We have cruised many times since my first cruise on the Italian Lines Oceanic in the early 1970's. At 35,000 tons it would be a bathtub toy today, but it remains my most favorite ship.

In the last few years we have sailed Norwegian out of NY like you. The Gem and Getaway. Loved them both very relaxing. Recommended.

You can't beat cruising for a vacation.

last year my wife and grandson, who do the work, booked us on the Royal Caribbean Odyssey. This was our second sailing on her.

I have to rate it a little better than Norwegian, which I'm still loyal to. Newer ship and greater variety of food.

I was a hindrance to getting to the ship being somewhat afraid of the travel.

Went by bus or train from Springfield Ma in the past and worried about everything including weather and transfer problems. I was wrong to be afraid of the travel because the port was 2 hrs and 59 minutes by car from home. Easy peasy.

Used to get to the Port Authority in NY by bus and taxi to the ship.

The T shirt my wife packed had too much writing on it about not listening to the person looking at it, and hearing Jim instead. Should have worn a more definitive striking shirt, which I will do next time.

The sales person just read the shirt while I was checking out while I explained the meaning to her. Nothing to get excited over.

I should have mentioned also that in the Karaoke lounge some people never heard of Jim Reeves. Too young.

When I got married I had been on a number of cruises and my wife had never cruised. To introduce her to cruising we tried taking the Scotia Prince, from Boston I think to your neck of the woods.

It was a tiny gambling cruise with the smallest bathroom I ever encountered and second hand smoke everywhere. It was BAD. I had to tell her it was not representative of traditional cruising which started our going on mainstream cruise lines out of Miami. 3 days driving down and 3 days back. Never again. Was younger then.

3 Hours to NY or NJ is the way to go.

Thanks for responding.

Today I was listening to various versions of "A Little Good News" on YouTube, and was thinking of Jim Reeves type of songs. What came to mind were comments made my Jim Ed Brown about a song he cherished called "The Twelfth Rose Was You". A good touching song.

Bob