Escape Boarding?

[broadwaycam]

I saw people say that the Escape uses terminal B & C. Does anybody know how they do the boarding? Do some of the passengers go to terminal B and some to C or does everybody board from the same terminal? A review I was reading made it sound like you need to check your docs to see what terminal they have you going to because not everybody goes to the same one. How do they decide who goes to what terminal?

[Sauer-kraut]

I saw people say that the Escape uses terminal B & C. Does anybody know how they do the boarding? Do some of the passengers go to terminal B and some to C or does everybody board from the same terminal? A review I was reading made it sound like you need to check your docs to see what terminal they have you going to because not everybody goes to the same one. How do they decide who goes to what terminal?

 

Its based on the location of your cabin. Yes, check your boarding docs as to which terminal you need to enter.

[broadwaycam]

Its based on the location of your cabin. Yes, check your boarding docs as to which terminal you need to enter.

 

So does that mean that we may not get to board with the other people we are going with since they have a cabin in a different category and different deck?

[casofilia]

Reading the reply I would say "Yes" to your comment. And as you probably will not be able to drop your hand luggage in your stateroom you arrange a meeting place; the Atrium is logical. Check the ship layout on the NCL website so you know how to get there from wherever you board.

 

Mike

[Demonyte]

Yes, even decks use one and odd decks use another terminal.

 

You must go to the terminal assigned for your specific reservation unless you want to delay the process for everyone (the keycards are preprinted and you'd force the terminal staff to run to right terminal from the wrong one to get yours).

Edited November 15, 2015 by Demonyte

[casofilia]

You must go to the terminal assigned for your specific reservation unless you want to delay the process for everyone (the keycards are preprinted and you'd force the terminal staff to run to right terminal from the wrong one to get yours).

 

The process of checking in is quite a slow one at the best of times even with the large number of people looking after you. Even the quick line for Gold and Platinum can be held up.

 

Please go to the right place with all documentation ready to present; it is surprising the number of people who have to start looking for their credit card when it is asked for. You know it is going to be needed after all.

 

There was a massive hold up in Quebec when we boarded as there was a need for ESTA holders to have a physical copy of the document on hand. There had been no notice of that in any NCL documentation.

 

Mike

[Demonyte]

There was a massive hold up in Quebec when we boarded as there was a need for ESTA holders to have a physical copy of the document on hand. There had been no notice of that in any NCL documentation.

 

Very off-topic regarding check-in procedures in Miami (as one is already in US), but I will continue for a bit anyway:

 

While that is very unusual thing to happen, that is "normal" procedure for all departures to US when they do not have online connection to the ESTA database to check the status.

 

On foreign airports etc they do the check online so no hard copy is usually needed. At least for us when there was no online checking possibility and we had no hard copy, we had to fill out the "old" green immigration form right then and there.

 

Unfortunately there is nothing the cruise line can do about that - only times we have ever been asked for the hard copy of ESTA approval has been when we have gone through US immigration procedures with CBP officers while still onboard (once already docked in Boston, another time on sea before arriving to Key West).

Edited November 15, 2015 by Demonyte

[ashdquick]

Recently I had called Norwegian and asked about the boarding process. The CS rep told me about the 2 different terminals and said we would see which terminal on our edocs. Well I didn't see anything on our edocs. So I called again and talked to a different CS rep and they said that in the Port of Miami, we would use the terminal B.

 

After doing more research today, I noticed people were still talking about the 2 different terminals. I happened to open up my edocs on NCL.com and noticed my edocs now say Terminal C.

 

Definitely check your edocs to see which terminal. If I had listened to the last CS rep, my party would have ended up at the wrong terminal.

[BirdTravels]

There will be big banners at the drop off points at the Port of Miami. The signs will tell you that Odd Number Floors go to Terminal B. Even Number Floors go to Terminal C. It is important since your key cards will be in one terminal or the other,,, not both. The terminals are physically about a 5 minute walk (basically less than the length of the ship).

 

It is interesting,,,, we did not have a terminal letter on our edocs. Then the day before departure, there was a "panic" robo call calling every telephone number they had for us (cell phone, work phone, home phone) saying that the Terminal letter was missing, and that we needed to reprint our edocs. So,,, if you are on the Escape, and and don't see a terminal letter on your edocs, you may expect that last minute robo call saying "reprint". For us, it was too late for those that traveled the day before the cruise.

 

Edited November 15, 2015 by BirdTravels

[LarissaRose]

Does the Haven also go by floor number? Or do all Haven guests go to the same terminal?

[BirdTravels]

Does the Haven also go by floor number? Or do all Haven guests go to the same terminal?

 

Hmmmm,,,, don't know, on a prior (non-Escape) cruise, we just went to the terminal on the edoc. After a short wait, we were just escorted up the escalator and through the doors before the waiting area (my DW insisted that we break away from the group and run over and get an quick embarkation photo causing the escort grief).

 

I think that the Haven floors were split on the banners at the drop off points (even/odd) for the Escape. It would make sense to use only the forward boarding doors.

Edited November 15, 2015 by BirdTravels

[Pappion]

Has anyone tried to call ahead to get their entire party to board at the same terminal. Our rooms are on different floors because of availability of handicapped rooms at the time of booking. MIL is handicapped and it would be easier (on everyone) if my husband could push her wheelchair up the ramp to board. I figured I'd ask here before I spend 45 minutes on hold tomorrow calling.

[Demonyte]

Does the Haven also go by floor number? Or do all Haven guests go to the same terminal?

 

 

Both terminals handle suite passengers as well - according to the deck numbers just like everyone else.

[Demonyte]

Has anyone tried to call ahead to get their entire party to board at the same terminal. Our rooms are on different floors because of availability of handicapped rooms at the time of booking. MIL is handicapped and it would be easier (on everyone) if my husband could push her wheelchair up the ramp to board. I figured I'd ask here before I spend 45 minutes on hold tomorrow calling.

 

 

You can get assistance with the wherlchair from the crew too, I doubt that they would make exceptions for the terminal assignments as all processes like that are pretty automatized and standardized. (Not to mention that there are very few people in the terminal are actually employed by NCL, most are port contractor's staff that have no idea about any exceptions to the rules.)

 

But all that said, one reservation in the wrong terminal most likely just causes delay for your group, it's not the end of the world.

[Pappion]

You can get assistance with the wherlchair from the crew too, I doubt that they would make exceptions for the terminal assignments as all processes like that are pretty automatized and standardized. (Not to mention that there are very few people in the terminal are actually employed by NCL, most are port contractor's staff that have no idea about any exceptions to the rules.)

 

But all that said, one reservation in the wrong terminal most likely just causes delay for your group, it's not the end of the world.

 

I don't want to be the a-hole who knows the rules, but decides to hold up a whole line though. I'll call them tomorrow and if it can't be done, it can't be done.

[broadwaycam]

Has anyone tried to call ahead to get their entire party to board at the same terminal. Our rooms are on different floors because of availability of handicapped rooms at the time of booking. MIL is handicapped and it would be easier (on everyone) if my husband could push her wheelchair up the ramp to board. I figured I'd ask here before I spend 45 minutes on hold tomorrow calling.

 

If you put in a request they have people that can push the wheelchair so you do not have to. My friend had someone help her last year. You would just pay them a tip.

[minnesotamamafish]

I'm new to ncl, so I'm asking this theoretically... Isn't it possible to leave the terminal after you have checked in and received your room cards? (Say, to get a forgotten item in the car?)

 

So couldn't they make sure MIL is taken care of at her terminal with an escort for her wheelchair, go check in at their terminal, leave their terminal and rejoin with MIL in waiting area of first terminal? (After going through security with their carryons a second time.)

 

It would be a hassle, but then they could wait and board together.

 

Is this an option for the OP?

[broadwaycam]

I'm new to ncl, so I'm asking this theoretically... Isn't it possible to leave the terminal after you have checked in and received your room cards? (Say, to get a forgotten item in the car?)

 

So couldn't they make sure MIL is taken care of at her terminal with an escort for her wheelchair, go check in at their terminal, leave their terminal and rejoin with MIL in waiting area of first terminal? (After going through security with their carryons a second time.)

 

It would be a hassle, but then they could wait and board together.

 

Is this an option for the OP?

 

I think once you check in they take your docs so you would not have your docs to go back through security check the 2nd time. Not 100% sure. Do they even let you leave the terminal after you go through security?

Edited November 16, 2015 by broadwaycam

[Demonyte]

I think once you check in they take your docs so you would not have your docs to go back through security check the 2nd time. Not 100% sure. Do they even let you leave the terminal after you go through security?

 

 

Sure you do, they only take the ticket page. But anyway, a current keycard will get you through the security as easily as eDocs (that it what people on B2Bs do) - and even without either, they can look you up from their papers (but probably only at the right terminal).

[FreestyleNovice]

So does that mean that we may not get to board with the other people we are going with since they have a cabin in a different category and different deck?

 

You also won't be in the same lifeboat in case of an emergency.

[CruisinHarvey]

Yes, even decks use one and odd decks use another terminal.

 

You must go to the terminal assigned for your specific reservation unless you want to delay the process for everyone (the keycards are preprinted and you'd force the terminal staff to run to right terminal from the wrong one to get yours).

 

Seems to me, if that's the process, they should just make sure there are reps at the entrance to each, saying either odd decks or even decks. There's always someone standing at the terminal entrance in Miami to make sure you have your docs and passport. They can't tell you which terminal you should use?? If it's not printed on the docs, just look at the room number. I know that as of a few of days back, the terminal didn't appear on the e-docs. I reprinted ours, and called my sister to have her do the same. If I haven't been on here, I'd be happily going to the port with my old e-docs.

[duchesslt]

Can anyone who cruises frequently let me know if I can arrive at the terminal at around the 2pm deadline to board? I am hoping there are less crowds at that time?

 

I am not interested in being first on the ship and will happily take my family to lunch around Biscayne Bay/South Beach to avoid the mad dash to board at noon.

 

Any insight into pros/cons of boarding late and whether the 2pm deadline is enforced would be great. Thanks!

[kneught77]

Can anyone who cruises frequently let me know if I can arrive at the terminal at around the 2pm deadline to board? I am hoping there are less crowds at that time?

 

I am not interested in being first on the ship and will happily take my family to lunch around Biscayne Bay/South Beach to avoid the mad dash to board at noon.

 

Any insight into pros/cons of boarding late and whether the 2pm deadline is enforced would be great. Thanks!

 

I can't vouch entirely for the 2pm deadline, but I have boarded just after 1pm before. Much like flying, if you want to ensure things go stress free and leave room for any issues that may arise, I would personally aim for an earlier time than 2pm.

 

Most of the larger ships in the bigger terminals lead to fairly quick embarkation. Even with a bigger group. Grab a late breakfast/early lunch, get to the ship and wait out some of the crowds before grabbing food.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[blueclawfan]

Its based on the location of your cabin. Yes, check your boarding docs as to which terminal you need to enter.

 

i printed my docs for a january cruise and there is no mention of a terminal on second thought just looked again and now they show a terminal

Edited November 26, 2015 by blueclawfan

[blueclawfan]

when boarding what deck are you on ??