With their new terminal nowhere near ready to welcome guests, Norwegian Cruise Line is finally offering passengers an idea as to what they should expect on Norwegian Jewel’s embarkation day. As one passenger asked in a Facebook message group devoted to the first sailing, “Is this the best they can do?”

Temporary Plans Are Being Made

For months, anticipation has been building, with the Norwegian Jewel set to become the first ship to sail out of Philadelphia in nearly 15 years. But as the first sail dates drew near, it quickly became clear that things weren’t exactly going to plan.

“We are excited to bring cruising back to Philadelphia for the first time in many years,” read a statement from Norwegian Cruise line released in late March. “Given the absence of cruising in the market for quite some time, we are working closely with our partners at PhilaPort to prepare the facility to welcome guests.” 

Now, we know exactly what those plans entail and they are, to say the least, unconventional.

What To Expect on Embarkation Day

In a letter sent to booked guests and travel partners, Norwegian promised that they are working to make sure the “modified check-in experience is as efficient as possible.” 

So what will be different? Pretty much everything.

First, the line advises particular care be taken with luggage tags, given that the drop-off process will not be conducted in the usual manner. In fact, the process will take place at the Clarion Hotel Philadelphia Airport.

Upon arriving, guests will be directed to a parking area “reserved for our guests.” Fees, the letter says, will be paid directly to the hotel at a rate of approximately $16 per day.

As for luggage, “drop off will take place just outside the hotel entrance,” the letter explains. “After dropping your bags, you’ll proceed inside to complete parking payment and continue to check in” which will take place in the hotel’s ballroom.

‘Our Team Will Do Their Best’

One extremely important bit of information the letter provides is that “while wheelchair assistance will not be available at the Clarion Hotel, our staff will do their best to assist guests with mobility needs. Once at the port, wheelchair assistance will be provided for those who have requested assistance to embark on the ship.” 

Once check in has been completed, passengers will board a shuttle and be transported to the pier.

The missive ends with a bold-typed warning: “For everyone’s safety and to ensure smooth access at PhilaPort, guests cannot make their way to the port, and there is no option to check in at the ship. Only guests arriving on the official busses from the Clarion Hotel will be allowed entry into the port area.”

It later notes that on debarkation days, guests “will be shuttled back to the Clarion Hotel” to pick up their cars and “arrange onward transportation.” 

That may be easier said than done, as the letter makes clear that “ride shares and taxi services will not be available from the pier. Guests requiring these services may arrange pickup from the Clarion Hotel.”

‘I Refuse to Get Stressed Out’

As details unfurled, many found themselves unhappy with the arrangements being made. Others, however, took a more positive approach. “As long as I’m on board when that ship sets sail,” commented one Redditor, “I’m good. I mean, I’d love for my luggage to be on board, too, but I refuse to get stressed out about it!”

Thankfully, the situation, like many of life’s more annoying bumps in the proverbial road, is only temporary. “Once this construction is finished,” shared one of our travel associates, “it will actually be quite easy to get in and out of the terminal and the parking area. Right now, however, it will be a disaster.” 

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