Breakaway Departing NYC : Boarding Pass

[lians60]

Hi All,

 

I've read mixed experiences with the boarding process and was hoping to get some clarification on how process works.

 

I anticipate to get to the dock at 9:00AM in hopes of scoring VIBE passes.

My Arrival time is slotted for 9:30 am - 10:00 am.

 

Will I be given an earlier boarding pass (1-7) based on when I arrive to the dock or is it based on my luck with what the attendant has at the moment?

 

I've heard of scenarios where groups traveling together would check-in at the same time but end up with varying boarding pass orders. (i.e 7 & 26)

 

Thanks in advance for any insight!

[richg35]

If you are with a group and someone gets 7 and you get 24, then just board with the person who got the 7.

 

When we travel with my parents they get priority casino boarding, and we get a regular boarding number. We always just board with my parents. There's no way for them to check who in a group was assigned what boarding number.

 

I have been on several cruises out of NYC and I have no idea what methodology is used to give out boarding numbers to anyone without some kind of priority boarding. I feel like it is just random - we are usually early arrivals to the port and have gotten high numbers, lower numbers...I've never made heads or tails of it (but admittedly haven't spent a lot of time on a scientific analysis of how boarding numbers are distributed).

[Gershep]

Just got off BA two weeks ago. We had the 9:30/10:00 check in slot. Got there for 9:30 and there were at least 100 people in front of us. We had to wait on line about 15 to 20 minutes for them to open up security. We are latitude members and were sent to the back. We got boarding number 8. We were already checked in and waiting, saw a family arrive ( they happened to stand out). After they checked in which was more than a half hour after us they got number 2. It depends on the number you are lucky to receive, no rhyme or reason.

[lians60]

Doesn't seem very efficient. I may have to give up my hopes of VIBE passes. Might still go early and risk it.

 

Curious if my wife and I can check in separately in hopes of doubling our chances for a better boarding pass!

[BlueWavesDreamer]

Why don't they just give you a boarding number based on what time you check in?

[mking8288]

The pecking order in NYC for Breakaway/GEM is generally for VIP's & wedding parties, Haven/Suites (not mini's) followed by "special needs" - casino guests & then Latitude Platinum/Gold (usually) - and then, the rest with the Zone card # given out. Zone card given out aren't necessary related or correspond to your scheduled/actual check-in and arrival time to complete check-in, as the boarding sequence aren't exactly announced throughout the terminal over PA system to avoid a stampede by herds in the hundreds, if not thousands already checked in & waiting ...

 

General boarding for even the lowest group/zone is typically 11:15 to 11:30 AM, assuming an uneventful morning from docking to disembarkation for the prior cruise's pax - and, if there's a USCG or CBP boarding/inspections or compliance reviews, etc. - then, the dynamic process can be delayed & once in a while, boarding doesn't start until 12 noon or later.

 

If the Haven lounges, closest to the AFT gangways are full with spillover and standing-room only, brace yourself.

 

Now, come July 15th/16th. with this no water/soda policy going into effect as currently planned/scheduled - it's going to be fun if you are thirsty as there are no vending machine and who knows if even the Haven group are going to get their coffee/tea & water, etc. whatever else served inside the terminal while waiting. As for the sheepies - there are working water fountain inside the building - NYC's municipal water supply, said to be among the best ... don't think it's filtered (and, we all know how old the city's water & plumbing systems are)

 

This, of course, - strictly guessing - set the next scheme in motion, similar to the another line's Faster To The Fun pass program, where it is possible - for extra fees for every person in your party, you can pre-purchase the option to board early and then you don't have to run for your live to seize those passes. More money for NCL - cheers, right or not, a win-win.

 

All these have no relations to how things worked in other piers or cruise terminals, just NYC's MCT #88 and #90 - as I know there will be many "if's" and "but's"

Edited July 6, 2016 by mking8288

[richg35]

NYC has some of the best and safest drinking water in the country.

[timberlysmom]

NYC has some of the best and safest drinking water in the country.

AND it makes for the best bagels!!