Balmoral 18th June Boarding Time

Hi All, just received tickets etc for UK cruise from Newcastle. Surprised to see we have been given boarding time of 3.30-4.30? This is a lot later than normal, and we had planned to board around 2o/c.

Does anyone know of any reason why we are so late boarding? We are silver members, but we do have an inside cabin.

Seems we have to hang around the terminal for 2-3 hours as we arrive around 12.30. All our other cruise lines allow us on around 2-2.30?

Thank you

It's dependent on cabin / deck number - we have sometimes boarded at 1.30 when we have been on the main deck but when we have been lower down, we have had a later boarding time. We don't tend to get to the port any earlier than it states as they don't let you board any earlier - you are called by deck numbers (via a numbered card). We once arrived early & had to hang around for a couple of hours.

We boarded at Newcastle on 26th May and were allowed through as soon as we arrived. They were issuing numbered boarding cards at check in and the numbers were called quite soon after checking in although we were early. (We were deck 4.)

Not had tickets for 18/6 yet.

Usually this happens if they are moving the ship from another port. Worth calling guest services, they would know.

Just received tickets. Check in time is 1500 - 1630 for outside deck 5 cabin whereas it was 1430 - 1530 on 26th May for deck 4.

Presume ship is docking later and therefore everything running later. May be to do with tide times on the Tyne. Mind you, as first port of call is Dover and there is a sea day in between, they won't be in any hurry to set off.

The cruise before is scheduled to arrive back early AM so can't really understand the reason for the late boarding.