Start Spreadin’ the News….New York, New York

Sept. 3-4, 2024

The Serenade was extremely lucky – instead of docking out in Bayonne, NJ – where most of the Royal ships dock for NYC, we docked in Manhattan next to the area known as “Hells Kitchen”. The blocks near the port got a bit “sketchy” at night – but was in easy walking distance to Broadway and 42nd Street . We did have a bit of a hike to the nearest subway station- but once there – the city and its many options spread before us (there is an unlimited card for 7 days for $34, but for 24 hours, you can pre-load a card for multiple rides – in general $2.90 per ride).

John’s first stop in the city had to be his favorite sandwich ever – the pastrami on rye at Katz’s deli.

And if you wonder why Katz’s Deli seems familiar – it was part of an important scene from When Harry Met Sally

During our last visit in 2019, I had not been able to get tickets to the new Freedom Tower – so I booked the 60 minute “VIP group tour” ($79+ tax) for the full tour while John went to reconnect with old haunts. I grabbed the subway up to The Oculus – which is the subway stop and train station closest to the towers and includes a large mall.

Then walked to the 9/11 Memorial next to the Freedom Tower.

Our group included six people with a private tour guide and priority access to the elevator and viewing areas.

After the tour, I met up with John on the other end of Manhattan at the Guggenheim Museum ($16, $12 for seniors, students and those with disabilities). The museum was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and remains one of his most famous structures. We took the elevator to the top floor and wound our way down the ramp. The ramp itself providing a backdrop for some of the art – poetry and writings displayed by scrolling along the railing.

(As an aside – I was a little irritated by the Guggenheim – the walls of the main part of the museum were extremely sparse, with only one out of every 3-4 areas presenting an artwork.)

After the Guggenheim we wandered through Central Park.

We met up with friends for the evening, so no plays or musicals to talk about, just a nice evening at a restaurant out in The Bronx.

The next day, we walked over two miles to the Bagel place that online reviews stated had “the best” bagels on Manhattan.

With an early afternoon embarkation, we could only do one more thing. John had heard about The High Line – which opened long after he left the city.

Now it is a several miles long pathway dotted with artwork and the occasional shop or food cart.

Unfortunately, we had to return to the ship, but it turned out we had one more tour – a harbor tour as we sailed away.

Next stop – the Bahamas and the end of the line.