need2cruisesoon Posted November 14, 2017 #1 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Just curious, do you check in early to beat the crowds and enjoy an early lunch or leisurely stroll on as the deadline time nears and saunter to Crooners for a welcome aboard cocktail? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRPro Posted November 14, 2017 #2 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Always try to go early to beat the rush and get on board to have lunch either in the dining room or Alfredos. I'm always anxious to get my cruise started as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfinmagic Posted November 14, 2017 #3 Share Posted November 14, 2017 DO NOT GO EARLY OR YOU WILL SIT IN A STUFFY ROOM WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHER PEOPLE TILL NOON We get thereabout 12:15 and are in our room by 12:30 then down to lunch at 12:45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierlesscruisers Posted November 14, 2017 #4 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Depends on the port as to what time you'll load and how stuffy the room is. Some have more space than others and some let you load earlier than others. Also depends on whether you have priority boarding of one sort or another as to how soon you'll get on. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vexorg Posted November 14, 2017 #5 Share Posted November 14, 2017 There's always the "crowded day at Vancouver" version: sit in a crowded room for two hours waiting to check in, then another hour in the security line. Let's just say I'm not in a hurry to do a one-day sailing out of Vancouver again any time soon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Hag Posted November 14, 2017 #6 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Our strategy is simple: go early, get on early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beg3yrs Posted November 14, 2017 #7 Share Posted November 14, 2017 We usually book longer cruises and arrive a couple of days early. So, "getting started" to us isn't as important as avoiding waiting a while to board. Even though we're eligible for preferred boarding, we still dislike waiting around. We'll take a late checkout from our hotel and saunter over to the pier around 1:30PM to 2:30PM depending on how late boarding goes. We typically breeze right through check-in and initial boarding. No need to rush to the MDR (it's closed anyway) or the buffet although hitting Crooners or an on-deck bar is a great way to kick off the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted November 14, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 14, 2017 1) Get a late checkout from the hotel 2) Go to lunch at a local restaurant. (Yes, I can afford to buy a lunch instead of lunch on the ship) 3) If I know someone at the pier (Crew, Passenger, Port Staff), call them to see if boarding is on time. 4) Walk straight onto the ship around 2;30 pm without issue. Go later, if there is a problem with boarding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIJOY Posted November 14, 2017 #9 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Cruised out of San Francisco last July. Stepped out of cab at 12:00 walked into our cabin at 12:30, hope things go as well in December Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted November 14, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 14, 2017 We usually check in early. I want to savor every minute in anticipation of boarding. I don't mind waiting and have met lots of other nice passengers that way. What a better crowd to hang with for awhile?! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted November 14, 2017 #11 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Leave the airport once baggage claimed. Prefer to wait at cruise port than airport. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvmyrotti Posted November 15, 2017 #12 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Get to the port about 10:45. Get in the suite/priority area. Board with the first group. We don't always go to embarkation lunch in the MDR (though occasionally we do). It's more about savoring all our time on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperdo Posted November 15, 2017 #13 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I like to get on the ship as early as possible. We try to arrive around 10:30am. It's no big deal sitting in the terminal for a bit. That's part of the excitement. When they start calling out boarding numbers I feel that the cruise has really begun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45LC Posted November 15, 2017 #14 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I'm with NeverBeen. I don't worry about grabbing lunch on board. I get to the pier around 2 p.m., go straight to the check in, go through security, board right away. I'm on board in plenty of time to go to the Safety At Sea Drill. Some day I'll take the time to grab a hot dog to go with the Mustard Drill. (Sorry, I can never resist!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted November 15, 2017 #15 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Our strategy is simple: go early, get on early. I agree we always go early. Most of the time it’s around 11:30 am. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GettingOlder Posted November 15, 2017 #16 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Anytime before 4 o'clock is a good idea as far as I am concerned. If I get there early I relax and talk with people in the terminal knowing that nothing terrible happened to delay our arrival and that eventually we'll get on board. Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted November 15, 2017 #17 Share Posted November 15, 2017 We have done both, but our preference is early. We don't enjoy sitting around the hotel until the noon checkout time. Rather be on the move and wait at the pier. We don't find it difficult. We are on board pretty quickly once boarding begins. We unpack our carry ons, usually grab something at the International Cafe or by the pool. Once our checked luggage arrives we unpack and we're set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinFinsUp Posted November 15, 2017 #18 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Early!! We like to start enjoying the ship as soon as possible!! Every minute counts for us :) We start at the international cafe, drop our carry ons, then head for the pool! By the time muster comes we've relaxed some and started to unwind and thaw out as we usually travel during the kids' March Break and its cold at home! As there are 4 of us, I like to start unpacking before dinner and getting on early means our luggage usually arrives very early to allow me to start the process. Its day 1 of our vacation! We don't want to delay the start any longer than necessary!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted November 15, 2017 #19 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I like to arrive around 11 and hope to be on the ship by noon. We have preferred boarding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachtocruis Posted November 15, 2017 #20 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Early! It's counted as day one of the cruise. We feel we miss out on a day if we are not on board as early as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Musky Ike Posted November 15, 2017 #21 Share Posted November 15, 2017 We will either wait at the motel or at the terminal. I opt to wait at the terminal. At least I know I made it that far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtrek Posted November 15, 2017 #22 Share Posted November 15, 2017 When departing out of San Pedro we like to get to the terminal around 10:45. A quick check in and then sit and chat in anticipation of the fun that's about an hour away. We have made it a tradition to go to the MDR lunch and it is something that we look forward to. 30 days until we leave for Vancouver for our next cruise - can hardly wait. Especially since the Star is the only ship in port on embarkation day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierlesscruisers Posted November 15, 2017 #23 Share Posted November 15, 2017 ;p Anytime before 4 o'clock is a good idea as far as I am concerned. If I get there early I relax and talk with people in the terminal knowing that nothing terrible happened to delay our arrival and that eventually we'll get on board. Sent from my SM-T530NU using Forums mobile app Certainly wouldn't want to try that rule at Seattle where the Alaska cruises almost always depart at 4pm!!! :o But one thing is for sure...when talking about arrival at the pier, it's much, much better to be 2 hours early than 5 minutes late. ;p Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRAYTech Posted November 15, 2017 #24 Share Posted November 15, 2017 When at Port Everglades we stay in a nearby hotel the night before. (Embassy for example) Eat the included breakfast and normal 11:00 check out, takes about 30 minutes to get your luggage down to the lobby, find an Uber or Taxi (forget about the hotel shuttle) and physically get to the port. The line is usually fairly long (preferred or not) but it goes quickly for preferred once you hit the door, maybe 30 minutes to go through the line and check in. Unless boarding is delayed you usually walk right on or wait a few minutes at most. The preferred boarding lounge is nothing special and we would rather spend our time having a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Walk to the cabin, load the safe and head to the MDR for lunch and a beer. So on board and eating in about an hour. Return to the cabin and unpack the luggage which is usually there by the time we finish with lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metairiegal Posted November 15, 2017 #25 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Early! It's counted as day one of the cruise. We feel we miss out on a day if we are not on board as early as possible. That is how we feel, too. Early for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now