1st cruise - when to lineup

[Kittybork]

HI,

 

This is our first cruise; we, of course, have many questions. First, when is the best (smartest) time to get in line for embarkation. We're torn between getting there early or waiting until later when, hopefully, most are already onboard.

 

Thanks for your opinions!

[MsBlue]

By all means, start your vacation early! I'm usually at the pier around 10:45-11, and on the ship around noon. My cabin has always been ready, so I drop off my carry-ons in there and head to Lido Deck for lunch. Why wait? ENJOY your first cruise. Probably won't be your last.

[CorbinCatFan]

I always try to get on board as early as possible. After waiting 10 months for the cruise, I'll wait a few more hours in line just to start my vacation and get my first cruise drink.;)

[cherylandtk]

One more who says aim for the earlier part of the day rather than later, just to start your vacation day as soon as possible. Exactly what time depends on when the ship is actually ready to start boarding (which depends on how long it takes to get the previous group off) and when the cruiseline transfer busses drop off. You want to be just ahead of a bus-load, not behind one.

[woodman]

The sooner you get on the ship the sooner your cruise will start. Early by all means, the lines move fast and it is a festive atmosphere.

[PA Dutchman]

11 or 1130 and start the process, sometime it is quick and sometime its not. You meet alot of new people in line and don't be in a hurry it goes quick no matter how long you are in line.

[Kittybork]

Thanks for the advice! I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on.

[JJCalder19]

It all depends. In Virginia, we got there at 11:00 am and the ship wasnt even there. So we had to sit in 90 degree heat until 1:30 when they got their act together. Last year in Jacksonville, we got there at 1:30 to avoid the same problem and we were late! There were already people drinking, eating and swimming in the pool.

[Kittybork]

It all depends. In Virginia, we got there at 11:00 am and the ship wasnt even there. So we had to sit in 90 degree heat until 1:30 when they got their act together. Last year in Jacksonville, we got there at 1:30 to avoid the same problem and we were late! There were already people drinking, eating and swimming in the pool.

 

Perhaps we'll ask the shuttle driver at the Holiday Inn. Maybe he'll have inside info.

[ashlyndalesmommy]

My cruise says it leaves at 4:30 from JAX. When is the soonest you are able to board there? I see early, but when? I am going to drive 3 1/2 hours, so I need to plan accordingly.

Thanks!!:)

[MsBlue]

There were already people drinking, eating and swimming in the pool.

 

Really? Normally, the pools aren't even open on the first day. I've seen people sunning around the pools, but nobody IN the pools. They're usually covered.

[Wine Luvuh]

I am so fresh off the Valor that I can still see the ship outside my hotel room!!

 

We got to the port at 11:00am and were enjoying a cocktail by noon. This was my first cruise and I am already looking to book my next one. I can't wait!!

 

I would say the earlier the better. It looked like some people were there at 10 if not earlier!!

[Wine Luvuh]

I am so fresh off the Valor that I can still see the ship outside my hotel room!! :)

 

We got to the port at 11:00am and were enjoying a cocktail by noon. :rolleyes: This was my first cruise and I am already looking to book my next one. I can't wait!!

 

I would say the earlier the better. It looked like some people were there at 10 if not earlier!!

[MsBlue]

Ashmommy - For most cruises, you CAN board around noon. It's rare that a ship doesn't return to port before 11. Most people start boarding around 11:30-12 for 4pm departures.

[Wine Luvuh]

I am so fresh off the Valor that I can still see the ship outside my hotel room!! :)

 

We got to the port at 11:00am and were enjoying a cocktail by noon. :rolleyes: This was my first cruise and I am already looking to book my next one. I can't wait!!

 

I would say the earlier the better. It looked like some people were there at 10 if not earlier!!

[jckvpa0]

Another vote here for early I want to spend as much time on my ship as possible :D !

[Forchunut1]

Early by all means! Maybe it's just me, but I've NEVER minded standing in lines to go through embarkation. I'm just so darned excited to be there that it just doesn't bother me. Plus, you do get a chance to meet people that way, and I've ended up spending time on the ship and on excursions with people I met while waiting in line. :)

[WazAnOkie]

Another vote for early. We have gone early, grab a map of the ship, find our cabin to drop off our carry-ons, then go exploring. Finding a bar or two along the way to find something to eat. We find it is also a good time to wander around and see whats there so we are ready for our adventure to begin.

[Rowan555]

We'll be on the Conquest in a month - I'll let you know what time we arrived and how long we had to wait to board. We're planning to get there around 10, even if that means a long wait. I'm bringing gameboys for the kids to keep them happy, and hopefully by noon we'll be on the ship.

[Kittybork]

We'll be on the Conquest in a month - I'll let you know what time we arrived and how long we had to wait to board. We're planning to get there around 10, even if that means a long wait. I'm bringing gameboys for the kids to keep them happy, and hopefully by noon we'll be on the ship.

 

Thanks Rown555. I'll be looking forward to your answer. We're not sailing with kids, so the gameboys won't be a problem for us.

 

I admire you; I don't know if I would have attempted it when mine were young. We're planning to be very relaxed the entire time.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!

[Rowan555]

This will be their 4th cruise - they love it!

[JJCalder19]

Really? Normally, the pools aren't even open on the first day. I've seen people sunning around the pools, but nobody IN the pools. They're usually covered.

 

I felt like I was 2 hours late for a party. The calypso band was playing...people in the pool. Alcohol was flowing fast.

[CruiseZapper]

early, early, early,. we last cruised on fantasy this past june, i had my grandson (18) with me and it was his first cruise, when we board we took our things to the cabin and then we took a tour, of the whole ship. we started on the lower deck, (we were on -E-middle-)we walked right along with everyone else, then to the next deck, right with everyone else, so on for every deck. my husband thought we were nuts but not only did we enjoy ourselves he made lots of friends right from the start, he told everyone when we got home that he searched the ship for hidden treasures(girls LOL) we will be leaving next month on insipration nov.16th from tampa.sorry to say that he won't be with us this trip,(our 40th anniversary)but we might go again this summer with him,

 

2 1/2 weeks and we,re GONE.

[big_duck]

The other option is to show about about 2:00.

 

The plus side is you pretty much just walk onto the ship

 

The negitives are you are two or three foo-foos behind everyone else, and you don't have as much time to explore the ship.

 

Personally it makes no difference to me, the casino doesn't open until you sail anyway. ;)

[momof4boys]

JMO.....you can stand in line early and then get on early, and start you vacation with lunch at noon on the Lido deck. You will then be ready to blow bubbles when you leave. OR.......you can stand in line late then rush to get the drink for sail away. It's a no brainer for our family! We arrive by 11 am for a 4 o'clock sail away! Have fun!