Check-in Time for Haven Guests

[ChiefMateJRK]

On 7/28/2024 at 2:59 PM, BirdTravels said:

You can do online check-in 21 days prior to departure. 

 

At the terminal, you can arrive any time you want. For most cruises, Haven boarding will start around 11:00 am and you will be escorted by the butlers to the Haven before the flood of steerage passengers clog the gangway. 

There is one elite group that boards before the Haven passengers.  The B2B passengers who want to stay on the ship.  They get escorted off and about 15 minutes later get escorted back on, before anybody else.  Last off, first on.

[david_sobe]

On 7/29/2024 at 10:42 AM, graphicguy said:

Good points.  You have to get through security before you can cue up in the Haven waiting area.  There is NOT a separate line for anyone to get through security.

 

The previous guests all have to be disembarked before anyone can embark.

 

Once through security, you can go to the Haven waiting area.  

 

I agree with Bird....probably 11:00-ish!

NCL seems to be changing that.  The new port of Miami and the NYC port now have separate screening lines for Haven guests.  I was surprised at that too but there was a thread here not long ago showing the new features.  Its not at all ports though which leads to confusion for a thread like this.  In the older days everyone had the same security line no matter what your cabin. 

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, david_sobe said:

NCL seems to be changing that.  The new port of Miami and the NYC port now have separate screening lines for Haven guests.  I was surprised at that too but there was a thread here not long ago showing the new features.  Its not at all ports though which leads to confusion for a thread like this.  In the older days everyone had the same security line no matter what your cabin. 

In Barcelona there was a separate line upon entering the terminal for Haven guests. We went through the same security screening line, however we didn't have to wait in the long snaking line. We got to the front and were allowed to pass, thus saving at least thirty minutes of waiting. 

 

No separate line, but gosh it was a nice experience once we found the Haven line.

[erisajd]

14 hours ago, ryarger said:

In a lot of of the videos I’ve seen of boarding in Seattle, the line stretches far outside the building down the sidewalk.

 

Does the Haven line get to skip that or do you stay in that outside line until you get to the doors then go into the Haven side?

There is a waving long disney style line to get into the port facility to go through security - however - ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT there is a sign that says 'Haven. . .'  go in there - so yes - you can skip the line.

[Go2SeaTheWorld]

On 7/29/2024 at 10:17 AM, drew69 said:

It varies port to port.  This year in Piraeus, our car pulled up, the porter came over to take the bags out of the van and saw the Haven tags.  Called someone over with a clipboard who checked our names and escorted us to a separate security line and then directly to the Haven seating area

We had that same experience Nov. '23 cruise.

[krittykat]

On 8/7/2024 at 11:36 AM, Sand and Seas said:

That's not good news😔

If any Port needed a special Haven line it would be Nola.   We love to cruise from there but embarkation has had its problems.  Will finally be in Haven for upcoming winter cruise.  Guess it won't be as smooth as Miami 🙄

I am sad to hear this also.  We are cruising out of NOLA come January on the Getaway. So excited to staying in the Haven.  Was hoping not to stand in long lines (hard for me to stand long periods of time).  Guess I will just have to deal with it. At least it will not be hot.

[cruiseny4life]

On 8/12/2024 at 5:30 PM, krittykat said:

I am sad to hear this also.  We are cruising out of NOLA come January on the Getaway. So excited to staying in the Haven.  Was hoping not to stand in long lines (hard for me to stand long periods of time).  Guess I will just have to deal with it. At least it will not be hot.

We're cruising out of New Orleans in February!! YAY! I'm so excited to sail down and up the Mississippi. I just wish the day's weren't so short in February, so I could see more of the infrastructure (and delta) as we cruise ourselves into the Gulf. 

 

I've read quite a lot about cruising out of New Orleans on NCL. It does seem you might be able to avoid the lines if you arrive later in the day - after 12:30/1 PM. That would still provide plenty of time to board, though you may find lunch options short. But, if you have issues standing, then this might work better for you. Of course there's no guarantee of shorter lines, but this does seem to be the trend based on what I've seen on these boards (and Facebook) about New Orleans embarkation.

 

Regardless, hope to hear from you about your experience - for purely selfish reasons since we're cruising on 2/2. @Sand and Seas, don't suppose you're on the same sailing? That would be cool - there's a few of us onboard!

[krittykat]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

We're cruising out of New Orleans in February!! YAY! I'm so excited to sail down and up the Mississippi. I just wish the day's weren't so short in February, so I could see more of the infrastructure (and delta) as we cruise ourselves into the Gulf. 

 

I've read quite a lot about cruising out of New Orleans on NCL. It does seem you might be able to avoid the lines if you arrive later in the day - after 12:30/1 PM. That would still provide plenty of time to board, though you may find lunch options short. But, if you have issues standing, then this might work better for you. Of course there's no guarantee of shorter lines, but this does seem to be the trend based on what I've seen on these boards (and Facebook) about New Orleans embarkation.

 

Regardless, hope to hear from you about your experience - for purely selfish reasons since we're cruising on 2/2. @Sand and Seas, don't suppose you're on the same sailing? That would be cool - there's a few of us onboard!

No, sorry not the same cruuse. We are on the 1/19 cruise. Outside of the security line, it should go quickly I hope. Since we are staying in a hotel in town, we will have to be out by a certain time but we won't rush.

[2Cruise4Ever]

On 7/29/2024 at 10:42 AM, graphicguy said:

Good points.  You have to get through security before you can cue up in the Haven waiting area.  There is NOT a separate line for anyone to get through security.

 

The previous guests all have to be disembarked before anyone can embark.

 

Once through security, you can go to the Haven waiting area.  

 

I agree with Bird....probably 11:00-ish!

Not in all embarkation ports.  In both NYC and Miami there are separate Haven lines right from the start with security.

[Sand and Seas]

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

We're cruising out of New Orleans in February!! YAY! I'm so excited to sail down and up the Mississippi. I just wish the day's weren't so short in February, so I could see more of the infrastructure (and delta) as we cruise ourselves into the Gulf. 

 

I've read quite a lot about cruising out of New Orleans on NCL. It does seem you might be able to avoid the lines if you arrive later in the day - after 12:30/1 PM. That would still provide plenty of time to board, though you may find lunch options short. But, if you have issues standing, then this might work better for you. Of course there's no guarantee of shorter lines, but this does seem to be the trend based on what I've seen on these boards (and Facebook) about New Orleans embarkation.

 

Regardless, hope to hear from you about your experience - for purely selfish reasons since we're cruising on 2/2. @Sand and Seas, don't suppose you're on the same sailing? That would be cool - there's a few of us onboard!

Cruising out of NOLA is unique.  I think you'll enjoy it.  It takes hours of winding along the river to actually get out into the gulf.   I recall late one night going out on our balcony and looking over to see us still close to the city of New Orleans.

 

Boarding in New Orleans can be crazy early on....but we are usually so anxious to board that we get in those long lines for security.  I think after security someone will actually know about priority for Haven🤞    The port personnel are friendly but a little clueless about NCL usual boarding policies.  We are cruising from NOLA in early December and then possibly again in the spring.    Would have been great to cruise with you in February😊