Boarding The Epic

Just wondering what time do they start boarding on the Epic? Are the queues if you arrive early and is it best to arrive early or leave it until later?

Just wondering what time do they start boarding on the Epic? Are the queues if you arrive early and is it best to arrive early or leave it until later?

I can tell you that we arrived at the terminal at 11.55am, which is supposedly 55 mins after they start embarking processes. the queue for first timers was about the same as for latitudes. There were about 30 ahead of us in the queue. We basically got our cards and expected to have to wait to be called onto the ship, but we just walked right through the duty free shops area and up the escalator to the gangway. We went on board at 12.30 and straight to the Garden Cafe. This seemed to be an ideal time to board as the buffet was quite relaxed and certainly became more crowded by the time we left it at 1.30.

So i would definitely suggest getting there earlier rather than later.

Thanks Glenda, I am booking a taxi and wanted to board earlier this time.

In Miami we arrived at 11, were seating in the departure area shortly after that, and on the ship by noon or so.

In Miami we arrived at 11, were seating in the departure area shortly after that, and on the ship by noon or so.

Were there already a lot of people there when you arrived at 11?

thanks

In Barcelona, can you please share what time actual boarding started?

Were there already a lot of people there when you arrived at 11?

 

thanks

We actually got there around 10:45 and didn't have to wait in any lines

Could you board then or did you have to wait to board?

Could you board then or did you have to wait to board?

You fill out your health form, get checked in, then go upstairs into a seating area and wait until you can go on the ship. I guess we sat there around 45 minutes or so. At noon they escorted the suite passengers on, and we went on shortly after.

We noticed that by noon the place was very busy. We were very glad to have arrived earlier since it kept us from having to wait in check-in and security lines. Besides, I want my vacation to start as soon as the let me on the ship. My cruise started at noon, not 5pm. :)

If have a question which was stated in a previous reply. *but we just walked right through the duty free shops area * Would we be able to purchase Soda and/or Water before boarding?

If have a question which was stated in a previous reply. *but we just walked right through the duty free shops area * Would we be able to purchase Soda and/or Water before boarding?

You can.

And you can also purchase alcohol.

Yes, I want to get in as early as possible too. Ut not sit and wait too long. Is boarding in Barcelona always at noon or does it vary? I think we'll shoot for an 11am arrival and fingers crossed they'll board early. Do you get a boarding number when you check in?

What? And end up in the "naughty room"? I'll have to think about that!

Sheila - My responses were about boarding in Miami. That would be different than other places

In Barcelona my wife and I arrived right around 1115, got through checkin around 1130, were told we would need to wait for a numbered boarding group. when people started to board around 10 minutes later we just walked on with them, were in the garden buffet by 1150 and in our rooms by 1pm. What a great cruise!

Last week did the EPIC Rome-to-Rome. Arrived at the terminal around 1:30. There were only two-three people in the regular check-in line. The VIP (Latitude line) was empty. Walked on the immediately.

This summer on the EPIC NCL is offering round-trips from either Barcelona or Rome. I asked one of the crew and it sounds like around 700 passengers for our sailing was boarding in Rome while the major were still boarding in Barcelona. That should help simplify things. The duty free in Barcelona did have pop available. Duty free shop was located after the port x-ray machine, I don't remember if there was second screening on the ship or not.

I think we will aim to get there around 11.15am, we arrived around 12.45pm last year and wished we had arrived earlier as we were just hanging around the hotel waiting to go. Thanks guys for your replies.

In Miami, is the Duty Free Shop located before or after the X-ray machines for Carry-ons?

In Miami, is the Duty Free Shop located before or after the X-ray machines for Carry-ons?

Haven't seen any shops in Miami port.

Last week did the EPIC Rome-to-Rome. Arrived at the terminal around 1:30. There were only two-three people in the regular check-in line. The VIP (Latitude line) was empty. Walked on the immediately.

 

This summer on the EPIC NCL is offering round-trips from either Barcelona or Rome. I asked one of the crew and it sounds like around 700 passengers for our sailing was boarding in Rome while the major were still boarding in Barcelona. That should help simplify things. The duty free in Barcelona did have pop available. Duty free shop was located after the port x-ray machine, I don't remember if there was second screening on the ship or not.

Because the x-ray machine was before the shop, is there a place you could check your purchase with the luggage, using luggage tag and a small bag to put it in so you didn't have to carry soda and water with you?

thanks for your help.

Because the x-ray machine was before the shop, is there a place you could check your purchase with the luggage, using luggage tag and a small bag to put it in so you didn't have to carry soda and water with you?

thanks for your help.

Normally there is a drop-off location on the Ship where you can leave bags etc. until your cabin in avaialble. Did not go looking for it. The staterooms were also available fairly early.

Normally there is a drop-off location on the Ship where you can leave bags etc. until your cabin in avaialble. Did not go looking for it. The staterooms were also available fairly early.

On the Epic the drop off location was the Headliners Comedy Club on the times I sailed.