Huge Problems / possible Epic issue at Cruise port in SanJuan??

[Crusin GTR]

9 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

 

I have no idea where you are coming from.  I was not limiting your response - only clarifying my comments as you quoted me, which was in response to another poster indicating issues with the check in staff.  You are free to comment as you wish at any time, but since you quoted me I wanted to make sure the context of my comments were correctly understood.  Again, I was only commenting on who hires the staff, as the poster I was quoting with my response suggested that they might be NCL employees.  I was not commenting on any of the issues experienced.

 

I fully comprehend what you said, so lets not get snarky. I also have no direct experience with NCL having never cruised with them - but was only commenting on the staff employed at the piers for all cruise lines.  Perhaps it's my posts you did not comprehend.

 

But be it as it may, I am sorry for all the issues that the Epic passengers suffered with this cruise.  Very frustrating.

 

Enjoy your cruising.

If I'm being honest, it seemed you were being snarky when you wrote "You need to re-read my response."  I gather that was not your intent, so hopefully no harm, no foul.  I did comprehend your post, but wanted it to be clear, the hired hands on the dock were not to blame here. On Sunday, I witnessed many at the port blaming Puerto Rico locals for the fiasco.  I wanted to defend the locals, as they were undermanned and doing their best. PR has been through enough.  The buck stops with NCL in my book. Cheers and happy cruising to you too.

[Crusin GTR]

Self assist was only group to get off before the CDC hold.  You were lucky.  They called for the hold right after the first color was called.  You can see in this video the HASMAT truck.  My color (light blue) was set for 11:45 AM disembarkation. Needless to say, we were still stuck onboard an hour after that.   https://youtu.be/ncR1rtgHaMc 

[ighten]

 

10 hours ago, cecil89 said:

We have been on the epic 5 times and love it, but always out of Miami.

we are sailing on the 11 day Caribbean out of San Juan the end of January.

after reading through this thread , I’m starting to panic about our departing flight on disembarking day.   We have a 1;25 flight to ft lauderdale.    Should I look at changing this?

 

We had a 1:30 to Philly and were off the ship at 10:30am ... I think like most this was chosen for the itinerary - if it wasnt for that I wouldnt touch the Epic as its so badly designed.

 

Have to add though I saw none of this rampant illness - nor did any other pax  we talked to ever bring it up... Quite a few smokers coughs around as usual - though we never actually used the buffet (even thats bad on the epic its the buffet designed in hell).. Everyone we talked to fully enjoyed everything and took the epics quirks in there stride (ie they knew  what she was before they even got on - common conversation at BArcelona in the queue was "thought I would never get back on this ship again if it wasnt for the itinerary" ..  Not arguing a point just trying to add  a little balance..  I'll post the vid and pics later that show the berth issue.. But back to the quoted poster - as long as NCL and the Epic dont try to berth in that particular spot again there should be no issue.

[cecil89]

10 hours ago, ighten said:

 

 

We had a 1:30 to Philly and were off the ship at 10:30am ... I think like most this was chosen for the itinerary - if it wasnt for that I wouldnt touch the Epic as its so badly designed.

 

Have to add though I saw none of this rampant illness - nor did any other pax  we talked to ever bring it up... Quite a few smokers coughs around as usual - though we never actually used the buffet (even thats bad on the epic its the buffet designed in hell).. Everyone we talked to fully enjoyed everything and took the epics quirks in there stride (ie they knew  what she was before they even got on - common conversation at BArcelona in the queue was "thought I would never get back on this ship again if it wasnt for the itinerary" ..  Not arguing a point just trying to add  a little balance..  I'll post the vid and pics later that show the berth issue.. But back to the quoted poster - as long as NCL and the Epic dont try to berth in that particular spot again there should be no issue.

Thank you all for the responses

[kochleffel]

On 12/9/2019 at 7:25 PM, Crusin GTR said:

1) Lacks indoor public sail-away/viewing lounges. (like Spinnaker on Jade, Observatory Lounge on Spirit, and like MOST cruise lines have). The Garden Cafe is located where this would make sense  2) Lobby bar used as sooo many venues other than a lounge, including overly loud movies, trivia, etc, with precious little music or ability to sit and chat. 

 

I've been on the Epic twice and have a third booking. To my mind these are genuine drawbacks.

 

3) Open casino makes for spoke smell when eating in open area of Taste and throughout exposed areas

 

I'm very sensitive to smoke but I didn't notice this on either cruise. (I did think it was a problem on the Gem, where the Maltings abuts both the casino and the cigar lounge.)

 

5) Drink service cuts off in Headliners during comedy and music performances because bar built too close to stage and disrupts performers.

 

I would probably not have noticed this. What I thought was a problem on one cruise was that it was impossible to get into Headliners for anything unless you lined up at least an hour in advance. It wasn't a problem on the other cruise, and I think it stemmed from differences in the schedule and demographics -- not a problem on a spring cruise in the Mediterranean with only one sea day, a severe problem on a winter cruise in the Caribbean with three sea days and an older population, with many people lining up 90 minutes early even for bingo.

Edited December 11, 2019 by kochleffel

[Cbrez_1009]

On 12/9/2019 at 12:08 PM, dporter said:

We will be on the Epic in February, I hope that by then they have worked out some of these logistics. It's always a challenge when ships reposition even if they have been in those ports the year before.

 

Either way we will have a fantastic time because let's face it we will be on vacation which is better than being at work any day.

 

[Cbrez_1009]

We will be on in March.   Seems like a lot of earlier issues.   Like you I hope they have worked them out.   Maybe you can repost your experience.   Please.   

[dexddd]

From Webcam you can see traffic backed up, snaked out.  This actually looks fairly good but all disembarkations should be long gone.

[podgeandrodge]

On 12/10/2019 at 2:54 AM, Dixe Lee said:

So happy to read your post! We are sailing on Epic next May through the Mediterranean. More negative reviews than positive but this will be our first NCL sailing and the itinerary is awesome, very port intensive and the price was great.  We are going to be open minded and even with the negative reviews of the ship itself we intend to have a great time. The positives hopefully will outweigh the negatives. 

 

On 12/10/2019 at 3:38 AM, Dixe Lee said:

You are so right and thanks for that. Yes CC is very helpful and we researched the Epic and the itinerary before booking. Unfortunately more of the reviews of the Epic are negative than positive but we are going anyway Funny thing is that the positive reviews are super positive and that is a good thing to us. 

We've done a few Epic cruises and love it!  Every ship has some negatives but nothing worth damaging your fun over!

[ollienbertsmum]

On 12/9/2019 at 7:03 PM, RedwingHockeyFan said:

 

I've been on it twice, no issues.  As I'm sure there have been others on it that also had no issues.

I have been on four times boarding in Barcelona and the only problem was missing a port due to a bad storm (going in early November is a risk).  Look forward to another EPic cruise some time soon.  

[dporter]

5 hours ago, Cbrez_1009 said:

We will be on in March.   Seems like a lot of earlier issues.   Like you I hope they have worked them out.   Maybe you can repost your experience.   Please.   

I will definitely post our experience when we return

[cruisegeek1974]

Can anyone that either ended or started their cruise today on the Epic from San Juan post an update on how the disembarkation/embarkation process was today?  Was it chaotic like last Sunday or are things back to normal?

 

Thanks in advance.

[anaslile]

I can't speak personally, but someone on my roll call (12/22) boarded for a B2B today and had no problems with embarkation.  I think they were on on the earlier side though.  Hopefully now that they've got the first time under their belt things are going better.

[Budget Queen]

On 12/9/2019 at 5:19 PM, blueslily said:

 

What was the cause of the delay boarding in Barcelona? 

 

 

The port can not efficiently accommodate the number of passengers.  Simple fact.  Reason why on the normal med runs they split boarding between 2 ports.   

[blueslily]

2 minutes ago, Budget Queen said:

The port can not efficiently accommodate the number of passengers.  Simple fact.  Reason why on the normal med runs they split boarding between 2 ports.   

 

 

Interesting reason

[sandycruzr]

On 12/10/2019 at 8:21 PM, cecil89 said:

We have been on the epic 5 times and love it, but always out of Miami.

we are sailing on the 11 day Caribbean out of San Juan the end of January.

after reading through this thread , I’m starting to panic about our departing flight on disembarking day.   We have a 1;25 flight to ft lauderdale.    Should I look at changing this?

YES!! Change your flight if you can. The port in San Juan is a mess. We were on the Freedom for the last two weeks and experienced the mess getting in and out of the port. We disembarked at 8:50 am, ordered an Uber. The Uber app indicated a 4 minute wait. It took 40 minutes to arrive due to traffic.  Them

we were stuck in the parking lot trying to leave the port.  We finally left the port at noon!!! Our flight was at 235 and between the security line, using Tsa precheck we made it to our gate 5 minutes prior to boarding.  So learn a lesson from me,  if you are keeping your 125 flight do the self assist disembarkation and be in the very first group off the ship and take a taxi. Good luck and have fun!

[cruisegeek1974]

sandycruzr, when you say self assist I assume you mean the option of carrying your own luggage off the ship?  I have a flight to go home for 12.50pm (i can't change my flight time) and am somewhat worried by your post.  I hate the thought of having a feeling of pressure to 'run' off the ship first thing on the last day, but I guess I may have to do that so that I don't run the risk of missing our flight back.

 

Do you think this is certainly an ongoing issue then, or something isolated for whatever reason?

Edited December 16, 2019 by cruisegeek1974

[chuckwagontrail1]

Was on the 12/8/19 sailing. Norwegian sent out messages the day before the cruise not to arrive at the port before 1 pm.  Our hotel was 1 mile from the port.   Traffic was horrendous with two huge ships in port.  Police were trying to assist in traffic control but gave up and left.  It took us 45 mins to travel 1 mile.   The port is not set up to handle to large ships, Norwegian & Royal, in port at the same time.  People were getting out of taxis and walking through traffic with luggage, ( no sidewalks ) dangerous.  

Arrived at the port by 1 PM and stood in line for 3 hours inside.  Finally boarded at 4 PM and we were the lucky ones.  Spoke to several people pulling there luggage through the cabin hallways at 8 pm and they stated they had stood in line outside for 4 hours and had just boarded.  Said they were so upset they decided to pull there luggage instead of having the porters handle it.  Our luggage did not arrive to stateroom until 10 PM and some people stated it was the following morning before they got there luggage.  We disembarked at 0730 hours on the 15th and had no trouble leaving the port.  Good luck  with future sailings with two huge ships docked at the same time.

[wdsted]

We boarded on Sunday and it was slow getting through the traffic, but check in was a breeze.  NCL sent an email and a text telling us not to arrive before 1:00 so we got a taxi from Condado at 2:00.  It took about an hour to get to the ship.  I think it will just be that way as long as the Epic and Freedom of the Something both deport from the Pan American cruise terminal.  The road in goes down to 1 lane and there are almost 10,000 people boarding.  Lots of families on board but we’re in the Haven having a great time!

[dexddd]

Yea, the port is too small for even Jewel Class ships.

[wingnut2005]

I would think things should improve in the new year as Freedom Of The Seas goes into dry dock from Jan 12  2020 to March 8 2020 which will be its first sailing after dry dock unless it comes out early Leaving Epic as the only ship at Pan American Pier in this time frame.  I hope as we are on Epic March 1 2020

[texasgirl29]

Has anyone heard of a plan for a long term solution? It sounds like the road to the port is too narrow for the amount of traffic and the terminal can't process the amount of passengers getting off and on, particularly when there are two ships in port. The infrastructure needs a complete overhaul, and PR doesnt have money after the hurricane. Change ports? We're on the November 2020 Epic transatlantic so I hope they figure it out.

[cecil89]

On 12/16/2019 at 2:30 PM, sandycruzr said:

YES!! Change your flight if you can. The port in San Juan is a mess. We were on the Freedom for the last two weeks and experienced the mess getting in and out of the port. We disembarked at 8:50 am, ordered an Uber. The Uber app indicated a 4 minute wait. It took 40 minutes to arrive due to traffic.  Them

we were stuck in the parking lot trying to leave the port.  We finally left the port at noon!!! Our flight was at 235 and between the security line, using Tsa precheck we made it to our gate 5 minutes prior to boarding.  So learn a lesson from me,  if you are keeping your 125 flight do the self assist disembarkation and be in the very first group off the ship and take a taxi. Good luck and have fun!

I was able to change my flight to the next day, even got a credit,(southwest)

and was able to use my free room, so we will be spending another day in San Juan .

dont want to stress out about making a flight.

thanks sandy

[sandycruzr]

1 hour ago, cecil89 said:

I was able to change my flight to the next day, even got a credit,(southwest)

and was able to use my free room, so we will be spending another day in San Juan .

dont want to stress out about making a flight.

thanks sandy

My pleasure. Have a wonderful cruise❤️

[cruisegeek1974]

It's unfortunate that before a cruise even starts you are anticipating some issues.  That being said, from reading over all the posts on this thread, it seems that while the December 8th disembarkation/embarkation was terrible, it was a one time issue.  However, getting in and out of the port area seems like it will be a weekly problem and therefore if you are flying out on the day the cruise ends you should probably walk off with your luggage and try and get off the ship in the first group to make sure you don't miss your flight.  I always like to try and enjoy a final breakfast before disembarking, but looks like I may have to skip that this time.

 

Not sure what others have, but after doing my online check, which was about one month ago, our e-docs say we can board the ship between 1pm and 1.30pm.  I wonder if NCL (and maybe Royal) were hoping to stagger arrival times in anticipation of the bottleneck.