Star embarkation in Los Angeles...

I've been reading that embarkation at the Los Angeles port is a mess. Does anyone know what is causing the long delays during embarkation? Is there some type of confusion with NCL, or is it a security issue? Heard they were using body scanners now, but I'm not sure if that's for both embarkation and disembarkation...could that be causing the delay?

I've been reading that embarkation at the Los Angeles port is a mess. Does anyone know what is causing the long delays during embarkation? Is there some type of confusion with NCL, or is it a security issue? Heard they were using body scanners now, but I'm not sure if that's for both embarkation and disembarkation...could that be causing the delay?

Customs and Immigration dictate the procedures at all ports in the US. If they decide to do thorough checks on all disembarking crew and passengers, delay is going to happen. That causes the embarkation to also be delayed because you can't start boarding until the incoming passengers are off the ship.

If they do the immigration on the ship for non-US citizens and someone doesn't respond to the call, that also causes delay.

If more than one ship is in port and if they are short of people, that can also cause delay.

You only walk through a scanner when boarding unless that has changed in the last few days. Your carry-on luggage is also put through a scanner at the same time.

I've been reading that embarkation at the Los Angeles port is a mess. Does anyone know what is causing the long delays during embarkation? Is there some type of confusion with NCL, or is it a security issue? Heard they were using body scanners now, but I'm not sure if that's for both embarkation and disembarkation...could that be causing the delay?

Lakers4life, I went through the embarkation process for the Star in November in LA and there were no problems at all. I don't know if it has changed since then, but they were not using the full body scanners at that time. They just had the regular scanners like those that you walk through when you reboard the ship when you return from the various ports. Your carryon is put through a separate scanner similar to the airport scanners. I think it depends on how busy the port is and probably more problems show up for disembarkation than the embarkation because that depends more on the availability of the customs agent when you get off the ship as you don't deal with them for the embarkation. Hope you have a great trip.

We are just off the 2/5/11 sailing of the Star. The above information is correct as far as the scanners. Once inside the terminal building the process seemed to move along pretty quickly although at some points the line could be long.

Our main issue was outside the terminal. Trying to check bags was quite chaotic. There is an area where you have to take your bags, unlike other ports I've been at where the porters meet you right at the curb and take your bags. The line was quite long and there was no organization or set lines (with ropes). So people getting out of cars or buses seemed to just ignore the fact that there was a line and would congregate at the front by the porters and push their bags ahead of other people, this made the line that much slower. I think part of the problem was that the buses droppped people off right at the baggage check in and they didn't want to have to drag their luggage to the end of the line.

NCL really has no control over this as it is handled by the port. We were the only ship in port, but passengers were still coming off which may have accounted for the lack of porters. Hopefully, they'll work it out and be able to figure a way to do it a bit more smoothly.

A year ago I had no trouble or delay. However, the earlier you checkin the quicker it will be...usually. Plan a 10:30 - 11:00 arrival and if all goes well, you may be on the ship by 11:30. By noon or later, it's very crowded and much slower.

Thanks for the info, glad to hear they do not use full body scanners. I've been through them before at the airport and they take a LOT longer than walking through a metal detector.

Thanks for the information. Has anyone sailed in suites from LA? Can you tell me where the suites check-in is? Thanks in advance.

Suite check in is wonderful!!! Look for the sign that says suites and soon you will be with your conciege who will take you through all of the check in items. It is a breeze:). Great perk!

when you enter the port terminal, you fill out the health questionnaire, then take the escalator upstairs. Look around and you will see the Suite check in line-there was no one in it when we got there, and checked right in. We were escorted into the suite waiting room(sandwiches, juice, fruit etc) and waited about 45min. Then the butler came and escorted us onto the ship..it was a breeze..and the suite was wonderful! Dona(we had the new AH on deck 12(12512).

We were on the 01/29/11 sail , and it was a mess as we arrived (about noon - prime time I guess)at the port. We quickly found a available porter and lined up outside and took us about 30 minutes to get thru the security check and pay the corkage for our wine. The VIP line wasn't too long at all, but took us about 40 minutes to get checked . There was just one agent for most of the time, and most of everyone ahead of us seemed to have many questions, requests and problems. The non VIP line was moving faster. But once we got thru and got our keys , we didn't wait more than five minutes to be greeted by Orlando , and led us to Cagneys forlunch. Next time we'll arrive much earlier. Onthe arrival, there were people already lined up (around 10:30 am) to board...;)

when you enter the port terminal, you fill out the health questionnaire, then take the escalator upstairs. Look around and you will see the Suite check in line-there was no one in it when we got there, and checked right in. We were escorted into the suite waiting room(sandwiches, juice, fruit etc) and waited about 45min. Then the butler came and escorted us onto the ship..it was a breeze..and the suite was wonderful! Dona(we had the new AH on deck 12(12512).

The procedures can vary quite a bit depending on which pier is assigned to the Star on your cruise. At piers 91 and 92, the check-in is done downstairs, but at 93 you go up the escalator to check-in.

Thanks for the information! :)