NYC Embarkation for the Breakaway

[MCARAB1]

Any reports on recent experiences with the NYC pier/port will be greatly appreciated. We selected the 9:30-10:00 time slot but will be transferring from the NCL pre-cruise Marriott via NCL transfer so wondering what will happen if we are delivered to the pier later than our time slot as NCL is arranging transportation. Looking forward to the cruise sailing 10/23!

[mjkacmom]

It’s not an issue, you’ll just get a higher boarding number.

[Treasure Hunter]

We just did the NE/Canada cruise a week ago. We had the 9-9:30 slot and even though we were Haven and had all paperwork ArriveCAN  and Negative test they were not ready for us. We were yelled at for blocking the doorway. We stood in line for 40 minutes jammed together. Once they opened up, it moved quickly. We were on the ship, done with muster and in the Haven restaurant at 11:30. You will be lucky to come a little bit later.

[UKstages]

reports differ depending on the cruise, the date and the passenger load; the ship has very little to do with it. but several weeks ago, my experience was that the manhattan cruise ship terminal is still a bit of a cluster, mostly because the contractors who direct the traffic and keep the people moving are on some kind of power trip and they don't understand NCL policies or boarding or check-in procedures.

 

several weeks ago, there were a bunch of haven passengers on the joy who were repeatedly told to wait in the wrong line and not use haven check-in, with one particularly surly contractor insisting "you're not any better than anybody else... everybody waits in the same line under my watch" or some such. the haven concierge had to be dispatched to rescue them.

 

so my advice would be if you have any sort of pre-boarding or check-in privileges (suite, haven, CAS), stand your ground and be aware when you're being given incorrect information or told to go to the wrong line.

[Treasure Hunter]

You are so right. It was exhausting. 

[Treasure Hunter]

But once on the ship it was worth it! The food, service, entertainment and casino ( I hit a jackpot!) are all wonderful. You will have a great time. Don’t eat at the American Diner. It’s outside, freezing and the food is feh. O’Sheehans is great for a change from the dining room. 

[cruiseny4life]

16 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

But once on the ship it was worth it! The food, service, entertainment and casino ( I hit a jackpot!) are all wonderful. You will have a great time. Don’t eat at the American Diner. It’s outside, freezing and the food is feh. O’Sheehans is great for a change from the dining room. 

Or do! The mozzarella sticks are yummy. I agree - the rest of the food is meh. The upcharge milkshakes are out of this world though! You'll have plenty of O'Sheehans and Haven Restaurant throughout the cruise. Go have a few mozz sticks and a milkshake. 

[Treasure Hunter]

If you are in the Haven you get American Diner embarkation lunch free ( you don’t have to use your platinum coupon or free specialty meals.)  Because the Haven restaurant is crowded for lunch. But you will still be charged for the ice cream soda. Take everything to go. If you must try it. 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

If you are in the Haven you get American Diner embarkation lunch free ( you don’t have to use your platinum coupon or free specialty meals.)  Because the Haven restaurant is crowded for lunch. But you will still be charged for the ice cream soda. Take everything to go. If you must try it. 

The Am Diner is available to Haven guests on select ships. We went there shortly before sailaway, ordered a couple of lobster rolls and two shakes to go. Then enjoyed them during our sailaway.

 

They were actually very insistent about having our butler to carry the food for us. Told them that the ice cream would be melted by then... and they let us go. 

[pbenjamin]

On 10/5/2022 at 9:38 PM, BirdTravels said:

The Am Diner is available to Haven guests on select ships. We went there shortly before sailaway, ordered a couple of lobster rolls and two shakes to go. Then enjoyed them during our sailaway.

 

They were actually very insistent about having our butler to carry the food for us. Told them that the ice cream would be melted by then... and they let us go. 

There is no lobster roll on the American Diner menu,  only something called Lobster and Shrimp Sliders. 

Edited October 7, 2022 by pbenjamin

[pbenjamin]

For our 10/2 Breakaway cruise we had a 12-12:30 check in. Dropped our rental car off at Avis on W. 43rd St a little after 11:30, got a Lyft and was at the terminal about 12.   Dumped our luggage with a porter, and we’re ushered to a Haven waiting room. Total wait was about 15 minutes during which we showed our documents and got our room keys. Then we were led to an elevator, stopping somewhere to have cards scanned as being near the muster station. On up to the Haven lounge where 5 minutes later we were told that our staterooms were ready. After dropping of our backpacks we headed to the American Diner, only to find out that it is all open air and cold/rainy/windy weather made it unusable. 
 

All in all the embarkation process went smoothly. I think that the removal of the ArriveCAN and testing made it a lot less chaotic. Still there were huge crowds in the terminal and it looked pretty zoo-y. 

Edited October 7, 2022 by pbenjamin

[smccarthy123]

pbenjamin , How full would you say the Breakaway is on this 10/2 sailing ?

[pbenjamin]

I’ve heard 3555 which puts it at about 90%.