"All Aboard" time?

Cruise newbie here, which explains why I need to ask this question. :) (By the way, I have learned so much from reading this forum, so thanks to everyone for posting such great info on here!)

I booked a Windstar cruise and the invoice says "all aboard" at 1:00, with a 5:00 departure. Does that mean 1:00 is when we can start boarding, or does that mean that they want everyone on board no later than 1:00? (And if it's the latter, how do you know what time you can actually get on?)

Thanks!

You can board at 1 or anytime after. When you board you'll get a glass of champagne, a health statement to fill out, have your photo taken for ID, give a credit card number and surrender your passport. No big lines, maybe a 5 to 10 minute procedure. After that you can make reservations for specialty restaurant(s), purchase beverage package if you want that, talk to spa people, and then be escorted to your cabin. Most likely your luggage will already be there. The Verandah will be open for lunch and you can explore the ship. Life boat drill is around 4:15, then you're off at 5. Be on deck for the sailaway. Have fun!

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Call me paranoid but I make copies of everything I sign, Windstar or other. Same goes for the Health Form (use my phone).:D

I do as well as keep a color copy of our passports with us at all times.

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I think what you're seeing is another fault of the new system.

We're booked in July, and the old copy of the invoice says:

Boarding begins 1:00pm

All on board 4:00pm

Departure 5:00pm

This is what it has always been.

The new invoice I just received shows:

All on board 1:00pm

Departure 5:00pm

It also has our arrive time on departure day as the time the old invoice shows disembarking beginning.

All on board 4 hours before departure makes ZERO sense. I'm 99.999% sure that's when boarding begins. Just another WS mess up.

Great! Thanks for the info and explanation of how that first afternoon will go...I was wondering. So if 1:00 is the start time for boarding, is there usually a huge line of people waiting to get on right at 1, or do people tend to trickle in throughout the morning? I guess I'm wondering if it's worth it to get there even earlier than 1:00 or not.

On another note...we are planning to purchase the beverage package. I'm assuming the first (boarding) partial day counts as a "day," but not the last day (disembarkation day). Is that correct?

Great! Thanks for the info and explanation of how that first afternoon will go...I was wondering. So if 1:00 is the start time for boarding, is there usually a huge line of people waiting to get on right at 1, or do people tend to trickle in throughout the morning? I guess I'm wondering if it's worth it to get there even earlier than 1:00 or not.

 

On another note...we are planning to purchase the beverage package. I'm assuming the first (boarding) partial day counts as a "day," but not the last day (disembarkation day). Is that correct?

We usually show up a little later, after the first line has cleared through. I'd rather spend a bit more time enjoying the city before boarding, and the only thing you possibly lose would be the best reservations and Candles/Stella or the chance to get the perfect spa booking, but we've never had a problem.

The 2 times we have been there right when booking began (or before) was in Oslo and Barcelona. In Olso we arrived maybe 15 minutes early and joined a line of maybe 30 people. Oslo is a small port and we were just queued up outside the ship. The line cleared almost immediately. In Barcelona we were early as we flew into BCN that morning and just caught a cab to the port with our luggage. We arrived maybe an hour before boarding commenced, and the luggage drop was open. We thought about catching a city tour as the hop on hop off buses leave right outside the cruise port, but it was hot and we'd been to Barcelona a bunch of times and we'd gotten up early (like 4:30am early), we thought it better to board early and have a nap. So we just hung around, there's a little shopping area there and we had a nice lunch outside enjoying the breeze close to the water. We saw a few crew members we knew from previous itins wander by and said hi, the time passed quickly and when we returned to the embarcation point about 15 minutes before boarding there were just a handful of others waiting and we boarded quickly when the time arrived.

The situation will vary at every port, some are city center and have stuff to do around them, others are not. I remember boarding at Le Havre, where we taxied a long way to the dock from the train station and then there was nothing there.

Once you board the line usually moves quickly and then you can grab some lunch and spend a few minutes exploring the ship (they aren't that big!) and then you have dead time until the lifeboat drill. I usually find it better to spend the time on shore.

The beverage package is for the cruise, not by day. We've certainly had a celebratory glass of wine with lunch immediately after boarding on the package, the last day I suppose you could have a bloody mary or Minosa with breakfast, but the focus is on getting everyone off the ship at that point.

We usually get there right about boarding time. The line is never long so a few minutes is the longest wait. Most of the time we've been in a hotel overnight, at least in Europe, and need to check out. I use the time between boarding and lifeboat drill to unpack, relax, etc. Going to the islands we are brave and fly in same day. We have been last to board and there's no line when they are ready to pull the stairway. Lol!

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Another reason to board early for Yacht Club members is to get on the list if you're trying for an "upgrade at boarding" benefit. It has worked for us once - same cabin a level higher. Other times they didn't have anything to offer.

Thanks again. We'll actually be boarding in Barcelona, so milepig, that description was very helpful! I was asking about the beverage package days because I thought the price was per day (around $110 or $115, I think). I understand that you have to buy the package for the whole cruise, but I was wondering if they charge $110 dollars for that last day when you're off the boat by 9 a.m. But looking at the itinerary again, it's labeled as a 7 day cruise, but that last day would actually be the 8th day....so I'm thinking that it's not actually included in the package price? Maybe the $110ish dollars x 7?

While I'm on a role with questions, here's another one. :D You mentioned getting best reservations at Candles....how do you know which are the "best" reservations? Is it based on if it's early/late in the cruise, the port for that day, the reservation time, specific seats, etc?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Thanks again. We'll actually be boarding in Barcelona, so milepig, that description was very helpful! I was asking about the beverage package days because I thought the price was per day (around $110 or $115, I think). I understand that you have to buy the package for the whole cruise, but I was wondering if they charge $110 dollars for that last day when you're off the boat by 9 a.m. But looking at the itinerary again, it's labeled as a 7 day cruise, but that last day would actually be the 8th day....so I'm thinking that it's not actually included in the package price? Maybe the $110ish dollars x 7?

 

While I'm on a role with questions, here's another one. :D You mentioned getting best reservations at Candles....how do you know which are the "best" reservations? Is it based on if it's early/late in the cruise, the port for that day, the reservation time, specific seats, etc?

 

Thanks in advance for any tips!

In terms of the beverage package, yes the price is based on the cruise length, but as you say it is a set price, and good from the moment you get your card until you disembark.

Candles, there are no bad times, but we just sort of prefer midcruise. The first night just seems busy with other things, and the last night we're already focused on packing up etc. It will be closed on BBQ night, so no chance of booking that by mistake. I also keep track if we know we have a long tour day and might avoid that since we'll just want a quick meal. The only hint I have is that if you book for an early night you *might* be able to snag a second night later if they aren't booked. No quarantee, but it might work.

Another big hint is that while they ask that you put your luggage outside the cabin the night before this isn't actually required. If you travel light you can take it off with you when you leave in the morning. In the past we've left everything outside the cabin, but from now on we'll reserve that for big bags and keep our carryons behind to take with us.

We usually like Candles when we're in port as sometimes it can get breezy at sea. I usually check the weather forecast for the length of the cruise and try to plan accordingly. Also try to go on nights that we haven't done an 8 hour tour during the day. Also is age related. When you're young and full of energy it may not matter.

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You can board at 1 or anytime after. When you board you'll get a glass of champagne, a health statement to fill out, have your photo taken for ID, give a credit card number and surrender your passport. No big lines, maybe a 5 to 10 minute procedure. After that you can make reservations for specialty restaurant(s), purchase beverage package if you want that, talk to spa people, and then be escorted to your cabin. Most likely your luggage will already be there. The Verandah will be open for lunch and you can explore the ship. Life boat drill is around 4:15, then you're off at 5. Be on deck for the sailaway. Have fun!

 

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Thanks for this information. When boarding do they serve champagne or it is a sparkling wine? Do you know which one?

I think choice is champage with or without orange juice and maybe white wine is offered. Honestly don't pay much attention as there's forms to fill out and registration.

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Thanks for this information. When boarding do they serve champagne or it is a sparkling wine? Do you know which one?

It varies. Often it is some sort of tropical mixed drink. I don't think the alcohol content is especially high.

Candles, there are no bad times, but we just sort of prefer midcruise. The first night just seems busy with other things, and the last night we're already focused on packing up etc. It will be closed on BBQ night, so no chance of booking that by mistake. I also keep track if we know we have a long tour day and might avoid that since we'll just want a quick meal. The only hint I have is that if you book for an early night you *might* be able to snag a second night later if they aren't booked. No quarantee, but it might work.

We usually like Candles when we're in port as sometimes it can get breezy at sea. I usually check the weather forecast for the length of the cruise and try to plan accordingly. Also try to go on nights that we haven't done an 8 hour tour during the day. Also is age related. When you're young and full of energy it may not matter.

Thanks to both of you! Lots of great suggestions. I'm still going back and forth about trying to book on the one night when we are in port late...not sure if we'll want to stay out all evening, or if it will be better to just get back on board and enjoy dinner with a view of the city. I wonder what in the world people even DO in a city until the midnight departure! Lol.

Thanks to both of you! Lots of great suggestions. I'm still going back and forth about trying to book on the one night when we are in port late...not sure if we'll want to stay out all evening, or if it will be better to just get back on board and enjoy dinner with a view of the city. I wonder what in the world people even DO in a city until the midnight departure! Lol.

We go back and forth between "but we paid for the meal on board" and "but I want something local". We had a late departure out of Rhodes, and I'd say 3/4 of the ship streamed off to have dinner on shore and we wish we had. Until midnight isn't really an issue - dine late at 8:00 and if dining at a nice place you'll be back at the ship by 11 at the earliest.

As an aside, sail away from Rhodes was the best ever. Both the Spirit and Star were in port at the same time - one going West and one going East. And the captains really showed off, raising their sales and circling each other a couple times before leaving port. Magical.

We go back and forth between "but we paid for the meal on board" and "but I want something local". We had a late departure out of Rhodes, and I'd say 3/4 of the ship streamed off to have dinner on shore and we wish we had. Until midnight isn't really an issue - dine late at 8:00 and if dining at a nice place you'll be back at the ship by 11 at the earliest.

Oh, I actually never thought about getting back off the ship for dinner! I was just thinking....8:00 a.m. until midnight is a long day to be out and about. But that's definitely something else to consider - coming back after our tour to relax before heading back out for dinner. I guess if the ship is at a dock (this one is supposed to be), that's pretty easy, huh?

Very easy. Where will you be that night.

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We'll be in Monaco.

We were there on Surf last year and anchored out. Nice night for Candles as view is gorgeous. It's an expensive stop for dinner but worth it if you love the nightlife. You'll need jacket for the casino if you want to go leave a little money behind. If you're berthed you should definitely take advantage of the evening.

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The itinerary sent to me when I booked says we are berthed there. But being new at this, I don't know how accurate that is or how often it changes. ;)

We were supposed to be berthed but wound up anchoring which was really a pretty view of Monaco. It does change though. Be flexible! We had to change ports twice on that sailing because of crazy out of season winds.

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My cruise will be on Venice for the first night and only leaves next day. I am planning to fly the first day to Venice but I am getting a little nervous that in case my flight does not leave as scheduled, I might have to take another late flight on the first day. Since the ship is overnight in Venice, this should not be a problem right? Do they let you embark anytime after 13.00? How about at night if the flight arrives late in the evening?

My cruise will be on Venice for the first night and only leaves next day. I am planning to fly the first day to Venice but I am getting a little nervous that in case my flight does not leave as scheduled, I might have to take another late flight on the first day. Since the ship is overnight in Venice, this should not be a problem right? Do they let you embark anytime after 13.00? How about at night if the flight arrives late in the evening?

You should be OK, but I would call WS and have them put a note in your record that you may be arriving late. Since there isn't an actual departure that evening it shouldn't be a problem, but it is possible that there will be port restrictions. When we did something similar, in our case early disembarcation, WS contacted the port agent who gave permission.