Needing advice--after porting and getting to plane on time.

[grateful one]

We are cruising New England in the fall, leaving from Cape Liberty, NJ. We haven't made our flight arrangements yet because we are needing to know how much approximate time we have after the ship docks. We will most likely use the Newark Airport. We would appreciate any advice in this area. Thanks bunches!

[RoofingPrincess]

General rule of thumb for almost every port seems to be, never book a flight home before noon.

Even if the itinerary says the ship docks at 7 am, there are some immigration clearances that have to occur before people can be allowed to leave the ship - and all you need is one person not showing up when and where they're supposed to, and the whole ship gets to wait.

Then, you have disembarking all those people, who need to retrieve their luggage and go through customs, and find transportation. Newark isn't that far away from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), so if there aren't any traffic issues, that's not too bad. But then you're supposed to be at the airport 90 minutes or 2 hours before your flight to clear security.

 

So for a noon flight,

you'd have to be there at 10 or 10:30 for security purposes

let's say half an hour (not sure, just guessing) from port to airport, that puts you at 9:30 or 10

put in another half hour for finding your transportation (especially if you have transfers through the ship and have to wait for it to fill up)

another half hour for finding your luggage and waiting in line at customs

now you're at 8:30 or 9

 

....see what I mean? :)

[paul929207]

You can call your cruise line and ask when is the earliest they recommend.

[kitty9]

The security lines for Newark or either of the NY airports are much longer than most airports. You will need to be at the airport at least 90 minutes, if not longer, before your flight leaves. Every cruise line advises their passengers to not book flights before noon. IF you were cruising out of Ft Lauderdale, then I would say you could make an 11am flight, but not out of Newark or NY.

[Keith1010]

You have been given good advice.

 

I would look for flights after 12:00 Noon. I would actually go for one that is 1:00 PM just to be safe.

 

Check in lines can be long at most airports particularly that time of day.

 

Not sure what airline you are flying but it's always a good idea to get there a little earlier than what is recommended to have more time for check in.

 

Keith

[grateful one]

:)Sure appreciate all the advice received.........will heed!! Thank you!