NCL's VIP embarkation in Vancouver?

[calikak]

Has anyone experienced NCL's VIP embarkation in Vancouver this year? How does it work? In Seattle we had someone escorting us through the security line and to the VIP area, is it similar in Vancouver or does having to clear US Customs there mix things up?

[AFT_LOVER]

When you arrive & get your luggage, to then follow the green lines & signs or ask the suited folks how to get to the VIP area. They then take your luggage & you go thru customs & out to the bus, where you are told you may not exit. When the bus is full it is wrapped in tape & Driver tells all that WE ARE SECURED, NO ONE LEAVES OR YOU GO THRU IT ALL YOURSELF. Then he drives to the ship passing cameras, security folks who see the tape & allow us in. Then it is cut for us to exit onto the ship's area to get boarding started. Fast & painless..............

[Tobintemp]

My most recent experience was May 2007, but I don;t imagine it has changed. This is the procedure if you are arriving at Canada Place on your own (not using the US Direct service)

 

If you are arriving at Canada Place on your own, you drop your bags off, go through security (everyone goes through the same security line - including other ships), once through security you will then pre clear US Customs and Immigration. (through the customs area you are grouped with everyone else including other ships) Once your are through customs/immigration you go to the NCL boarding area - once there there is a sign that says VIPS, Suites, etc...There will be someone there to escort you from that point.

[calikak]

My most recent experience was May 2007, but I don;t imagine it has changed. This is the procedure if you are arriving at Canada Place on your own (not using the US Direct service)

 

If you are arriving at Canada Place on your own, you drop your bags off, go through security (everyone goes through the same security line - including other ships), once through security you will then pre clear US Customs and Immigration. (through the customs area you are grouped with everyone else including other ships) Once your are through customs/immigration you go to the NCL boarding area - once there there is a sign that says VIPS, Suites, etc...There will be someone there to escort you from that point.

 

Thanks--we'd be taking the train up to Vancouver from Seattle rather than flying (it costs half and has nice scenery, plus no airport headaches), and then probably taxi or Skyrail to the station. It seemed like the icky part of embarkation in Vancouver is the security/customs line which it sounds like you're still stuck in.

[kmavb]

We had a penthouse suite...and also had a wheelchair. Therefore our embarkation process went by quite quickly. I don't remember ALL the specifics...but I'll do my best.

 

When you arrive at the terminal...all of your luggages are taken directly from your car by men...who bring them to be XRAY'd and onto the ship. They will ask what Cruise line you're traveling with. Don't need to tip these men.

 

You then proceed to security...where there is a separate line for VIP/disabled passengers. We didn't have to stand in this line for a long time.

 

After this you go through customs...and once again you wont have to wait in line for a very long time...as you will be placed at the front of the line. However....if you are not Canadian or US citizen (and do not have a visawaiver form)...they will send you into a different waiting area...to fill out some forms...and this may result in you waiting a little bit.

 

After this..you will go through the NCL check in/registration process...and once again you wont have to wait in line for a very long time. There will be a separate line for VIP passengers. It will be at this point that you will be given your ship key card.

 

After this...YOU WILL BE WALKING ONTO THE SHIP!!!! Once on board your key card will be scanned...showing that you are VIP passengers...and either the concierge or one of the other ship crew members will personally accompany you to your suite.

 

Overall...you don't need to worry...as there will be people to guide you through the correct lines each step of the way.

 

I hope that this helps you!!!

[antmilant]

I'm confused. What bus is wrapped in tape???? Where did you get this bus and where is it taking you? No one else has mentioned this.:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Tobintemp]

I'm confused. What bus is wrapped in tape???? Where did you get this bus and where is it taking you? No one else has mentioned this.:confused: :confused: :confused:

 

That is confusing! If you are arriving by plane from the US, some airlines participate in US Direct, where you are met at the airport and put on a secure bus to the pier - You have to let the cruise line know in advance that you want to participate in US Direct. (The tape is a piece of security tape put across the door of the bus once everyone has boarded at the airport)

[WinnieinWA]

I'm confused. What bus is wrapped in tape???? Where did you get this bus and where is it taking you? No one else has mentioned this.:confused: :confused: :confused:

 

I think I'd ignore that post. It looks like someone is trying to make a joke.:(

[isles1]

Balcony staterooms get VIP check-in via the same line as Suites and Penthouses in Vancouver. Bare to the line on the left with the sign for Penthouses, Suites and Balconies. There are only three clerks at the VIP table, however.

 

Per Freestyle 2.0, balcony pax get an escort to their room. I had a balcony and did not get an escort on the Sun out of YVR. I am not sure if the VIP process the OP is referring to is different than what I am making mention of. I would think the escort to your room has little bearing on the embarkation port and has everything to do with what has been implemented once on-board. Everyone waits on the same security and Customs lines in YVR, regardless of your cruiseline or individual stateroom assignment. I did not notice a separate security line for VIP/disabled pax that someone above made mention of. Again, the security line is for all pax boarding any ship that is in port. I have no idea how they would be distinguishing between VIP and non-VIP at this point.

[antmilant]

If you're talking about me trying to make a joke, I don't understand why. I never heard of a bus being wrapped in tape and I was curious as to why. Why would you think I would be making a joke. Unless you ment the poster who said about wrapping the bus with tape was joking then I understand.

[NayRN]

If you're talking about me trying to make a joke, I don't understand why. I never heard of a bus being wrapped in tape and I was curious as to why. Why would you think I would be making a joke. Unless you ment the poster who said about wrapping the bus with tape was joking then I understand.

 

I think WinnieinWA was referring to the original "taped bus" post not you! But don't feel bad--I didn't understand what the taped bus was all about, either!:eek:

 

If we are using NCL transportation from the airport, will we see our luggage again prior to boarding or will we see it next in our suite?:confused: I'd be so happy to not have to drag it around the pier!

 

NayRN

[Bigdog49]

Balcony staterooms get VIP check-in via the same line as Suites and Penthouses in Vancouver. Bare to the line on the left with the sign for Penthouses, Suites and Balconies. There are only three clerks at the VIP table, however.

 

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What makes you think that ? Now on the Sun Mini Suites have always been included in the VIP check since there are so few . Balconies have never been included.

 

Yes as part of 2.0 they are to get an escort but that is after you board the ship.

[kmavb]

Balcony staterooms get VIP check-in via the same line as Suites and Penthouses in Vancouver. Bare to the line on the left with the sign for Penthouses, Suites and Balconies. There are only three clerks at the VIP table, however.

 

Per Freestyle 2.0, balcony pax get an escort to their room. I had a balcony and did not get an escort on the Sun out of YVR. I am not sure if the VIP process the OP is referring to is different than what I am making mention of. I would think the escort to your room has little bearing on the embarkation port and has everything to do with what has been implemented once on-board. Everyone waits on the same security and Customs lines in YVR, regardless of your cruiseline or individual stateroom assignment. I did not notice a separate security line for VIP/disabled pax that someone above made mention of. Again, the security line is for all pax boarding any ship that is in port. I have no idea how they would be distinguishing between VIP and non-VIP at this point.

In Vancouver...during the embarkation process...we got out of the taxi cab...dropped off our luggages...and walked into the building. At first we were overwhelmed by the LONG lines that we saw for security and US customs. One of our family members were traveling in a wheelchair...and another used a cane...so standing in a long line was not ideal.

 

Therefore, we approached someone that looked official...and told them that we had VIP bookings. They then guided us towards different lines where there was "very little" to "NO" waiting. We were basically BUMPED infront of others each time. But I'm thinking that if we didn't ask...we might have been grouped into the LONG lines and might have had to wait standing in lines for a long time. But we didn't.

 

In the end...when you go through the embarkation process...ask questions as to where passengers that have VIP booking should go. Because there are separate lines for them. From our experience...its just not clearly marked!!!

[isles1]

What makes you think that ? Now on the Sun Mini Suites have always been included in the VIP check since there are so few . Balconies have never been included.

 

Yes as part of 2.0 they are to get an escort but that is after you board the ship.

What makes me think that? The sign at Canada Place for Norwegian that says "VIP- Suites, Penthouses and Balconies." Oh, and the fact that I had a balcony and checked in via the VIP line mentioned. Balconies are included in the VIP "check-in" process per 2.0, as well as an escort to your room once on-board (although I did not get an escort). Please reference the NCL website to confirm if my personal experience is not good enough.

[isles1]

 

In the end...when you go through the embarkation process...ask questions as to where passengers that have VIP booking should go. Because there are separate lines for them. From our experience...its just not clearly marked!!!

Good info! They are definately not clearly marked as I never noticed a VIP line for security. Glad that worked out for you.

 

Even when you get to the NCL side things are not clearly marked: There is a sign for VIP that says Suites, Penthouses and Balconies, but when you get to the VIP desk the sign there only says Suites and Penthouses. I doubled back upon seeing this second sign and asked the person standing near the first sign if I was infact on the correct line and she confirmed that I was. I was checked in at the VIP desk as a mere balcony pax.

[cruizinwithkids]

What makes me think that? The sign at Canada Place for Norwegian that says "VIP- Suites, Penthouses and Balconies." Oh, and the fact that I had a balcony and checked in via the VIP line mentioned. Balconies are included in the VIP "check-in" process per 2.0, as well as an escort to your room once on-board (although I did not get an escort). Please reference the NCL website to confirm if my personal experience is not good enough.

 

I can't find where on the NCL website it says VIP check in is offered to balcony rooms. I do know however that generally check in reps are not NCL employees and don't necessarily know the rules. I'm sure they don't care who they check in. Another example is before we went on our last cruise I received THREE e-mails from NCL telling me that we had to provide union documentation upon embarkation. We had it with us but it was not requested.

 

Another thing that I noticed on my last cruise is that there were at least two woman who I believe were WELL past 24 weeks pregnant. I didn't ask them so it's just based on observation but I wonder if the check-in people know or care that 24 weeks is a rule.

[isles1]

What makes me think that? The sign at Canada Place for Norwegian that says "VIP- Suites, Penthouses and Balconies." Oh, and the fact that I had a balcony and checked in via the VIP line mentioned. Balconies are included in the VIP "check-in" process per 2.0, as well as an escort to your room once on-board (although I did not get an escort). Please reference the NCL website to confirm if my personal experience is not good enough.

 

I can't find where on the NCL website it says VIP check in is offered to balcony rooms. I do know however that generally check in reps are not NCL employees and don't necessarily know the rules. I'm sure they don't care who they check in. Another example is before we went on our last cruise I received THREE e-mails from NCL telling me that we had to provide union documentation upon embarkation. We had it with us but it was not requested.

 

As I said, once you got past Customs and into the NCL area in Canada Place, there was a sign for the line on the left that says "VIP - Suites, Penthouses and Balconies." I gave the lady waiting there by the sign my room number (a balcony stateroom) and she said, okay go ahead. No one questioned me at the VIP desk once I got up there, and they also had a list there which they referred to.

 

Besides a shorter line that moved no faster than the longer line for everyone else (3 VIP reps versus at least 12 regular reps), this apparent 2.0 perk got me nothing extra. The people online with us used the normal line and were done almost exactly the same time as us. There is nothing special about this "perk" IMO. But is available, at least at Canada Place.

 

There was a report here a while back re: 2.0 that balconies would get a separate embarkation line. Although this is not specifically stated on the NCL website (although I am pretty sure it was at some point), it was MY experience at Canada Place on 5/11/08 (which was post initial 2.0 rollout on the Sun) that balcony pax may check in with Suites and Penthouses. All I can tell you is how it was when I check in. If that is not enough proof, then just wait until you get to the port to see how it really is. :confused: In the end, it doesn't really matter anyway.

[WinnieinWA]

If you're talking about me trying to make a joke, I don't understand why. I never heard of a bus being wrapped in tape and I was curious as to why. Why would you think I would be making a joke. Unless you ment the poster who said about wrapping the bus with tape was joking then I understand.

 

 

I was referring to the original post about the taped bus. Sorry for the confusion!:D

[calikak]

So it sounds like the best advice is to ask someone official where to go when one is a VIP. This was also our experience in Seattle--my parents were in a suite and so were we; we asked where the suite line was and were immediately escorted through the whole process, and my parents didn't and were waiting in lines until we spotted them as we were being escorted through and waived them over with us.