Late flight from JFK airport after docking at Cape Liberty

[melm0]

Hey everyone quick question hopefully someone will be able to give me a suggestion.

 

Our flight home is Friday 8th April, we dock at 6am, but fly at 8:30pm from JFK to Heathrow airport. I know we will have to be at the airport early but can anyone suggest the best way to make use of our time before the flight? We have no transfer booked yet and will have a checked luggage bag each so don't fancy each dragging a huge case around. I'm sure someone must have a suggestion or two.

 

TIA

[138east]

Hey everyone quick question hopefully someone will be able to give me a suggestion.

 

Our flight home is Friday 8th April, we dock at 6am, but fly at 8:30pm from JFK to Heathrow airport. I know we will have to be at the airport early but can anyone suggest the best way to make use of our time before the flight? We have no transfer booked yet and will have a checked luggage bag each so don't fancy each dragging a huge case around. I'm sure someone must have a suggestion or two.

 

TIA

 

You can go into Manhattan and pay to store your luggage at Schwartz Travel. http://www.schwartztravel.com/nyclocations.html This would give you a few hours to explore midtown Manhattan.

 

I'm not sure about what time you would have to head to the airport on a Friday afternoon for a 8:30 flight. Traffic is a big consideration at that time. Your options are airport bus (about 5 blocks from Schwartz on W 37th St), train from Penn Station to Jamaica and Airtrain to JFK, subway and Airtrain, taxi (fixed fare to JFK), or car service (flat rate).

[melm0]

Thank you for the suggestion I was hoping to find somewhere to dump the bags.

How bad is traffic on Friday nights ??

[138east]

Thank you for the suggestion I was hoping to find somewhere to dump the bags.

How bad is traffic on Friday nights ??

 

It can be bad. JFK is the furthest airport from Manhattan - at least 18 miles depending on how you go. I'm sure they want you there at least 2 hours ahead. Last time I went through security it took me 45 minutes because the line was filled with folks with non-US passports. I'll leave it up to the New Yorkers to provide more advice. If it were me, I'd be on the train or subway instead if the roads.

[mjkacmom]

Thank you for the suggestion I was hoping to find somewhere to dump the bags.

How bad is traffic on Friday nights ??

It's pretty bad. Right now, on a Monday, clear conditions, google map says one hour from Schwartz. Friday's are the worst.

[mking8288]

From midtown west/Schwartz to JFK on any weekday night in 60 minutes would be a miracle, unless it's via the LIRR & JFK AirTrain, pulling one's luggage - assuming that the train connections are smooth. By car service/taxi - I would allow 90 minutes minimum, especially on a Friday, weather & road conditions permitting (no known accidents or major incidents)

 

OP being from UK, assumed they do not have TSA Pre-Check for "faster" security screening - which airline/terminal at JFK ?? - flying coach or business/first class and/or with elite flyer status, to bypass the longer lines for bag drops & getting to the gate. Otherwise, I would set aside 2.5 to 3 hours, as check-in are sometimes cutoff at T minus 60 minutes. Evenings are prime time at JFK for European flights arrival & departure, so expect lots of lines & plan for delays. In short, leave Manhattan no later than 4:30 PM to get to JFK curbside by 6 PM (which is peak rush hour) & proceed to check-in & bag drops (do your mobile OLCI first & secure your seating assignments up to 24 hours before scheduled takeoff time, if it is an option) - don't forget to set aside time for a quick dinner at JFK (at typical $$ airport pricing ... as your dinner onboard with inflight services will be around 9:15 or 9:30 PM at the earlierst, 30 to 60 minutes after wheels up ... once air traffic control cleared your flight for takeoff upon lining up at the taxiways.

 

Queens Midtown Tunnel (toll is $8 or $5.54 on EZ-Pass) is the most direct & preferred routing to JFK, then either Woodheaven Blvd as a "bypass" alternative to Van Wyck Expwy (I-678) that's bumper-to-bumper from the LI Expwy southbound all the way, at least past Hillside/Jamaica Avenue - I would "typical" driving time is 90 minutes on average, as long as the roads are dry.

 

Another alternative to the LIRR train is to take the E Train, which isn't fun at 4:30 PM with the early commuters heading home out to Jamaica Station to connect to the JFK AirTrain - travel time is about 60 minutes on average and faster than taxi or car service, etc. above ground; not that much slower vs. the LIRR train to AirTrain.

 

From Cape Liberty to midtown West, depending on mode of transport chosen, could take a little while ... I am guessing that OP should be off the ship by 9:30 or 10 am and get into NYC by 11:00 to 11:30 am - with about 4 or 5 hours to sightsee around a bit, plus time for a quick lunch.

 

Schwartz luggage storage has a downtown / WTC memorial storage location, and could be a good alternate depending on OP's sightseeing plans. http://schwartztravel.com/locations.html

 

Happy planning & cruising. :D

[138east]

The Schwartz downtown location is showing as "closed " on their website. Too bad. The downtown area needs luggage storage for the 911 Memorial visitors.

[melm0]

Well that's pants 😰

[melm0]

I've booked a car straight to JFK in the morning so we can dump our bags and have the option to go back into the city and not have to worry about them again. Thanks for your help!

[luvtheships]

Where do you plan to dump your bags? Usually you can't check in for an 8:30 pm flight that early. I have no clue if JFK has some sort of storage thing but if they do ok I guess maybe but....

 

So if I have this straight you are going to JFK early and are dropping off your stuff at someplace that you know will hold them at JFK and then taking a $52 taxi back to NYC? Or taking the ridiculously long AirTran back? And then going back to JFK around 3:30 somehow on a Friday?

 

Better suggestion....just hire a private driver to pick you at the port at the latest time allowable....leisurely debark after a sit down mdr breakfast...tour lower NYC...or midtown....just a 2/3 stop tour to see some interesting sites....in and out of car sort of stuff or maybe not even that just a ride around drive perhaps

 

And then off to JFK

 

Arrive JFK with plenty of time to spare

 

5 hours approx of car service...costly yes....convenient yes....

 

But your plan of back n forth from JFK on a Friday is giving me the shakes. Lol

[melm0]

I was going to use the previously mentioned Schwartz luggage place at JFK.

 

Do you think it's worth booking to ship tour £72 each 4 hours "Embark on a dynamic tour of Manhattan’s notable landmarks, popular neighborhoods, natural landscapes and significant memorials before being escorted to the airport for your flight. Travel through bohemian Greenwich Village and artsy SoHo. Pass by Rockefeller Center, with its gold Prometheus Statue, the towering Empire State Building and effervescent Times Square. In Lower Manhattan, view the 9/11 Memorial, commemorating the 2001 World Trade Center attack. Drive past verdant Central Park before heading to the airport." to EWR then get a cab or something from EWR to JFK?

 

Or can you recommend a private driver company?

 

I am just lost at what to do now [emoji27]

Edited March 5, 2016 by melm0

[luvtheships]

I was going to use the previously mentioned Schwartz luggage place at JFK.

 

Do you think it's worth booking to ship tour £72 each 4 hours "Embark on a dynamic tour of Manhattan’s notable landmarks, popular neighborhoods, natural landscapes and significant memorials before being escorted to the airport for your flight. Travel through bohemian Greenwich Village and artsy SoHo. Pass by Rockefeller Center, with its gold Prometheus Statue, the towering Empire State Building and effervescent Times Square. In Lower Manhattan, view the 9/11 Memorial, commemorating the 2001 World Trade Center attack. Drive past verdant Central Park before heading to the airport." to EWR then get a cab or something from EWR to JFK?

 

Or can you recommend a private driver company?

 

I am just lost at what to do now [emoji27]

 

 

Not sure what that would cost you in dollars but I'm just of the mind frame that convenience is best for you

 

Considering you have a long haul flight that night

 

Considering its a Friday and traffic is heavy you want to make only 1 not 2 trips to JFK

 

Considering the hassle of dropping your luggage anywhere and then touring NYC and then retrieving your stuff

 

 

If you want a private driver I can't help you much but I'm sure others can help

 

Either way it will be a costly convenient day

 

Or

 

A somewhat reasonably priced very inconvenient traffic ridden day for you

 

I'd go for convenience and do the ships your

[melm0]

How long would it take to get from EWR to JFK by road? I've googled private tours and they are far too expensive!

[mjkacmom]

How long would it take to get from EWR to JFK by road? I've googled private tours and they are far too expensive!

 

Friday rush hour could take a couple hours.

[luvtheships]

How long would it take to get from EWR to JFK by road? I've googled private tours and they are far too expensive!

 

 

Then I guess the other suggestion of getting off the ship as late as possible makes sense

 

You need to check in at least 3 hours before your flight so you will have a 5 hour window to do absolutely nothing but sit somewhere at the airport

 

 

Alternatively You could pay the flight change fee and then just get yourselves into NYC and spend a day and night at a hotel and fly out on the Saturday

 

 

 

 

Or you could hire a driver for approx 4 hours

 

What is their hourly charge that is making this so expensive?

 

Question? Why didn't you work this out before booking the flight?

 

The way I see it taking this flight either costs you $$$ to do some site seeing

 

Or wastes time for you sitting at JFK

 

Or the worst scenario mentioned here is dropping stuff at JFK and then going back into NYC.....with your timeframe on a Friday that will take too much time and will either be expensive taxi rides or IMHO a difficult back and forth with AirTran etc

 

Either spend $$$ for convenience/flight change/overnight hotel or just sit and relax at the airport all day. Have coffee eat a meal

 

Problem will be you can't leave luggage unattended so if you both get up to go somewhere you need to take it with you

Edited March 6, 2016 by luvtheships

[Got2Cruise]

I don't agree that taking the AirTrain is the worst case scenario. Get the baggage to the carrier at the terminal in the morning. Contact your carrier to find out how it is done at JFK. It is not difficult to take the AirTrain to the Jamaica LIRR station. You then take any train going to NYC Penn Station which is frequent. Once at Penn you can walk to many tourist destinations. Have lunch. Walk around. Going back to JFK take the first train to Jamaica station which is very frequent. Then switch to air train back to your terminal. I would probably leave penn station at 3:00 pm to give myself a cushion.

[luvtheships]

I don't agree that taking the AirTrain is the worst case scenario. Get the baggage to the carrier at the terminal in the morning. Contact your carrier to find out how it is done at JFK. It is not difficult to take the AirTrain to the Jamaica LIRR station. You then take any train going to NYC Penn Station which is frequent. Once at Penn you can walk to many tourist destinations. Have lunch. Walk around. Going back to JFK take the first train to Jamaica station which is very frequent. Then switch to air train back to your terminal. I would probably leave penn station at 3:00 pm to give myself a cushion.

 

 

Oh I know it's doable but it will mean....

 

Port liberty to JFK ...taxi? Or public?[emoji79]

 

Getting luggage settled and then....

 

JFK to NYC....via air train and train then penn to wherever they want to go in NYC by foot or subway

 

 

NYC back to JFK

 

All on a Friday

 

If the op would post what a driver would charge for 5 hours then it could be better evaluated

 

IMHO $500 for a port pick up and a perusal of NYC with a stop at 2/3 places and then a drop off at JFK is well worth it

 

 

Alternately if the op does want to do the port JFK luggage NYC JFK route and doesn't want to use a private driver.....seriously take a taxi!!!

 

 

This is a difficult day to do any way you look at it and if they want to indeed do it then IMHO go for convenience and pay whatever it costs

 

Personally I'd have booked extra time post cruise in NYC to avoid all this.

[Got2Cruise]

Port Liberty to JFK car service. Arrange an early time if they then want to go to Manhattan. My first choice would be the cruise tour/transfer. They fixed JFK up there are plenty of restaurant/bars/duty free shops to waste time in the evening. The OP already booked the flight. No sense worrying now.

Edited March 6, 2016 by Got2Cruise

[DrivesLikeMario]

I was going to use the previously mentioned Schwartz luggage place at JFK.

 

Do you think it's worth booking to ship tour £72 each 4 hours "Embark on a dynamic tour of Manhattan’s notable landmarks, popular neighborhoods, natural landscapes and significant memorials before being escorted to the airport for your flight. Travel through bohemian Greenwich Village and artsy SoHo. Pass by Rockefeller Center, with its gold Prometheus Statue, the towering Empire State Building and effervescent Times Square. In Lower Manhattan, view the 9/11 Memorial, commemorating the 2001 World Trade Center attack. Drive past verdant Central Park before heading to the airport." to EWR then get a cab or something from EWR to JFK?

 

Or can you recommend a private driver company?

 

I am just lost at what to do now [emoji27]

 

YES - this is what we're doing. We have a late flight also. If you want a STRESS-FREE way to do your last day of the cruise, this is the way to do it. They'll probably get us back to the airport about 1:30pm, but at least it will kill the morning hours. We can have a leisurely lunch and waste a few more hours that way.

[melm0]

We have two nights in NY pre-cruise so this bit of time between end of cruise and flight home is just a bit more time we have to make use of. In my opinion $140 an hour minimum 4 hours for the private tour and transfer is too much money to be spending after I've spent so much on the trip. I can think of far better things to spend my money on thanks. I appreciate your input but we hope to see the main highlights before we board the ship.

 

Got2Cruise thanks for your help re: travelling by train. Is it fairly easy to navigate?

 

DrivesLikeMario are you flying from JFK?

 

I might just call RCI tomorrow and try get on the EWR trip and move my private pick up from Cape Liberty to EWR. I just don't know what time the tour ends.

 

Thanks again guys

Edited March 6, 2016 by melm0

[Got2Cruise]

The LIRR is simple to navigate. All you need is the track number and the tracks are easily marked. The signage is good. It is quite antiquated compared to the trains in Europe but it is fine for a short trip.

[luvtheships]

We have two nights in NY pre-cruise so this bit of time between end of cruise and flight home is just a bit more time we have to make use of. In my opinion $140 an hour minimum 4 hours for the private tour and transfer is too much money to be spending after I've spent so much on the trip. I can think of far better things to spend my money on thanks. I appreciate your input but we hope to see the main highlights before we board the ship.

 

Got2Cruise thanks for your help re: travelling by train. Is it fairly easy to navigate?

 

DrivesLikeMario are you flying from JFK?

 

I might just call RCI tomorrow and try get on the EWR trip and move my private pick up from Cape Liberty to EWR. I just don't know what time the tour ends.

 

Thanks again guys

 

 

Ok thanks for the $140 clarification that helps

 

So $140x4=$560 Does that include tip and tolls? Regardless...let's say $560

 

How much will the ship tour cost for 2 of you?

 

How much will the taxi from Newark to JFK cost?

 

To me it looks like $250 approx extra for convenience and a stress free day if you still indeed want to see NYC again

 

You post that you are doing pre cruise NYC so if it were me I'd go with .....mdr breakfast....latest debark possible.....private driver directly from port to JFK and relax read and duty free shop until time to go thru security.

[melm0]

Ok thanks for the $140 clarification that helps

 

So $140x4=$560 Does that include tip and tolls? Regardless...let's say $560

 

How much will the ship tour cost for 2 of you?

 

How much will the taxi from Newark to JFK cost?

 

To me it looks like $250 approx extra for convenience and a stress free day if you still indeed want to see NYC again

 

You post that you are doing pre cruise NYC so if it were me I'd go with .....mdr breakfast....latest debark possible.....private driver directly from port to JFK and relax read and duty free shop until time to go thru security.

 

 

Approx $280 for cruise tour then private car from EWR to JFK. I see what you meant. Still double the cost.

 

I don't know how late we can disembark they normally try kick you off early don't they?

[luvtheships]

Approx $280 for cruise tour then private car from EWR to JFK. I see what you meant. Still double the cost.

 

I don't know how late we can disembark they normally try kick you off early don't they?

 

 

Ok so far....$280 for the ships tour

 

Plus ewr to JFK

 

I have to think $150 for that? I really do t know and could be too low...so that's the key number I think

 

Assuming $150 + $280 =$430. For ship tour plus the inconvenience of ewr to JFK in Friday traffic...meaning you actually may not have enough time to get from ewr to JFK depending on the drop off time for cruise tour

 

You need to decide how much you are willing to pay for the convenience of a private ride vs ship tour and its inconvenience

 

I see the difference as approx $200

 

Plus with a private rude you can stay as long as you want at a site and see sites that YOU want versus the bus tour

 

Bottom line....$200....

 

Is it worth it for convenience?

 

Alternately just debark rccl I would think late being between 9 and 10 am and direct to JFK

 

I've never sailed rccl but always do self debark on Ncl however if rccl does allow you to pick a debark time like Ncl does just go to guest services and get the latest time.

 

And work from there

 

IMHO. I still like the private driver.

[Brighton Line]

They fixed JFK up there are plenty of restaurant/bars/duty free shops to waste time in the evening.

 

Depends which terminal at JFK, if OP is on BA out of T7, that is the oldest, smallest and yet to be upgraded Terminal at JFK and with United pulling out the retail shops and restaurants have cut back.

 

T7 is scheduled for a remodel but it hasn't happened yet.

I would agree with you for all the other terminals.

FWIW