How long to embark/disembark on the NCL Sun?

I've only been on small ships, but close to putting a deposit down on a South America tour on the Sun with about 1900 people.

How long does it take to get on board? I've read a few stories that make it seem like it takes hours.

What do you do if you are standing in that long line and you have the urge to use the bathroom? Are there any facilities outside the ship?

FYI, I'd be getting on at San Antonio, Chile and getting off at Buenos Aires.

I believe some of the embarkation issues were due to labor problems in Valparaiso....which is why the Chilean embarkation port has been changed to San Antonio. NCL was not the only cruise line to make the change. All the NCL group companies and Carnival group companies made the port switch.

Are you asking about the initial embarkation or getting on the ship in port? I haven’t embarked in Chile but can’t imagine it’s that much different than in other countries. The waiting has nothing to do with there being a long line. The waiting has to do with them having a priority order of embarkation. So suites and high level loyalty first, casino customers, lower level loyalty, etc; with new cruisers embarking last.

Typically what will happen is you are able to check in in order of arrival, you are given a zone number, and are able to wait in an area with chairs and restrooms. They will call out zone numbers and when they get to yours, you will wait in a relatively short line to get onto the ship.

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The lines are the lines. Annoying as they may be, I can not imagine making a decision on a cruise based on this.

Other than those high end luxury ships with only a few hundred passengers, they all have lines.

Are you asking about the initial embarkation or getting on the ship in port? I haven’t embarked in Chile but can’t imagine it’s that much different than in other countries. The waiting has nothing to do with there being a long line. The waiting has to do with them having a priority order of embarkation. So suites and high level loyalty first, casino customers, lower level loyalty, etc; with new cruisers embarking last.

 

Typically what will happen is you are able to check in in order of arrival, you are given a zone number, and are able to wait in an area with chairs and restrooms. They will call out zone numbers and when they get to yours, you will wait in a relatively short line to get onto the ship.

 

 

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Exactly what I was hoping for. I don't mind waiting if I can be comfortable. Do you wait inside or outside? I have this picture in my head of a big open area with no services.

I’ve never been to Chile so can’t tell you for sure. But every cruise port I’ve been to has an indoor building that is similar to an airport - security similar to an airport, check in area, and a waiting area with chairs. Usually nothing to eat but on my last cruise Norwegian provided a table with flavored water for people waiting.

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We're cruising on 17th Jan2018 on NCL Sun - our first cruise with NCL and it's the largest ship we've sailed on! My question is 'What is the average time to disembark at the Ports of Call?' - is is an almighty rush to the gangway or is there more than 1 in use and plenty of capacity to make it a more relaxed experience? TIA for any responses.

Steve (Marchie) & Elaine

We're cruising on 17th Jan2018 on NCL Sun - our first cruise with NCL and it's the largest ship we've sailed on! My question is 'What is the average time to disembark at the Ports of Call?' - is is an almighty rush to the gangway or is there more than 1 in use and plenty of capacity to make it a more relaxed experience? TIA for any responses.

 

Steve (Marchie) & Elaine

If the ship is docked, I've never had a meaningful wait, just a 'delay' where they swipe you card.

At tendered ports, I've heard of people waiting an hour because they give priority to Shore Ex customers.