What time do they actually start boarding the ship?- Getaway

My question is straight forward what is the earliest they allow you to board the ship? Part of my group is in the Haven part is not. I understand the Haven has the ability for earlier boarding via priority boarding, but how early is that?

How early do you think the non-Haven guests would have to show up to port, to board in a reasonably close time frame?

My question is straight forward what is the earliest they allow you to board the ship? Part of my group is in the Haven part is not. I understand the Haven has the ability for earlier boarding via priority boarding, but how early is that?

How early do you think the non-Haven guests would have to show up to port, to board in a reasonably close time frame?

Havens boarding starts around 11:00. Followed by Latitudes priority boarding (Ambassador, Platinum Plus, Platinum members). General boarding starts around 11:30. They board by Boarding Group (in the order of arrival in the waiting area).

Havens guests are escorted to the Havens Lounge for an introduction by the Concierge, snacks (sliders and fries), until the Havens restaurant opens for lunch at noon. You should get in as soon as possible, because the restaurant will get really busy.

Regular guests can eat at:

Buffet opening at 11:30

O'Shehans Pub opening at 11:30

Taste and Savor Main Dining Rooms opening at noon

Margaritaville opening at noon (extra fee).

Thanks for the tips!

However Haven guest get to eat at Margaritaville free that first day for lunch.

However Haven guest get to eat at Margaritaville free that first day for lunch.

This was NOT the case on the Breakaway last year. No free meals.

Unless you are a crew member you cannot board the ship untilit is certified as unoccupied. Everypassenger from the last cruise must disembark before any new guests canboard. That process can be delayed bypast guests that linger to enjoy that last bit of ship-board ambiance. Certification for re-boarding is generallycompleted by 10 or 10:30 am. That beingsaid, when the boarding starts, suite guests will board first. Then frequent guests are invited to board bytier.

Only after all this has taken place, will general boardingbegin. So if you arrive at 9:30 am youcan check in early, get your Sea Pass early, and then waituntil at least 11 or 11:30 in a waiting room until your group is boarded. If you show up at 1:30 pm, you will probablybe in your cabin by 2 pm. It's alwaysthe same and after every cruise, you will hear cruisers complain of the longwaits and aver that next they will get there even sooner.

This was NOT the case on the Breakaway last year. No free meals.

That’s sucks ... but it was the case on the GETAWAY when I sailed on Jan 28th ... embarkation day Only Haven guest get free lunch at Margaritaville

There is no set time that boarding starts. It all depends on how long it takes for the ship to clear customs and all passengers from the previous cruise are debarked. Most frequently you will be on the ship by early afternoon if everything runs smoothly.

Thanks, glad you said it, I was about to. It has been our experience that boarding starts around 11am but as you said this depends on a lot of things. On the Pearl in Nov. the coast guard decided it would be a good time to do an inspection of the ship. Boarding for vip guest didn't even begin until about 1pm.

You will probably be ON BOARD by that time. Cabins may not be ready until well after sail away.

Hrm. I've been on the -away ships four times in the last three years, and never been unable to access my room past about 2. Not saying it couldn't happen, and I know this board is often all about worst-case scenarios, but there's nothing wrong with pointing out the actual *likely* outcome ... which is, on board by early afternoon, room by about 2.

My question is straight forward what is the earliest they allow you to board the ship? Part of my group is in the Haven part is not. I understand the Haven has the ability for earlier boarding via priority boarding, but how early is that?

How early do you think the non-Haven guests would have to show up to port, to board in a reasonably close time frame?

I just printed my edocs for our Getaway sailing from Miami on April 22 and it says boarding begins at 12:00

I just printed my edocs for our Getaway sailing from Miami on April 22 and it says boarding begins at 12:00

You will probably be ON BOARD by that time. Cabins may not be ready until well after sail away.

I'm not arguing but we have done 6 NCL cruises and we have never had to wait past 2 pm. Maybe we are insanely lucky but we generally have lunch and go straight to our cabin.