Three Hours in New York

[AviGirl]

If everything goes according to plan, DH & I will have three hours in New York before we are to be board the QM2. We'll be landing at Newark and was going to take a car service straight to the port but on our ticket it states that we are not to board until 2:30. Does anyone have any suggestions on what we could do? Is there a great restaurant in Brooklyn (near the port) that anyone could suggest? We've never been to NYC.

What would happen if we arrived at the QM2 prior to 2:30, would we simply have to wait or would they let us board early?

Thanks!

[SeaMatesNYC]

Originally Posted by AviGirl

If everything goes according to plan, DH & I will have three hours in New York before we are to be board the QM2. We'll be landing at Newark and was going to take a car service straight to the port but on our ticket it states that we are not to board until 2:30. Does anyone have any suggestions on what we could do? Is there a great restaurant in Brooklyn (near the port) that anyone could suggest? We've never been to NYC.

What would happen if we arrived at the QM2 prior to 2:30, would we simply have to wait or would they let us board early?

Thanks!

Once boarding starts (noon or thereabouts, usually), you will be allowed to join the queue no matter what time was suggested on your ticket. The area around the pier is not one that would be recommended for wandering about by someone not familiar with the area. It is "in transition" shall we say. Have a wonderful voyage!

[imacruizer]

I would go directly to the pier and have lunch on the ship. They pay no attention to your boarding time at the port. Have a fabulous crossing.

Beth

[safarigal]

We landed in Newark and had considered doing a brief look around in New York, but as we were spending the weekend in New York after our cruise, we ended up deciding to maximize our QM2 time, and didn't follow the 2:30 boarding instruction.

We left Newark Airport at 10:00 and despite our limo getting lost, got to the pier at 11:00. There was no one else at check in so we got our key cards immediately and waited in the lounge for boarding. Boarding began just before 12:00, and we were on board very soon afterwards. This gave us time to eat, unpack, test the bars, and wander around the ship before sailaway. Fantastic! I saw this as extra Mary time.

A word of warning is that the waiting area at the pier is rather bleak, they had loud (but good oldies) music blasting away so conversation was difficult, and a TV showing a bit about the QM2 which was constantly repeating itself. Next time we will know to come armed with food and champagne to spend the time in a more productive manner. There are vending machines, but little else. I have suggested that they need free wireless internet and a nice little cafe, but I doubt this will happen!

Enjoy your trip!

[AviGirl]

Wonderful! I would prefer to just head to the pier and hope for more "Mary time" but wasn't sure with that 2:30 check in request. But now I know!! Thanks!!

[balf]

It's worth adding that the above advice applies equably at Southampton as well. I don't know why Cunard give out this information - it must be in their interest to stagger check in times as much as possible.

David.

[VirginCruiser II]

Originally Posted by balf

It's worth adding that the above advice applies equably at Southampton as well. I don't know why Cunard give out this information - it must be in their interest to stagger check in times as much as possible.

David.

They have to. It would just be a free for all otherwise.

[rob6852]

Originally Posted by AviGirl

Wonderful! I would prefer to just head to the pier and hope for more "Mary time" but wasn't sure with that 2:30 check in request. But now I know!! Thanks!!

Have a wonderful time, its so near now, I so wish we could have met you in southampton on the 11th

rob

[LibraLass41]

Originally Posted by balf

It's worth adding that the above advice applies equably at Southampton as well. I don't know why Cunard give out this information - it must be in their interest to stagger check in times as much as possible.

David.

Yes P&O do exactly the same when sailing from Southampton.
Tickets say 2pm boarding desks open at noon. This is to stagger the 2000 passengers.
You get the experienced cruisers who ignore the ticket time arriving 11-12, and boarding at noon, the coaches from all over the country arriving between 1 and 3.30pm (ish) and the newbies doing what they are told to do and arriving at 2pm (unless they read these cruise forums lol)
All works very well!

[AviGirl]

Originally Posted by rob6852

Have a wonderful time, its so near now, I so wish we could have met you in southampton on the 11th

rob

Thanks so much Rob! I'm giddy with excitement! Yes, I would have loved to have been able to meet both you and Robin on the 11th, however, I have a feeling that this won't be our only sailing on the QM2 and that we will indeed all meet one day!

Lisa

[mtbny7]

If you do decide to eat before the ship; there is the lovely RIVER CAFE in Brooklyn; it's about 10 minutes away from the pier. www.rivercafe.com

Michael
NYC