We arrived in New York one day prior to our sailing and stayed in Mid-town Manhattan. We met up with some friends from past cruises and renewed our friendship. It was Fashion week so if you didn't make your reservations early the hotels became very expensive.

Embarkation: We arrived at the pier around 11:30 and our friends were already at the pier upstairs in the Latitudes area (sign said Villa and Suites only). We sat around for about 45 minutes and when they finally came to get us, we walked right to the front of the line and were on the ship within 15 minutes. Couldn't have asked for any thing better.

We had lunch at the Venetian and it was o.k. but nothing to really speak of. Later on we went to the Bimini Bar to meet our friends and other cruise critic members. No other Cruise Critic members attended our 'Informal Meet and Greet' so after Sail Away we took pictures of The Lady and Ellis Island. Beautiful evening and smooth waters. Read more