Embarking at first port stop

[kahtrav]

We have been given the okay by HAL to embark in Copenhagen (just a port day) rather than Amsterdam. However, we've not been given any information about how that works since the terminal and security won't be set up for embarkation. I'm sure there no set answer but any help from someone who has done it would be appreciated (doesn't need to be port specific):

 

How early should we be at the port (want to spend most of the day with friends)?

 

How will we get our new key cards (it's really a third segment and continuing cruise, just off the ship for a few days)?

 

Who should we talk to with specific questions - the cruise line directly or try to go through our travel agent?

 

We cruise a lot but this is a bit more complex.

 

Thanks

[Essiesmom]

Your TA should be getting this info for you. EM

[richwmn]

We have been given the okay by HAL to embark in Copenhagen (just a port day) rather than Amsterdam. However, we've not been given any information about how that works since the terminal and security won't be set up for embarkation. I'm sure there no set answer but any help from someone who has done it would be appreciated (doesn't need to be port specific):

 

How early should we be at the port (want to spend most of the day with friends)?

 

How will we get our new key cards (it's really a third segment and continuing cruise, just off the ship for a few days)?

 

Who should we talk to with specific questions - the cruise line directly or try to go through our travel agent?

 

We cruise a lot but this is a bit more complex.

 

Thanks

 

While not identical, I think my experience is close enough to give you an idea of how it will go.

 

In 2014 I had a cruise that started with an overnight in Quebec City then continued on to Boston. Normal boarding ended, I guess, around 4pm. I showed up around 9pm to board and had no problems at all.

 

First I had to go to the entrance to the terminal. The cab driver that took me to the ship pointed me to the wrong place, which I realized soon after heading the way he indicated. When I arrived at the entrance to the terminal I had to present my documents and was allowed in and pointed toward the ship. I had to show my documents twice more, before I got to the ship. At the ship I showed my documents to the officer scanning cards and he let me board, telling me to go to the front desk to check it. Just inside the ship a steward was waiting to take my bag to the cabin.

 

I went to the front desk and was quickly checked in and handed my card.

 

All in all, it was simple and well organized.

 

Rich

[kahtrav]

While not identical, I think my experience is close enough to give you an idea of how it will go.

 

In 2014 I had a cruise that started with an overnight in Quebec City then continued on to Boston. Normal boarding ended, I guess, around 4pm. I showed up around 9pm to board and had no problems at all.

 

First I had to go to the entrance to the terminal. The cab driver that took me to the ship pointed me to the wrong place, which I realized soon after heading the way he indicated. When I arrived at the entrance to the terminal I had to present my documents and was allowed in and pointed toward the ship. I had to show my documents twice more, before I got to the ship. At the ship I showed my documents to the officer scanning cards and he let me board, telling me to go to the front desk to check it. Just inside the ship a steward was waiting to take my bag to the cabin.

 

I went to the front desk and was quickly checked in and handed my card.

 

All in all, it was simple and well organized.

 

Rich

That does sound very straightforward. I will see if I can get some info. From the TA also. It's somewhat complicated by the fact that Copenhagen has 3-4 different port areas, so we'll need to figure out which one (we're traveling by bike which makes it a little harder to go from one to another quickly :).

[jtl513]

Our experience joining the last segment of a Grand Med voyage was similar to Rich's: our taxi dropped us at the terminal building where we showed our boarding passes and checked our bags. We were then escorted to the gangway security where a steward escorted us to the front desk for check-in. By the time we got to our cabin our bags were already there.

 

Since you are joining a cruise in progress rather than originating in Copenhagen you will most likely be at a Langeliniekaj pier. (Cruises beginning/ending there are usually at Oceankaj C330)

 

If you have Excel you can download the full 2016 schedule from this page:

http://www.cmport.com/en/ships-in-port/cruise-ships/cruise-list-2016

and if you don't have Excel tell me what ship and date and I will look it up for you.

.

Edited January 30, 2016 by jtl513

[syesmar]

How will we get our new key cards (it's really a third segment and continuing cruise, just off the ship for a few days)?

 

Did you book your segments as 1 booking or do you have multiple booking numbers?

[kahtrav]

We are on the Prinsendam, leaving the ship June 14 (2 days before the end of Baltic segment) and returning to the ship June 18 (2 days after the start of a north cape segment). Unfortunately, we were not able to book it with one booking number - an expected change of plans. The separate booking numbers (and separate cabins) is part of the confusion. I would have rather just extended a port day to several but this doesn't appear to be possible. I can't get the link above to open so any help with pier assignments would be helpful.

[kahtrav]

I was able to open the link. Thank you - good to know and plan around.

[RuthC]

It's very possible you will have one cabin card that includes all your cruises. I did last fall when I was on 4 successive cruises, including one that was a Collectors' Cruise.

In that case, all you would have to do is arrive, show your card, and scan back on the ship.

 

If you do have to check in again, though, just appear to the first person in authority, explain the situation (have your paperwork handy), and that person will either direct you, or call security. Security will know precisely what to do, and they will direct you.

In other words, you don't exactly have to know everything about what to do, you just have to find the person who does.