Cruising out out NYC Sunday! Questions!

[NewbieAce]

Hey guys!

 

So First time Cruiser here, we are leaving out of NYC Sunday. It says for me to arrive at 11:30.

 

Can anyone tell me what check in is like, similar to airports? Long Lines? Once on board can you go to your cabins right away ETC? I've never been on a cruise and I think knowing what to expect will ease my nerves!

[Ohio_Bob]

Give your bags to the porters outside, tip them $2/bag . Go inside, through airport - style security/metal detector/xray. There will be lots of cruise line folks standing around to direct you. Give them your cabin number and they will send you to a check-in area. You'll wait in a queue line to check in, maybe 30 minutes or so. They will check you in, take your picture and give you your cruise card. Then you'll sit until your boarding group is called. Wait will depend upon the group number on the card they hand you on the way to check in (lower number is better) but the wait is usually another hour or so. Very airport - like. They will start boarding around noon. Maybe a bit earlier.

 

Once on board you can wander around (with your carry-ons), have lunch, hit the pool, whatever. As soon as your cabin door is closed you can go in and drop your stuff, but they will announce when cabins are "officially" available (usually between 1:00 and 2:00). Your suitcases will usually show up at your cabin before 5:00 or so. They will do a muster drill around 3:00 and sail away starts around 4:00. Then you're cruisin' baby.

Edited September 17, 2016 by Ohio_Bob

[Ohio_Bob]

Relax. You'll love it. Enjoy the sights of the city as you float down the Hudson.

[fshagan]

We were on the Gem out of NYC last October.

 

You will check your bags with the porters at the street level. They are pretty efficient and we were surprised at how nice they were. We always tip porters a buck a bag.

 

If you are not a suite passenger:

You enter a large check in area and will stand in line, a bit like being at an airport counter. When you get to an agent, he or she will take your information and credit / debit card for your onboard charges, and take your picture. Then they give you your cabin keys (like those card keys at hotels that open the doors). You will be assigned to a group number and be told to wait until that number is called. When that number is called you will board the ship.

 

NCL has one main dining room open for lunch if you prefer a sit down mean where you are served by wait staff, the buffet, and a "pub style" food place called O'Sheehans on embarkation day. You will be carrying your "carry on" bags at this time, with your checked bags to be delivered to your cabin later that day. You can usually get into your cabin between 1 and 2 PM, but your bags may come much later. If you have medication, or want to use the pool, have the meds and your swimming suit in your carry on. It can be a struggle to haul around large carry on bags until your cabin is open for you.

 

In the main atrium or *somewhere* will be stations set up where you can make extra-cost reservations for "specialty dining" if you are into that. If you are dining in the main dining rooms ... there are at least two of them ... you don't need reservations and can go any time you like, and sit at a table with just your own party, and eat. You can also choose to eat in the buffet or O'Sheehans ... or any other place that is serving food.

 

You will have a mandatory muster drill to go over the emergency procedures. This is usually in the late afternoon. NCL has you go to a theater or lounge. They show you how to put on a life jacket, etc. and then you are released. Vacation has started!

 

In your cabin will be a newsletter style document several pages long with information about on-board activities. You'll get one of these each day. Usually there are some "profit center" activities like Art Auctions, jewelry sales, shows about the stores in the ports, etc. But it will also have a listing by time for other activities like bingo*, Martini tasting*, musical acts, trivia games, etc. (* = extra cost items).

 

If you like live music, NCL usually has lounge music acts and they are pretty good; we saw a great celtic music trio on our cruise, and "followed them" around the ship watching them play. We like the live music very much on NCL.

 

There's a lot to do and you guys will have a blast!

[Ohio_Bob]

I assume you are on Breakaway. If so, I recommend Uptown Grille for lunch (if they haven't closed it for conversion yet) on Deck 16 aft. Great burgers and tables for sail away. Also the buffet in Moderno isn't well known, deck 8 aft. You can sit outside and eat on the "Waterfront" for a great view.

Edited September 17, 2016 by Ohio_Bob

[NewbieAce]

Wow!! You guys are so helpful! I truly appreciate it! Thanks so much!

[easyboy]

Give your bags to the porters outside, tip them $2/bag . Go inside, through airport - style security/metal detector/xray. There will be lots of cruise line folks standing around to direct you. Give them your cabin number and they will send you to a check-in area. You'll wait in a queue line to check in, maybe 30 minutes or so. They will check you in, take your picture and give you your cruise card. Then you'll sit until your boarding group is called. Wait will depend upon the group number on the card they hand you on the way to check in (lower number is better) but the wait is usually another hour or so. Very airport - like. They will start boarding around noon. Maybe a bit earlier.

 

Once on board you can wander around (with your carry-ons), have lunch, hit the pool, whatever. As soon as your cabin door is closed you can go in and drop your stuff, but they will announce when cabins are "officially" available (usually between 1:00 and 2:00). Your suitcases will usually show up at your cabin before 5:00 or so. They will do a muster drill around 3:00 and sail away starts around 4:00. Then you're cruisin' baby.

Well said.

[atomax]

BTW, someone posted this thread about potential traffic congestion in NYC on Sunday: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2402933

 

Tip: Hope you checked out your Roll Call and plan to attend the Meet & Greet (assuming there is one...). Good resource/information source and place to meet new/seasoned cruisers.

Edited September 17, 2016 by atomax

[Ohio_Bob]

One other thing, while everyone suggests being on the top decks for sail away, one of the coolest spots on Breakaway is Deck 8 aft at the very stern. It is a quiet area (at least until everyone discovers it around Monday), and looking out over the wake as the city drops off in the distance is very cool. It also has shade and a rail to lean against, as well as no glass wind barriers above the railing to interfere with pictures.

 

Deck 8 is also a great place for casual walks during the cruise. While it doesn't technically go around the entire ship, you can make big laps outside with a quick inside crossover at the forward elevator lobby. The "track" (such as it is) is on Deck 16 and it is way too crowded for casual walking. Deck 8 is much more scenic, at least during the day before the outside bars pick up.

Edited September 17, 2016 by Ohio_Bob

[back-at-it]

No one mentioned to have your camera ready for the sail away. I cruised out of New York once and got some great pictures of the Statue of Liberty on the way out. Some other great photo ops.

[BirdTravels]

You should have recieved an advisory for departures tomorrow due to the UN. Suggest you make your way to the port extra early before traffic gets backed up. Don't worry about the recommended check in time. General Boarding will start st 11:30 (but you need to get through the security and check in lines before you get to the boarding line).

Edited September 17, 2016 by BirdTravels