Best time to board the ship?

[RNKenzie92]

When would you say the best time to get in line to get on the ship is? I have been trying to get FTTF but every time I check, it's sold out. Also, when do they officially start letting passengers on board?

 

 

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[LaShelle2]

Have you selected a boarding time? I wouldn't bother to get there early because you would risk being turned away. I believe it is enforced differently at each port.

[bnorris10]

When would you say the best time to get in line to get on the ship is? I have been trying to get FTTF but every time I check, it's sold out. Also, when do they officially start letting passengers on board?

 

 

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The best time to arrive is when you're boarding time is a lot of the ports now won't even let you in the port until your designated for time

 

If you wait till a little bit later in the afternoon like say around 1 you're more than likely going to have a very short wait time

 

If you happen to be at a port that will allow you in before your designated boarding time if you show up around 10:30 you can generally be on the boat by around 11:15 or 11:30

 

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[Schoifmom]

You will need to select a CHECK-IN time. Arrive during that time. As far as when the ship actually boards -- that is all dependent on how efficiently the previous cruise debarks and when the Coast Guard gives clearance for boarding. That can be as early as 11 or much later.

 

 

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[dtripli]

What is the latest you can get onboard?....Lets say your itinerary shows a 4:00 departure

[LaShelle2]

What is the latest you can get onboard?....Lets say your itinerary shows a 4:00 departure

 

 

1 hour before departure, but I wouldn't suggest waiting that late. Flat tire, accident backing up traffic. ..

Anything could happen.

[crewsweeper]

Have you selected a boarding time? I wouldn't bother to get there early because you would risk being turned away. I believe it is enforced differently at each port.

 

 

You should go to your cruise information on line and see what check in times are still available. If not listed it means your cruise is still too far out. Pick the earliest time available. That's when you show up at the terminal. Once inside, and you check in, you will be given a boarding zone number and when that zone is called that's when you board. While people think if they get on board early they're getting something extra. Not necessarily so. Lido will be crowded regardless of when you board. Lines for FTTF and Platinum/Diamond cruisers and wedding parties can be just as long as any 2 or 3 boarding zones. If not FTTF, you need to wait until after 1:30P to get to your cabin anyway.

 

What is the latest you can get onboard?....Lets say your itinerary shows a 4:00 departure

 

Your cruise documents/information should have a time when you need to be on board. As previous poster stated it's typically an hour before departure, but may be an hour and a half. Before the ship can leave all passengers must be on board and a muster drill conducted. I personally wouldn't want to get to the port or even check in later than 2P for a 4P departure.

[RNKenzie92]

When does the online check-in usually become available? I tried to do it a few days ago but it didn't let me

[maryred]

When does the online check-in usually become available? I tried to do it a few days ago but it didn't let me

We've been able to input info to our online check-in as soon as we booked, even when it's more than a 18 months out.

On the other hand if you are asking about selecting your CHECK-IN APPOINTMENT which is just about the last step of the of online check-in process, that availability varies port to port. For our upcoming cruise in Dec. '17 out of Baltimore the choices for the check-in appointment became available about 183 days before the cruise. Previous to that our Nov '16 cruise from NYC the check-in appointments did not become available till around 120 days before the cruise. Others here on CC and the few other cruising community forums have had people report other some ports wait till 70-90 days out to pick when you can do physical check-in at the port, while 1 or 2 allow it like a year out. Just keep checking.

Also KIM if looking for FttF it is not truly sold out until about 48 hours before the departure no matter what it says under homeport excursions. FttF depends on how many passengers are in Suites, Special Guests of the cruise line or casino, Platinum, or Diamond, if the expected bookings from these priority passengers fall short more will be offered. Then there will always be people that miss their final payment or cancel, and there is always a chance that they have purchased FttF which will go back to being purchasable by another vigilant passenger, so keep checking.