NCL Institutes New Boarding Policy

In a notice to travel agencies today, NCL issued the following statement:

Effective 1/1/08 in order to comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations, NCL has instituted a policy fleetwide that requires all guests to arrive at the cruise terminal no later than two (2) hours prior to the scheduled sailing departure time noted on their cruise documents. This is to allow adequate time for check-in, security screening and luggage handling.
Guests are strongly encouraged to complete the online advanced guest registration form at least seven days prior to sailing as this will assist in the check-in process.

Please note guests will not be allowed to board after check-in has been closed. Late arriving guests may join the ship at an approved port of call in the scheduled cruise itinerary. Travel to that subsequent port of call will be at the guests' expense.

This is a pretty major change to boarding procedures. If you have a current NCL booking and have questions about air arrangements you've made or other matters with this new policy, let me know!