Snow issues on sailing day?!?!

NHcruisergirl · #1 August 26th, 2012, 02:39 PM

My family is going on a cruise in Feb out of Bayonne NJ and I was just wondering how much snow has to fall for it to be an issue? If a true blizzard hit NJ can they still come in/go out? We have never sailed out of an area where snow was an issue and was curious if anyone has any insight on what to be prepared for. Thanks!

megr1125 · #2 August 26th, 2012, 02:45 PM

Been there done that...

The issue isn't so much the SHIP, as the shoreside staff, passengers and supplies...the ship will sail, likely a bit late. I think we left maybe 2 hours late due to late arriving flights and delays loading supplies and luggage....

the roads to the pier (NJ Turnpike, and the road in) will/should be plowed...BUT the parking lot may be a mess...

we were on time, but disembarkation was delayed due to late arrival of shoreside staff. We were also on a B2B so we didn't really care

That said...a number of pax had to catch up in San Juan....which was our first port (not sure how it worked with the PVSA/Jones Act... but about 40 people boarded, including the Captain-they were due to swap in Bayonne...)

I would suggest booking a cancellable room near EWR on both sides....if you do not need it, cancel. Reason being, other roads may be yucky, and if you wait to the last minute, all the airlines will snag all the rooms....meaning, if you can't get your flight out/or drive all the way home, you'll at least have a crash pad....

It's sort of fun to see a little snow on the ship! the crew goes crazy!! most haven't seen it...and a couple enterprising crew made a 6 inch tall snow man....hysterical.....

Cigar King · #3 August 26th, 2012, 03:07 PM

FWIW, the weather may or may not be an issue. I'd make sure I was there a day early though as that gives you some room to adjust if things are bad. Enjoy your cruise.

rissandave · #4 August 26th, 2012, 04:17 PM

Also, as a pilot for a large regional airline that flies in and out of EWR-if you are planning on flying in I would have multiple back-up plans. February in EWR can be quite unpleasant and airlines cancel flights early and often with the new Passenger Bill of Rights.

Mark_K · #5 August 26th, 2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megr1125

That said...a number of pax had to catch up in San Juan....which was our first port (not sure how it worked with the PVSA/Jones Act... but about 40 people boarded, including the Captain-they were due to swap in Bayonne...)

The PVSA has an exception for transporting passengers to/from Puerto Rico. Until such time that there is a US flagged passenger vessel qualified to make the sailing from the US mainland, foreign flagged vessels can do it without penalty.

Ocean Boy · #6 August 26th, 2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rissandave

Also, as a pilot for a large regional airline that flies in and out of EWR-if you are planning on flying in I would have multiple back-up plans. February in EWR can be quite unpleasant and airlines cancel flights early and often with the new Passenger Bill of Rights.

EWR can be unpleasant on a good day in June too. Every morning when I am watching the news Logan seems to have flights delayed or canceled down to Newark. What is wrong with that airport anyway?

NHcruisergirl · #7 August 26th, 2012, 06:15 PM

Luckily we are planning on driving (only a 5-6 hour drive and we have a 4 wheel drive truck in case of bad weather) so my concern is more about the actual ability to depart port then the airports. But thanks for the input...you are right about the weather being dicey up here that time of year! Hoping that it is less risky "down south" in NJ

Ocean Boy · #8 August 26th, 2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHcruisergirl

Luckily we are planning on driving (only a 5-6 hour drive and we have a 4 wheel drive truck in case of bad weather) so my concern is more about the actual ability to depart port then the airports. But thanks for the input...you are right about the weather being dicey up here that time of year! Hoping that it is less risky "down south" in NJ

I was going to mention that you could always just jump in your car if the forecast wasn't looking so good. Just be careful when you get to the RI boarder. Unlike NH, ME, and VT, RI has no clue how to get snow off of the roads.

cantwaittwogo · #9 August 26th, 2012, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHcruisergirl

Luckily we are planning on driving (only a 5-6 hour drive and we have a 4 wheel drive truck in case of bad weather) so my concern is more about the actual ability to depart port then the airports. But thanks for the input...you are right about the weather being dicey up here that time of year! Hoping that it is less risky "down south" in NJ

we always cruise in the winter thats why two days early minimum. we fly in.

megr1125 · #10 August 26th, 2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_K

The PVSA has an exception for transporting passengers to/from Puerto Rico. Until such time that there is a US flagged passenger vessel qualified to make the sailing from the US mainland, foreign flagged vessels can do it without penalty.

cool!! good to know....

crisndeefromde · #11 August 26th, 2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megr1125

Been there done that...

The issue isn't so much the SHIP, as the shoreside staff, passengers and supplies...the ship will sail, likely a bit late. I think we left maybe 2 hours late due to late arriving flights and delays loading supplies and luggage....

the roads to the pier (NJ Turnpike, and the road in) will/should be plowed...BUT the parking lot may be a mess...

we were on time, but disembarkation was delayed due to late arrival of shoreside staff. We were also on a B2B so we didn't really care

That said...a number of pax had to catch up in San Juan....which was our first port (not sure how it worked with the PVSA/Jones Act... but about 40 people boarded, including the Captain-they were due to swap in Bayonne...)

I would suggest booking a cancellable room near EWR on both sides....if you do not need it, cancel. Reason being, other roads may be yucky, and if you wait to the last minute, all the airlines will snag all the rooms....meaning, if you can't get your flight out/or drive all the way home, you'll at least have a crash pad....

It's sort of fun to see a little snow on the ship! the crew goes crazy!! most haven't seen it...and a couple enterprising crew made a 6 inch tall snow man....hysterical.....

I so remember that....Meg!!

johneeo · #12 August 26th, 2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHcruisergirl

My family is going on a cruise in Feb out of Bayonne NJ and I was just wondering how much snow has to fall for it to be an issue? If a true blizzard hit NJ can they still come in/go out?

Snow has no effect on a cruise ship leaving port.

Mark_K · #13 August 26th, 2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megr1125

cool!! good to know....

That's also why you can have cruises like the Bayonne-San Juan one Brilliance is doing in November.

DragonOfTheSeas · #14 August 26th, 2012, 07:15 PM

I would second the suggestion to reserve a room for the return and cancel if not needed.

We took a land based vacation 2 years ago. As we flew across the country the forecast kept getting worse. On the day we were to fly back-- Washington, DC was expecting light snow. (up to 2 inches) When we arrived at dusk we had to sweep 7inches off of our truck. It was still snowing like crazy. We got half way home and had to get a room for the night. We had 12+ inches by morning.

You have a reasonable idea what the weather will be when you leave. But, you can never count on the long range forecast for the return.

megr1125 · #15 August 26th, 2012, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_K

That's also why you can have cruises like the Bayonne-San Juan one Brilliance is doing in November.

duh...

sometimes i am goofy...but that repo gets to a distant foreign port before ending up in SJU so i never really thought about it.....

ahhh...let me not even think about it anymore...i will need a few glasses of wine...

don24 · #16 August 26th, 2012, 07:26 PM

you guys are to quick for me.i was gonna say just drive but i was beat to it.and as to roads in our fair state you can feel the difference, literally when you cross the boarder

SPDBigG · #17 August 26th, 2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocean Boy

I was going to mention that you could always just jump in your car if the forecast wasn't looking so good. Just be careful when you get to the RI boarder. Unlike NH, ME, and VT, RI has no clue how to get snow off of the roads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by don24

you guys are to quick for me.i was gonna say just drive but i was beat to it.and as to roads in our fair state you can feel the difference, literally when you cross the boarder

If they're smart, the quicker route would be to go around us anyway. Probably safer too.

shipgeeks · #18 August 26th, 2012, 09:31 PM

We have cruised out of Manhattan and Baltimore almost every winter, and had no problems at all, even with significant snow.

rissandave · #19 August 26th, 2012, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ocean Boy

EWR can be unpleasant on a good day in June too. Every morning when I am watching the news Logan seems to have flights delayed or canceled down to Newark. What is wrong with that airport anyway?

We call it the 1-2-3 rule:

1 Cloud within
2 miles equals
3 hour delays

A two runway airport can only handle about 40-60 arrivals per hour. The NY/NJ Port Authority allows the airlines to schedule up to 80.

RoyalDiamond · #20 August 27th, 2012, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rissandave

Also, as a pilot for a large regional airline that flies in and out of EWR-if you are planning on flying in I would have multiple back-up plans. February in EWR can be quite unpleasant and airlines cancel flights early and often with the new Passenger Bill of Rights.

ANYtime in EWR can be unpleasant! Not just February. LOL. I also work for an airline, and have had MANY delays in and out of EWR on perfectly clear days!