Just back from DVC Magic NYC cruise any questions?

[MrsZippy]

You can't enter the terminal area for pick up. You'll have to pick him up across 12th Street. My parents met a driver there who basically double parked, called them and stood on the median waving his arms. It's really poorly thought out.

Really?!! This has me nervous. I have a 4 year old, a 9 year old in a wheelchair plus all of our luggage. My brother is picking us up. How am I supposed to get all of us across a crazy NYC street? Ahh!!

 

[Shercara]

Really?!! This has me nervous. I have a 4 year old, a 9 year old in a wheelchair plus all of our luggage. My brother is picking us up. How am I supposed to get all of us across a crazy NYC street? Ahh!!

I too don't like the "across the street" option for pick up. I am wondering if I would be able to park ( and pay the $35.00 ) to pick them up - and if there would even be parking available? And also what about parking (and paying) to drop them off? How far could I get inside the cruise terminal to see that they are in the right place/going the right way? If that is even possible?

 

[MrsZippy]

I too don't like the "across the street" option for pick up. I am wondering if I would be able to park ( and pay the $35.00 ) to pick them up - and if there would even be parking available? And also what about parking (and paying) to drop them off? How far could I get inside the cruise terminal to see that they are in the right place/going the right way? If that is even possible?

For drop off, you should be able to just drop them off at the curb. I wonder why they wouldn't allow pick ups in the same area? Parking to pick up is a great idea. It sucks to have to pay $35 but, for us, it's better than paying for parking for the week, or getting a car service that would cost us A LOT more!

 

[hanscarlet]

It's totally an easy walk. The biggest issue may be other pedestrians, but it's about the length of a short (north/south) NYC block (probably even slightly shorter). I stayed nearby and walked to the port with my 8 year old with 0 issues.

thanks!!

If I may, we drove and parked at the pier. All of the piers are attached, so to speak. We pulled up to the first pier ( there was a sign that staff was to park at that first pier) and there was a cashier. She asked us what ship we were sailing on and told us we need to park at pier 90. We paid her and she gave us a ticket and told us to pull in, make a u turn in the lot and exit to the next pier. We drove on to the next pier, where The Magic was docked, and the attendant there looked at our ticket and directed us in.
Now, if the lot where your ship is full, they will direct you to park in a lot where there are spots. I'd say it's less than a block in between the piers. It's kinda like walking outside the airport. There are sidewalks. We arrived around 9:30. There were plenty of spots and people still disembarking and driving off.
Someone had some great pictures around here. I couldn't find them, but made you this little map.

And you won't be the only one late to dinner that night. Have fun!

um, u turn? GENIUS! Thank you and the map is really helpful! Thanks!


and poison ivy and jiminy thank you again for the photos and wonderful advice! this makes me excited!

 

[MaleficentRN]

For drop off, you should be able to just drop them off at the curb. I wonder why they wouldn't allow pick ups in the same area? Parking to pick up is a great idea. It sucks to have to pay $35 but, for us, it's better than paying for parking for the week, or getting a car service that would cost us A LOT more!

Really?!! This has me nervous. I have a 4 year old, a 9 year old in a wheelchair plus all of our luggage. My brother is picking us up. How am I supposed to get all of us across a crazy NYC street? Ahh!!

Contact special services at DCL. (407) 566-3602

 

[MaleficentRN]

I too don't like the "across the street" option for pick up. I am wondering if I would be able to park ( and pay the $35.00 ) to pick them up - and if there would even be parking available? And also what about parking (and paying) to drop them off? How far could I get inside the cruise terminal to see that they are in the right place/going the right way? If that is even possible?

They will only let you park at the terminal if you are boarding the ship.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My husband picked me up at the NYC Pier 88 pick up place. There were signs for "Passenger Pick up" and we had no problems at all. This was Oct 2, after the DVC member cruise.

 

[MrsZippy]

My husband picked me up at the NYC Pier 88 pick up place. There were signs for "Passenger Pick up" and we had no problems at all. This was Oct 2, after the DVC member cruise.

Awesome! Thank you, Bobbiwoz!

 

[Bvcfourus]

Poison ivy.....thank you for your trip report. We were on that

cruise also .....it was amazing! I love your pictures. What kind of camera did you use?

 

[tinker&belle]

What night was the Halloween night?

 

[poison ivy]

Thanks for all of this great info! We are sailing on the 10-14-2017!!! NYC Magic cruise - but my son is departing this weekend, 10-22-2016!!!

Besides being a bit jealous, I am the "chauffeur" for drop off and pick up! We are from NJ, and I'm not that familiar with NYC driving - so the info above is very helpful - thank you all!

My question is what about "PICK-UP" on disembarkation day? Any tips / info / time suggestions? Any/all info will be much appreciated!

I'm getting a ride to the port and am going to get dropped off. Any suggestions about the best place to be dropped off?

Sorry I'm a little late with this reply and thank you Bobbi for confirming this information.

All of the port signage clearly states you can drop off / pick up passengers via private car at the port.

I'm going to repost a few photos plus add a couple to hopefully assist with anyone dropping off and picking up passengers:

It's a One -Way access to the ship terminal. You must approach from the 12th (9A) & 55th St intersection, where you'll see these signs.
You need to enter the viaduct ramp by following the sign marked "Private cars / All Parking / All taxis.

I didn't manage a photo of the sign at the top of the ramp in the distance, but if you zoom in - you'll see that it clearly states:
Passenger drop-off/pick-up with an arrow directing you to proceed straight ahead or Parking with an arrow to the right.

Also notice the lane arrows. Both lead to Level 2 but only the Right lane to level 3 parking.

At the top of the ramp, the road forks. (this is an old photo but it's a great one)

Current signage - again, only turn right if you are parking. you can see we're driving straight ahead on Level 2.

The "passenger pickup" area is the first sign you'll spot and is set the farthest away from the terminal entrance - behind the taxis.

If these cones are blocking the curb, just double park like our cab driver did.

Very easy!

for pick up times: Express walk-off was 7:30am.
We were later to disembark because we had the late seating for breakfast at 8:15 am (Animator's Palateand took our time. We were off the ship by 9.

Here is the official cruise information

 

[poison ivy]

Poison ivy.....thank you for your trip report. We were going n the cruise also .....it was amazing! I love your pictures. What kind of camera did you use?

It's a Sony A-6000. We purchased it last year for Alaska. They're a major step above the old point and shoot cameras, and perfect for the casual photographer.
Takes great action shots and pictures in artificial or low lighting.
(ours is silver. If you are considering one you should purchase a few extra rechargeable batteries with it)

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-alpha-a6000

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Alpha_A6000/

 

[Bay Max]

Sorry I'm a little late with this reply and thank you Bobbi for confirming this information.

All of the port signage clearly states you can drop off / pick up passengers via private car at the port.

I'm going to repost a few photos plus add a couple to hopefully assist with anyone dropping off and picking up passengers:

It's a One -Way access to the ship terminal. You must approach from the 12th (9A) & 55th St intersection, where you'll see these signs.
You need to enter the viaduct ramp by following the sign marked "Private cars / All Parking / All taxis.

I didn't manage a photo of the sign at the top of the ramp in the distance, but if you zoom in - you'll see that it clearly states:
Passenger drop-off/pick-up with an arrow directing you to proceed straight ahead or Parking with an arrow to the right.

Also notice the lane arrows. Both lead to Level 2 but only the Right lane to level 3 parking.

At the top of the ramp, the road forks. (this is an old photo but it's a great one)

Current signage - again, only turn right if you are parking. you can see we're driving straight ahead on Level 2.

The "passenger pickup" area is the first sign you'll spot and is set the farthest away from the terminal entrance - behind the taxis.

If these cones are blocking the curb, just double park like our cab driver did.

Very easy!

for pick up times: Express walk-off was 7:30am.
We were later to disembark because we had the late seating for breakfast at 8:15 am (Animator's Palateand took our time. We were off the ship by 9.

Here is the official cruise information

Thanks! Great info.!

 

[poison ivy]

What night was the Halloween night?

It took place on our second at sea day = Day 4. But it wasn't really Halloween Night.
We may have had a mini version of the Halloween festivities.

They only hosted I event - Mickey's Mouse-querade Party in the Atrium at 1pm. We checked it out and it looked like a lot of fun.

The characters were dancing in costume with the children.
they had at least 7 treat stations set up in various places around the ship. Everyone could trick or treat. (adults and kids - no costume required)
and they paraded the kids around and held an adult costume contest.

I took some pics and would be happy to share if anyone is interested.

 

[tinker&belle]

It took place on our second at sea day = Day 4. But it wasn't really Halloween Night.
We may have had a mini version of the Halloween festivities.

They only hosted I event - Mickey's Masquerade Party in the Atrium at 1pm. We checked it out and it looked like a lot of fun.

The characters were dancing in costume with the children.
they had at least 7 treat stations set up in various places around the ship. Everyone could trick or treat. (adults and kids - no costume required)
and they paraded the kids around and held an adult costume contest.

I took some pics and would be happy to share if anyone is interested.

Yes, please share pictures! Thank you!

 

[OhMari]

My husband picked me up at the NYC Pier 88 pick up place. There were signs for "Passenger Pick up" and we had no problems at all. This was Oct 2, after the DVC member cruise.

Our son dropped us off and picked us up curbside, on level 2. We sailed Oct. 2and we're back on Friday, Oct. 7. Super easy and no pressure.

 

[OhMari]

I was talking to Jen, that worked up in the SPA and she told me we were lucky that we had smooth sailing and beautiful weather. Though, we had a really rocky night, coming back from Halifax. The next day, we had Buckets and Boards doing an afternoon show and he made a comment and asked if it was normal for the ship to rock you out of your bed. (It really wasn't that bad though.)

We sailed out on the day your cruise ended. We were first time cruisers and we loved Canada and NYC.

 

[Shercara]

They will only let you park at the terminal if you are boarding the ship.

Thank you for the info. I'll probably have to circle and wait then.

Can anyone tell me disembarkation time - what time does everyone need to be off the ship? ( so I can time my pick up )

 

[poison ivy]

Thank you for the info. I'll probably have to circle and wait then.

Can anyone tell me disembarkation time - what time does everyone need to be off the ship? ( so I can time my pick up )

You could disembark as early as 7:30am on our cruise provided you were walking off with all your luggage and didn't set it out the night before.
the majority of passengers were exiting between 8-9.
By 9:30 they were making announcements calling for passengers to please proceed toward the ship's exit off the main lobby.

From there you will proceed thru customs - then back thru the terminal and finally outside.

We did see several pax sit and wait in the terminal until their ride arrived.

And yes you can always pull up and wait curbside on Level 2 or circle back like the Philly airport if they chase you away.

You'll have cell access once the ship is docked.

 

[Shercara]

Thank you Poison Ivy for all the great info and photos - and thanks to all the provided feedback on pick up/drop off! MUCH APPRECIATED!