Manhattan cruise terminal not recognizing priority boarding for certain categories

[pokerguy90]

Our friends just sailed on the JOY. They had an SP inside 2br suite.  Not Haven.  We have the same category booked for our upcoming Joy cruise in late August.

In the literature we read and the JOY amenities sheet it states that this SP category does have priority Embark & Disembarkation.  We know many other perks were removed from this category on  Jan 1, 2022  - But we were also told by NCL booking rep this was still available.  

 

When our friends began checking in at the pier. A priority lane was available but they were persona non grata.  Since they were turned away, they were irritated because the general boarding was a disaster in NYC.  Anyone have any suggestions for me that may help with this issue.  Any advise would be appreciated. 

 

[Mike A]

The key here is the Priority line is AFTER the Metal Detector and Covid-19 paperwork lines. If they tried at the initial entrance it was Haven only and would be turned away. Following the Covid-19 check in is where the Priority line is to the left of general check in. There is a representative to look at your boarding pass against the master list and should let you through. 
The key here is DONOT take no for an answer. Have the representative speak to a supervisor if necessary. 

[The Traveling Man]

3 hours ago, Mike A said:

The key here is the Priority line is AFTER the Metal Detector and Covid-19 paperwork lines. If they tried at the initial entrance it was Haven only and would be turned away. Following the Covid-19 check in is where the Priority line is to the left of general check in. There is a representative to look at your boarding pass against the master list and should let you through. 
The key here is DONOT take no for an answer. Have the representative speak to a supervisor if necessary. 

We sailed from Manhattan on the Getaway this past April.  Everyone was directed to the same line for security and COVID checks.  After more than an hour in those lines we were able to go to the general check-in desk where there were priority areas for various categories of staterooms, Latitudes status, etc.  There were plenty of clerks working those desks, though, so there was no delay at all.  The first timers in steerage walked right up to a check-in station without delay, just like Haven, Casinos-at-Sea, Latitudes Diamond members, and everyone else.  The priority check-in provided no advantage at all.

[vacation44]

57 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

We sailed from Manhattan on the Getaway this past April.  Everyone was directed to the same line for security and COVID checks.  After more than an hour in those lines we were able to go to the general check-in desk where there were priority areas for various categories of staterooms, Latitudes status, etc.  There were plenty of clerks working those desks, though, so there was no delay at all.  The first timers in steerage walked right up to a check-in station without delay, just like Haven, Casinos-at-Sea, Latitudes Diamond members, and everyone else.  The priority check-in provided no advantage at all.

 

I do think it depends on how crowded the terminal is when you get there.  Also it also priority embarkation, not just priority checkin, which gets you on the ship earlier.

[Mike A]

We were on the 5/29 sailing of the Joy. Following Covid-19 check, there were 2 lines Lattitudes/Priority on the left and General Check-in on the right. We reached that point at about 10:00. We had no one in front of us while the general check in had at least 50 people on it. Following final Check-In we were escorted to a special holding area until 10:45 when boarding started. Special Needs went first and we followed. We were on the ship prior to 11:00. Please note we arrived at 9:00 but they do not open security until 9:30 Sharp. We had approximately 150 in front of us in snakes by that time. Once the doors opened it took about 10 minutes to get past security and another 20 minutes for the Covid-19 paperwork review. 

[Topdog52]

11 hours ago, Mike A said:

We were on the 5/29 sailing of the Joy. Following Covid-19 check, there were 2 lines Lattitudes/Priority on the left and General Check-in on the right. We reached that point at about 10:00. We had no one in front of us while the general check in had at least 50 people on it. Following final Check-In we were escorted to a special holding area until 10:45 when boarding started. Special Needs went first and we followed. We were on the ship prior to 11:00. Please note we arrived at 9:00 but they do not open security until 9:30 Sharp. We had approximately 150 in front of us in snakes by that time. Once the doors opened it took about 10 minutes to get past security and another 20 minutes for the Covid-19 paperwork review. 

Where does the line start at the Manhatten Cruise Terminal. Is it in front of pier 88 or is it on the second floor some where? 

[Mike A]

The initial line starts on the second floor of Pier 88 just inside the entrance doors once you give your luggage to porters. There are snakes there leading to security/metal detectors which start processing passengers at 9:30.  Once you get past there you get on a Covid-19 paperwork line. Once you finish there you get on line for check in to get your room keys etc ... Priority/Latitude  on left, general on right. 
Following, If you are Priority/Latitude you will be escorted to a special holding area to wait until boarding starts at which time you will board following special needs. If you check in after boarding starts you should be allowed to board immediately after final check in.

Bear in mind this is how it worked for the 5/29 sailing. I can’t speak for upcoming sailings
I hope this helps.

Mike A 

[Topdog52]

20 hours ago, Mike A said:

The initial line starts on the second floor of Pier 88 just inside the entrance doors once you give your luggage to porters. There are snakes there leading to security/metal detectors which start processing passengers at 9:30.  Once you get past there you get on a Covid-19 paperwork line. Once you finish there you get on line for check in to get your room keys etc ... Priority/Latitude  on left, general on right. 
Following, If you are Priority/Latitude you will be escorted to a special holding area to wait until boarding starts at which time you will board following special needs. If you check in after boarding starts you should be allowed to board immediately after final check in.

Bear in mind this is how it worked for the 5/29 sailing. I can’t speak for upcoming sailings
I hope this helps.

Mike A 

Thank You very much. This helps a lot.