Can someone walk me through embarkation at NYC please?

[njhorseman]

6 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

 

When we sailed Joy in October, the only drivers I encountered trying to direct me to their car were cab drivers.  I brushed off the first dozen or so, mainly so we could get across the street and catch up with DD.  After that, a very nice but insistent cabby with a Toyota highlander won (after confirming a $75 flat rate to LGA), and he quickly grabbed our luggage and loaded it up.  It was fun.  Unlike the boring Uber drive into Manhattan.  

That wasn't a cab driver. It was an unlicensed law breaker. 

 

[cruiseny4life]

15 hours ago, flarad said:

Also I highly recommend the hotel where we stayed, Ink 48. We actually walked two blocks to the port on the morning of departure. Super easy. There's a rooftop bar and the restaurant, Print, was outstanding. It's just a few blocks walk to Times Square but not as crazy and touristy. 

We stayed here in August. The hotel was really clean, front desk helpful, and the rooms were much more spacious than I imagined for the price we paid. For breakfast, we went to Sullivan St. Bakery which is a quick walk (opposite direction of the pier). I think they are experiencing some supply issues due to some sort of plumbing issue at their bakery, IIRC. 

 

It's a very pleasant area of the city to stay. We wandered around late that evening to catch glimpses of the West Side Hwy, the Intrepid (it looks cool all lit up at night), and Hudson River Park. I really enjoy wandering around the city at night. It's peaceful, there's no hawkers, and you get a feel for what the city is without the tourists...I'm also a NY'er (central NY'er, that is), so I've had a lot of lovely times wandering around. Don't let the neighborhood name, Hell's Kitchen, scare you. It's yuppified/gentrified/whateverfied. Definitely not "scary" anymore...if it ever really was.

[ChiefMateJRK]

8 hours ago, njhorseman said:

That wasn't a cab driver. It was an unlicensed law breaker. 

 

Driving a yellow cab?  How does that work?

[njhorseman]

5 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Driving a yellow cab?  How does that work?

A Toyota Highlander was  a yellow  cab? I can't say that I've ever seen that, but I guess they do exist.

 

But...even if it was a yellow NY City taxi, the driver still broke the law by charging you a flat fare to LGA. Trips to LGA are supposed to be metered and the chance that a fare to LGA would be $75 is very slight. There would have to be a serious traffic jam to roll up a $75 fare. A typical fare would be in the $45 to $50 range.

[ChiefMateJRK]

5 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

A Toyota Highlander was  a yellow  cab? I can't say that I've ever seen that, but I guess they do exist.

 

But...even if it was a yellow NY City taxi, the driver still broke the law by charging you a flat fare to LGA. Trips to LGA are supposed to be metered and the chance that a fare to LGA would be $75 is very slight. There would have to be a serious traffic jam to roll up a $75 fare. A typical fare would be in the $45 to $50 range.

Yes.  It was a Yellow Cab Toyota Highlander, and the payment was processed through Curb.

 

From their website:

Join Curb, the largest network of Licensed Drivers in the United States

Drivers that are licensed through their local city transit regulators are eligible to partner with Curb. Check out your market requirements to sign up.

[ChiefMateJRK]

7 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Trips to LGA are supposed to be metered and the chance that a fare to LGA would be $75 is very slight. There would have to be a serious traffic jam to roll up a $75 fare. A typical fare would be in the $45 to $50 range.

I don't know if this is correct or not.  It really doesn't matter.  The price was similar to what we were getting quoted from Uber and Lyft.  I do know that some of the other yellow cabs were stenciled as $75 flat rate to the other airport.  NYC was a mad house, and we got to our airport quickly and for no more than it would have cost to walk a block or two to catch an Uber/Lyft.  

 

You stated the following:

8 hours ago, njhorseman said:

That wasn't a cab driver. It was an unlicensed law breaker. 

I don't believe this is correct.  How do you know so much about this stuff?  Are you a NYC cab driver?

[ngrund]

I just happened to be checking on transport options for family coming to JFK or LGA for our cruise in May from NYC

 

Normally, LGA is a metered, not a flat rate fare,  but if using Curb, flat rates are now an option, if accepted by the passenger-this is from the TLC website:

 

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has implemented a pilot program allowing licensed E-hail providers to offer upfront pricing in all participating yellow and green taxicabs .In addition to metered fares, passengers riding in Medallion taxicabs and Street Hail Liveries (SHLs) will now have the option to receive binding fare quotes when completing an E-Hail request.
See below for a list of current participants:

• Waave Inc.
• Myle Technologies Inc. 
• Wapanda Inc.
• Curb Mobility
• Arro

Note: This is an active list. Therefore, it will be updated frequently as new participants join the pilot.

• If you request a trip through the E-Hail app, the meter will not be turned on for the duration of the trip.
• Each E-Hail company sets their own rates and will give you a price prior to sending a trip request. TLC will evaluate the pilot’s effect on fares in taxis.
• If you received a binding fare quote, you will pay the fare that you accepted. E-Hail companies are still allowed to send you metered taxis, instead of offering a binding fare quote. Consult the E-Hail company if you are unsure which type of trip you are requesting.
• The Port Authority does not currently allow taxis to be E-Hailed at the airport. However, you can be dropped off at the airport.
• The upfront fare quote should include all charges, but the fare may change if you change your destination or if there are any unexpected tolls or taxes. If you feel you have been overcharged file a complaint with 311.
• Each app will have an option to tip the driver. As always, you can tip your driver in cash.

[grobma]

2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I don't believe this is correct.  How do you know so much about this stuff?  Are you a NYC cab driver?

Gotta stick up for njhorseman. He's spot on - any NY'er would know that. And that's why they prey on out-of-towners at the airports and piers.

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

2 hours ago, njhorseman said:

 

I don't know if this is correct or not.  It really doesn't matter.  The price was similar to what we were getting quoted from Uber and Lyft.  I do know that some of the other yellow cabs were stenciled as $75 flat rate to the other airport.  NYC was a mad house, and we got to our airport quickly and for no more than it would have cost to walk a block or two to catch an Uber/Lyft.

Even under the NY City Taxi and Limousine Commission's E-hail pilot program that permits the use of a few apps such as Curb, based on your description the required procedures for use of the app still weren't followed because you're required to make a request through the app first, then decide  whether to accept the fare quote through the app, not the passenger negotiating with the taxi driver on the street .

I realize you don't care, but that's how it works and your driver didn't follow the law.

 

2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I don't believe this is correct.  How do you know so much about this stuff?  Are you a NYC cab driver?

I was born in Manhattan, I've been a resident of NY City and its suburbs my entire life and have taken innumerable taxi, limo and car service rides over more than 7 decades, so I'm pretty darn familiar with how the system works. I spend a lot of time answering Cruise Critic posters' transportation questions on the East Coast Departures Board and to do so accurately I try to keep up with the rules, regulations and the marketplace in general.

And for bonus points I had an uncle who was a NY City taxi driver and educated me about his business from the time I was a young boy. 😁

[DaisyGoldberg]

7 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Don't let the neighborhood name, Hell's Kitchen, scare you. It's yuppified/gentrified/whateverfied. Definitely not "scary" anymore...if it ever really was.

Oh, it definitely was! 

[laudergayle]

20 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Even under the NY City Taxi and Limousine Commission's E-hail pilot program that permits the use of a few apps such as Curb, based on your description the required procedures for use of the app still weren't followed because you're required to make a request through the app first, then decide  whether to accept the fare quote through the app, not the passenger negotiating with the taxi driver on the street .

I realize you don't care, but that's how it works and your driver didn't follow the law.

Thanks for this insight.  I was thinking that was a likely scenario, and now I’m glad to have a better understanding of using the Curb app.  We like to use the app, and have agreed to pre-priced fares. We sail out of NYC again in April and we will walk a few blocks away as ChiefMateJRK suggests, and “officially” order our Yellow Cab via Curb.  And, likely not accept pre-price vs. metered to LGA.  

[ChiefMateJRK]

4 hours ago, ngrund said:

I just happened to be checking on transport options for family coming to JFK or LGA for our cruise in May from NYC

 

Normally, LGA is a metered, not a flat rate fare,  but if using Curb, flat rates are now an option, if accepted by the passenger-this is from the TLC website:

Thank you.  I guess I wasn't robbed by a dishonest thief as had been previously reported.  😎  He was a nice guy, the cab was nice, the ride was "exciting" 🤣and I paid exactly what was agreed to.  Some might call it a fair fare!  😃

[njhorseman]

5 hours ago, ngrund said:

I just happened to be checking on transport options for family coming to JFK or LGA for our cruise in May from NYC

 

Normally, LGA is a metered, not a flat rate fare,  but if using Curb, flat rates are now an option, if accepted by the passenger-this is from the TLC website:

Please read the page you quoted carefully. Curb and the other E-Hail apps are not permitted to be used for trips originating at the airports. They are only permitted for trips to the airports:

"The Port Authority does not currently allow taxis to be E-Hailed at the airport. However, you can be dropped off at the airport."

 

FYI, taxi fares between JFK and Manhattan in either direction are already fixed rate and have been for a number of years:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/taxi-fare.page

"Trips between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in either direction:

$52

Plus 50 cents MTA State Surcharge.

Plus 30 cents Improvement Surcharge.

$4.50 rush hour surcharge (4pm to 8pm weekdays, excluding legal holidays).

Plus New York State Congestion Surcharge of $2.50 (Yellow Taxi) or $2.75 (Green Taxi and FHV) or 75 cents (any shared ride) for all trips that begin, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street.

Plus tips and any tolls.

The on-screen rate message should read "Rate #2- JFK Airport." "

 

The bottom line is that for airport trips  to or from Manhattan the only change from standard fares when using Curb or another E-Hail app is for trips to LGA. 

 

 

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Thank you.  I guess I wasn't robbed by a dishonest thief as had been previously reported.  😎  He was a nice guy, the cab was nice, the ride was "exciting" 🤣and I paid exactly what was agreed to.  Some might call it a fair fare!  😃

If you want to ignore the fact that the designated procedures weren't followed when you negotiated the fare directly with the driver and the fact that you were charged more than you would have paid for a fare on the meter it was great.

If you're OK with the fact your driver broke the law by negotiating the fare directly with you and that you paid more than you otherwise might have then sure...it was a "fair fare". 

[ChiefMateJRK]

15 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

If you want to ignore the fact that the designated procedures weren't followed when you negotiated the fare directly with the driver and the fact that you were charged more than you would have paid for a fare on the meter it was great.

If you're OK with the fact your driver broke the law by negotiating the fare directly with you and that you paid more than you otherwise might have then sure...it was a "fair fare". 

Yes.  I'm OK with whatever happened.  Haven't I already stated that about sixteen times?  I was on a very enjoyable vacation and had no concerns about "overpaying" a hard working nice guy who took us to the airport.  Why are you making such a big deal out of this?

[ngrund]

29 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Please read the page you quoted carefully. Curb and the other E-Hail apps are not permitted to be used for trips originating at the airports. They are only permitted for trips to the airports:

"The Port Authority does not currently allow taxis to be E-Hailed at the airport. However, you can be dropped off at the airport."

 

FYI, taxi fares between JFK and Manhattan in either direction are already fixed rate and have been for a number of years:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/taxi-fare.page

"Trips between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in either direction:

$52

Plus 50 cents MTA State Surcharge.

Plus 30 cents Improvement Surcharge.

$4.50 rush hour surcharge (4pm to 8pm weekdays, excluding legal holidays).

Plus New York State Congestion Surcharge of $2.50 (Yellow Taxi) or $2.75 (Green Taxi and FHV) or 75 cents (any shared ride) for all trips that begin, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street.

Plus tips and any tolls.

The on-screen rate message should read "Rate #2- JFK Airport." "

 

The bottom line is that for airport trips  to or from Manhattan the only change from standard fares when using Curb or another E-Hail app is for trips to LGA. 

 

 

Thanks.

 

Yes, I saw that it would only be to the airport and not from-

 

It looks like they decided use a service that one of their employers uses when employees come to town for meetings

[njhorseman]

30 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Why are you making such a big deal out of this?

It's rather simple. I don't want to encourage anyone to use a driver or service that is breaking the law and I don't want anyone to get ripped off .

[mking8288]

This will probably need to/should be in the East Coast forum, but ... in other related news about ground travel - transit fares, looking ahead into 2023 (and, year-end) it will be going up for licensed yellow/green taxis, Ubers/Lyft, etc.  and; you can be assured that other FHV (For Hired Vehicles) are raising their fares too to match & keep up with operating costs ... 

 

Average fares will be up by 23%, the news article highlighted 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/17/nyregion/taxi-fare-hike-nyc.html

 

TLC has voted to approve the increases already & scheduled to go into effect by the end of this year ... thus, Happy New Year for all 👴 

 

Looking ahead to our options to MCT next month, already seeing that reflected even if we book now & prepaid ... price quote with surcharges already showing a pretty substantial jump, before suggested 20% tips for the driver.  Tolls for river crossings ... that's a different story.  

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

It's rather simple. I don't want to encourage anyone to use a driver or service that is breaking the law and I don't want anyone to get ripped off .

Which apparently never happened.  Again, why???  Do you not want people to just enjoy their vacations?  Do you really need to sprinkle misery on the fun of others?  Get a......

[trbarton]

On 12/12/2022 at 6:13 AM, BirdTravels said:

 

Christmas Day Instructions

 

Exactly 21 days prior to departure, check in online and get a check-in time. When you log on to your MyNCL account, you'll see the Days at the top right. That is around 12/25/22. Exactly at midnight eastern time (could be 11 pm Christmas night in ND). Personally, we always pick an early check-in time (9:00-9:30) and get to the port early to avoid some of the crowds. 

 

You will get your eDocs online the next day. They include your cruise ticket (first page or two) and information on your cruise (including address of departure port). Click on the link next to the suitcase icon to get your luggage tags. 

 

 

------------------------

Embarkation Day Instructions

 

1. Wake up and have a lovely breakfast at your hotel

 

2. Do not attach your cruise luggage tags until day of cruise. Attach luggage tags to your bags. If you are an infrequent cruiser, paying for holders may not be worth while to you. We print our tags out, put a strip of clear packing/shipping tape down the length of the luggage tag, and use that same tape to tape the ends together in the hotel before leaving for the port. We put two tags on each bag (one on the top handle and one on the side). Don't forget to pack the roll of tape and a very small scissors in your checked luggage (or even a nail clipper, just to cut the tape). 

 

3. Make sure that you have your cruise ticket, passport and any other required documents in your handcarry. Too many people have their passports in their luggage and are screwed once they get to the check-in. 

 

4. We usually stay at Times Square. It is just up the street from the cruise terminal and has lots of restaurants and things to see. From Times Square, we can try to get an Uber/Lyft or just hail a cab. In the past, a regular taxi has been cheaper than Uber/Lyft because of their demand pricing. 

 

5. You are going to Manhattan Cruise Terminal. There are multiple piers and there will be signs directing you to your ship. NCL normally uses Pier 88. The cruise terminal is like an airport, you keep driving down the row of piers until you get to your cruise line. Your driver will drop you somewhere near pier 88. There will be porters on the curb collecting luggage. Hand your luggage to the porter and tip the porter $5. 

 

6. Stop. Walk over to the windows along the walkway along the departure level where you left your bags and take your first picture of home for the next week.

 

7. Walk over to the doors of Pier 88. They will do a cursory check that you have your passport and cruise ticket (first page of edocs).

 

8. Enter the terminal and join the Security line. Security will check that you have a ticket and passport again. 

 

This is just like an airport. You put your handcarry on the X-ray machine and you walk through the magnetometer. You can keep your shoes on (unless you know that they have large metal shanks in them). No drinks may be taken beyond security (no bottled water, no sodas). 

 

9. Now that you're through security, it's time to check-in.

 

Manhattan Cruise Terminal may use two check-in areas. One as soon as you pass security and one all the way at the end of the terminal. The Gem is a small ship and they may be able to do it with one counter. If they use two check-in areas, it is divided by deck number (the Gem may use only one area). Your room keys are only at the check-in counter for your deck. 

 

At the far end of the terminal, there may be check in counter for other decks

 

10. Follow the signs to your check-in area and group. There are a lot of different lines, Regular Passengers, Priority Passengers, Casino Passengers. If you are in the Haven (Suites), there is a separate check-in area for you. We'll assume that you are just regular passengers and will join the line. 

 

11. At check-in, the agent will scan your passport/birth certificate. And they are likely going to re-take a picture. The agent will get your room keys and give you a boarding group number. 

 

12. Find a seat in the waiting area. Look for the sign saying "Boarding Here" (I think it was Door C). find a seat. Suites boarding starts around 11:00 am. Priority Boarding around 11:15 am. And General boarding at 11:30. Board when your boarding group is called. 

 

Enjoy!

I keep all of the necessary documents in an app on my phone & have been able to show those on some other cruise lines. I always have copies as a backup. Can I use my phone instead of the paper documents?

 

Thanks!

 

Tom😀

[trbarton]

On 12/12/2022 at 9:51 AM, pookel said:

 

So our ship leaves at 4 p.m. (which means we must board by 2 p.m. so I assume we want to be there before noon) but our hotel is in Newark and we want to fit in breakfast or brunch with a friend who lives in NYC before we board. Is there any down side to choosing a later check-in time? Like, as long as we are there by the time we pick, we should be fine, right?

I’ve not cruised out of NewYork but my preference is to arrive early to avoid any long lines. Take that into consideration if you choose to arrive later. 
 

I just cruise from San Francisco & was inside the terminal at 10 am with no long line outside. 
 

Tom😀