NYC Port, boarding and checking in Newbe question

[daydream1]

Ok, I tried to search for the answer, but this is still not clear to me: We leave for a New England cruise on Sep. 23 on the Gem. The system during online-checkin gave me time slots from 10-1 ...we picked 12. HOWEVER, our plan for that morning is to go to the Museum of Natural history. I now read that someone said you could drop your luggage off at like 8:30....

 

Question:

Can we head after breakfast at the hotel to the port, drop our luggage off, then head to the museum and then do the check-in at around 12-1? And does everyone have to be present for the luggage drop off? My thought would be to take a cab to the port, drop our suitcases off, while hubby and toddler take the subway to the museum and power themselves out on the way.

[Peachypooh]

Ok, I tried to search for the answer, but this is still not clear to me: We leave for a New England cruise on Sep. 23 on the Gem. The system during online-checkin gave me time slots from 10-1 ...we picked 12. HOWEVER, our plan for that morning is to go to the Museum of Natural history. I now read that someone said you could drop your luggage off at like 8:30....

 

Question:

Can we head after breakfast at the hotel to the port, drop our luggage off, then head to the museum and then do the check-in at around 12-1? And does everyone have to be present for the luggage drop off? My thought would be to take a cab to the port, drop our suitcases off, while hubby and toddler take the subway to the museum and power themselves out on the way.

 

Sorry I don't know the answer but did want to mention that taking into account travel times that is not alot of time to see the museum. It is huge. Check the opening times too. Maybe see it the day you disembark?

[Peachypooh]

I checked the Museum website. It doesn't open until 10 a.m. Hope you get to see it.

[erntrish]

Question:

Can we head after breakfast at the hotel to the port, drop our luggage off, then head to the museum and then do the check-in at around 12-1? And does everyone have to be present for the luggage drop off? My thought would be to take a cab to the port, drop our suitcases off, while hubby and toddler take the subway to the museum and power themselves out on the way.

 

Not everyone needs to be present to simply drop off luggage. Just have the tags stapled to the bags and give to the longshoremen.Not sure how much of the museum you will be able to see between 10 and 12, considering its a subway ride and lengthy walk to get from AMNH on UWS to pier in Chelsea.

[mking8288]

A quick schedule check, Gem sail at 4 PM with all abroad at 2 PM, please reconfirm with your eDocs & NCL and be sure to complete online check-in & print out, etc. as you won't have access to them 24 hours prior to departure.

 

There are 3 ships at the Manhattan pier that day so expect a bit of traffic, although it should be fine early and for your late return to the cruise terminals.

 

Porters will only check your luggage tags & take them, as noted, you don't need everyone else in your party for the drop-off - and, they are usually there by 8 AM or even 7:30 as ship is likely to be early/on-time, docking at 7 AM is common (disembark & walkoff by 7:30 or 7:45 AM if everything is smooth). You will have plenty of time to join them at the museum like walking to the subway to go uptown.

 

Plan to leave AMNH no later than 1 PM, catch a taxi or car service, coming downtown via the West Side, should be no more than 20 to 30 minutes even if there's traffic or street closure (U.N. General Assembly still in session on the East Side thru end of September, expect extra police & security presence and possible gridlocks should escorted VIP motorcades are on the move)

 

Security screening and check-in should be quick & easy as most would've been on the ship and finished their lunch, staterooms are usually ready by 1 to 1:30 PM - your own option would be the buffet for a quick, late lunch (don't remember, off-hand, if O'Sheehan's was open) - mandatory muster drills @ 3:30 PM.

[vince_g]

A quick schedule check, Gem sail at 4 PM with all abroad at 2 PM, please reconfirm with your eDocs & NCL and be sure to complete online check-in & print out, etc. as you won't have access to them 24 hours prior to departure.

 

There are 3 ships at the Manhattan pier that day so expect a bit of traffic, although it should be fine early and for your late return to the cruise terminals.

 

Porters will only check your luggage tags & take them, as noted, you don't need everyone else in your party for the drop-off - and, they are usually there by 8 AM or even 7:30 as ship is likely to be early/on-time, docking at 7 AM is common (disembark & walkoff by 7:30 or 7:45 AM if everything is smooth). You will have plenty of time to join them at the museum like walking to the subway to go uptown.

 

Plan to leave AMNH no later than 1 PM, catch a taxi or car service, coming downtown via the West Side, should be no more than 20 to 30 minutes even if there's traffic or street closure (U.N. General Assembly still in session on the East Side thru end of September, expect extra police & security presence and possible gridlocks should escorted VIP motorcades are on the move)

 

Security screening and check-in should be quick & easy as most would've been on the ship and finished their lunch, staterooms are usually ready by 1 to 1:30 PM - your own option would be the buffet for a quick, late lunch (don't remember, off-hand, if O'Sheehan's was open) - mandatory muster drills @ 3:30 PM.

 

This post gets my vote for best answer. Why sit around waiting for boarding to begin, when you can do something better with that time? Check in will be a snap at that time, and as mking mentions, your cabin should be ready by that time.

[daydream1]

A quick schedule check, Gem sail at 4 PM with all abroad at 2 PM, please reconfirm with your eDocs & NCL and be sure to complete online check-in & print out, etc. as you won't have access to them 24 hours prior to departure.

 

There are 3 ships at the Manhattan pier that day so expect a bit of traffic, although it should be fine early and for your late return to the cruise terminals.

 

Porters will only check your luggage tags & take them, as noted, you don't need everyone else in your party for the drop-off - and, they are usually there by 8 AM or even 7:30 as ship is likely to be early/on-time, docking at 7 AM is common (disembark & walkoff by 7:30 or 7:45 AM if everything is smooth). You will have plenty of time to join them at the museum like walking to the subway to go uptown.

 

Plan to leave AMNH no later than 1 PM, catch a taxi or car service, coming downtown via the West Side, should be no more than 20 to 30 minutes even if there's traffic or street closure (U.N. General Assembly still in session on the East Side thru end of September, expect extra police & security presence and possible gridlocks should escorted VIP motorcades are on the move)

 

Security screening and check-in should be quick & easy as most would've been on the ship and finished their lunch, staterooms are usually ready by 1 to 1:30 PM - your own option would be the buffet for a quick, late lunch (don't remember, off-hand, if O'Sheehan's was open) - mandatory muster drills @ 3:30 PM.

Thank you for the great answer, even taking into account the un general assembly :) we are me (the Museum buff) plus hubby and the toddler, both have patience for about an hour of any museum, so we will do it this way.

[boscobeans]

For a museum buff, two hours at the Natural History Museum would be beyond disappointing. Having been there dozens of times I have always felt shortchanged after a full day walking the halls and viewing the exhibits.

Enjoy your cruise and whatever else you decide to do.

 

bosco

[Gingerclerg]

I must agree with the post above about the Natural History museum. I spent most of one day there and short changed it. It is a gem of a museum. Planetarium is a must and that takes at least an hour. Not to mention the largest display of dinosaurs in US.

 

Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app

[BostonGal35]

why not check out the Intrepid museum right next door?

[smokie36]

How about the Intrepid museum next to the terminal? Very interesting for aviation and history buffs

[kaangel]

The museum does open at 10. We just took the family on a rainy Monday a few weeks ago. There was a very large line we did not get into the museum until 11:30.

most definitely you would want a "full day" at the museum

[garycarla]

The museum does open at 10. We just took the family on a rainy Monday a few weeks ago. There was a very large line we did not get into the museum until 11:30.

most definitely you would want a "full day" at the museum

 

We were thinking about doing that late the day before, or the morning of the cruise.

 

We probably could not get there until 2-3pm and they close at 5. Based on your comments, it is not looking good for that. Bummer.

[cxc362]

Not everyone needs to be present to simply drop off luggage. Just have the tags stapled to the bags and give to the longshoremen.Not sure how much of the museum you will be able to see between 10 and 12, considering its a subway ride and lengthy walk to get from AMNH on UWS to pier in Chelsea.

 

The MCT is in Hell's Kitchen, not Chelsea.