Manhattan debarkation

[nvr2old]

Hi there, we will be arriving into Manhattan on the WBTA this September. Just curious how others have found debarkation in NY? I’ve seen reports recently of other cruise lines having serious issues with debarkation, very unorganized, taking a long time to get everyone off the ship, long lines, etc. Not sure if the problem is the cruise line or the port itself. Just wondering if anyone on a Disney ship has experienced issues like this in NY as we are trying to get a feel for what would be a good time to book car service to LGA. Thanks.

 

[ArielRae]

We have sailed out of NYC 3 times and haven’t had any issues disembarking the ship. They call you to exit by your character your given the night before. You can also choose to do express walk off where to take your own bags off around 7:00am. Can’t speak for taking a car to the airport. After we get off the ship we walk over about a block or two to the ferry over to the Port Imperial NJ stop where we parked our car in the parking garage there.

Here some info about disembarking in NYC.
https://disneycruiselineblog.com/wp...e-to-New-York-Magic-7N-Baha-November-2017.pdf

 

[readyplayer]

I cruised last year with DCL from NY. I found debarking at the Manhattan cruise terminal no different than any other DCL cruise. No delay or disorganization. If booking a car service, its best to meet up across the street from the terminal. But then the car service probably knows that.

 

[nvr2old]

ok thanks so much, we’ve cruised with Disney before but always from Florida, thanks for the helpful info.

 

[msmama]

One thing I've heard is that the first stop back in the US (or at a new port) can take longer to clear. All those cast members that joined the ship while in Europe have to be cleared/go through customs/do whatever it is they do to let people into the US for the first time.

The 2 times I've sailed from NYC, I literally walked straight out the door, no issues, BUT I've heard it can be rough after the TA. And getting off the ship after the Panama Canal cruise (same situation, long time away from a certain port) the lines (for both guests and CM's) were pretty awful.

I'm on the same cruise and while I am close to home, I plan to give myself a little extra time.

 

[lscrivan18]

We have sailed out of NYC 3 times and haven’t had any issues disembarking the ship. They call you to exit by your character your given the night before. You can also choose to do express walk off where to take your own bags off around 7:00am. Can’t speak for taking a car to the airport. After we get off the ship we walk over about a block or two to the ferry over to the Port Imperial NJ stop where we parked our car in the parking garage there.

Here some info about disembarking in NYC.
https://disneycruiselineblog.com/wp...e-to-New-York-Magic-7N-Baha-November-2017.pdf

I never even thought about overnight parking at the ferry. Do you remember what the cost was?

 

[nvr2old]

One thing I've heard is that the first stop back in the US (or at a new port) can take longer to clear. All those cast members that joined the ship while in Europe have to be cleared/go through customs/do whatever it is they do to let people into the US for the first time.

The 2 times I've sailed from NYC, I literally walked straight out the door, no issues, BUT I've heard it can be rough after the TA. And getting off the ship after the Panama Canal cruise (same situation, long time away from a certain port) the lines (for both guests and CM's) were pretty awful.

I'm on the same cruise and while I am close to home, I plan to give myself a little extra time.

Ya that’s what I’ve heard about the TA’s as well. We have a private transfer booked to pick us up at 10 am. We plan to put our bags out the night before to be taken off, and then go to dining room for breakfast in the morning. We have late dining so it’ll be the later breakfast seating. In Florida we’ve always been in close to the last group to debark and we’ve still been out of the terminal by 9:30ish, but have never debarked in NY. Do you think that will be ok or should we give ourselves more time? Our flight at LGA isn’t until 4 pm so we aren’t in a rush. Thanks

 

[ArielRae]

I never even thought about overnight parking at the ferry. Do you remember what the cost was?

Here is everything that I posted in our meets thread for those interested. Parking at the Port Imperial ferry garage and taking it over to Midtown 39th st. The YouTube video is helpful to see a walk through of everything.

~Parking in NJ & Ferry to Port
PORT IMPERIAL / WEEHAWKEN TO MIDTOWN W. 39TH ST

Ferry Info Link-
https://www.nywaterway.com/PortImperialWeehawkenRoute.aspx

Parking For Ferry Link- $20 a Day (24hr period)
https://littlemanparking.com/facilities/port-parking-garage/
Parking Address: 100 Avenue at Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ, USA

Helpful Video Link

 

[DisneyConvert]

We did a NY-Bermuda-NY two years ago. Train'd via PennSta to/from NYC.

If one disembarks 8:30~9:00am, from W.48th St. on a M-F, it may be challenging to get a taxi. Lots of competition from UWSdrs heading downtown.

 

[msmama]

Ya that’s what I’ve heard about the TA’s as well. We have a private transfer booked to pick us up at 10 am. We plan to put our bags out the night before to be taken off, and then go to dining room for breakfast in the morning. We have late dining so it’ll be the later breakfast seating. In Florida we’ve always been in close to the last group to debark and we’ve still been out of the terminal by 9:30ish, but have never debarked in NY. Do you think that will be ok or should we give ourselves more time? Our flight at LGA isn’t until 4 pm so we aren’t in a rush. Thanks

My plan was to have my car service pick me up between 9:30 and 10, so I think we're on the same page, at least, lol! The service I usually use (which is based out on Long Island) will send me the drivers info the night before so I can keep in text contact, and if you mention the situation to your transfer people, maybe they'll keep an eye on things and/or have a better idea of how long things take?

 

[nvr2old]

My plan was to have my car service pick me up between 9:30 and 10, so I think we're on the same page, at least, lol! The service I usually use (which is based out on Long Island) will send me the drivers info the night before so I can keep in text contact, and if you mention the situation to your transfer people, maybe they'll keep an eye on things and/or have a better idea of how long things take?

Oh good, seems like my timing is ok then. Ya that’s a good idea to let the company know it’s a transatlantic and there may be delays on debarkation. Thanks so much

 

[Ralph&Pam]

When our WBTA arrived in NY last September, we had booked a black car transfer from the port to the airport through DCL (they may not be offering this service this year). The suggested pickup time was 9:30 am, and this worked out fine. We had main dining, so ate breakfast in the MDR about 7 am, and still had a short wait before our luggage color/character was called so we could debark.

 

[nvr2old]

When our WBTA arrived in NY last September, we had booked a black car transfer from the port to the airport through DCL (they may not be offering this service this year). The suggested pickup time was 9:30 am, and this worked out fine. We had main dining, so ate breakfast in the MDR about 7 am, and still had a short wait before our luggage color/character was called so we could debark.

Yes, we had called a few months ago asking about whether there would be Disney arranged transportation. We were told there are no guarantees but if there are any arrangements it would be by private transfer. We had them put our name on the waitlist but as of yet haven’t had any updates. So we booked a car service that can be canceled if Disney comes through. Just feel better having a Plan B. Do you mind me asking what the car service through DCL cost? And how close to your sailing was it confirmed? Thanks so much.

 

[Pens Fan]

We've never had an issue debarking in NYC. We sailed on NCL into and out of NYC last October and it was completely uneventful as usual. Be aware though that a lot of private car services want to pick up across the street from the terminal. Finding them can be a bit chaotic, but it's not that bad. We've also gone the cab route and it was pretty well organized - just got in line and there were a couple of guys directing you to the next one.

We love sailing out of NYC as it's close to home (PA) and the sail in / out is beautiful.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Yes, we had called a few months ago asking about whether there would be Disney arranged transportation. We were told there are no guarantees but if there are any arrangements it would be by private transfer. We had them put our name on the waitlist but as of yet haven’t had any updates. So we booked a car service that can be canceled if Disney comes through. Just feel better having a Plan B. Do you mind me asking what the car service through DCL cost? And how close to your sailing was it confirmed? Thanks so much.

Cost was $133 (prepaid on our reservation) plus gratuity. We tipped the driver ($30) in cash. Booking was confirmed to our cruise reservation on August 5th for sailing on September 18th, so about 6 weeks out. I had not priced private car services, since booking through DCL meant we would be met as we exited the customs/immigration check with our luggage and be taken directly to our waiting vehicle. This was the final stop after b2b2b sailings that started 26 days earlier, so the cost was a small price relative to the total cost of the month-long trip (including 4 nights in London prior to the first cruise).

We elected to do private transfers after our experience at the end of the WBTA in 2016. We had to move our luggage from the port across the street to a very crowded taxi line where we waited about 75 minutes for an available taxi. This time, we planned for an extra suitcase which we would purchase onboard, knowing we would be able to check it on SW for the flight home from LGA. Too much trouble to manage all the luggage at the end of the long trip.

 

[nvr2old]

Cost was $133 (prepaid on our reservation) plus gratuity. We tipped the driver ($30) in cash. Booking was confirmed to our cruise reservation on August 5th for sailing on September 18th, so about 6 weeks out. I had not priced private car services, since booking through DCL meant we would be met as we exited the customs/immigration check with our luggage and be taken directly to our waiting vehicle. This was the final stop after b2b2b sailings that started 26 days earlier, so the cost was a small price relative to the total cost of the month-long trip (including 4 nights in London prior to the first cruise).

We elected to do private transfers after our experience at the end of the WBTA in 2016. We had to move our luggage from the port across the street to a very crowded taxi line where we waited about 75 minutes for an available taxi. This time, we planned for an extra suitcase which we would purchase onboard, knowing we would be able to check it on SW for the flight home from LGA. Too much trouble to manage all the luggage at the end of the long trip.

Well that’s not bad at all, not much more than the service I have booked now. The convenience is definitely worth the extra! So did they contact you about it to ask if you were wanting it added or did you just notice it had been added to your reservation?

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Well that’s not bad at all, not much more than the service I have booked now. The convenience is definitely worth the extra! So did they contact you about it to ask if you were wanting it added or did you just notice it had been added to your reservation?

I received an email indicating that it was available and identifying the price, along with a direct phone number to call to confirm that I wanted to add this to our reservation. Since we were already past PIF date, I had to provide the payment information over the phone and then received the usual email (re)confirmation for the cruise showing all of the charges, including the added ground transfers. I also received a separate email with the transfer details and repeating the direct phone number 407-566-7343 to use if I had questions or needed assistance.

 

[nvr2old]

I received an email indicating that it was available and identifying the price, along with a direct phone number to call to confirm that I wanted to add this to our reservation. Since we were already past PIF date, I had to provide the payment information over the phone and then received the usual email (re)confirmation for the cruise showing all of the charges, including the added ground transfers. I also received a separate email with the transfer details and repeating the direct phone number 407-566-7343 to use if I had questions or needed assistance.

This is so helpful to know, thank you so much!

 

[mmouse37]

We have sailed DCL many times out of NYC and never had any issues. Last year we debarked the ship at 8:00 am and were pulling in our driveway at 8:35 am.

Just note that the October 7th Dream cruise returns to Manhattan while Comic Con is going on (at the Jacob Javitz center a few blocks away) so if you are on that cruise (like we are) it might be a bit chaotic along the West Side Highway that morning.

MJ

 

[nvr2old]

We have sailed DCL many times out of NYC and never had any issues. Last year we debarked the ship at 8:00 am and were pulling in our driveway at 8:35 am.

Just note that the October 7th Dream cruise returns to Manhattan while Comic Con is going on (at the Jacob Javitz center a few blocks away) so if you are on that cruise (like we are) it might be a bit chaotic along the West Side Highway that morning.

MJ

We’re good, we debark and head home September 28. Thanks for the info and hope your experience is a good one.