Best Time to Embark?

[Eurocruiser2010]

We are cruising on the beautiful Jade out of Barcelona in June. In your opinion, what is the best time to arrive when embarking a boat?

 

The NCL site says that we will be departing at 5 p.m., so I thought that maybe we should arrive at the port in the early afternoon ... hoping to miss the first rush of people who are trying to get on the boat early.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks!

[Eurocruiser2010]

Just to be clear ... I am looking for basic embarking advice ... not necessarily specific to Barcelona. :) Basically looking for the best and least crowded time to get on the ship the day of!

 

Thanks!

[garycarla]

We like late morning, maybe about noon. Want to get onboard and have a quiet sit down lunch before getting things underway.

[deepnite10]

we like to arrive early enough to catch a early lunch..then when it time..get into our cabin for a power nap befor the muster drill :)

[sweetride]

even when we've shown up at peak times, we've never had a huge issue. i think the longest we've waited was 45 minutes from the time we dropped our bags outside till the time we stepped foot on deck. if you're not going to want to sit around and have a few drinks before your room is ready, then i'd get there at 3ish. if you want to walk around the ship and have a couple drinks, 11am has worked out good for us in the past.

[dark star]

late morning is really good. time to grab a lunch ect

[feefour]

Barcelona is a highly efficient port. There wasn't a line or a POM mob scene at all. We arrived early (11:30) and were escorted directly to the person who checked us in. I was onboard with champagne in hand by noon. When discussing this with passengers who arrived later, the experience seemed to be similar all day. No lines. Nice. Have a great cruise!

[CaptData]

If you want to miss crowd but still be early try 12:30 to 1pm.

[Bulldog3777]

We sailed the Gem out of Barcelona in October. Arrived at the port about 11-11:30 am. Was on board in 10 minutes.

[downsized]

We sailed the Gem out of Barcelona in October. Arrived at the port about 11-11:30 am. Was on board in 10 minutes.

 

Spot on. Even if your cabin is not ready, you can still have lunch, wander the ship, and have a few beverages while waiting for your cabin.

If you have kids with you, have them bring their swimsuits in their carry-ons. Your checked luggage may not arrive at your cabin until after 2:00pm.