Priority Boarding in Orlando

[Grammymongi]

We had Priority boarding for our cruise on the Getaway back in May and I feel like it was a waste of $199. We had to wait in the same line as everyone else to get onto the ship and then when we got into the check in area we had to step aside for our room key. Not sure what happened there. Anyway it took the ship longer than normal to clear customs so we had to sit around for an hour and then when they announced they were boarding Priority of course everyone got in line so we had to wait for those that got in line too soon to be told to stand aside. Then we could get on the ship. Maybe we missed something but there were no instructions on where to go for the priority members to get off the ship at each port so again we wait in line. On demarkation day again the same. As soon as we docked people we’re lined up around the ship to get off, I went to the casino to get change for large bills and there were people everywhere. So we went to Taste or Savor, ate and then packed up and when we went to leave and there were still people everywhere when we got off the elevator and  just got in line right there and some lady said uh the line is back there which was farther than my eye could see. I just stayed in the line and felt like saying I paid $199 to get on and off this ship fast and never used it once but I don’t like confrontation so I said nothing and stood in the long line to get off the ship. So if you want to pay $200 for canapés and free breakfast room service I guess it’s worth it. 🤪  We are going back in February and just arriving later in the afternoon in hopes to just walk on. I really like Norwegian but on other cruise line they have separate lines for priority and you can basically just walk right on and by pass everyone. Did we miss a communication on how this works.

[wilmingtech]

I'm booked on the Escape in just over 3 weeks out of Cape Canaveral.  This will be my 4th. NCL sailing.  My other 3 sailings were out of Copenhagen and Long Beach.  Copenhagen was easy.  We got to the port around 10am and pretty much walked onto the ship.  When we were in Long Beach we were Haven both times and it was about an hour or so wait but we had our Haven area to sit while we waited although this "Haven" area was just a divider with some chairs and snacks behind it but there were no crowds at all.

 

Our next sailing out of Orlando will be on the Escape.  Itll only be the 3rd sailing this season for the Escape out of Port Canaveral and from everything I'm reading it seems like there are always a handful of NCL passengers that don't like to get off the ship so they can't start boarding until later in the morning.  It also seems like the waiting area is highly unorganized.  So we are planning on showing up around 10:30 or 11am in hopes that the boarding process will have already started and the wait is minimal.

 

Thanks for your feedback as it just reinforces our plans to arrive a little later than we normally would.

[IAcruising]

1 hour ago, Grammymongi said:

We had Priority boarding for our cruise on the Getaway back in May and I feel like it was a waste of $199. 

 

It is. Sorry you had to learn the hard way.

 

[DominicAUS]

Out of San Pedro, arrived approx 1045, was Platinum, they boarded Haven, CAS, Priority, then Latitudes, all within a minute or 2. Apart from Haven who get escorted on there wasn’t much in it. If they’re charging $199 I’d say it’s not worth it. However it’s all down to the port too and how they organise themselves  

[Grammymongi]

9 hours ago, wilmingtech said:

I'm booked on the Escape in just over 3 weeks out of Cape Canaveral.  This will be my 4th. NCL sailing.  My other 3 sailings were out of Copenhagen and Long Beach.  Copenhagen was easy.  We got to the port around 10am and pretty much walked onto the ship.  When we were in Long Beach we were Haven both times and it was about an hour or so wait but we had our Haven area to sit while we waited although this "Haven" area was just a divider with some chairs and snacks behind it but there were no crowds at all.

 

Our next sailing out of Orlando will be on the Escape.  Itll only be the 3rd sailing this season for the Escape out of Port Canaveral and from everything I'm reading it seems like there are always a handful of NCL passengers that don't like to get off the ship so they can't start boarding until later in the morning.  It also seems like the waiting area is highly unorganized.  So we are planning on showing up around 10:30 or 11am in hopes that the boarding process will have already started and the wait is minimal.

 

Thanks for your feedback as it just reinforces our plans to arrive a little later than we normally would.

Our boarding time was 11 and when we got there it was already packed and the lingering people were still getting off the ship.  They want you out. 

[Laszlo]

11 hours ago, Grammymongi said:

We had Priority boarding for our cruise on the Getaway back in May and I feel like it was a waste of $199. We had to wait in the same line as everyone else to get onto the ship and then when we got into the check in area we had to step aside for our room key. Not sure what happened there. Anyway it took the ship longer than normal to clear customs so we had to sit around for an hour and then when they announced they were boarding Priority of course everyone got in line so we had to wait for those that got in line too soon to be told to stand aside. Then we could get on the ship. Maybe we missed something but there were no instructions on where to go for the priority members to get off the ship at each port so again we wait in line. On demarkation day again the same. As soon as we docked people we’re lined up around the ship to get off, I went to the casino to get change for large bills and there were people everywhere. So we went to Taste or Savor, ate and then packed up and when we went to leave and there were still people everywhere when we got off the elevator and  just got in line right there and some lady said uh the line is back there which was farther than my eye could see. I just stayed in the line and felt like saying I paid $199 to get on and off this ship fast and never used it once but I don’t like confrontation so I said nothing and stood in the long line to get off the ship. So if you want to pay $200 for canapés and free breakfast room service I guess it’s worth it. 🤪  We are going back in February and just arriving later in the afternoon in hopes to just walk on. I really like Norwegian but on other cruise line they have separate lines for priority and you can basically just walk right on and by pass everyone. Did we miss a communication on how this works.

$199 seems like a huge waste of money. However boarding really depends on the port and the people working there. We have sailed out of NYC numerous times. Twice in the Haven were it was easy peasy, a few other times were it was hit or miss. One time it was like they just hired a whole new staff and nobody seemed to know what to do. 

[wolft927]

Every port is different, New Orleans for example in my opinion is the worst. Terminal is small and fills up very fast and if the debark is delayed at all you will be waiting in line outside the terminal. 
 

Miami is in my opinion the best. Cruise several lines out of Miami and fast and easy to get through as the terminals are much larger. 
 

we are out of port Canaveral in January on the escape in the Haven and I like the seperate haven entrance for this terminal 

[Grammymongi]

11 minutes ago, wolft927 said:

Every port is different, New Orleans for example in my opinion is the worst. Terminal is small and fills up very fast and if the debark is delayed at all you will be waiting in line outside the terminal. 
 

Miami is in my opinion the best. Cruise several lines out of Miami and fast and easy to get through as the terminals are much larger. 
 

we are out of port Canaveral in January on the escape in the Haven and I like the seperate haven entrance for this terminal 

I have to say I agree with you about Miami. Every time I’ve had priority boarding out of there I seem to be able to walk on quickly. I’m am learning through this that it’s not about the cruise line but the port you go out of. 

[hernando52]

We bought Priority Access for our cruise out of Rome in Sept.  For the boarding and debarkation it was useless, but with VERY early excursion meeting times 8 mornings in a row, the full warm breakfast room service was wonderful.  It arrived on time every morning and we were able to meet for excursions on time.  Cost effective....not really, but convenient.  We have sailed out of Canaveral a few times, and the itineraries are much more laid back and not as intensive as in Europe.  We would not be utilizing the room service breakfast if we weren't in a time crunch so it would be a waste.

[rbxlady]

We were on the Getaway out of Port Canaveral in October of last year. Long story short, we were booked in the Haven, but we got misdirected several times before I spoke up, leading to our being second-guessed as Haven passengers (I guess we don't look the part?) and finally sent to the Haven waiting area.

 

Now we know what to do to avoid problems (I hope) when we go back there next spring, but it was kind of a mess.

 

I don't know how soon after we boarded that Priority ended up boarding, but the small Priority area was standing room only. Based on how crowded it was, I'm guessing they sell it to as many people as are willing to buy it, so I would also guess that your mileage may vary based on how many people have it.

If I recall correctly, at Great Stirrup Cay, the Haven and Priority (and possibly Silver Cove?) passengers were put in one small area together and boarded the tenders first before everyone else waiting.

[IAcruising]

18 hours ago, Grammymongi said:

 As soon as we docked people we’re lined up around the ship to get off, I went to the casino to get change for large bills and there were people everywhere.

 

Serious question. How does one get change in a closed casino?

 

[vacation44]

Just wondering, how much do they charge now for Priority? 

[Sand and Seas]

10 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

 

Serious question. How does one get change in a closed casino?

 

I'm guessing that post refers to the 'bill breaker' machine in the casinos.  It cashes out your slot machine tickets but also breaks down large bills to smaller ones.  

[IAcruising]

5 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

I'm guessing that post refers to the 'bill breaker' machine in the casinos.  It cashes out your slot machine tickets but also breaks down large bills to smaller ones.  

 

I never knew such a machine existed.

 

[Sand and Seas]

2 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

 

I never knew such a machine existed.

 

Very common in casinos.    Otherwise, everyone would be in a line for the Cashier Cage just to cash out a small balance ticket.   They usually are combined with an ATM, but I make it a practice to NEVER use an ATM at a casino😬

[Grammymongi]

36 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

 

Serious question. How does one get change in a closed casino?

 

It’s a bill breaker machine 

[Grammymongi]

25 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

Just wondering, how much do they charge now for Priority? 

$199 per cabin