Embarkation for Getaway from NY

[kapeaccruiser]

Can anybody let me know what time you can get on ship, and what time cabins are ready?  Thank you

[PistolPete13]

As someone with no priority boarding, I've been able to get on the ship around 11AM if you get to the port around 9:30AM for check in.

As for cabin access, most likely after 3PM.

 

This is all assuming there are no issues with the ship arriving on time and all the passengers from the previous sailing being able to get off the ship with minimal issues.

[SugarStar00]

On 1/14/2024 at 6:42 PM, PistolPete13 said:

As someone with no priority boarding, I've been able to get on the ship around 11AM if you get to the port around 9:30AM for check in.

As for cabin access, most likely after 3PM.

 

This is all assuming there are no issues with the ship arriving on time and all the passengers from the previous sailing being able to get off the ship with minimal issues.

 Yowza 3pm is so late! thanks for the info

[mjkacmom]

28 minutes ago, SugarStar00 said:

 Yowza 3pm is so late! thanks for the info

It’s due to stewards having a lot more cabins since going to once a day cleaning. We usually get there before 9:30 and are on the ship by noon, head to a MDR for lunch.

[blueknight222]

MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day?

Edited January 21 by blueknight222

[ggTexasGal]

31 minutes ago, blueknight222 said:

MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day?

Yes! You scan check the Freestyle Daily, or on the App for the Restaurant name/location, and times.

[mjkacmom]

40 minutes ago, blueknight222 said:

MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day?

Yes, at noon, they will encourage you to go to the buffet with the masses but we prefer a nice sit down lunch.

[poohdreaming]

Yes, on NCL - MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day. Staffs will tell all guests to go to the buffet, but if you are a previous cruiser with NCL or read on here, MDR rooms are opened for lunch.

[poohdreaming]

On 1/14/2024 at 6:26 PM, kapeaccruiser said:

Can anybody let me know what time you can get on ship, and what time cabins are ready?  Thank you

 

Usually around 11 am and the time of cabins to be ready vary from one cruise to the next one. If you carried your luggage on with you, there is usually a place to leave your luggage.

[UKstages]

in addition to the MDR, the american diner, with its new menu, is also a complimentary embarkation day lunch option (unless they change the hours of operation by the time of your cruise).

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, blueknight222 said:

MDR is open for lunch on embarkation day?

Yes

[BirdTravels]

On 1/14/2024 at 6:26 PM, kapeaccruiser said:

Can anybody let me know what time you can get on ship, and what time cabins are ready?  Thank you

Priority boarding starts around 11:00 am, Priority Boarding around 11:15 am, General Boarding by boarding group (first come first serve) around 11:30 am. We stop to sort out entertainment/activities and dining, then head to lunch (Garden Cafe Buffet, Taste/Savor Main Dining Rooms, O'Sheehan's, American Diner). Rooms available around 2:00. 

[Smitheroo]

I was just on this ship 1/12/24-1/17/24    I was told to choose a time to embark. I chose 12:-12:30 pm. I think I arrived just before noon. (they said that if you arrive too early you will not be allowed to proceed but I wasnt aware of anyone checking)   Lines moved quickly despite the constant overhead announcement "we need you to cooperate".   I had to sit to wait for "general boarding" and by the time I got on I guess it was about 1-2 pm and it was obvious the hordes of people already on were on their third round of drinks. No seats at all in the Garden Cafe because no one was budging until the announcement was made that rooms were ready.  A crew member found me a seat. Its difficult juggling plates of food and drink in a crowd who are dazed at the array of choices available. I have no idea why they dont provide trays to make this process easier. Too cafeteria like?   I learned a lesson to forget the Garden Cafe and head right to the MDR even if it means waiting a bit. I waited anyway.  If this sounds like I didnt enjoy the Getaway that's not my intent. The embarkation process on the Joy and the Encore werent much better with the Joy in Los Angeles being the worst

[Asawi]

7 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

I was just on this ship 1/12/24-1/17/24    I was told to choose a time to embark. I chose 12:-12:30 pm. 

You do not choose your time to embark. You choose your time to check in at the terminal. And then there might be a waiting time to embark, as you experienced.
But, as you noticed, noone actually check yuor chosen time.

I have not been on Getaway, but on the ships I have been to there has been trays available in the buffet, but maybe not that obvious where to find them. Did you ask?

[Smitheroo]

5 minutes ago, Asawi said:

You do not choose your time to embark. You choose your time to check in at the terminal. And then there might be a waiting time to embark, as you experienced.
But, as you noticed, noone actually check yuor chosen time.

I have not been on Getaway, but on the ships I have been to there has been trays available in the buffet, but maybe not that obvious where to find them. Did you ask?

You are right, the time I chose was for checking in at the terminal . You still have to wait in line. I didnt see anyone being turned away from being too early  or else everyone followed the rules. Or 12-12:30 was considered to be too late for many people.  No, there were no trays in the Garden Cafe. I didnt ask but I surely would have noticed some people using them. I never saw one.  I was in the Garden Cafe a few times and saw everyone juggling their plates.  No trays on the Joy or Encore either.  I will specifically look for them on my upcoming cruise on the Bliss.  No waiters removing trays from tables on any ship I've been on (3, going on 4. )

[mjkacmom]

32 minutes ago, Asawi said:

You do not choose your time to embark. You choose your time to check in at the terminal. And then there might be a waiting time to embark, as you experienced.
But, as you noticed, noone actually check yuor chosen time.

I have not been on Getaway, but on the ships I have been to there has been trays available in the buffet, but maybe not that obvious where to find them. Did you ask?

I’ve never been on a cruise with trays, I thought they were discontinued everywhere years ago. I know all of my kids’ college dining halls didn’t have them anymore (so they couldn’t go sledding in them like back in my day). It helps prevent waste and one less thing to clean.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/what-to-expect-on-a-cruise-the-cruise-buffet#

Edited January 22 by mjkacmom

[UKstages]

NCL doesn't want you to take food all over the ship, including your stateroom.  (they have room service for that.) one notable exception is the indulge food hall on the prima (and presumably the viva). at breakfast, they have trays. at least they did in may 2023 when i was onboard.

[Snowball15]

1 hour ago, UKstages said:

NCL doesn't want you to take food all over the ship, including your stateroom.  (they have room service for that.) one notable exception is the indulge food hall on the prima (and presumably the viva). at breakfast, they have trays. at least they did in may 2023 when i was onboard.

LOL. maybe a serving tray should be added to one of those: 9,999 essential items to pack for your 3 day cruise, lists. It won't take up much room in your suit case.

Edited January 22 by Snowball15
missed words

[Smitheroo]

20 hours ago, UKstages said:

NCL doesn't want you to take food all over the ship, including your stateroom.  (they have room service for that.) one notable exception is the indulge food hall on the prima (and presumably the viva). at breakfast, they have trays. at least they did in may 2023 when i was onboard.

well, not all of us are agile enough to carry a plate of food and a cup of hot beverage. And when you are traveling alone you really cant leave your table and go back for something else because if you do, most likely your food will be gone (not criticzing, just stating the facts) I suppose I could write up a sign, "do not remove, coming right back"  That might work.  I know I almost dumped a cup of hot tea on the head of a child who was below my elbow. Not doing anything rambunctious but there due to the crowds.   So there are several problems here  1) holding the plate and cup without dumping it  2) risk of injuring someone you bump into or more likely who bumps into you  3) losing your food if you leave it unattended to go back for a cup of beverage.   A tray would be so much easier. I could still carry my food all over the ship  without a tray, so the lack of a tray isnt helping with that all that much.  We are forced to carry plates and cups to the outer deck when its impossible to get a seat inside the Garden Cafe.  The only thing I can think of is that it is one more thing for them to clean and that might be valid. Another solution would be to avoid the Garden Cafe, which I try to do. Traveling alone has its negatives and this is one of them.  

Edited January 23 by Smitheroo

[Smitheroo]

19 hours ago, Snowball15 said:

LOL. maybe a serving tray should be added to one of those: 9,999 essential items to pack for your 3 day cruise, lists. It won't take up much room in your suit case.

might work!  Thanks for the tip. Unless you are a solo passenger who has made a lot of friends to dine with  you are probably not aware the difficulty carrying a plate of food in one hand and a hot beverage in the other without some kind of mishap.  So either bringing a tray in my luggage lol (It will lay nicely over my clothes, the way my brought from home beach towel does) or making a sign to put over my food at a table "Do not remove, Coming right back"  will work. I think I prefer the first. Not a good idea to leave your food unattended.   I dont even want to think of having to use a cane. I guess the Garden Cafe is off limits for me.  

Edited January 23 by Smitheroo

[Asawi]

7 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

 And when you are traveling alone you really cant leave your table and go back for something else because if you do, most likely your food will be gone (not criticzing, just stating the facts) I suppose I could write up a sign, "do not remove, coming right back"  

I travel alone all the time and I can honestly say that this has NOT been a problem! I think my plate may have been removed in error a couple of times, but only becuase there was very little left on it. I almost always get my food, leave it on the table and go back for drinks (cold or hot). I do leave a personal item as well to indicate that the table is occupied. At least if there isn't much left on my plate and I'm off to get dessert and/or coffee. 

But I do agree that trying to get everything in one go is a potential recipe for disaster!

[Smitheroo]

2 minutes ago, Asawi said:

I travel alone all the time and I can honestly say that this has NOT been a problem! I think my plate may have been removed in error a couple of times, but only becuase there was very little left on it. I almost always get my food, leave it on the table and go back for drinks (cold or hot). I do leave a personal item as well to indicate that the table is occupied. At least if there isn't much left on my plate and I'm off to get dessert and/or coffee. 

But I do agree that trying to get everything in one go is a potential recipe for disaster!

Leaving a personal item is the key to not getting your food removed I think.  (not that removing food is a bad thing, no one wants plates of food hanging around)  Also, if its obvious that if the food hasnt been eaten that might indicate someone  is returning.  I sitll like the idea of a tray which I am going to try next cruise.   Your method probably wouldnt work on embarkation day- I had to go find a seat out by the deck chairs. Wouldnt want to leave my food unattended out there.  Maybe one those plastic covers I see on room service plates would work but that would be tricky to bring in a suitcase.  One of many reasons why I prefer the MDR.  I can see myself getting questioned walking into the Garden Cafe carrying my tray

[goldmom]

Not in the Garden Cafe, but on the Joy I would pop out to the Lounge in the morning to get coffee, muffins and fruit for DH and myself.  I used the tray from the room under the ice bucket.  It's small but was enough to carry a few items back to the room.

[UKstages]

 

 

1 hour ago, Smitheroo said:

I suppose I could write up a sign, "do not remove, coming right back"  That might work.

 

there is a website called the seven stars insider, a gambling knowledge website originally about the elite player status program for the casinos of caesars entertainment. the creator of that site, a solo traveler,  has passed away, but the site remains. somewhere on there, there is indeed a downloadable  buffet sign you can print out that says something like "table occupied. be right back."

[Smitheroo]

2 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

 

 

there is a website called the seven stars insider, a gambling knowledge website originally about the elite player status program for the casinos of caesars entertainment. the creator of that site, a solo traveler,  has passed away, but the site remains. somewhere on there, there is indeed a downloadable  buffet sign you can print out that says something like "table occupied. be right back."

I could probably write one up myself ? I think I'd like to try the tray option first. I just dont like leaving my food unattended. And definitely wouldnt if it was far from the food lines