Separate entrance for the Haven

[joeinsb]

I am considering a Norwegian Haven suite. Recently when I went on a Celebrity cruise in Los Angeles, a Norwegian ship was docked nearby, and I have never seen such a long line ouside the terminal on the sidewalk. There were no lines on the sidewalk for the Celebrity ship, just manageable check-in lines inside the terminal. What gives with the very long line on the sidewalk outside the Norwegian terminal? Is there a separate terminal entrance for Haven guests, or is there simply a separate Haven check-in line once you get through that long line outside the terminal. Any insights on the Haven check-in issues  would be appreciated.

[www3traveler]

18 minutes ago, joeinsb said:

I am considering a Norwegian Haven suite. Recently when I went on a Celebrity cruise in Los Angeles, a Norwegian ship was docked nearby, and I have never seen such a long line ouside the terminal on the sidewalk. There were no lines on the sidewalk for the Celebrity ship, just manageable check-in lines inside the terminal. What gives with the very long line on the sidewalk outside the Norwegian terminal? Is there a separate terminal entrance for Haven guests, or is there simply a separate Haven check-in line once you get through that long line outside the terminal. Any insights on the Haven check-in issues  would be appreciated.

If you were there a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday, The Norwegian Joy had a very long delay in boarding because of extra cleaning measures because of a virus outbreak two weeks running.  Lines were clear down to the Iowa.

[hallux]

Or if it was at the end of October, the Bliss had a Coast Guard inspection that delayed boarding.  I was stuck in that line.  I don't believe there is a separate terminal entrance but there is a bypass line to security for the Haven.  In that situation I'm not sure it would have helped all that much, the line outside was because the terminal was full.  The only saving grace for Haven guests might have been if the Haven waiting area wasn't full but I don't know if they were letting anyone in, regardless of status.

[bonvoyagie]

In Boston there was a separate area after check-in where all suite passengers can sit and enjoy some snacks before they get escorted onto the ship by a butler - you also get to meet the concierge at the snack area.

 

In Seattle we met at a special tent outside and were escorted in small groups (6-8) from there to the security check and then there was a separate area for check-in and escort.

 

So from this I conclude that no two ports are the same when it comes to the pre-check in process - after that there is a nice waiting area with snacks and you get a personal escort to your suite.

[joeinsb]

Thanks so much for the info. We were there in late Oct., so that was the Coast Guard inspection of the Bliss. It was an amazing line. I'm glad to know that was not an unusual situation.  

[hallux]

Yup, Oct. 27.  I wouldn't say "not unusual", but once we heard what it was we were understanding.  It was more of a surprise than some other sailings have had where the boarding guests were advised in advance to come later due to the inspection, we had no such notification.

 

I boarded the same ship at the same port in April and had ZERO line, I was on the ship within 20 minutes of arriving at the port, and that was around 11 or 11:30 with no special boarding considerations.

[hammermw]

You have to wait in line with everyone else to get in the terminal. Took us over an hour to get in terminal two weeks ago. Once in the terminal you can go in the shorter security line and separate check-in line. Unfortunately for us that meant a longer wait for Haven then everyone else two weeks ago. We were sitting in the Haven area waiting to be called while everyone we were in line with outside boarded the ship. It was very annoying and unorganized in Port Canaveral. 2.5 hours after getting dropped off we finally made it on the ship.

[aero777]

No line December 8th at 10:22a...

 

 

At 12:09p the line was outside but seemed to be moving...

 

[wilmingtech]

3 hours ago, aero777 said:

No line December 8th at 10:22a...

 

 

At 12:09p the line was outside but seemed to be moving...

 

 

Looks like San Pedro to me.  When we went on the Jewel there in 2016 there was a little bit of a line through security but no special security line for the Haven.  We checked in at the Haven desk and then sat over in the Haven area which was no different than the regular seated area with bar snacks and if i remember correctly not much else worth eating.  And we sat in the Haven waiting area... and we sat...   almost an hour after they started boarding we finally had someone come out to get us and escort us on.  Once on the ship our keys did not work at all (All 6 of us and no working keys).  After we got that all sorted out it was fantastic.  Getting there was a little rough.  I think it was the Concierge's 1st trip in Haven and the Haven waiting area had never been there before.  Hopefully when we go back to San Pedro in 12 days it's smooth sailing for Haven Boarding.