Same day from LGA to cruiseport timing

[mdhaugh]

If our flight arrives at LGA on a September Sunday at 12:30pm, will that give us enough time to get to the Manhattan cruiseport by the 3pm cutoff for embarking, if we take one of the crazy taxis? Might be cutting it too close?

 

Thank you anyone, for thoughts!

[njhorseman]

You can do it provided your flight isn't very late, your bags don't take a magical mystery tour before finding their way onto the baggage carousel and you don't get stuck in too much traffic going from the airport to the cruise port.

 

It's not a good idea to arrive the day of your cruise to begin with, but a flight arriving that close to the embarkation time is leaving no margin for error. I wouldn't do it.

[Love the beach]

I wouldn't do it either.

I recently flew from Orlando to LaGuardia...thunderstorm coming thru, we were diverted to JFK. Apparently the luggage crew doesn't unload luggage in a thunderstorm so there was another two hour wait until the luggage started coming thru...not just for my flight but for all the arrivals soooo, the line to get a taxi was incredible.

[mdhaugh]

Thank you for confirming this for me! We'll take the flight that arrives at 10:30 am instead.... I think I was just looking for some additional ZZZzzzz's that morning. ha!

[George C]

Should arrive the day before and see a Broadway show.

[Nitemare]

Where are you coming from?

 

Like George said, the day before is a much saner way to ensure your vacation starts as planned.

[mking8288]

Extra words of caution for those flying into LGA for a cruise, check your flight for aircraft type/configuration being flown - many short & medium haul connections are via regional partners using smaller aircrafts (not your A319's or 320's, 737's or 100 seaters, but - small 50 to 75 seaters, if not smaller) where there is often little or no overhead bins space for any carry-on luggage (not your 22" or even 20" unless it's a softside that you can get pass the FA a/k/a gate dragon) so that all bags are gate-checked, to be returned upon landing at the jet bridge OR, often times - out to luggage carousal @ arrival, downstairs - it will slow you down another 15 minutes, typically - maybe longer.

 

That's not bad for us when we fly home, ideal for arranging for car service pickup but not when you are in a hurry - and, the taxi line can be mad long, not slow - very efficient & orderely - but when planes land, you do have to get lined up.

 

Even a 10:30 AM landing is never a sure thing, weather & air traffic conditions permitting, if there's MX or other unexpected surprises elsewhere in the ATC system. For any given Sunday morning, traffic heading into Manhattan begin to build up by 11AM and it can take extra time to go across town after crossing the East River - we are less than 2 miles from LGA's runway & the trip from our residence to MCT, can vary a lot - anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour, but, allow 90 minutes just in case - plus lines for the taxi or wait for pickup by car service (Carmel or Dial7) and wait time for luggage & any bottleneck reaching the gate/jetbridge for deplaning.

 

Lastly, even with trip/cruise insurance coverage - it's not fun to watch your ship sailing down the Hudson - without you. Bon Voyage & happy cruising :D

[George C]

We always fly in a day before and if its a great port like NYC sometimes several days before, I even fly in to Houston the day before and I live in Dallas

[skrufy]

Would not do it.. You dont have much of a window for any unforseen delays. Look for an earlier arrival thats non-stop.

[mdhaugh]

Thanks again everyone for the extra info! For this trip the day before is not an option, but we're zeroing in on a flight from MSP to LGA that arrives about 10:40 am, which should work fine.

 

I appreciate all of the helpful info I get here on CC! You guys rock.

[Love the beach]

And yet another reason to come in the day before (or even the night before):

 

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/07/24/laguardia-terminal-c-delays/

 

Of the three NYC airports, LaGuardia is the one most prone to problems.

[mking8288]

DL is basically the only carrier for MSP-LGA (and, into JFK) - flight is non-stop usually on MD88 with 150 pax capacity, considered "big" for servicing LGA these days (from rooftop terrace, we enjoy plane watching 2 miles from Rwy 13/31 :D ) so deplaning could be slow depending on your seat assignment - do try to get early boarding (pay extra if necessary) with carry-ons as that will save you easily 15 to 30 extra minutes once the plane is at the LGA gate. Flight's on-time records this week is horrible and historically, 80% on-time with average delay of 30 minutes - so your time outside at the taxi or waiting for car service could be closer to 11:30 AM local time (flying time is 2.5 hour with extra time cushion in the scheduling)

 

Good luck - it's the first DL morning flight out of MSP-LGA, but, it doesn't necessary mean the plane was idle & serviced overnight, as it might be doing a red eye coming in for a layover - with a fresh change of flight crew for the morning shift - hopping airports to airports, so hope for the best.

 

Then, there was this morning's once only in a blue moon that lightening strike again - power knocked offline by contractors doing overnight work - when I saw the alert, 75+ flights cancelled then it was up to 100 flights, and by early evening, 160 mainline & connecting (regional partners) flights were cancelled at LGA. T-C is still on backup generator power and full service EXPECTED to be restored by Saturday morning (24+ hours later) http://7online.com/traffic/119-flights-canceled-at-laguardia-due-to-power-issue-at-terminal/877485/

 

In coaching for contingency planning & disaster recovery, the question & challenge is what is "Plan C" - most folks have some sort of untested Plan B, or at least they think, they "do"

 

Whether this is for NCL or CCL at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, please re-verify the cutoff & sailing time for pier check-in. First indication of problem, ask for getting re-routed (perhaps into EWR on UA) - calling the 800 # is often faster & better than standing at the CS counter with dozens in front of you - it will cost more $$ for a car service or taxi to the MCT, but you will at least salvage the cruise by hustling a bit. :p