Arrival time...no wait

[alwayslisad]

:hearteyes: cruising in 3 weeks. We don't want to wait in the extreme line to get ON. What is a good time to arrive for a minimal or no wait to get to port?

[Colo Cruiser]

:hearteyes: cruising in 3 weeks. We don't want to wait in the extreme line to get ON. What is a good time to arrive for a minimal or no wait to get to port?

 

 

We always arrive around 10:30. We want to start the cruise ASAP! :D

[azcruiser64]

2-3 pm.

[cherylandtk]

An hour before Cutoff Time. (If ship sails at 4 and cutoff-must be checked in-is at 3, then arrive at 2. If cutoff is at 2:30, arrive at 1:30). Just do not be late.

[Thrak]

We try to arrive as early as we can and have only had to wait a long time once. In that instance everybody in the place had to wait a really long time. I think the inspection folks didn't have their act together. People were still boarding at 4:00 PM when the ship was supposed to sail. It was a real mess. This was in San Pedro.

 

As others have said, arrive early and you will most likely be able to board early. If you want to just arrive and board then the afternoon works well as most passengers will have already boarded. The downside, of course, is that you missed a couple of hours onboard and you are just boarding when others are already settled in and in "cruise mode".

[shepp]

On the other hand, I've arrived before the earliest designated time and had to stand on queue outside on the sidewalk for a godly while until they opened the terminal doors. So YMMV.

[LoriPhil]

We're usually at the port at 11. Even if there is a wait, we're there at the ship instead of sweating traffic, and sharing time with other cruisers who are just as excited as we are.

[snowskier]

I am with the OP -- no desire to wait in line or the boarding area or play push and shove in the buffet. We board sometime after 2 and no lines.

[Lucky TGO]

I think at 2:00pm. You will have little to no wait at all.

Tony

[easyboy]

:hearteyes: cruising in 3 weeks. We don't want to wait in the extreme line to get ON. What is a good time to arrive for a minimal or no wait to get to port?

 

 

2:00 - 2:30pm will have almost no wait.

[satxdiver]

Our last cruise was a B2B and we decided to take a ship tour during the transition time. We returned to the ship a bit after 2 PM (ship was leaving at 4 PM) and there was almost no one in the terminal to check in. Of course we just had to show our pass that we had been given that we had already checked in and reboard the ship. For those that want to walk in, get your cruise card and then walk aboard the ship all with no wait time, the hour before the terminal doors close is the best time.

[alwayslisad]

Thank you everyone. We will plan on arrival after 2. Will we be able to bring our luggage directly to our room or will we have to give it to the handlers?

[toescat]

We are always there at 10:30 and are always in the first boarding group. We have never had to wait In any line this way, ever. We did however, had to wait in the sitting area for a long time once but that was only because the ship arrived late. The pier staff was great and ship staff brought out refreshments for everyone, it was really nice. Once the ship was cleared they boarded us really quick.

[LeeW]

Thank you everyone. We will plan on arrival after 2. Will we be able to bring our luggage directly to our room or will we have to give it to the handlers?

 

 

Depends. Not sure what happens if you show up with large suitcases at security that won't fit through the scanner. They might send you back outside or they might just hand-search. And you may have to wait a while for elevator space once onboard. Getting off (self-debarkation) with large suitcases can be a real challenge for the same reason.

 

On most ships (except Regal/Royal) you can always drop your carry-on stuff in your cabin even if you get on at 11. Regal/Royal may not open cabins until 1.

[cherylandtk]

Thank you everyone. We will plan on arrival after 2. Will we be able to bring our luggage directly to our room or will we have to give it to the handlers?

If it is small enough to fit through the scanners you can carry it on yourselves.

[nojoke]

We usually arrive 2-2:30ish and carry our own luggage on board. We each carry a 21" suitcase plus a backpack--less than most people--but we are able to unpack as soon as we wish.

I just read where someone recommended eating at the International Cafe instead of the crowded Horizon Court--sounds like a good idea to me.