Tell me about your NYC Bahamas cruise

[byejou]

The only problem I had with service for a NVC sailing was at the terminal during check in. The people there really didn't know what they were doing and I put this off as inexperience since DCL hadn't sailed from there in a couple of years. Once we got on the ship, everything was the same.

Can you explain how the check process went. We will be bringing beer, wine and some sparkling cider for the kids. Will they be following the DCL rules at Port Canaveral did with liquids? Also, we are back and forth with sleeping in NJ close to NYC and heading over or just driving up from home (2hrs away) day of and then parking at port.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Can you explain how the check process went. We will be bringing beer, wine and some sparkling cider for the kids. Will they be following the DCL rules at Port Canaveral did with liquids? Also, we are back and forth with sleeping in NJ close to NYC and heading over or just driving up from home (2hrs away) day of and then parking at port.

DCL liquor rules are DCL liquor rules no matter where they are sailing from. Same rules will apply.
Check in was a much to be desired. When we arrived there was a customs form they were handing out that was not on the DCL website for you to fill out. So there were hundreds of people trying to balance on trash cans, wall, each other trying to fill out this form. Check in was almost TSA like. One person at a podium looking at your ID and then you go through the metal detector and xray your bags.
There was no signage for the Platinum/Concierge check in but I knew enough to ask. My parent however did not and they were directed to the regular line even thought they said they were sailing concierge. They stood in line for going on half an hour before I arrived and called my mother to see were they were. Not that huge of a deal except my father had had heart surgery four month prior and should not have been standing in a line like that! So they went to join us at the counter, but it was insisted they go to a different agent to check in even after I told them we are all in the same cabin. So then our agent had to keep running to the agent checking my parents in for whatever reason to do our check in. She then wanted the customs form we filled out earlier, only the TSA like podium person took it from us and they made us fill out another! I was hugely annoyed at this point. Check in had now taken three times as long as it had for me at PC. Also the terminal is much bigger I wish I had a wheel chair for my father as he was looking exhausted. Once we were on board, it was all good from there.
Can't help you with drive vs. stay over. Driving in on a weekend morning was easy peasy. If it was a weekday it might have felt different.

 

[byejou]

DCL liquor rules are DCL liquor rules no matter where they are sailing from. Same rules will apply.
Check in was a much to be desired. When we arrived there was a customs form they were handing out that was not on the DCL website for you to fill out. So there were hundreds of people trying to balance on trash cans, wall, each other trying to fill out this form. Check in was almost TSA like. One person at a podium looking at your ID and then you go through the metal detector and xray your bags.
There was no signage for the Platinum/Concierge check in but I knew enough to ask. My parent however did not and they were directed to the regular line even thought they said they were sailing concierge. They stood in line for going on half an hour before I arrived and called my mother to see were they were. Not that huge of a deal except my father had had heart surgery four month prior and should not have been standing in a line like that! So they went to join us at the counter, but it was insisted they go to a different agent to check in even after I told them we are all in the same cabin. So then our agent had to keep running to the agent checking my parents in for whatever reason to do our check in. She then wanted the customs form we filled out earlier, only the TSA like podium person took it from us and they made us fill out another! I was hugely annoyed at this point. Check in had now taken three times as long as it had for me at PC. Also the terminal is much bigger. At this point I wish I had a wheel chair for my father. Once we were on board, it was all good from there.
Can't help you with drive vs. stay over. Driving in on a weekend morning was easy peasy. If it was a weekday it might have felt different.

Thanks....I'll just plan ahead and be sure to ask questions. Not sure why the easiet things get so difficult for people. Being early on a Saturday I may just drive up and save the $$ for more onboard things.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

What's the sail away party like sailing out of NYC? Is it more toned down?

 

[mmouse37]

I noticed no real difference in sailaway deck parties out of NYC compared to PC...both were great.

For the ones asking about the terminal......here are some pics from our previous NYC cruises




MJ

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Great pictures, thanks for posting them. So do they not have a central boarding point like they have in PC (the Mickey ears)?

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Great pictures, thanks for posting them. So do they not have a central boarding point like they have in PC (the Mickey ears)?

Disney rents out the terminal space in NYC and Galveston (not sure where else. Miami?) vs owning the port terminal in Port Canaveral, so no ears there. Those terminals have more warehouse space type feel to them, thus all the flag signage you see.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Disney rents out the terminal space in NYC and Galveston (not sure where else. Miami?) vs owning the port terminal in Port Canaveral, so no ears there. Those terminals have more warehouse space type feel to them, thus all the flag signage you see.

I know they don't have the ears, but is there a central boarding point (gangway)?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Well this thread got me hyped up for NYC cruises again. Just booked the 10-14-17 NYC to Bahamas!

I hope we actually get to the Bahamas this time!!!

MJ

MJ, you're killing me! You were supposed to book the 10/6 one so we could sail together. We'll be sure to keep her in good condition for you though. Have a wonderful cruise.

 

[smeecanada]

Loved this cruise. We did the 8 day in 2012. We flew into New York - first time - so spent a few days trying to cram in as much sightseeing and theatre that we could manage. Then boarded the Magic for a few days of much needed rest. We spent the day at Atlantis while in Nassau, a wonderful day at Castaway Cay and then an awesome day at WDW. Very efficient service to WDW - started out at Animal Kingdom and ended at Magic Kingdom. So, cool having our own bus stop and walking into virtually empty Port Canaveral terminal at 11:30 at night was a treasured memory from the trip. Then had a few days for some relaxing rest back to New York again.

Found a place to store our luggage for the day and explored Grand Central station before heading to the airport.

I'd do it in a heart beat again if I wasn't busy doing other trips at the moment. Maybe, if they do it in the summer again.

 

[mmouse37]

MJ, you're killing me! You were supposed to book the 10/6 one so we could sail together. We'll be sure to keep her in good condition for you though. Have a wonderful cruise.

ahhh....couldn't do the 6th!!! It's my parents anniversary. Sorry....one day we will sail at the same time!!

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

Great pictures, thanks for posting them. So do they not have a central boarding point like they have in PC (the Mickey ears)?

Yes, in the terminal you are directed through a que then out the door of the terminal, then you walk outside the terminal a bit and then up a zig zag uphill gangway. There are people directing you.

Some pics of sailing down the Hudson (not in order)....sailing out of NY is just beautiful!



MJ

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Well this thread got me hyped up for NYC cruises again. Just booked the 10-14-17 NYC to Bahamas!

MJ!! Woooohooo!!! Was hoping to meet you onboard last year, but we didn't sail. Hoping to see you and say hello this time around!

 

[mmouse37]

MJ!! Woooohooo!!! Was hoping to meet you onboard last year, but we didn't sail. Hoping to see you and say hello this time around!

Would love that!!! Just look for the starry eyed grandmother with her husband and 2 year old granddaughter LOL!!! Can't wait to see our DGD see the characters and shows....last year when she was on the Fantasy we were with her parents and tons of other people and she liked it but this year I think she will LOVE it. This time hubby and I are taking her by ourselves!!!

MJ

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Would love that!!! Just look for the starry eyed grandmother with her husband and 2 year old granddaughter LOL!!! Can't wait to see our DGD see the characters and shows....last year when she was on the Fantasy we were with her parents and tons of other people and she liked it but this year I think she will LOVE it. This time hubby and I are taking her by ourselves!!!

MJ

You obviously have some fans here in AZ, maybe you need to take a trip here some winter so we can all meet you!

 

[cscream13]

Can you explain how the check process went. We will be bringing beer, wine and some sparkling cider for the kids. Will they be following the DCL rules at Port Canaveral did with liquids? Also, we are back and forth with sleeping in NJ close to NYC and heading over or just driving up from home (2hrs away) day of and then parking at port.

I can't comment on the alcohol since we did not bring any with us, but I'd be surprised if the policy was any different from PC.
As for driving, we have always drove in the day of sailing without any problems and we also live about 2 hours away. I think it's personal preference. You could do a park snooze and cruise.

 

[cscream13]

My recollection is that the Sailaway Party was substantially similar to the others we have been to (4 so far).

 

[cscream13]

MJ, you're killing me! You were supposed to book the 10/6 one so we could sail together. We'll be sure to keep her in good condition for you though. Have a wonderful cruise.

We're on the 10/6!! Changed last minute when they released the VGT rates.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

The official word (DCL site) is that pirate night is on Monday, and the unofficial word is that Halloween is Monday. Why would they put those two together? Half the ship will be pirates. Again, that's info not through DCL so don't know if that's accurate.

 

[mlayton14]

Can anyone advise on CBP rules etc for documention for customs, out of port canaveral we have always just showed birth certificate for kids , I can't imagine it would be different out of NYC? I know the risks just want to understand options