Sapphire priority embarkation in NYC

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

I'm going on my first NCL cruise since March 2020 in two weeks. I used to be Platinum Plus - I'm now apparently "sapphire." 

 

I know about the other lousy Latitudes cuts (no internet minutes, no sparkling wine, etc) - but is there at least still a priority Sapphire check-in line at the NYC terminal?

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, LoungerOnBalcony55 said:

I'm going on my first NCL cruise since March 2020 in two weeks. I used to be Platinum Plus - I'm now apparently "sapphire." 

 

I know about the other lousy Latitudes cuts (no internet minutes, no sparkling wine, etc) - but is there at least still a priority Sapphire check-in line at the NYC terminal?

Welcome to Cruise Critic

 

wrt Manhattan Cruise Terminal, if you are on a big ship, check-in is split between two zones based on your deck number. At the front and back check-in areas, there are Priority check in lines (see below). And there will be a Sapphire seating area next to the embarkation door. 

 

You should have received 150 internet minutes each from Free at Sea which can be upgraded to an unlimited plan - similar to what you used to get. 

 

And instead of the sparkling wine, you get the Wines Around the World wine tasting event (drink as much as you want, as fast as you can, from a 8-12 different wines) - much improved benefit. 

 

Don't forget that you can now use your platinum vouchers at any restaurant (versus being forced to eat at La Cucina) - much improved benefit. 

 

You still get a bag of laundry, behind the scenes tour, dinner with the officers, shop discounts, shoreex discounts, photo discounts, etc. - Unchanged benefit. 

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2023 by BirdTravels

[Seas2mountains]

2 hours ago, LoungerOnBalcony55 said:

I'm going on my first NCL cruise since March 2020 in two weeks. I used to be Platinum Plus - I'm now apparently "sapphire." 

 

 

Will you be on the Gem or the Getaway in two weeks?  If on the Gem on March 10th, I am more than happy to give you the bottle of sparkling wine we will receive for being in a Club Balcony Suite that we won’t drink. 
 

Welcome back to NCL and cruising again. This will be our 6th cruise since the restart and 5th on NCL. We’ve been really happy with the excellent service, food and entertainment on each cruise. I hope you have a great time!  We are sapphire, too. 

[JessLCH]

"You should have received 150 internet minutes each from Free at Sea which can be upgraded to an unlimited plan - similar to what you used to get. "

 

I am confused- doesn't everyone get the same free at sea 150 minutes? Can this be upgraded for free if you are Sapphire? Or do you have to pay the same upgrade as everyone else? Trying to understand this as I am Sapphire and it seems like a loss of a benefit to me, but perhaps I am misunderstanding.

[BirdTravels]

22 minutes ago, JessLCH said:

"You should have received 150 internet minutes each from Free at Sea which can be upgraded to an unlimited plan - similar to what you used to get. "

 

I am confused- doesn't everyone get the same free at sea 150 minutes? Can this be upgraded for free if you are Sapphire? Or do you have to pay the same upgrade as everyone else? Trying to understand this as I am Sapphire and it seems like a loss of a benefit to me, but perhaps I am misunderstanding.

Everyone gets the same. Platinum Plus members used to get 250 minutes before the Free at See Take All 4. 

[JessLCH]

8 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Everyone gets the same. Platinum Plus members used to get 250 minutes before the Free at See Take All 4. 

Right, so if everyone gets the same, it is not a Latitude perk. They've taken away any additional internet minutes/plan as a benefit. They could give a a discount on the upgrade to Sapphire but they don't.

[BirdTravels]

13 minutes ago, JessLCH said:

Right, so if everyone gets the same, it is not a Latitude perk. They've taken away any additional internet minutes/plan as a benefit. They could give a a discount on the upgrade to Sapphire but they don't.

They give a discount on the purchase of internet packages (20% off for Sapphire)

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

9 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

They give a discount on the purchase of internet packages (20% off for Sapphire)

No, it's not like what I used to get. I used to be able to book a guarantee cabin with no perks but still get Internet minutes because of my Latitudes status. I don't really care about the sparkling wine, but that was a seriously cheap nasty move by NCL re: the Internet.

[phillygwm]

39 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

They give a discount on the purchase of internet packages (20% off for Sapphire)

Yes and no.  They give a discount but on the non-upgraded rate.  For a 7 day cruise, that's $209.93 less 20% ($42) so about $168.  The upgrade is ~$110.  So it's advertised as a perk but it isn't one anybody would exercise.  I suppose if you and your cabinmate(s) both needed unlimited and couldn't share that might come into play.

 

Are the wines that they offer at Wines Around the World available as part of the standard booze package or are those Premium Plus selections?  Obviously, if the former, that's only a benefit if you forego the alcohol package (and, if you care about WOW, you probably won't) 🙂

 

The option to use any specialty restaurant is nice but otherwise it's mostly a wash versus the previous benefit.  

 

Question on the Dinner with Officers, though:  Does that count against your specialty meals or is it effectively an additional one?  Or is it held in MDR?  I doubt I'd ever avail myself of the benefit but was curious.

Edited February 25, 2023 by phillygwm

[mking8288]

Pier 88 has a single designated, roped off lounge area, marked as Latitudes Rewards Priority Seating Area, the shore-based contractors do not separate those with Platinum, Sapphire or Diamond status ... never did, it is next to Boarding Door C, opposite the area reserved for Special Needs - in the middle of the cruise terminal.  

 

It has seating for about 125 to 150 passengers only with 4 long rows of plastic chairs plus another shorter row of seating for 10 to 15 additional passengers.  It filled up quickly on most sailings these days, unless you get to the terminal very early and get thru security & check-in fast, and can make your way over quickly to get in.  It has been standing room only and once capacity is exceeded, you are directed to seat anywhere else - and board with your given group number. 

 

We're there before 10 a.m. last month (Jan. 2023) and got thru security & check-in within 20 minutes, and barely made it - otherwise, the early group # available was #6.  In years past (pre-Covid) - Platinums and higher were given group #1 thru 3.  Casino at Sea guests typically board about the same time.  The Priority Access Check In, as a paid option at NCL, regardless of one's Latitudes status, for those willing to pay extra, has a separate line in NYC cruise terminal - and, they are processed differently these days.  

 

 

 

Priority check-in, however, does NOT necessary means priority boarding and that is typically for Haven - escorted in small groups on arrival, once the ship reached count zero & cleared to early board.

 

But, Haven pax now has a long walk, to the rear or far end of the terminal as that is now the dedicated check-in & lounge area, and, very often, walk in reverse for about 1/2 the length of the ship if they are taken to the Fwd gangway.  Sometimes, Haven pax also used the AFT gangway to board the ship.  

Edited February 26, 2023 by mking8288

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, LoungerOnBalcony55 said:

No, it's not like what I used to get. I used to be able to book a guarantee cabin with no perks but still get Internet minutes because of my Latitudes status. I don't really care about the sparkling wine, but that was a seriously cheap nasty move by NCL re: the Internet.

So, you “used to” do that. But you don’t now. So you get free internet??? 

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

12 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

So, you “used to” do that. But you don’t now. So you get free internet??? 

No, nobody does. There's the Free at Sea promotion (not really free). Like I said, I used to be able to book a BX Guarantee cabin with no perks, but I'd get some free Internet minutes because of my Latitudes status. That is no longer available, and if you book a BX Guarantee cabin the only way to get Internet is to buy the package directly.

[ChiefMateJRK]

27 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

It has been standing room only and once capacity is exceeded, you are directed to seat anywhere else - and board with your given group number. 

 

28 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

In years past (pre-Covid) - Platinums and higher were given group #1 thru 3.

 

28 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Priority check-in, however, does NOT necessary means priority boarding and that is typically for Haven

I don't understand any of this.  On our last two cruises we've pointed out to the check-in agent that we are Platinum and they haven't even give us a group number "paddle."  We boarded prior to group one when they called for Platinum (and above in one case).  We didn't have to wait in a "special" area in either terminal.

[mking8288]

@ChiefMateJRKNothing confusing to not understand, but I'll explain a little further & illustrate.  We boarded as recently as last month in NYC.  Have you cruised the Getaway lately out of Pier 88?   There're several hundreds Platinum and higher sailing on the GA - inexperienced shore-based "agents" were either ignoring established protocols and/or ran out of cards with lower Group numbers - and bluntly directly anyone and everyone that finished check-in to go find a place to sit & wait anywhere, and just wait. 

 

We've seen Latitudes Platinum members given #15 - we've given #6 last month, of course, we dealt with it immediately - Sapphire status doesn't,  guarantee anything in being able to board earlier than others - odds were better but when you are faced with indifferent hourly employees hired by the port operator in NY to run the check-in operations.  Take a look at how crowded that section of the boarding area inside Pier 88 was - set aside for all Platinum & higher status. 

It was worst in 2022 due to additional Covid-19 screening & document checks, since "improved" but still poorly managed.  

 

It wasn't as bad as recent Joy boarding or embarkation in the greater LAX area.  If you have a positive embarkation experience very recently out of NYC, love to read about your story.  

 

 

The problem is mostly attributed to "Intercruises" Shoreside & Port Services and they are not accountable to NCL directly.  BTW, it was the worst with the Norwegian Joy when she was in NYC (in 2022)

Edited February 26, 2023 by mking8288

[ChiefMateJRK]

45 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

If you have a positive embarkation experience very recently out of NYC, love to read about your story.  

I have.   MCT last October.  We arrived when they were already boarding group 1.  We showed them our Platinum cards and were allowed to immediately board.