Breakaway late boarding & check in

[WestfieldTraveler]

Now that they ask you to select a boarding time on the Breakaway in NYC, I'm wondering what is the latest slot they offer?. Due to work reasons, we may not be able to leave as early as we would like, so we're trying to figure out how how much time to give ourselves to get to the port and check in. We've lived in NJ for over 20 years (and Manhattan before that) so we we are more than aware as to what could slow one down in getting to or within Manhattan.

 

We're thinking of parking on the pier so any recommendations (aside from getting a handicapped sticker!) would be welcome - just looking at the logistics of dropping our luggage off, parking the car, and racing to the check-in line, and what time they appear to close check-in. I'm assuming that at the end of the check-in period, being Haven would not help much. We could drop off the luggage earlier (assuming they would take it into the ship without us escorting it) if that would streamline things.

 

thanks in advance.

Edited October 20, 2015 by WestfieldTraveler
luggage option

[BirdTravels]

NCL's official all aboard time is 2 hours prior to sailing. We have never tested that, so we could not advise on what the real cutoffs are for bags (which need to be security screened and boarded) and checkin (to get the final manifest to the ship). We have seen people boarding late at some ports, not sure how strict they are at NY. Call and ask. If they tell you 2 hours, you need to decide how much risk you want to put your cruise at.

[mjkacmom]

You can't drop your luggage and then park. If you drop your luggage, you will have to make a loop on street level, and later in the day, traffic will be heavy, so this can add an hour. Make sure you approach the pier with it on your right so that you don't have to spend time in that left lane making a u-turn.

[hawkeyetlse]

We could drop off the luggage earlier (assuming they would take it into the ship without us escorting it) if that would streamline things.

As far as I know there is no notion of escorting your luggage. They will pretty much take anything from anyone with a luggage tag on it (or if you can produce a name and cabin number) and it will end up on the ship whether it belongs to a passenger who is actually on board or not. Yes, everything is x-rayed, but that is not foolproof, and by the time they realize they have embarked an unaccompanied piece of luggage, the ship will be miles off shore.

 

This seems like a problem to me, but it is no problem for you if you want to drop your luggage off earlier in the day and then leave the port, or even have someone else drop your bags off for you and then you show up at the end of the day to check-in. (Not sure if this is what you meant.)

[WestfieldTraveler]

...even have someone else drop your bags off for you and then you show up at the end of the day to check-in. (Not sure if this is what you meant.)

 

Yes, that is functionally what I am thinking of, where we make sure our bags get on by dropping them off early, then be able to drive in, park, and (run if need be) to get on board by the deadline. Worst case scenario, we save on checking luggage when we fly to Port Canaveral...

 

NCL's official all aboard time is 2 hours prior to sailing...

 

On the website, it says if you have not checked in online, it is two hours, else one hour if you have checked in online. Getting there by 2pm or even 1:30 should be doable for us as long as both the Lincoln and Holland do not have a bad backup on a Sunday afternoon - or some type of protest, race or hurricane would impede our travels. Parking in an 11th Avenue lot is possible if 12th avenue is blocked.

 

The other alternative is parking at Port Imperial in Weehawken if we can't get across the river in a car, and take the ferry, walking up from 39th where the ferry lands to 48th where the pier is - I wonder if many take that route?

 

But in short, I'm really looking to minimize any time needed once we get out of the car on the way to get inside the Breakaway.

[worktocruise610]

You're making me nervous just reading this, I could not do anything the day of vacation except leave & be there :( sorry I have nothing else to offer except my sincere fingers, toes & anything else crossed that you make it to the ship on time, with your luggage, and do not have to fly to Florida. Have a safe & wonderful cruise! :D

[hansolosmom]

You can't drop your luggage and then park. If you drop your luggage, you will have to make a loop on street level, and later in the day, traffic will be heavy, so this can add an hour. Make sure you approach the pier with it on your right so that you don't have to spend time in that left lane making a u-turn.

 

Have to ask, when we've driven to Baltimore and Cape Liberty, we pulled in and they sent us to the baggage line where we dropped off the luggage, then you go to park. It's all inside the same lot. Is that not how it works at Manhattan? You just park and then bring all your luggage with you?

[mjkacmom]

Have to ask, when we've driven to Baltimore and Cape Liberty, we pulled in and they sent us to the baggage line where we dropped off the luggage, then you go to park. It's all inside the same lot. Is that not how it works at Manhattan? You just park and then bring all your luggage with you?

 

You have two levels - the first level is great if you are being dropped off (taxi, car service), just hand your bags to a porter and go in. If you have your own vehicle, you take a ramp to the top level, park, and bring your luggage down a level (elevator, escalator), and hand the bags to a porter, and go in. It's one or the other.

[hansolosmom]

You have two levels - the first level is great if you are being dropped off (taxi, car service), just hand your bags to a porter and go in. If you have your own vehicle, you take a ramp to the top level, park, and bring your luggage down a level (elevator, escalator), and hand the bags to a porter, and go in. It's one or the other.

 

Thanks for the info

[Mama Lo]

The other alternative is parking at Port Imperial in Weehawken if we can't get across the river in a car, and take the ferry, walking up from 39th where the ferry lands to 48th where the pier is - I wonder if many take that route?

 

I will be taking the BA and have been looking at parking or other ways to get to the pier. (I see that we are practically neighbors, I'm in Scotch Plains :))

 

I have seen many suggest the ferry option and having just been at the pier this past weekend for the Avon 39 I saw how close it is.

 

If you have someone else take your luggage you could drive directly to the ferry. You could walk with your luggage but that would probably be a pain, its 10 or 11 blocks.

 

Whatever you do I hope you make the ship! Enjoy your trip.