Yankee Trails Bus to NYC.

Will be taking the Breakaway out of NYC in February.

Has anyone used Yankee Trails from Albany to and from the NYC terminal?

If so how is the baggage handled when arriving at the port from the bus, and when departing the terminal to the bus??

Thanks ahead of time.

bosco

Here's your previous post in July and the answers you received at that time.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2517026&highlight=Yankee+Trails

Here's your previous post in July and the answers you received at that time.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2517026&highlight=Yankee+Trails

Thank you for pointing out the fact that this was posted before and did get a few answers.

So of the following four answers can YOU tell me which is correct and complete?

Also which answers my question concerning luggage handling from customs to the bus?

#1.

"...when we used them they unloaded our bags from the bus and we took them into the terminal."

So we will have to bring our bags into the terminal to have them checked?

#2.

"I've seen the procedure many times and there were always porters to meet the buses at the parking stalls. There's nothing on the street level for a passenger to bring their luggage to."

So there are porters that will take our bags directly from the bus and check them for us?

#3.

"...do NOT rush off the ship. In the many trips I have been on the bus has not once been there before 10:30 and there is no place to sit or take cover waiting for the bus.The bus will wait for you!".

So where will the bus be?

#4.

"Your luggage will be unloaded to you on arrival at the terminal.

You will hand over your luggage to the porter."

So the porter will bring the luggage directly to our bus area?

Thank you

bosco

Sorry - I have no personal experience with this service.

Sorry - I have no personal experience with this service.

The reason I re-asked the initial question was in hopes of getting a more accurate and current answer.

Hopefully someone will respond that has personal experience.

bosco

I have used this service and love it. When you get to the port you remain on the bus until the porters take your luggage off the bus. You identify your luggage and the porters take it off and to the terminal. The next time you see it will be outside your room. Your bus driver will tell you and also give you a paper about how departure after the cruise works. The bus will usually not arrive until around 10;30.

I do self departure so I can't answer about the porter bringing the luggage to the bus. I just bring my luggage to the bus myself.

If you have any more questions,please ask.

Laura

I

If you have any more questions,please ask.

 

Laura

Thank you very much.

bosco

Thank you very much.

 

bosco

Thank you very much.

 

bosco

You are welcome.

Laura

A few tips/suggestions - Yankee bus leave from upstate & not going to be there before 10 to 10:30 AM, take your time disembarking the ship - enjoy a big, hot & full breakfast in MDR till 8:30 or buffet as late as 9 to 9:30 AM (vacate stateroom by 8 AM, maybe 8:30 - written info distributed onboard the BA on Day 1) There are nice places to sit on deck 8, away from the crowds eager to run off - AFT gangway is a shorter walk to get into luggage & arrival hall for CBP. February can be bone-chilling cold & windy in NY, whether it's NYC or Albany.

Buses are parked in assigned stall on street level or downstairs, just off 12th Avenue ... same as arrival. You are responsible for taking & finding your checked luggage inside the color-coded hall once you come down the escalators (long line for a single elevator - used mainly for the accessible in wheelchairs or needing special assistance).

If you wish to use/tip for porter services, flag one and they will load your bags and follow/escort you thru CBP (make sure your declaration form is filled out & passports ready for inspection) - and take you thru the building to the bus waiting area. I don't recall any seating in that area - the idea for security is to keep everyone moving along & majority outside for ground transportation (afterall, there are 4,500+ exiting the ship and another 4,500+ arriving to check-in upstairs). Along the way, there are restrooms if you need to go.

It does bring up an interesting point/question - since the bus probably won't leave until 11 AM (or later) and get back to its Albany depot around 2 PM or so ... and not doing a stop, do folks just skip/wait for a late lunch afterward.

A few tips/suggestions -............... and not doing a stop, do folks just skip/wait for a late lunch afterward.

Thanks again to all who responded with a wealth of good information.

bosco

Every time I have taken the bus, it has made a stop on the way home and sometimes on the way down. Have taken it from Manhatten,Brooklyn and Bayonne.

Laura

A few tips/suggestions - Yankee bus leave from upstate & not going to be there before 10 to 10:30 AM, take your time disembarking the ship - enjoy a big, hot & full breakfast in MDR till 8:30 or buffet as late as 9 to 9:30 AM (vacate stateroom by 8 AM, maybe 8:30 - written info distributed onboard the BA on Day 1) There are nice places to sit on deck 8, away from the crowds eager to run off - AFT gangway is a shorter walk to get into luggage & arrival hall for CBP. February can be bone-chilling cold & windy in NY, whether it's NYC or Albany.

 

Buses are parked in assigned stall on street level or downstairs, just off 12th Avenue ... same as arrival. You are responsible for taking & finding your checked luggage inside the color-coded hall once you come down the escalators (long line for a single elevator - used mainly for the accessible in wheelchairs or needing special assistance).

 

If you wish to use/tip for porter services, flag one and they will load your bags and follow/escort you thru CBP (make sure your declaration form is filled out & passports ready for inspection) - and take you thru the building to the bus waiting area. I don't recall any seating in that area - the idea for security is to keep everyone moving along & majority outside for ground transportation (afterall, there are 4,500+ exiting the ship and another 4,500+ arriving to check-in upstairs). Along the way, there are restrooms if you need to go.

 

It does bring up an interesting point/question - since the bus probably won't leave until 11 AM (or later) and get back to its Albany depot around 2 PM or so ... and not doing a stop, do folks just skip/wait for a late lunch afterward.

My DD and I took Yankee Trails bus into NY city a few years back. We actually stopped along the way at a rest stop for a lunch break. The Driver told us this, it seems, about the time we left the pier that there would be a planned lunch stop on the way home. Worked out great. Great way to get into NY City or Bayonne without driving in the traffic yourself.