Cruise Talk: Embarking From Brooklyn.

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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » Embarking From Brooklyn.

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Topic: Embarking From Brooklyn.

SCOTT H
First Class Passenger
Member # 6831

posted 03-17-2009 08:12 PM

Hello everyone. As I mentioned before , I sail on the QM2 in Aug. I wanted to know if any of you have done the sailing and if so ,have any advice on the following:

1. How soon to arrive?(1 hr earlier or more maybe?)Is having something to eat before leaving your hotel a good idea.
2. And if getting there earlier does not help, how do they determine when you board? Does your cabin type have something to do with this. Or the fact you may need assistance getting on board?

I phoned Cunard yesterday and the girl on the other end of the line was rather vague with her help. I figured hearing advice from any of you on this would be the next best thing.

Thanks.

Posts: 134 | From: Victoria B C Canada, but born in Glasgow, Scotland | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged

jeffrossatsea
First Class Passenger
Member # 2962

posted 03-18-2009 12:54 PM

too bad i'm heading westward and disembarking in brooklyn april 26th or i could have helped you with the information...have a great crossing...i know i will....jeff

Posts: 1118 | From: vancouver | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 03-18-2009 03:10 PM

I've never sailed from the Brooklyn pier but when we sailed on QM2 from NYC, we arrived at the pier approx. two hours before sailing. Passengers booked in either Grills had a special check-in desk w/little to no wait time to board. As I recall, assistance is available should a passenger need it.

I always eat something before boarding a cruise (or airplane) as you don't know when there will be something to eat.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

bcscot
First Class Passenger
Member # 22351

posted 03-19-2009 02:03 PM

Hello. Which sailing are you on? We are booked on the 23rd August eastbound.

Last year we sailed from Brooklyn on QM2 but we were transferred by Cunard from the QE2 with a tour of New York on the way, so we arrived about 3pm. Usually we like to board as soon as possible. With Holland America we usually arrive about 11am for a mid-day boarding. I think that Cunard board later than this. Usually it is better to arrive early or later, to avoid the worst of the crowds.

We never eat after a light breakfast on embarkation days. We have never been on a ship that did not provide a buffet, all afternoon from the time you board (even as early as 11am).

Graham.

Posts: 266 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Mar 2009 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 03-19-2009 02:05 PM

Your travel documents from Cunard will tell you the time you should arrive at the pier....that was the case for all three of my trips.

Eat breakfast at or near your hotel and then wait to eat lunch on the ship.....they'll have King's Court going at full tilt til about 3-330pm.

-Russ

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

SCOTT H
First Class Passenger
Member # 6831

posted 03-19-2009 03:03 PM

BCscot, I'm also on the Aug 23 eastbound. Small world!!

Posts: 134 | From: Victoria B C Canada, but born in Glasgow, Scotland | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged

bearbuns
First Class Passenger
Member # 6418

posted 03-19-2009 08:02 PM

I have sailed QM2 from Brooklyn a couple of times and found it a far better experience than sailing her from Lauderdale with respect to boarding.

I'd not worry too much about the time you are given to board as no one checks this. The first time we arrived 10 minutes before noon, went right through security and were booked in within 5 minutes. We waited in the embarkation lounge about 15 more minutes when they called for boarding.

Last October for the Tandem crossing I dropped my luggage off at 10:30 and didn't return to the ship until after 3PM when I went rapidly through the whole procedure and was onboard within 8 minutes of walking in the door! A new record!

One year leaving Lauderdale our pre cruise docs said we should plan on boarding the ship at 5PM in Brooklyn....I'd not worry about this too much!!!

There will be plenty of food available in Kings Court when you board but be aware that they will start to take the food away mid afternoon as Kings Court is the staging area for the lifeboat drill at 4PM. So I'd go eat first if you need to. It can get hectic in there once a lot of people start boarding. Also if it's crowded there is nothing to stop you taking a tray to your cabin and eating in peace on the balcony if you have one. If you are in the Grills they serve lunch in the dining room.

I sail the July 30th crossing/cruise to Norway so I guess I'll miss you.

Cheers, Penny

Posts: 82 | From: South Carolina | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

jeffrossatsea
First Class Passenger
Member # 2962

posted 03-20-2009 01:28 AM

when we disembark after the crossing...is there a good place to go in lower manhattan to get a good photo of the QM2 departing?....i would love to watch her leave...jeff

Posts: 1118 | From: vancouver | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

linerguy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4289

posted 03-20-2009 11:34 AM

Actually, a great place for photos is under the VN bridge, on the Brooklyn side...there is a walk way that runs along the shore. You could stand right at the water's edge and get some great shots.

I think Governor's Island blocks a lot of the view from lower Manhattan (I could be wrong on that).

-Russ

Posts: 1486 | From: Bright, Indiana | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

bcscot
First Class Passenger
Member # 22351

posted 03-20-2009 10:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by SCOTT H:
BCscot, I'm also on the Aug 23 eastbound. Small world!!

It is a small world. We live up Island from you, I am from Aberdeenshire & my wife is from Steps in Lanarkshire!

Graham.

Posts: 266 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Mar 2009 | IP: Logged

SCOTT H
First Class Passenger
Member # 6831

posted 03-23-2009 12:42 AM

I kind of thought you were from Scotland with "bcscot" being your sign on! My mother was born in Holytown Lanarkshire and my father in Glasgow, as was my brother and I. This is only my second time back home, 2002 being the last.

Posts: 134 | From: Victoria B C Canada, but born in Glasgow, Scotland | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged

bcscot
First Class Passenger
Member # 22351

posted 03-27-2009 09:51 PM

Well,you have picked a great way to go home. The QM2 is a great ship & a wonderful way to cross.

If you delayed your trip till October, you could cross & then stay on board for the 'Round Britain' with her maiden visit to Greenock. Sailing up the Firth of Clyde on QM2 would be wonderful. I did it on QE2 last year.

Graham.

Posts: 266 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Mar 2009 | IP: Logged

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