this is the third year that I've traveled on the QM2 with my mother for Christmas and the second year that my teenage daughters have joined us. It's a low key, pleasant way to avoid the hassles of the holiday season.
I write this review from the perspective of a 50something sandwich generation member who is simply thrilled to not be cooking, chaffeuring and cleaning the litter boxes.
my kids and I live in Ohio, and flew to NYC a day early, which is our habit, to avoid the stress of flight delays on the day of sailing. I usually make a last minute hotel reservation, with good success finding a reasonable rate, this year we stayed at the Martha Washington on 29th street. good location. we took an Uber to the cruise terminal. yellow cabs aren't keen to go to Red Hook as they won't be likely to get a fare back to Manhattan.
NYC is never better than at Xmas. Saw Stacyann Chin in 'Motherstruck' and she is fabulous!
No need for an excursion in St. Thomas. Hop on a cab to the beach
fun excursion with good guides
I'd been to St. Lucia previously and wanted to take my teenagers ziplining in the rain forest. The cruise excursions did not allow guest under 18 which is kind of dopey, but no matter, I booked online independently with St Lucia Rainforest adventures and we had an excellent time!
Catamaran/snorkel/beach
One is much better off bringing one's own snorkel gear. It's not a significant investment and if one takes care of the gear it's a one time investment.
On this excursion, the snorkeling was better at the beach than at the supposed snorkel site!
taxi to a massively overcrowded beach due to the huge NCL ship in port that day.
live and learn