rnicoll

They'll need your name and ID for check-in, from which they look up the rest of your details. I assume at the time they'd send you away if you're too early.

I'm a huge fan of how VV does it. They'll take your luggage I believe any time from 9am if your hotel can't store it, but my recommendation is stay as late in the hotel as you can, get a relaxed lunch, get luggage out of storage, rock up around 3pm, discover they're running about 45 minutes ahead and follow the rest of the 3:45 group on board. Head to your cabin, get a nap then. Dream of how relaxed the last day will be now you don't have to be off by 8am.