When to arrive at the port - Miami

[melodyesch]

So I chose 9:30 - 10:00 when I did the check-in with NCL for my Encore cruise tomorrow on the Encore.  But on the CVS site, it registered us for the COVID tests at 12:45.  So I assume it’s OK if we drop our luggage around noon and then go for the test?  I’m pretty sure I wasn’t given a choice on the test time. The goal is to spend the least amount of time waiting in the terminal.  Thoughts from anyone who has been through the COVID tests and hanging out for boarding?

[Old & Retired]

I would show up at 9 if you don't want to be waiting around.

[a1betpr]

If you show up at 9, you’ll cruise through the Covid testing process but you’ll have to wait in the waiting area for a couple hours to board.  If you show up at 11, you’ll likely encounter a lengthy Covid testing line but will board more quickly once checked in.  I think you can do either as I don’t think they are paying a lot of attention to scheduled times since ships are half empty , but YMMV.
 

We had 9am check in on Dec 4 and were through with Covid testing by 9:15.  We were in the Haven lounge until about 11 when we were escorted aboard.  Personally I would do it that way again because the Covid waiting line is partially outside and all standing, while the waiting area in the new terminal after check in is very comfortable with plenty of seating.  And even better if you’re in the Haven lounge. 

[missnd]

Sorry to hijack the post, but I have a question about the Miami port and testing that I hope some of you with experience might be able to answer.  I travel light and usually just carry on my small suitcase.  I will also be driving to the port.  Is it possible, or even advisable, to just leave my bags in the car until after I've cleared the Covid test and then go collect them?

[a1betpr]

I don’t think you can do that…after your Covid test you are shuttled into another line that sends you straight to check in.  I suppose you could duck under the ropes and then sneak back in but that would look pretty suspicious.  If you really travel light, bringing your bags through the testing area won’t be a big deal- plenty of people did it on my cruise last week.

 

have fun!!!!

[missnd]

Thank you!  I know a lot of people just drop off their luggage, so I wasn't sure if it would be annoying to have my bag with me in the testing area.

[melodyesch]

UPDATE:  Thanks for the advice. Getting to the port at our early assigned time was absolutely the right call. We pulled up at 9:52. 
 

Since we had the barcode from our CVS registration, we buzzed right pass a line of people who didn’t and pretty much didn’t stop moving until we were waiting for our test results.  15 mins later we walked right up to the boarding desk and got our boarding card.  We are in boarding group 5 and they are getting ready to start boarding.  
 

[Robin122]

On 12/12/2021 at 10:52 AM, melodyesch said:

 

Since we had the barcode from our CVS registration, we buzzed right pass a line of people who didn’t and pretty much didn’t stop moving until we were waiting for our test results.  15 mins later we walked right up to the boarding desk and got our boarding card.  We are in boarding group 5 and they are getting ready to start boarding.  
 

Oh, wow!  Great to know there is a quicker line if you are alert!  LOL

Everyone should have the barcode, shouldn’t they?  We were supposed to book the test at the time we completed our online check in. 

[bookbabe]

15 minutes ago, Robin122 said:

Oh, wow!  Great to know there is a quicker line if you are alert!  LOL

Everyone should have the barcode, shouldn’t they?  We were supposed to book the test at the time we completed our online check in. 

You aren’t allowed to book the test during online checkin if you have a non-US address, so all us Canadians are stuck in that line…

[Robin122]

15 minutes ago, bookbabe said:

You aren’t allowed to book the test during online checkin if you have a non-US address, so all us Canadians are stuck in that line…

Ahhhh…that does make sense!  Sorry y’all are stuck in the line!  Hope it moves fast for you!

[halos]

Ok, so I am fully on-line-checked-in with a 10:30-11:00 check in time at the port. I have my CVS barcode all set to go but they did NOT give me a time slot for Covid testing. Can I assume I need to get to the port prior to the 10:30-11:00 check in to get the Covid test first❓

[topaz2314]

MyChart shows my cvs pre boarding tests are booked for 21/22/23rd of December when my cruise is on 22nd. What am I missing? Why do I have test scheduled a day before ?

Edited December 20, 2021 by topaz2314

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, topaz2314 said:

MyChart shows my cvs pre boarding tests are booked for 21/22/23rd of December when my cruise is on 22nd. What am I missing? Why do I have test scheduled a day before ?

“Normal” glitch. Test on your departure date (not after the ship has left). 

[flcraigs5]

For pur Jan 5th cruise it has the 4th at 10:54 pm, the 5th at 6:50,pm n then the 6th . The times dont work lol

[topaz2314]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

“Normal” glitch. Test on your departure date (not after the ship has left). 

Lol for a moment I freaked out if I was cruising out on 21st and I booked my flights late

[missnd]

Hijacking the post again with another question.  I'm not a huge fan of lines or crowds, and it looks like I can currently pick any check in time between 9-1:30.  Does anyone have a suggestion on what would be the best time to arrive to avoid lines or waiting in a crowd?

[johnoj]

25 minutes ago, missnd said:

Hijacking the post again with another question.  I'm not a huge fan of lines or crowds, and it looks like I can currently pick any check in time between 9-1:30.  Does anyone have a suggestion on what would be the best time to arrive to avoid lines or waiting in a crowd?

We picked 10:00 AM hoping we would miss the crowds trying to get there at the earliest but before the later arriving post breakfast and late flights crowd after 11:00.  We leave on Jan 2.  We'll let you know how it goes.

[debnjoe1438]

On 12/19/2021 at 2:19 PM, halos said:

Ok, so I am fully on-line-checked-in with a 10:30-11:00 check in time at the port. I have my CVS barcode all set to go but they did NOT give me a time slot for Covid testing. Can I assume I need to get to the port prior to the 10:30-11:00 check in to get the Covid test first❓

So the barcode, do you get this when you complete the online checkin? Is it emailed to you or somewhere in the checkin paperwork?

[melodyesch]

2 hours ago, debnjoe1438 said:

So the barcode, do you get this when you complete the online checkin? Is it emailed to you or somewhere in the checkin paperwork?

When we received the emails from the CVS clinic confirming our appointments, it had a link to the barcode.  So I clicked the link and took a screenshot.  That's what we showed in the line.   But up thread, it looks like non-US cruisers don't receive this bar code.  That sucks.

[debenson0723]

On 12/19/2021 at 12:19 PM, halos said:

Ok, so I am fully on-line-checked-in with a 10:30-11:00 check in time at the port. I have my CVS barcode all set to go but they did NOT give me a time slot for Covid testing. Can I assume I need to get to the port prior to the 10:30-11:00 check in to get the Covid test first❓

The 10:30-11 check in time is your covid testing time.  That is the first step in boarding.  

[halos]

15 hours ago, debnjoe1438 said:

So the barcode, do you get this when you complete the online checkin? Is it emailed to you or somewhere in the checkin paperwork?

Yes. As you go through the check in process on line, once you give all your info to CVS, you’ll be given a barcode. They are adamant about you showing it once you get to the pier. I saved the email marked it as important , took a screen shot…covering all bases.

[debnjoe1438]

5 hours ago, halos said:

Yes. As you go through the check in process on line, once you give all your info to CVS, you’ll be given a barcode. They are adamant about you showing it once you get to the pier. I saved the email marked it as important , took a screen shot…covering all bases.

Thank you

[debnjoe1438]

18 hours ago, melodyesch said:

When we received the emails from the CVS clinic confirming our appointments, it had a link to the barcode.  So I clicked the link and took a screenshot.  That's what we showed in the line.   But up thread, it looks like non-US cruisers don't receive this bar code.  That sucks.

Thank you

[melodyesch]

2 hours ago, debnjoe1438 said:

Thank you

You're welcome.  One thing that I forgot to note is that other than the guy in line confirming that we HAD the barcode, no one actually LOOKED at it that I recall.  When we went to the swab station, she asked us our name and birthdate and looked it up by that.

[debnjoe1438]

35 minutes ago, melodyesch said:

You're welcome.  One thing that I forgot to note is that other than the guy in line confirming that we HAD the barcode, no one actually LOOKED at it that I recall.  When we went to the swab station, she asked us our name and birthdate and looked it up by that.

Good to know, thanks