Veendam Ducks and DITs!!!

Celebrity Summit and Norwegian Gem will be in port with us in NYC for our Sunday departure and arrival. That means possible chaos at the pier, especially for disembarkation. Don't know how thinly spread out Immigration and Customs will be - there could be delays. Those who have HAL transfers should be fine. Based on past experience, those who are relying on taxis could find a long wait. Those who are ordering a car service be sure to keep your cell phones handy because you may need to keep revising pick-up times. The car services are accustomed to this, but you need to keep them informed.​

(Emphasis mine.)
This is so true. Also, passengers from the ship in the northernmost berth will get the taxis first, and it is almost always a long wait for them, too. For those who are able, consider doing what we do. After collecting your luggage, take the elevator to street level, not the taxi level. Then, walk across 12th Avenue (or even 11th) to hail a taxi. There is a long ramp leading to the terminal, and we've found that drivers are happy to avoid it. So, drivers often circle the area... we've not had a problem since someone told us that years ago. Important: Do not accept a ride from someone in the terminal claiming to be a taxi driver, as the taxi might not be licensed.

This doesn't apply to those using a car service. As ShipMaven mentioned, stay in touch with them via phone and have them let you know where to meet.
 
You want scary? I'll show you 'scary' ... Have also been looking for some tennis shoes ... What do you guys think?
Vibram-Fivefingers-Womens-Sprint-Shoes-Five-fingers-Peach-Silver.jpg


Cool, I want a pair
 
Earl, I said that yesterday.

He's going to be so BRIGHT we'll be able to spot him from a mile away and we can avoid him!

:biggrin:
 
Excellent point, Lisa.

Mal and I were on a cruise from the city a few years ago. When we left, the threat alert was Orange. When we returned it was Red.

It created quite a SNAFU for both taxi and limo drivers. We were in constant touch with our limo driver and he directed us where to wait for him. We were about the only ones on the ship that didn't have a problem.

The other thing we've been known to do if we're traveling from the city is request to be among the very last to get off the ship. This works great as long as you don't have a flight to catch. By the time you disembark, you don't have to search through a sea of luggage!!
:doubleup:
 
Do you REALLY want to know? When you show up with face paint and points imbedded under your facial skin, I'll KNOW you've been taking Lady GaGa lessons! QUACK
 
Judi, I think you are correct! My tops and bottoms must have shrunk. They shrunk from hanging in the closet for the last 2 1/2
years, lol

Lisa, Judi and Mary Ann, thanks for the taxi info. Since we are staying in NYC the night we get back I will try and remember to ask that we be one of the last ones off of the ship.

Jean, why don't you come to KC and help me shop as I hate to shop anymore.

Calgon, please let Pat know what she can hang out with us while you are participating in the walk :biggrin: I do however like those shoes : -)
 
A reminder for Duckies.

If you are flying out the day we return from our cruise and haven't booked your flights yet, PLEASE DO NOT BOOK A FLIGHT EARLIER THAN 2:00PM. I had recommended this earlier on.

Thank you.

Mama Duck
 
I booked a 1:00 PM departure so I am also interested in hearing the reason for booking no earlier than 2:00 PM. I assume it has to do with crowds, but where? Terminal? Airport? Both? I have a transfer from the terminal to the airport, will this help me or hinder me? I have time to change this if necessary.
 
my flight is not till 6;30PM so I have booked a tour of city just to kill time so I WON'T have to sit at the airport all day
 
With two other ships disembarking passengers, we don't know how long it will take to clear Veendam and go through Customs and Immigration. We don't know if there may be a large contingent (or not) of non-U.S. citizens who must present themselves first at Immigration. Once past those hurdles, comes the task of finding transportation. Depending upon traffic, JFK and Newark Airports could be an hour away, more likely 45 minutes. La Guardia is closer. You have to go through Security at the airport. I, for one, am not a person who likes to rush to the Gate just when they're about ready to close boarding for my flight.

I find it a lot more pleasant NOT ending a cruise looking at my watch and wondering if I'll make my flight home.

Mama Duck
 
I, for one, am not a person who likes to rush to the Gate just when they're about ready to close boarding for my flight.

I find it a lot more pleasant NOT ending a cruise looking at my watch and wondering if I'll make my flight home.

Mama Duck

Which is exactly why we decided to stay one night post cruise before flying home!! .... but boy oh boy do we ever leave early the next morning! :whistle:

pinkduck.jpg
quack quack quack
 
We are staying over Sunday evening also but only because we could get a flight out Sunday using our frequent flier free tickets.
I am actually looking forward to not having to rush around after disembarking. It usually puts me into a stressed out mood, lol
The free tickets are nice but sometimes they are a pain as to when you can use them and when you can't. Luckily we do not have
to be home Sunday and luckily Steve could get extra time off before the cruise as the only available flights to New York using the FF
tickets was on Wednesday. I am not complaining. It finally pays off for all of Steve's traveling.
 
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