We chose the Norwegian Dawn traveling out of Manhattan because I wanted to drive to the cruise instead of fly, due to many experiences with cancelled flights. We booked this cruise 2 weeks before sailing and got a really good deal. I went with a friend and neither of us had cruised NCL before.

ARRIVAL AND EMBARKATION: I drove to New Jersey, parked my car there and took the PATH into NY. I found the information about PATH and where to park on the Internet at http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel. Parking is $8 per day in a guarded, fenced lot instead of $24 per day at the terminal. The train was $1.50 into NY and then a taxi to the pier. I got off at the WTC instead of the 33rd Street station and this was probably a mistake. The NY pier is at 55th Street which is quite a bit away from WTC. Another tip: look for the stations with the handicapped access; you need an elevator for your luggage.

I got to the cruise terminal (Pier 90) and was supposed to meet my friend there. Tip: There are SMALL white signs interspersed along the terminal at curb level on 3 foot poles indicating which ship is at which part of the terminal. I checked one big bag, and kept 2 smaller bags with me (one carry-on and my wheeled laptop case). The terminal personnel kept trying to tell me I couldnt carry my bags on board, but I had read that you can carry on anything that can be lifted and fit through the X-Ray machines. When I insisted, they let me go through with them. Read more