BACKGROUND: We are a family of 5 ( me, DW, DS16, DS7, DS7) on our first RCCL cruise although we did cruise out of NY on the NCL Gem 2 years ago and, will make some comparisons along the way.

ARRIVAL AT PIER: Since you Americans are not into snow tires and stayed away from the roads in droves that Friday morning, our drive into Cape Liberty was very smooth ( sorry Meg no traffic ) and were at the port by 10:45 a.m. This is where the problem started, we were stuck for almost 1 1/2 hours in a slow-moving one lane line of cars. It seems that we shared the same lane as those arriving to pick up disembarking passengers. Note to RCCL: Please find a way to separate disembarking passengers from those arriving to embark. NCL Gem: The Manhattan Pier is much easier to access and more pleasing to the eye. Advantage NCL.

EMBARKATION: We finally arrived at the run-down warehouse / circus tent they call a port at 12:15 and were having lunch at the Windjammer by 12:45p.m. Registration /security check / embark photo went quickly and smoothly. So quickly had to steal a couple of those cookies as we headed to the shuttle bus. NCL Gem: Just as smooth but no shuttle bus. Advantage NCL Read more