txpom Posted January 5, 2010 #1 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Honestly, we have only been on one cruise from Port Everglades. My best friend was an officer on the ship, so we were given VIP passes and boarded the ship very early in the process. I honestly don't remember much about it...she was a guide to us and kept track of where we needed to be and when. We were on our honeymoon, so it was all a blur. We are driving to Galveston the morning of departure and planning on using one of the lots with a shuttle. If boarding begins at 12:00pm for VOS. should we be in Galveston by 11am or is noon soon enough? We are coming across on the ferry, so I am trying to plan ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted January 5, 2010 #2 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Boarding for VOS will begin well before Noon, unless there is a problem. I get to EZCruise about 10:30 and take the shuttle shortly thereafter. Usually boarding is starting by the time I get to the terminal or within 15 minutes at the most. If you are platinum (only 5 cruises) on RCL you can wait in the Platinum lounge and get free champagne while you wait to board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txpom Posted January 5, 2010 Author #3 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Thanks Firefly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted January 5, 2010 #4 Share Posted January 5, 2010 You are welcome. Its only Galveston that Iv ever heard of that has the free champagne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Kat Posted January 5, 2010 #5 Share Posted January 5, 2010 ... If you are platinum (only 5 cruises) on RCL you can wait in the Platinum lounge and get free champagne while you wait to board. You are welcome. Its only Galveston that Iv ever heard of that has the free champagne. Last year in Galveston RCI furnished champagne, lemonade, water & cookies for their embarking Suite (but not Jr Suites), Platinum, Diamond, & Diamond Plus guests and only lemonade, water & cookies for their other embarking guests. So far this year, RCI has furnished ONLY lemonade, water & cookies for ALL their embarking guests in Galveston. Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tropicgirl3 Posted January 6, 2010 #6 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Is it best to arrive around 11:30? From what I have been reading about recent cruises...it has been a mess and extremely backed up anytime after 1:00. Is 11:30 too early? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txskier Posted January 8, 2010 #7 Share Posted January 8, 2010 Is it best to arrive around 11:30? From what I have been reading about recent cruises...it has been a mess and extremely backed up anytime after 1:00. Is 11:30 too early? check-in last week started around 1045 and 1100 the weeks before. Come on in at 11 before the "happy hour" of 2-4 So far boarding has started around noon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypo Posted January 8, 2010 #8 Share Posted January 8, 2010 We shoot for an arrival time of 10:30 AM at Galveston. If it is real foggy that morning, we hang around the hotel in Galveston until we are sure that the ship is in, and most have debarked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireman3632 Posted January 9, 2010 #9 Share Posted January 9, 2010 January 24th everyone should wait until atleast 1pm to board. I'll sacrifice and go earlier to make sure everything is ready and the boarding process is smooth .... :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcguy Posted January 20, 2010 #10 Share Posted January 20, 2010 January 24th everyone should wait until atleast 1pm to board. I'll sacrifice and go earlier to make sure everything is ready and the boarding process is smooth .... :p Just got a call from RCI just the other day... they told me that boarding will not start until 1pm and there was no sense in getting there earlier. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Cruiser Posted January 20, 2010 #11 Share Posted January 20, 2010 We arrived at 11am on January 10th, boarded immediately and ate lunch in Windjammer. Cabins not available until 1pm. Went to cabin at 1:15, luggage arrived shortly thereafter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arlodog Posted January 21, 2010 #12 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Just got a call from RCI just the other day... they told me that boarding will not start until 1pm and there was no sense in getting there earlier. I believe that this is the company's official stance on boarding to avoid upset passengers who may have to wait if they arrive ealier...we have always arrived earlier and been able to board. There was one exception to this--we arrived in San Diego post Panama Canal cruise and they were not able to locate one of the passengers to clear through immigration. We didn't complete disembarktion until around 11:30-12:00 and many passengers missed their flights! I heard later that the passenger was on a back to back and was found sleeping in their cabin and ignored the numerous overhead pages. Don't know if this is true, as I would assume that the crew did a cabin search in an attempt to locate the passenger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcguy Posted January 21, 2010 #13 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Just got a call from RCI just the other day... they told me that boarding will not start until 1pm and there was no sense in getting there earlier. I believe that this is the company's official stance on boarding to avoid upset passengers who may have to wait if they arrive ealier...we have always arrived earlier and been able to board. I was just kidding!!! Lame attempt at humor. :D Seriously, in Galveston is baggage screening done prior to check in or upon boarding? And is it done by TSA or RCI personnel? TIA and see y'all on board... unless my boarding is denied!!! :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted January 21, 2010 #14 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I was just kidding!!! Lame attempt at humor. :D Seriously, in Galveston is baggage screening done prior to check in or upon boarding? And is it done by TSA or RCI personnel? TIA and see y'all on board... unless my boarding is denied!!! :eek: Boarding and screening is handled by port authority employees, one of which posts on the RCL boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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