has anyone used NCL port transfer/shuttle?

[havanadaydreaming]

Im tempted to use the NCL transfer/shuttle bus from FLL to POM in a couple weeks.  

 

Any feedback? 

 

we're touch down day of cruise around 10am and not in a big hurry to arrive at port, so im seriously considering taking the NCL bus. 

[julig22]

I've not taken that particular shuttle, but I have used the NCL shuttle on several trips and for the most part it is very simple.  One significant advantage is that if your NCL shuttle is caught in traffic, they are in contact with the ship and it will wait, just like an excursion.  Usually there is someone looking for you at baggage claim and they will escort you to the bus and load your luggage.  You probably will have to claim your luggage at the port and move it to the baggage area, but that depends on the port.

 

Not always the cheapest option if you are with a group but I usually travel solo, so cost is not a factor.  And you may have to wait until the bus is full.

[BirdTravels]

The one advantage is that once you drop your bags with the bus driver at the airport, they will be delivered to your stateroom. No need to deal with porters at the port. 

[julig22]

1 minute ago, BirdTravels said:

The one advantage is that once you drop your bags with the bus driver at the airport, they will be delivered to your stateroom. No need to deal with porters at the port. 

Not always true.   Had it happen both ways.  I think it is a union thing, so depends on the port.

[Goldconnection]

Just the opposite here. We have always had to deal with porters when we have use NCL port shuttle.

[hallux]

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The one advantage is that once you drop your bags with the bus driver at the airport, they will be delivered to your stateroom. No need to deal with porters at the port. 

I agree with the others - not always true.

 

I've done the shuttle at LA twice, with different experiences.  The first time we were told by the driver to leave the bags to him, and as we got off the bus he was unloading them directly to the porters, he also dropped us off right at the porter's luggage drop area.  The second time the bus was parked in the bus drop off area between the passenger drop off and the parking lot and we were told to grab our bags and either take them direct to the porter door or find a porter with a cart to transport them there.

 

What was the difference?  The second time there was delayed boarding due to a CG inspection and there was a line that we waited in for 2 hours before getting through security.  The first time it took me 20 minutes to get from the bus to the ship.

[WickedRed]

Last time I did the NCL shuttle from FLL to POM I had to move my luggage from the side of the bus to the porter who was about 15' away.  It wasn't just handled for me.  One thing to keep in mind is there can be a wait at the airport for the shuttle to either fill up or for one to return and load up.  Same with the return trip.   Other than that, it works well enough.  The waiting just gives you a waiting warm up for when you get to port.  lol.

[travelnap]

I have used the NCL shuttles a few times, but have not used the one from FLL to POM.  I have used the one from LAX to Long Beach a couple of time and the shuttle from LG to the port in Manhattan a couple of times and they have worked well for me each time.   When I sail out of Miami I always fly into Miami, and only fly into FLL when sailing out of Port Everglades.   Good luck in flying in the same day as your cruise.

[www3traveler]

I have used it from FLL to POM, but my flight arrived much earlier than yours and made it to the ship in plenty of time.  Remember that you HAVE to be on board 2 hours prior to your sailing time.  POM might close boarding earlier than that.

[schmoopie17]

Our group of six used it to go to LAX following our cruise. The strange thing is, we walked right on the bus and nobody verified our reservation, asked for IDs or proof of payment. Almost makes we wish we hadn't paid in advance 😁

[don't-use-real-name]

In any event which ever method is used about handling your luggage - - -

You need to have the stateroom number luggage tags in place on the luggage -

Either the ones provided by NCL or your own printed off of your Edocs.

 

There a lot of variations by port about who and how your luggage is handled getting it to your stateroom -

Ask questions don't presume that everything is taken care of.

 

OH and make sure there is ID on (AND IN) your luggage in case it loses it mind handle tags etc. !!!

[Oldgoat61]

We have used the transfer bus at San Pedro, and Brooklyn, and had no issues.  There are other options you might consider.  We have used SAS Transport several times (it's a ride share shuttle) from FLL to POM, and back.  We have also used Uber, and a taxi from hotel to Port of Tampa.  Hope this helped!

[Greek Boss]

If you are flying in the day of your cruise then its best to just use the NCL Shuttle in the event of traffic, etc. With traffic give yourself 45 minutes - 1 hour+ of driving time.

[Greek Boss]

On 11/22/2019 at 9:34 AM, travelnap said:

I have used the NCL shuttles a few times, but have not used the one from FLL to POM.  I have used the one from LAX to Long Beach a couple of time and the shuttle from LG to the port in Manhattan a couple of times and they have worked well for me each time.   When I sail out of Miami I always fly into Miami, and only fly into FLL when sailing out of Port Everglades.   Good luck in flying in the same day as your cruise.

Do you mean when flying in same day as your cruise? Anytime we have a cruise out of Miami we always fly in and out of FLL and just take an Uber each way. We flew in/out of Miami earlier this month for our most recent cruise and we found Miami Airport to be the most disorganized and horrendous we have ever experienced. To be fair though, we always fly in a day before so we have more flexibility.

[FLAHAM]

When I am solo, I take the NCL transfer bus.  When I am with one or more other people, I use Uber. 

[havanadaydreaming]

We went with ncl, I was curious. 

 

Oddly, after booking and entering payment info I don't see it on my ncl and didn't receive email confirmation. 

 

The plot thickens. Ha!

[dbrown84]

Haven't done fll, but took the shuttle from mia to the port.  I was traveling solo so the price was cool.  Had no problems at all.  As for my bags, I like carrying mine onboard so I just grabbed mine when they unloaded the bus

[julig22]

28 minutes ago, havanadaydreaming said:

We went with ncl, I was curious. 

 

Oddly, after booking and entering payment info I don't see it on my ncl and didn't receive email confirmation. 

 

The plot thickens. Ha!

It will show on your edocs when they become available.

[Budget Queen]

On 11/21/2019 at 7:02 PM, BirdTravels said:

The one advantage is that once you drop your bags with the bus driver at the airport, they will be delivered to your stateroom. No need to deal with porters at the port. 

This isn’t any advantage.   What you fail to realize is-   IF your bag doesn’t make it to your room. You don’t know where the miconnect is.     When YOU drop your own bag at the ship bag drop at least you know it made it to the dock.  

[don't-use-real-name]

2 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

This isn’t any advantage.   What you fail to realize is-   IF your bag doesn’t make it to your room. You don’t know where the miconnect is.     When YOU drop your own bag at the ship bag drop at least you know it made it to the dock.  

 

Expounding on this - as I have previously posted:

 

In any event which ever method is used about handling your luggage - - -

You need to have the stateroom number luggage tags in place on the luggage -

Either the ones provided by NCL or your own printed off of your Edocs.

There a lot of variations by port about who and how your luggage is handled getting it to your stateroom -

Ask questions don't presume that everything is taken care of.

OH and make sure there is ID on (AND IN) your luggage in case it loses it MIND handle tags etc. !!!

 

The Lost & Found people love to see a challenging case - the tagless bag going off on a cruise of its own !

 

And don't forget the vigilant security forces always looking out for abandoned bags?

To dispose of (maybe an exercise in blowing things up - LOL )

 

And then there was the case of the suitcase being punted onto the safety netting where the luggage is loaded

into the hold of the ship - sorry no 3 pointer - it missed the netting and landed in the brackish water.

Ships laundry and dry cleaning is going to get a work-out on that one.

 

Exciting things that your luggage can do to make a delight of that cruise experience.

 

Back on topic know as much as you can about the NCL port transfers - pros-cons !

 

[hallux]

1 hour ago, don't-use-real-name said:

OH and make sure there is ID on (AND IN) your luggage in case it loses it MIND handle tags etc. !!!

Been there, done that, on my first cruise.  Between the drop-off with the porters and the crew delivering to the rooms both the cruise-supplied tag (the e-docs one, not one form the porters) and the regular luggage tag were torn off.  Ended up at guest services at 9 PM looking for my bag, where it was located...

Edited November 24, 2019 by hallux

[havanadaydreaming]

Quick update:  took 90 minutes to board ncl bus in FLL.  3 of us waited, wasn't a big crowd at all. 

 

Poor lady running the scene was befuddled and confused.  It was worth $25 ea but we are Lyfting back to airport post cruise. 

 

Serenity now!

[Megalyn]

I've had two experiences with the transfers.  In LAX, my flight didn't arrive until after noon.  It was part of the Free Air promo - I would not have picked it!  We were absolutely going to use the bus because we knew the ship wouldn't leave without us.  It was a pleasant experience, since most people had already gone to the Port.  We left the airport minutes after getting our bags and had zero wait time checking in on the boat.

 

In Miami, I arrived at maybe 10am.  Got assigned to boarding group 12 (seemed like one group per bus).  Group 1 was not even called until about 30 minutes later.  I spent several hours in the airport waiting for my bus which was a bit irritating.  A cab would have been less frustrating at the airport...but I still would have been waiting at the port to board the boat.  It's just a matter of where you wait when you arrive early.

[BirdTravels]

On 11/24/2019 at 2:47 AM, Budget Queen said:

This isn’t any advantage.   What you fail to realize is-   IF your bag doesn’t make it to your room. You don’t know where the miconnect is.     When YOU drop your own bag at the ship bag drop at least you know it made it to the dock.  

You are paying for the service. It is a HUGE advantage. Hundreds take advantage on every single cruise and don’t obsess about whether a tornado will hit inside the baggage hall and throw your bag onto a Carnival ship.