NCL transfer from Manhattan cruise terminal to LGA

[biojeep]

I would like to hear comments from people who have used NCL transfer after their cruise ended to get from Manhattan cruise terminal to LGA since the construction has begun at LGA. Was wondering if this was a hassle free way to get to the airport. We have done this on our past NCL cruises & had no problems- very easy. Been reading of the difficulties of getting to LGA so I thought this would be a good option even if it cost a little more. We will be returning on the Gem in October.

[casofilia]

We are doing it so we can easily get to a hotel that runs a shuttle to LGA and we will get to see Manhattan and get an idea of where we want to return to. So hope it is all good.

[biojeep]

Casofilia - what hotel has a shuttle to LGA?

[casofilia]

From their website:-

Best Western Plus LaGuardia Airport Hotel

 

A 2-minute walk from a metro station, this informal modern hotel is also 12 minutes' walk from Citi Field, home of the Mets baseball team, and 2 miles from LaGuardia Airport.

 

The relaxed rooms come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as minifridges, microwaves and coffeemakers. Kids age 13 and under stay at no extra cost with an adult.

 

Complimentary perks include an airport shuttle, parking, and a breakfast buffet served in a casual lobby dining area. There's also a 24-hour exercise room.

HTH Mike

[Captain Canuck]

car service

 

did the breakaway in 2014..used a car service from the ship to the airport...picked us up across the street from cruise port.....pre paid so knew what it was going to cost us...dial 7...very happy with the service and it was much faster than waiting for a bus to fill...think it was actually cheaper for the 2 of us as well

[mking8288]

NCL's airport transfer (a/k/a charter buses) charges $40 p/p for LGA & JFK dropoff for flights after 1 PM - that's $80 for 2 people, which is more than your typical yellow taxi and/or car service fares to LGA, unless your yellow taxi is caught in gridlocked traffic (that's unlikely on weekend mornings going from Manhattan to Queens)

 

Buses do not get any preference for getting into LGA - if there is massive delays and traffic congestions, you might actually be worst off depending on your airline/terminal stops (1 of 3 terminals (Terminals B, C or D,) plus MAT or T-A for some Delta/regional flights)

 

What is your flight time on disembarkation ? Those using NCL airport transfer get colored tags but they are called after the Express Self Walk-off, and, the buses downstairs in the designated "bays" need to wait for 40+ fellow pax and finish loading their luggage before pulling out - some do it out of convenience, not necessary because it will save you any time or lower the odds of getting to LGA.

 

LGA's congestion are typically worst in the mid/late afternoon & early evening, worsen by sun glares on the parkway. Flights at LGA are lowest on Saturday and Sunday mornings are usually fine, unless weather or mother nature are throwing monkey wrenches at everyone ... another regular CC, BirdTravel currently on the Breakaway spend over 2 hours leaving LGA to reach the hotel in Manhattan not because of airport tieups - rather, it's one of the tunnel or East River crossing (over the bridge).

 

Lately, both the Gem & Breakaway homeport here in NY has been running closed to schedule & sometimes late, and that's a problem for folks who planned & booked flights going home at noon or even 1 PM ... twice within the past month, Gem still had passengers disembarking at 10 and 11 AM, not yet thru CBP downstairs - let alone making their way out to ground transportation.

 

If your flights haven't been booked, plan it for 2 PM or later - if possible. That will allow plenty of slack or time, just in case everything that can go wrong, all conspired to ruin your travel day. We're lucky & came out of MCT around 9 AM from the Gem earlier this month, and make it home in car service around 10 AM, further away from LGA and the driver took a longer route but faster one - just 30 minutes.

[casofilia]

I actually forgot that this is on the NCL board!!! Mea culpa.

We are arriving on a Princess cruise and they do a "day" tour around Manhattan that gets you to the airport about 3pm; just right to get the BW shuttle for checking in time.

[garycarla]

... to LGA since the construction has begun at LGA.

 

Was wondering if this was a hassle free way to get to the airport..

 

First off, folks that refer to past years need to reflect on the current new and massive construction project. All bets are off.

 

As to hassle free - no such thing. Just about any method will have to deal with traffic. And, sometimes one terminal is worse than another, so that would impact the answer somewhat.

 

AND - answers today will be a bit different than October as the various projects start and end. Latest from the airport here : http://laguardiaairport.com/traveladvisories/

[Captain Canuck]

gee...could the dated nature of my comment be the reason why I put the date in......

sorry to be a bit snarky but come on man