Debarking Breakaway in NY at end

[sandinmyshoes]

Hello! We need to arrange transportation for our group of 16 back to the airport after our Breakaway cruise.

 

I'm estimating a pick up time of 9:30am. Is this reasonable? Too early? Too late? Any advice is appreciated.

 

We have never sailed from Manhattan and have no idea what an appropriate pickup time would actually be.

 

Thank you for any helpful advice you can provide. ;)

[shof515]

10am might be better since it can take a while to get luggage and pass thru customs

[chasinraynbowz]

One piece of advice - Make sure they know to pick you up on the lower level. When we disembarked our October cruise, we waited downstairs while our car waited upstairs.

 

If I remember correctly, I asked that the car be there at 930am so that we had time to find him and get to Newark for our noon flights. We had priority tags, so we were off the ship early.

Edited March 3, 2015 by chasinraynbowz

[jackparts]

In my mind, 9:30 or even 10:00 is taking a chance. Most times, the ships arrive in time and then the fun starts. Most cruisers are in a hurry to get off to make the flights. Traffic jams, cruisers, etc. can spoil the ride to the airport and if you miss the flight, getting another flight is really a pain. All the cruise lines tell you to try and get a flight after noontime.

[mking8288]

Is everyone in the group doing Express Self Disembarkation and/or have Priority Disembark ?? Which airport - 3 in metro NYC with LGA being the closest/easiest and everyone flying on the same airline/getting dropped off at the same terminal ? Checking luggage with the carrier ?

Use this schedule to check to see how busy the port is on date of disembarkation ? http://www.nycruise.com/schedule/

Another variable is CBP (custom/immigration staffing level on that morning - beyond cruiseline's control) as that's been known to delay the process.

Most of time, BA arrived early for on-time turnaround & pax at the front of the lines begin coming off the ship as early as 7:45 or 8 AM - but, the only one that matter is OP's. When we returned last year, we're off BA's gangway by 8:45 am and taxi home to Queens, passing LGA airport & home by 9:30 am - our priority luggage tagged waiting inside the terminal.

Weather is another element - and, last May, BA was delayed docking at the pier due to a whale that somehow ... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php? t=2037705&highlight=breakaway+whale

** More data as I've been tracking her recent "on-time performance" for our upcoming sailing - she was late 2 consecutive times & the first groups couldn't start heading out & past the gangway until 10 am before running into long lines (and short CBP staffing inside) - the bypass would then be use the porters as they have their "exclusive & faster lanes" to escort you & the luggage out, appropriate tipping is of course a must.

Lastly, except for authorized buses contracted by NCL and/or approved by port security, etc. - most transportation are NOT allowed to come in to WAIT, everyone is generally directed to exit the terminal downstairs & walk across the street (12th Avenue) and wait there to arrange for getting picked up.

In short, 10:30 AM would be much better and 11 AM is even better for flights at LGA or EWR leaving after 1:30 or 2 PM, JFK after 2 or 2:30 PM - I understand about airline schedules & flight available and their pricing for varied departure time, but, this is what it is - look outside the window, it's March 3rd & snowing once again in NYC.

:cool: - Happy Cruising !!

[sandinmyshoes]

Fortunately the earliest flight in our group is 1:30pm, so getting to the airport on time isn't really a factor. Just trying to get the best guess for time to arrange pickup from van company so we aren't waiting around forever or paying to have them wait around forever on us.

Thanks everyone for the great insight.

 

Half of our group is going straight to LGA & other 8 are going to hotel in Queens to drop bags & see the city for a few days. Should be a fun adventure.

[meatball_nyc]

They kick you to the curb on disembarkation.

Wait till 9:30 and walk off with your stuff. Cross the street to 12th ave and pick up / taxis are there for you.

[spidybabe]

Grab a porter....they have an express line thru customs. You get checked 1 2 3 at customs,

They will take you wherever u ask them to...outside to wait for your pickup...across the street to cabs.....or cabs outside the pier......just remember to tip them

[jaydog240011]

Go with 930 10 to late .