After several searches would like to hear from those who prefer to board late

[Ckrewz]

I am not new to cruising but only have 4 under my belt. After several searches I found many, many posts from those who prefer to board early, start vacation, check out the ship, eat, etc. In the past we have always arrive early to board so I get the excitement factor. :)

This cruise I am thinking we might want to arrive a bit later and hopefully have less of a rush(?) . For those of you who prefer to board later, when would you arrive for a 4:00 departure and do you miss a rush? I know we have to be on 90 minutes prior.

 

Thank you!:D

[GTO-Girl]

I would probably arrive around 1:30 or so and by then you can go straight to your cabin.

[Ckrewz]

I would probably arrive around 1:30 or so and by then you can go straight to your cabin.

 

Thanks so much! I was thinking 1-2:00 at the latest. And heading straight to the cabin was in my thoughts as well.

 

I am envisioning there will still be a line but the crowd standing and waiting to board will be gone so the "feel of the ©rush" will be greatly diminished ...... sound about right?

[C Cruise Dude]

Thanks so much! I was thinking 1-2:00 at the latest. And heading straight to the cabin was in my thoughts as well.

 

I am envisioning there will still be a line but the crowd standing and waiting to board will be gone so the "feel of the ©rush" will be greatly diminished ...... sound about right?

 

It works out great as long as nothing goes wrong to delay you from arriving at the port. Just saying.

[BSQ]

I try to arrive by 1pm at the latest so then you're on the ship right around when you can access the cabins. I have gotten to port later, and even though I was on the last Carnival Shuttle from the airport, it was a lil too close ... but yes, missed all the rush. I'd probably never have a flight come in that late in the day again.

[Daycare_98]

Ckrewz......remember if your talking about the Mardi GRAS cruise we are on together, that's a big Mardi Gras day in New Orleans and we are all concerned about the traffic getting to the port. Parades start at 11 am Sunday morning so please keep that in mind.

[Ckrewz]

Thanks so much for the responses! We live near the port for this cruise so we thought we would try a different arrival time since we won't have to worry about flight, transfers, etc.

 

Thanks again!

[Ckrewz]

Ckrewz......remember if your talking about the Mardi GRAS cruise we are on together, that's a big Mardi Gras day in New Orleans and we are all concerned about the traffic getting to the port. Parades start at 11 am Sunday morning so please keep that in mind.

 

 

Thanks I am good! And thought about that.... !

 

Thanks for checking.;)

[big_duck]

It is a difficult balance. The trick is to get there after the initial rush and before the tour bus loads of airport transfers show up.

[Tapi]

Another vote for a 1-2pm arrival. Lines at the terminal by that time are basically non existent. We can board the ship and go straight to our cabin. Very relaxed and a great way to start our vacation!

 

I understand people trying to jump start their vacation early, but in my opinion, the whole arriving at the port before check in has even started, standing in line, getting on the ship and not having the ability to drop off my carry-ons anywhere, and having to haul my stuff around at the buffet and around the ship because my cabin isn't ready feels a bit too chaotic for my taste.

[Tbay-eh]

I am one for arriving later - I start my vacation the minute I leave work for the last time before heading out. I don't need to be on the ship having a DOD and in line on Lido for food - I have a leisurely breakfast, a couple of cups of good coffee, read whatever local paper there is and then head on over to no lines and straight to our cabin to drop off our carry ons. I understand those who want to start their vacation ASAP but I like to relax and kick back even before I board the ship

[westview1]

We have always arrived to port around 11:00 to board. The night before our last cruise, my BF's car broke down and had to be towed to a mechanic. The next morning we stopped at the mechanic on the way to the port. We ended up getting to NY cruise port at 1:00. We parked, dropped our luggage off with the porter, stood in line for the security check for 10 - 15 minutes. From there we went right up to the agent for check in and then smiled for the camera, smiled for our S & S card and onto the ship. 30 minutes from parking to dropping our carry on in our cabin, in NYC. :D It was the fastest check in we have ever had. I would definitely get to the port by 1:00 no matter where you board.

[blondietink]

So, this sounds good to me, also. Just wondering how long does the buffet stay open on arrival day? Wouldn't want to miss any lunch! :D

[rybreadsmomshubby]

It works out great as long as nothing goes wrong to delay you from arriving at the port. Just saying.

Exactly. So many things can go wrong, so why worry about 'saving' an hour or two before a cruise just for the sake of avoiding standing around a bit.

 

I'd rather be relaxing at the port, waiting to board, than relaxing in a car or wherever at 2pm...

[sjn911]

I like to be at the port..check in but be able to look around...at Long Beach it works to get there early ...send your bag...go look at the Queen Mary..and then come back later...I loved that,,i missed the Ghost Tour I bought because it was getting late...My bag was there and I was my steward's last guest when I got on the ship..so that worked great..he was waiting for me around 3:30..but I was "there" at 11..depends on what is close and how many people to work through,,,early explore of ship can be nice too..be there early, do your bag check in, then take your nearby options into consideration for the rest of it..and this all varies by port i know..Sarah

[Alwaysundecided]

Another vote for a 1-2pm arrival. Lines at the terminal by that time are basically non existent. We can board the ship and go straight to our cabin. Very relaxed and a great way to start our vacation!

 

I understand people trying to jump start their vacation early, but in my opinion, the whole arriving at the port before check in has even started, standing in line, getting on the ship and not having the ability to drop off my carry-ons anywhere, and having to haul my stuff around at the buffet and around the ship because my cabin isn't ready feels a bit too chaotic for my taste.

 

I completely agree. We always arrive around 1:30 or so and breeze right on board and to our rooms to drop stuff off.

 

We do start our vacation early, just not on the ship :D

[HOUSTONVIP]

Love to arrive LATE. 2:30 ..just walk right in....HOWEVER. The best plans of late arrival can blow up explosively if something goes wrong. I speak from experience. A late arrival last year led to a nice vacation for our luggage and pre-ordered wine and spirits while we enjoyed tears and a drive home. If anything goes wrong there is no time to fix it. Last year we did our usual 45 minute drive form our home in Houston on a Sunday. Parked, sent luggage to porters..Got in line and at the passport check. I loooked down at my passport that I had layed out 3 weeks ago, only to see a picture of my 8 year old son. Panic began to set in. We raced back to Houston to find my passport, realized it was in a safe deposit box. but had a birth certificate backup. Hoping for a late departure. Heading back to Galveston, but 10 minutes into the drive watched the ship leave from the webcam on my Ipad.....Soooooo my friend late arrival is fantastic, but MAKE sure all your ducks are in a row BEFORE you get to the ship.

signed embarresed veteran of 15 cruises

[ContingentSea]

Shamed to admit this, but our first cruise circa 1990 on the SS Norway, we arrived in Miami the day before and actually attended the Browns vs. Dolpins game in Orange stadium (pre-season).

We took the hotel shuttle to the cruise terminal the next day and dropped off our bags with the handlers. Then we entered the cruise terminal which was two story with an escalador to the second floor (nothing on the first floor). We got there so early (10:00 a.m. for a 5:00 p.m. departure), we didn't know where to go to check in. We hung out on the first floor, but kept seeing all these people going up the escalator all dressed up in 50's costumes. We assumed they were all part of the ship's crew (Didn't know that was the ship's theme for the week, 50's regalia).

Well, when it reached 3:30, with the ship departing at 5:00, we decided to go up the escalator...just to see. Holy, Moly...Huge party going on upstairs. Free champaigne, wine, drinks, munchies... We were so late checking in, didn't get a chance to partake and we lost our table assignment. But we wound up with the best table mates we ever met.

Long and short...don't be bashful and ask questions/directions, get on the ship, and enjoy the first lunch in the buffet!

[NMCRUISERS]

We also like to board later. We take the last shuttle possible from the hotel and go from there. I would rather relax at the hotel for awhile than be on the ship just waiting. Plus, I can only eat and drink so much.

[GuitarPlayer]

Love to arrive LATE. 2:30 ..just walk right in....HOWEVER. The best plans of late arrival can blow up explosively if something goes wrong. I speak from experience. A late arrival last year led to a nice vacation for our luggage and pre-ordered wine and spirits while we enjoyed tears and a drive home. If anything goes wrong there is no time to fix it. Last year we did our usual 45 minute drive form our home in Houston on a Sunday. Parked, sent luggage to porters..Got in line and at the passport check. I loooked down at my passport that I had layed out 3 weeks ago, only to see a picture of my 8 year old son. Panic began to set in. We raced back to Houston to find my passport, realized it was in a safe deposit box. but had a birth certificate backup. Hoping for a late departure. Heading back to Galveston, but 10 minutes into the drive watched the ship leave from the webcam on my Ipad.....Soooooo my friend late arrival is fantastic, but MAKE sure all your ducks are in a row BEFORE you get to the ship.

signed embarresed veteran of 15 cruises

 

I just went and checked our passports to be sure I put the correct two into the "folder". Yikes! :eek:

 

GP

[AmberTeka]

We drove down from Jax for our cruise on The Dream last month. We arrived about noon..went by the Ship..the line was out the ying yang. I am not in a wheelchair or on crutches..but I cannot stand for an hour or so. ( I know, whine..whine..sob,sob) SO..we unloaded our luggage..and then we drove over the NCL Sun...looked at the passengers getting on..tried to scope it out( interested in a future cruise there)..then we went back to the Kangaroo Station..filled up with gas...went to the potty..got a snack and a coke..drove around for a big..then at 1:30 headed for the ship.

NO LINE. The Carnival workers out there chatted with me as I waited for DH to park the car. He arrived..went right in..right to the desk...right on board..room was ready. Great. Luggage arrived soon. Unpacks..suitcases under the bed when we went to the Muster Drill..not outside thank goodness.

then freshen up for Dinner...some casino..STAY OUT OF THERE...ON AN ALMOST PERFECT CRUISE..THE CASINO..TIGHT AS A TICK..then bed.

GREAT DAY. TOTALLY UNFRUSTRATING.

 

ONE POINT..WE ALWAYS ASK OUR T.A..........WHAT IS THE SAFEST LATE TIME TO BOARD...WE ARE ALWAYS TOLD..BE THERE And BOARDING..BY 2:30.

[sweetlissa]

Thanks I am good! And thought about that.... !

 

Thanks for checking.;)

 

I would think maybe in this case, that getting there early might be best. With all that going on the crush may be later.

 

Have Fun!

[Ckrewz]

All of the responses are very helpful and much appreciated!

 

I have really enjoyed the information, positive AND negative, good AND bad, which I have gleened from this forum.

 

Thanks again!!:D

[cruznlobo]

We will be boarding as early as possible because we want to get in the Behind The Fun Tour.

[BenjiRodney]

Last year in Miami our plane arrived at 1200 Carnival was waiting for us, threw us on the bus took us straight to the ship, after collecting bags, made it to the ship at 130 was on by 2 and eating lunch. This week our flight is supposed to land in San Juan at 2 and the Victory does not leave until 10 pm so we have plenty of time to get to the ship.