Norwegian Gem NYC boarding question

[kattlinx13]

Hello. I have a question that might sound a little crazy. I have cruised a few times but always out of FL. I am cruising next month out of NYC and we have a bunch of people cruising. We have one person going that is afraid of heights. He is fine with being in an open area on a high building so he/I think he will be fine with being on the decks hanging out. I think we will have a problem with the initial getting on the boat. We have watched a few

you tube videos of people boarding in NYC and it looks like you board on the 7th deck???? I think it might be a problem. Has anyone heard of NCL making an exception of boarding elsewhere onto the ship in NYC just to get on? He feels when we dock elsewhere and when we got on and off the 4th deck he will be fine.....

I told you it was crazy.....haha.

 

Thanks. Any input would be great. :)

Edited April 24, 2015 by kattlinx13

[khaide612]

It is deck 7 but it's not 7 stories up - it's only like 3 or 4 above the dock. There are a few videos which show the tunnel that you have to walk through. If his fear is that bad, maybe contact one of the help lines to see if he can get a wheelchair and push him through? Disembark is the same way and they definitely will not make an exception as you have to go through customs. I can't see them making any exception as there is so much activity with supplies and luggage on the dock that they will not want people wandering around down there. Good luck!

[mommyto2girls]

if he can board a plane he can board in NYC there is no way to determine height when you are walking up to the ship. The ramps for both embarkation and debarkation in NY are so close to the pier there is no way to realize height. I think this is a non issue. Not sure what you have seen but we have done it many many many times.. I am sure he will be fine. They will not make an exception.

[RuthlessBoss]

This is a case he'll likely suck up the fear in front of all the others. It must not be a full blown fear if he can be up in the air on a surface. Encourage him to walk those halls concentrating on the floor or walls but just don't look out the window and look down. Kind of like having "tunnel vision" from point A to point B.

[Sparkygirl]

It is deck 7 but it's not 7 stories up - it's only like 3 or 4 above the dock. There are a few videos which show the tunnel that you have to walk through. If his fear is that bad, maybe contact one of the help lines to see if he can get a wheelchair and push him through? Disembark is the same way and they definitely will not make an exception as you have to go through customs. I can't see them making any exception as there is so much activity with supplies and luggage on the dock that they will not want people wandering around down there. Good luck!

 

That is not true, there are exceptions and yes passengers with prior authorization and approval through the access desk can and do board on deck 4 through the crew entrance with an NCL escort and prior approval of the port authority. Due to my daughter's life threatening allergy to latex balloons we have never boarded an NCL ship through the sky bridges and have always embarked and debarked through the crew gangway. We are directed through customs and pick up our luggage by joining the other passengers inside the terminal. Call the access desk and ask them about your specific situation.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Sparkygirl

[mommyto2girls]

That is not true, there are exceptions and yes passengers with prior authorization and approval through the access desk can and do board on deck 4 through the crew entrance with an NCL escort and prior approval of the port authority. Due to my daughter's life threatening allergy to latex balloons we have never boarded an NCL ship through the sky bridges and have always embarked and debarked through the crew gangway. We are directed through customs and pick up our luggage by joining the other passengers inside the terminal. Call the access desk and ask them about your specific situation.

 

Did not think it was possible to access Deck 4 at NYC port. I have seen the crew only use 7.

[Sparkygirl]

Did not think it was possible to access Deck 4 at NYC port. I have seen the crew only use 7.

 

 

We have sailed on breakaway out of New York and did so through a dockside gangway that was a lower deck not through the skyway.

 

 

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[kattlinx13]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I appreciate it. I will call and see if there is anything we can do to get on at deck 4. Thanks. :)