Flight out of New York

[icem86]

Is 12:20 flight out of New York ok or too early? We plan to self dismk.

 

Also are there plenty of taxi's? I noticed there are two ships coming in that that, Breakaway and Gem. Is it better / faster to grab taxi or arrange car service?

[Keith1010]

12:20 PM would be OK.

 

I would arrange a car service.

 

Be sure you have their phone number for dispatch so you can keep in contact with them. You will have to walk across the street where cars wait.

 

Keith

[CruiserBruce]

What airport? I assume you are referring to the Manhattan piers?

[icem86]

We are flying out of LGA

[George C]

No problem LGA is the closest to port

[Clay Clayton]

How about JFK after disembarking Gem on a Saturday morning in April?

 

I am looking at a Delta flight that departs at 12:39

 

OR

 

a United flight from EWR that departs at 1:00 pm

 

Not sure how much time to leave for security at either or for that matter for the drive there. I am an experienced LGA traveler but have only used the other airports once or twice in my life.

 

TIA for any thoughts.

[njhorseman]

How about JFK after disembarking Gem on a Saturday morning in April?

 

I am looking at a Delta flight that departs at 12:39

 

OR

 

a United flight from EWR that departs at 1:00 pm

 

Not sure how much time to leave for security at either or for that matter for the drive there. I am an experienced LGA traveler but have only used the other airports once or twice in my life.

 

TIA for any thoughts.

 

It depends on your itinerary. The Gem's longer Caribbean cruises generally are scheduled for a 10 am disembarkation, so your 12:39 and 1 pm flights are probably too early. Many times the Gem starts disembarkation much earlier than 10 on these itineraries, but for flight selection purposes I wouldn't assume any time earlier than the scheduled 10 am. The Gem's 7 night Bahamas cruises usually have an 8 am scheduled disembarkation, so you should be able to makes those flight times. I would choose the 1 pm from EWR, because not only is it a bit later, but also because EWR is closer to the port than JFK so it should take less time to get there from the port.

[Clay Clayton]

Thanks for pointing out the later disembarkation time for our cruise....I had either failed to notice or completely forgotten about it. So now looking at later flights.

 

I guess the real question is, how much time do experienced folks suggest to get from the pier to each airport and through security?

[njhorseman]

Thanks for pointing out the later disembarkation time for our cruise....I had either failed to notice or completely forgotten about it. So now looking at later flights.

 

I guess the real question is, how much time do experienced folks suggest to get from the pier to each airport and through security?

 

TSA security lines at the NY airports can be very long. I try to arrive at the airport about 2 hours prior to my flight time, but admittedly I'm very conservative in that regard. When you add on the time needed to get through customs/immigration at the port, getting to your transportation...you haven't indicated how you're getting to the airport...and travel time to the airport, I wouldn't book a flight departure earlier than 2 or 2:30pm.

[mking8288]

For the GEM returning from the Caribbean sailing, the ship often/sometimes or will likely arrive earlier than the scheduled 10 AM time ... typically, docking early and cleared for pax disembarkation, assuming the harbor channel is open & clear, CBP is staffed, etc. (circumstances beyond NCL control nor can be anticipated ahead of time).

 

On a weekday morning with all the inbound morning commuter traffic into midtown Manhattan, the trip to JFK will likely take 90+ minutes and EWR around 75+ minutes, could be less if things are smooth - Lincoln Tunnel out to EWR is the closest to the pier, but the center tube to speed traffic flow is reserved for bus traffic until 10 AM (if I am not mistaken) and outbound from NYC, it can be backed up badly with a minor fender bender inside the tube. Car service with a flat rate is the way to go for EWR, but fares/tolls/tips will be much higher than going to JFK, which is a flat rate for a yellow tax + toll/fees & tips or using car service w. competitive (and, lower) rates vs. EWR. EWR is closer but typically cost more in fares and JFK is farther but lower in costs with possibly longer trip time. Both have long runaways for long-haul & jumbo jets for ILS/all weather takeoff & landings - much preferred over LGA's 2 shorter 7,000 ft. runway ... 737 skidding in the rain/wet don't always get lucky.

 

For example, say the ship docked at 7:30 AM and is clear by 8:15 AM and you have priority/suite/Platinum/VIP escorted self-walkoff, etc. and can be inside the building within 30 minutes and head out across 12th Avenue to meet/pickup ground transportation by 8:45 or 9 AM - you could - could - still end up taking 30 to 60 minutes sitting in morning rush hour traffic trying to get out of Manhattan ... whether it's Lincolon Tunnel to EWR or Queens Midtown Tunnel toward JFK (only 1 lane open for all, outbound AM commuter traffic until 10 AM) - resulting in a squeeze & potential for traffic bottleneck. That could be an "easy" 15 minutes, or 30 minutes, or 45 minutes to 1 hour + (been caught in those doing weekday trips - 100% unpredictable).

 

Airport security, TSA and airline check-in delays aren't being factored into all these - feets on the curbside with luggage & BP ready to go inside 2 hours prior to scheduled flight departure would be our preference as well. Thus, any flights before 1:30 or 2 PM would be risky, IMHO.

 

We rather than spending hours sitting at the airport but in the post 9/11 world, unfortunately - this is one of the devil we live with ... go airside, get comfortable, get something nice to eat (overpriced being a given, LOL) or head for the airline lounge / use or buy a day pass, etc. if available.