NCL Escape - early arrival time

[dsinger44]

So - our flight arrives in FLL at 6:30 am this Saturday for our Escape cruise (soooo excited!). Not exactly sure what we should do... we are planning on taking Uber to the Miami port - we want to try to get VIBE passes, so we want to be at the port early, but I'm thinking this may be too early :). What are our options? Is there a place to get breakfast at the port? Will we be able to check our bags that early? Will the waiting area be open? We are taking a red eye flight out of Los Angeles, so we'll definitely be tired. Any advice is appreciated!!

[JenniSurf]

I don't know how much help I'll be, but my intentions are good. :)

 

An uber from FLL to port will be around $40 -UberX, which is a lot cheaper than a taxi. There's nothing directly near the port itself because it's basically it's own island. The Bayside Marketplace is across the water. Their website says everything opens at 10, but Starbucks definitely opens at 7. The ride to port is quick from there.

 

Another option is taking an uber to the Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood Beach near FLL, it's open for breakfast very early, then uber directly to port from there. (I'm sure there are other breakfast places near the airport, but this resort is so pretty. Yes, my opinion is completely biased bc I love everything Jimmy Buffett.)

 

I think the earliest you can drop your bags is 9am, but I could very well be mistaken. Have a great trip!

[dsinger44]

Thanks so much for your response! Considering we'll have all of our luggage, I'm not sure we're going to want go lug it around to the Marketplace or to a resort. Ugh! Sounds like we may just be waiting around outside of the port until we can check our luggage. We'll just take our time leaving the airport, I suppose.

[packer99]

Fingers crossed you aren't delayed out of LA. Arriving the same day makes me nervous. Maybe a taxi cab /uber for a breakfast spot.

[sdjoejoe]

From experience having arrived on a similar flight as you, we went straight to the port. We were there before they even unloaded the passengers from the last cruise! There is nothing at the port, no coffee, water, nothing. Be prepared. There are restrooms, but they are nasty and mostly used by the long shoremen. There was a coffee truck outside, but it wasn't open!!!! What the.....

 

Anyway, we were the first ones in line and security and others laughed at us, but they were really nice. You have to wait outside, again, be prepared, but we waited right at the security door for entry. It is covered so you don't have to stand in the sun. We waited around 2 hours outside, maybe a little more.

 

Once everyone is disembarked, they will let in people into the lobby for security screening. We waited for around another 30 minutes. Once we were allowed on board, we moved quite fast to Vibe passes. Worth every bead of sweat. Somehow about 30 people already were in front of us. The process took about 1 minute. It was fast once in the Vibe Pass area.

[tripleboom]

From experience having arrived on a similar flight as you, we went straight to the port. We were there before they even unloaded the passengers from the last cruise! There is nothing at the port, no coffee, water, nothing. Be prepared. There are restrooms, but they are nasty and mostly used by the long shoremen. There was a coffee truck outside, but it wasn't open!!!! What the.....

 

Anyway, we were the first ones in line and security and others laughed at us, but they were really nice. You have to wait outside, again, be prepared, but we waited right at the security door for entry. It is covered so you don't have to stand in the sun. We waited around 2 hours outside, maybe a little more.

 

Once everyone is disembarked, they will let in people into the lobby for security screening. We waited for around another 30 minutes. Once we were allowed on board, we moved quite fast to Vibe passes. Worth every bead of sweat. Somehow about 30 people already were in front of us. The process took about 1 minute. It was fast once in the Vibe Pass area.

 

Sounds like you and I have similar intentions! My wife and I are arriving the day before our cruise, but we're planning on getting to the port earlier than the doors open to assure we give ourselves the best shot at Vibe passes. You mentioned you waited two hours-ish. What time did you arrive? How many others like you arrived prior to the doors opening to pass through security? How soon did porters arrive to take your luggage to the ship prior to heading in to the check-in area? Once checked in, how long before you were able to board?

 

Sorry for the 973 questions (give or take), just interested in hearing it straight from someone who did exactly what we're planning on doing :D

[sdjoejoe]

We got to the port around 7:15am I would say. I think porters took our luggage around 9:45am, but they are literally 40 feet away from the main entry doors. When they opened the lobby around 10:00 or 10:30am I think there were probably 25 people at our entrance. Most started showing up around 8:45am, but we had nothing else to do so we were first. Met a couple CC people that showed up 10 minutes after us. The check in process took 5 minutes or so, which is maddening when you are trying to get on the ship for Vibe... but really... the process was smooth and the we were just ready to get on the ship. We waited in the waiting room which was really nice with coffee and tea and such for about 45 minutes. I think we boarded around 11:45am.

[tripleboom]

Thanks for all the info! Super helpful. Now to figure out how to fit a couple of camp chairs into a carry on :D

[dsinger44]

Well... doesn't sound like this will be the best experience - especially with 2 kids after a overnight flight - but it will all be better after we're on the ship!! At least I know what to expect! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. Only 4 days to go!!

[jchillin]

Why don't you take your time in the airport...get some breakfast etc

 

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[Johnsr420]

Well... doesn't sound like this will be the best experience - especially with 2 kids after a overnight flight - but it will all be better after we're on the ship!! At least I know what to expect! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. Only 4 days to go!!

 

 

You mentioned you have 2 kids. I'm sure you probably already know this but Vibe is adults only. If you want Vibe passes you have to be in the first boarding group so probably need to get to the port before 9am. Have a great cruise

 

 

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[www3traveler]

Well... doesn't sound like this will be the best experience - especially with 2 kids after a overnight flight - but it will all be better after we're on the ship!! At least I know what to expect! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. Only 4 days to go!!

 

Be aware that there is little in the way of breakfast available in the baggage claim area at FLL. A place for some coffee and a bagel place. Might want to buy something at LAX and put in your carry on. There are however to sit in the baggage claim area to kill sometime and there are rest rooms.

 

Was just there a month ago. Enjoy your cruise.

[dsinger44]

Thanks again all!! I like the idea of hanging out in the FLL baggage claim area for awhile... I think that's what we'll do until 8ish - then we can take an Uber to the port and be there by 9. We do have two kids, but one is a teenager and will be with a friend and the other is super social and I'm sure he'll spend a lot of time in the kids club. We are aware that VIBE is adults only - thanks, though!

[sid_9169]

Also, be aware that they're using the new Latitudes boarding process at POM now, which Haven and Platinum board before others regardless of arrival time...

Thanks again all!! I like the idea of hanging out in the FLL baggage claim area for awhile... I think that's what we'll do until 8ish - then we can take an Uber to the port and be there by 9. We do have two kids, but one is a teenager and will be with a friend and the other is super social and I'm sure he'll spend a lot of time in the kids club. We are aware that VIBE is adults only - thanks, though!

[Stellanor]

From experience having arrived on a similar flight as you, we went straight to the port. We were there before they even unloaded the passengers from the last cruise! .... Anyway, we were the first ones in line and security and others laughed at us, but they were really nice... We waited for around another 30 minutes. Once we were allowed on board, we moved quite fast to Vibe passes.

 

With how close you were to the front of the line, and I imagine being one of the first to board, could I ask what time you actually made it onto the ship? I suppose I could just add up all the time you stated, but I didn't want to assume. Maybe it takes a long time to walk up the gangway. ;p

[Stellanor]

With how close you were to the front of the line, and I imagine being one of the first to board, could I ask what time you actually made it onto the ship? I suppose I could just add up all the time you stated, but I didn't want to assume. Maybe it takes a long time to walk up the gangway. ;p

 

Oh my god, I'm so ashamed. I didn't read far enough. You answered the questions already! Hah! I need a vacation!

[BirdTravels]

Sounds like you and I have similar intentions! My wife and I are arriving the day before our cruise, but we're planning on getting to the port earlier than the doors open to assure we give ourselves the best shot at Vibe passes. You mentioned you waited two hours-ish. What time did you arrive? How many others like you arrived prior to the doors opening to pass through security? How soon did porters arrive to take your luggage to the ship prior to heading in to the check-in area? Once checked in, how long before you were able to board?

 

Sorry for the 973 questions (give or take), just interested in hearing it straight from someone who did exactly what we're planning on doing :D

 

Last cruise, security opened around 10ish. That means you are standing the outer lobby or outside on the front landing until it opens. (Outside could be hot, humid, or soaking wet depending on the weather). Once security opens, you proceed to check-in. If you are first in line, there will be no line at check-in. As you proceed to the waiting lounge (now probably around 10:15), you'll get your boarding group number. Boarding starts around 11:15-11:30.

 

BUT,,, remember,,,, with the change in boarding policies, Havens, Disabled, Ambassador, Platinum Plus, Platinum, and in many ports Casino passengers will all be invited to board BEFORE general boarding with boarding groups.

 

So,,, those with priority boarding, showing up just before the doors open, will all board the ship before you. Those Platinum guests are more likely to be interested in the Vibe than the non-priority guests.

 

Good Luck!

[tripleboom]

Last cruise, security opened around 10ish. That means you are standing the outer lobby or outside on the front landing until it opens. (Outside could be hot, humid, or soaking wet depending on the weather). Once security opens, you proceed to check-in. If you are first in line, there will be no line at check-in. As you proceed to the waiting lounge (now probably around 10:15), you'll get your boarding group number. Boarding starts around 11:15-11:30.

 

BUT,,, remember,,,, with the change in boarding policies, Havens, Disabled, Ambassador, Platinum Plus, Platinum, and in many ports Casino passengers will all be invited to board BEFORE general boarding with boarding groups.

 

So,,, those with priority boarding, showing up just before the doors open, will all board the ship before you. Those Platinum guests are more likely to be interested in the Vibe than the non-priority guests.

 

Good Luck!

Thanks, BirdTravels. Hoping for the best. I know I've read some comments recently that people got Board Card #1 and still wound up on the tail end of those able to get Vibe passes. We won't be crushed if we somehow wind up without getting the passes, but we're gonna get an A for effort at least!!

 

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