VIP Check In at the NY Pier

[Leona1]

I thought I read somewhere that Suite check-in has changed at the Pier in NY.

Last year we went upstairs where there was a section for Suite guests.

I thought I read somewhere that it has changed. Is that true?

If so can anyone tell me.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.

 

 

Leona

[Ari939]

It was like that on 11/5, so i guess it hasn't changed.

[jeanettep]

We were on the "Crown" October 22 sailing to Bermuda and I asked about VIP check-in for suite passengers. The NCL staff did not seem to know anything about it, but we didn't care because there was not much of a line.

[Mandan4503]

Yes, it's still upstairs. Just go on up and they have a list. We did not know at first and asked 3 people who steered us to the main checkin. Finally my boyfriend went looking (I read on here we'd have a special waiting area) and found it. Definitely go there, you will be first on the ship and will avoid the chaos.

[lou_vnj]

Along the same lines, where is upstairs? I have been on the Dawn twice, and dropped off my family and bags on the "2nd level", then drove 1 level up and parked on the roof of the terminal. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think there is ground (street) level, 2nd level and roof. Are bags and passengers now dropped off at the street level, so VIP checkin is on the 2nd level? When we returned from the cruises, we also exited on the 2nd level. Or maybe I'm just all around confused!

[smeyer418]

Along the same lines, where is upstairs? I have been on the Dawn twice, and dropped off my family and bags on the "2nd level", then drove 1 level up and parked on the roof of the terminal. Correct me if I'm wrong, I think there is ground (street) level, 2nd level[Mid] and roof. Are bags and passengers now dropped off at the street level, so VIP checkin is on the 2nd level? When we returned from the cruises, we also exited on the 2nd level. Or maybe I'm just all around confused!

 

Just confused. Its on the Mid level- where all the check in and boarding takes place but up a stair case from the main floor to a seperate area. They empty it out around 12 so when they start initital embarkation taking the VIPs-suite and latitudes to the front of the line if you arrive after that its just in line which should be short with every one else. If you are in the Garden Villas they will arrange to escort you.

[Cosmopolitan]

I thought I read somewhere that Suite check-in has changed at the Pier in NY.

Last year we went upstairs where there was a section for Suite guests.

I thought I read somewhere that it has changed. Is that true?

If so can anyone tell me.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.

 

 

Leona

 

Sept., '06, it did change but the Spirit was also boarding at the same time as the Dawn.

 

Just ask before you go upstairs. (No upstairs for suites that day).

Ask a person wearing an NCL blazer. Suites do board first...just be sure to be in the right place.

 

Happy Cruising and Happy Thanksgiving:)

[goldmom]

I'm assuming that the VIP check-in area is after you go through security and the x-ray machine.

 

Is this correct?

 

Thanks.

[smeyer418]

I'm assuming that the VIP check-in area is after you go through security and the x-ray machine.

 

Is this correct?

 

Thanks.

 

No its before. When you go through the x-ray machines you go check in and on to the ship. The waiting area is before they start the actual check in. If the ship is late, sopmetimes they check you in and give you a boarding number and you wait after the check in waiting area but the VIP area is before you check in. Finally they are redoing the New York Piers(the southern most one pier 88 is closed now and has its shell removed. they are widening the piers and changing the flow- seperating the returning from the leaving on different levels- so as they finish one of the piers and move to another one this may all change)

[goldmom]

No its before. When you go through the x-ray machines you go check in and on to the ship. The waiting area is before they start the actual check in. If the ship is late, sopmetimes they check you in and give you a boarding number and you wait after the check in waiting area but the VIP area is before you check in. Finally they are redoing the New York Piers(the southern most one pier 88 is closed now and has its shell removed. they are widening the piers and changing the flow- seperating the returning from the leaving on different levels- so as they finish one of the piers and move to another one this may all change)

 

Thanks, that's really helpful to know. I wouldn't have even thought to look for the VIP check-in area until after the security check. Do they then take you through the security/x-ray area? Just trying to get an idea of how everything works so that we know what to look for. Especially as it seems that not all the dock staff seems to know about the suite check-in area.

 

Thanks.

[smeyer418]

Thanks, that's really helpful to know. I wouldn't have even thought to look for the VIP check-in area until after the security check. Do they then take you through the security/x-ray area? Just trying to get an idea of how everything works so that we know what to look for. Especially as it seems that not all the dock staff seems to know about the suite check-in area.

 

Thanks.

 

If you are in the VIP area they escort you to the front of the lines when they open the lines for check in. If they have already emptied the VIP area out(about 12:30) you go with the maddening crowd...

[sierramyst44]

We were just on the Dawn last week, arrived early at the pier and after entering the terminal asked the girl where to go for PH checkin. She claimed their was no difference and pointed us towards the front of a large area filled with blue chairs, we checked in with no problems and asked about priority boarding and was given a laminated plastic VIP card and was told to have a seat in the general waiting area. A few minutes later another girl came and asked us to move to the upstairs waiting area. Once they filled the blue chairs they stopped checkin and wheeled the portable check in carts out of the waiting area and moved in the customs area. While this was being done another line was being formed for checkin.

The signs stated that embarkation would be at 12:30 pm however around 12:00 we were instructed to enter the customs area and receive our key cards at the concierge station. NOTE: the only difference from the waiting areas was the snacks put out, the main floor had pound cake and coffee, upstairs had snack finger sandwiches. The terminal staff do not seem to all be on the same page with priority check in so be sure to ask when you enter.

[Cosmopolitan]

Also, if you miss the "upstairs" VIP area (because it is already full or you have a wheelchair and can't get upstairs - happened to us on one sailing) just be sure to tell the staff "downstairs" that you are PH and they will send you to the PH line when PH begins boarding.

 

If you have a question, ask someone with an NCL pin on their jacket. If they do not know the answer, ask another NCL staff member.

 

It does all work out.

 

Have a great cruise:)

[rufusrex]

Does this include AF Mini-suites? And how does it compare with Latitudes? I thought there was a seperate check in for Latitudes members.

[immargaret]

Does this include AF Mini-suites? And how does it compare with Latitudes? I thought there was a seperate check in for Latitudes members.

 

The Mini-suites don't get the priority embarkation, but they do wait upstairs with those in the penthouse suites. At least they did in July in NY. First ones let on are the Garden Villas (and possibly any wedding parties) followed by the Owners Suites. Next is the Penthouse passengers AE, AD, AC and AB's. After they are led down they are followed by the Latitude members that are waiting upstairs, and then the groups that had been seated in the chairs on the lower level, followed by the passengers that had been standing and waiting.

[andreamarc]

Hello,

We are sailing on Spirit this Thursday. I understand there are fewer penthouse suites on this ship. Does anyone have VIP boarding experience on this ship? My past experience on the Dawn was that the staff had no idea about vip boarding and we boarded with everyone else. Thanks