New York Disembarkation

[gismo1554]

OK so I'm not sure if anyone knows the answer but thought it worth asking. I'm cruising in 2017 on the WBTA and likely to be flying home the day we arrive in New York. Does anyone know if Disney offers any disembarkation tour or anything in New York? As I live in the UK the earliest my flight is likely to be is 6:30pm so don't really fancy all day stuck in an airport. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do to waste some time during the day? I'm travelling solo and not overly fussed on seeing New York but if its this or sit in departures at the airport then it seems like a good option. I don't drive either so not going to be able to rent a car or anything.

I know Disney does transfers but I'm assuming this is directly to the airport. Does anyone know how long it is likely to take to JFK?

 

[ludari]

From Cape Liberty to JFK it will take an hour and a half maybe more depending on which way you go/traffic. There is plenty to see/do in New York (Time Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial, Rockefeller Center, etc...) it all depends on your interests. From Midtown Manhattan to JFK it's about a 45 minute drive so if you are checking out any of the sites I've mentioned it's on the way. However the problem might be what do you do with your luggage while you are out exploring NY. Good luck with your decision I hope you find something to do.

 

[gismo1554]

From Cape Liberty to JFK it will take an hour and a half maybe more depending on which way you go/traffic. There is plenty to see/do in New York (Time Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial, Rockefeller Center, etc...) it all depends on your interests. From Midtown Manhattan to JFK it's about a 45 minute drive so if you are checking out any of the sites I've mentioned it's on the way. However the problem might be what do you do with your luggage while you are out exploring NY. Good luck with your decision I hope you find something to do.

Thanks it was more the practicalities of how to do it i.e. if anyone knows any tours or anything rather than places - should have specified so my fault. Definitely the luggage thing which is a major concern that why I was hoping DCL might do a disembarkation tour but I can't see anything on the website about one this year so assuming not.

 

[SeaSpray]

In 2012 they did offer a couple of different NYC excursions upon debarkation. We had to wait to sign up for these until we were on the ship. We were able to get an idea of what was being offered before the cruise because they listed them under NYC Port Excursions on the web site. We did one of the excursions since our flight was late and we really enjoyed it.

Whether they offer these excursions this year or next remains to be seen.

I found this on the DCL web site regarding time frames:

Traveling from John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia International Airport to the Port of New York takes approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic.

 

[SeaSpray]

Definitely the luggage thing which is a major concern that why I was hoping DCL might do a disembarkation tour but I can't see anything on the website about one this year so assuming not.

In 2012 these excursions didn't show up on the web site until shortly before booking window opened so we might have a few more weeks before we will be able to see any or not.

 

[gismo1554]

In 2012 they did offer a couple of different NYC excursions upon debarkation. We had to wait to sign up for these until we were on the ship. We were able to get an idea of what was being offered before the cruise because they listed them under NYC Port Excursions on the web site. We did one of the excursions since our flight was late and we really enjoyed it.

Whether they offer these excursions this year or next remains to be seen.

I found this on the DCL web site regarding time frames:

Traveling from John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia International Airport to the Port of New York takes approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic.

In 2012 these excursions didn't show up on the web site until shortly before booking window opened so we might have a few more weeks before we will be able to see any or not.

Thanks for this info! This is good to know! I did find a few tours on there which is why I wasn't sure whether or not this was all that was offered. I think booking date though must be soon isn't it? I'm sure mine for 2017 is saying 6th June and I'm gold so assumed Platinum would be up already but maybe I misread!

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for this info! This is good to know! I did find a few tours on there which is why I wasn't sure whether or not this was all that was offered. I think booking date though must be soon isn't it? I'm sure mine for 2017 is saying 6th June and I'm gold so assumed Platinum would be up already but maybe I misread!

We're doing the October 22nd sailing so since we're Silver members our booking date is July 24th. Hopefully we'll get some updated info from people on the couple of sailings before us.

 

[gismo1554]

We're doing the October 22nd sailing so since we're Silver members our booking date is July 24th. Hopefully we'll get some updated info from people on the couple of sailings before us.

Fingers crossed! I did find an article on the 2011 ones so have linked below in case anyone stumbles across this post. I hope they do something similar as 2 of these would be perfect for what I'm looking for!

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-cruise-line-new-york-city-illuminations-excursions-19033/

 

[Cheryl A]

Gismo1554, did you find an answer? When I click on Activities for the WBTA, I don't see anything for New York after disembarkation. I'm sure Disney could point you to a reputable tour guide, however.

My husband and I are on the same cruise you are -- perhaps we'll run into you!

 

[hanscarlet]

Are you traveling with a lot of luggage? NYC is cab- friendly and walk able in parts so you can at least see some cool neighborhoods and such before you leave. I am guessing there would be cabs from Penn Station willing to take you to LGA if you need to, Penn station isn't too far from Times square, you can take subway or cab if you are carrying a lot of heavy luggage

 

[Aanna]

You might also consider a luggage service like https://www.fya.nyc/ which will pick up your luggage and transfer it to the airport for you. Then you would be free to visit the city more easily.

Personally, I would send my luggage off, hop in a cab/Uber to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and spend the day wandering the museum, eating at the food trucks outside, and walking in Central Park until it was time for another cab/Uber to JFK

 

[Aanna]

Just note, the Met does not allow luggage.

 

[KristiMc]

If you look under Transatlantic Port Adventures there are some NYC ones. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/transatlantic/

 

[KashasMom]

From Cape Liberty to JFK it will take an hour and a half maybe more depending on which way you go/traffic. There is plenty to see/do in New York (Time Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial, Rockefeller Center, etc...) it all depends on your interests. From Midtown Manhattan to JFK it's about a 45 minute drive so if you are checking out any of the sites I've mentioned it's on the way. However the problem might be what do you do with your luggage while you are out exploring NY. Good luck with your decision I hope you find something to do.

Just a note...DCL does not use Cape Liberty. They use Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

 

[BigJon]

I'm on the same cruise as you, and before we leave for Barcelona, we're leaving our luggage at Schwartz (37th st. near Penn Station), while we explore NYC. According to Google Maps, its a 25 minute walk from the Manhattan Cruise terminal to Schwartz Luggage storage, so an Uber ride may be best. Penn Station subway is not far away, or a short walk to Times Square. Just a suggestion.

 

[DisneyConvert]

We are from nearby New Jersey and have spent many, many work and play days in Manhattan. There is no shortage of things to do in Mid-town (between 23rd ~ 72nd St. and Downtown (south of 14th St) Manhattan, or tours, guides and transport to facilitate the same.

I would agree that luggage storage is an issue (as it was for us when we dis-embarked at Dover, and toured Windsor, before boarding our flight at LHR), and Schwarz Travel & Luggage storage service
http://www.schwartztravel.com/ratesreserv.html
Seems like a good choice. Note that there are LOTS of transportation options to/from NYPennStation nearby, so this is a good "base" to get to first thing in the am, and then ~1 hour before one needs to be at the airport.

You really don't need to pay the Disney premium to "tour" NYC . . . because, you will never see more than a small fraction of NYC in 8 hrs, so my recommendation is to skip the various HonHoff buses, and
a) choose 1 place* or museum* you really want to see / experience, and take some time to enjoy it;
b) choose 1 place to dine or "food-tour," e.g, Chinatown, Jewish or Italian Deli, or a good steak place. Not always cheap, but typically fantastic. Please don't waste your time or stomach on a chain restaurant. The pizza is awesome.

Besides taxi's, Uber and Lyft vehicles are plentiful and 15~40% cheaper. The subways are usually faster. Taking the bus in Manhattan, except for short distances, well it just doesn't make sense. Btway, GoogleMaps provide some great insight when choosing transit.

Watch your valuables (like any big city), make sure you aren't late for your flight and enjoy your short visit!

*American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Times Square (possibly a Off/Broadway Show if you have time on a Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday), Greenwich Village, the "Battery" and the view of the Harbor, Frick Collection (my favorite), Guggenheim, MusofModernArt, Central Park/Zoo, Rockefeller Center/30 Rock, are some typical choices. I am forgetting/ignoring twice as many others.

 

[tnshsms]

I don't know if this is something you'd be interested in but we recently did a cruise out of Cape Liberty (not DCL...gasp!) and we used Luxor Limo to get us to and from airports and hotels. I know this company stated that they do some light tours as well so you might be able to hire them by the hour to pick you up from port, take you to a spot or two you really want to see (or drive by other things while you go to those spots) then have the car service drop you off at the airport. I thought they were a great service, professional drivers, clean cars and always on time. Then you wouldn't have to worry about luggage either.

 

[gismo1554]

Gismo1554, did you find an answer? When I click on Activities for the WBTA, I don't see anything for New York after disembarkation. I'm sure Disney could point you to a reputable tour guide, however.

My husband and I are on the same cruise you are -- perhaps we'll run into you!

Hiya! I'm sure we will run into each other we have 11 days! The only tours for NY I've seen is the theatre ones (Aladdin or Lion King) which you email off

• https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/new-york-city-the-lion-king-on-broadway/
• https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...n-king-on-broadway-and-behind-the-magic-tour/
• https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/new-york-city-aladdin-on-broadway/
  
• https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...laddin-on-broadway-and-behind-the-magic-tour/

They aren't offering any where they store bags annoyingly. I ended up booking a hotel for the night as decided it was best to spend the extra night than try and work it all in one day.

If you look under Transatlantic Port Adventures there are some NYC ones. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/transatlantic/

Although they are on here they aren't actually for our Transatlantic as it ends in NY and these tours are all for if it is one of the ports along the way. As said the only one that is available is the theatre tours as far as I'm aware as these state "post cruise"

I'm on the same cruise as you, and before we leave for Barcelona, we're leaving our luggage at Schwartz (37th st. near Penn Station), while we explore NYC. According to Google Maps, its a 25 minute walk from the Manhattan Cruise terminal to Schwartz Luggage storage, so an Uber ride may be best. Penn Station subway is not far away, or a short walk to Times Square. Just a suggestion.

This was pretty much the only way I could work out how to do it with luggage - use a storage company.

 

[Aanna]

We are from nearby New Jersey and have spent many, many work and play days in Manhattan. There is no shortage of things to do in Mid-town (between 23rd ~ 72nd St. and Downtown (south of 14th St) Manhattan, or tours, guides and transport to facilitate the same.

I would agree that luggage storage is an issue (as it was for us when we dis-embarked at Dover, and toured Windsor, before boarding our flight at LHR), and Schwarz Travel & Luggage storage service
http://www.schwartztravel.com/ratesreserv.html
Seems like a good choice. Note that there are LOTS of transportation options to/from NYPennStation nearby, so this is a good "base" to get to first thing in the am, and then ~1 hour before one needs to be at the airport.

You really don't need to pay the Disney premium to "tour" NYC . . . because, you will never see more than a small fraction of NYC in 8 hrs, so my recommendation is to skip the various HonHoff buses, and
a) choose 1 place* or museum* you really want to see / experience, and take some time to enjoy it;
b) choose 1 place to dine or "food-tour," e.g, Chinatown, Jewish or Italian Deli, or a good steak place. Not always cheap, but typically fantastic. Please don't waste your time or stomach on a chain restaurant. The pizza is awesome.

Besides taxi's, Uber and Lyft vehicles are plentiful and 15~40% cheaper. The subways are usually faster. Taking the bus in Manhattan, well, except for short distances, well it just doesn't make sense. Btway, GoogleMaps provide some great insight when choosing transit.

Watch your valuables (like any big city), make sure you aren't late for your flight and enjoy your short visit!

*American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Times Square (possibly a Off/Broadway Show if you have time on a Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday), Greenwich Village, the "Battery" and the view of the Harbor, Frick Collection (my favorite), Guggenheim, MusofModernArt, Central Park/Zoo, Rockefeller Center/30 Rock, are some typical choices. I am forgetting/ignoring twice as many other choices.

As another native New Yorker, this is *excellent* advice. Can I give it three "likes," please?

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

The pizza is awesome.

As another native New Yorker, this is *excellent* advice. Can I give it three "likes," please?

I agree. Great summary of options and advice by @DisneyConvert, especially the pizza. I grew up in New Jersey and now live elsewhere, but whenever I go back to visit my mother, REAL Pizza is the thing I crave!