2010 Christmas Cruisers - Your Input is Wanted

Hi everyone,

First congratulations to our contest winners. Welcome aboard! Marilyn and I will work to help insure a great cruising experience for everyone. And, we want our pre-cruise package to be just as much fun. So, here's my question to you. While our evenings will consist of dinners and shows - how would you like to handle your daytime activities? Would you like a more structured day where we plan sightseeing tours and lunch for you or would you rather have the days free to do as you wish?

Let us know and as always, we're open for suggestions!

Tina

I for one would like the days free to do with as we please. Sit by the pool, Float in the pool, drink in the pool, pee in the pool, skinny dip in the pool...

Ronrocks wrote:

I for one would like the days free to do with as we please. Sit by the pool, Float in the pool, drink in the pool, pee in the pool, skinny dip in the pool...

Hey wake up - this is PRE-cruise. You won't be floating in any pool in NYC. Well unless you want to go play in the sewer system and I'm sure that can be arranged.

Tina - we can go on our own. Some of us will be ok. Some of us should have a police escort.

crusinmama06 wrote:

Ronrocks wrote:

I for one would like the days free to do with as we please. Sit by the pool, Float in the pool, drink in the pool, pee in the pool, skinny dip in the pool...

Hey wake up - this is PRE-cruise. You won't be floating in any pool in NYC. Well unless you want to go play in the sewer system and I'm sure that can be arranged.

Tina - we can go on our own. Some of us will be ok. Some of us should have a police escort.

Oh I got my cruises mixed up (what a problem to have). In NY...well I would like to be with someone who knows their way around. So I think group functions would be fun. Safety in numbers in all. I mean it is NY and you never can tell about those Yankee folks. I know their is a China Town in NY but is their a little Itally? That would be fun for those of us that are WOPS.

Ronrocks wrote:

Oh I got my cruises mixed up (what a problem to have). In NY...well I would like to be with someone who knows their way around. So I think group functions would be fun. Safety in numbers in all. I mean it is NY and you never can tell about those Yankee folks. I know their is a China Town in NY but is their a little Itally? That would be fun for those of us that are WOPS.

Is there a Little Italy? Of course there is a Little Italy! It's probably the original Little Italy!

Seriously though, NYC isn't as bad as everyone imagines (those who aren't from a big city)

If I can handle it (with kids) then you can handle it.

I guess since I'm not familiar with the city I'd like something organized but with options. I'm sure what interests my toddlers wont interest my teens so my group will probably split up

Here a few suggestions I sent over to Marilyn and Tina. See if you guys like any of them

The New York Botanical Gardens - Train Show - Bronx
http://www.nybg.org/hts08/hts.html

Radio City Behind the Scenes Tour
http://www.radiocity.com/tours/index.html

NBC Studio Tour
http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/index.php?v=nbunbcmktnbt

Holiday Lights Tour - I know Tina had mentioned this before but, wanted to revive the idea, maybe get our own bus so we can be protected from the elements
https://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/booking.asp?action=ProductDetail&SEE=1&productId=2320

Museum of Natural History (as Marilyn has already suggested)
http://www.amnh.org/

Lunch or Brunch Cruise around NYC Harbor
http://www.spiritofnewyork.com/ny/bridge.jsp

Another suggestion, over on the Cunard boards, we're planning an ice staking party at Rockefeller Center as one of the pre-cruise activities. Would that be of interest to anyone here for 2010?

The ice skating party sounds fun. I assume we can rent skates? Another question....do they have inline skate rental on the ship..I think I read that they did have a limited supply of ice skates

Yes, Rockefeller Center has stake rentals so you don't have to worry about bringing your own along. And, again, yes, you rent stakes on the ship

We have so many kids going this time too, so maybe we should have a couple of different options? Something like a holiday light tour would work well for young kids. I don't want to limit the adults to having some adult time.

Nick, after seeing Rock Center at Christmas first hand, I am going to have to bail out on ice skating with you guys next year (Cunard). The line was a one hour wait this past weekend. And then of course, everyone was elbow to elbow. So I will watch you ice skate. And of course, bring a camera for You Tube.

Things for kids not to miss if this is their first trip to NYC

--Radio City Christmas Spectacular
--Rockefeller Center (but I warn you, it's a mad house)
--Top of the Rock (360 degree view of NYC, at night is best)
--Toys R Us Times Square (every kids needs to see the ferris wheel inside at least once)
--Statue of Liberty (ferry ride is the fun part)
--Central Park (this Christmas, the zoo was giving the animals gifts every day).
--Macy's Santa (IF you can get anywhere near him)
--FAO Schwartz

Once you get through all of that, the kids will be sleeping on their feet.

I won't be staking Michele, I'll be on the side lines and, there is always Bryant Park or Wollman rink in Central Park for staking alternatives. I'm surprised no one wants a horse and carriage ride in the Park - provided the city doesn't ban it by then.

Nick Needs To Know wrote:

I'm surprised no one wants a horse and carriage ride in the Park - provided the city doesn't ban it by then.

Well last weekend we were told it was $36pp. There were 5 of us. For $180, I better get to take the horse back home with me after the ride.

Ronrocks wrote:

crusinmama06 wrote:

Ronrocks wrote:

I for one would like the days free to do with as we please. Sit by the pool, Float in the pool, drink in the pool, pee in the pool, skinny dip in the pool...

Hey wake up - this is PRE-cruise. You won't be floating in any pool in NYC. Well unless you want to go play in the sewer system and I'm sure that can be arranged.

Tina - we can go on our own. Some of us will be ok. Some of us should have a police escort.

Oh I got my cruises mixed up (what a problem to have). In NY...well I would like to be with someone who knows their way around. So I think group functions would be fun. Safety in numbers in all. I mean it is NY and you never can tell about those Yankee folks. I know their is a China Town in NY but is their a little Itally? That would be fun for those of us that are WOPS.

I forgot Tina is trying to get Butch to come along. Damn if he does we really WILL have a police escort! And, Ron, what type of medication are you taking? Is there a little Italy? Of course there is!!

Here's another suggestion over in Jersey City there is a Liberty Science Center - this is a hands on type of science center. Naturally this would require a bus so the majority would have to want to go.

http://www.lsc.org/

I'm getting exhausted just looking at the suggestions and thinking of the crowds Holiday lights sounds much more relaxing than waiting in line

I guess it is overwhelming for someone who doesn't live here. Sorry if we're giving too much information at once, we want everyone to really enjoy themselves and I guess we're getting carried away

NBC tour sounds fun! I toured the one in CA...would love to see the one in NYC.

Tour of lights is also sounding great. I gotta see Times Square sometime in my life...lots of NYC newbies will want to see it too.

Of course...if we are there 2 days...maybe we should go to a cool bar and get hammered.

....oh yea...Ron...Time for your meds!

OK for those from NY....I have a question.

When I was at the Rockefeller building wandering around... ...I saw a line that said "Studio Entrance"...it was Saturday night at 10pm and there was a line of people. Would that be where they tape Saturday Night Live?

I would love to get into a tapping of a show. Any show.

Yep, 30 Rock is home to Saturday Night Live! Tickets? Good luck. They don't take groups. You can only request tickets once per year and you can't select the date...

Da Bronx Bombers Fan wrote:

Yep, 30 Rock is home to Saturday Night Live! Tickets? Good luck. They don't take groups. You can only request tickets once per year and you can't select the date...

Oh geesh. Yeah that idea is off.

Thanks!

I think the idea of two groups might be a good idea - for example active and non-active:

Non Active would be bus tours, lunch cruise, etc

Active would be museums, walking tours, etc

And option three would be go on our own and just be back at the hotel and ready to go dinner by a certain time.

How does that sound?

Vinnie,

That sounds good. Options for everyone and then all meet up for dinner.

Another "indoor" option would be a matinee for example Mary Poppins, this way the younger kids can see a show.

I can only speak for myself and family. I know my kids and walking around the city in cold weather isn't their idea of fun. I like the maintee idea but, I don't want to over-dose on shows. The lunch/brunch cruise would be very nice for Sunday. The train exhibit is very worthwhile, even if you're not a big train buff, it's really something amazing to see. I really can't think of anything else to add.