Breakaway sail away @3

[nutley chick]

What time do you think the earliest we can get on board is if the ship is leaving at 3?

[cruisebear84]

bumping this up to the top... i need an answer to this as well!!

[GGBNJ130]

What time do you think the earliest we can get on board is if the ship is leaving at 3?

 

We were told we'd be on the ship by 11am w/ access to the outside and buffet only, then at 2pm the rooms would be ready...We have a car coming for us at 8am, should take about 2 to 2 1/2 hrs to get into the city. We figured 8am pick up would be safe since we're going on the first Breakaway Christmas cruise, and NYC is jammed on weekends right after that trees lights go on...ALSO another factor was weather...Breakaway changes the entire process of how things are done if lets say on Dec. 22nd a blizzard is happening...I don't know where the paper is that they sent us about that, prob w/ the rest of the papers locked away in the file cabinet...

 

I'm pretty much set for the cruise, just got some warm clothes at the store which I never had, because I don't care if it's a blizzard, i'm standing outside on the deck as we sail away under the bridge w/ a drink in my hand...Our room catagory just sold out, Aft w/ Large Balcony...

 

I see your on the Breakaway the week before us CruiseBear :)

 

When we did RCI EOS, we were on the ship by 10:30am and the thing didn't take off until 4:30pm, and it was a heat wave too, I think the reason we got on so damn early was because of my cousin's "rank" w/ RCI, she's been on 100s of em, and we were pretty much pushed to the front of every line, and were some of the first at the buffet...Then we just took our carry-on's outside stacked them in a corner by some lounge chairs and waited until the rooms were ready to open...

Edited November 29, 2013 by GGBNJ130

[cruisebear84]

We were told we'd be on the ship by 11am w/ access to the outside and buffet only, then at 2pm the rooms would be ready...We have a car coming for us at 8am, should take about 2 to 2 1/2 hrs to get into the city. We figured 8am pick up would be safe since we're going on the first Breakaway Christmas cruise, and NYC is jammed on weekends right after that trees lights go on...ALSO another factor was weather...Breakaway changes the entire process of how things are done if lets say on Dec. 22nd a blizzard is happening...I don't know where the paper is that they sent us about that, prob w/ the rest of the papers locked away in the file cabinet...

 

I'm pretty much set for the cruise, just got some warm clothes at the store which I never had, because I don't care if it's a blizzard, i'm standing outside on the deck as we sail away under the bridge w/ a drink in my hand...Our room catagory just sold out, Aft w/ Large Balcony...

 

I see your on the Breakaway the week before us CruiseBear :)

 

I am and I'm so excited! I would love a Christmas cruise but my parents would kill me if I were away for the holidays! Thanks for the response... I kept seeing 11AM as boarding time, but thought maybe they would let us on earlier since sailaway is earlier? Wasn't 11am the same boarding time as when the ship departed at 4PM?

 

Also, I'm right there with you-- I fully intend to sit on my balcony, even if it means packing snowpants and bundled up head to toe! :D ;)

[nutley chick]

Thank you... Happy sailing to you two. I'll wait for my turn... But not patiently!

[GGBNJ130]

I am and I'm so excited! I would love a Christmas cruise but my parents would kill me if I were away for the holidays! Thanks for the response... I kept seeing 11AM as boarding time, but thought maybe they would let us on earlier since sailaway is earlier? Wasn't 11am the same boarding time as when the ship departed at 4PM?

 

Also, I'm right there with you-- I fully intend to sit on my balcony, even if it means packing snowpants and bundled up head to toe! :D ;)

 

Never know, you can show up at 10am and might be able to get right on, it really all depends on how many ppl are ahead of you at that port in NYC, cuz there is always someone who didn't read the memo and didn't do something they should of like check their luggage, or check in, or forgot this paper, that paper...Once you get in your room, your pretty much rushed out of your room by the "Muster Drill" aka "Lifeboat Drill", those are always fun, love the alarms going off in the ship and the flashing emergency lights...When I cruised w/ my cousin on Horizon many years ago, we stuck our life jackets in the shower and turned on the water for a good 10 minutes so the little light on the jacket would flash non stop while we were going to the muster drill...We met a ton of hotties on the ship that way, got ya attention hahaha!

[cruisebear84]

When I cruised w/ my cousin on Horizon many years ago, we stuck our life jackets in the shower and turned on the water for a good 10 minutes so the little light on the jacket would flash non stop while we were going to the muster drill...We met a ton of hotties on the ship that way, got ya attention hahaha!

Haha sounds like you two were a couple of troublemakers! All harmless fun anyway ;)

Still not sure how early I should show up... My friend is not crazy about sitting around and waiting in the terminal, but we both live in the bronx and may take the subway there depending on how much luggage we bring and whether we can get a free ride to the port. I'm an overpacker + it's my first cruise = probably 3 suitcases =-O ... But that's for another thread, lol. Since my cruise is up first, I will be happy to update you all in two weeks if no one else with experience answers this question :)

[HarpHarp]

On the 17th we got to the port a little after 11. They had been boarding for a while by then. We were at lunch at O'sheehans by noon.

Just be aware that if they don't turn the heat on earlier in baggage claims & customs than they did last Sunday you may be delayed. Our customs agent was rightfully peeved, because the heat wasn't turned on til 8:30, & he had been on duty 2 hours:( Yes he was this color.

[carol54]

What time do you think the earliest we can get on board is if the ship is leaving at 3?

 

We were in boarding group 2 (no suites,etc) and got on at 11:20 a.m.

[cruisebear84]

Thanks harp and carol! Sounds like We can show up around 10am and expect to be on around 11am... Ideal conditions pending of course!

[GGBNJ130]

On the 17th we got to the port a little after 11. They had been boarding for a while by then. We were at lunch at O'sheehans by noon.

Just be aware that if they don't turn the heat on earlier in baggage claims & customs than they did last Sunday you may be delayed. Our customs agent was rightfully peeved, because the heat wasn't turned on til 8:30, & he had been on duty 2 hours:( Yes he was this color.

 

You had to go thru customs BEFORE you got on the ship? On Royal, we did customs after the cruise in the same building we got our luggage...I do remember a carry on/metal detector TSA checkpoint getting on, that was about it...

[Tuxman22]

We were on the Breakaway for The Nov 10-17 cruise and here is what I remember.

 

Got to NY port at approx. 9:30AM with parking car at terminal. You do not go through customs, just verification of documents before security. After security you checkin and get your pictures taken and are issued your room keys. You will be directed to a seating area to your group is called.

 

The first general boarding number is 20. (numbers lower are for suites, premium latitude members and casino at sea)

 

The first general group boarded at approx. 1120 (updates are constantly announced).

 

Your rooms might not be ready but you can drop off your carryon if you wish.

The cruise before ours (Nov3 -10) was filled with about 1800 children (NJ schools had the week off - confirmed by my sister who was on it) so room weren't available to approx. 100pm.

 

If you need any other information please let me know

[bob brown]

We were told we'd be on the ship by 11am w/ access to the outside and buffet only, then at 2pm the rooms would be ready...We have a car coming for us at 8am, should take about 2 to 2 1/2 hrs to get into the city. We figured 8am pick up would be safe since we're going on the first Breakaway Christmas cruise, and NYC is jammed on weekends right after that trees lights go on...ALSO another factor was weather...Breakaway changes the entire process of how things are done if lets say on Dec. 22nd a blizzard is happening...I don't know where the paper is that they sent us about that, prob w/ the rest of the papers locked away in the file cabinet...

 

I'm pretty much set for the cruise, just got some warm clothes at the store which I never had, because I don't care if it's a blizzard, i'm standing outside on the deck as we sail away under the bridge w/ a drink in my hand...Our room catagory just sold out, Aft w/ Large Balcony...

 

I see your on the Breakaway the week before us CruiseBear :)

 

When we did RCI EOS, we were on the ship by 10:30am and the thing didn't take off until 4:30pm, and it was a heat wave too, I think the reason we got on so damn early was because of my cousin's "rank" w/ RCI, she's been on 100s of em, and we were pretty much pushed to the front of every line, and were some of the first at the buffet...Then we just took our carry-on's outside stacked them in a corner by some lounge chairs and waited until the rooms were ready to open...

Amazing that you were able to get on the EOS so early....I have been on a cruise that we had disembarked close to that time....:)

My mother is in a wheelchair, and we have been the first to board a few times, but the earliest I recall is around 1130 or so......

[Demonyte]

It doesn't matter when the ship sails, the previous passengers need to get out first and there is usually time for disembarkation until about 10am, regardless of the ship. After that the embarkation can begin, usually between 11am and noon - getting onboard at 11am sharp is very uncommon but as said in earlier posts, embarkation starting closer to 11:30am is much more probable.

[mugtech]

Back on 10/20/13 the 2:30 "lifeboat drill" was followed by a lot of waiting, ship did not actually pull out until after 4:00.

[cruisebear84]

Never know, you can show up at 10am and might be able to get right on, it really all depends on how many ppl are ahead of you at that port in NYC, cuz there is always someone who didn't read the memo and didn't do something they should of like check their luggage, or check in, or forgot this paper, that paper...Once you get in your room, your pretty much rushed out of your room by the "Muster Drill" aka "Lifeboat Drill", those are always fun, love the alarms going off in the ship and the flashing emergency lights...When I cruised w/ my cousin on Horizon many years ago, we stuck our life jackets in the shower and turned on the water for a good 10 minutes so the little light on the jacket would flash non stop while we were going to the muster drill...We met a ton of hotties on the ship that way, got ya attention hahaha!

 

You're going to have a great trip! Really enjoyed my time here but was sooooo upset we missed GSC! >:O still a great vacay. Hope you have amazing weather and safe travels :)

[meatball_nyc]

I was watching the BA webcam on Wednesday and was surprised you guys missed GSC.

Of course you can't see the wind on a camera.

 

196 days until it's our turn aboard Breakaway!!

 

Happy Cruising and Happy Holidays !

 

 

 

~robin and brian

(summertime jersey shore beach bums)

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

Norwegian Breakaway 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[English101]

We were told we'd be on the ship by 11am w/ access to the outside and buffet only, then at 2pm the rooms would be ready...We have a car coming for us at 8am, should take about 2 to 2 1/2 hrs to get into the city. We figured 8am pick up would be safe since we're going on the first Breakaway Christmas cruise, and NYC is jammed on weekends right after that trees lights go on...ALSO another factor was weather...Breakaway changes the entire process of how things are done if lets say on Dec. 22nd a blizzard is happening...I don't know where the paper is that they sent us about that, prob w/ the rest of the papers locked away in the file cabinet...

 

I'm pretty much set for the cruise, just got some warm clothes at the store which I never had, because I don't care if it's a blizzard, i'm standing outside on the deck as we sail away under the bridge w/ a drink in my hand...Our room catagory just sold out, Aft w/ Large Balcony...

 

I see your on the Breakaway the week before us CruiseBear :)

 

When we did RCI EOS, we were on the ship by 10:30am and the thing didn't take off until 4:30pm, and it was a heat wave too, I think the reason we got on so damn early was because of my cousin's "rank" w/ RCI, she's been on 100s of em, and we were pretty much pushed to the front of every line, and were some of the first at the buffet...Then we just took our carry-on's outside stacked them in a corner by some lounge chairs and waited until the rooms were ready to open...

 

Just reading this now! How amazing for you to be sailings away on this warm day!! Can't believe how nice it's been yesterday and today! Enjoy your trip. Looks like you didn't need those winter clothes after all. Of course next week will be in the 40s

[mluzzy1]

We just got off of the 12/15 sailing. We arrived at the parking deck area around 11 and were on the ship by 11:30-11:45. We stayed in the Haven and had no wait other than our escort from check in to the Haven area which was just about 5 min. Have fun!

[mizLORInj]

You had to go thru customs BEFORE you got on the ship? On Royal, we did customs after the cruise in the same building we got our luggage...I do remember a carry on/metal detector TSA checkpoint getting on, that was about it...

 

There is a security screening (it isn't TSA) before you get into the check-in area. Customs/immigration is after you return.

 

I agree that you really never know what time embarkation will actually start--regardless of sailaway time--because it's dependent on the prior voyage's passengers leaving. We were on the 11/15 Gem CTN and were delayed boarding till noon because debarking passengers took longer than expected. We arrived at the port at 10:45 and still saw many people coming out of the customs/immigration area which I thought was odd. Normally though, we have been on an NCL ship by 11:30. But again, you never know.

Edited December 22, 2013 by mizlorinj