Cunard Shuttle from Newark Airport

[Tigrou]

Does anyone have experience of using the Cunard shuttle from Newark Airport to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal please?

 

I'm not flying in on embarkation day but will be staying at an airport hotel the night before so easily able to return to the airport to catch the shuttle.  I've been quoted £30 by my TA which is considerably cheaper than a taxi.  I'm just wondering if there are any downsides to it other than it being shared transport rather than private, and presumably taking longer.  

 

Any info would be appreciated.

 

 

[Underwatr]

If you're traveling solo the shuttle should be a good value (we've only gone from the port to Newark, and the price has been ~$40 per person in advance and $50 if bought onboard, while a cab is $80-90 (perhaps plus tolls...).

[Tigrou]

Well that was a non-starter, it seems Cunard don't want my business.

 

My TA booked the transfer then contacted Cunard for details of where and when I needed to be.  Only to be told that I can only use the transfer if I'm flying into EWR on embarkation day.  I don't want to do that, I'd rather not take the risk of any delays.

I contacted Cunard UK direct to explain that I can be at any EWR terminal at whatever time they tell me, but they said no, not only does it have to be on embarkation day but also on a flight booked through Cunard (which isn't what they told the TA).

 

This seems unreasonably restrictive.  As long as I have paid and I turn up when and where instructed, what difference does it make to Cunard?  If anything it makes their logistics easier, not having to deal with possible flight delays, it's a seat on a coach at a given time.  

 

[MCC retired]

Easy solution , which we have done before with other cruise lines that have the same day of sailing Transfer  rules.

Find a Independently booked Flight # that lands within Cunard's transfer time frame , and have your TA input that 

as your flight schedule for the transfer .

Transfer can be added to your booking in TA's POLAR booking system if that is how your UK TA books your cruise.

This works for Cunard bookings from the US .Unless your UK Cunard booking has some crazy restriction , it should work for you .

 

[Underwatr]

I've booked the Cunard transfer to EWR a couple of times. They don't ask such difficult questions going that way.

 

You could take the PATH train to the WTC (except on weekends, I think) and cab from there but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Tigrou]

1 hour ago, MCC retired said:

Easy solution , which we have done before with other cruise lines that have the same day of sailing Transfer  rules.

Find a Independently booked Flight # that lands within Cunard's transfer time frame , and have your TA input that 

as your flight schedule for the transfer .

Transfer can be added to your booking in TA's POLAR booking system if that is how your UK TA books your cruise.

This works for Cunard bookings from the US .Unless your UK Cunard booking has some crazy restriction , it should work for you .

 

 

First thing I said to the TA was that I'd find an appropriate flight and she could give them the details.  They wouldn't be able to check if I was actually on it because that's against airline security.  But before deciding whether or not to do that I spoke direct to Cunard in the hope they would see sense, which is when they told me you can't book the transfer if you use an independently booked flight, only if you book flights through them.

 

I've used a TA company which I believe was founded in the US but also has UK and IE websites.  As I paid in sterling, and the TA gave a direct discount off the fare (rather than OBC), I believe my booking is a UK reservation.  The TA agent I spoke to today says she has never known any other cruise line to make this restriction, generally if a shuttle transfer is offered then any passenger can pay to use it.

 

 

 

 

[Tigrou]

24 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

I've booked the Cunard transfer to EWR a couple of times. They don't ask such difficult questions going that way.

 

You could take the PATH train to the WTC (except on weekends, I think) and cab from there but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

I have often read of people booking transfers from the ship to an airport and no-one's ever said they had to prove they were actually flying out.  Quite why Cunard are being so difficult for transfers in the opposite direction I have no idea.  It makes no business sense.

 

I'd happily use public transport if I didn't have luggage but the combination of that, and travelling solo, and it not being direct, doesn't make it a viable option.

 

I've tried looking at car service from a couple of companies recommended on CC but for some reason their online systems won't accept my hotel as a pick-up point, when I choose it from the drop down menus they default to the airport.  If I try with the street address it's as if it doesn't exist.  

 

It seems crazy that I've very easily been able to book every aspect of my trip online, including 2 Atlantic crossings, but the bit that is proving the most difficult is the relatively short journey between EWR and Red Hook!

 

[Underwatr]

I should clarify, they do ask for your flight info on the outbound transfer booking form but I've just left it uncompleted with no issues.

 

Perhaps your travel agent can play what's known as CSR Roulette and try calling Cunard with appropriate flight numbers a couple more times. Maybe it's not really as firm a policy as you've been told and/or there's an override available. Fun, huh? 🙂

[david,Mississauga]

7 hours ago, Tigrou said:

Well that was a non-starter, it seems Cunard don't want my business.

 

My TA booked the transfer then contacted Cunard for details of where and when I needed to be.  Only to be told that I can only use the transfer if I'm flying into EWR on embarkation day.  I don't want to do that, I'd rather not take the risk of any delays.

I contacted Cunard UK direct to explain that I can be at any EWR terminal at whatever time they tell me, but they said no, not only does it have to be on embarkation day but also on a flight booked through Cunard (which isn't what they told the TA).

 

This seems unreasonably restrictive.  As long as I have paid and I turn up when and where instructed, what difference does it make to Cunard?  If anything it makes their logistics easier, not having to deal with possible flight delays, it's a seat on a coach at a given time.  

 

 

I have read that transfers to or from a Cunard booked flight were included in the charge of the air fare. The transfer charge is for flights booked independently. Has there been a change in this policy?

 

Regarding having to specify a flight, I have taken many transfers from Southampton to Gatwick. We were not flying from Gatwick the same day, but staying at our favourite hotel in the area. Cunard has insisted on knowing what flight we are taking. The TA said this is so the passenger doesn't book the transfer for a flight that is too early. Generally Cunard has said that the transfers should be booked only for flights leaving after 1:00 p.m. So we pick a flight at random and enter that to keep them happy.  One time we did not indicate a "phantom" flight and the tour office would not issue our transfer vouchers until we did so. So I found a flight to some European airport that I had never heard of and we got our vouchers.

 

For inbound flights and transfers to the ship, Cunard probably wants to know the flight so passengers can be met at the exit of the customs hall. I know people who have made up a flight number and time in order to complete the booking of the transfer and showed up at the meeting point. I have yet to do this, but am considering it for EWR to Red Hook for my next crossing.

 

On the U.S. booking site it is easy to add the transfer to the booking. No flight detail is requested. A TA should be able to do the same.

[Tigrou]

12 hours ago, david,Mississauga said:

On the U.S. booking site it is easy to add the transfer to the booking. No flight detail is requested. A TA should be able to do the same.

 

This is what my TA did.  But when she contacted Cunard to find out exactly where and when the transport would be, they asked for flight details.  She explained I'm not flying in that day and was told I could not use the transfer unless I fly into EWR on embarkation day.

 

When I contacted Cunard direct the agent I spoke to was puzzled because she could see on her system that I'd booked and paid for a transfer.  She went to check and was told that I could only use the transfer on embarkation day and, additionally, if my flight is booked through Cunard.  She said she'd tried to get around the rules in order to allow it but had failed.

 

Whilst I could ask my TA to try again with flight details (of a flight I won't be on), I am reluctant to risk turning up at EWR on the day and finding myself without transport for whatever reason.

 

[silvaner]

I drive to Newark and park at off site parking.  When l book the Cunard shuttle l do as MCC Retired suggested.  I provide a flight number and time on the booking. Cunard has no way of checking if you are actually on that flight.

 

when l arrive at the airport (by shuttle bus from the parking lot) l go to the designated meeting place. Eventually a CunArd employee appears and escorts all the passenger to the bus to Red Hook.  

[Tigrou]

4 hours ago, silvaner said:

I drive to Newark and park at off site parking.  When l book the Cunard shuttle l do as MCC Retired suggested.  I provide a flight number and time on the booking. Cunard has no way of checking if you are actually on that flight.

 

when l arrive at the airport (by shuttle bus from the parking lot) l go to the designated meeting place. Eventually a CunArd employee appears and escorts all the passenger to the bus to Red Hook.  

 

Thank you, that's interesting.  Presumably you turn up at the airport around the time your 'flight' is due to arrive, but how do you find out where the designated meeting place is?  

 

Could you also please tell me roughly how long it takes the bus to get from EWR to Red Hook.

 

[david,Mississauga]

22 hours ago, Tigrou said:

 

Thank you, that's interesting.  Presumably you turn up at the airport around the time your 'flight' is due to arrive, but how do you find out where the designated meeting place is?  

 

Could you also please tell me roughly how long it takes the bus to get from EWR to Red Hook.

 

 

Cunard will need to know what flight (real or phantom) you are arriving on because there are three terminals. Cunard will tell you where to meet, but at all airports I have used there is a person with a Cunard sign at the exit of the baggage/customs area.

 

https://www.newarkairport.com/at-airport/airport-maps

 

Two friends flew from Manchester to EWR. They were the only two on that flight who had a transfer booked. The Cunard rep. put them in a taxi.

 

I have not taken the Cunard bus from EWR, only to EWR. It took about an hour. We have used a car service a few times from EWR to Red Hook. It took about an hour to an hour and a quarter. There can be a huge traffic bottleneck at the entrance of the tunnel, no matter which one they use.

 

[Underwatr]

2 hours ago, david,Mississauga said:

There can be a huge traffic bottleneck at the entrance of the tunnel, no matter which one they use.

We've gone via Staten Island both times we've had the transfer to EWR.

[Tigrou]

Thank you everyone for your help.

 

I've got a little time to decide what to do.  The Cunard shuttle would be cheaper, but a car service more convenient.  I have now discovered that one of the companies I was looking at has a UK 0800 contact number so although it seems I can't book online, I could do by phone without incurring transatlantic call charges.

 

[BobBranst]

We have flown into EWR on many occasions the day before embarkation and used the Cunard Airport shuttle.  Tell Cunard or have your TA tell Cunard that you are arriving on some airline flight that arrives on embarkation morning.  The hotels near the Newark airport have free shuttles to and from the airport, so we stay over night in one of these hotels and take the hotel shuttle back to the airport in the morning and look for the people wearing Cunard badges in the area near the baggage carousels or where ever they tell you to meet in the arrival area of the phony airline flight.   We've never had problem doing it this way.

[medmonkey]

I appreciate all the thoughts posted here thus far. We will be on the TA departing New York Sept 2020, and my husband and I were planning on flying to Newark the day before, and staying closer to the Brooklyn terminal that night. Are there any hotel recommendations close to the terminal for this plan, or should we be trying to stay at an airport hotel as others seem to be doing? 

 

 

[Underwatr]

You could stay in Brooklyn, which is up-and-coming, but we also like the Millennium Hilton in downtown Manhattan at the WTC. A cab ride from there to the ship is quick - through the tunnel and you're there.

[BobBranst]

4 hours ago, medmonkey said:

I appreciate all the thoughts posted here thus far. We will be on the TA departing New York Sept 2020, and my husband and I were planning on flying to Newark the day before, and staying closer to the Brooklyn terminal that night. Are there any hotel recommendations close to the terminal for this plan, or should we be trying to stay at an airport hotel as others seem to be doing? 

 

 

Our decisions to stay at EWR & use the Cunard shuttle has been based solely on cost.   When we have added the total cost of (all) transportation with the cost for the hotel, EWR has always been our cheapest option.  YMMV.

[simonaitch]

How much would Uber or Lyft be ?

[Underwatr]

4 hours ago, simonaitch said:

How much would Uber or Lyft be ?

Right now (just after midnight New York time), an UberX can be hailed from Newark Airport to the cruise terminal for $72.49, UberXL for $86.46. Offhand I don't know whether tolls are included, crossing Staten Island is on the order of $10.

 

The app defaults to your current address for pickup but you can specify any other pickup address. It's probably smart to check pricing at the approximate time and day of week that you'd plan to use it.

Edited August 28, 2019 by Underwatr