Back on ship now TWO hours beforehand?

[herewego]

Booked a last minute cruise and noticed it states we need to be onboard two hours before departure, instead of one hour.

 

We are at one port for only 5 hours, does the new time mean we only have a total of 3 hours off the ship? Or am I just misunderstanding?

[jlacy1987]

That's just for embarkation. During port days, you typically have to be back onboard 30 minutes before you leave port. That's how it was on Spirit, which we just arrived home from today.

[Traveller20074]

Yep. Just for embarkation. 2 hours because of security reasons, NCL says :)

[slotaddict]

Just embarkation day.....enjoy your cruise.

[herewego]

Thanks! Guess I freaked out for nothing :-)

[johnql]

Thanks! Guess I freaked out for nothing :-)

No, you freaked out because NCL has yet to change the wording on its web site and in all its marketing literature, wording that is very misleading, implying exactly what you thought. It does not make it clear that it's only talking about embarkation day and not about every port on the sailing's itinerary.

[Doughboy139]

Booked a last minute cruise and noticed it states we need to be onboard two hours before departure, instead of one hour.

 

We are at one port for only 5 hours, does the new time mean we only have a total of 3 hours off the ship? Or am I just misunderstanding?

 

when the ship is in port, NCL will have a board outside that will tell you what time to be back onboard when the ship is in port......

[njhorseman]

No, you freaked out because NCL has yet to change the wording on its web site and in all its marketing literature, wording that is very misleading, implying exactly what you thought. It does not make it clear that it's only talking about embarkation day and not about every port on the sailing's itinerary.

 

NCL's FAQs do distinguish between embarkation at the start of the cruise and ports of call (although the port of call information is stated as one hour rather than ther typical half hour requirement). Further, it says that the two hour requirement is for guests who haven't completed online check in. The Welcome Aboard booklet also clearly mentions the one hour requirement assuming online check in has been completed.

 

http://www2.ncl.com/faq#n19271

What time do I board the ship on embarkation day and in ports of call?

Arrival at the Cruise Terminal:

For your comfort and convenience, we recommend that guests who have not completed their Online Check-In arrive at the cruise terminal no later than two (2) hours prior to the scheduled embarkation time printed on your cruise documents. Guests who have completed their Online Check-In should arrive at the terminal no later than one (1) hour prior to the scheduled embarkation time printed on your cruise documents. We STRONGLY recommend guests complete their Online Check-In at least four (4) days prior to sailing.

Final Boarding Time:

In order to facilitate the embarkation process and the processing of your eDocs, and to comply with new government regulations governing departure manifest, all guests are required to complete Online Check-In at least one day prior to sailing and must complete check-in at the cruise terminal and be onboard the ship no later than one hour prior to the departure time noted on their cruise documents or they will not be permitted to sail. Please note guests who have not filled out their Online Check-In must arrive at port two (2) hours prior to sailing. Any late arriving guest may join the ship at an approved port of call in the scheduled itinerary. Such guest will be responsible for all applicable fees and travel expenses to that subsequent port of call.

Boarding Time in Ports of Call:

In all ports of call, it is also the guest's responsibility to be back onboard the ship no later than one (1) hour prior to the ship's scheduled departure time. Please be aware that shipboard time may differ from the port of call and it is the guest's responsibility to follow the shipboard time. In the event a guest misses the ship, it will be the guest's responsibility to pay all expenses incurred to rejoin the ship.

[johnql]

NCL's FAQs do distinguish between embarkation at the start of the cruise and ports of call (although the port of call information is stated as one hour rather than ther typical half hour requirement). Further, it says that the two hour requirement is for guests who haven't completed online check in. The Welcome Aboard booklet also clearly mentions the one hour requirement assuming online check in has been completed.

 

http://www2.ncl.com/faq#n19271

What time do I board the ship on embarkation day and in ports of call?

Arrival at the Cruise Terminal:

For your comfort and convenience, we recommend that guests who have not completed their Online Check-In arrive at the cruise terminal no later than two (2) hours prior to the scheduled embarkation time printed on your cruise documents. Guests who have completed their Online Check-In should arrive at the terminal no later than one (1) hour prior to the scheduled embarkation time printed on your cruise documents. We STRONGLY recommend guests complete their Online Check-In at least four (4) days prior to sailing.

Final Boarding Time:

In order to facilitate the embarkation process and the processing of your eDocs, and to comply with new government regulations governing departure manifest, all guests are required to complete Online Check-In at least one day prior to sailing and must complete check-in at the cruise terminal and be onboard the ship no later than one hour prior to the departure time noted on their cruise documents or they will not be permitted to sail. Please note guests who have not filled out their Online Check-In must arrive at port two (2) hours prior to sailing. Any late arriving guest may join the ship at an approved port of call in the scheduled itinerary. Such guest will be responsible for all applicable fees and travel expenses to that subsequent port of call.

Boarding Time in Ports of Call:

In all ports of call, it is also the guest's responsibility to be back onboard the ship no later than one (1) hour prior to the ship's scheduled departure time. Please be aware that shipboard time may differ from the port of call and it is the guest's responsibility to follow the shipboard time. In the event a guest misses the ship, it will be the guest's responsibility to pay all expenses incurred to rejoin the ship.

That's good to see, but it still doesn't eliminate the confusion that's caused by the following wording that appears on every one of their itinerary maps:

 

Please Note:

• Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking.
  
• Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before sailing.
  
• Itineraries are subject to change at any time without notice.
  
• Check your specific sailing for exact departure and arrival times. All times are local to the port.
  

This wording is very misleading and implies that it is the policy in every port since it doesn't specify embarkation only.

[sparks1093]

That's good to see, but it still doesn't eliminate the confusion that's caused by the following wording that appears on every one of their itinerary maps:

 

 

Please Note:

• Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking.
  
• Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before sailing.
  
• Itineraries are subject to change at any time without notice.
  
• Check your specific sailing for exact departure and arrival times. All times are local to the port.
  

This wording is very misleading and implies that it is the policy in every port since it doesn't specify embarkation only.

 

Itinerary maps are binding documents?:confused:;)

[johnql]

Itinerary maps are binding documents?:confused:;)

Binding documents? Who said anything about binding documents? I'm simply pointing out why the OP was misled. It would be a simple thing for NCL to correct but they haven't done so. How can anybody defend that?

 

njhorseman pointed out that NCL has published accurate information regarding embarkation procedures, both on the first day and at port stops. Why can't NCL do the same throughout its literature, binding or not?

[sparks1093]

Binding documents? Who said anything about binding documents? I'm simply pointing out why the OP was misled. It would be a simple thing for NCL to correct but they haven't done so. How can anybody defend that?

 

njhorseman pointed out that NCL has published accurate information regarding embarkation procedures, both on the first day and at port stops. Why can't NCL do the same throughout its literature, binding or not?

 

I was just kidding around (sorry) and I fully agree that NCL's website should be updated in many areas (and if anyone needs any evidence of that they need only count the number of times the OP's question gets asked).

[johnql]

I was just kidding around (sorry) and I fully agree that NCL's website should be updated in many areas (and if anyone needs any evidence of that they need only count the number of times the OP's question gets asked).

My apologies, too. I failed to see your winky smiley at the end of the reply. I blame lack of sleep from too many hours on CC.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

FYI, the board at the ganway which will tell you when to be back on board will list the time as "all aboard"

 

If the staff uses the same gangway (sometimes they have a different one) the board may have a separate time for staff, (staff's is earlier) so be sure you pay attention.

 

It will also be in the Daily the night before.

 

Enjoy!

[mtb242]

Secondly, if you are at a beach with folks from other cruise ships, don't rely on their ship time to be the same as yours. I experienced some confusion and a lost hour at the beach in Roatan when our ship time was assumed to be the same as the other cruisers.

[Traveller20074]

I thought it was very clear. Embarkation is the word they use for the 1st time you enter the ship, and disembarkation is the last day.

 

 

I took the 2 hours to mean that if it sails at 4 PM...you have to be on the ship by 2 PM at the latest. Simple :D

[johnql]

I thought it was very clear. Embarkation is the word they use for the 1st time you enter the ship, and disembarkation is the last day.

 

 

I took the 2 hours to mean that if it sails at 4 PM...you have to be on the ship by 2 PM at the latest. Simple :D

The problem is there's no indication about embarkation in the misleading wording that I cited:

 

"Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before sailing."

 

This does indeed refer to embarkation day but it doesn't say that, leaving it open to interpretation.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

and to add to the 2 hour confusion issue, it does not state (in that area) that this applies to those who have pre-registered online..

 

While veterans cruisers realize that embarkation is day 1 of your cruise, rookies may not. Yes, we all have the personal responsibility to understand what we are party to, but it could be worded in a more rookie-friendly (and precise) manner.

[4774Papa]

On port visits you should be back 30 minutes before. Don't push your luck and cut it close. We generally don't stay the entire period in port. If we take a ship excursion, we are usually back an hour before, but on one occasion, we didn't get back until just a few minutes before, due to a hold up by the Spanish Police at the port. Of course, many were in that same fix.

[Norwaylin]

Note the correct time when you leave the ship to be sure your watch is accurate. Many people are late because they don't verify the time when they left and the time required to be back on the ship prior to sailing. I watched a guy on the pier who "missed the boat." Actually, he missed the ship (not a "boat"). It was his own fault. He escorted his female companion back to the ship and decided to go and have another drink. The highlight of his trip was that he had to pay for a tugboat to bring him to the ship and find out it was going to cost him quite a few $$$.

[raitch]

I'm booked on an excursion through NCL that leaves at 1:30 on disembarkation day... it's listed as 3.5 hours, meaning we'd be back at 5:00... and we're set to depart at 5:30. What are the odds that they'd leave us there if we're off on an excursion booked through them? I'm a little confused by this one!

[whenisthemidnightbuffet?]

I'm booked on an excursion through NCL that leaves at 1:30 on disembarkation day... it's listed as 3.5 hours, meaning we'd be back at 5:00... and we're set to depart at 5:30. What are the odds that they'd leave us there if we're off on an excursion booked through them? I'm a little confused by this one!

 

 

The advantage of booking ship excursions is that they will not leave you there, however, you will pay premium (usually 2X as much as you would pay booking yourself).

[Lucy Ashes]

I called NCL just the other day to get the answer to that exact question. I was told that we can't leave the ship for 30 minutes after arrival in port and must return to the ship within 1 hour of departure. So, we can enjoy 6.5 hours ashore where the ship docks for 8 hours.

[sparks1093]

I called NCL just the other day to get the answer to that exact question. I was told that we can't leave the ship for 30 minutes after arrival in port and must return to the ship within 1 hour of departure. So, we can enjoy 6.5 hours ashore where the ship docks for 8 hours.

 

All well and good but the person you spoke to probably only knows what a ship looks like because they've seen pictures;). What you've been told does not match reality.