First Onboard?

[eddiesgal]

Have you ever been the very first guest to walk onto the cruiseship?

Just curious as I know many get to the port early so they can be one of the first to board and get their vacations underway.

 

DH and I had that happen on NCL Majesty three years ago, and though it means nothing in the scheme of things, was definitely a first(excuse the pun):p

 

You also should know we didn't purposely try for that honor, it's just the way it happened since we're one of the ones that like arriving early and doing some people watching before we board .:)

[cb at sea]

Never been the first....but not too far behind!

[Fredr]

Heelo,

 

Several years ago we were going to Mexico on Celebrity's Mercury. There was a delay in boarding the ship so no one was allowed to board. We waited in the San Diego cruise terminal. And as the rumors began to fly that the authorities were going to allow us to board, there was an inching of passengers toward the big door that led to the dock area.

 

My wife just happened to be at the right place at the right time (for once in our lives) and no, we did not push or shove our way forward. We were the first passengers out the door, up the stairs and ramps and into the Mercury. I must tell you that it was an unusual feeling to look into a cruise ship and see only cruise staff - no passengers.

[sail7seas]

:) Yes, we have. Several times and it's a GREAT feeling. :D

 

We were so lucky in FLL and in Boston.

 

[STARFISH*4]

YES we have and FIRST in the BUFFETT line too:D

[Traveler353]

Not the first on but last week I was in the first row boarded. I was the 5th off when we returned to Mobile. Pretty weird coming down to the customs area and seeing it empty of passangers. Fastest exit I have ever made.

[trish1c]

We weren't the very first on board but we were about the 4th 5th I think. For single digits will you give it to me, anyway?

It was pretty cool having the ship to ourselves for a few moments. We ran around & took lots of photos.

We were only 1st b/c we arrived in Miami about 8 am & got to the pier about 10 am; there was literally not much else to do. Once there we were amoung the few that had registered on line -- it was new feature at the time so we zipped up front. Pretty cool.

[cathyz]

We've been at the front of the VIP boarding group, but before any regular passengers they always let on the handicapped folks and any wedding groups on first, so first of the 'regular boarding groups' I guess.

[Treven]

While not #1, usually close to it as the handicapped are boarded first. I remember getting on and seeing just crew members in the entrance area, & I knew that my cabin was on the same deck as we boarded & forward. I had to ask one of the staff, "which way is forward".

[Arwenmark]

We've been at the front of the VIP boarding group, but before any regular passengers they always let on the handicapped folks and any wedding groups on first, so first of the 'regular boarding groups' I guess.

 

It used to be that they boarded the disabled guests first, I was one of them, Now NCL at least boards the Suite passengers followed by the disabled guests. So one way or the other I am often one of the very first ones onboard.

 

I make straight for the dining room.

[debshomespun]

I was #1 on the second leg of our B2B on our Enchantment cruise in jan/08. It was a great feeling to know you are the very first cruiser through the "bling bling" of the ship! The B2B cruisers (if any) are always the first ones on the ship!

[Lionesss]

Two years ago when we sailed the Mariner of the Seas out of Port Canarvral, we stayed at the Raddison the night before our sailing.

We had the first shuttle to port, and were so excited to get their early.

Well................When we arrived their were people waving to us from on board, we arrived at the port at 11:35ish. Talk about disappointed.

 

Next year, maybe a taxi, they will want our money I am sure.

Lucky people who have boarded early.

TELL US YOUR SECRET

Safe travels

[Calgary North]

Last year on the HAL Ryndam out of Vancouver we were about the third couple on the way to the ship. The first two couples stopped at the initial photographer before the gangway and we dodged around them to become the first to board. Unintentional but definitely fun! The crew members all greeted us warmly and confirmed we were first.

 

Regards

[Hflors]

No, but once I was the very first to disembark :( The self-disembarking people were lead into another hallway and dh and I were near the ropes. And low and behold they opened the ropes and out we went. It was strange that we walked right out of the ship. The only bad thing is that finding our suitcases was quite challanging!

[cruiseco]

Years ago we were the first on board the Nordic Prince. And by first I mean by about 6 hours (boarded at 7am and other passengers didn't start being let on until almost 1pm). Flying from the West Coast on a red-eye we were supposed to get a day room at a hotel after we arrived in Miami at about 6am. Instead they took us straight to the ship and let us on. Things were a little more relaxed back then security-wise. Anyway, for that time period between when all the old passengers were off (about 9:30 - 10) and the time the new ones were let on we were the only passengers on the ship. They set up a table in the dining room and served us breakfast and made sure our rooms were ready right away but otherwise they were too busy with the changeover to pay much attention to us.

[GlendaleCruiser]

Heelo,

 

Several years ago we were going to Mexico on Celebrity's Mercury. There was a delay in boarding the ship so no one was allowed to board. We waited in the San Diego cruise terminal. And as the rumors began to fly that the authorities were going to allow us to board, there was an inching of passengers toward the big door that led to the dock area.

 

My wife just happened to be at the right place at the right time (for once in our lives) and no, we did not push or shove our way forward. We were the first passengers out the door, up the stairs and ramps and into the Mercury. I must tell you that it was an unusual feeling to look into a cruise ship and see only cruise staff - no passengers.

 

That happened to us once in San Juan. Lots of glass, lots of doors. We just happened to standing along with a small crowd at the very door they opened first. Was kind of nice not to have to stand in line for once.

We were on board in a couple of minutes. We would have waited in line nicely like we always do if another door had been opened and we lined up, but we were just lucky that once.

 

Makes standing in line for 2.5 hours in Galveston once the other end of the spectrum.

[martinchem]

We've been within the first 20 or so a lot of times, never the first, but many times the first to enter the buffet... no germs!

[kewbrook]

Our cruise on NCL Dawn last January was a cruise of many firsts. Although it was our 10th cruise it was the one and only time that we were first on board. We were not only first but nobody else was even following us for about 15 minutes.

 

In addition to that it was the first time with the suite perks and...the first and hopefully last time we set off the fire alarm in our cabin. Not once, but twice. We were told that our hair dryer was setting it off.:eek:

[luckycruzer]

top 5 to 10 many. I let my pal be #1, 2 weeks ago..and I've been the very last off..just wasn't in a hurry, and was staying in port for a while

[Cuizer2]

Have you ever been the very first guest to walk onto the cruiseship?

Just curious as I know many get to the port early so they can be one of the first to board and get their vacations underway.

 

DH and I had that happen on NCL Majesty three years ago, and though it means nothing in the scheme of things, was definitely a first(excuse the pun):p

 

You also should know we didn't purposely try for that honor, it's just the way it happened since we're one of the ones that like arriving early and doing some people watching before we board .:)

 

Yes, I have been first twice. Now I admit that I try to get to the port early so that I can be one of the first to board, but I don't try to be first. In both cases, things just worked out that way.

 

The first was the Serenade of the Seas in April 2008. From my review ...

 

Nonetheless, I did get my luggage. $20 plus tip and 30 minutes later the taxi dropped me off at the dock. It's 10:30am and I'm hoping that they will begin the check in process around 11:00. While I am able to check my luggage, it appears check in will not start until about noon.

 

So, here I am, sitting in a luggage cart and playing FreeCell on my computer when a lady steps out of the door, looks right at me and says, you've been sitting here a long time. Do you want to come in? Of course I do. In a few minutes I am checked in, I have my SeaPass and I am the first one to board the ship.

 

The second was the Voyager of the Seas in April 2009. From my review ...

 

Because of the distance involved, and the lack of any rental car agents on the island, I decided to just hire a limo to take me to the ship.The cost was $135 plus tip, or about twice the cost of the trip to the hotel, and about three times the distance (which means it is less expensive than a taxi and far more comfortable).Originally I arranged for a 10am pick up.However, I was warned about construction delays along the route, both by on line posts and via an e-mail from Royal Caribbean to my agent.So I moved the pick up to up to 9:30am.

 

The driver was a little early, and I received the call in the room just as I was getting ready to leave (good timing).Check out was quick, since I incurred no additional charges beyond what I paid Hotwire.Of course there were no delays and I arrived at the pier at about 10:30am.

 

There is no one directing traffic, and there are two large ships in port, totaling over 6000 passengers coming plus 6000 passengers going. Nonetheless, I am surprised that there is a line this early to board the ship.First I have to find a porter.Then just as I am about to get in line, the door opens.As easy as that would have been to just walk in the door, I decide I am not going to cut in line.I walk toward the end of the line.About half way there the line develops a big gap for some reason, so I make a quick U turn and soon I am inside the passenger terminal.Since I am platinum, I have priority check in.I am the only one in that line.In minutes I am checked in and being served champagne in the waiting area.I decide to pick a chair close to the entry door and wait.

 

Shortly before 11:30 embarkation begins.I believe I was the first one on the ship (the new and gold members embark from a different area).I and the others who are platinum or better end up boarding through the crew entrance.In fact, because that is how we embark while on a ship tours, I recognize it as the crew entrance and assume I was directed to the wrong location.Even security seems surprised.However, it is soon confirmed that they are starting the boarding process, and that I am in the right place. A few seconds later I am aboard.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have you ever been the very first guest to walk onto the cruiseship?

Just curious as I know many get to the port early so they can be one of the first to board and get their vacations underway.

 

DH and I had that happen on NCL Majesty three years ago, and though it means nothing in the scheme of things, was definitely a first(excuse the pun):p

 

You also should know we didn't purposely try for that honor, it's just the way it happened since we're one of the ones that like arriving early and doing some people watching before we board .:)

 

Yes -- on HAL one of the conceirges will come out to escort those of us who stay in the Penthouse.

Never had that on Princess or NCL.

[bob brown]

I have been on several ship tours and luncheons where we boarded ahead of the passengers. Really great as I could race around the empty ship and take in as much as possible before the passageways became too crowded. I have never been first on board, but a few times when I had no connections to make, I've tried to be the last one off. I never was able to make it long enough to get in one more lunch...:D

[muttley]

yes. on a singles cruise just after the special groups were processed judging by the conversation i overheard by the crew. it was 10:30am and i walked by about 3 dozen people sitting and sleeping in chairs to get to the empty check in line. in the 2 minutes it took the desk to get my docs ready and answer my silly questions the embarkment crew came over to the supervisor who was kinda doing my ticket and all agreed it was time to start things. bingo. my ticket was group #1. i was escorted over to the escalator by 3 crew members and i wonder if i looked like a vip. i stood at the top of the escalator for several minutes by the welcome aboard photographer who was not ready and it seemed no one else waiting was group #1. people were looking at their numbers and i felt many icy eyes staring at me but no butts got off of seats during that time.

[MrsPete]

We've been the second family.

[simplelife]

YES we have and FIRST in the BUFFETT line too:D

We (along with the couple we were travelling with) have ordered the first drinks at the pool bar.:D