Leaving the ship after once we've checked in

[mardavbetale]

We're on the escape this October and would like to check in early and leave the ship to spend the morning with friends who are not on the ship, is this possible on embarkation day? Thanks maria

[zqvol]

We're on the escape this October and would like to check in early and leave the ship to spend the morning with friends who are not on the ship, is this possible on embarkation day? Thanks maria

 

Not a problem as long as you are back on board by whatever time they specify.

[sid_9169]

I may be missing something here, but would it not be easier to just do something with your friends then show up at the port afterward, rather than going through the whole ordeal twice?

[mardavbetale]

I may be missing something here, but would it not be easier to just do something with your friends then show up at the port afterward, rather than going through the whole ordeal twice?

 

We want to try and get vibe passes. I also feel more relaxed once we've check in and got rid of our cases.

[mardavbetale]

Not a problem as long as you are back on board by whatever time they specify.

 

Thank you

[Capitan52]

Just be aware that cabins aren't usually ready for occupancy until @1:00...so, it's unlikely you can get rid of your carry on luggage.

[ColinIllinois]

We want to try and get vibe passes. I also feel more relaxed once we've check in and got rid of our cases.

 

 

You should realize that it probably will be around 11:30/noon time before you are on the ship if you are one of the first in the terminal.

[don't-use-real-name]

I may be missing something here, but would it not be easier to just do something with your friends then show up at the port afterward, rather than going through the whole ordeal twice?

 

On one hand it may seem that way - if you are one of the first groups getting on board getting your Vibe dinner and shore excursions squared away and your

carry on baggage stashed in your cabin* - getting off the ship is a breeze except for walking contra-flow into the boarding crowd.

The second trip after visiting friends and relatives should not be the hassle the first one was.

With the crowds thinning and not having the security check point doing a full inspection and having your sail & sign card just walk-up the gangway and get on board.

* Regarding your carry-on baggage unless NCL definitely says NO take your bags to your cabin and stash them into an empty space for your cabin steward to work around- possibly meeting your CS.

If you wait to board later your Vibe dinner and shore excursions may be all gone - consider doing all the extra bookings on-line and then the special ones upon boarding -

it is all a matter of timing but your first trip on board should be as early as NCL will allow !

Don't forget to include the muster drill sometime before sail off !

 

Above all enjoy your cruise and do it like Frank - no not that FDR character but Sinatra (Doing is MY WAY) within limits of course !

Thanks for visiting and participating at the Cruise Critic !

[casofilia]

{Snipped}

* Regarding your carry-on baggage unless NCL definitely says NO take your bags to your cabin and stash them into an empty space for your cabin steward to work around- possibly meeting your CS.

 

Be prepared to find that the doors at the end of the corridors to your cabin are not operable from the "public" side till the rooms have been prepared.

Also even if you find a way to get past them you may then have to search for a way to get out again.

[cb at sea]

Yes..you may "check in" and leave again. Your bags ...you may have to take your carry-ons with you.

[don't-use-real-name]

Be prepared to find that the doors at the end of the corridors to your cabin are not operable from the "public" side till the rooms have been prepared.

Also even if you find a way to get past them you may then have to search for a way to get out again.

 

You would be correct but generally cabins on Decks 4 and 5 have so little

detailing that these are available for early boarding guests. The Suites and

higher are butler or concierge escorted and would be one of the first cabins

ready for early occupancy.

Those cabins on 8-9-10 may have some interference but the later the boarding

the fewer restrictions.

The interference is the use of the central elevator banks near the center of the

ship - where the NCL hosts pretty much regulate the traffic in boarding the ship.

HINT - once aboard go to the Bow or Stern elevators for an alternate way

around the boarding traffic OR simply use the stairs !

The earlier the ship docks and disembarks the guests in an orderly manner

without stragglers the easier the boarding sequence is with cabins at ready !

It is amazing that a ship with 2700 plus guests can disembark and board the

same number in as few as about 8 hours - only the airlines can do it better

on a smaller relative scale sans the perks promos and FOOD and did I mention

FOOD - than again cruise ships are not going anywhere at subsonic speed !

[Lido_Deck]

We're on the escape this October and would like to check in early and leave the ship to spend the morning with friends who are not on the ship, is this possible on embarkation day? Thanks maria

 

Spend the morning with friends?

 

Even if you are at the front of the mob you'll be lucky to get on before noon.

 

It would be much easier to spend the morning with friends and then board the ship.

[All-ready2cruise]

I think I'd meet up with friends in the morning... find a way to store your luggage... even handing it off to a porter and then meeting your friends is fine...

 

Do your exploring and then get back to the terminal by 3pm... (as long as your boarding time is no earlier than 5pm) and enjoy the day. Make sure you have all your boarding documents ready and you should be good to go.

 

PS Muster Drill is usually around 4/4:30 and is a must do.

[SuiteCruiser]

It isn't as easy as it sounds. I did it once and thought I could just go against traffic and leave, but no. I had to be escorted out by security and go out through the customs area. If I'd known how complicated it was and how I was taking a person off of their job to escort me, I would not have done it.

[BostonGal35]

agreed, we are terminal early birds, and we are never on much before 1130 and we are usually group 2 or 3 (group 1 is usually teh casinos as sea and other VIPs).

 

i would leave all bags with the porter, and then go meet your friends. come back around 1pm to check in (assuming you depart at 4pm). carry ons are needed IMO - bags have always arrived in our room before Muster Drill. we just keep a backpack with our travel papers and valuables.

[mardavbetale]

On one hand it may seem that way - if you are one of the first groups getting on board getting your Vibe dinner and shore excursions squared away and your

carry on baggage stashed in your cabin* - getting off the ship is a breeze except for walking contra-flow into the boarding crowd.

The second trip after visiting friends and relatives should not be the hassle the first one was.

With the crowds thinning and not having the security check point doing a full inspection and having your sail & sign card just walk-up the gangway and get on board.

* Regarding your carry-on baggage unless NCL definitely says NO take your bags to your cabin and stash them into an empty space for your cabin steward to work around- possibly meeting your CS.

If you wait to board later your Vibe dinner and shore excursions may be all gone - consider doing all the extra bookings on-line and then the special ones upon boarding -

it is all a matter of timing but your first trip on board should be as early as NCL will allow !

Don't forget to include the muster drill sometime before sail off !

 

Above all enjoy your cruise and do it like Frank - no not that FDR character but Sinatra (Doing is MY WAY) within limits of course !

Thanks for visiting and participating at the Cruise Critic !

 

Thank you, really good advice

[mardavbetale]

Thanks everyone for all your replies. One last question. Are Ncl really stricken on the one bad check in policy? We're travelling from th uk and are staying in the usa/cruising for 3 wks and would like to take 3 cases with us.

[brookie848]

Thanks everyone for all your replies. One last question. Are Ncl really stricken on the one bad check in policy? We're travelling from th uk and are staying in the usa/cruising for 3 wks and would like to take 3 cases with us.

 

You will have no problem with three suitcases. We've done three before, along with a case of water (before that was outlawed).

[sanger727]

You'll have no problem with your cases. As others said, you can't access your stateroom to ditch your carry ons till after 1. I don't know when your cruise departs, but don't forget you have to be on board 1.5-2 hours before the ship leaves for security requirements and muster drill. So if you ship leaves late, like 8 or 9 that might be doable, but logistically won't work for a 4 pm departure. We just had that. We're in the first boarding group and on around 11:30, rooms weren't ready till 1:30, then muster drill at 3:30. So just not realistic to deal with all the traffic and security twice. Would look into just dropping your carry ons with the porter, spending time with your friends, and returning to check in and board ship later.

 

 

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[packer99]

If you are going to be there the day before, why not just get together with them the day before you board? Seems like an easier solution. I would hate to try to get on the ship then off, then back on embarkation day.

[Lido_Deck]

I've read this entire thread and the reality is you cannot do what you want to do. It's just not possible. It will take you all morning of standing in que, going through security, checking in and then waiting for the ship to clear the previous cruise guests before you will be allowed to board and then you have to make a mad dash to get Vibe Passes. By the time you go through all this it will be after noon. You could possibly spend a couple hours in the afternoon with them, but the morning is simply not possible if you want to be at the front of the mob to get Vibe Passes.

 

Sorry.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Remember, NcL wants all passengers to be aboard two hours before sailing time. Traffif is another thing to consider, if you're meeting your friends away from the port area.

 

What time does your ship sail? I hope that you can work this out.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Oops I meant to say traffic.