Online Checkin.... really only 21 days prior?

[KeithJenner]

I wouldn’t say that it’s important to get onboard before anyone else, but if you have the choice of getting onboard, sorting out any reservations, finding somewhere more comfortable to sit, getting a drink or sitting down for lunch before places get busy, or continuing to sit on a fairly uncomfortable seat in the port building for another hour, it would be an odd person who picked the latter option,

[carohs]

On 11/3/2023 at 9:42 PM, wsurrette2424 said:

Hi All,

 

New to NCL... do you really have to wait until just 21 days prior to sailing to do your online check in?  Maybe I'm just a bit anxious to go!  Leaving on the 25th of November....so it's now 21 days... still can't check in.  Of course it's just after midnight so I should give the App some time to catch up.

 

Cheer!

Gusman

 

How far out did you hope to check in? 21 days is better than the 14 days on Carnival at least. 

[step78]

On 11/7/2023 at 4:22 PM, Laszlo said:

Unfortunately gone are the days of checking in right after final payment. I miss those days

Depends on your date of final payment. Since there is only a week for us between the two dates. No Problem 😊

[ontheweb]

We did not get a boarding number in Southampton for our cruise on the Prima. We all got off the transfer bus, turned in our luggage, and got on the line.

Edited November 9, 2023 by ontheweb

[RocketMan275]

15 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

I wouldn’t say that it’s important to get onboard before anyone else, but if you have the choice of getting onboard, sorting out any reservations, finding somewhere more comfortable to sit, getting a drink or sitting down for lunch before places get busy, or continuing to sit on a fairly uncomfortable seat in the port building for another hour, it would be an odd person who picked the latter option,

Depends upon the port.  At NOLA, we had to stand in the security line for over an hour.  Since then we choose to arrive around 1100 so the lines have cleared out.

[graphicguy]

15 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

I wouldn’t say that it’s important to get onboard before anyone else, but if you have the choice of getting onboard, sorting out any reservations, finding somewhere more comfortable to sit, getting a drink or sitting down for lunch before places get busy, or continuing to sit on a fairly uncomfortable seat in the port building for another hour, it would be an odd person who picked the latter option,

I agree.

 

But, if I got to the port early, and had to stand around the port area waiting a long time before my group was called to board, I’d much rather get there later after the initial crowd surges to the boarding doors.

 

If you’re Haven or high Latitudes member, I can sort of understand getting to the port early.  But, if neither of those are in play, I’m not checking in, only to stand around (sit, if you’re lucky to get a seat) waiting for the door agents to call my number to board.

 

Personally, I’ve never had any issues getting a seat at any restaurant I’ve wanted.  Just have to be flexible.  You may not get them at the exact time you want, but I always get them.

 

Truth told, I’ve rarely waited over 15-20 minutes for a restaurant seat even as a walk up.

 

If there was ever an adage that’s most appropriate for a cruise ship, it’s “patience is a virtue”.  You’re on vacation.  Chill out.  There are plenty of places to get food and drink, whoever you want.

[Laszlo]

47 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I agree.

 

But, if I got to the port early, and had to stand around the port area waiting a long time before my group was called to board, I’d much rather get there later after the initial crowd surges to the boarding doors.

 

If you’re Haven or high Latitudes member, I can sort of understand getting to the port early.  But, if neither of those are in play, I’m not checking in, only to stand around (sit, if you’re lucky to get a seat) waiting for the door agents to call my number to board.

 

Personally, I’ve never had any issues getting a seat at any restaurant I’ve wanted.  Just have to be flexible.  You may not get them at the exact time you want, but I always get them.

 

Truth told, I’ve rarely waited over 15-20 minutes for a restaurant seat even as a walk up.

 

If there was ever an adage that’s most appropriate for a cruise ship, it’s “patience is a virtue”.  You’re on vacation.  Chill out.  There are plenty of places to get food and drink, whoever you want.

Ditto.... we would arrive early when we used to run for Vibe passes. Before they were sold online you literally had to be on of the first to board. The only other time, our last two cruises were in the Haven. We arrived at 9:30 and were onboard in the Haven lounge by 11:00am. Our next cruise is in a suite on the Gem, will probably try to arrive 9:00-9:30am. Never cruised out of Boston so the cruise port will be new to us

[D_And_K_gocruising]

So, since you arent allowed to bring water or sodas with you, if you arrive early, and are waiting to be able to board, do they have vending machines with soda or I'm guessing there are water fountains and stuff?  

edited to add:    This will be Port Canaveral. 

Edited November 9, 2023 by D_And_K_gocruising

[graphicguy]

8 minutes ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

So, since you arent allowed to bring water or sodas with you, if you arrive early, and are waiting to be able to board, do they have vending machines with soda or I'm guessing there are water fountains and stuff?  

 

  Depends on the particular port.  But, I've seen places to buy water, sodas, etc in the ports I've sailed from (MIA, FLL, Bayonne, SFO, Barcelona).  Personally, I just bring a Yeti with water in it with me.

[graphicguy]

27 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Ditto.... we would arrive early when we used to run for Vibe passes. Before they were sold online you literally had to be on of the first to board. The only other time, our last two cruises were in the Haven. We arrived at 9:30 and were onboard in the Haven lounge by 11:00am. Our next cruise is in a suite on the Gem, will probably try to arrive 9:00-9:30am. Never cruised out of Boston so the cruise port will be new to us

I did that for VIBE passes previously.  But, as you say, you can buy those on line these days.

 

Haven?  I do get there early.  But, that means I have the Haven Port area to hang out in before boarding.  Always a comfy seat, always juices, sodas and snacks agailable.  And, an escort on and off the ship when it's ready to board.  Plus, I can hang at the Haven Bar while my cabin is prepared.

 

If I'm in a non-Haven cabin?  I'm waiting for the mad rush to clear before getting to the pier to board.  Have a leisure, non-stressed boarding process as a result. I never feel like I missed anything by boarding later.

Edited November 9, 2023 by graphicguy

[Laszlo]

14 minutes ago, D_And_K_gocruising said:

So, since you arent allowed to bring water or sodas with you, if you arrive early, and are waiting to be able to board, do they have vending machines with soda or I'm guessing there are water fountains and stuff?  

 

At least in NYC they have vending machines. I think they also have a couple food booths open also with hot dogs, sandwiches etc....

[D_And_K_gocruising]

This will be Port Canaveral. 

[RocketMan275]

23 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Haven?  I do get there early.  But, that means I have the Haven Port area to hang out in before boarding.  Always a comfy seat, always juices, sodas and snacks agailable.  And, an escort on and off the ship when it's ready to board.  Plus, I can hang at the Haven Bar while my cabin is prepared.

Assuming  you can get through security to the checkin counters.

At NOLA, everyone is in one long security line.  There is a small waiting area after security.  Once that area is full, the line stops.  Doesn't matter if your high priority or Haven, you stand and wait until boarding begins.  We stood in that line for over an hour in 2022.  In 2023, we arrived one hour later and there were no lines.

[sailingships]

15 hours ago, carohs said:

 

How far out did you hope to check in? 21 days is better than the 14 days on Carnival at least. 

Is it still 14 days prior and 16 days for Diamonds and Platinums ? it used to be right after the final payment was paid. Those extra 2 days are important for the D/P They get all the early checking times.

Edited November 9, 2023 by sailingships

[dbrown84]

On 11/4/2023 at 1:52 PM, graphicguy said:

That’s what I usually do.  Get to the port around noonish, check in and board.  I hate getting to the check in area early and wait around to have my group called for boarding.

 

By noon, all those people have pretty much cleared out!

This is exactly what I do.  I have no desire waiting around the port area.  I can sleep in and hang in my hotel room until check out time.  I also get to the port around noon, check in and board with no problems.  15 or 20 minutes total.  

[SoloAlaska]

4 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

This is exactly what I do.  I have no desire waiting around the port area.  I can sleep in and hang in my hotel room until check out time.  I also get to the port around noon, check in and board with no problems.  15 or 20 minutes total.  

I’ve got the same technique. Enjoy the start of my vacation with sleeping in.