I am hoping to cruise on NCL Dawn in March. We are driving from Kingston,Ontario Canada and wondered if anyone had tips on Parking relatively cheaply near the port terminal. There will be approx 4 cars. Thanks
Least expensive parking is at the pier, as NancyN said. Prices may have changed, so check the official site of the NYC Passenger Ship Terminal for up-to-date information: http://www.nypst.com/
I've said this before in other threads but I'm sure since you're new you may have missed them...take the train!
You're talking $88.00 a day with the four cars you mentioned! That's $616.00 for a 7 day! I'm wondering if you can find a place to park after you cross the border and take Amtrak in to Penn Station. From there it's a short cab ride and you also avoid the "fun" of driving in NYC!
I live in the Philadelphia area so we have great train service up to the City. You'd have to do a little research but I bet you'd be able to do the train with much less hassle!
*280 Empire Service Buffalo, NY Exchange St. (BFX) 4:40 am New York, NY Penn Station (NYP) 1:25 pm 8h 45m Snack car 1 Reserved Coach Seat $66.00
48 Lakeshore Limited Buffalo-Depew, NY Depew (BUF) 7:10 am New York, NY Penn Station (NYP) 3:25 pm 8h 15m Checked baggage, Dining car, Lounge 1 Reserved Coach Seat $91.00
286 Empire Service Buffalo, NY Exchange St. (BFX) 9:40 am New York, NY Penn Station (NYP) 6:40 pm 9h 0m Snack car 1 Reserved Coach Seat $66.00
64 Maple Leaf Buffalo, NY Exchange St. (BFX) 12:40 pm New York, NY Penn Station (NYP) 9:45 pm 9h 5m Snack car 1 Reserved Coach Seat $66.00
7097 Maple Leaf Toronto, ON (TWO) 8:30 am CBN 11:08 am 2h 38m Snack car 1 Reserved Coach Seat 64 Maple Leaf CBN 11:12 am New York, NY Penn Station (NYP) 9:45 pm 10h 33m Snack car 1 Reserved Coach Seat $82.00
The only train I would trust to get you to New York on time is the first one I listed above. Even then I would consider it a close call. If you take the train, I would suggest doing so the day before your cruise departs, and spend one night in New York City.
As fo rth ereturn trip a week later: The Maple Leaf (63) departs New York City at 7:15 am and arrives in Buffalo around 3:00 pm. The Empire Service (283) departs New York City at 10:45 am and arrives in Buffalo around 7:00 pm. *The Empire Service (285) departs New York City at 1:45 pm and arrives in Buffalo around 10:00 pm.. *The Lakeshore Limited (49) departs New York City at 3:20 pm and arrives in Buffalo around 11:30 pm.
The return trip looks more doable, as passenger trains rarely run early.
I agree, go a day early and see the sights, see a show, hang out! It's a great town and it sure is better spending your money on that than on just parking.
Also, I remember having parked at Amtrak stations in other towns like Jacksonville, Fl and Ft Lauderdale, Fl and the parking is first come, first served and FREE. So if that's the case at a town near the Canadian border then you'll have a [relatively] safe haven for your vehicles and a hassle free trip in to the Big Apple!
Also NCL (and the other lines I imagine) have bus service from all around the Northeast into their ships. This could be another alternative (though being a train junkie I'd still take the train )
Starky...
Don't forget to let us all know what you decide and how it went!