Dawn boarding delay dec 6

[HACKT]

In line in new orleans for dec 6 Dawn cruise. Ship got in late and debark was delayed. It's noon and people still pouring off ship. Line to get on is long and not moving. Don't hurry if you are on this cruise.

[PlayTheAces]

Were here too. Worse embarkation I've been through in years. Aside from whatever the delay is, NCL is totally disorganized They are just now starting to call the boarding groups.

[HACKT]

Yup horrible. Been in line since noon and almost at checkin at 1:35. Then another line to board. Good news is there is no wait for photos! [emoji41]

[PlayTheAces]

We made it to the Venetian Restaurant. Place is pretty empty but life is good!

[HACKT]

Sailing on time. They managed to get everyone on board. Rest of cruise will be great... Hope.

[RuthlessBoss]

Were here too. Worse embarkation I've been through in years. Aside from whatever the delay is, NCL is totally disorganized They are just now starting to call the boarding groups.

 

Seriously, a ship is late, disembarking in progress, huge line build up because people keep coming. How would you suggest getting to the ship sooner? I wouldn't call that disorganized:rolleyes:

[SeaShark]

Huh?

 

 

Let me see if I have this straight.

 

 

The ship got in late AND disembarkation was delayed.

 

People were still disembarking (pouring off) at Noon.

 

NCL managed to start calling boarding numbers at approx 2:00pm.

 

Passengers were disembarked. Luggage was off-loaded. Trash was off-loaded. Supplies were loaded. Luggage was loaded. Ship was refueled. Passengers were embarked. AND THE SHIP STILL SAILED ON TIME!

 

And this is the "Worst embarkation" and "Totally disorganized"??

 

 

I guess you simply cannot please some people.

[mugtech]

Huh?

 

 

Let me see if I have this straight.

 

 

The ship got in late AND disembarkation was delayed.

 

People were still disembarking (pouring off) at Noon.

 

NCL managed to start calling boarding numbers at approx 2:00pm.

 

Passengers were disembarked. Luggage was off-loaded. Trash was off-loaded. Supplies were loaded. Luggage was loaded. Ship was refueled. Passengers were embarked. AND THE SHIP STILL SAILED ON TIME!

 

And this is the "Worst embarkation" and "Totally disorganized"??

 

 

I guess you simply cannot please some people.

 

Can't please everybody, so you gotta please yourself.

[PlayTheAces]

Okay, let me respond to the cheerleaders.

 

First, I'm platinum and have been cruising NCL for 27 years so I have a little perspective.

 

As far as disorganized, that's what I'm calling it. I'm here, are you? No communication at all as far as where to go, what was happening, etc. Just mass confusion.

 

The last few cruises we've taken were on another line. The credit card was given online. The key cards were waiting for us. The entire check in process took less than five minutes. NCL does it the same way they did it twenty years ago. Physically run the credit card. Enter data in the computer. Print the key cards and, seriously, then the agent had to go stand in a line waiting for our cards to print. They waste an amazing amount of time by not embracing modern technology.

 

Sorry fanboys, NCL does a lot right but could improve in plenty of areas.

[RuthlessBoss]

Okay, let me respond to the cheerleaders.

 

First, I'm platinum and have been cruising NCL for 27 years so I have a little perspective.

 

As far as disorganized, that's what I'm calling it. I'm here, are you? No communication at all as far as where to go, what was happening, etc. Just mass confusion.

 

The last few cruises we've taken were on another line. The credit card was given online. The key cards were waiting for us. The entire check in process took less than five minutes. NCL does it the same way they did it twenty years ago. Physically run the credit card. Enter data in the computer. Print the key cards and, seriously, then the agent had to go stand in a line waiting for our cards to print. They waste an amazing amount of time by not embracing modern technology.

 

Sorry fanboys, NCL does a lot right but could improve in plenty of areas.

 

So how does a ship coming in late cause you confusion (or didn't anyone tell you the ship was late?) If you are seasoned cruisers, do you need to have your hand held to board. Not an amazing amount of time is needed and have not encountered the slow check in process as you've described it.

[SeaShark]

Okay, let me respond to the cheerleaders.

 

First, I'm platinum and have been cruising NCL for 27 years so I have a little perspective.

 

As far as disorganized, that's what I'm calling it. I'm here, are you? No communication at all as far as where to go, what was happening, etc. Just mass confusion.

 

The last few cruises we've taken were on another line. The credit card was given online. The key cards were waiting for us. The entire check in process took less than five minutes. NCL does it the same way they did it twenty years ago. Physically run the credit card. Enter data in the computer. Print the key cards and, seriously, then the agent had to go stand in a line waiting for our cards to print. They waste an amazing amount of time by not embracing modern technology.

 

Sorry fanboys, NCL does a lot right but could improve in plenty of areas.

27 years and you still need to be told where to go? Mass confusion yet NCL still managed to get everything done for an on time departure?

 

What can you do...haters gotta hate.

[scott in maine]

I'm neither a cheerleader nor a hater, but we can all agree that clear, frequent communication goes a very long way when normal processes go awry. Just a concise explanation with adequate info given about the new plan would satisfy most.

[aliciam]

I got off the Dawn this morning and we were in port by 7:30. Customs told the Dawn then that it was going to be a longer clearance process and the ship did not get cleared to even start debarkation until well after 9 am. Then customs was holding up the lines getting off the ship. While communication may not have been the greatest for those waiting, the ship's crew had its hands full with people who were standing in line for three hours and missing flights trying to get off the ship.

 

I carried off my luggage and did not get out of the terminal until 11:30. This was an issue with customs today. Even the hotel director was visibly frustrating with what was going on with lines trying to get through customs.

 

I wondered what time they were able to board passengers for your cruise and if they left on time (I'm assuming not). We did slow down yesterday morning I think for some really rough seas (it was bad), but we were still pulling into port this morning before 7:30.

[Sparkles222]

It's really awkward to have someone that isn't there reply to the situation. Do you actually know?

 

My parents are on that cruise and said it was their worst embarkation, and they've been on more cruises than most.

[All-ready2cruise]

It's really awkward to have someone that isn't there reply to the situation. Do you actually know?

 

My parents are on that cruise and said it was their worst embarkation, and they've been on more cruises than most.

 

I think, from what other's have said, that Communication or lack thereof, is really the biggest issue that NCL is suffering and suffering majorly from and would so easily be corrected.

 

We've always enjoyed cruising on NCL but our last cruise, the TA on the Star from Dover to Tampa this past October, was the worst we've experienced as far as communications were concerned. It wasn't even the major problem they were having with propulsion system, it was basic on board communications regarding our account.... unfortunately, IMO, if they can't even communicate information with pax on board the current ship, ..... when can they ... when will they learn better communication skills?

 

That to me, is the biggest question?

Edited December 7, 2015 by All-ready2cruise

[GORDONCHICK]

FYI - unless you're on the ship, those aren't NCL people (with the exception of those in the suite/VIP lounge). Those are contract employees who wear whatever uniform for whatever cruise line is embarking/disembarking. Yes, communication would be great. But when the hold up is the government, well, there you've got it. My bet is that ICE isn't keeping anyone informed because they don't have to - they're the government and they're here to help.....

 

IME, NOLA has always had customs issues. I will say, we didn't have much of an issue once we could get off the ship from the Thanksgiving cruise, but it was a wait and wait some more game. They took forever in clearing the ship. This was our 4th cruise out of NOLA.

[cruisinmeme]

Huh?

 

 

Let me see if I have this straight.

 

 

The ship got in late AND disembarkation was delayed.

 

People were still disembarking (pouring off) at Noon.

 

NCL managed to start calling boarding numbers at approx 2:00pm.

 

Passengers were disembarked. Luggage was off-loaded. Trash was off-loaded. Supplies were loaded. Luggage was loaded. Ship was refueled. Passengers were embarked. AND THE SHIP STILL SAILED ON TIME!

 

And this is the "Worst embarkation" and "Totally disorganized"??

 

 

I guess you simply cannot please some people.

 

 

You would of had to be there to understand the big mess. Seriously how does people judge!

I was one getting off the big mass mess.

Why was the ship late? Who knows, nothing other than captain saw fit to go slow. Dream was at dock plenty early. We sat in herds and waited while the talk from crew was they was unloading dream and we sat tight. Debarked started at 9:00 for walk off. It got stupid as time went on.

People who did not have their luggage was going off ship and getting in customs line.

I had to laugh at one passenger. The ncl employee was herding people into the lounge and saying hurry up. Passenger told him to chill. The after we waited 1 /2 hr. He said slow down as we started to exit. The same passenger reminded him 1 1/2 hr ago he rushed us.

I guess the part that probably pissed off so many people is had they know it was going to be a late debarkation more people would of stayed in cabin or on deck 12.

[Sparkles222]

I completely agree that it's frustrating that they can't communicate properly. I can't imagine being in the situation in which I felt that NCL wasn't being able to properly communicate with all of the passengers. But, I also think you have to be there in order to provide an opinion of the situation, as each situation has proved to be different in regards to the boarding process.

[SeaShark]

Well...if a person has to be there just to have an opinion, then the whole thread is pretty much pointless as the vast majority of people here weren't there...

[cruisinmeme]

I think, from what other's have said, that Communication or lack thereof, is really the biggest issue that NCL is suffering and suffering majorly from and would so easily be corrected.

 

We've always enjoyed cruising on NCL but our last cruise, the TA on the Star from Dover to Tampa this past October, was the worst we've experienced as far as communications were concerned. It wasn't even the major problem they were having with propulsion system, it was basic on board communications regarding our account.... unfortunately, IMO, if they can't even communicate information with pax on board the current ship, ..... when can they ... when will they learn better communication skills?

 

That to me, is the biggest question?

 

Definitely lack of communication. Out of 19 cruises this was our first without any info on where to go or what to do. They said watch the tv.

Well tv said blue lagoon opened at 7am for breakfast. Well they were not even serving breakfast, just pastries.

The rest was sketchy at best.

[cruisinmeme]

27 years and you still need to be told where to go? Mass confusion yet NCL still managed to get everything done for an on time departure?

 

What can you do...haters gotta hate.

 

I have only been cruising since 1998 and 18 cruise but in my opinion it is like child birth, every time is different. So who the hell just jumps in and does what they did last cruise and assumes it is the correct thing to do.

[SeaShark]

I have only been cruising since 1998 and 18 cruise but in my opinion it is like child birth, every time is different. So who the hell just jumps in and does what they did last cruise and assumes it is the correct thing to do.

 

Well now, that just puts a whole new spin on it, doesn't it?

 

 

My original point was that if the ship came in late, yet NCL managed to turn everything around and still have an on-time departure, then it wasn't fair and/or accurate to say it was "disorganized". You'd HAVE to be organized...especially if you were already put behind by a late arrival.

 

Now you're stating that it's "like child birth, every time is different". Wow...now I'm even more impressed. A late start AND things were different! :eek: That takes the requirement for organization to a whole new level. There is no way that they could have made an on-time departure given that they started late AND things were different....they'd just have to be super-organized.

[Sparkles222]

Well...if a person has to be there just to have an opinion, then the whole thread is pretty much pointless as the vast majority of people here weren't there...

Is this serious? It can't be....

You've never been on a cruise in which you've been able to provide real time information to someone? It's nice to hear a play by play of what is actually happening to someone in the situation. The forum would be real informative if people were to give their opinion on the situation instead of giving true information.

[Sparkles222]

Well now, that just puts a whole new spin on it, doesn't it?

 

 

My original point was that if the ship came in late, yet NCL managed to turn everything around and still have an on-time departure, then it wasn't fair and/or accurate to say it was "disorganized". You'd HAVE to be organized...especially if you were already put behind by a late arrival.

 

Now you're stating that it's "like child birth, every time is different". Wow...now I'm even more impressed. A late start AND things were different! :eek: That takes the requirement for organization to a whole new level. There is no way that they could have made an on-time departure given that they started late AND things were different....they'd just have to be super-organized.

This was a completely confusing post to read. They were organized? Tell me about it since you must have been there to experience it!

Oh, they left on time? So it must have been painless for everyone. Clearly. As experienced by all the passengers that waited in the lines that are never normally experienced.

They came to the dock not sure what to expect (and of course everyone was not expecting so much frustration) much like childbirth, as the previous poster stated.

[dixieagle]

My husband and I were on the 11/29 Dawn cruise that arrived late into Nola this morning (12/6). Last week, embarkation was ridiculously slow, as the ship arrived late and disembarkation was delayed. We heard it was due to fog but no one ever explained. It took about an hour to get to the luggage drop-off point, We had just recently upgraded to an Owner's Suite and had been told about priority boarding, etc. (we've sailed NCL once before, so weren't too familiar with their procedures) but if we hadn't inquired, we'd never have found the Suite Check-in. Very poor signage and communication.

 

Last night, we were told at the end of the magic show that disembarkation wouldn't start until about 9 am. We had breakfast in Cagney's at about 8:15, all the while hearing announcements about the ship not yet being cleared. We headed to the Star Bar to wait for priority disembarkation. Finally, at about 9:40, there was an announcement that the ship was cleared, and they were calling for Yellow (!) tag holders to make their way to the gangway. The Suite passengers in the Star Bar finally just formed a line and were slowly escorted to a service elevator to avoid the lines at the regular elevators. There was supposed to be delineation between those suite passengers walking off with all their luggage in tow, and those of us who had set our luggage out last night and had gold priority baggage tags... not a word, nothing, nada. Everyone just got in the same line, having no information about whether our luggage was waiting for us or not. There was a total lack of communication, and "priority disembarkation" was anything but. We finally got off the ship and through customs/immigration at about 10:45. The cars/taxis/buses bringing in today's passengers were already backed up.

 

As a previous poster mentioned, there is a real need for better, consistent communication. Let us know what's going on, and follow through with what has been promised. We can understand delays in the ship's arrival which delay disembarkation, but please just let us know what's going on.