Breakaway Disembark Experiences

[hamrag]

We were on the 9 October Bermuda cruise, which was re-routed due to Hurricane Nicole, so Bermuda is still on our "wish-list". We had a late flight on debarkation day, so stayed on-board until the final announcements.

 

Now considering Bermuda cruise for April 2017, but best flight prices are for late morning/early afternoon. Would love to hear early debarker luggage carry-off experiences to see if it is realistic to be off the ship by 8am and taxi/cab to Newark airport? i.e. is it possible to avoid the huge lines that arise once the first colour tags are announced? We understand that issues outwith NCL control can delay commencement of debark, and we know that is a risk.

[3poundpuppies]

In September, we did self-assist. When they announced it was time to go, we went to the elevators, and waited FOREVER to get one for us all to fit on. I thought it would be a long line by the time we got down to deck 7. To my surprise, once we got off the elevator, we were quickly pointed to a very short line to exit out. (We were on the aft, that seems to be the shorter, easier line) Now, on our sailing though, they did not tell us the all ok for self assist until right around 8-ish.

[Freckle53]

We were on the Breakaway in Feb and debarkation was late and I never knew why. I kept track of the times on my phone and self assist didn't get called until 9:15. The last group was called at 11. Most of the time you could probably make those flights, but there will never be a guarantee.

[luckyinpa]

In September, we did self-assist. When they announced it was time to go, we went to the elevators, and waited FOREVER to get one for us all to fit on. I thought it would be a long line by the time we got down to deck 7. To my surprise, once we got off the elevator, we were quickly pointed to a very short line to exit out. (We were on the aft, that seems to be the shorter, easier line) Now, on our sailing though, they did not tell us the all ok for self assist until right around 8-ish.

 

it sounds like it may pay to hoof it down the steps ? not fun from high up but we need to burn off those cruise calories

 

ive only heard nitemares about disembarking and was wondering how strictly they adhere to the appointed groups and the appointed times. or just mob scene to get off.

 

or best to just camp out until 930 and leave?

[Freckle53]

it sounds like it may pay to hoof it down the steps ? not fun from high up but we need to burn off those cruise calories

 

ive only heard nitemares about disembarking and was wondering how strictly they adhere to the appointed groups and the appointed times. or just mob scene to get off.

 

or best to just camp out until 930 and leave?

 

We camped out in the buffet and left at the last call for everyone else. It was very easy and there was no massive stampede of people. It was far past 9:30 for us though. There must have been a customs issue clearing the ship.

[denatravels]

I also had an issue with self assist waiting for a very long time.

 

 

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[NH Cruisers]

Best way to avoid any lines at all and get on and off ship first... Spring for the Haven. Other than that, I can only say do walk off and be at the front of the line.

[BirdTravels]

We were on the 9 October Bermuda cruise, which was re-routed due to Hurricane Nicole, so Bermuda is still on our "wish-list". We had a late flight on debarkation day, so stayed on-board until the final announcements.

 

Now considering Bermuda cruise for April 2017, but best flight prices are for late morning/early afternoon. Would love to hear early debarker luggage carry-off experiences to see if it is realistic to be off the ship by 8am and taxi/cab to Newark airport? i.e. is it possible to avoid the huge lines that arise once the first colour tags are announced? We understand that issues outwith NCL control can delay commencement of debark, and we know that is a risk.

 

If you need to get off quickly, you can get off quickly. But it means getting up early, eating early, and getting in line long before they call for easy walk-off. Once they call for easy walk-off, it is way too late for an early escape. Once the line opens, you can be on the curb in less than 15 minutes. But,,, don't be waiting for an always-full elevator to get your bags down.

[luckyinpa]

Best way to avoid any lines at all and get on and off ship first... Spring for the Haven. Other than that, I can only say do walk off and be at the front of the line.

 

this is true . from haven to my car was about 15 minutes. :)

 

next trip cant do haven so probably will lay low on the ship then do a later disembark.

[hamrag]

Many thanks for the responses.

[hamrag]

We were on the 9 October Bermuda cruise, which was re-routed due to Hurricane Nicole, so Bermuda is still on our "wish-list". We had a late flight on debarkation day, so stayed on-board until the final announcements.

 

Now considering Bermuda cruise for April 2017, but best flight prices are for late morning/early afternoon. Would love to hear early debarker luggage carry-off experiences to see if it is realistic to be off the ship by 8am and taxi/cab to Newark airport? i.e. is it possible to avoid the huge lines that arise once the first colour tags are announced? We understand that issues outwith NCL control can delay commencement of debark, and we know that is a risk.

 

Again, my thanks to all respondents.

 

I had never noticed before, because we never needed it, but the Platinum perks include "Concierge Service". Has anyone used this as a Platinum Latitude member? Now wondering if we would be able to use that service to be expedited off the ship at debarkation, in a similar way to Haven guests, obviously with a generous tip!

[njhorseman]

Again, my thanks to all respondents.

 

I had never noticed before, because we never needed it, but the Platinum perks include "Concierge Service". Has anyone used this as a Platinum Latitude member? Now wondering if we would be able to use that service to be expedited off the ship at debarkation, in a similar way to Haven guests, obviously with a generous tip!

 

Platinum Latitudes status does not get you an escorted or expedited disembarkation similar to what Haven guests get. You're on your own just as the other passengers are.

 

The "concierge service" consists of a phone number you can dial to assist you with things like restaurant reservations, not a concierge you can talk to in person. We've never bothered...I'm perfectly capable of making my own reservations.

 

One word of caution regarding early flights at EWR...security lines can be very long there...don't book a flight that's very early.

Edited November 19, 2016 by njhorseman

[BirdTravels]

Again, my thanks to all respondents.

 

I had never noticed before, because we never needed it, but the Platinum perks include "Concierge Service". Has anyone used this as a Platinum Latitude member? Now wondering if we would be able to use that service to be expedited off the ship at debarkation, in a similar way to Haven guests, obviously with a generous tip!

 

Technically Yes.

 

We sailed a six times this year and have had it offered once, on the Jewel in August. We were told to go to the Havens/Suites meeting point to be escorted off in Seattle.

 

Never hurts to call and ask if it is important to you.

[momoftwinteens]

This past March, we were in an aft cabin. Due to this, we used the aft elevators and disembarked at the aft entrance of the ship. We were off the ship and through customs in a half hour. And, no, we were NOT in a Haven suite and I didn't reach platinum until after the cruise

 

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[luckyinpa]

This past March, we were in an aft cabin. Due to this, we used the aft elevators and disembarked at the aft entrance of the ship. We were off the ship and through customs in a half hour. And, no, we were NOT in a Haven suite and I didn't reach platinum until after the cruise

 

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i admit i didnt study the entire setup there but isnt there just one gangway on and off the ship? i did have haven last time so just followed the crowd without paying attention to any other exits.

 

this time ill be aft regular room so from what you say, just taking the elevator down to 7 and getting off will be relatively painless.

[Isabella Benjamin]

For us, the line to get off the Breakaway was the longest of any cruise we've ever encountered. It was crazy long, going in two directions and no way to know if the line you got in was going to be the shorter of the two lines. I"m not really sure how long it took us to make our way off the boat, though.

[momoftwinteens]

I know there is only one gangway for ENTERING the ship. I am pretty sure there were two for disembarking but, don't hold me to that. I only know what our experience was. We had breakfast in the buffet and left the ship around 9:30 or so. I am sure of that as our train left Penn Station at 11:30 and we were there in plenty of time. I am also absolutely positive we left from the aft of the ship. YMMV

 

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[hamrag]

Thanks for the latest batch of responses, much appreciated.

 

We are now seriously considering heading back to the UK on a transatlantic cruise on the Jade!! However, it sails at 5pm on the same day as Breakaway disembark (30th April) but from Tampa. So, we can fly from JFK or Newark around 11 or 11.30am landing at about 14.30 so it's going to be tight if we do that!

 

Officially we have to board at least 2 hours before sailing i.e. by 3pm, does anyone out there know how strictly that is adhered to? If we don't reach the cruiseport until say 3.30-4pm would they still let us board?

 

Our plan B would be to stay over in Tampa for an overnight, hire car and drive to Miami. The 1st day of the cruise from Tampa is Key West, then Miami and the cruise is offered two ways...14 nights from Tampa or 12 nights from Miami.

[njhorseman]

I know there is only one gangway for ENTERING the ship. I am pretty sure there were two for disembarking but, don't hold me to that. I only know what our experience was. We had breakfast in the buffet and left the ship around 9:30 or so. I am sure of that as our train left Penn Station at 11:30 and we were there in plenty of time. I am also absolutely positive we left from the aft of the ship. YMMV

 

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The Breakaway uses two gangways.

 

Getting to Penn Station in time for an 11:30 train is one thing...you could actually walk there from the cruise terminal and make it if you absolutely had to. Getting to EWR for a morning flight is something else altogether. you have to drive through a tunnel to NJ, possibly encountering heavy traffic in the tunnel and on the NJ Turnpike, plus you have to go through TSA airport screening, which can have long lines.

[denatravels]

Thanks for the latest batch of responses, much appreciated.

 

 

 

We are now seriously considering heading back to the UK on a transatlantic cruise on the Jade!! However, it sails at 5pm on the same day as Breakaway disembark (30th April) but from Tampa. So, we can fly from JFK or Newark around 11 or 11.30am landing at about 14.30 so it's going to be tight if we do that!

 

 

 

Officially we have to board at least 2 hours before sailing i.e. by 3pm, does anyone out there know how strictly that is adhered to? If we don't reach the cruiseport until say 3.30-4pm would they still let us board?

 

 

 

Our plan B would be to stay over in Tampa for an overnight, hire car and drive to Miami. The 1st day of the cruise from Tampa is Key West, then Miami and the cruise is offered two ways...14 nights from Tampa or 12 nights from Miami.

 

 

While it sounds fun, that might be the craziest thing I've ever heard! I wouldn't book a flight at 11am, nor would I intend to arrive later than required-- and that's if you make it all on time.

 

 

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[momoftwinteens]

The Breakaway uses two gangways.

 

Getting to Penn Station in time for an 11:30 train is one thing...you could actually walk there from the cruise terminal and make it if you absolutely had to. Getting to EWR for a morning flight is something else altogether. you have to drive through a tunnel to NJ, possibly encountering heavy traffic in the tunnel and on the NJ Turnpike, plus you have to go through TSA airport screening, which can have long lines.

I could not agree with you more. My only point was that we left the ship at 9:30 or so and were through customs and at the train station with time to spare. Also, that it didn't take that long for us to disembark before reaching customs. That's what I was trying to say.

 

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[njhorseman]

Thanks for the latest batch of responses, much appreciated.

 

We are now seriously considering heading back to the UK on a transatlantic cruise on the Jade!! However, it sails at 5pm on the same day as Breakaway disembark (30th April) but from Tampa. So, we can fly from JFK or Newark around 11 or 11.30am landing at about 14.30 so it's going to be tight if we do that!

 

Officially we have to board at least 2 hours before sailing i.e. by 3pm, does anyone out there know how strictly that is adhered to? If we don't reach the cruiseport until say 3.30-4pm would they still let us board?

 

Our plan B would be to stay over in Tampa for an overnight, hire car and drive to Miami. The 1st day of the cruise from Tampa is Key West, then Miami and the cruise is offered two ways...14 nights from Tampa or 12 nights from Miami.

 

Making the departure from Tampa would be very risky. Even if the flight arrives on time...and EWR has among the worst on-time performance records in the country...you still have to collect your luggage at Tampa, get a taxi, and be driven to the cruise terminal. You are normally allowed to board until one hour before sailing as long as you've completed your on line advance check in, but that is the outside deadline as the cruise line is required to submit the final passenger manifest to the Department of Homeland Security no later than one hour prior to departure. Even the slightest delay in any part of the process...disembarking the ship, clearing customs, getting your taxi or limo, traffic on the trip to EWR, flight delay...etc. will virtually guarantee you'll miss your ship in Tampa.

 

I strongly recommend embarking in Miami rather than Tampa. If you wanted to, you could fly directly from NY to Miami and stay there for two nights, rather than flying to Tampa and then driving to Miami.

[hamrag]

.....I strongly recommend embarking in Miami rather than Tampa. If you wanted to, you could fly directly from NY to Miami and stay there for two nights, rather than flying to Tampa and then driving to Miami.

 

I understand that advice, but my plan B (i.e. sail from Miami) is only if we don't make the Tampa embarkation on time. i.e. in hoping that all ducks line up on the day.....I know!!