NLC Joy Panama Canal - LA to Miami 2/24/23

[Sailing12Away]

Progress!

[HBCcruiser]

22 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Ok, it's official. Traffic in LA is worse than NYC.

LOL Told ya - and that was after rush hour! Your ship will be way off to the right. We just got off the Navigator! Great ship IMO. 

[Sailing12Away]

Not much progress, bus is going backwards now as we can't go forward. Crowds outside are insane.

[Sailing12Away]

Still on the bus. They stopped letting people inside pier 93, so tons of people standing in the rain not moving. Too crowded in there to let more in until they bus them over to the circus tent.

 

So no point letting us off the bus when we can't go anywhere. I thought the complaints about this terminal were exaggerated.... They're not.

 

Trying not to complain too much since we're still dry. But this is madness. Doubt we'll be able to leave on time tonight.

 

My fellow bus mates are comparing snacks in our carry on bags to ration food 🤪

[HBCcruiser]

1 minute ago, Sailing12Away said:

Still on the bus. They stopped letting people inside pier 93, so tons of people standing in the rain not moving. Too crowded in there to let more in until they bus them over to the circus tent.

 

So no point letting us off the bus when we can't go anywhere. I thought the complaints about this terminal were exaggerated.... They're not.

 

Trying not to complain too much since we're still dry. But this is madness. Doubt we'll be able to leave on time tonight.

 

My fellow bus mates are comparing snacks in our carry on bags to ration food 🤪

NCL Needs to send a server over with drinks! Damn, I could have gotten you some beers to carry onto the bus.

[ChiefMateJRK]

Hang in there sister.  It will just make it that much more enjoyable when you sit down on the ship with that first cocktail.😎

[Cruise5life]

19 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Still on the bus. They stopped letting people inside pier 93, so tons of people standing in the rain not moving. Too crowded in there to let more in until they bus them over to the circus tent.

 

So no point letting us off the bus when we can't go anywhere. I thought the complaints about this terminal were exaggerated.... They're not.

 

Trying not to complain too much since we're still dry. But this is madness. Doubt we'll be able to leave on time tonight.

 

My fellow bus mates are comparing snacks in our carry on bags to ration food 🤪

At least you’re on the bus staying dry.  
I was hoping it wasn’t gonna be so bad.    But.    

[ChiefMateJRK]

22 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

My fellow bus mates are comparing snacks in our carry on bags to ration food 🤪

Could be worse....

Donner Party - Wikipedia

[Sailing12Away]

Made it inside 93 for more lines. Still trying to get to security before we can take advantage of Haven perks.

[HBCcruiser]

At least you are inside! Any more word on the possible flooding? I could not find anything online with the local news stations. 

[Sailing12Away]

Ok, so once you get inside you have to tell them you're in Haven. You get to skip the escalator line. Waiting for ship cards now...

[Sailing12Away]

I think we bypassed the security line somehow...

[ChiefMateJRK]

Just remember....

 

[HBCcruiser]

3 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Just remember....

 

"..It POURS, man it POURS!" It is! Lot's of flooding. 

[Sailing12Away]

Ok, they didn't have our cards. So we got escorted through security (Comes after check in) to the Haven waiting area for a wristband. Then another line to another escalator to...... Another freaking line. This is insanity.

[HBCcruiser]

😳 

Where in the H are they taking you??

Edited February 24, 2023 by HBCcruiser

[MeHeartCruising]

A couple weeks ago, even with our ship docked at 92/93 beside the primary terminal building, there was a line of people outside that was about 1/4 mile long waiting to get into the terminal building. We were among the first on board around 11:45 and watched the line grow until about 2:30 or so before it shortened back up.  NCL should drop LA until the city upgrades the port facilities. 

[mking8288]

Oh dear, look at those faces ... got a feeling everyone standing there could use a cold beverage, whether it's a beer, soda, bottled water, glass of wine, or a Pina Colada.  

 

It's a port operations issue that NCL will cite and failure way "beyond their control" 

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Oh dear, look at those faces ...

[contrarian]If I made it to the port, and am about to get on a cruise, I have a smile on my face regardless of whatever crap is going on.😁[/contrarian]

[Montanagirlalways]

we were on the joy last december from port canaveral to LA. Both embarkation and disembark were NIGHTMARES! Waited an hour in the handicap/haven line to get in the building. Then leaving we waited at least an hour to see immigration. Wonderful time on the ship though.

[Sailing12Away]

Finally made it into the ship around 3:30. Rushed to eat at American diner, not in an even bigger cluster F for in person muster. We're at LA Cucina, standing room only.

 

I'm more upset by the Haven bartenders not being the ones I thought they would be. But I'm 4 glasses of amaretto on the rocks deep within the hour, belly is full of spicy grits, so it's getting better...

[cruiseny4life]

2 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Finally made it into the ship around 3:30. Rushed to eat at American diner, not in an even bigger cluster F for in person muster. We're at LA Cucina, standing room only.

 

I'm more upset by the Haven bartenders not being the ones I thought they would be. But I'm 4 glasses of amaretto on the rocks deep within the hour, belly is full of spicy grits, so it's getting better...

I'm so glad you had drinks on the boat!!! YAY YOU MADE IT!! And, you've confirmed what I was hoping. You're the best ever. Seriously! Now kick that ship's arse and enjoy yourself over these next couple weeks.

[Sailing12Away]

Photos from the adventure just to get on board. 4:33pm local time, still doing muster drills.

[HBCcruiser]

1 hour ago, MeHeartCruising said:

A couple weeks ago, even with our ship docked at 92/93 beside the primary terminal building, there was a line of people outside that was about 1/4 mile long waiting to get into the terminal building. We were among the first on board around 11:45 and watched the line grow until about 2:30 or so before it shortened back up.  NCL should drop LA until the city upgrades the port facilities. 

I am not sure you can blame it all on the port, although I totally agree that it needs major upgrading! We sail out of there quite a bit on the new Discovery Princess which holds 3660+. We never had an issue boarding or disembarking. 

[HBCcruiser]

I am so embarrassed to admit I live in LA with this 3rd world port. 🤦🏼‍♀️ And we pay more taxes than almost any state! 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Edited February 25, 2023 by HBCcruiser