Background info. We are 2 adults age late 40s and early 50s and this was our 7th cruise. Previous lines used were Royal Caribbean, Disney, Princess and Celebrity.

Pre Cruise. Continental Bristol to Newark was fine, arrived at lunchtime then caught the train into Penn Station. We have never been on an American train before and loved hearing all the bells and whistles (we thought Casey Jones was coming down the track!). We walked to our hotel the Hampton Inn Madison Sq. Garden on 31st st. We dropped the cases off then headed for the Empire State Building. Sadly the line was 1.5 hours and it was so cold we didn't wait but headed into Times Square and then a meal at Ruby Tuesday which was great fun. The following morning the time difference got us and we were awake at 5.30am. After an early buffet breakfast in the hotel we headed back the the Empire State Building and were 1st in line to be up there at 8am. WOW, the views were amazing, we could see The Explorer in the distance beyond the Statue of Liberty. There was also a bird of prey on a ledge up there which we watched for a while until he took off. He flew for miles across Manhattan. We headed back to our hotel and collected the cases about 10am and following cruise critic instructions found on here we went to catch the Path Train to Hoboken. Next we got onto the Light Railway. This was great as there are wonderful views from the station and then the train. We would definatley travel this way again. There was a shuttle bus at the station which cost $4 each to take us to the ship.

Embarkation V easy, we were checked in within about 30 mins and were on the ship almost straight away by about 12, The windjammer was open and our room was ready by 1pm. Read more