NCL Airport transfer - debarkation time

[Lbicklel]

We are on the Escape, scheduled to arrive back in NYC at 7:00 am on Sept 22.  Just for ease I am considering doing the NCL transfer to get back to LaGuardia instead of a car service.  Since there are six of us it won’t be much more expensive than a car service. 

 

Can anyone tell me what time we would have to be off the ship by in order to use that service? We typically like to be among the last to get off the ship and our flight is not until 3 o’clock.

[bonvoyagie]

From what I have heard from my TA is that NCL will take a look at which airport you are leaving from and what time your flight is and put you on the correct shuttle.

 

On my last cruise we took a tour off the ship that ended up at the airport - it was up to us to determine if it got you to the airport in time for your flight. That was Boston so there was only one airport - in NYC there are something like 4 or 5 if you include Newark.

[1025cruise]

Well, you will be off the ship no later than 9:30 or 10:00. You'll have plenty of time sitting at the airport.

[mking8288]

NCL charges about $40 p/p one-way for airport transfer to LGA/JFK, typically for domestic flights after 1 p.m. - that's $240 for 6 rides sharing the bus along with others, and of course, luggage.    

 

To make a long story short, we recommend - active on the East Coast forum - to arrive at LGA 90 minutes to 2 hours prior to scheduled departure, as while it might take only 30 to 60 minutes to reach the exit(s) for the airport, there are up to 4 terminal stops - and that loop can take easily an extra 15 to 30 minutes, easily up to 1 hour if traffic inside the airport service roadways are congested - across all 3 lanes merging forward, bumper-to-bumper. 

 

With luggage & headcounts, you will NOT fit all into a single car service's minivan, which can take 4 to 5 plus reasonable/generous luggage - so it's either taking 2 yellow taxi (metered fare) or car service (4 door sedans - 3 & 3 each plus luggage).  Your cost per vehicle should run no higher than $65 to $75, probably a little less - no need to wait for anyone else to share the bus ride and making extra stops - and, unlike buses ... more options in optimal routes to get to LGA faster/easier.  Money saved is good enough for a decent lunch at airport concession - the new LGA terminals are getting nicer everyday and WiFi is free for all, while you sit back & wait.  

[zqvol]

1 hour ago, Lbicklel said:

We are on the Escape, scheduled to arrive back in NYC at 7:00 am on Sept 22.  Just for ease I am considering doing the NCL transfer to get back to LaGuardia instead of a car service.  Since there are six of us it won’t be much more expensive than a car service. 

 

Can anyone tell me what time we would have to be off the ship by in order to use that service? We typically like to be among the last to get off the ship and our flight is not until 3 o’clock.

 

You are going to be off between 8:15 and 8:45.

[Lbicklel]

4 minutes ago, zqvol said:

 

You are going to be off between 8:15 and 8:45.

That answers that...too early!

[Lbicklel]

23 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

NCL charges about $40 p/p one-way for airport transfer to LGA/JFK, typically for domestic flights after 1 p.m. - that's $240 for 6 rides sharing the bus along with others, and of course, luggage.    

 

To make a long story short, we recommend - active on the East Coast forum - to arrive at LGA 90 minutes to 2 hours prior to scheduled departure, as while it might take only 30 to 60 minutes to reach the exit(s) for the airport, there are up to 4 terminal stops - and that loop can take easily an extra 15 to 30 minutes, easily up to 1 hour if traffic inside the airport service roadways are congested - across all 3 lanes merging forward, bumper-to-bumper. 

 

With luggage & headcounts, you will NOT fit all into a single car service's minivan, which can take 4 to 5 plus reasonable/generous luggage - so it's either taking 2 yellow taxi (metered fare) or car service (4 door sedans - 3 & 3 each plus luggage).  Your cost per vehicle should run no higher than $65 to $75, probably a little less - no need to wait for anyone else to share the bus ride and making extra stops - and, unlike buses ... more options in optimal routes to get to LGA faster/easier.  Money saved is good enough for a decent lunch at airport concession - the new LGA terminals are getting nicer everyday and WiFi is free for all, while you sit back & wait.  

Thanks. Using two cars with the car service was my original plan but just getting scared about the congestion at the port and not knowing what time to tell them to pick us up. They all seem to have extra charges for waiting time. I was thinking the transfer might be easier. Even though it was more expensive.

[zqvol]

34 minutes ago, Lbicklel said:

Thanks. Using two cars with the car service was my original plan but just getting scared about the congestion at the port and not knowing what time to tell them to pick us up. They all seem to have extra charges for waiting time. I was thinking the transfer might be easier. Even though it was more expensive.

 

Use Uber or Lyft

[mking8288]

40 minutes ago, Lbicklel said:

Thanks. Using two cars with the car service was my original plan but ... all seem to have extra charges for waiting time. I was thinking the transfer might be easier. Even though it was more expensive.

 

Easier but much more costly - we use/recommend Carmel (or Dial 7) for cruise & airport transfers ourselves - there is no "absolute" need to pre-book in advance, especially when your flight is 3 p.m. & you don't plan to rush off & rather be among the later group to disembark.  Carnival ship will be docked next to NCL (likely Pier 90) and the Aida also there on a port stop - based on cruise terminal schedule for 9/22.  

 

It's a leisurely 10 minutes walk beyond CBP inside the pier to the 12th Avenue exit for ground transportation, that is usually more than enough time to call for a pickup ... and by the time we made our way across the street to wait - the driver/car service should/will be there in another minute or two.  If it's easier for the group, hire or "hijack" one of the porter & he/she will move all the bags & escort you thru (follow) on their exclusive bypass/express lane thru CBP ... if you don't feel like rolling all the bags - and for a little bonus tipping, they will take you across 12th Avenue ("not supposed to" ... sure, $$ talks)

 

Personally biased, not a fan of Uber/Lyft "ride sharing" but that is your backup transportation - even if disembarkation of backed up & CBP hit a full stop to slow everyone down, as long as you are ready by 11 am or 11:30 for the ride over to LGA - you are well within the comfort zone that I would do myself - and get INSIDE your airline's terminal to check-in & proceed thru security, or get a decent bite before boarding ... at your usual airport pricing for food (minus 20% auto-gratuity ... LOL, could resist the humor)