Check-in

[bkrickles1]

Maybe I'm getting old and forgetful but I thought you could begin the check-in process after final payment and then go back in at day 21 and choose your actual check-in time at the pier.

I told my daughter this, who's sailing Escape in less than 60 days, and she's unable to do this.

Am I misremembering or has that changed?

TIA

[All-ready2cruise]

It tells you when  you try to check in that it begins at day 21 and must be completed 3 days prior to sail date. 

[latebloomer56]

That's how I remember things always like getting everything done early. When I tried to do this after final payment and got the message for 21 days contacted TA. She said it has been this way for a while.

[bkrickles1]

12 minutes ago, latebloomer56 said:

That's how I remember things always like getting everything done early. When I tried to do this after final payment and got the message for 21 days contacted TA. She said it has been this way for a while.

This is where my memory is doing tricks on me. Lmao!!

I sailed Joy last summer and I remember completing the check-in checklist sections before 21 days out and then going in at midnight at 21 days out and choosing my check-in time at the pier. 9am is always my goal.

[latebloomer56]

3 minutes ago, bkrickles1 said:

This is where my memory is doing tricks on me. Lmao!!

I sailed Joy last summer and I remember completing the check-in checklist sections before 21 days out and then going in at midnight at 21 days out and choosing my check-in time at the pier. 9am is always my goal.

Sadly haven't sailed NCL since 2019. Never remember putting in a check in time? Is this something I should also look at on day 21? We have always just shown up around 11:00 and boarded before noon. We don't sail until 4:00 and the cabins are never ready anyway.

Thanks 

[acct1975]

We sailed the BA last June and check in was "locked" unit 21 days out. I'm like you, I like to get as much done as early as possible so if I could start check in earlier I would but alas, that is not to be. 🙂 

 

On the flip side, it's probably better to not have such personal info sitting on their database for weeks at a time.

[wolft927]

20 minutes ago, acct1975 said:

We sailed the BA last June and check in was "locked" unit 21 days out. I'm like you, I like to get as much done as early as possible so if I could start check in earlier I would but alas, that is not to be. 🙂 

 

On the flip side, it's probably better to not have such personal info sitting on their database for weeks at a time.

We also sailed the Breakaway about a year ago and was locked out until 21 days out. 

[MrsTocko]

I used to start check in as soon as the reservation showed on our account. Would get all the info filled out except payment and arrival time. Would be 84% complete until I could select arrival time. I don’t like this waiting until 21 days to even start check.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

Maybe I'm getting old and forgetful but I thought you could begin the check-in process after final payment and then go back in at day 21 and choose your actual check-in time at the pier.

I told my daughter this, who's sailing Escape in less than 60 days, and she's unable to do this.

Am I misremembering or has that changed?

TIA

Since COVID, check-in opens 21 days before departure (used to be as soon as you booked your cruise pre-COVID). 
 

That was mostly done since they really wanted to enforce port check-in times to minimize crowding in the terminal. And back in 2021, it was also the time you were scheduled to take your COVID test at the port. 21 days gave most people an equal chance at picking the port check-in time of their choice. 
 

So,,, check-in now opens exactly 21 days prior to departure “NCL time” (12 midnight eastern time). By the next day, all of the early check in times will be sold out on big ships, so stay up and check-in exactly 21 days prior to departure. 

Also, booking shows on big ships opens exactly 21 days prior to departure. People have reported that they had to log off and log back on to be able to book shows. (Show reservations open 26 days before departure for suites and top-tier Latitudes). 

 

Edited March 22, 2023 by BirdTravels

[UKstages]

50 minutes ago, acct1975 said:

On the flip side, it's probably better to not have such personal info sitting on their database for weeks at a time.

I certainly share your concern, I really do, but please realize that your PII will sit in their database for weeks and months and years to come. It’s probably already there if you’ve cruised with NCL before, visited their website, get email or snail mail from them, played in their casino or joined the Latitudes program.

[scar4711]

49 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Since COVID, check-in opens 21 days before departure (used to be as soon as you booked your cruise pre-COVID). 
 

That was mostly done since they really wanted to enforce port check-in times to minimize crowding in the terminal. And back in 2021, it was also the time you were scheduled to take your COVID test at the port. 21 days gave most people an equal chance at picking the port check-in time of their choice. 
 

So,,, check-in now opens exactly 21 days prior to departure “NCL time” (12 midnight eastern time). By the next day, all of the early check in times will be sold out on big ships, so stay up and check-in exactly 21 days prior to departure. 

Also, booking shows on big ships opens exactly 21 days prior to departure. People have reported that they had to log off and log back on to be able to book shows. (Show reservations open 26 days before departure for suites and top-tier Latitudes). 

 

Yup.. this is one of the reasons I like being on West Coast time... check in starts at 9pm. I am able to grab that early time 🙂
 

[MrsTocko]

36 minutes ago, scar4711 said:

Yup.. this is one of the reasons I like being on West Coast time... check in starts at 9pm. I am able to grab that early time 🙂
 

9:01pm this San Diegan is checking in as well.  

 

I too like that early arrival time.

[Karaboudjan]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

So,,, check-in now opens exactly 21 days prior to departure “NCL time” (12 midnight eastern time). By the next day, all of the early check in times will be sold out on big ships, so stay up and check-in exactly 21 days prior to departure. 

 

 

I think this is one of those CC myths that just won't die.  I was on the Prima in December (100%+ occupancy)  I logged in at around 9am Eastern on T-21 and all check in times were available.

[Cauzneffct]

9 minutes ago, Karaboudjan said:

 

I think this is one of those CC myths that just won't die.  I was on the Prima in December (100%+ occupancy)  I logged in at around 9am Eastern on T-21 and all check in times were available.

Yeah, checked in for our 4/1 sailing around 9 EST and anything after 9:30 was available.  Logged back in a couple hours later and switched from 1030 to 930.

[RocketMan275]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

So,,, check-in now opens exactly 21 days prior to departure “NCL time” (12 midnight eastern time). By the next day, all of the early check in times will be sold out on big ships, so stay up and check-in exactly 21 days prior to departure. 

No need to jump on early arrival times.  No one boards until the ship goes to zero.   The earlier you arrive, the longer you sit and wait.   We arrived at NOLA terminal at 1115.  Checked in.  They were just then announcing boarding of high priority passengers.  We boarded at essentially the same time as they did.

[2Cruise4Ever]

When we sailed the Getaway last month, we picked the first available check-in time about 14 days out and it was 1:00 p.m.  But, no one was checking anyone's assigned time at the pier in NYC.  We arrived at 12:00 and after about 30 minutes to get through security, we checked-in and went right on-board.

 

BTW, if you are in the Haven, don't pay attention to the check-in time.. you can get there whenever you want...  most ports have a Haven security line and then a Haven check-in line.  You'll be amongst the first to board if you get there early enough.  I will say there is a special feeling being the first one on board... only happened to me twice in my 20+ years of cruising.

[bkrickles1]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

No need to jump on early arrival times.  No one boards until the ship goes to zero.   The earlier you arrive, the longer you sit and wait.   We arrived at NOLA terminal at 1115.  Checked in.  They were just then announcing boarding of high priority passengers.  We boarded at essentially the same time as they did.

I have no priority and I've made a habit of getting to the piers as early as possible, so I disagree.

Be it NYC, Bayonne or Miami, I've consistently gotten to the pier by around 8:30AM, so getting that 9AM slot (now that they do that) is important to me.

This strategy has allowed me to be, consistently, a part of the first 10% of passengers to board. That gets me on the ship, 9 out of 10 times, between 11 and 11:30AM.

In the old days it was strictly so we could maximize our vacation and get started with the fun stuff.

Now, with advent of reservations for dining and entertainment, it allows us to make/change our reservations so that our week is set up with no worries.

For example, last June we sailed Joy out of NYC. We arrived at the pier before they even started lining up for security. We lined up, waited a while until they started that process and basically zipped through that and check-in and seated ourselves in the waiting area by around 9:30 - 9:45AM.

From there it's a bit of a wait but it wasn't shoulder to shoulder and none of us felt unsafe in the least. We chatted with other excited passengers and began to build up our appetites. Lmao!!

They started boarding priority people a few minutes before 11AM and our group was called within 15 minutes of that. 

We boarded, adjusted all of our reservations to our liking, did the famous emuster, and were sitting in Savor for lunch by 12 noon.

My wife complains that we get to the piers so early and she hates the waiting, but she loves when we're having lunch and a cocktail by 12.

I'm sailing Joy again this July and I'll be doing the same process again.

Happy Sailing!!

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, bkrickles1 said:

I have no priority and I've made a habit of getting to the piers as early as possible, so I disagree.

Be it NYC, Bayonne or Miami, I've consistently gotten to the pier by around 8:30AM, so getting that 9AM slot (now that they do that) is important to me.

This strategy has allowed me to be, consistently, a part of the first 10% of passengers to board. That gets me on the ship, 9 out of 10 times, between 11 and 11:30AM.

In the old days it was strictly so we could maximize our vacation and get started with the fun stuff.

 

Happy Sailing!!

I used to be the same.  I would arrive at the port before they opened the doors.

I  no longer believe it's worth sitting in those plastic chairs for two or three hours.

As I've previoiusly said, we arrived at the port on 5 March at around 1115.  We were through security and boarding at around 1130.  Latitudes might have beat us on the ship by 10 minutes.

But, as long as  your system works for  you...

[DebNosek]

So much good information, thank you!

Sailing Prima next Tuesday out of NYC. My edocs said boarding begins at 12pm. My check in time is 12-12:30pm. Boat is repostioning from Florida. I would like to go early, but wondering if there is any point to it. Will they really not start "official" boarding until 12pm? Seems like a waste of a morning.

Also, Haven...if that even matters!

[bkrickles1]

8 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

I used to be the same.  I would arrive at the port before they opened the doors.

I  no longer believe it's worth sitting in those plastic chairs for two or three hours.

As I've previoiusly said, we arrived at the port on 5 March at around 1115.  We were through security and boarding at around 1130.  Latitudes might have beat us on the ship by 10 minutes.

But, as long as  your system works for  you...

If you arrived at MCT or Miami or Bayonne at 11:15, you wouldn't board before 1pm. My sister in law joined us last year on Joy and she got to the pier around 11:30 and it took just about 2 hours to get on board. I have no knowledge of nola but I've been to these others many times. 

You either show up early or come much later to board quickly and risk that you won't get good reservation times. 

[UKstages]

On 3/22/2023 at 4:31 PM, DebNosek said:

Sailing Prima next Tuesday out of NYC. My edocs said boarding begins at 12pm. My check in time is 12-12:30pm. Boat is repostioning from Florida. I would like to go early, but wondering if there is any point to it. Will they really not start "official" boarding until 12pm? Seems like a waste of a morning.

 

Also, Haven...if that even matters!

 

the ship is repositioning without passengers? they will almost certainly board early!   the rooms will probably already be made up when the ship pulls into port.

 

being in the haven does mater, although not so much in manhattan. there is a priority security line, although you'll have to sometimes fight to get to it... meaning clueless port contractors will tell you to go to the regular line.

 

once past security, look for the sign for haven check-in. it's a small nondescript room, with a few finger sandwiches and drinks. nothing fancy; same hard plastic seating as the rest of the terminal. the haven concierge will probably be in there. he or she will check you in and get you on board as early as possible, possibly as early as 11 AM - maybe earlier - if there were no passengers on the prior journey.

[ChiefMateJRK]

On 3/22/2023 at 6:04 AM, latebloomer56 said:

We don't sail until 4:00 and the cabins are never ready anyway.

The bars are ready at 11:00.

[bedfordmom]

On last month's Getaway I was really glad that we arrived at 9:30am for my designated time. The reason being was that I got 1.5 hours to search out excursions for the port change from St Lucia to St. Martin. I tried to book America Cup which was not available and figured out that NCL must have taken their spots (they did). So when I boarded went directly to Shore Excursions to book, then got my ship tour and pins next at the next desk, booked my Cagneys and then shows at the box office. I still had time to be one of the first at the buffet as we boarded early with the platinum.  

[cheer25mom]

On 3/22/2023 at 12:14 PM, RocketMan275 said:

No need to jump on early arrival times.  No one boards until the ship goes to zero.   The earlier you arrive, the longer you sit and wait.   We arrived at NOLA terminal at 1115.  Checked in.  They were just then announcing boarding of high priority passengers.  We boarded at essentially the same time as they did.

By having an early arrival time, we avoid huge crowds trying to get in and waiting in long lines, neither of which I particularly care for. I will gladly stay up to snag an early arrival time and wait in the lobby  to avoid the hours long lines that sometimes build by boarding time. 

 

We also like to be some of the first people on the ship. An early boarding group absolutely makes a difference here. We can grab a cocktail and get lunch before it gets crowded rather than fighting the madness later. 

[cheer25mom]

On 3/22/2023 at 3:24 PM, RocketMan275 said:

I used to be the same.  I would arrive at the port before they opened the doors.

I  no longer believe it's worth sitting in those plastic chairs for two or three hours.

As I've previoiusly said, we arrived at the port on 5 March at around 1115.  We were through security and boarding at around 1130.  Latitudes might have beat us on the ship by 10 minutes.

But, as long as  your system works for  you...

You are lucky it worked out this way. For most, it doesn't. See above posts about 2+ hour lines. That has always been our experience when arriving later.