Category: North America

NEW YORK – ENDING AT JFK AND LGA AIRPORT

Excursion details

Designed for guests departing New York with a flight, this approximately eight-hour excursion takes you to the top of Rockefeller Center, through the halls of Grand Central Terminal and to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, a place of remembrance and reflection.

A journey of around 75 minutes transports you to the first stop, Rockefeller Center, along the way taking in the sights and sounds of the Big Apple. Located in the heart of Manhattan, Rockefeller Center was developed by John D Rockefeller Jr in the 1930s and is one of New York City’s most famous landmarks.

Spend approximately one hour here, visiting the series of observation decks known as Top of the Rock, located 70 floors up and boasting 360-degree views of the city’s famous skyline. Afterwards, a journey of approximately 45 minutes reaches another landmark, Grand Central Terminal.

First opened in 1913, this rail terminal is classed as the world’s largest train station by number of platforms – 44 in total. Its notable sights include the central concourse, featuring a ceiling painted with gold-leaf constellations. You’ll have approximately one hour and 25 minutes to explore the station and visit Grand Central Market – a gourmet food hall – to buy lunch (purchased at guests’own expense).

Next is a drive of around 75 minutes to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan. It comprises two huge rectangular pools set in the footprints of the original Twin Towers, with the names of victims of the 11 September 2001 attacks – and other tragedies – inscribed in bronze around the perimeter of the water. You’ll have around 45 minutes to contemplate the memorial and externally view the city’s tallest building, One World Trade Center, before a final 45-minute drive completes the tour.

Over the course of the day’s driving, you’ll also pass other key sights, including Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Opera House, Central Park, Greenwich Village, SoHo and more. Once the tour is complete, a drive of approximately one hour travels to both JFK and LaGuardia airports, allowing guests to catch their evening flights.

Important Information: Tour sequence may vary depending on local conditions. This tour ends at the airport for guests who are disembarking. The duration of the tour also includes the time for transfer to the airport, which is approximately 1 hour. The transfers to the airport may take more than 1 hour depending on traffic conditions and tour routes taken. To book and prepay this tour before your cruise, please use code NWY03D if you will be disembarking in New York.

The NWY03D tour is intended for guests who are booked on a flight from John F. Kennedy Airport or LaGuardia Airport with domestic flights departing after 19:00 hours/7:00pm and guests with international flights departing after 20:00 hours/8:00pm.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Travel from Wall Street to Harlem, the Hudson River to the East River and everywhere in-between on this exciting, full day exploration.

Your introduction to New York begins at the pier, with entertaining history of the important buildings, neighborhoods and cultural centers, including the Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall, the Empire State, Chrysler Building, the Metropolitan Museum and Central Park. Visit the Rockefeller Center and the 70 story TOP OF THE ROCK’S™ Observation Deck, for unobstructed 360 degrees views of New York City. After this exhilarating experience, re-board your motor coach and travel to the Financial District. You will be visiting St. Paul Chapel where President George Washington paused to pray after his inauguration. Presently St. Pauls contains exhibits and memorabilia relating to the 9/11 attacks. You will then walk to the 9/11 Memorial which consists of two massive pools set within the original footprints of the Twin Towers with 30-foot waterfalls cascading down their sides. The names of the 2,982 men, women and children killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, are inscribed in bronze on parapets around the edges of the Waterfalls. There will be some time to view and contemplate the 9/11 Memorial, and NY`s tallest building, One World Trade. Your tour guide will be there to answer questions and explain aspects of the construction.

Next, experience Grand Central Terminal which is a beautiful Beaux-arts building in midtown Manhattan. First opened in 1913, Grand Central Terminal underwent a massive restoration to restore it to its former glory, and is now both a transportation hub, as well as a destination for visitors to New York City. Here you will have time to sightsee and purchase some luncheon. During this tour you will also pass by Harlem, Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera House, The Dakota, Central Park, Greenwich Village, SOHO, and much, much more.

Please note: Tour sequence may vary depending on local conditions. Guests using a wheelchair are welcome to participate in this tour but should be aware that it includes long periods of walking

NEW YORK HARBOUR CRUISE – ENDING AT JFK AND LGA AIRPORT

Excursion details

Experience the city known as the Big Apple in memorable fashion before your flight out, by taking this sightseeing excursion of around five hours, which also includes a scenic cruise. Afterwards you’ll be driven straight to the airport for your flight.

Begin with an approximately 60-minute drive from the pier through Midtown Manhattan to 42nd Street, a hub of life and activity and packed with New York landmarks and theatres. During the journey you’ll pass through storied neighbourhoods, such as SoHo (which stands for ‘South of Houston Street’) and its many smart boutiques, Greenwich Village (beloved by musicians and artists) and the Financial District. Commentary from your onboard guide will help you learn more about these areas as you pass them.

You’ll arrive at Pier 83 on Manhattan’s west side and spend around 30 minutes boarding your ferry, before an approximately one-hour cruise of New York’s waterways begins.

During the cruise you’ll see other famous attractions – again aided by guided commentary – including the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center (the tallest building in both the United States and the wider western hemisphere at over 541 metres), Staten Island and historic Ellis Island, as well as the neighboring state of New Jersey. A highlight for many will be sailing directly past the front of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France in 1885 that has become a world-famous symbol of the city.

After the boat trip ends, disembark and continue the scenic driving tour, lasting around 90 minutes in total. During this final part of the tour, you’ll make a short stop at another famous construction, Rockefeller Center (not just a building but an entire complex covering 8.9 hectares), where you’ll be able to grab a few photos.

Once the scenic drive is complete, you’ll be driven directly to both JFK and LaGuardia airports on a transfer lasting approximately one hour.

Important Information: the sequence of the tour may vary depending on local traffic conditions. This tour ends at the airport for guests who are disembarking. The duration of the tour also includes the time for transfer to the airport, which is approximately 1 hour. The transfers to the airport may take more than 1 hour depending on traffic conditions and tour routes taken.

To book and prepay this tour before your cruise, please use code NWY04D if you will be disembarking in New York. The NWY04D tour is intended for guests who are booked on a flight from John F. Kennedy Airport with domestic flights departing after 17:00 hours/5:00pm and guests with international flights departing after 18:00 hours/6:00pm. Due to local regulations, regardless of flight departure time, guests will be requested to leave the ship upon arrival in port. Depending on the flight schedule, guests with evening departures may be dropped off at the airport a few hours earlier than the typical 2-3 hour window before their flight.

This could result in an extended wait at the airport; therefore, we recommend planning accordingly. Total time spent at Rockefeller Center is subject to change depending on local traffic conditions

NEW YORK BY LAND and SEA

Your excursion begins at the pier where you’ll board your air-conditioned motor coach to enjoy the land portion of your tour as your guide provides commentary en route to Midtown Manhattan’s famous 42nd St. Drive by Rockefeller Center, Central Park and many other Manhattan icons on your drive to the Ferry. Once there you will embark on the harbour cruise for an approximately 60-minute tour of New York’s waterways.

Experience unparalleled views of New York City’s skyline and harbour as the ship guide provides an informative narration (in English only). See the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. View neighbouring New Jersey and the immigrant gateway to America, Ellis Island. Be sure to have your camera ready for a gem of a photo, as the boat passes directly in front of the Statue of Liberty (guests do not get off the vessel) After disembarking the boat your guide will continue a narrated scenic drive en route back to the cruise ship.

Please note: the sequence of the tour may vary depending on local traffic conditions. This tour ends at the port for transit guests

STATUE OF LIBERTY AND ELLIS ISLAND

The Statue of Liberty is one of the world’s most renowned images. Stand at the base of ‘Lady Liberty'(outside visit only), delve into the history of this iconic Statue and visit Ellis Island Museum. Enjoy a brief drive to Battery Park, at the Southern tip of Manhattan. Here you will board the ferry and take in the sites of New York Harbor including beautiful views of the city, such as Brooklyn and its famous Bridge, Staten Island, New Jersey, and the Manhattan skyline in the distance.

The ferry will stop at Liberty Island for a walk around the base of this magnificent statue. Re-boarding the ferry, you will continue to Ellis Island, another National Historic Landmark. Ellis Island was the main immigration center for the United States from 1892 until World War II and today it is an exceptional museum detailing all the different aspects of immigration and its effects on a growing and industrializing nation. More than 12 million immigrants that were processed at the island, and today over 40% of Americans can trace some part of their ancestry back to Ellis Island. Many people use the resource room there to research ancestors and the vessels they came in on.

Please note: Guests must pass through an airline-style security check before boarding the vessel. Tour may operate in reverse order and traffic may affect the itinerary and schedule. Inside visit to the Statue of Liberty is NOT included in this tour. Guests using a wheelchair are welcome to participate in this tour but should be aware that it includes long periods of walking

CENTRAL PARK and METROPOLITAN MUSEUM

Get away from Manhattan’s business districts with this relaxed, enjoyable, interesting tour including a brief stop at Central Park and a visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious museums in the world. With running commentary, your tour guide will first take you to the “Upper West Side”. There you will see many homes of celebrities as well as the Lincoln Center featuring the Metropolitan Opera House.

Continue by coach along the world-famous 5th Avenue to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Founded in 1870, the Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world featuring over two million works of art. You will have approximately 2 ½ hours to independently explore the museum. Your tour guide will inform you of any special, temporary exhibits and provide you with a map to help you navigate your visit to the museum and to ensure you make the best use of your time. The museum does have several cafés for refreshments which you may elect to utilize.

Please note: The order of the stops may vary; traffic may affect the itinerary and schedule. Guests using a wheelchair are welcome to participate in this tour but should be aware that it includes long periods of walking

NEW YORK CITY LIGHTS – BY NIGHT

Experience the pulse of NY City after dark. The dazzling lights of Broadway, the illuminated icons of the city: The string of pearls that suspend the humming roadway of the Brooklyn Bridge, the spectacular Art Deco, and stainless-steel capped Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, the Woolworth building and the Statue of Liberty in the distance. On this tour travel across the East River to the Brooklyn to view the illuminated New York City skyline from beneath the Brooklyn Bridge at historical Fulton Landing. Enjoy a brief stop at Times Square for an opportunity to stroll, shop, or perhaps visit a café or bar.
Please note: Tour sequence may vary depending on local conditions

HOP-ON, HOP-OFF: NEW YORK CITY TOUR ESSENTIAL 1-DAY PASS

Make New York your urban playground for a day on a tour that lets you explore the city at your leisure with a 1-day pass to NYC’s visitor-friendly hop-on/hop-off open-topped bus system with more than 17 stops. Once on board, you will your choice to enjoy the fun and entertaining audio tour in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Portuguese. Valid for the whole day, your pass lets you travel on two loops: the Downtown Red Loop or Uptown Loop with bus frequency every 15 to 30 min. The last loop of the day departs from Times Square at 17:00 hours.

Your outing begins at the pier when you board the Downtown Red Loop bus and make your way to stop No. 1, Times Square. Stay put if you like or get off to transfer to the Uptown Blue Loop bus and then get set to savour the city. Take the downtown loop for highlights such as 42nd St., the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, NoHo, SoHo and Little Italy, Chinatown, and the World Trade Centre, or the Uptown Loop for Central Park, the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grand Central Terminal, and Central Park South – to name just a few. You will be glad to know there is a stop just a few blocks away from your ship when you are ready to return.

Please note: The multi-lingual audio guide available on the tour in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Portuguese Tour timing is at each guest’s discretion. All Downtown Red Loop buses departing from the pier will first stop at Stop #1, Times Square. Guests can then choose to stay on the Downtown Red Loop bus or transfer to an Uptown Blue Loop bus. There is a stop on 50th St and 12th Ave near the pier where guests will be able to debark the bus and walk back to the ship on their own

DISCOVER BROOKLYN

Discover the distinct beauty, legacy, and charm of Brooklyn during a scenic, half-day excursion to this historic borough. Depart the pier for the approximately one-hour drive to Brooklyn. Upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing journey through Brooklyn’s mosaic of ethnic and well-defined neighborhoods, where one out of every eight Americans can claim their ancestry. Experience the legacy of the Dutch Colonial period when these were distinct towns and villages with their own character.

Along the way, a photo stop is made at the Dumbo area, where cobblestone streets and converted Brooklyn warehouse buildings are the backdrop for independent boutiques, high-end restaurants, and trendy cafes. Your drive continues through Cobbie Hill, Carol Gardens, and charming Brooklyn Heights, which is nestled in ivy-covered brownstones and tree-lined streets. Stop for coffee and some free time in trendy Park Slope. Pass by the nearby famed Jewish Orthodox neighbourhood of Borough Park, along with the Caribbean immigrant enclave of Crown Heights. Some free time is also made available to explore artsy Williamsburg, a formerly industrial landscape transformed into a thriving art community. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. Walking during free time is at the discretion of each guest. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring a sweater or light jacket. The tour sequence may vary