Question on taking NCL cruise out of NYC

[beachcomberbill]

My wife and I have been on many cruises. We haven't been able to go on one for about five years now but are planning to start again in mid 2013. We always loved NCL, and had been on the Sun 2x. I note there are many newer and more luxurious ships on their line. We'd like to avoid air travel and live in the NY Metro area. Would you please describe your experiences in leaving from your home port, and what itineraries were interesting on any of the NCL ships out of NYC. Thanks very much.

[baflagg]

We're from MA and have cruised out NY twice so far once on NCL once to FL/Bahamas then last year the same route on Disney. In July we are sailing on the Breakaway to Bermuda.

 

Never had an issue with sailing out of NY, it's always been easy to get to, parking, finding our way around the terminal. No issues

[computerworks]

My wife and I have been on many cruises. We haven't been able to go on one for about five years now but are planning to start again in mid 2013. We always loved NCL, and had been on the Sun 2x. I note there are many newer and more luxurious ships on their line. We'd like to avoid air travel and live in the NY Metro area. Would you please describe your experiences in leaving from your home port, and what itineraries were interesting on any of the NCL ships out of NYC. Thanks very much.

 

Norwegian will always have two ships sailing from NYC. In the recent past, the Gem and the Jewel. From this May onward, the Breakaway sails from NYC with the Gem.

 

In the Summer, you can choose from Bermuda 7-day or Bahamas/FL 7-day.

In the Winter, Bahamas/FL and the Caribbean are the choices.

 

Parking at the pier is convenient, but a bit pricey at approx $37 a day, but it is hassle free.

 

I have sailed them all and will continue to do so. :p

Nothing beats no air travel.

[London-Calling]

Check out the new 'Norwegian Breakaway' from NY. The ship will be a destination in itself.

[Clay Clayton]

We had a great experience from NYC to Canada last September on Gem. I am not sure how many of those trips they have coming up since some of them are now on Dawn out of Boston. This was our first time cruising out of NYC but embarkation was fine even though it was delayed due to a special event onboard where the Rockettes were named Breakaway's "Godmothers". The return was a little chaotic due to rain but that would have probably been the case anywhere. We enjoyed our pre cruise weekend in NYC at a hotel we pricelined so while a little more expensive than what we have paid before in Florida - the cheaper airfare made up for it.

[OnTheGoMom921]

My wife and I have been on many cruises. We haven't been able to go on one for about five years now but are planning to start again in mid 2013. We always loved NCL, and had been on the Sun 2x. I note there are many newer and more luxurious ships on their line. We'd like to avoid air travel and live in the NY Metro area. Would you please describe your experiences in leaving from your home port, and what itineraries were interesting on any of the NCL ships out of NYC. Thanks very much.

 

There aren't very many destination choices when leaving from NYC. But for convenience, we just LOVE cruising from NYC. Bahamas and Bermuda are the standard 7 day fare, however you will find some 9 and 12 day itineraries that do some southern or western Carribean, as well as some Autumn sailings to Canada. With the Breakaway coming in to NYC this May, the destination for us will be "the ship" first, Bermuda second. The Fl/Nassau/GSC route would not be our first choice, but some of the 9 or 12 day itineraries seem more interesting. I've read excellent reviews regarding the Canada sailings as well, but our school-aged child keeps us from those cruises, as all 3 take place during the school year calendar.

 

Prices on the Breakaway are at premium right now, but you might find some great deals on the Gem. We loved sailing on the Gem last summer. Treat yourself to a suite or haven suite, and enjoy your vacation from the moment you get to the pier. Suite perks start there, with effortless check-in and private lounge with refreshments until your concierge personally escorts you on to the ship.

 

Since we discovered cruising from NYC, I don't think I've been on a plane in 2 years now! And it is so nice to "be on vacation" from the minute we close our front door. I don't miss the airport hassles at all :D

[swilliams1660]

My wife and I have been on many cruises. We haven't been able to go on one for about five years now but are planning to start again in mid 2013. We always loved NCL, and had been on the Sun 2x. I note there are many newer and more luxurious ships on their line. We'd like to avoid air travel and live in the NY Metro area. Would you please describe your experiences in leaving from your home port, and what itineraries were interesting on any of the NCL ships out of NYC. Thanks very much.

 

We also love cruising out of NYC. We take the train from Long Island and $10 cab ride to the pier from Penn Station. It beats flying everytime. We're usually home by 11:00 AM on disembarkation day.

[trish1c]

We're usually home before noon which is awesome & no flight hassles.

We tend to sail the longer routes to the Carribbean in the winter. Those have 4 sea days -- the 1st 2 days & the last sea days. I hate sea days so this is a problem for me (but I still put up with it to avoid flying).

It's kind of funny to be on a ship & see people in sweaters / warm clothes. You can't really use the pools or outside facilities on the 1st & last days.

On two of our trips the seas have been VERY rough (25 - 30 ft) going up or down. If you get sea sick, you are not going to like this.

[dstewart1075]

We're from NJ and my family and I love to cruise out of NYC. We've done it probably 5 times. I feel like if I'm going to have to fly, I'll just do a land based vacation.

 

Most recently we did the NCL Jewel in 2011 to FL/Bahamas. Now we're booked for the Breakway to Bermuda in June.

 

As a previous poster said, we've never had an issue with sailing out of NY. We usually get a car service to take us and pick us up which turns out to be pretty much the same price as parking for a week. The terminal was easy to navigate and you can't beat the convenience of being so close.:)

[Carnac767]

Sailing from NYC has been a piece of cake for us. We've done it three times and will do it again next January. Our cruise to Canada was terrific and the Caribbean itineraries have been great, too. We still haven't made it to Prince Edward Island and that's on the to-do list, as DW and daughters are crazy about the whole Anne of Green Gables thing. We take Amtrak to Penn Station and then it's a short, cheap cab ride to the terminal.

[xenagurl]

My husband and I have take the Gem, Jewel and Star out of New York. I've not written about all of our experiences, but I do talk about the Jewel and Star cruises at the following links. Hopefully some of the information will be of use to you in deciding which cruise to take. :)

 

Norwegian Jewel - NY - FL - Bahamas Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

 

Norwegian Star - NY - Bermuda Part 1 Part 2

[nicki1pt]

My husband and I have take the Gem, Jewel and Star out of New York. I've not written about all of our experiences, but I do talk about the Jewel and Star cruises at the following links. Hopefully some of the information will be of use to you in deciding which cruise to take. :)

 

Norwegian Jewel - NY - FL - Bahamas Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

 

Norwegian Star - NY - Bermuda Part 1 Part 2

 

WOW...I absolutely love just the structure of your reviews. So much effort went into it. You look like you had a ball! I can't wait to read thru as I am leaving this sunday on the Jewel!! Thanks Again Xenagurl!

[emcelh]

We've sailed from NY on our last 4 cruises and will do it again in October. We spend summers in Pennsylvania so it's a quick bus ride to NY for us then a cab to the pier. There's something very special about sailing out of NY harbor. Only sailing from San Francisco and under the Golden Gate bridge comes close.

[xenagurl]

WOW...I absolutely love just the structure of your reviews. So much effort went into it. You look like you had a ball! I can't wait to read thru as I am leaving this sunday on the Jewel!! Thanks Again Xenagurl!

Thank you! :D I do enjoy writing about my trips as it's something to look back on and smile about. Bon Voyage!

[Sorin174]

I don't like to fly and we live in Northern NY so I only cruise out of NYC so I can't compare it to anything but I have always found it hassle free to sail out of NY. We have sailed to Bermuda like others have said and the Bahamas. Personally I I love the sea days so NY cruises work good because they have to travel further to get to the warm destinations. Also, not to steer you away from NCL, but Royal Carribbean I believe sails out from Bayonne, NJ right across the river as well in case that might be more convenient. I have never sailed from there though, but just a thought!

[jaydog240011]

3 best place 2 cruise out of

1 nyc nyc

2 norfolk navy ships

3 sf golden gate bridge

[dcipjr]

My wife and I cruised out of NYC last year on the Star. We hopped on an Amtrak train in downtown Philly, and an hour and a half later we were hailing a cab outside Penn Station to take us to the pier.

 

After a quick check-in and boarding, we were on deck, Bermuda-bound, marveling at how quick and easy it all was.

 

We liked it so much that we plan to do the same thing this year—this time aboard the Breakaway. :D

[janetz]

There is nothing like cruising by Lady Liberty...:)

[davy jones]

We have sailed many times from NYC on different lines. We have also sailed out of Brooklyn and Bayonne. All are convenient, no sail away compares to sailing down the Hudson from Manhattan.

[lisakoivu]

We sailed out of NYC for the first time last week, just returned from the Jewel (and I miss it)

 

Like - no flying, parking is easy to get to and I think it's cheap (it's about $225, you'd pay $125 at the airport, so not much more)

 

As a Canadian my options are to pay about $700 pp to fly from Toronto or drive to Detroit which is 2.5 hours away. This is much cheaper and much easier - no waiting for a flight once I get off the ship, just jump in my car and go. Our drive is about 9 hours, but well worth it.

 

Caution - the seas ARE a bit rougher on the first day and last day, but nothing gravol or other motion sickness remedy over the counter won't cure

 

They really need some new itineraries! I'm in it for the ship and not the ports, but if you sail based on ports, you might not like the two sea days down and two back up.

 

Dislike - there's really nothing I dislike about this deal... I found it so much more enjoyable than flying to a port and much more relaxing.

[jdarch]

My wife and I have been on many cruises. We haven't been able to go on one for about five years now but are planning to start again in mid 2013. We always loved NCL, and had been on the Sun 2x. I note there are many newer and more luxurious ships on their line. We'd like to avoid air travel and live in the NY Metro area. Would you please describe your experiences in leaving from your home port, and what itineraries were interesting on any of the NCL ships out of NYC. Thanks very much.

 

As you can see we have cruised out of New York and Bayonne...We LOVE it..we go up to New Jersey the day before and go out for a nice dinner..do a little shopping and get up and go to the port..it's so easy..we drive and leave our car at the port..well worth the money. Very safe..never had a problem..there's always someone there to help. My DH parks the car and I get out with the luggage. He joins me and we get in line and get on the ship. It doesn't even usually take an hour and we get there around 11. SO EASY...even more so for you:D Have a great time..

[soaddictive]

WOW...I absolutely love just the structure of your reviews. So much effort went into it. You look like you had a ball! I can't wait to read thru as I am leaving this sunday on the Jewel!! Thanks Again Xenagurl!

 

How was the weather when you went in Dec and Jan? When did it start to warm up and when did it get cold again?

[trish1c]

How was the weather when you went in Dec and Jan? When did it start to warm up and when did it get cold again?

 

The 1st & last days are cold; we do indoor activites but I have seen brave souls in the hot tubs. You can usually sit outside on the 2nd day & the 2nd to last day. Although one year it was almost 60 degrees when we boarded in NYC in January.

[cherylroslyn]

My wife and I have been on many cruises. We haven't been able to go on one for about five years now but are planning to start again in mid 2013. We always loved NCL, and had been on the Sun 2x. I note there are many newer and more luxurious ships on their line. We'd like to avoid air travel and live in the NY Metro area. Would you please describe your experiences in leaving from your home port, and what itineraries were interesting on any of the NCL ships out of NYC. Thanks very much.

I would also point out that Boston is an option if you linve in NYC. I have left out of Boston twince and NYC three times and NJ twice.

 

It is awesome to be home by noon, but Boston has some real advantages as well.

 

For instance, the Bermuda sailings on Breakaway are super expensive because the ship is brand new, wereas the Dawn is sailing from Boston to Bermuda and her prices are ver reaonable.

 

Both times I driove to Boston the morning of my cruise and I was in Boston before nine. this year my cruise leaves Boston on the Friday before Labor Day. I am staying overnight in Boston because I am not risking what could happen on I-95 on the first day of a four day Holiday weekend.........it could be brutal:)