Best time to arrive to NYC cruise ship terminal?

[bangzoom6877]

ONG do not leave at 9. I left at 10 and even with the marathon traffic last Sunday, I got there at 11 and waited until 1140 to hear Group 1 being called to board. I was group 7 and was called by 1150 and onboard in minutes. At 11 when we arrived at the pier, we spent 20 minutes getting our key card, dropping luggage. There is no 2-3 hour wait after 11 as all aboard is at 1, fire drill is at 230 and the ship leaves at 3.

 

There is absolutely no reason to be at the pier before 11.

 

The only thing that makes me nervous about arriving for my sailing vs. when you arrived for your sailing and didn't have a long wait, is that when I sail it will be peak summer season, so the ship will likely be full and sold out. Since that translates to more people checking in, I'd rather risk leaving too early than too late to get there.

[mjkacmom]

The only thing that makes me nervous about arriving for my sailing vs. when you arrived for your sailing and didn't have a long wait, is that when I sail it will be peak summer season, so the ship will likely be full and sold out. Since that translates to more people checking in, I'd rather risk leaving too early than too late to get there.

 

We got there at 9:45 on a very full cruise, and were in boarding group 23.

[maywell]

We got there at 9:45 on a very full cruise, and were in boarding group 23.

What time did that group board? Because last cruise, I was in group 11 or 17 (one of the teen #groups) and was on the ship like about 5 minutes after 12pm.

 

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[adivineeternity]

Last year we got there at 8:45 or so, lol. At first my boyfriend grumped about waiting two hours and how we could have arrived later, but we saw the line grow more around 10 and he kept his mouth shut cause he hates all lengths of line. We boarded around 11:15 when the lines had really grown and he turned and thanked me for demanding we get there super early. We've both decided sitting in the terminal for two hours, taking pictures, reading, and talking to other early arrivals is well worth being in the first group to board (they basically took everybody in groups 1-7 at once cause it was only about 50 people). We got on immediately following Haven and CAS and whatnot.

[goldesq]

The only thing that makes me nervous about arriving for my sailing vs. when you arrived for your sailing and didn't have a long wait, is that when I sail it will be peak summer season, so the ship will likely be full and sold out. Since that translates to more people checking in, I'd rather risk leaving too early than too late to get there.

 

My ship was sold out. I got there at right before 11 am and was in group 7.

[maywell]

My ship was sold out. I got there at right before 11 am and was in group 7.

Here's the thing - as long as get there before or on the dot at 11am - you get early boarding. Get there at 11:01am and after; and deal with lines into the escalator area AKA the 2-3 hour wait to get x-ray at Port of NY. The difference of 1 minute is very astounding - 11am it kinda empty, 1 minute later looks like sea of people, pribably the only time during the cruise that you see overcrowding of that nature.

 

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[mjkacmom]

What time did that group board? Because last cruise, I was in group 11 or 17 (one of the teen #groups) and was on the ship like about 5 minutes after 12pm.

 

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It was about 12:30 - went right to Savor/Taste, and one of them was already full.

[goldesq]

Here's the thing - as long as get there before or on the dot at 11am - you get early boarding. Get there at 11:01am and after; and deal with lines into the escalator area AKA the 2-3 hour wait to get x-ray at Port of NY. The difference of 1 minute is very astounding - 11am it kinda empty, 1 minute later looks like sea of people, pribably the only time during the cruise that you see overcrowding of that nature.

 

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Seriously? One minute makes all the difference? Come on.

 

Furthermore, if the ship has all aboard at 1 PM, there is no 3 hour wait getting there past 11.

 

I had friends on the cruise arrive at the terminal at 12 noon exactly as they wanted to wait until after the marathon (which they saw from their hotel room) and they met us onboard just before 1245 for lunch at Savor.

[maywell]

Seriously? One minute makes all the difference? Come on.

 

Furthermore, if the ship has all aboard at 1 PM, there is no 3 hour wait getting there past 11.

 

I had friends on the cruise arrive at the terminal at 12 noon exactly as they wanted to wait until after the marathon (which they saw from their hotel room) and they met us onboard just before 1245 for lunch at Savor.

I got call shenanigans or you & your friends are extremely lucky to board that quickly at port of NY because its super slow and disorganized. NYC Marathon, full ship, half a sailing, NCL, Carnival Splendor or not - that port and the lines are ridiculous.

 

And yes, a minute really makes a difference because that when other passengers wanting to board at 12 or 1pm decide to arrive for the 3 or 4pm sailing .

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Edited March 24, 2015 by maywell

[goldesq]

I got call shenanigans or you & your friends are extremely lucky to board that quickly at port of NY because its super slow and disorganized. NYC Marathon, full ship, half a sailing, NCL, Carnival Splendor or not - that port and the lines are ridiculous.

 

And yes, a minute really makes a difference because that when other passengers wanting to board at 12 or 1pm decide to arrive for the 3 or 4pm sailing .

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Call shennanigans all you want. I left from Midwood (south) Brooklyn on 3/15 in a car service and hit some traffic at about 34th street because of the half marathon on that day. Once we passed 42nd Street, I reached the port right before 11 am. I received card number 7.

 

We went through the check in process quickly, maybe 15-20 minutes tops partially due to my father asking the rep to repeat things because he is hard of hearing. There were 3 families in front of us on that check in line but there has to be at least 15 reps checking people in. Maybe it was fast because we were Bronze, I am not sure. We sat in the staging area for a short while and after casino, handicapped people and groups 1-3 then 4-6 were called, my group was called.

 

I immediately dropped my luggage in the room at the front of the ship #9124 and made my way to Savor in the front of the ship. Met my friends at 1245 and had lunch. There was a table next to us empty as were some other tables empty scattered around.

 

Maybe I walk fast. The ship was full. I did not see another ship at the Pier. There was nothing disorganized about the check in process. There were no lines other than 3 families in front of me at the check in area.

 

Disembarking is a whole 'nother story. It took almost 2 hours but it was partly due to marine traffic causing a delay in docking.

Edited March 24, 2015 by goldesq

[maywell]

Call shennanigans all you want. I left from Midwood (south) Brooklyn on 3/15 in a car service and hit some traffic at about 34th street because of the half marathon on that day. Once we passed 42nd Street, I reached the port right before 11 am. I received card number 7.

 

We went through the check in process quickly, maybe 15-20 minutes tops partially due to my father asking the rep to repeat things because he is hard of hearing. There were 3 families in front of us on that check in line but there has to be at least 15 reps checking people in. Maybe it was fast because we were Bronze, I am not sure. We sat in the staging area for a short while and after casino, handicapped people and groups 1-3 then 4-6 were called, my group was called.

 

I immediately dropped my luggage in the room at the front of the ship #9124 and made my way to Savor in the front of the ship. Met my friends at 1245 and had lunch. There was a table next to us empty as were some other tables empty scattered around.

 

Maybe I walk fast. The ship was full. I did not see another ship at the Pier. There was nothing disorganized about the check in process. There were no lines other than 3 families in front of me at the check in area.

 

Disembarking is a whole 'nother story. It took almost 2 hours but it was partly due to marine traffic causing a delay in docking.

Or maybe you got lucky since the port is literally right next to West side highway and taxi / car service dropoff is either right across the street at like 52nd and 12th street (NCL building is), literally upstairs in the building or right next to it. Since it marathon and/ or fair day, parts of streets except at the highways would be closed for hours.

 

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Edited March 24, 2015 by maywell

[goldesq]

Or maybe you got lucky since the port is right next to West side highway and taxi / car service is either right across the street at like and 12th street (NCL building is), literally upstairs in the building or right next to it.

 

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How is that lucky? Everyone gets dropped off, car service or not, at the terminal and can walk in. Thats what I did. Why does where taxi/car service stands matter in this? I wasnt trying to catch a ride home.

 

My car service actually had to go to 10th avenue after being diverted from the West Side Highway at 34th Street and travel down 55 Street to hit the pier as all other streets were shut down. At some points between 34 and 42 Street, traffic was crawling. We still made the trip from south Brooklyn to the pier at 55 street in under an hour and got on board fairly quickly.

[maywell]

How is that lucky? Everyone gets dropped off, car service or not, at the terminal and can walk in. Thats what I did. Why does where taxi/car service stands matter in this? I wasnt trying to catch a ride home.

 

My car service actually had to go to 10th avenue after being diverted from the West Side Highway at 34th Street and travel down 55 Street to hit the pier as all other streets were shut down. At some points between 34 and 42 Street, traffic was crawling. We still made the trip from south Brooklyn to the pier at 55 street in under an hour and got on board fairly quickly.

 

You do know that the traffic on 10th ave is just as bad because thats where part of Lincoln tunnel is especially if a marathon is happening - yes, you got lucky with traffic and everything. That section you describe is where part of it begins / exits and happens to be one block away from the Port Authority bus terminal (which is it own mess...)

 

 

Edit: You know what? Let the OP and others who heading to the NY Port decide whose advice / suggestion they should take - yours or other posters that say get in early.

 

 

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Edited March 24, 2015 by maywell

[DREAMGIRL2012]

Just off the Breakaway last Sunday and getting off and on ship was terrible. Get there by 10:30 or be prepared for long lines. The port can't handle 4000 passengers very well. It was 1 hour and 40 minutes in line to check in luggage. We did Easy Walk Off when we got off the ship. There wasn't anything easy about it. It took 90 minutes. They had 4 customs agents and the lines went outside to the walkway on the ship. Boat was great but they need a better system at the port.

[Kattus]

Last year we got there at 8:45 or so, lol. At first my boyfriend grumped about waiting two hours and how we could have arrived later, but we saw the line grow more around 10 and he kept his mouth shut cause he hates all lengths of line. We boarded around 11:15 when the lines had really grown and he turned and thanked me for demanding we get there super early. We've both decided sitting in the terminal for two hours, taking pictures, reading, and talking to other early arrivals is well worth being in the first group to board (they basically took everybody in groups 1-7 at once cause it was only about 50 people). We got on immediately following Haven and CAS and whatnot.

 

LOL you sound like me. I already told my husband that I want our car service (no rides to pier since work day for most) to pick us up at 9am so we're at the pier by 9:30 and Group 1 or 2. Then we can chat with the other early arrivals including a Nick Offerman look alike we had onboard last year. :D:D:D:D:D

[goldesq]

Just off the Breakaway last Sunday and getting off and on ship was terrible. Get there by 10:30 or be prepared for long lines. The port can't handle 4000 passengers very well. It was 1 hour and 40 minutes in line to check in luggage. We did Easy Walk Off when we got off the ship. There wasn't anything easy about it. It took 90 minutes. They had 4 customs agents and the lines went outside to the walkway on the ship. Boat was great but they need a better system at the port.

You were on the 3/15 sailing? I got there right before 11 and was checked in and seated with my room key in the holding area by 1130. How could your check in be longer?

 

Disembarking was bad. It took about 50 minutes from when my color gray was called (late since it was scheduled for 930 am) until we sat inside a cab to go home at about 11 am. When I hit customs, there was 3 agents for each line (2 lines) so 6 in total.

[Kenlorz]

At what point of the check in proess do you get your boarding group number? I'm used to the Allure process where they sit you in seats in the order you arrive. It is very organized and they board you a row of seats at a time. Sounds like this port is VERY different in their processes... including a lack of seats for the waiting.

[maywell]

At what point of the check in proess do you get your boarding group number? I'm used to the Allure process where they sit you in seats in the order you arrive. It is very organized and they board you a row of seats at a time. Sounds like this port is VERY different in their processes... including a lack of seats for the waiting.

 

After you get your sail card, pretty much 1st come, 1st serve. You have listen to announcements or you'll miss it.....

 

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[goldesq]

At what point of the check in proess do you get your boarding group number? I'm used to the Allure process where they sit you in seats in the order you arrive. It is very organized and they board you a row of seats at a time. Sounds like this port is VERY different in their processes... including a lack of seats for the waiting.

 

I received the number soon after walking in the building before getting my card and checking in.

[mjkacmom]

At what point of the check in proess do you get your boarding group number? I'm used to the Allure process where they sit you in seats in the order you arrive. It is very organized and they board you a row of seats at a time. Sounds like this port is VERY different in their processes... including a lack of seats for the waiting.

 

This is NYC, where space is at a premium, and the building was built way before these mega ships. There isn't enough seating.

[bangzoom6877]

This is NYC, where space is at a premium, and the building was built way before these mega ships. There isn't enough seating.

 

And yet, boarding in NYC many years ago was so much worse than it is now. The ship we went on in 1990 only hold about a quarter of the amount of people that the breakaway holds, and we waited so long even getting there very early. Boarding was a nightmare. Same thing in 1991, also a very small ship in comparison to the ships of today (just a little bigger than the ship we sailed on in 1990). In 1992 when we went out of Miami, we were amazed at how quick the boarding process was.

 

Years later when sailing out of NY again, the process had improved very much, and I was pleasantly surprised by this. The worst in recent years was in 2013 when we were boarding the Splendor, but we got there at around 11:30 so I suspected that was the reason. That's why I started this thread...I want to make sure we wait for as little time as possible, especially since my sister has a 1-year-old!

[DREAMGIRL2012]

You were on the 3/15 sailing? I got there right before 11 and was checked in and seated with my room key in the holding area by 1130. How could your check in be longer?

 

Disembarking was bad. It took about 50 minutes from when my color gray was called (late since it was scheduled for 930 am) until we sat inside a cab to go home at about 11 am. When I hit customs, there was 3 agents for each line (2 lines) so 6 in total.

 

Yes , we were on that sailing. The line to check the bags was on the street. Did you check your bags outside near the elevator?

[meatball_nyc]

Last year (July 4th weekend) my husband dropped us off at 10:20am. Had boarding group 10. Walked on to the ship by 11:30. No problems at all.

[bangzoom6877]

Is it really that long a line to check the bags in the street? We always checked our bags for last cruises, but it never took more than a few minutes. I hope they're all checked by the time DH meets us in the terminal from parking the car.

[meatball_nyc]

No long line for us. Stepped out of the car, got 2 suitcases out of the trunk. Porter right there to take them and we walked into the terminal. It took maybe 3 minutes? I remember because I dropped our edocs on the floor by the curb and my son found them for me. Looking for them took longer than getting into the terminal.