Port of Miami: If you had VIP embarkation through a suite/villa or platinum...

[Silverspoon]

...what time did they allow you on the ship?

 

I know every embarkation is different depending on a lot of factors...but I'm trying to figure a good time with 2 elderly women and 2 children...HELP! I'm a numbers person--so your vote will actually help.

 

Thanks!

[terrymtex01]

In four VIP embarkations, we have had four different experiences. Our last one, which was on the Pearl this past Oct, we were late getting onboard because they were late getting every one off from the previous cruise. I don't remember what the hold up was getting them off, but I do remember looking out the windows in the VIP area and you could still see people walking off the ship at like 11:30 or so. Our best guess is that it was around 12:30 or so before we got on the ship.

[tiggerfan616]

Last week was the 1st time I actually looked at my watch and it was 11:45 when we started boarding.

 

I will tell you however that NCL has been having a lot of issues at the POM.

We were in port and tied up at 5:30am on Sunday and customs never cleared the ship until 9:15 for disembarkation.

So that will make turnaround for the next boarding a little slower

[falken]

...what time did they allow you on the ship?

 

I know every embarkation is different depending on a lot of factors...but I'm trying to figure a good time with 2 elderly women and 2 children...HELP! I'm a numbers person--so your vote will actually help.

 

Thanks!

 

I have found you get the least waiting if you arrive more around 1:00.

Walk right in, VIP checkin, right to the ship.

If you arrive early you still wait in line with the rest of the suite passengers who all want to be first on the ship, crowded in to 2 small rooms, etc.

[travel_lover]

Last week was the 1st time I actually looked at my watch and it was 11:45 when we started boarding.

 

I will tell you however that NCL has been having a lot of issues at the POM.

We were in port and tied up at 5:30am on Sunday and customs never cleared the ship until 9:15 for disembarkation.

So that will make turnaround for the next boarding a little slower

 

Yike, that scares me we have a flight home at 10:30 it was the only time we could get.

[travel_lover]

I won't be able to answer this poll til March, i'm now that level of NCL Latitudes. So it will be my first time to expierence VIP embarktion.

[flgirl]

I can't answer the poll because there wasn't a choice around 2pm!

 

Last year on the Jewel, we got there at a leisurely time of 2pm and walked right into the VIP area....no one else there. We got such great attention and our concierge escorted us on the ship.

 

Next week, we'll do the same thing as we have to drive SO FAR to the Port......40 minutes from our home!!!!

[Budget Queen]

Yike, that scares me we have a flight home at 10:30 it was the only time we could get.

 

This is EXTREMELY early and unless you are highly organized and can manage all your bags yourself, you aren't likely to make this.

 

You will need to self disembark, no porters etc and you will be carrying all own bags off the ship. Get immediately in the cab line to the airport. $25 fixed rate+++

 

Good luck. In November I made a 8:20am flight, so you do have a chance, but not if your ship is held up with customs or you can't manage everything yourself.

[travel_lover]

This is EXTREMELY early and unless you are highly organized and can manage all your bags yourself, you aren't likely to make this.

 

You will need to self disembark, no porters etc and you will be carrying all own bags off the ship. Get immediately in the cab line to the airport. $25 fixed rate+++

 

Good luck. In November I made a 8:20am flight, so you do have a chance, but not if your ship is held up with customs or you can't manage everything yourself.

 

Well will be doing the Sky for 3 days so we don't plan on having that much luggage!

 

We hope we can make it...it was either that flight or we'd have to wait around til about 730PM. No way did we want that.

[TrinaLC]

You should be able to make this with relative ease if the ship is cleared on time, and you get up early/get in line for self embark. Remember on a cruise this short almost everyone will self disembark, so get to the designated line area really early.

[terrymtex01]

Yike, that scares me we have a flight home at 10:30 it was the only time we could get.

 

I hate to say this.. but good luck. I hope you can make it.

[familyof4cruising]

Well will be doing the Sky for 3 days so we don't plan on having that much luggage!

 

We hope we can make it...it was either that flight or we'd have to wait around til about 730PM. No way did we want that.

 

We went on a 3 day in October . We were at the airport at 9:00. Having ONLY carryons helps!

[travel_lover]

Thank you everyone, we will try out best we don't make it I guess you can't really do anything about it just go on standby. It's just two of us so we really don't care or are worried. If we were a big group we would mind.

 

Does anyone know with NCL Gold/Platinum what priority disembarktion is all about?

[Silverspoon]

With all the suite and latitudes platinum passengers getting off the ships this week, I thought I'd bump this up.:p

[Budget Queen]

Thank you everyone, we will try out best we don't make it I guess you can't really do anything about it just go on standby. It's just two of us so we really don't care or are worried. If we were a big group we would mind.

 

Does anyone know with NCL Gold/Platinum what priority disembarktion is all about?

 

This is AFTER the self disembarkment. You get special luggage tags and your bags are up front, separate lounge to wait in. You do not want to consider this.

 

You have some misconceptions about "standby" do NOT assume you are going to get on the next flight. You need to, now, look over your ticket restrictions and comply with any notifications you may need to adhere to with missed flights. Flights on cruise days are FULL, so be prepared for hotels, overnights as well.

[Suni99]

...what time did they allow you on the ship?

 

I know every embarkation is different depending on a lot of factors...but I'm trying to figure a good time with 2 elderly women and 2 children...HELP! I'm a numbers person--so your vote will actually help.

 

Thanks!

 

We got to the port about 11am. We were eating at Cagneys for lunch by 12pm when they opened, then went to our room, the embarkation process for suite guests was one of the highlights of our trip:)