Long before the cruise some of the folks on line started writing about a post cruise stay in New York. Wanda had never been there and we were so close it seemed like something we should consider. One of the group discovered a great rate at a Marriott, too good to pass up and our decision was made. Now all we had to do was wait almost a year.
The time passed and here we were luggage in hand, on our way to "our" bus. Eventually all the luggage was stowed, the people in seats, we were on our way from the New Jersey port to Manhattan, New York City. Our reservations were at a Courtyard Marriott on Third Ave. and (I think) 43rd. St. or mid-town east. We were in very slow traffic, which gave us the opportunity to enjoy the various areas we drove through. We played tourist for over an hour, eventually stopping in front of the hotel.
The driver stopped the bus in a traffic lane. I guess double parking isn’t an issue here. Eventually all the luggage was unloaded, piled onto carts and taken into the lobby. We arrived around noon and with "check-in" time three only a few rooms were ready. I always love the "check-out/check-in" time factor. Everyone pays for three hours no one uses. Anyhow, we did get one of the rooms; we dropped off the luggage and hit the streets running.
Walking the streets of New York is both exciting and a little frightening. There is almost a physical buzz to the crowd, pretty much like what I would imagine a bee in a hive feels. There sure is an audible buzz. Traffic is everywhere, people and automobiles. Crossing a street is an adventure since cars block most of the intersections and people pay no attention to signals. Wanda and I must have been the only people in Manhattan waiting for green lights, or, as we refer to them, "Walkie Guys." I think we had a much easier time in London and there we had to remember which way to look before we were run over. Of course, now that I think about it, the auto traffic in New York moved so slow we probably were never in danger.
We didn’t get very far our first afternoon. We had a dinner "cruise" planned for the evening and we were pretty tired. Napping may seems like a waste of time but we didn’t want to fall asleep in our pasta. The plan was supposed to be, meet at 6pm in lobby, and take the reserved cars to the pier. We were all in the lobby, the cars were not, I should explain, the cars were supposed to be in front of the hotel; not in the lobby. Either way, they weren’t around. I mentioned the terrible traffic? There was a special session of the U.N. happening this particular week. The diplomats all travel in three or four car caravans, some with police escorts. They have right of way with all traffic and lights and the sheer number of them tied traffic up even more than usual. This was everyone’s excuse for being late. Eventually the vans got there. We made it to the pier with maybe five minutes to spare. The dinner cruise was fun, the food was good, and it was a great way to see the harbor, skyline, and Statue of Liberty. It was close to eleven by the time we got back to the hotel, we picked up a few things at the market next door and turned in.
Friday was really our only full day in the city and we took advantage of it. We have a good friend who lives in New Jersey, Debbie. She came in for the morning and afternoon and was our tour guide. New York is a great city for walking and we did just that. All sore feet, legs, knees or other body parts were sent packing for the day. I don’t know how much ground we covered but we walked darn near non-stop for six hours. Rather than list everything we saw, believe me, if it was in or near mid town Manhattan, we saw it. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was beyond description. I can’t believe I wasn’t interested in seeing this my one and only visit but what can you expect from a sixteen-year-old? Now came our most difficult decision, which Deli for lunch?
One thing I knew for sure, we were going to eat at one of the following three places. The Stage, Katz’s, or Carnegie Deli. All three had great ratings and I’m sure were pretty equal, food wise. What we were looking for was food and that New York atmosphere. Katz’s was a little further out but was famous for the "Orgasm" scene in "When Harry Met Sally." You know, the "I’ll have what she’s having" line that was delivered by Rob Reiners mother, by the way. The other two were just one block apart. The Carnegie has had many requests from movie crews over the years. I’m sure for food but for filming too. Since the place was open from 7am to 4am there really wasn’t much time for filming. If you ever watch, or watch again, the opening scenes of Woody Allen’s "Broadway Danny Rose" were filmed in the Carnegie. There is also a scene at the end of the movie where you can see the outside of the building. We actually settled on The Stage, having been at the Las Vegas location. This deli was originally opened in the N.Y. location in 1937. The food did not disappoint. That is if you like warm (with just a little fat) giant corned beef on rye with cole slaw and Russian dressing sandwiches. Wanda and I split one. Debbie had a roast beef and took half of it home for dinner.
After lunch we eventually walked down to Central Park. The famous Plaza Hotel is undergoing a restoration; I can’t imagine what the rooms will be when that is done? We decided to take a horse drawn carriage (how that horse is able to hold those little pencils is beyond me). The carriages only go on a specific route through the park, it takes about twenty minutes. That’s it! So, you pay for thirty minutes and get twenty, sort of like going to a therapist Even though short, the ride was fun. The weather was beautiful and the possible rain held up for the entire afternoon. Sadly the time quickly passed and we had to call it a day. We went back to the hotel, said our good byes to Deb and talked about the evening.
We decided to go on the "Night Bus" tour beginning at seven. The promised rain finally arrived which changed our plans. We just didn’t think sitting in an open top bus in the rain would be much fun. As it was the downpour lasted less than thirty minutes and I guess we would have been fine. What we did decide on was dinner and some famous New York Pizza at that. We asked the hotel concierge if he could recommend a place, which he did. It was a short walk, great service and terrific pizza. I had a small problem calling pizza "PIE" as in "Are you two going to split a PIE?" See, when I think PIE it is always cherry or banana cream, but heck, it was pretty darn good.
After dinner the weather was so nice we began our walk again, hoping to find Grand Central Station which was a couple of miles. Since this was Friday night the bars, clubs, and restaurants were overflowing (or maybe it’s always like this?). We window-shopped and gawked along the way, finally arriving at Grand Central which was beautiful, and grand. We were sorry to see the evening wind down but it was time to start thinking about home.
Our time in New York may have been short but it was a great way to end our trip. Saturday morning we left for the airport, Jet Blue, and the trip home. We had a wonderful experience and one-day we’ll get back to the East Coast, for sure.
So ends the story of our 2007 transatlantic cruise on Celebrity Constellation. It was almost perfect. The weather was beautiful almost every day. We were able to spend a couple of days in both London and New York with the twelve day cruise in between them. I encourage any of you to look into a cruise, especially if you can go with family.
Tomorrow Wanda and I begin the work on the family room/kitchen. I will invite you all along with us, no, you will not need to bring a paint brush.
Last days of cruise and New York City pictures
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