Is there any way to get an early boarding number on the Breakaway?

Non Haven.

As it's all random luck of the draw from whatever counter you go to at the terminal, is there any way to get a lower boarding number or is it up to the fate of whatever the check in person takes?

Showing up before the terminal opens still means I might get the last boarding group, so has anyone figured out a way to board earlier?

Non Haven.

 

As it's all random luck of the draw from whatever counter you go to at the terminal, is there any way to get a lower boarding number or is it up to the fate of whatever the check in person takes?

 

Showing up before the terminal opens still means I might get the last boarding group, so has anyone figured out a way to board earlier?

Show up early , they pass out numbers numerically starting at 1 or 2 and go up.

It's definitely NOT random.

If you show up early you will get an earlier number. It is that simple

OP and you get boarding number when you go to waiting room not at check-in counter.

1) Clear security

2) check-in counter

3) waiting room

This is news to me and doesn't jibe with my experience. It's also counterintuitive that early arrivers would have a late boarding number. RU sure about this?

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

OP and you get boarding number when you go to waiting room not at check-in counter.

 

1) Clear security

2) check-in counter

3) waiting room

Is this different from the Gem and Jewel then? We would get our boarding number from the person who checks us in and gives us our key cards.

You would get whatever number they give you, people ahead of you or behind you in line get whatever number the person behind the really long counter has next to them.

This is news to me and doesn't jibe with my experience. It's also counterintuitive that early arrivers would have a late boarding number. RU sure about this?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

O.P. is not correct.

Is this different from the Gem and Jewel then? We would get our boarding number from the person who checks us in and gives us our key cards.

 

You would get whatever number they give you, people ahead of you or behind you in line get whatever number the person behind the really long counter has next to them.

My 2 experiences with NCL ( Epic and Escape) in Miami has been like I mentioned.

It is possible other ports are different.

Non Haven.

 

As it's all random luck of the draw from whatever counter you go to at the terminal, is there any way to get a lower boarding number or is it up to the fate of whatever the check in person takes?

 

Showing up before the terminal opens still means I might get the last boarding group, so has anyone figured out a way to board earlier?

In our 8 - 10 cruises from NY we have had one instance as you describe. We arrived at the pier around 10:30, checked in and was given boarding number 21. I went back to the person who gave us the number and said I think there is a mistake and she smiled, said 21 was a "very good boarding number" and said there was no mistake. Approached another employee explained the situation and they said they could not help us.

The only thing I can think is sometimes employees get confused and deal from the bottom of the deck and can't admit their mistake.

I have cruised on the Breakaway 3 times. The 1st time we were so excited that we arrived at 9:45am. Upon entering the terminal, someone asked to see our documents and handed us a boarding group number (#24) and directed us to a line. I thought it was odd to receive such a high boarding group number since we arrived so early. The 2nd time we cruised on the Breakaway I booked through the casino. We arrived at 10am and received boarding group #22. I did not realize that booking through the casino would actually get me a casino boarding pass that would allow me to board after the Haven boarded. I happened to see someone else with a casino boarding pass and went back up to the counter to ask for one. After showing my documents, I was given the new pass and shown where special seating was for casino cruisers. The 3rd time I made sure to get a casino boarding pass. When boarding started each of the 3 times we cruised on the Breakaway - groups were called as follows: suites, casino, and then boarding group 1, 2, 3, etc. I'm not sure how getting a boarding group number is the 20's is a good number.

I have read that the Port of Miami starts with boarding group #1 and that there is no special seating for those that have booked through the casino. I'll see in 2 weeks how it goes in Miami.

My 2 experiences with NCL ( Epic and Escape) in Miami has been like I mentioned.

 

It is possible other ports are different.

That's the difference then.. NYC is a total crap shoot in what you'll get, and it stinks.

That's the difference then.. NYC is a total crap shoot in what you'll get, and it stinks.

ill be there by 930 sunday and will report back what happens after the trip. i do think 1st come should be first serve. its the American way.

unless you are unloading a ferry in bermuda

I have cruised on the Breakaway 3 times. The 1st time we were so excited that we arrived at 9:45am. Upon entering the terminal, someone asked to see our documents and handed us a boarding group number (#24) and directed us to a line. I thought it was odd to receive such a high boarding group number since we arrived so early. The 2nd time we cruised on the Breakaway I booked through the casino. We arrived at 10am and received boarding group #22. I did not realize that booking through the casino would actually get me a casino boarding pass that would allow me to board after the Haven boarded. I happened to see someone else with a casino boarding pass and went back up to the counter to ask for one. After showing my documents, I was given the new pass and shown where special seating was for casino cruisers. The 3rd time I made sure to get a casino boarding pass. When boarding started each of the 3 times we cruised on the Breakaway - groups were called as follows: suites, casino, and then boarding group 1, 2, 3, etc. I'm not sure how getting a boarding group number is the 20's is a good number.

I have read that the Port of Miami starts with boarding group #1 and that there is no special seating for those that have booked through the casino. I'll see in 2 weeks how it goes in Miami.

That exact scenario happened to us! Entered the terminal at 9:45, got #24, got on the ship around 12:30.

Interesting, in Miami, unless it has recently changed, you go thru checkin and then go up some escalators toward the waiting room. Someone at the top of the escalator give you your boarding card with number. I've been in group 1-3 almost every time I cruise out of Miami. It sucks that they don't all do it this way at all ports.

Interesting, in Miami, unless it has recently changed, you go thru checkin and then go up some escalators toward the waiting room. Someone at the top of the escalator give you your boarding card with number. I've been in group 1-3 almost every time I cruise out of Miami. It sucks that they don't all do it this way at all ports.

Miami has not changed the earlier you check-in the lower group boarding you get.

Can't imagine the problems they would have for those getting to the port early and wanting Vibe passes if they randomly passed out numbers.

And not sure how that works out in NY. Doesn't the BA have a Vibe area????

That's the difference then.. NYC is a total crap shoot in what you'll get, and it stinks.

In Seattle on our Alaska cruise we couldn't get a boarding number.....go figure. We are platiunm and were told we can board whenever we want. I thought it was odd but who am I to argue Lol

Do you have to put in an arrival time and, if so, does that have anything to do with the boarding number you get?

I'm curious.

And also wonder how this effects the NCL Gem sailing out of the same Manhattan port

Majority of the those working inside the pier/terminal (NYC & elsewhere) are outsourced contractors for the port and not employees with NCL ... aside from the handful of uniformed supervisors & ship officers that you can easily spot - and whatever the processes are for - is what some of us "experienced".

Arriving there early and clearing security, checking in aren't necessary a sure thing for early boarding for the BA (or other NCL ships like the GEM) once the vessel is ready.

If you are booking in Haven or suite or CAS guests or have designated VIP status; or, guests with special needs/etc. - you will usually be "directed" to wait in the various roped off area for early boarding - sometimes, with no announcements for the "general public" inside the building as the "herds" can numbered in the thousands by 11 AM already.

Unless one is in a rush to find/buy the passes, make onboard dining reservations and/or head to the pool/hot tub outside, etc. - not even the buffet lunch is ready until 11:30 AM (I believe) and the staterooms aren't usually fully refreshed (aside from quickly dropping off one's carry-on items) - we are fine as long as we are onboard by 11:45 with time to leisurely walk our way over to Savor or Taste for a nice sit-down lunch (same menu for the entire week, however :p - instead of joining the herds at the buffet.)

How early is "early" for this "mission" quest ?? :D

If you show up early you will get an earlier number. It is that simple

Not at exactly true. I was first person in one of the lines handing out numbers and got a high number. The ship was packed by the time we got on.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Forums mobile app

Is this different from the Gem and Jewel then? We would get our boarding number from the person who checks us in and gives us our key cards.

 

You would get whatever number they give you, people ahead of you or behind you in line get whatever number the person behind the really long counter has next to them.

You are correct about the way they are done, BUT you are incorrect about the order of numbers. They are not randomly distributed. They are in order. One group may end up with one number earlier or later than the ones in another line, but as long as the lines move evenly the numbers will be the same, or very close to the same. It's that way at all NCL embarkation ports.

All of these replies seem to refer to US ports. Does anyone know if NCL use a similar boarding system in Europe? We are sailing from Civitaveccia (Rome).

Non Haven.

 

As it's all random luck of the draw from whatever counter you go to at the terminal, is there any way to get a lower boarding number or is it up to the fate of whatever the check in person takes?

 

Showing up before the terminal opens still means I might get the last boarding group, so has anyone figured out a way to board earlier?

It's actually fairly simple.

No One gets on-board until the previous guests have all cleared and many previous guests want to linger...longer.

When the ship is certified as empty (between 10:30 - 11:30 am), the first passengers to board will be the suite guests.

Second groups will include Latitude members according to Latitude level.

Last group to board is the rest of us, by group, starting with those who arrive earliest.

Those folk who arrive really, really early to join an early group will inevitably be stuck in the waiting area the longest. These are the folks that always complain on Cruise Critic about the long waits. If you do not have a suite and are not prioritized by Latitude number, don't show up at 8 or even 9 am. You are much better served to wander in about noon or even 1 pm when most of the waiting areas are cleared and the lines are much shorter. Arrive at 8 am...on-board by noon. Arrive at noon...on-board by 1 pm.

That exact scenario happened to us! Entered the terminal at 9:45, got #24, got on the ship around 12:30.

I'm sorry, but that's just dumb. I wonder why they do it that way? Really makes no sense.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting, in Miami, unless it has recently changed, you go thru checkin and then go up some escalators toward the waiting room. Someone at the top of the escalator give you your boarding card with number. I've been in group 1-3 almost every time I cruise out of Miami. It sucks that they don't all do it this way at all ports.

That's how it was when I boarded Escape 11/26.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk