Escape Boarding

[Feathercrest]

which deck (and which side) for boarding the Escape?

 

[mking8288]

Subject to change, of course ... 

 

Pier 88 @ MCT - 2 gangways - Fwd & Aft. landing on Deck 7, most passengers via Fwd.  Haven usually AFT gangway (saw accessible pax using both, including those in wheelchairs)   For a non-tender port like Dockyard, Bermuda ... gangway going shore, Deck 4 Fwd (it's normally restricted, crews only & roped off at the staircase)

 

We have a tender port coming up, supposingly, even with Priority ... it is going to be interesting in getting off the Escape & coming back.  

[Feathercrest]

thank you!!!

 

[bob brown]

The Escape always docks at Pier 88, Berth 2, and the ship is always bow-in, so you will be boarding via one of the two gangways on the ship starboard....

[BirdTravels]

In NY, in addition to the Haven, Ambassador, Platinum Plus, and Platinum guests, they also priority board casino guests (which can be a larger group) before they start general boarding. 

[casofilia]

Sorry had to.  When I read the title I smiled!!  if you want to cruise you cannot Escape Boarding!!!

[mking8288]

Haven't heard or seen otherwise, our CAS friends just returned from their Escape run this Sunday.  Nowadays, Platinum/+ & Ambassadors are #1 thru #5 boarding first, following special needs - from the designated lounge/waiting area in far end of cruise terminal (ship's AFT gangways) - then, CAS guests (seating/standing & waiting, across the way nearby ... their total numbers far exceed the # of Latitude members with Platinum & higher status) are boarded ... general boarding to follow.  This has been consistent for NY sailings in the last 2+ years, as a general rule.  

 

There is, however, a CAS line just inside the terminal entrance, on the right side, to get thru "Security" faster than the "rest" - near the restrooms - when it is crowded & packed with hundreds, you might not see the signage for it.  

 

Special Assistance ... including scooters & wheelchairs, keep left once inside the building, also pre-security for help.  Ditto for designated "Group check-in" 

[pickles&peppers]

Which restaurants are open the day of sailing?

[tumblew467]

Does anyone know if when the ship is in Bermuda that they dock starboard side? Or is it always  port side

 

[Mid43]

Tumblew467, one never knows, it's all dependent on weather/sea conditions; also if they need to practice emergency drills, which lifeboats need to be run through the paces... it varies visit to visit, nothing consistent.

[FLAHAM]

On 1/15/2019 at 12:00 PM, pickles&peppers said:

Which restaurants are open the day of sailing?

 

Taste and Savor.  Garden Cafe.  O'Sheehan's (I think but am not positive).  

[BirdTravels]

On 1/15/2019 at 12:00 PM, pickles&peppers said:

Which restaurants are open the day of sailing?

The Garden Cafe Buffet and O'Sheehan's Grill open at 11:30 am

The Main Dining Rooms (Taste and Savor) open at Noon

Margaritaville opens at Noon (additional charge). 

[luvcruzing]

Are there any stores (Walgreens, CVS) near the port of NewYork?

[shof515]

13 minutes ago, luvcruzing said:

Are there any stores (Walgreens, CVS) near the port of NewYork?

there is a cvs on the corner of 54st and 10 ave and a rite aid on the corner of 50st and 8 ave..it a long walk from the terminal building. 

[luvcruzing]

1 hour ago, shof515 said:

there is a cvs on the corner of 54st and 10 ave and a rite aid on the corner of 50st and 8 ave..it a long walk from the terminal building. 

 

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping either one was close by.

[cb2367]

On ‎11‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 1:07 PM, mking8288 said:

Haven't heard or seen otherwise, our CAS friends just returned from their Escape run this Sunday.  Nowadays, Platinum/+ & Ambassadors are #1 thru #5 boarding first, following special needs - from the designated lounge/waiting area in far end of cruise terminal (ship's AFT gangways) - then, CAS guests (seating/standing & waiting, across the way nearby ... their total numbers far exceed the # of Latitude members with Platinum & higher status) are boarded ... general boarding to follow.  This has been consistent for NY sailings in the last 2+ years, as a general rule.  

 

There is, however, a CAS line just inside the terminal entrance, on the right side, to get thru "Security" faster than the "rest" - near the restrooms - when it is crowded & packed with hundreds, you might not see the signage for it.  

 

Special Assistance ... including scooters & wheelchairs, keep left once inside the building, also pre-security for help.  Ditto for designated "Group check-in" 

I'm going to be on Escape in May, so this information was helpful. I sailed on Escape from Miami, and the process was that you got assigned a group number as you checked in. The process for NY though seems to be different. I was trying to determine how early to be at the port to get a good boarding group number.

 

What are "CAS" guests? Is general boarding where the lower Latitudes Tiers are called?

[mking8288]

39 minutes ago, cb2367 said:

... process for NY though seems to be different. I was trying to determine how early to be at the port to get a good boarding group number.  What are "CAS" guests? Is general boarding where the lower Latitudes Tiers are called?

 

Maybe a little different, but similar enough - everyone should get a boarding group/zone # - except Haven, as they get personalized & priority escorted, then special needs/wedding guests/VIP's.  NY piers (except those few sailings using Brooklyn's Red Hook pier this year) got it refined to a science for embarkation ... disembarkatiion can sometimes be, still, somewhat chaotic, depending on one's pecking order.  CAS refers to Casino At Sea passengers, we've been on sailings where the pier/shore-based agents joked that 20% of the day's passengers are CAS entitled ... LOL.  (and, they used to get preference over Platinum/Plus guests, not anymore - their group # are higher, 6 and above if they come early enough; following Latitude's Platinum - given #1 thru 5, if arriving early - till they run out of #'s - and, the roped off reserved seating area ran out of space)

 

Since we are 30 to 60 minutes away from the pier, our advantage is that we get to check & find out if the ship is early/on-time & disembarkation has started or not, before we head out to the ship - an easy 20 miles drive. But, you can track the ship's live webcam, portcam links or marinetraffic to learn what's happening on the morning off - ship will be at the VZ Bridge, entrance to NY harbor - about 90 minutes to 2 hours before it actually docked & ready for express walk-off, plenty of time to call for car service and/or leave from a nearby hotel, checkout & eat a light breakfast first. 

 

I would aim to arrive then, generally, between 10 to 10:30 a.m. if ship is back & things are more or less running as schedule, adjust accordingly & check out things with those on your Roll Call.  Enjoy !

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, cb2367 said:

What are "CAS" guests? Is general boarding where the lower Latitudes Tiers are called?

In addition to Haven guests (who are escorted from the Haven check-in mid-terminal) and Latitude Priority Guests (Ambassador, Platinum Plus, Platinum), NY Manhattan also boards Casinos at Sea (CAS) guests before general boarding starts. There is a separate waiting area for casino guests. 

 

We have been on cruises were over 20% of the passengers onboard were casino guests. Some discounted travelers, many comped travelers (either a NCL casino comp or using land-based casino comp). 

Edited February 20, 2019 by BirdTravels

[Happy3671]

Does ncl have staggered check in times like other cruise lines? Do you get an assigned boarding time to arrive at port depending on when you check in online?

[shof515]

28 minutes ago, Happy3671 said:

Does ncl have staggered check in times like other cruise lines? Do you get an assigned boarding time to arrive at port depending on when you check in online?

 

they do , i noticed NY port does not enforce it