Independence boarding

[Iaminspired]

I am travelling on Independence of the Seas with my two special needs daughters (ages 17 and 14) in December. We have never boarded in Fort Lauderdale, only on Explorer out of Bayonne. I understand boarding in Florida is much simpler than the whole bus thing in Cape Liberty.

 

I am looking for information and pictures in advance to prepare my children about what the boarding process will look like for Independence, especially the timelines from curb to ship. We are doing special needs boarding.

 

Thanks so much!:)

[Clarea]

If you are looking to minimize waiting time and crowding, I would plan to arrive at the terminal after 2pm.

[JasonV1]

FLL is my favorite port to cruise from. As the previous poster said if you go later most will have already checked in and you will likely breeze through everything. You'll be able to drop stuff in your stateroom immediately rather than try and carry it around, etc. If you don't mind starting your vacation a few hours later this is probably the best bet if you want things calm.

 

You can show up really early, but it will be a zoo outside with people leaving the ship, and you'll spend time in the lounge waiting for your number to call so you can board. If you can get through the initial craziness of being there alongside those getting off the ship (this is an issue outside only, not inside) then going early will allow for some quiet time while you wait to board.

 

The bad news is that debark can be a zoo due to limited customs officers. If you can find any way to get priority in that line I recommend it, but I would ask about this as soon as you can.

[nbsjcruiser]

I am travelling on Independence of the Seas with my two special needs daughters (ages 17 and 14) in December. We have never boarded in Fort Lauderdale, only on Explorer out of Bayonne. I understand boarding in Florida is much simpler than the whole bus thing in Cape Liberty.

 

I am looking for information and pictures in advance to prepare my children about what the boarding process will look like for Independence, especially the timelines from curb to ship. We are doing special needs boarding.

 

Thanks so much!:)

 

The best way to avoid lines and be able to really enjoy the first day is to show up around 10AM. You'll be able to walk right into the terminal get your picture taken and drop your luggage off. After your picture is done and you got your set sail pass all set up, you'll have a short wait and should be on by around 11AM or so.

[DaBoilerz]

I am travelling on Independence of the Seas with my two special needs daughters (ages 17 and 14) in December. We have never boarded in Fort Lauderdale, only on Explorer out of Bayonne. I understand boarding in Florida is much simpler than the whole bus thing in Cape Liberty.

 

I am looking for information and pictures in advance to prepare my children about what the boarding process will look like for Independence, especially the timelines from curb to ship. We are doing special needs boarding.

 

Thanks so much!:)

 

Hi Colleen! I am cruising out of FLL on the INDY on Nov 30. There are a few places where photos are not permitted. If I can, I will take photos where they are allowed, and send them over to you. I will not be in any areas that are designated as special needs, so if that differs, I won't have much to comment on. I do know that we went in February, and pushed wheel chairs through the same areas for the grandparents.

 

On that note, I did get in touch with with the desk that handles all questions related to facilitating guests with special needs before we got on board to make sure to get a cabana for Labadee and they had photos of all the cabanas, and seemed to be able to pull these photos up at any guest's request.

 

I can't promise anything more than I will try to get them on the 30th and post before we set sail!!

Edited November 13, 2014 by DaBoilerz
adding information.

[Iaminspired]

Hi Colleen! I am cruising out of FLL on the INDY on Nov 30. There are a few places where photos are not permitted. If I can, I will take photos where they are allowed, and send them over to you. I will not be in any areas that are designated as special needs, so if that differs, I won't have much to comment on. I do know that we went in February, and pushed wheel chairs through the same areas for the grandparents.

 

On that note, I did get in touch with with the desk that handles all questions related to facilitating guests with special needs before we got on board to make sure to get a cabana for Labadee and they had photos of all the cabanas, and seemed to be able to pull these photos up at any guest's request.

 

I can't promise anything more than I will try to get them on the 30th and post before we set sail!!

 

Thanks so much! Pictures would be great.

 

Thanks to everyone who suggested arriving later. I think we'll go for earlier since the anxiety of anticipating the boarding plus worrying we might miss the ship will probably undo my girls and be worse than dealing with the crowds.

 

I've been in touch with RCCL to ask about pictures of the terminal but they did not have any. We've seen a few online but they don't show much.

 

I've also already been in touch with Special Needs (who have been great!) to help us with all the arrangements on board and someone usually checks in on us in the first day or two.

 

We always arrange for last off disembark once we are onboard, and wait in a private lounge until someone comes to escort us off.

 

Thanks again for all the helpful answers!:D

[DaBoilerz]

Here are a few photos! We arrived at 11:35 and were on board by 11:50. No lines anywhere, suite or standard.

[kipwingerjr]

Another add on question - are the staterooms ready early, or is it best to arrive a little later? We have a toddler that needs her nap, so I need to decide to give her the nap before or after boarding (usually around 12) thanks!

[Clarea]

Another add on question - are the staterooms ready early, or is it best to arrive a little later? We have a toddler that needs her nap, so I need to decide to give her the nap before or after boarding (usually around 12) thanks!

Staterooms normally open between 1pm and 1:30pm.

[jticarruthers]

Just off the 11/22 Indy cruise.

 

Check-in was pretty quick and easy, arrived about 12.30 boarded about 1 and cabins were available just after 1.

[LBumb]

the set up is great