Questions about New York from a Canadian

[TheManitoban]

Hello, hope you all can help me. Im a Canadian who has never been to New York.

 

We have a week long cruise scheduled from September 6th to 13th on the Breakaway. The plan is to fly down on September 3rd and check out the city for a few days. Early plan is to stay at the Millennium Hotel Broadway (any thoughts on this?).

 

My main question is in regards to the Airports. It looks like we will fly into LaGuardia but might have to fly out through JFK or Newark. Assuming we dock in New York at 8am, as a Canadian I assume we have to clear customs at the port...is a departing flight at around Noon or 12:30 cutting it too close?

 

Thank you!

[jmwg49]

we have sailed from and into NYC several times. We are from Toronto. Using a shuttle service or cab is ok, but you never know about traffic, and if your ship will arrive on time. Both are a fair distance. Don't forget, you need to get to the airport at least 2 1/2 hours before flight. I am not sure about NCL, but do they offer a shuttle service to the airport?? I would certainly not risk any flight before 1 pm....just my opinion.

[CatsRKool]

Hello. I live in the NY metro area so am very familiar with all the airports. First: avoid JFK if at all possible. Traffic to get there is the most unpredictable of the major metro airports. I expect you will clear customs at the port (Manhattan I assume?). Newark is a very efficient airport and the traffic more predictable. You should be alright on timing for a 12:30 flight. Bravo for visiting NY in September - it's the best month of the year for weather!

[Got2Cruise]

Going through security at either Newark or JFK is hellish. Going to Newark there is always the chance of an issue at the Lincoln Tunnel. Also it depends how long it takes to disembark the Breakaway. If it gets in at 8:00 that doesn't mean that you can disembark starting then. 12:30 seems like it's cutting it too close.

[mking8288]

Question for OP, what are your options and price difference with your return flights leaving NY, post-cruise - and, backup fight times on the originally booked carrier. How much luggage are you taking on this cruise & # of people traveling together (2 or 3 ?? which would fit into a full size sedan or yellow taxi/car service with luggage)

Will you consider taking mass transit (airporter bus, subway/bus or train) with transfers or is the preference for door-to-door, no matter what the costs are an ideal time to fit one's schedule ?

 

We've sailed the Breakaway twice (and, use the Manhattan Cruise Terminal quite a bit) - over the past 5 years, all disembarkating passengers must clear CBP (immigration & customs) inside the terminal - starting with the "express" self walk-off passengers, then priority disembark/escorted Haven/suite pax and then the leisure ones based on color coded system, usually starting around 7:30 to 7:45 AM for the first cluster, 8:30 AM for the priority and after 9 AM for the rest - and all passengers typically must clear the ship by 10 AM - to make their ways into the terminal to reclaim luggages & proceed to the exit for ground transportation, etc. .... unless there is a delay or other unforeseen reasons, which do - occassionally - happened.

 

LGA typically take under 60 minutes to get to (plus check-in time & to clear security) and extra 30 minutes for contingencies. JFK can take 75 to 90 minutes, plus 30 extra minutes for contingencies. Both LGA & JFK have inexpensive, massive transit options and JFK has a flat non-metered but regulated taxi rate. Metered taxi fare to LGA with tip is under $50 unless there's major traffic delays. Flat rate to JFK is under $55 and with tipping, about $65. Yellow taxi to EWR have special rules & most expensive due to rates and easily over $100 - whereas major car service will be about $80 with tipping - but, most prone to unforeseen delays if there's a backup at the Lincoln Tunnel. 138East/Carol has excellent detailed instructions on various alternative options (NJ Transit trains, Path trains, and buses to get to EWR, along with the airporter bus to EWR that require a short taxi/car service trip in NY)

 

If your homebound is 12:30 PM leaving LGA, you should be fine - JFK will be very close (I would look for a later flight) and EWR is probably a coin toss at best (if you ended up not clearing CBP until 10:15 AM & get delayed by a long taxi line or wait for the booked car service, and, run into traffic to the airport - you will likely missed the check-in cutoff for international departure, even if you can breeze thru TSA security checkpoints, even if you have airline status or TSA Pre-Check, etc.

 

Weather is another unknown elements and if you are flying/booked on small regional jets, they are most prone to delays that often snowballed during the day or get cancelled. JFK has long term runway reconstructions and there are posted alert on delays.

 

Not easy, huh. Give us a little more & let's see if we can collectively come up with a plan to help you. I would stick with LGA, personally, not because its runway is just 1 1/2 mile across the Bay from us, but it's far easily to "navigate" and no matter what, the security lines are never like EWR or JFK where we do all our international flights from/to. In 2014, we're home around 9:30 AM off the BA and 10:30 AM this March, also the BA - and that's 15 extra minutes east of LGA - both times with priority disembark with luggage waiting inside the terminal for us. YMMV - of course.

 

One last tip, if you have luggage - and the lines are long inside the terminal to clear CBP, and porters are available - use them if you schedule is tight - they have their own "exclusive" shortcut lane to go thru. Otherwise, US citizens go thru one set of lanes and non-US travelers go to the opposite section, the porters can easily saved you 10 to 15 minutes, worth the extra generous tipping to "reward" them after all the money already spend on the ship.

[TheManitoban]

Thanks for the info so far!!

 

Glad to hear it's a great time for weather. I always worry when we get

Out of the summer months that it won't be warm. Is early sept in New York hot?

 

For flights while I try to take Westjet or Aircanada the best option so far is:

 

Delta from Winnipeg to JFK (I think there was a LGA option but I didn't write it down. Not as concerned with timing here as we are going down three days early)

 

Leaving New York for home (cheapest to most expensive):

Delta. LGA. 6:15pm (this is cheapest).

Delta. LGA. 11:30 am

Delta. EWR. 2:30 pm

Air Canada. LGA. 2:30 pm

 

There were others but these are the ones I wrote down as best options. I'm leabing to just going with the 6:15 one. Better to have too much time than not enough time. There are two of us. We would each have one checked bag.

[jmwg49]

if it were me, i would go for the AC flight at 215...but, for the $$, take the 6 pm one....then you don't have to worry and rush getting of the ship!

[mking8288]

Early Sept. in NY can be nice, warm & sunny, or it can be cooler but typically not hot & humid. There's always a possibility of late day thunderstorm that trigger flight delays. Hotel occupancy and rates are typically high in September due to variety of factors, book early & locked in a fully 100% refundable rate at your choice of hotel, if you are comfortable with yours & location is good. You can always check back on Hotwire for last minute deals & specials and switch - staying in Manhattan, we have an efficient subway & bus system with free transfer using the MetroCard, and a little walking is good for sightseeing - look at it as downtown Toronto, and overcrowded with summer visitors.

 

On your homebound flight, I don't see non-stop flight so I assumed yours will be a connecting flight. How big of a price difference (total for 2 people) is there for the 2:30 PM LGA flight on DL vs. the 6:15 PM flight, as you should have almost zero problem getting to the airport to check-in and fly out for the 2:30 ? Otherwise, what's your plan for those extra 4 hours with 2 checked suitcases in tow ? You can store them at Schwartz luggage near the pier for a fee, but that could wiped off some of the money saved in choosing the schedule ... unless, unless you can go back to the Time Square hotel & store them their with the bellman for a few hours by tipping them nicely. I surely wouldn't want to cat nap at LGA for 3 hours waiting for the inbound plane to takeoff if the money saved isn't a nice deal.

 

The 11:30 departure is too early to schedule, even though you can typically go from the pier to LGA in under 45 minutes, plus the 1 hour for checking in & clearing security - there's no U.S. exit immigration formalities at the airport and you will be dealing with Canadian authorities upon entry via the gateway airport (YYR ??)

[Winnigirl]

Thanks for the info so far!!

 

Glad to hear it's a great time for weather. I always worry when we get

Out of the summer months that it won't be warm. Is early sept in New York hot?

 

For flights while I try to take Westjet or Aircanada the best option so far is:

 

Delta from Winnipeg to JFK (I think there was a LGA option but I didn't write it down. Not as concerned with timing here as we are going down three days early)

 

Leaving New York for home (cheapest to most expensive):

Delta. LGA. 6:15pm (this is cheapest).

Delta. LGA. 11:30 am

Delta. EWR. 2:30 pm

Air Canada. LGA. 2:30 pm

 

There were others but these are the ones I wrote down as best options. I'm leabing to just going with the 6:15 one. Better to have too much time than not enough time. There are two of us. We would each have one checked bag.

 

Good morning Manitoban. Isn't this a lovely Victoria Day long weekend?:p We will be taking our first trip to NY next month, sailing on the Summit to Bermuda. If you are planning on choosing the 6:15 flight, you will have quite a long wait. I'm sure the Breakaway will have a last day tour available for you to take. We will be doing this when we get off the Summit. The tour will pick you up at the Port, with your luggage, and will take you on a tour of NYC, then drop you off at your airport in time for your flight. I've heard the tour is not the most exciting, but it beats sitting in an airport all day and you know that you will be delivered in appropriate time to the airport. Just check out the tour options on the Norwegian website. (No fireworks tomorrow, I'm afraid).

[TheManitoban]

Thank you everyone for the feedback and suggestions!

 

Great point about the last day tour. I remember people doing that one our cruise last year when it got back to Boston (we stayed on for another week).

 

I had planned to inquire about cab rates with whichever hotel we choose to ensure we're not screwed. But generally, are there metered cabs at the airports and flat fee shuttles? What's the recommendation on that?

[TheManitoban]

One more question - this might be an odd one.

 

Flying from Minneapolis to LGA, what side of the plane do I want to sit on to get the best views of the city?

 

And is it the same for flying out of New York?

[mjkacmom]

I don't think it matters. I think it depends on runways.

[Brighton Line]

One more question - this might be an odd one.

 

Flying from Minneapolis to LGA, what side of the plane do I want to sit on to get the best views of the city?

 

And is it the same for flying out of New York?

 

It doesn't matter, all depends on the wind direction. Landing JFK they now have a runway closed for construction which further impacts what runway they use depending on how bad the cross wind is.

 

Even on the day of your flight while in the air there could be a wind change and you will end up on the wrong side of the plane.

 

BTW, clearing CBP getting off the ship there is a separate line for non-US citizens must use which may impact the time it takes to clear depending on how well staffed CBP is for the day.

FWIW

[mking8288]

There's no way to predict FAA's runway assignement for aircraft landings at LGA or other NYC airports ahead of time, as already noted - some of it for security reasons, some for weather & for aircraft equipment reasons. There are fewer planes flying high above/across Manhattan these days for the scenic East River approach, as they could easily turn it around 180 degree & planes would be lined up in the northern suburb & come in over the north shore.

 

There are plenty of Youtube videos on various approaches.

 

On 9/13 - both the CCL Splendor and NCL Breakaway will be docking, so expect a very busy port, lines for clearing immigration & customs, and everyone except cruiseline transport - to be send across 12th Avenue to wait for taxi, car service or private pickup. UN General Assembly starts on 9/15 and there is always a chance East Side street closure around the UN will go into effect already, which won't really affect cruise ship pax.

 

BTW, taxi fares to/from LGA are metered plus toll/tips, no flat rates - for that, use Carmel or Dial7. Inexpensive public transportation to LGA is possible for experienced, light travelers with carry-on only. See Flytalk forum for details, how-to's & FAQ's.

[parasailor]

Enjoy your visit to NYC--look up the TKTS booth in Times Square or Broadwaybox.com for discount Broadway show tickets and Tripadvisor or Yelp for great inexpensive restaurants of every possible variety. The Airlink shuttle may be a good economical way to get from the terminal to the airport.