Boarding Time

[earnied]

We are booked on a 15 day Panama Canal cruise out of San Pedro. The ship is coming from Vancouver with passengers on a 19 day canal cruise and also passengers on a 4 day coastal cruise. It will pick us up in San Pedro for the 15 day canal cruise and disembark the 4 day passengers. I would think that only a small number of passengers would be disembarking in San Pedro so ship turnover should be quick. Do you think we would be able to board the ship earlier than normal being that we don't have to wait for lots of passengers to disembark or for all the rooms to be made up ?

[neverbeenhere]

No. Many passengers likely will be on the four day run as they are cheap and count as one cruise credit.

[Potstech]

Most likely not as departing passengers have until about 1000 or so to leave the ship. Those boarding in Vancouver might have to go through customs. The ship will follow its established procedures. I would not count on it.

[fishywood]

Multiple holes in your theory:

 

The short coastal cruises are very popular. Assuming you are on Coral Princess that segment includes a stop in Astoria OR so it will likely be the first choice of those looking for a brief getaway. It is discussed endlessly how west coast residents are lucky enough to have the slate of short cruises every spring and fall to get themselves to Elite status so quickly.

 

If you look at remaining availability: the four day segment shows Oceanview and Suites sold out; the full 19 day, no Interior, Mini-Suite or Suite. While the 15 day has full availability except for Suites. Admittedly the best current fare is for a Balcony for the full 19--but those who will book late sales will end up in Interior or Oceanview boarding in San Pedro.

 

But what if you are correct, and turnover in San Pedro will actually be small? You can be assured there will be a proportionate reduction in check-in personnel. And the large number of passengers in San Pedro for the day call will be coming on and off the ship throughout the day; whatever time you show up you will be sharing security procedures with them.

[paul929207]

It is unlikely to speed up debarkation and embarkation to any real extent

[frugaltravel]

Why would you (or anyone?) want to board extra early? PC cruises have lots of sea days to explore the ship, etc. So much to do in the LA area, including the battleship right next door!

[SadieN]

Even if a small number of pax are leaving the ship in LA, all have to debark. If there are truly as many B2B pax then you'll have to wait even longer to wait as they will board first.

[easyboy]

Why would you (or anyone?) want to board extra early? PC cruises have lots of sea days to explore the ship, etc. So much to do in the LA area, including the battleship right next door!

Good point!

[Colo Cruiser]

We are booked on a 15 day Panama Canal cruise out of San Pedro. The ship is coming from Vancouver with passengers on a 19 day canal cruise and also passengers on a 4 day coastal cruise. It will pick us up in San Pedro for the 15 day canal cruise and disembark the 4 day passengers. I would think that only a small number of passengers would be disembarking in San Pedro so ship turnover should be quick. Do you think we would be able to board the ship earlier than normal being that we don't have to wait for lots of passengers to disembark or for all the rooms to be made up ?

 

 

We were on the Coral when it did the same thing for our 15 day full transit from SP to Ft Lauderdale.

Most on the shorter cruise prior stayed on for the PC cruise.

It was on a 4 day prior to picking us up in SP.

I think there were only about 800 boarding.

More than 1200 stayed on for the continuing cruise in addition to the folks boarding on SP.

Boarding was actually delayed that day.

It was a mess because of all the b2b people onboard when she arrived that wanted to get off for the day. Clearing the ship was a mess.