Disembarktion time for Cruise to Nowhere?

[Valeriecapo]

This is my first post here and I am a first time cruiser as well. We are taking a Cruise to Nowhere on the Miracle 10/15/09 from NYC. My concern is that our Limo is picking us up at 10am in NYC because they said disembarktion can take 2 hours or more? Has anyone done this before - if the ship comes in at 8am - will it really take 2 hours before we are out on the street? I dont want to be waiting in Manhattan for 2 hours for our ride, can anyone advise? And also if you dont mind - is the formal night on the cruise to nowhere - really formal?? SHould my DH where a tie and jacket?

[serene56]

IF the ship is due in at 8am --yes it can take up to 2 hours to clear.

Even though the ship is going nowhere it will be heading into international waters so they can operate the casinos etc. so the ship needs to clear customs and all those people that you will hear their names being called== they need to pay their bills

[serene56]

What you want to do-- go to the dining room for a more quiet liesurely breakfast as almost everyone will be at the buffet.

You can be one of the last ones off about 9:30 - 10am and your wait will be minimal.


Yes there is a formal night on a CTN-= and some people get dressed to the nines and other people just get dressed. it depends on what you want from your cruise

(ps- cruises to nowhere are nothing like a longer cruise. Please dont base your opinion on a cruise on a weekend cruise)

[trock]

Originally Posted by Valeriecapo

This is my first post here and I am a first time cruiser as well. We are taking a Cruise to Nowhere on the Miracle 10/15/09 from NYC. My concern is that our Limo is picking us up at 10am in NYC because they said disembarktion can take 2 hours or more? Has anyone done this before - if the ship comes in at 8am - will it really take 2 hours before we are out on the street? I dont want to be waiting in Manhattan for 2 hours for our ride, can anyone advise? And also if you dont mind - is the formal night on the cruise to nowhere - really formal?? SHould my DH where a tie and jacket?

I have done this cruise several times and in fact will be on it again...
You will be off in time for the 10am limo.. baring any unforseen circumstances. Its a cruise to no where and there are no limits on duty .. you will not have to go through customs coming off...

[Valeriecapo]

Thanks for your replies! I could not find my post anywhere to read these replies until now...LOL TRock - you've done this before? Would you mind giving me some tips on a few things then? I know every cruise is different so you would know better than anyone I guess...

What is the formal night like for the most part? Are MOST all dressed up?

What time do you think I should tell the Limo to pick us up ... we have a VIP thing they sent us for the penthouse and it says preferred boarding and unboarding -

When we get to the Pier all it says is pier 88/90/92 how will we know which pier to go to?

Is the line long to check in? I have the limo getting us there by 2:30

I'm guessing it will be cold out on the water- heck its cold now - do they open the pools anyway?

LOL sorry for all the questions I cant find anyone who has done this particular cruise!

[trock]

Originally Posted by Valeriecapo

Thanks for your replies! I could not find my post anywhere to read these replies until now...LOL TRock - you've done this before? Would you mind giving me some tips on a few things then? I know every cruise is different so you would know better than anyone I guess...

What is the formal night like for the most part? Are MOST all dressed up? Pretty Casual.. this is a ctn... No porter service.. bring one small wheelie and make the most of your clothes!

What time do you think I should tell the Limo to pick us up ... we have a VIP thing they sent us for the penthouse and it says preferred boarding and unboarding - 10am should be fine... Last year we were off by 9am

When we get to the Pier all it says is pier 88/90/92 how will we know which pier to go to? Doesnt matter.. they are right next to each and you can easily walk from one to the other.. You will see the ship

Is the line long to check in? I have the limo getting us there by 2:30 That's late.. I think -not sure- I think you have to be in line by 2? I get there early.. we usually board by noon.. and yes the lines are long but move quickly

I'm guessing it will be cold out on the water- heck its cold now - do they open the pools anyway?.. If they close the roof- it will open otherwise no..

LOL sorry for all the questions I cant find anyone who has done this particular cruise!

No problem!!!


HI~!
See above!
ENJOY!

[serene56]

I would have the driver get us there by 11:00- you might have to wait a bit but will be onboard by noon. Buffet has the food out and serving by then.
(I know your tickets will say after 2or so BUT most everyone else not in the know will be showing up by 2pm.
Since you have the VIP you go to the front of the line and tell security you have a vip boarding-
If you head there by 11: onboard by noon you wont have access to your cabin til 1:30.

Pools wil be cold- they are not heated- The water is taken from the ocean.

Some people dress for formal night and go all out--others not so much--its your cruise--do what you are comfortable with. Remeber there will be photographers and and about- pictures (last I checked were about 21.95 for a 8 X 10- no sitting fee and no one pushing you to buy.


you also get your photo taken when you board-- which will feature the ships name and date.

[Valeriecapo]

Originally Posted by trock

No problem!!!


HI~!
See above!
ENJOY!

You really think 2:30 is late? The ship leaves at 5pm and it says on my fun pass thingie not to get to the pier before 2 and no later than 3:30 they leave at 5pm Should I change the limo res? - we're about an hour away from NYC its not a big deal to change the time for the limo

[skylock]

Originally Posted by Valeriecapo

You really think 2:30 is late? The ship leaves at 5pm and it says on my fun pass thingie not to get to the pier before 2 and no later than 3:30 they leave at 5pm Should I change the limo res? - we're about an hour away from NYC its not a big deal to change the time for the limo

They will start boarding around 11. If you want to wait till 2:30 to arrive, that is fine too.

[Valeriecapo]

UGH why doesnt Carnival tell you these things ahead of time...LOL now I'm confused and dont know what to do :-( I thought the later the better so we could just kinda walk on and go to our rooms & settle in...now i dont know - whats the downside to getting there later? Its a CTN so we will have our luggage with us until we can get in our rooms...I dunno now...hmmm

TRock any more tips? We took the late dining...how do you tip since there is no bill to pay at the end of dinner?

[ddoc]

Normally, Carnival includes the tips on the S & S card and cruises have the option of giving an additional tip to the people that serve them well in addition to the tips on the S & S. I've been on 2 previous cruises to nowhere and the only charges I had at the end of the cruise were for things like photos and a bar bill. People didn't tip so Ccarnival started building them into the price.

[trock]

Originally Posted by Valeriecapo

UGH why doesnt Carnival tell you these things ahead of time...LOL now I'm confused and dont know what to do :-( I thought the later the better so we could just kinda walk on and go to our rooms & settle in...now i dont know - whats the downside to getting there later? Its a CTN so we will have our luggage with us until we can get in our rooms...I dunno now...hmmm

TRock any more tips? We took the late dining...how do you tip since there is no bill to pay at the end of dinner?

Its entirely up to you, but I think 2:30 is late.. remember the sooner you get on board, the sooner the mini cruise starts!!! I live less than an hour away also.. I am getting there to board early!

The rooms should be available around 1-130.. You really should only have the minimum luggage-wise.. so pulling it or carrying it around for a bit is quite common... I think we selected open seating.. but the tips are automatically billed to the Sail and Sign card.. I believe it's $10 day pp..

I would suggest at least getting there by noon or 1 pm the latest...

I would not bring formal wear.. You will not really see a lot of it on a CTN.. bring smart casual elegant/ clothes you would wear out to dinner.
Bring comfortable shoes - don't know if the water will be a bit rough this time of year..

What else can I tell you?

Oh.. HAVE FUN!!!

[serene56]

Originally Posted by Valeriecapo

Its a CTN so we will have our luggage with us until we can get in our rooms...I dunno now...hmmm ?

How much luggage do you have for a weekend trip? its easily transported around til you get to your cabin. You will see many people doing this.

Carnival isnt gonna tell you all the itty secrets. Thats why this board comes in handy. I have learned so much.
Getting to the pier the earlier the better. Why waste precious vacation time. Especially for only a weekend.

[Rocky123]

Dear Valerie,

First thing is welcome aboard. This is my third time on this CTN. Also I have been on at least 5 other CTN.

Many passengers work that day and get off to get on the ship. My whole party is working that day and we will be there around 1:30. Being a VIP like you there is a special boarding area and you will be wisked on the ship in no time.

Also you will be contacted by the Purser's office to meet in a special area (lounge) early Saturday morning. You will be the first to get off. Last year I was off the ship @ 8:30AM...There were about 75 people in the lounge.

Many people do get dressed and I love to dress up. Remember it's your cruise and you can build up your self-esteem as high as you want...Passengers from the tri-state area have lots of class...

As far as entertainment they go all out for this cruise. You will see the two main shows that the Miracle has to offer, both shows are great.

You will have a fantastic time and enjoy it. I can't control the weather though...LOL LOL

Rocky

[serene56]

Originally Posted by Rocky123

Also you will be contacted by the Purser's office to meet in a special area (lounge) early Saturday morning. You will be the first to get off. Last year I was off the ship @ 8:30AM...There were about 75 people in the lounge.

just to make it clear to you-- you do NOT have to get off when the early people are getting off- since your limo isnt coming until 10am-- i would wait.

[Valeriecapo]

Oh you guys have been great! Wish I found this sooner. I'm not in a panic anymore I spoke to the other couples traveling with us and they all agreed to leave the res the way it is some want to see thier kids before we leave and others have nail/hair appts etc. so we will arrive around 2:30 and I assume when we get on the ship by then things will be in full swing - and on Saturday we'll meet for sit down breakfast in the dining room and linger as long as we can...stroll leisurely back to the parking lot and wait for the limo...LOL Thank you all for your help and advice!

[Valeriecapo]

Oh you guys have been great! Wish I found this sooner. I'm not in a panic anymore I spoke to the other couples traveling with us and they all agreed to leave the res the way it is some want to see thier kids before we leave and others have nail/hair appts etc. so we will arrive around 2:30 and I assume when we get on the ship by then things will be in full swing - and on Saturday we'll meet for sit down breakfast in the dining room and linger as long as we can...stroll leisurely back to the parking lot and wait for the limo...LOL Thank you all for your help and advice!