Embarking in Lisbon

Just wondering if anyone has experienced embarking in Lisbon? Is it organized or a 'free for all?' I know all the ports are different and it truly depends upon the ground staff more than Seabourn. We have had great experiences in Europe and bad ones in the US, so you never know. But I am curious and deciding if we should show up at 12:30 when boarding begins, or wait until the crowds thin. [emoji16]

I turn up at noon on most trips anywhere in the World.

There are never really crowds when boarding a Seabourn vessel and embarkation is smooth and without fuss and hassle.

I turn up at noon on most trips anywhere in the World.

There are never really crowds when boarding a Seabourn vessel and embarkation is smooth and without fuss and hassle.

We once had to wait for 5-10 minutes to get processed in Monaco. They were very apologetic and seated us and brought over drinks. Unnecessary but Very civilized. Venice, Rome (citivecchia) no waits at all. Miami, on Another Luxury Line, was a different story.

Thank you, jozi. You have found the best adjective to describe Seabourn: civilized!

We did not board in Lisbon but were already onboard b-2-b's on a turn around day in LIS. When we returned from the day ashore, other cruise ships, can't remember which ones but they were BIG, had people lined up but not Seabourn. The staff members awaiting the incoming pax were standing in full livery looking bored but were delighted to see even us ! I could almost hear them say "Oh please, give us something to do." You won't have an issue...but you will be entertained by the zillions embarking the other ships. Give everyone the royal wave as you hand off your hand luggage & chat up the handsome (or beautiful) staff members awaiting you. Lucky you !

We are boarding the Odyssey on 7 Dec for the TA to Fort Lauderdale. I know there will be a significant number carrying over from the previous sailing so the ship will not be totally "turning over". My plan is to enjoy the local sites until around 3pm and then board. I do not anticipate a long line and if there is one, I do anticipate drinks!

I have never encountered more than a five- ten minute queue to board the ships -- Lisbon Included.i assume your port is Santa Appolonia? Nowornever, isn't it hard not to be a bit smug, )but mostly grateful) to be embarking on Seabourn when seeing the long lines in port for some of the other cruise lines?

Two points - you need to make absolutely sure which dock area the ship will be in - there is one well 'north' of the centre of town, and the other near the big bridge. We were once taken, in a Seabourn organised transfer, to the wrong one, and the driver did not know where the other one was. Luckily we had been there before, and guided him!

Also, I would advise arriving before 3, maybe 2, as the obligatory boat drill will be happening maybe as early as 3.30.

Hence my question about Santa Appolonia.

I embarked in Lisbon once, in 2011. There was no queue and no wait. However, the dock was changed a day or two prior to the sail date. Luckily I had double-checked the night before and went to the right dock.

We embarked in Lisbon once and had the dock changed the day before. Our TA couldn't get through to us so faxed our hotel who gave us the message.

We boarded in Lisbon this spring. i don't know what you mean by "free for all." It sounds like pushing and shoving, which is something we have not experienced on Seabourn. i believe we left our hotel in Lisbon shortly before noon and were greeted at the port by Seabourn representatives. Our luggage was whisked away. We were offered cold drinks and ushered onboard. There is no more cumbersome picture taking. They took our passports and didn't need to see our e-tickets or any other documentation. We just filled out the usual health form. They escorted us to the elevator and sent us to the Colonnade for lunch, saying there would be an announcement when the suites were ready. That happened at around 2:00, I think, when we were having mini-massages on the pool deck. It could not have gone more smoothly.