NY Port to LGA - Can we make this?

[PassionFruit]

We are arriving back in NY on the NCL Spirit on Sat, 5/17. We currently have flights that don't leave until 5/18, but I'd really like to get on home. The only flight we can take out of LGA that will get us back to Houston in time to make the connection to our regional airport departs at 1:10 pm. If our ship is not scheduled to dock until 10:00 am, can we make a 1:10 flight? I've already scheduled a limo service that will take us to the hotel or airport depending on which we do. We will be flying Continental, so we could check our luggage through with NCL so we wouldn't have to check it ourselves, and we could print our boarding passes the night before from the ship. However, we will be traveling with my grandparents and our 1-year-old son, so no running to the terminal. Any advice is appreciated since I really, really want to get on home, but don't want to risk missing the flight.

 

BTW -- I'm also posting this on the East Coast departures board as some of them might be familiar with how quickly you can get from the port to the airport and through security.

[unboringuy]

You should be able to make it without a problem.

[Bigdog49]

You should be able to make it without a problem.

 

I would wait until the Spirit makes this trip a few times and see what time she really docks before saying that. When the Dawn was schedualed to dock a 10 it often got in before 9. First off the ship 10-10:30, Keep in mind the Spirit is down one engine and could in fact not dock until 10 or a little after. First off the ship (those willing to carry their own bags off) would be after 11 am making this flight bit iffy but perhaps still posible. Best case they would have less then an hour at the airport to checkin clear securiy and get to the gate.

[Princess Cruiser27]

All depends how fast customs clears the ship, traffic getting to LGA, the securty lines at LGA, I say no. Get a later flight. You said yourself you didn't want to be running to the terminal.

[drbabe]

We had a nightmare getting off the GEM today. You would never make it! Don't risk it.

[bobnatt]

We are arriving back in NY on the NCL Spirit on Sat, 5/17. We currently have flights that don't leave until 5/18, but I'd really like to get on home. The only flight we can take out of LGA that will get us back to Houston in time to make the connection to our regional airport departs at 1:10 pm. If our ship is not scheduled to dock until 10:00 am, can we make a 1:10 flight? I've already scheduled a limo service that will take us to the hotel or airport depending on which we do. We will be flying Continental, so we could check our luggage through with NCL so we wouldn't have to check it ourselves, and we could print our boarding passes the night before from the ship. However, we will be traveling with my grandparents and our 1-year-old son, so no running to the terminal. Any advice is appreciated since I really, really want to get on home, but don't want to risk missing the flight.

 

BTW -- I'm also posting this on the East Coast departures board as some of them might be familiar with how quickly you can get from the port to the airport and through security.

 

look at alternatives to LGA airport such as newark or even islip (for Southwest). they may have better connections later in the day.

 

I cannot imagine that you will have enough time to catch a 1:15pm flight from LGA if your ship arrives at 10am with luggage unloading and customs and whatever other delay may occur.

[bobnatt]

I would check with the airline and see what happens if you miss the 1:10 flight. While it is possible to make the flight it is really a crap shoot. If anything goes wrong with late arrival, extended time to get the luggage unloaded or customs lines/issues I cannot see how you can make a 1:10pm flight from LaGuardia. The only way it will work if you pack light and take the luggage off with you instead of leaving it for the crew to unload. You need to be at LGA by around noon in order to get the luggage checked in. It is a half hour to 45 minute ride from the port to LGA assuming no traffic. If the airline puts you on the next flight with no charge you might want to try it but beware the next flight might be already full and it could take a longer time to get home.

 

Have you checked flights out of Newark or even Southwest out of Islip for later in the day? While these are not preferred airports if they have late day connections to your final destination it is worth considring.

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[patthebrat60]

Just off the Gem two weeks ago.. Were supposed to dock at 10, but were actually in by 9... A gal pal, had a flight at 1PM out of LaGuardia, and had the NCL prepaid transportation booked. . They have self disembarkation on the ship, at any time after docking, (you carry your own bags off), but apparently not she was told for those passengers with prepaid transportation.. They were called AFTER the self disembarking passengers, for some reason. She notified the pursers desk, and kept her bags with her, and carried them off herself. Had no problem making the flight and was at the airport by 11:30. Hope this helps, and isn't too confusing.

[davejohn]

Just off the Gem two weeks ago.. Were supposed to dock at 10, but were actually in by 9... A gal pal, had a flight at 1PM out of LaGuardia, and had the NCL prepaid transportation booked. . They have self disembarkation on the ship, at any time after docking, (you carry your own bags off), but apparently not she was told for those passengers with prepaid transportation.. They were called AFTER the self disembarking passengers, for some reason. She notified the pursers desk, and kept her bags with her, and carried them off herself. Had no problem making the flight and was at the airport by 11:30. Hope this helps, and isn't too confusing.

 

Did she use the prepaid transportation, or have to grab a cab?

[PassionFruit]

Looks like the others in my group are not on-board for this plan. Too nervous about something going wrong. Oh well. I guess we'll stick with the original plan to stay another night in NY.

[Got2Cruise]

We had a nightmare getting off the GEM today. You would never make it! Don't risk it.

 

Do you know what happened? Everytime we have had a problem getting off or on a ship there was a problem with U.S. Immigration. Sometimes they don't send enough agents, or decide to do everything "by the book". :eek:

 

To the OP:

Relax in NY another day! :)

But, what about Newark? Isn't Newark the Continental hub?

[bobnatt]

Do you know what happened? Everytime we have had a problem getting off or on a ship there was a problem with U.S. Immigration. Sometimes they don't send enough agents, or decide to do everything "by the book". :eek:

 

To the OP:

Relax in NY another day! :)

But, what about Newark? Isn't Newark the Continental hub?

 

I gotta believe that it is related to the Pope's visit. Virtually every state, city and federal law enforcement official was called out for this. Also security all over town was extra tight.