Finding a porter at embarkation on POA

[KitinIowa]

Since we are in a suite and traveling on our first cruise.... what do we need to know about finding a porter for our luggage when we are dropped off at the port?

 

We are not coming on a shuttle, a friend will be dropping us off about noon or so. Maybe a little earlier, because I know I will be antsy! Any tips or tricks here? We have our tags to staple to our luggage, etc. Any amazingly pertinent suggestions for us?

[Molokai-Chuck]

As far as being dropped of at the the port of Honolulu for the POAm, I have always arrived between 11:30 and Noon. There have always been porters at the drop area for you and your bags. They usually put them on a cart for you, and then you follow them into the term. They then "release" you to go start the line up for the the various check in stuff. The check in stuff does not usuall start till noon or a little after.

 

You will have your paperwork and IDs checked by Port Security , the go through Airport type security, then in and have photo taken. Then you need to go to the Penthouse and Suites area, they have a little room off to the left, towards the back. Chairs, water, tea, and a check in area al in one. The concierge will then meet up with you all, and take a group up to the Napa wine Bar for a briefing on dining, his services, spa ladies are there.

Then you can go to lunch, Cagneys is right there, so eat there if you wish.

[KitinIowa]

Thanks..... simplicity it sounds like ;-)

[Bomax2]

Have never been on NCL, but other cruises I have been on the porters did not work for the cruise line and anyone could use them and give them some money for their services. Is that true for POA as well?

[JuneauWhatIMean]

Yes, they are port employees not NCL employees.

 

Kit- A porter will most likely greet you with a cart just as soon as you get out of your car. They work for tips and are usually very kind and helpful. Have a great cruise! :D

[Bomax2]

Thanks for the quick reply. April 5, won't be long now!:D

[buckeye82]

We had no trouble finding a porter either. We had a rental car and dropped off three members of our party and all our luggage. The porters were right there with their carts. We returned our rental car and went back to port in a taxi. The porters were still there, but we had no luggage to give them. I had told someone else this in another thread and some POA cruisers wrote to say that the porters were not always available. But we found it to be like every other cruise where helpful porters took our bags and we saw them again in our cabin. Magic! :)

 

When we got into the terminal we were so overwhelmed by all the people in line we didn't see the suite check in area. We had to ask where it was. Have fun!

[VideoTech]

Strange. We just got off NCL's POA last week, and on arriving at the port at 12 noon on embarkation day, could see no porters around at all. We talked about how strange that was, and how unusual.

 

But in any case, embarkation was a breeze. Once past the first ticket and ID check (there were two) we dropped of our luggage at an xray machine. Then there was another ticket and ID check, and the usual hand baggage xray and magnetometer, and then we were sent to suite check in to one side of the main terminal room.

 

We were on the ship by 12:30, escorted on by the Concierge, who took us to the Napa wine bar outside Cagney's for a small talk and free glass of champagne, then we were into Cagney's for lunch.

 

Our suite was ready at 1:00 pm, and our bags were delivered at 2:00 pm. Earliest we've ever seen our bags on an NCL cruise.

[buckeye82]

Strange. We just got off NCL's POA last week, and on arriving at the port at 12 noon on embarkation day, could see no porters around at all. We talked about how strange that was, and how unusual.

 

But in any case, embarkation was a breeze. Once past the first ticket and ID check (there were two) we dropped of our luggage at an xray machine. Then there was another ticket and ID check, and the usual hand baggage xray and magnetometer, and then we were sent to suite check in to one side of the main terminal room.

 

We were on the ship by 12:30, escorted on by the Concierge, who took us to the Napa wine bar outside Cagney's for a small talk and free glass of champagne, then we were into Cagney's for lunch.

 

Our suite was ready at 1:00 pm, and our bags were delivered at 2:00 pm. Earliest we've ever seen our bags on an NCL cruise.

 

 

That IS strange! On strike? On break? Maybe the porters were catching a big wave up on the North Shore! :D

[garycarla]

You really do not need to know anything. They are expecting over 2000 people to show up and are waiting to accept your luggage.

 

Just follow the signs and crowd.

[juanita1767]

Strange. We just got off NCL's POA last week, and on arriving at the port at 12 noon on embarkation day, could see no porters around at all. We talked about how strange that was, and how unusual.

 

But in any case, embarkation was a breeze. Once past the first ticket and ID check (there were two) we dropped of our luggage at an xray machine. Then there was another ticket and ID check, and the usual hand baggage xray and magnetometer, and then we were sent to suite check in to one side of the main terminal room.

 

We were on the ship by 12:30, escorted on by the Concierge, who took us to the Napa wine bar outside Cagney's for a small talk and free glass of champagne, then we were into Cagney's for lunch.

 

Our suite was ready at 1:00 pm, and our bags were delivered at 2:00 pm. Earliest we've ever seen our bags on an NCL cruise.

 

 

I have a question, you say go to Cagneys for lunch, is that free or do you pay for lunch there? We are on this cruise April 5th.

[puddles99]

Count us among the folks who never saw a porter upon arriving at the port last May. With that said, suite embarkation was pretty easy - just follow the signs and don't be shy about asking if you need to!

 

 

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[puddles99]

I have a question, you say go to Cagneys for lunch, is that free or do you pay for lunch there? We are on this cruise April 5th.

 

 

If you're a suite passenger, it is complimentary. Enjoy your adventure!

 

 

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[KitinIowa]

Thank you ... we are looking forward to it..!

[elhenry]

A big vote for porters, whether you are in a suite or not!

 

The POA had quite the line when we arrived @ 1:30 in July 2013. One of us went looking for porters, grabbed them and brought them back. We approached the line by a "back entrance" and proceeded into the hall. Best $60 we ever spent. As noted before, the porters are NOT a "benefit" of a suite, and need to be tipped whether you are in a suite or not.

 

After the photos and leis, we then proceeded to a disabled accessible line because Mom was in a wheelchair, and were on the ship within 30 minutes of getting out of the car.

 

happy cruising,

el henry

Edited March 29, 2014 by elhenry

[VideoTech]

I have a question, you say go to Cagneys for lunch, is that free or do you pay for lunch there? We are on this cruise April 5th.

 

Cagney's for breakfast and lunch is only available to those passengers sailing in suites. "Mini-suites" (which are not really suites at all) are not included in this perk.

[VideoTech]

Count us among the folks who never saw a porter upon arriving at the port last May. With that said, suite embarkation was pretty easy - just follow the signs and don't be shy about asking if you need to!

 

 

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Well, at least we know it wasn't just us. But I agree, embarkation was easy and quick. Probably helped by being so early that there were very few passengers there as yet.