Trip at a Glance
✈️
Outbound Flight
SFO → JFK · Wed Jul 8
Alaska AS20 · Depart 7:20am · Arrive 4:08pm
🏨
NYC Hotel · 3 Nights
Residence Inn Marriott
170 Broadway · Downtown Manhattan · Jul 8–11
Hotels.com #73458016450818
🚢
Cruise Departure · Sat Jul 11
Independence of the Seas
Cape Liberty, NJ · 3:00pm · Res# 6488075 · Room 7256, Deck 7
🏝️
Bermuda Cruise · 5 Nights
Jul 11 – Jul 16
Mid-Ship, Deck 7
✈️
Return Flight
JFK → SFO · Fri Jul 17
Alaska AS227 · Depart 9:30am · Arrive 12:52pm
Airline Confirmation
✈️Alaska Airlines · Confirmation STIVRB
🧳Carry-on included · Checked bags available for fee · No refund
Day 1 · Wednesday July 8
Arrival Evening
You land at JFK at 4:08pm. Allow ~1 hour for bags + Uber to the hotel (~$60–75). Settled by 5:30pm with a full evening in Lower Manhattan.
5:30 PM
🏨 Check In — Residence Inn Marriott
170 Broadway, Downtown Manhattan. Drop bags, freshen up. You're steps from everything!
Walk 2 min south on Broadway
6:00 PM
🥯 Liberty Bagels Wall Street
Quick, iconic NYC bagels for dinner — cheap and delicious. Perfect first meal after a long travel day.
💰 ~$10–15/person
— or —
🍕 Adrienne's Pizzabar (54 Stone St, 4 min walk) — coal-fired pizza on NYC's oldest cobblestone street. Casual outdoor seating, great for the whole family. ~$15–20/person
🇮🇹 Eataly Downtown (101 Liberty St, 3 min walk) — Italian market with pizza, pasta, and gelato counters. Something for everyone. ~$15–25/person
🇮🇹 Eataly Downtown (101 Liberty St, 3 min walk) — Italian market with pizza, pasta, and gelato counters. Something for everyone. ~$15–25/person
Walk 5 min north on Greenwich St to the Memorial
7:00 PM
🏛️ 9/11 Memorial — Reflecting Pools
The outdoor pools are FREE and open late. A powerful, moving experience. Joseph will be transfixed. No tickets needed for the outdoor memorial.
💰 FREE
— or —
🌿 Battery Park — 10 min walk south to the tip of Manhattan. Waterfront promenade with sweeping harbor views and a Statue of Liberty sighting at dusk. Relaxed and scenic after a long travel day.
💰 FREE
Walk 10 min east to Brooklyn Bridge entrance on Centre St
8:15 PM
🌉 Brooklyn Bridge at Dusk
Walk the bridge as the sun sets for jaw-dropping Manhattan skyline views. About 1 mile walk. Bring your cameras — best photos of the entire trip!
💰 FREE
Day 2 · Thursday July 9
Financial District + Free Ferry + Uptown
Start in your neighborhood, take the free Staten Island Ferry for Statue of Liberty views, hit the 9/11 Museum, then head uptown to the High Line, Central Park, and Times Square.
8:00 AM
🥯 Liberty Bagels — Breakfast
Fuel up right next to the hotel before the big day.
💰 ~$10–15/person
— or —
🥐 Financier Patisserie (62 Stone St, 4 min walk) — French bakery with croissants, quiche, and great coffee. A calm, charming start to the morning. ~$8–12/person
🍳 Two Hands (164 Mott St, Tribeca, 10 min walk) — beloved Australian cafe with excellent egg dishes and coffee. Worth the short walk. ~$15–20/person
🍳 Two Hands (164 Mott St, Tribeca, 10 min walk) — beloved Australian cafe with excellent egg dishes and coffee. Worth the short walk. ~$15–20/person
Walk 5 min south on Broadway to Bowling Green
8:45 AM
🐂 Charging Bull & Fearless Girl
Both free, right next to each other at Bowling Green. Go early for photos before the tourist crowds. Noelle and Emily will love the Fearless Girl!
💰 FREE
Walk 8 min north on Greenwich St to the 9/11 Memorial
9:30 AM
🏛️ 9/11 Memorial & Museum
One of the most powerful history experiences in America. Book tickets online in advance! Budget 2–2.5 hours. Note: closed Tuesdays — you're here Thursday, perfect.
💰 ~$33 adults · Kids under 12 FREE
Walk 5 min south to Whitehall Terminal — same neighborhood
12:15 PM
⛴️ Staten Island Ferry
100% FREE. Runs every 30 min. Sit on the RIGHT side heading toward Staten Island for the best Statue of Liberty views. Round trip ~50 min. Just show up!
💰 FREE
A or C train from Fulton St → 14th St (~15 min, $2.90). Tap card/phone via OMNY. Walk 10 min to High Line at Gansevoort St.
2:30 PM
🌿 The High Line
Free elevated park on an old railway. Art, gardens, Hudson River views. 1.5 miles end to end. Grab lunch from food vendors along the way.
💰 FREE
A, C, or E from 34th St–Penn Station → 59th St–Columbus Circle (2 stops, ~5 min, $2.90). Southwest entrance to Central Park.
4:30 PM
🌳 Central Park
Enter at Columbus Circle (59th St SW corner) and work your way north and east through the park. Allow 1.5–2 hours. 843 acres of pure NYC magic — here's your family route:
🗺️ FAMILY WALKING ROUTE
🐑
Sheep Meadow
A sprawling 15-acre open lawn — the classic NYC "lay on the grass and stare up at the skyscrapers" moment. Grab hot dogs from a cart here. Pure New York.
🎭
The Mall & Literary Walk
A grand tree-lined promenade — one of the largest remaining stands of American elms in North America. Statues of Shakespeare and other writers line the south end. Street performers often set up here in summer.
⛲
Bethesda Terrace & Fountain
The park's crown jewel. The 26-foot Angel of the Waters bronze statue presides over the fountain. Walk through the tiled Arcade underneath — 16,000 Minton tiles on the ceiling and musicians often performing below. One of the most photographed spots in all of NYC.
🌉
Bow Bridge
A gorgeous cast-iron bridge completed in 1862, arching over the Lake. Postcard-perfect views of the water with the Manhattan skyline behind. One of the most romantic and photographed spots in the entire park — great family photo stop.
🎵
Strawberry Fields
A peaceful memorial to John Lennon, just steps from the Dakota building where he lived. The iconic "Imagine" mosaic is always surrounded by flowers and fans. A quiet, moving moment in the middle of the city.
🚣
Loeb Boathouse (Optional)
Rent a rowboat on the Lake — $25/hour, up to 4 people per boat, first-come first-served. A genuinely fun family activity if you have time. The lake views from the water are stunning.
Walk 10 min east through the park to 5th Ave, then south to 50th St
6:15 PM
⛪ St. Patrick's Cathedral
America's most iconic Catholic cathedral, right on 5th Avenue. Free to enter — step inside for the soaring Gothic vaulted ceilings, stunning stained glass, and a moment of quiet before the chaos of Times Square. Construction began in 1858 and took 21 years to complete. Joseph will appreciate the history and the sheer scale of the building.
💰 FREE
Walk 8 min south on 5th Ave to Times Square at 42nd St
7:00 PM
🌟 Times Square — Evening
Best seen at night when the lights are electric! Free to walk around. Grab dinner at any of the dozens of restaurants nearby.
- The TKTS Booth Red Steps — the famous red bleacher steps above the discount Broadway ticket booth at 47th St. Climb them for the classic elevated view of the neon chaos below. Best photo spot in Times Square.
- One Times Square — the building where the New Year's Eve ball drops. Look up at the massive LED billboard wrapping the tower. Walk around the full block to take it all in.
- Broadway Theater District — marquees for a dozen shows light up the streets. Even if you're not seeing a show, the energy along 44th–47th St is electric.
- Madame Tussauds (optional, 234 W 42nd St) — NYC's famous wax museum. Emily and Noelle will get a kick out of the celebrity figures. ~$30–40/person, tickets cheaper online.
- Junior's Restaurant (1515 Broadway) — legendary NYC cheesecake since 1950. Grab a slice to eat on the go. A New York institution.
- M&M's World & Hershey's Store — touristy but genuinely fun for Joseph. Giant candy stores on the main strip, free to browse.
2 or 3 express from Times Square–42nd St → Fulton St (5 stops, ~12 min, $2.90). Walk 2 min back to hotel.
Day 3 · Friday July 10
Brooklyn Day
Cross the river for legendary food, the charming DUMBO neighborhood, and your last NYC dinner before the cruise tomorrow.
8:30 AM
🥯 Russ & Daughters
A NYC institution since 1914. Bagels with lox, smoked fish, pastrami salmon — an experience in itself. Go early to beat the line.
💰 ~$15–25/person
F or M from 2nd Ave → York St in DUMBO (~10 min, $2.90)
OR: A or C from Broadway-Nassau → High St–Brooklyn Bridge (~8 min, $2.90). Walk 5 min to DUMBO waterfront.
12:00 PM
🍕 Lunch in DUMBO
Try Juliana's Pizza under the bridge — one of NYC's most beloved spots. Or explore the neighborhood's many cafes and restaurants.
💰 ~$15–25/person
A or C from High St–Brooklyn Bridge → Spring St or West 4th (~15 min) back to Manhattan
3:00 PM
🗺️ Free Afternoon
You're already in Lower Manhattan after DUMBO — pick a neighborhood and explore at your own pace before dinner. All options below are close together and walkable.
- SoHo — cast-iron architecture, high-end boutiques, and street art along Broadway, Spring St, and Prince St. Great window shopping and people watching. Noelle and Emily will love the fashion stores.
- West Village — one of NYC's most charming neighborhoods. Narrow cobblestone streets, brownstones draped in ivy, independent bookshops, and cozy cafes. Perfect for a slow afternoon stroll. Hudson St and Bleecker St are the main arteries.
- Washington Square Park (West Village) — the iconic arch, street performers, chess players, and NYU students. Free and lively on a summer afternoon. Joseph will enjoy the history — the park was a Revolutionary War burial ground.
- The High Line (south end) — if the group didn't get enough on Day 2, the Gansevoort St entrance at the south end drops you into the Meatpacking District, which has great shops and a cool vibe in the late afternoon.
- Hudson River Greenway — bike or walk the waterfront path along the west side. Stunning river views, open air, and totally free. Citi Bike stations are everywhere (~$4/ride or $15 day pass).
- McNally Jackson Bookstore (52 Prince St, SoHo) — one of NYC's best independent bookshops. Great place to browse and pick up a NYC-themed book for the trip home.
Subway or short Uber/taxi to the West Village for dinner (~$12–20 by cab)
6:30 PM
🍕 John's of Bleecker Street
NYC pizza institution since 1929. Coal-fired brick oven. Whole pies only — no slices. No reservations, arrive early. The perfect last dinner in NYC.
💰 ~$20–30/person
Day 4 · Saturday July 11
Cruise Day! 🚢
Check out, grab breakfast, and head to Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ for your 3:00pm departure on Independence of the Seas!
9:00 AM
🏨 Hotel Check Out
Check out by noon. Pack the night before! Store any extra luggage at the hotel if needed while you grab breakfast nearby.
Walk 2 min to Liberty Bagels or any nearby cafe for quick breakfast
10:00 AM
🥯 Quick Breakfast & Final Stroll
Last walk around the Financial District before heading to the port. Everything is within a 5–10 min walk of the hotel — pick what fits the time.
- Federal Hall — exact spot where George Washington was inaugurated as the first U.S. President in 1789. Free exterior, free museum. 🎩 Joseph will love this.
- Wall Street & NYSE — the iconic street sign, the columned New York Stock Exchange facade, and the energy of the world's financial center.
- Trinity Church — built 1846, Alexander Hamilton is buried in the churchyard. One of NYC's oldest landmarks.
- Oculus / WTC Transit Hub — Santiago Calatrava's stunning white-ribbed architecture. Worth a quick walk-through.
- Stone Street — NYC's oldest cobblestone street (1658), lined with historic buildings. A quiet, photogenic detour.
Uber XL or taxi to Cape Liberty Cruise Port, 14 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne NJ. Budget ~$55–70 and 45–60 min. Pre-book an Uber XL for 5 people the night before!
1:00 PM
🚢 Arrive Cape Liberty Cruise Port
Arrive by 1:00–1:30pm for a 3:00pm departure. Allow time for check-in, security, and boarding. Have your reservation #6488075 and IDs ready.
3:00 PM
⛵ SET SAIL — Independence of the Seas!
5 nights to Bermuda begins! Room 7256 · Mid-Ship · Deck 7.
🏝️ Bermuda here we come!
Transit Tips
📱 Getting Around NYC
•Use OMNY — tap any credit card or phone at subway turnstiles. $2.90/ride, no MetroCard needed
•Download MTA app or Citymapper for real-time subway status
•Avoid rush hour: 8–9:30am and 4:30–7pm weekdays — you're mostly mid-day so you'll be fine
•With 5 people, move to center of the subway car and take backpacks off at busy times
•Subway runs 24/7 — NYC never sleeps
Book in Advance
🏛️ 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Book at 911memorial.org — sells out in summer
~$33 adults · Kids under 12 FREE
🍕 Rubirosa Restaurant
Book via Resy immediately for Thursday lunch
~$20–30/person
🚢 Royal Caribbean Online Check-in
Complete 45 days before sail date
Included with cruise
🚕 Uber XL to Cape Liberty
Pre-book the night before for 5 people
~$55–70 for the group
Budget Summary
💰 Estimated NYC Costs
•9/11 Museum: ~$132 for 4 adults (under 12 free)
•Meals: ~$50–80/day for the whole family (bagels, pizza, food vendors)
•Subway: $2.90/ride per person via OMNY tap
•Uber/taxi to Cape Liberty: ~$55–70 for the group
•Brooklyn Bridge, High Line, Central Park, Ferry, Times Square: ALL FREE 🎉
Sea Day · Sunday July 12
Day at Sea 🌊
Your first full day aboard Independence of the Seas. No agenda — just explore the ship, relax, and get your sea legs. This is the day to discover everything onboard!
Ship Highlights to Explore
MORNING
🏄 FlowRider Surf Simulator
Royal Caribbean exclusive — a stationary wave you can bodyboard or surf on. Joseph will want to spend the whole day here. Sign up early, slots fill fast!
💰 Included
MORNING
🎯 Battle for Planet Z — Laser Tag
Glow-in-the-dark laser tag — a Royal Caribbean exclusive. Perfect family activity. Check the daily Cruise Compass for session times.
💰 Included
AFTERNOON
🏊 Pools & Waterslides
The Perfect Storm dueling waterslides are a must. Adults — the Solarium is a adults-only pool area, perfect for a peaceful afternoon while the kids splash around in the main pool.
💰 Included
AFTERNOON
⛸️ Ice Skating Rink
Yes — an ice rink on a cruise ship! One of the coolest surprises for first-time cruisers. Check Cruise Compass for open skate times. Skate rentals included.
💰 Included
AFTERNOON
🎮 Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
Massive arcade with classic and modern games. Your 11-year-old will be in heaven. Buy an arcade card to load credits — more economical than paying per game.
💰 Arcade credits extra
EVENING
🎭 Broadway-Style Show
Check the Cruise Compass for tonight's main theater show. Royal Caribbean productions are genuinely impressive. Book dinner reservations around the show time so you don't miss it!
💰 Included
📋 Sea Day Tips
•Pick up the Cruise Compass daily newsletter — it lists all activities, shows, and meal hours
•Book specialty restaurants today for your Bermuda evenings back onboard
•The Windjammer buffet is always open for casual meals — great for the family
•Explore all 18 decks today so you're not lost in port days!
Bermuda Day 1 · Monday July 13 🏝️
Royal Naval Dockyard & History Day
You dock right at King's Wharf in the Royal Naval Dockyard — one of the most historically rich cruise ports in the world. Perfect for your history-loving son. Spend the morning exploring the fort and museum steps from the ship, then venture out in the afternoon.
🚢 Port Info — King's Wharf
•Ship docks right at the Dockyard — everything nearby is walkable from the gangway
•US dollars accepted everywhere at 1:1 with the Bermudian dollar
•You cannot rent a car in Bermuda — get around by ferry, bus, taxi, or scooter
•Buy a ferry & bus Day Pass at the Visitor Info Booth on the pier — $20 for 2 days, unlimited travel
9:00 AM
🏰 National Museum of Bermuda
Steps from the ship inside the Keep Fort — Bermuda's largest fort. 500+ years of history: gold bars from shipwrecks, maritime artifacts, the War of 1812, trans-Atlantic slavery exhibits. Kids love the Museum Playground with a giant moray eel and lighthouse to climb. Joseph will be obsessed.
💰 ~$15 adults · Kids under 6 FREE
Walk 2 min within the Dockyard complex
11:00 AM
🐬 Dolphin Quest (Optional)
Inside the museum grounds — watch or swim with dolphins in a lagoon. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially for your son. Must book in advance online. Swim sessions are expensive but unforgettable. Watch-only is cheaper.
💰 Watch FREE · Swim ~$199/person
Walk through the Dockyard to the Clocktower Mall and waterfront restaurants
12:30 PM
🦞 Lunch at the Dockyard
Try Bone Fish Bar & Grill or Frog & Onion Pub right in the Dockyard. Must-orders: Bermuda fish chowder (dark rum poured on top!) and fish sandwich. Outdoor seating with harbor views.
💰 ~$20–35/person
Ferry from Dockyard → Hamilton (~20 min, included in Day Pass). Departures roughly every 30–60 min.
2:30 PM
🏙️ Hamilton — Front Street
Bermuda's vibrant capital. Stroll Front Street with its iconic pastel-colored buildings, boutique shops, and harbor views. Browse local art, jewelry, and duty-free shops. Very walkable and charming — a classic Bermuda afternoon.
💰 FREE to explore
Ferry back from Hamilton → Dockyard (~20 min, included in Day Pass). Check last ferry time — aim to be back aboard ship 30 min before departure.
5:00 PM
🚢 Back Aboard — Sunset from the Ship
The ship stays docked overnight — no departure tonight! Head to the top deck for sunset views over the Dockyard and Bermuda's turquoise water. Dinner onboard or at a Dockyard restaurant.
💰 Dinner included onboard
Bermuda Day 2 · Tuesday July 14 🏖️
Pink Sand Beach Day
Today is all about Bermuda's world-famous beaches and the incredible Crystal Caves. This is the day your family will talk about for years. Pink sand, turquoise water, underground caves — Bermuda at its absolute best.
9:00 AM
🦎 Crystal & Fantasy Caves
Go early before the tour buses arrive! Underground limestone caves with floating pontoon walkways over crystal-clear pools. Stalactites, stalagmites, and eerie blue light — genuinely magical. Joseph will be awestruck. Fantasy Cave is smaller and less visited — do both!
💰 ~$30 adults · ~$15 kids
Bus from Dockyard → Crystal Caves (~30 min, included in Day Pass). Take Bus #1 toward St. George's. Ask the driver to call your stop at Bailey's Bay / Crystal Caves.
11:30 AM
🏖️ Horseshoe Bay Beach
Bermuda's most iconic beach — and one of the most beautiful in the world. Blush-pink sand, turquoise water, dramatic rock formations. Beach chairs, umbrellas, changing rooms, snack bar, and a restaurant all on site. Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours here. Swim, snorkel, explore the coves. Pure paradise.
💰 FREE · Chairs ~$20/pair · Snorkel rental ~$15
Bus from Crystal Caves → Horseshoe Bay (~25 min on Bus #1 or #7 toward South Shore). Or take a taxi (~$20). The bus stop is a short walk down from the beach entrance.
2:30 PM
🤿 Snorkel Park Beach (Optional)
If the family still has energy — Snorkel Park is a 5-min walk from the ship at the Dockyard. Calm, clear water perfect for snorkeling right off the beach. Great for kids. Equipment rentals on site. A perfect low-key end to the day.
💰 ~$5 entry · Snorkel gear rental ~$15
Bus from Horseshoe Bay back toward Dockyard (~35 min). Or taxi (~$25). Be back at the ship with time to spare — ship departs this evening. Check your exact departure time onboard.
5:00 PM
🚢 Back Aboard — Final Bermuda Farewell
The ship departs this evening. Head to the top deck to watch Bermuda fade into the horizon — one of the most beautiful moments of any cruise. Grab a drink, take in the pastel buildings and turquoise water one last time. Bermuda, you've been incredible.
💰 Dinner included onboard
🏖️ Beach Day Tips
•Bring reef-safe sunscreen — Bermuda requires it and the sun is strong in July
•Horseshoe Bay has lockers — leave valuables there, not on the beach
•The bus Day Pass ($20 for 2 days) covers today's travel — buy it at the pier on Day 1
•Buses run roughly every 15–30 min — check posted schedules at stops
•Know your ship's all-aboard time — missing the ship is a real thing!
Sea Day · Wednesday July 15
Homeward Bound 🌊
Last full day at sea. Time to relax, enjoy the ship one more time, and start thinking about how soon you can do this again. Also: packing day!
MORNING
☀️ Sleep In & Slow Morning
You've earned it! Late breakfast at the Windjammer, coffee on the balcony or deck, and a gentle final morning at sea. Let the family decompress and soak in the last day.
AFTERNOON
🎮 Final Ship Activities
Last chance for the FlowRider, pools, laser tag, and arcade. Noelle and Emily might enjoy the casino this afternoon. Check Cruise Compass for any special last-day activities or contests.
AFTERNOON
🧳 Packing & Luggage Tags
Royal Caribbean will deliver disembarkation luggage tags to your cabin today. Fill them out, pack bags you want portered off, and leave outside your cabin door by midnight. Keep out clothes and essentials for tomorrow morning.
⚠️ Don't forget to settle your onboard account!
EVENING
🍽️ Farewell Dinner
Last night in the main dining room — dress up a little! This is the night to celebrate an amazing vacation. Order extra dessert. You're on a cruise.
💰 Included
🏠 Disembarkation Tips (Thu Jul 16)
•Ship arrives Cape Liberty early morning (~7:00am)
•Self-disembarkation (carry your own bags): off earliest, usually 7–8am
•Porter-assisted: assigned color-coded groups, typically 8–10am
•Your return flight is Fri Jul 17 — you have a full day in the NYC area on Thu Jul 16!
•Book a hotel near JFK for Thursday night — easy airport departure Friday morning