Escape Departure time changed

[tggs726]

I just heard the Escape has changed its departure time from 4pm to 7pm all sailings May-December this year, anyone know why?

 

Thanks

 

Matt

[kayjaypea42]

Really? First I've heard. Where'd you hear this?

 

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[tggs726]

Really? First I've heard. Where'd you hear this?

 

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

My TA just emailed me, i assume he got a notice from NCL.

 

-Matt

[ruthie0704]

Haven't heard that. hmmm - wonder why?

[LorraineP]

Just got same notice a few minutes ago from my TA. I wonder why the change.

[www3traveler]

With the number of cruise ships who sail from the Port of Miami on Saturdays and Sundays, my guess would that the Port of Miami has changed the rotation of who sails when- nothing to do with Norwegian.

[backsbanny]

Yep most probably thats coming from the port..

[Nator72]

I wonder if that has any affect on the time we're allowed to board?

[bruadhin]

With the number of cruise ships who sail from the Port of Miami on Saturdays and Sundays, my guess would that the Port of Miami has changed the rotation of who sails when- nothing to do with Norwegian.

 

I am curious as to how that would change anything? The ships do not need 3 hours to turn and depart, and I can envision no way in which two ships could use the same terminal in the same day. Also, some ships turn before docking, so they wouldn't even need to turn to depart.

[tggs726]

I wonder if that has any affect on the time we're allowed to board?

 

 

It shouldn't. We just had a 8 pm departure and arrived normal time.

[www3traveler]

I am curious as to how that would change anything? The ships do not need 3 hours to turn and depart, and I can envision no way in which two ships could use the same terminal in the same day. Also, some ships turn before docking, so they wouldn't even need to turn to depart.

Every Saturday and Sunday there are at least 5 cruise ships and sometimes more docked in the Port of Miami. It is a little like air traffic control: one ships leaves, there is space of time, the next one leaves, space then another. All takes time.

[Dwane]

As long as boarding time is the same, it just means 3 more hours of paying the taxes with the UDP. As long as I'm on board, that's ok with me

[LrgPizza]

Cool. I hope it's dark when we leave.

[mking8288]

Just a bit of playing devil's advocate :D -

 

It's good, in some ways, for those flying into MIA #cough #cough - on the date of embarkation (not advised, IMO), as that would yield a wider windows for getting non-stop and 1-stop connecting flights from one's home airport.

 

Ditto, for flying home - book a later flight & relax on that last morning, instead of rushing off early.

 

Problem is that, many if not most, had already booked their flights - air traffic delays tend to worsen progressively into the afternoon and rippled across the systems.

[paulh84]

Currently I believe Divina leaves later in the evening. Perhaps the port is switching slots or just trying to thin out the 4pm rush??

[HowardK]

Does this mean that the time you can board on Saturday will be later? Or will the time you can leave be later?

I hope it doesnt make the cruise shorter

[Loonbeam]

Departure time is completely port controlled. One factor on a busy day is simply the number of harbor pilots available to get ships out (then they need to get back to the next ship)

[hhfarmer]

I just logged in to check my booking and I am still showing 4pm. I am booked on the December 3rd, 2016 sailing. My wife is a TA and she logged into Norwegian Central and also shows a 4pm departure. No notice has come through to us either. Might just be certain sailings?

[NCLfamily]

I'd be happy with that. 3 more hours looking at Miami whilst guzzling cocktails.

 

My July 9th still has 4pm

[Jenjer]

My June 18th still has 4 Pm. But we all know they are not always on the ball when it comes to updating the web site.

 

As long as we can still board around noon. The only issue is paying tax on the drinks we will order so what $1 something a drink still a great deal

[beerman2]

I'm sure people will bash NCL if indeed it is true, for changing things again. As stated before the PORT controls who and when.

 

Miami is gorgeous leaving at night!

 

Port tax on drinks bring it on, just get me on board at normal time?

 

And for those who think NCL is at fault, do you really think they want to give up 3 hours of Casino profits?

[olcar]

The August 20 sailing is also showing a 4 pm departure

[HowardK]

Is this another cost saving move?

[beerman2]

Is this another cost saving move?

 

Go back and read all the post, NCL doesn't control the times their ships leave the Port. The Port Authority does, so NO it isn't a cost cutting measure.

[bruadhin]

Every Saturday and Sunday there are at least 5 cruise ships and sometimes more docked in the Port of Miami. It is a little like air traffic control: one ships leaves, there is space of time, the next one leaves, space then another. All takes time.

 

I understand that. A quick glance at Google Maps shows 6 ships docked. Again, it doesn't take that long. Let's assume that ships are not allowed to pass in the channel. The limiting factor is how long it takes for a ship to leave the pier turn around and pass the next ship docked. That is maybe 15 minutes, as I recall the ships turning and leaving the channel very quickly.

 

Also, some ships turn before docking, so they can leave directly without using the turning basin and speeding their departure. Finally, I don't recall leaving as precisely 4pm anyway. Between chasing day guests off the ship, passengers to muster stations, embarkation crew on and off the ship as appropriate, closing the gangway, doors and untying, no ship is leaving precisely at 4. Some will be slightly early and many will be a bit late.

 

Perhaps it is the port or perhaps it is NCL, but scheduling departures isn't the reason. Perhaps NCL feels they need more time to embark and disembark, perhaps the port feels more time is needed or wants to spread out the crowds more. There could be a multitude of reasons. Getting 6 ships in and out of port is almost certainly not it.

 

5 to 6 ships is conservatively 15,000 - 18,000 passengers and really more when you consider the capacity of some of the newest ships. Just to put that in comparison, McCarran International (Las Vegas) handled just under 80,000 departing seats on its busiest day in July 2015. Between 10am-5pm on that day, just under 33,000 seats departed. I say seats because that is how they list the statistics, while most were probably full I'm sure there were some empty seats. Also, the reason I choose Las Vegas is that it isn't much of a hub with connecting flights. Most people begin or end their trip in Las Vegas versus connect to another flight. There are much busier airports, but connecting passengers don't put near as much strain on the airport.

 

So again, I am sure there is a reason. If I had to guess, I would say the port simply wants to further spread out how many people arrive at any given time and put less strain on the roads and its staff.