Priority Access Pass early boarding question

[Kenlorz]

Considering purchasing the priority access pass for our March 22 Encore Cruise. Can someone whose used it in Miami explain how the priority boarding works in this port? Any separate lines or waiting areas? In what order will you board? Are you just put in with the people that had early check in times and are in general boarding group 1 (after Haven and Handicap)? Or do you board in between Haven and group 1? We plan to purchase a couples spa treatment on one of our port days, so the spa credit will be utilized for sure. We also have a tender port to Great Stirrup Cay, so early tender would be nice. Just weighing out if the early boarding is worth it.

[ChiefMateJRK]

From everything I've read, it is a complete waste of money.

[Jim The Lizard]

48 minutes ago, Kenlorz said:

Considering purchasing the priority access pass for our March 22 Encore Cruise. Can someone whose used it in Miami explain how the priority boarding works in this port? Any separate lines or waiting areas? In what order will you board? Are you just put in with the people that had early check in times and are in general boarding group 1 (after Haven and Handicap)? Or do you board in between Haven and group 1? We plan to purchase a couples spa treatment on one of our port days, so the spa credit will be utilized for sure. We also have a tender port to Great Stirrup Cay, so early tender would be nice. Just weighing out if the early boarding is worth it.

I used it in Miami in March.  My wife basically used the $50 soa credit for an expensive massage.  We used breakfast the day of our 7:15 am excursion.  We did use priority tender for GSC, which simply eliminated having to wait in line to board the tender.  Boarding went Haven, Platinum, then Priority.  We were one point away from Platinum before the cruise.  So it was good to get on early as we acquired our Vibe pass easily.  However, boarding at the new NCL terminal is a free for all; lots of people pushing to board regardless of boarding group or latitude tier/priority access.  

[Kenlorz]

57 minutes ago, Jim The Lizard said:

… However, boarding at the new NCL terminal is a free for all; lots of people pushing to board regardless of boarding group or latitude tier/priority access.  

Thank you so much for the feedback! This was very helpful. Though this last sentence is a bit concerning. Did the staff do nothing to control the boarding process?

[BirdTravels]

5 minutes ago, Kenlorz said:

Thank you so much for the feedback! This was very helpful. Though this last sentence is a bit concerning. Did the staff do nothing to control the boarding process?

There is no way to "control" people who cut in line. It is a fact of life. Your priority pass means nothing to them. 

[Jim The Lizard]

1 hour ago, Kenlorz said:

Thank you so much for the feedback! This was very helpful. Though this last sentence is a bit concerning. Did the staff do nothing to control the boarding process?

No.  And talking to lots of friends who have sailed Miami, if you’re in the concourse before boarding begins. lots of passengers stand by the doors and there have been remarks that guests just push through.  We watched a guy push the port employee who was collecting boarding cards with group numbers because he wanted to get his Vibe pass; passenger had a lower boarding number and didn’t want to wait.  He was an ass in Vibe all week, rude and loud.   It happens.  

[Jim The Lizard]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

There is no way to "control" people who cut in line. It is a fact of life. Your priority pass means nothing to them. 

You’re right.  

[BirdTravels]

When we sailed out of Miami in April, there was no priority waiting area (like in the old Miami terminal)  for Platinum, Diamond, Sapphire, and Ambassador. And when boarding started, it was a free-for-all. 

[ppcox]

2 hours ago, Jim The Lizard said:

No.  And talking to lots of friends who have sailed Miami, if you’re in the concourse before boarding begins. lots of passengers stand by the doors and there have been remarks that guests just push through.  We watched a guy push the port employee who was collecting boarding cards with group numbers because he wanted to get his Vibe pass; passenger had a lower boarding number and didn’t want to wait.  He was an ass in Vibe all week, rude and loud.   It happens.  

Now they can pre pay for Vibe it might not be such an issue. We saw the same thing in Miami in April.