Cruising Out of Manhattan

[ronandannette]

This might be a long shot, but I'm hoping one of you have familiarity with the area near the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Next month, we're taking a short-hop flight in on the morning of our departure and will arrive at LGA around 10:00 am. If we go directly from there to the port area, what could we do to kill a few hours? Would anybody recommend an alternate plan that would be better? I'm guessing we won't be boarding until about 1:00 pm and we will have luggage to haul around with us. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Skippy918]

I’ve been on several cruises and boarding starts around 10:30-11am. What time does the ship depart the port?
Allow an hour to get from the airport to the port. Traffic is bad in that area.

 

[sam_gordon]

This might be a long shot, but I'm hoping one of you have familiarity with the area near the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Next month, we're taking a short-hop flight in on the morning of our departure and will arrive at LGA around 10:00 am. If we go directly from there to the port area, what could we do to kill a few hours? Would anybody recommend an alternate plan that would be better? I'm guessing we won't be boarding until about 1:00 pm and we will have luggage to haul around with us. Any ideas would be appreciated.

This is a total guess. But if you land around 10, by the time you get your luggage, get to your transportation, then get to the cruise terminal, it will probably be 11:30-12. I don't think you'll have to kill a lot of time.

If I'm wrong on that, I'd drop off luggage (as much as possible), then find somewhere for lunch, ideally within walking distance or cab/ride share.

 

[ronandannette]

This is all good news actually. If it does take that much time to get there from the airport, it shouldn't be any problem just to mill around outside for a bit. Thanks! On another note, we're not really ride-share people; we prefer conventional cabs. Should it be easy enough to get one at LGA and is it likely the driver will be familiar with getting to the Cruise Terminal?

 

[sam_gordon]

This is all good news actually. If it does take that much time to get there from the airport, it shouldn't be any problem just to mill around outside for a bit. Thanks! On another note, we're not really ride-share people; we prefer conventional cabs. Should it be easy enough to get one at LGA and is it likely the driver will be familiar with getting to the Cruise Terminal?

I just flew into LGA last week. At least Terminal 3 (Delta), signage at the doors next to baggage claim were very clear on where to exit for cabs and ride share (not so much rental car, I had to ask).

I would be surprised if a cabbie couldn't get you to the cruise terminal.

You can probably also arrange for a private car service. Might be more expensive than a cab, but it should be a fixed price you know before your trip (I'd be worried a cabbie would take longer or busier route to pad the fare, but that's just me).

It was 2019, but DW & I used Carmel Car Service between LGA & our Manhattan resort. I'd definitely look into them again if I was going that way.
https://www.carmellimo.com/

 

[jec6613]

NYC Medallion taxi drivers must have a hack license and should have zero problems taking you anywhere in the city. Though do know your pier number, it can be a big help, as cruise ships dock at several piers spread over several blocks.

If by some miracle you find yourself with a bunch of extra time and your luggage isn't too onerous - LGA lately is very fast with checked bags and a taxi ride mid-day can be as quick as 25 minutes as traffic is light (Grand Central Terminal is usually 20 minutes at 11 AM), there are a few options. At the north end of the piers used by cruise ships lies Hudson River Park, while to the south is the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space museum, with a Concorde and a space shuttle. Both avoid having to cross the West Side Highway (12th Avenue), which can be an annoyance with luggage.

Also, Manhattan Island mostly follows a true street grid, starting at Houston near the southern tip and counting north, and is fully walkable, so once you find which cross street your ship is out of (around 54th or so) you can easily detmine distance and walking path to anywhere you might want to visit.

 

[Lewisc]

Carmel is the way to go. Pricing is set not metered. Pricing is similar to a metered taxi.
Get on their email list. Constant discount codes.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

Cab drivers will have no issue with finding Manhattan cruise terminal. We took a cruise out of that terminal in June. I did not see much around the area as far as restaurants. It is located right next to the Intrepid museum. Luggage is dropped off at the entrance to the terminal but the Intrepid museum may have limits on bringing in bags.

 

[robinb]

I would go directly to the cruise port and get onboard early. Hit up the main dining room for lunch instead of the buffet. It’s much more chill.

 

[antmaril]

You should probably be able to board the ship around
11:00/11:30 a.m. We are cruising out of Brooklyn in early September and I am using Carmel Limo to take us to the hotel from LGA. They will also take us to the port in the a.m. and pick us up at the port and take us back to LGA when we disembark. I have used them in the past and they are very good.

 

[ronandannette]

I would go directly to the cruise port and get onboard early. Hit up the main dining room for lunch instead of the buffet. It’s much more chill.

We will probably be assigned a boarding group and I’m not sure if just showing up early will actually get us on.

 

[ronandannette]

Carmel is the way to go. Pricing is set not metered. Pricing is similar to a metered taxi.
Get on their email list. Constant discount codes.

You should probably be able to board the ship around
11:00/11:30 a.m. We are cruising out of Brooklyn in early September and I am using Carmel Limo to take us to the hotel from LGA. They will also take us to the port in the a.m. and pick us up at the port and take us back to LGA when we disembark. I have used them in the past and they are very good.

I’m liking this idea and I’ve looked at the website. It’s quoting $66 USD right now (about $100 Canadian) and we can live with that. I didn’t see anywhere to sign up though, or any current pricing specials running.

 

[Lewisc]

I’m liking this idea and I’ve looked at the website. It’s quoting $66 USD right now (about $100 Canadian) and we can live with that. I didn’t see anywhere to sign up though, or any current pricing specials running.

I think you get a few dollars off by downloading the app. You get a few dollars off if you give them a friend or family members email when you book. I don't know if you can stack them.

I don't know if cruise line transfers are available or what they cost

 

[ronandannette]

I think you get a few dollars off by downloading the app. You get a few dollars off if you give them a friend or family members email when you book. I don't know if you can stack them.

I don't know if cruise line transfers are available or what they cost

That would be our least preferred option. NCL’s service is precarious at best and the less I have to contend with it, the better.

 

[jimmymc]

If you land at 10:00 am in LGA, you'll probably get to the cruise terminal at the perfect time to check in. At most you'll have an hour or two to kill.

I would just grab lunch somewhere nearby. A lot of good food in that neighborhood.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I live in the NYC area, and agree that you may not have a lot of extra time coming from LaGuardia, although it can vary greatly. Aren’t you Canadian? Do you go through customs before boarding the flight in Canada, or do you have to do it when you arrive in the US?

I would just play it by ear. If you end up arriving with time to spare, there are plenty of places to eat within walking distance. The Intrepid is close by, but I doubt you’ll have the time for that to be worthwhile. You may be able to check your bags with a porter at the terminal before you officially check in for the cruise and board the ship. Have a great trip!

 

[mjkacmom]

We will probably be assigned a boarding group and I’m not sure if just showing up early will actually get us on.

You will probably arrive at the port at 11:30 the earliest. Give your bags to the porter and go inside. They don’t check times anyway, and boarding will have started (we live 20 minutes away with no traffic and arrive by 9:30). Go to the MDR that is open, have a relaxing lunch. I’d just take a cab, very easy (actually I’d uber, but cabs are fine).