cabins. The standard cabin is a comfortable 180 sq. ft., tastefully decorated in beige and peach. Very well designed and laid out, they seem larger than they are. Amenities include a twin/king bed configuration; color TV with three movies per day, enormous closets, hair dryer, large vanity, safe and sofa. The bathroom is tiny, with a shower, but plenty of shelf space for two people; it comes with a complimentary basket of toiletries. Oceanview staterooms and suites have terrycloth robes for your use during the cruise and a mini bar. An even better cabin is the deluxe ocean-view balcony cabin measuring 230 sq. ft. Suites are 275, 245 (wrap-around balconies) and 300 sq. ft.

Fitness/Spa:
Sports and fitness lovers would be hard-pressed to find better shipboard facilities. The fitness center encompasses 13,700 sq. ft. The two-deck gym, with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views, has elliptical walkers, treadmills, Stairmasters, stationary bikes, rowing machines, free weights, and hydraulic weight machines on a multi-level theater setting. There is also a whirlpool strictly for adults as well as steam rooms and saunas for both men and women. The jogging deck encircles the Sky Deck forward. The pool areas are impressive, including a multi-directional water slide. Topless sunbathing is allowed in a secluded section near the main funnel and is on two levels.

Adjacent is the Beauty Salon operated by Steiner’s of London. While every massage and beauty treatment imaginable is available, expect the staff to push the sale of their products aggressively in the middle of a massage. Treatments are pricey and, in my experience, a disappointment in terms of quality.

Family & Children: Carnival’s children’s program, Camp Carnival, is one of the best at sea and doesn’t cost a nickel. Children are broken up into four categories: toddlers (ages 2-5); Juniors (ages 6-8) Intermediates (ages 9-11) and teens (ages 12-16). All daylong activities are tailored for the age group and supervised by young, energetic youth counselors. Aboard Carnival Miracle, the children’s facility is Pinocchio’s Club, which has eMac computers, televisions hooked up to PlayStation, a huge flat-screen TV for dancing.

Attire:
While there are two formal nights, most men opt for dark suit instead of tux; jeans and shorts aren’t allowed in the dining room after 6 p.m. Daytime wear is strictly casual. You can rent a tux aboard ship

Tipping:
Carnival’s tippling policy is the industry norm: automatic gratuities are charged to your credit card and you may raise or lower the amount by visiting the purser’s desk. The amount is $10.00 per person per day which includes $3.60 for the stateroom steward; $5.50 for the Dining Room team and $.90 for service in the alternative dining rooms.

A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all beverage tabs. Gratuities for the maitre d’, room service, spa, casino and other staff are at the passenger’s discretion.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2009. All rights

Deals & Bargains

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About Us

Cruising From New York is a labor of love by Anne Campbell, a journalist who has been covering the cruise industry since 1993. It combines two of her great loves:  cruising and the port of New York.  She is editor and founder of the web site.
 
Campbell is co-founder and past editor-in-chief of both CruiseMates (1999-2006) and Cruise Critic (1995-1999). Prior to that, she authored Fielding’s Guide To Worldwide Cruises (1994, 1995 editions).

As a journalist she has cruised to every continent on earth including Antarctica on vessels ranging from the tiniest vessel to the largest mega-ships, tall ships, expedition vessels, riverboats and even a self-drive houseboat. As an expert on the cruise industry, she has been interviewed by major publications such as The New York Times, Wall St. Journal, USA Today, Travel and Leisure and Money Magazine, among others. Campbell has been interviewed by CNN, Good Morning America and appeared on numerous ship documentaries.

How did someone from Corning, NY, (pop. 12,000) become a cruise expert? Start with a wanderlust for travel and toss in a first job at Cunard Line she got through a blind ad in The New York Times. The glamorous QE 2 really was “The Greatest Ship In the World,” she says, and Anne was suddenly meeting celebrities like Salvador Dali and Julie Andrews.

Anne lives a few minutes from the Manhattan port in New York City where she resides with Mickey, her Shit-tzu puppy.

To contact Anne, email:  shipcritic@gmail.com

Anne’s Photo:  Joe Gaffney

Cruising From New York is owned by ShipCritic LLC which also handles the web site’s advertising. 

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2009.  All rights reserved.

Welcome to New York Cruises

Video Library

Videos of New York cruise ships and destinations.  Get in the mood with the theme from Love Boat then explore cruise ships and destinations like Bermuda, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Canada/New England and Europe.

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