NCL Epic Shore Excursions in New York?

[Fredrik]

I´ve searched the NCL website and can´t find any information if shore excursions are planned for New York. It would be a great way to do a quick sightseeing and combining it with a convenient airport transfer. Does NCL still dock Manhattan west side?

[smeyer418]

yes NCL docks at the Manhattan cruise terminal. The circle line is right next door. The Grey line hop on hop off is also a couple of blocks south. Lots to do on you own too. Waiting for a group is a pain(IMO)...they sometimes offer on the ship a transfer with some sightseeing but even to the airports they leave you on your own- NY is easy to get around in.

[Fredrik]

I´m just slightly worried about all out luggage After the cruise we´re flying and then taking a two week roadtrip cross the US so I would be happy with any transfer getting us to the airport, a tour would be a bonus, but we´ve been to NY a couple of times so it´s ok.

Have a great weekend, we´re looking forward to trying NCL again after a lot of RCI cruises and I think that Epic is going to be amazing!

[seabourndt]

i am looking forward to it, did the dawn many years ago. i hope to stay in new york to se 4th july wonder what they have?
dave

[smeyer418]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

I´m just slightly worried about all out luggage After the cruise we´re flying and then taking a two week roadtrip cross the US so I would be happy with any transfer getting us to the airport, a tour would be a bonus, but we´ve been to NY a couple of times so it´s ok.

Have a great weekend, we´re looking forward to trying NCL again after a lot of RCI cruises and I think that Epic is going to be amazing!

the cost of a cab to either LGA or JFK is pretty reasonable by most cities standards(about $30-5 to LGA and about $60 to JFK-these should include toll and tip)...a cab to EWR is more but a car service should be about $50 in total see www.carmellimo.com as an example.

cabs are easy to catch at the cruise terminal. these prices are per car not per person and generally are less for two or more people than the cruise lines transfer.

[sjbdtz]

Join us on the Epic TA roll call board: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=952061


There's no way to know yet where the EPIC will dock...and I don't believe they've announced shore-ex for her arrival day.

still too early.

[C&F]

Originally Posted by seabourndt

i am looking forward to it, did the dawn many years ago. i hope to stay in new york to se 4th july wonder what they have?
dave

If you're staying in NY on 4th of July, especially NYC, make sure to head to the Macy's Fireworks Show. It used to be on the East River, East Side, but last year it was on the Hudson River, West Side.
The outer boros usually have people lighting fireworks in the street, but as fireworks are illegal in NY, over the last few years, they have lessened substantially. When I was a kid in the Bronx, people would close off streets with bon fires at each end and pretty much dump fireworks into the fire.
I am trying NCL for the first time over New Years. Looking forward to it. If I'm sold on them, I may look at the Epic. I will definitely go see her. She will probably dock in NYC as opposed to Brooklyn. Carnival owns that one. I leave every summer from there on Princess. But that doesn't mean they can't lease space, but it's only one berth. Leaving out of NYC is awesome. Especially going under the Verrazzano Bridge. THAT is the official start to my cruise!!
Enjoy,
Freddie

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by sjbdtz

Join us on the Epic TA roll call board: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=952061


There's no way to know yet where the EPIC will dock...and I don't believe they've announced shore-ex for her arrival day.

still too early.

NCL always docks in Manhattan, 99% of the time at Pier 88. I doubt they would dock in Brooklyn, which is used exclusively right now by Princesss and Cunard, unless there's an issue with the Epic's size. We took the QM 2 from NY shortly after she was launched, which was before the Brooklyn cruise terminal was built. The ship was so long, it extended past the end of Pier 88 into the Hudson River. They had boats patrolling the area to make sure river traffic steered clear of the QM 2.

I don't recall NCL offering shore excursions in NY for many years. Perhaps they have never offered them. My suspicion is they will not offer any for the end of the Epic TA, because they do not have any current contracts for shore excursions with NY vendors.