BySherry Laskin News

Norwegian Cruise Line Offers Priority Access On All Ships

Norwegian Cruise Line now offers their new Priority Access pay-for-perks program available fleet-wide. After a summer of testing Priority Access on two ships, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Sky and getting positive feedback, the cruise line decided to make it available on all of their ships.

Norwegian Cruise Line Priority Access program on Norwegian Jade Priority Access must be purchased before your cruise begins. Similar to other cruise lines’ fee-based programs, the benefits extend from the moment you arrive at the cruise terminal until debarkation. At this time, only 25 staterooms per ship are eligible to purchase Priority Access.

Priority Access Benefits Include

  • Priority Security, Check-In and Boarding Priority check-in at the pier
  • Priority tendering from ship to shore
  • Standard Room Service Breakfast Menu – Guests can order Breakfast Room Service only, every day of the cruise at no cost
  • Priority Debarkation at the end of the cruise
  • $50 per person Spa Credit To be used on services on Port days only and only on treatments 50 minutes or more
  • Canapés on day 2 of the cruise

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The cost for Priority Access is based on per stateroom, not per person.

  • 1 to 5 Days $99 per cabin
  • 6 to 9 Days $179 per cabin
  • 10 to 15 Days $249 per cabin
  • 16+ Days $299 per cabin

How Priority Access Works

Once you’ve purchased Priority Access, there will be a special icon printed on your E-Docs. This will let the pier staff identify you for priority check-in and send you to the correct line. Just look for the Priority Access banner at the check-in line.

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Things like Priority Tender Tickets and Priority Luggage Tags will automatically be delivered to your stateroom. You’ll still have the option to choose “Easy Walk Off” early disembarkation but you will not have any help with luggage. If you prefer to have assistance with your luggage and use the Priority Disembarkation, you can select a time to meet in a public lounge and then be escorted ashore. When you claim your luggage, it will have a yellow tag.

Spa Discount, Room Service and Canape Details

The $50 spa discount is offered to every guest on the reservation who is over 21 years old and occupying the same stateroom. The $50 discount will be applied to spa services that are at least 50 minutes in length, are face or body treatments and available only on port days.

Complimentary delivery of standard room service breakfast will be provided to guest staterooms. Guests will use the existing room service order form located in the stateroom.

Canapes are standard issue – you can’t request specific snacks.

Cancellation

Once you are on board your ship, the program becomes non-refundable.

With more and more cruise lines getting into the act of this pay for perks concept, it probably won’t be long until all but luxury cruise lines offer the option to purchase special privileges. Whether or not this has an adverse effect on high-level loyalty program passengers remains to be seen.

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5 Comments

  2. Hi Sandra,
    Thank you so much for reading my article and sifting through the post’s comments. So nice of you to help out another reader! Have a wonderful cruise!

  3. Hi, this is a comment for Nancy McNabb about her question for the PA. We are going on a Mediterranean cruise on the Norwegian Jade in March of 2023. We are also booked in the Haven with a connecting suite for 2 other people in our group. We have been assured by our Norwegian Travel Consultant that our party of 5 will have priority embarkation and disembarkation through our booking of the Haven. I would say it isn’t worth the extra money for the PA at all! Save it for a shore excursion or an at sea spa day!

  4. Hi Nancy,
    Thank you for reading my article! I went to Norwegian’s site and double-checked their priority access package. It looks like there’s also a $50 pp spa credit for services over 50 minutes, too. With being in The Haven, if it was me, I wouldn’t add the Priority Access package. Priority debarkation is usually nice to have, but sometimes it’s a zoo anyway, at least in my experience with other cruise lines where I’m supposed to have a version of priority debarkation. Their site also says that Haven guests are “personally escorted on and off the ship at the pier and at ports-of-call” so again, if it was me, I would pass on it.

    But since this is your first cruise and that’s a special event, I’d weigh the added amenities of the Priority Access and that which you’ll receive as Haven guests. If I read it correctly, the only advantages are the $50 pp spa credit (with restrictions) and 2nd day plate of canapés.

    Sorry if I’m not more direct…I don’t want to say don’t buy it and then you’re disappointed. But as you’re in The Haven, and as I said, if I compare Priority Access and Haven amenities, they’re very similar. Those are my thoughts.

    Either way, I’m sure you will have a wonderful first cruise! Bliss is a very nice ship and well, you’re going to Alaska! Can’t beat that for a first cruise! Have a wonderful time and I hope my sharing these thoughts on P.A. are helpful in some way.

    Sherry

  5. Hi Sherry: My husband and I are going on our first ever cruise in August 2023. We have chose an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Bliss. Being first timers, do you think it worth the $179 for the priority access check in? Will it aide us in checking in since we won’t know what to expect? We’re booked in the Haven suites so the free room service for breakfasts really isn’t an added perk for us but would it be helpful with embarkation and debarkation?
    We would appreciate your thoughts and advice.
    Regards
    Nancy

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