It is necessary to board by 12:00 noon if the ship doesn't sail until 5pm?

[jenpan]

Just wondering if we need to plan on arriving for the Spirit at 12 noon. Are there advantages to boarding that early when the ship doesn't leave until 5? We are cruising Mardi Gras weekend and know that traffic will probably be heavy even though no parades pass near the cruise terminal, still want to allow enough time for traffic, checkin, etc. Thanks for any insight.

[sdmike]

lines are shorter before 11:30 and after 3. Only value of getting there early is that you get several more hours of play time on your ship, can buy spa passes before they sell out, take a self tour, sign up your kids for the programs, etc.

 

I figure if I have to get off by 9am the next week, I'm getting my butt on as soon as possible. :)

 

Oh, sometimes later in the day the security check and check-in counters will reduce staff (after the rush), which can drag things out a little. Same applies when leaving the ship. US customers will shut down some lines after the rush and it can stack up a little again.

[mking8288]

As posted at the NCL website - In order to facilitate the embarkation process and the processing of your eDocs, and to comply with new government regulations governing departure manifest, all guests are required to complete Online Check-In at least one day prior to sailing and must complete check-in at the cruise terminal and be onboard the ship no later than one hour prior to the departure time noted on their cruise documents or they will not be permitted to sail. Please note guests who have not filled out their Online Check-In must arrive at port two (2) hours prior to sailing.

 

Advantage of arriving early & boarding the ship - a) option of going to either the buffet or MDR to enjoy a leisurely lunch (MDR sometimes will close no later than 1:30 or 2 p.m. on embarkation day,) b) make dinner reservation for specialty restaurant as it could fill up quickly, c) get an early start on the pool deck/enjoy the hot tub, heated pool or just get a bit of sun tan - especially when it's warm outdoors, d) enough time to get back to one's cabin (if it's ready) to take a quick "power" nap and/or unpack the luggage if it's already delivered outside at your door, e) start exploring the decks & familize with the layouts of the ship (i.e. casino, lounge & theater, etc.) f) extra time to sit back, relax & enjoy - over coffee/tea or cocktails, and, g) book that last minute shore excurison before it's sold out ....

 

For late boarding, you might find that the MDR is closed, buffet is running out of everything and/or ready to shut down for the mandatory life boat drill before sailing, pool chairs all reserved or taken, no luggage outside in the hallway to unpack or clothes to change, and, all non-essential services on the ship suspended to prepare for the sailaway.

 

Of course, I know of friends who rather rush to go to their office at 7 am in the morning to try to get things done before leaving in the early afternoon, skipping lunch & nearly missing the final boarding call due to road traffic, and, wont' turn off their Blackberries or smartphones .... Personally, if they allow early boarding - I sure would love to enjoy my late breakfast onboard :D

[2112]

I won't be on board that early. I'll be in New Orleans for gosh sakes and exploring the city of New Orleans is far more interesting than an extra 3 hours on a ship that I'll be on all week. Don't cut it too close, but no, you don't have to board at noon.

[sdmike]

I won't be on board that early. I'll be in New Orleans for gosh sakes and exploring the city of New Orleans is far more interesting than an extra 3 hours on a ship that I'll be on all week. Don't cut it too close, but no, you don't have to board at noon.

 

another good reason to go in a couple of days early

[jenpan]

Thanks for the info. Since we are locals, visiting the city is not a priority before we sail. For those of you from out of town, New Orleans does have a lot to offer, so have a great time, eat, eat, eat!!! The food is fabulous!! My father-in-law is taking us to the terminal after we watch the parade near his house, which is about 10 minutes from the terminal, barring a big traffic jam due to parades. The parade begins at noon so just wanted to be sure we wouldn't miss too much if we don't board until around 2, once the parade has passed.

[newmexicoNita]

Just wondering if we need to plan on arriving for the Spirit at 12 noon. Are there advantages to boarding that early when the ship doesn't leave until 5? We are cruising Mardi Gras weekend and know that traffic will probably be heavy even though no parades pass near the cruise terminal, still want to allow enough time for traffic, checkin, etc. Thanks for any insight.

 

First of all, are you sailing the first weekend when the parades start (Feb 20th) or are you talking about later? If the 20th is your sailing date, don't worry about the traffic, it should not be bad on Sunday.

 

Now, do you have to arrive early and what are the benefits? You do not have to be there at noon, but there are benefits. It is fun to get on board, explore the ship, settle into your cabin when it is ready and if your luggage arrives early do unpacking before the muster drill. It feels like you have an extra 1/2 of your cruise.

 

I just read your last posting, I guess you know way more than I do about when and where there might be crowds. LOL

 

NIta

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

No,

but you get the extra time to unpack, relax, tour the ship, sign up for anything you want...and lunch! Which you ALREADY paid for... why would I want to go spend more money else where when I got food on the ship paid for? I board as soon as possible... at that point, my vacation has started!

[Got2Cruise]

Well, one usually doesn't have time to unpack, because even though you get on the ship around 12 noon, the luggage doesn't show up until four or five p.m. If you show up two hours before departure that is plenty of time.

No,

but you get the extra time to unpack, relax, tour the ship, sign up for anything you want...and lunch! Which you ALREADY paid for... why would I want to go spend more money else where when I got food on the ship paid for? I board as soon as possible... at that point, my vacation has started!

[newmexicoNita]

Well, one usually doesn't have time to unpack, because even though you get on the ship around 12 noon, the luggage doesn't show up until four or five p.m. If you show up two hours before departure that is plenty of time.

 

We have usually been lucky and have had plenty of time. We normally get our luggage by say 3pm (they start delivering as soon as the ship is cleared) It only takes about 10 or 15 minutes (most) for us to unpack. Now as for what time someone boards is a personal thing. We happen to like to be on the ship as early as possible, others do not care. For them 2 hours prior to sailing is fine.

 

Nita

[gooch47]

I'm such a worry-wart that I simply can't delay getting on the ship for fear I'll miss it. A couple times we've been the first ones aboard on our Princess cruises.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

We have usually been lucky and have had plenty of time. We normally get our luggage by say 3pm (they start delivering as soon as the ship is cleared) It only takes about 10 or 15 minutes (most) for us to unpack. Now as for what time someone boards is a personal thing. We happen to like to be on the ship as early as possible, others do not care. For them 2 hours prior to sailing is fine.

 

Nita

 

Us too, or w/ NCL and I pack less (no formal gowns, just a skirt and pants and stuff) I have roll luggage and I bring it on myself... So I can unpack right after I have a lovely lunch in the MDR, then I check out ship/spa drinks etc... decide what I want to sign up for, maybe a nap... then it's muster drill time and sail-away time!

[LadyShiva]

I personally am antsy to get on the ship, but I try to remember the pool and hot tub at the hotel is probably less crowded, so I let kiddo and hubby play until they're ready to check out and deal with the crowd at the terminal. Just because -I've- been up since 5 am doesn't mean my family has been. ;)

[zookiebird]

Since embarkation day is counted as day 1 of a cruise DW and I always try to board as early as possible. Time goes by so fast on our cruises that we don't want to waste one minute. Also, the earlier we board the earlier I can get my first pina colada.

[cb at sea]

You've PAID for day 1, and boarding day IS day 1!!!! Use that ship!

[Music City]

Just wondering if we need to plan on arriving for the Spirit at 12 noon. Are there advantages to boarding that early when the ship doesn't leave until 5? We are cruising Mardi Gras weekend and know that traffic will probably be heavy even though no parades pass near the cruise terminal, still want to allow enough time for traffic, checkin, etc. Thanks for any insight.

 

I don't think so. Get a late check out at the hotel, take your time. If you wait until after 2:00 PM there will be no lines and you will breeze through check-in. Then you will be able to go straight to your cabin and drop your stuff.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

You've PAID for day 1, and boarding day IS day 1!!!! Use that ship!

 

Amen... plus the food! I never understand the people who go out and pay for food in home port when it's there already on the ship...

[2112]

Amen... plus the food! I never understand the people who go out and pay for food in home port when it's there already on the ship...

 

Well, I consider a day in a place like New Orleans or Miami to be equivalent to a port, so I would consider missing an on-ship meal in these cities to be like missing a ship meal on a port day. Now, why anyone would pay for a meal on the ship in one of the pay restaurants when you've already payed for one in your cruise fare, I'll never understand. But I guess that is a topic for a different thread.

[Music City]

Amen... plus the food! I never understand the people who go out and pay for food in home port when it's there already on the ship...

 

Eat a good breakfast at the hotel and you spend nothing in the home port. What difference does it make if you eat on the ship at noon, 2:00 or 4:00?

[DMH15]

It really is just a matter of personal preference.

 

I have a friend who likes to breeze on as late as possible. She usually stays at a hotel very close, so no surprises. She says she has never waited in a single line!

 

On the other hand I like to be first one on the ship. Granted, I can't unpack until luggage is delivered, I can get settled in. I explore the ship, have a nice lunch in MDR or Cagney's if in a suite, etc. I like relaxing with a nice cold drink while watching pax scurrying about to embark. By sailaway, I feel relaxed. I have had to come in later, due to flights on the day of cruising, which I don't like to do, but alas, have had to. It just doesn't feel right. But sometimes can't be avoided.

[faymuiheng]

I like to get on early, so that we hit the restaurant for a relaxing meal. Then touring the ship and getting accustomed to it's surrounding. It drives "you know who" crazy.... ha ha

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

Eat a good breakfast at the hotel and you spend nothing in the home port. What difference does it make if you eat on the ship at noon, 2:00 or 4:00?

 

I have low blood sugar, which means I HAVE to eat every couple of hours, so that's not an option for me. (Unless they want to call an ambulance cuz I passed out)

 

as far as a 'port' city... Miami I've been to lots of times and New Orleans? We'd go down early if we wanted to see anything...

 

but to each his own.