Embarkation arrival vs boarding

[grouchomarx]

NCL Joy Manhattan to Bermuda 6/23. I’m three weeks out today and did online check in. I was able to select the earliest arrival time of 10am.  I have no beneficial status with NCL, this is only my 4th cruise with them so I know I will not be getting ahead of anyone to board but I figured the earlier I arrive the better.  Do you think I will get on the ship early enough to have lunch in the MDR?  That is my goal.  I find that a very relaxing way to start a cruise and I am thankful NCL offers that as not all cruise lines do.  I don’t wanna face the buffet on day 1 if possible.  Any insight you may have is appreciated! 

[MeHeartCruising]

Deleted.

Edited June 2 by MeHeartCruising

[ChiefMateJRK]

4 minutes ago, grouchomarx said:

NCL Joy Manhattan to Bermuda 6/23. I’m three weeks out today and did online check in. I was able to select the earliest arrival time of 10am.  I have no beneficial status with NCL, this is only my 4th cruise with them so I know I will not be getting ahead of anyone to board but I figured the earlier I arrive the better.  Do you think I will get on the ship early enough to have lunch in the MDR?  That is my goal.  I find that a very relaxing way to start a cruise and I am thankful NCL offers that as not all cruise lines do.  I don’t wanna face the buffet on day 1 if possible.  Any insight you may have is appreciated! 

Yes.  If you arrive at the earliest time, you'll likely wind up in boarding groups one or two.  IIRC, the MDRs don't even open until 11:30 or 12:00.  We usually go to the Local/O'Shehans which opens earlier.  They sometimes will have dailies at the check in desks, but I've had to ask for one at times.  Get one and you'll be ready to plan.  If not, guest services have them.  If you're lucky, the ships wifi will be cooperating and you'll be able to call up the daily on the app once on the ship.  (that's often a really BIG IF)🤣

[Katie H]

We were on the 5/19 cruise.  We are Diamond so boarded after Haven and Handicap and were on board before 11.  Groups 1 and 2 were not far behind. 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, grouchomarx said:

NCL Joy Manhattan to Bermuda 6/23. I’m three weeks out today and did online check in. I was able to select the earliest arrival time of 10am.  I have no beneficial status with NCL, this is only my 4th cruise with them so I know I will not be getting ahead of anyone to board but I figured the earlier I arrive the better.  Do you think I will get on the ship early enough to have lunch in the MDR?  That is my goal.  I find that a very relaxing way to start a cruise and I am thankful NCL offers that as not all cruise lines do.  I don’t wanna face the buffet on day 1 if possible.  Any insight you may have is appreciated! 

 

Most certainly. 

 

You can arrive at any time you are ready. You will first clear a document check (a few weeks back, they were using facial recognition - not sure if it was the check-in photo or CBP digital photo from your passport that they used as the first screening). After the document check, you go through a standard airport x-ray and metal detector. Then on to check in. Low decks check in at the front of the terminal; high decks and Haven all the way at the back of the terminal. 

 

As part of check-in, you will get a boarding group number. 

 

If you need, you can book entertainment in The Social (Deck 6 mid-ship) and make/update dining reservations at Teppanyaki (Deck 6 mid-ship). Lines build up fast, so go their as soon as you embark. 

 

NOTE: You can book the Elements show now. It is the only show that requires reservations. 

 

If you want to eat at the MDR, Taste and Savor restaurants are open (Deck 6 Aft). First come first serve. 

 

If you want a peek at the Joy and photos if dailies, see my live review from mid-May

 

Edited June 2 by BirdTravels

[grouchomarx]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Most certainly. 

 

You can arrive at any time you are ready. You will first clear a document check (a few weeks back, they were using facial recognition - not sure if it was the check-in photo or CBP digital photo from your passport that they used as the first screening). After the document check, you go through a standard airport x-ray and metal detector. Then on to check in. Low decks check in at the front of the terminal; high decks and Haven all the way at the back of the terminal. 

 

As part of check-in, you will get a boarding group number. 

 

If you need, you can book entertainment in The Social (Deck 6 mid-ship) and make/update dining reservations at Teppanyaki (Deck 6 mid-ship). Lines build up fast, so go their as soon as you embark. 

 

NOTE: You can book the Elements show now. It is the only show that requires reservations. 

 

If you want to eat at the MDR, Taste and Savor restaurants are open (Deck 6 Aft). First come first serve. 

 

If you want a peek at the Joy and photos if dailies, see my live review from mid-May

 

Thank you so much!  I am so excited.  I did book the main theater show for two nights, in case it’s something I want to repeat.  Since I’m alone I probably will.  I love all the info you have posted it’s so helpful!  People like you are why I come to CC, to get the best most up to date info.  You really contribute so much for people like me who are not sure what they are doing,

[grouchomarx]

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Yes.  If you arrive at the earliest time, you'll likely wind up in boarding groups one or two.  IIRC, the MDRs don't even open until 11:30 or 12:00.  We usually go to the Local/O'Shehans which opens earlier.  They sometimes will have dailies at the check in desks, but I've had to ask for one at times.  Get one and you'll be ready to plan.  If not, guest services have them.  If you're lucky, the ships wifi will be cooperating and you'll be able to call up the daily on the app once on the ship.  (that's often a really BIG IF)🤣

Thank you I appreciate it so much!  

[mjkacmom]

We usually arrive around 9:30 and are onboard by noon, head to a MDR.

[stellarose33]

our friends have NCL perks (been on NCL a lot) so they get early boarding. they are hoping we can do.  This will be my first NCL cruise. 

[stinkyharriet]

12 hours ago, grouchomarx said:

Thank you so much!  I am so excited.  I did book the main theater show for two nights, in case it’s something I want to repeat.  Since I’m alone I probably will.  I love all the info you have posted it’s so helpful!  People like you are why I come to CC, to get the best most up to date info.  You really contribute so much for people like me who are not sure what they are doing,

I was on the Joy last month.  Elements was fantastic!  I wanted to see it a second time but had my times mixed up and only got the see less than half of it.  The show is loud!

 

[stellarose33]

just a newbie to NCL. so any tips and guides would be helpful.  Last cruise was 2021 on Mardi Gras.

[mjkacmom]

2 hours ago, stellarose33 said:

our friends have NCL perks (been on NCL a lot) so they get early boarding. they are hoping we can do.  This will be my first NCL cruise. 

I wouldn’t count on it but we only tried it once (they were actually a couple I met on here, we are only 12 miles away from the pier so they parked in our driveway for the week and we shared a cab).

[stellarose33]

4 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

I wouldn’t count on it but we only tried it once (they were actually a couple I met on here, we are only 12 miles away from the pier so they parked in our driveway for the week and we shared a cab).

we are arriving at the port together but I have no problem waiting in the terminal until its our time. again, by then I am on vacation mode!!!

[mjkacmom]

1 minute ago, stellarose33 said:

we are arriving at the port together but I have no problem waiting in the terminal until its our time. again, by then I am on vacation mode!!!

If you get there early you won’t be far behind them. We’ve always boarded before noon, and the MDR opens at noon.

[stellarose33]

5 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

If you get there early you won’t be far behind them. We’ve always boarded before noon, and the MDR opens at noon.

and again- its vacation mode once I hit the terminal!!!!

[tmgrry]

Was on the 5/19 sailing. Arrived to terminal at 9:45am, through security and had keycards in hand by 10:15am. Started calling priority and mobility impaired before 11am. I was on board by 11:30am. Rooms weren't ready until nearly 3pm, so check anything you don't want to haul around for 3+ hours with the porters.

[DRGrammy]

14 minutes ago, tmgrry said:

Was on the 5/19 sailing. Arrived to terminal at 9:45am, through security and had keycards in hand by 10:15am. Started calling priority and mobility impaired before 11am. I was on board by 11:30am. Rooms weren't ready until nearly 3pm, so check anything you don't want to haul around for 3+ hours with the porters.

We were on the 5/26 sailing and had almost identical times.  Security and check in were a breeze.  If you have carry on luggage, you can check it at Q Smokehouse on 6 forward on the right side, so you don’t have to carry it around with you and then pick it up when your room is ready.  There was no line there either time.

[stellarose33]

23 minutes ago, DRGrammy said:

We were on the 5/26 sailing and had almost identical times.  Security and check in were a breeze.  If you have carry on luggage, you can check it at Q Smokehouse on 6 forward on the right side, so you don’t have to carry it around with you and then pick it up when your room is ready.  There was no line there either time.

will that work on the getaway?

[DRGrammy]

3 minutes ago, stellarose33 said:

will that work on the getaway?

I believe all the ships have a place that you can check your luggage, but the location may be different.  I’ve seen the casino mentioned in the past.  Hopefully, someone who has sailed the getaway can respond.