Earliest return flight from New York

I’m curious what’s the earliest departure time I should book for a return flight home from one of the NY area airports? My husband and I will be departing from the NCL Escape (Manhattan Cruise Terminal) on Sunday, Oct. 7 and I’d like to schedule the earliest flight home that I can. Any suggestions - - is 11 am too early?

Also, what is the best airport to depart from on a Sunday? Is there an airport that is easier to get to from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Nicole

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If you do not have TSA Pre Check I would go with Noon for JFK or LGA.

You just never know even on a Sunday what traffic will be like or if there is some accident.

You never know if there will be a delay with immigration/customs.

And then the security lines can be long.

Keith

No one is going to tell you it's a great idea to book a flight before noon.

La Guardia is closest, then Newark, and then JFK.

I would not book anything out of LGA before 1 PM at the earliest.

See this link/sticky that I just updated - tomorrow (Saturday) is going to be a mess, forecast calling for up to 2" of 4" of snow, first nuisance "storm" of the season for Metro NY area, yikes - fender benders will be out there.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2395969

Last 2 times disembarking on NCL, this year - both the midship Gem and mega Breakaway, pax were still coming off the ship's gangway & working their way down into the luggage hall/CBP booth at 10 AM ... easily another 30+ minutes even if using the porter bypass trick to get outside, and hop into a taxi or car service ... one might not get to the nearest airport until 11:15 or 11:30 AM

Of course, if you are sailing in Haven & can get Priority escort and/or be first 25 pax in line to do the Self Walkoff, it is "possible" to be outside on 12th Ave by 8 AM. Feeling luck - go roll the dice, I wouldn't. October is a busy season for all those Fall foilage cruises, not common for the terminal to get 2 or even 3 ships docking ... ground transportation availability can be an issue, even heard of Uber driver getting lost - using GPS and Waze, yulp.

Last week, the Breakaway did NOT dock until 8:30 or 8:45 - add 20 to 30 minutes to clear the ship. Nobody could possibly be at the taxi stand earlier than 9:30 or 9:45 AM.

Book something like 2 PM at all 3 local airports, then you are relatively safe ... and, I fully understood the need to make connecting flights & airlines priced their tickets accordingly. Feel free to ignore, just my opinion.

Thank you all for your comments and advice. All very helpful! I’ve only traveled to New York once and it was in the early summer. My husband and I will be Haven, but it sounds like there are so many other variables that could impact the ship’s timing, being cleared and getting off.... I’d be a nervous wreck if we were running late. I’ll check out 1 pm and later flights.

Thanks again,

Nicole

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