Haven Disembarkation

[momtotwoprincesses]

We are relatively new to cruising, but took at 7 day cruise on Getaway last year in a Haven Aft Penthouse. When it was time to disembark, the concierge took us down the elevator and left us with the rest of the masses. We are leaving on the Escape in October, this time staying in a DOS on Escape. I have read here that the priority disembarkation does not end when the concierge leaves you, as long as you have a Haven key. Is this correct?

 

Thanks!

[Seminole1975]

We are relatively new to cruising, but took at 7 day cruise on Getaway last year in a Haven Aft Penthouse. When it was time to disembark, the concierge took us down the elevator and left us with the rest of the masses. We are leaving on the Escape in October, this time staying in a DOS on Escape. I have read here that the priority disembarkation does not end when the concierge leaves you, as long as you have a Haven key. Is this correct?

 

Thanks!

 

That was not my experience for 2 cruises in the Haven. I think I remember our luggage was in separate area, but otherwise once we got off the ship, back to the real world! (we had a spa Haven suite on Getaway each time). We had our own car in Miami and in Copenhagen, we were going to catch a cab, but instead found a bus going to the airport). What would you think the Haven key would do for you? Just curious.

[FLcruisergrl]

My experience was that it ended with the concierge escort. Then back to the harsh, harsh world!

[momtotwoprincesses]

That was not my experience for 2 cruises in the Haven. I think I remember our luggage was in separate area, but otherwise once we got off the ship, back to the real world! (we had a spa Haven suite on Getaway each time). We had our own car in Miami and in Copenhagen, we were going to catch a cab, but instead found a bus going to the airport). What would you think the Haven key would do for you? Just curious.

 

The concierge took us down an elevator and left us in a very long line to get luggage and go through customs. I read here that being in the Haven allows you to skip those lines, as well. You show your Haven key and you don't have to wait in line. I am not referring to after getting off the ship, but during the entire disembarkation process.

[NLH Arizona]

The concierge took us down an elevator and left us in a very long line to get luggage and go through customs. I read here that being in the Haven allows you to skip those lines, as well. You show your Haven key and you don't have to wait in line. I am not referring to after getting off the ship, but during the entire disembarkation process.

I think it depends on the Concierge. On some of my cruises, I've been escorted out early and on others, it has been with a long line of passengers.

[Seminole1975]

We were escorted right off the ship when we chose and did not have to wait in those lines getting off the ship. However our luggage was off the ship already. I do not think NCL has anything to do with customs. We had to get in the customs line like everyone else.

[Two Wheels Only]

We had to get in the customs line like everyone else.

 

We were sent to the front of the line. ;)

Escorted off of the ship, Port employee took us to the priority luggage area, took us to the front of the customs line. Done.

[Seminole1975]

We were sent to the front of the line. ;)

Escorted off of the ship, Port employee took us to the priority luggage area, took us to the front of the customs line. Done.

 

 

Nice! We did not get that service.

[Enavigo]

Many of these comments are also inconsistent with our experience on our past 3 cruises on the Breakaway out of NY. Each time we go from concierge lounge the curbside in about 10 mins -- one of the best Haven perks in our experience. Although an escort certainly helps navigate the mass of humanity, it is NOT required. Once you get off the ship, you will see the general disembarkation to your left pushed up against the terminal wall. You will also see an NCL/port employee (not sure which one) ushering people to that line on the left. Show him or her your haven card and they will let you stay to the right. As you approach the terminal doors you will see the Haven sign. Simply follow the sign and once you get to the doors, an agent will stop the general line and let you through. Once in the terminal another agent will stop the general line and let you down the escalator.

 

As you enter the baggage area go and pick up your bags (if not doing self-disembarkation). Once there you will see the long winding customs line to the right. Do NOT get in that line. After picking up your bags walk down the wide alley in the center of the terminal (some bags will be lined up on your left and the customs line will be on your right. When you get to the front of that large middle section an agent will meet you there and immediately send you to the next available customs agent. Once through customs then your Haven trip is over.

[Samstress]

We were sent to the front of the line. ;)

Escorted off of the ship, Port employee took us to the priority luggage area, took us to the front of the customs line. Done.

 

We had the exact same service when we disembarked in Tampa at the end of our cruise.

Other times we were taken down by the concierge to the front of the line. I think everyone is right about who is your concierge & how busy they are.

In any case....leaving the ship is never a great experience for me no matter how I do it:')

Cheers,

Sandy

[Georgia_Peaches]

We had the exact same service when we disembarked in Tampa at the end of our cruise.

Other times we were taken down by the concierge to the front of the line. I think everyone is right about who is your concierge & how busy they are.

In any case....leaving the ship is never a great experience for me no matter how I do it:')

Cheers,

Sandy

I second that. Disembarkation day saddens me. :rolleyes::(

[BNBR]

This is why you should consider self-disembark. You just walk in to the elevator with your bag, early when disembark starts. You walk off first and no line, no wait, no hassle.

 

We did this on Escape and I was literally the first person off the ship and through customs. It could not have been any easier. The last day is a madhouse, it's not a cruise day. It's worth just getting off and avoiding the madhouse. Since you get a private elevator down, taking your own luggage is trivial and I highly recommend it.

[Medtech2]

The one time we had a Suite we were dumped in line with everybody else. That was the Getaway in Miami. Other times we have witnessed Haven guests being escorted right past us straight to the Customs desk. Seems like luck of the draw....

[BirdTravels]

We are relatively new to cruising, but took at 7 day cruise on Getaway last year in a Haven Aft Penthouse. When it was time to disembark, the concierge took us down the elevator and left us with the rest of the masses. We are leaving on the Escape in October, this time staying in a DOS on Escape. I have read here that the priority disembarkation does not end when the concierge leaves you, as long as you have a Haven key. Is this correct?

 

Thanks!

In general, the concierge service ends when they place you at the front of the security line.

 

When we sailed in the Breakaway our of NY last year, the concierge staff tag teamed to get us to the front of security, then to the front of the [lomg] line to get down the escalator to the baggage hall, then to the front of the customs line. This treatment was the exception.

[17cruisesnsl]

Agree with poster who said haven line on the right - that was our experience in NY but not sure I would have known had we not had a wheelchair escort. I picked up some fellow Haven passengers in the long, long line on the left. They had been dropped off at the elevator. Now I know to look or ask.

[Enavigo]

In general, the concierge service ends when they place you at the front of the security line.

 

When we sailed in the Breakaway our of NY last year, the concierge staff tag teamed to get us to the front of security, then to the front of the [lomg] line to get down the escalator to the baggage hall, then to the front of the customs line. This treatment was the exception.

 

This has not been the exception for us. 100% of the time we are out of the customs hall in 10 mins. You just have to know how the Haven disembarkation process works in NY. They assume you are general disembark until you show them the haven card. Once you get close to the doors there is a large sign that says Haven to the right and general to the left.

 

The problem comes when the general line backs up so far you can't even see the entrance to the hall or the sign and Haven folks just follow the herd to the left. We only knew the first time because Anoop told us he was only able to escort us the ship exit but that we should stay to the right until we were met by an agent at the hall entrance and that from there an agents would escort us through the customs counters.

[styme123]

Just got off Escape this Sunday in NYC and saw Haven guests getting processed through a separate line just for them. They were off in minutes.

[momtotwoprincesses]

Wow, thanks for all the replies! It seems like the process doesn't work for everyone, every time, but knowing this will help us tremendously! You have all been very helpful!

[psac]

Many of these comments are also inconsistent with our experience on our past 3 cruises on the Breakaway out of NY. Each time we go from concierge lounge the curbside in about 10 mins -- one of the best Haven perks in our experience. Although an escort certainly helps navigate the mass of humanity, it is NOT required. Once you get off the ship, you will see the general disembarkation to your left pushed up against the terminal wall. You will also see an NCL/port employee (not sure which one) ushering people to that line on the left. Show him or her your haven card and they will let you stay to the right. As you approach the terminal doors you will see the Haven sign. Simply follow the sign and once you get to the doors, an agent will stop the general line and let you through. Once in the terminal another agent will stop the general line and let you down the escalator.

 

As you enter the baggage area go and pick up your bags (if not doing self-disembarkation). Once there you will see the long winding customs line to the right. Do NOT get in that line. After picking up your bags walk down the wide alley in the center of the terminal (some bags will be lined up on your left and the customs line will be on your right. When you get to the front of that large middle section an agent will meet you there and immediately send you to the next available customs agent. Once through customs then your Haven trip is over.

 

Thanks for the extreme detail! Took a screenshot of this one! (y)

[dexddd]

Wow, thanks for all the replies! It seems like the process doesn't work for everyone, every time, but knowing this will help us tremendously! You have all been very helpful!

 

In NYC it was a bit different than previous trips and as Enviago explains. Concierge didn't escort us to front of line on ship and made no mention of separate line once off ship although not needed. (an attendant escorted us off). Once off ship there were a couple shore based contractors but again, not doing much to let you know you could go to the right and pass through lines.