mevs904 Posted March 2, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 2, 2018 We are sailing on the Coral on March 21 for a partial Panama Canal cruise. Our TA called us yesterday to tell us that Princess has assigned us a 12:30 pm boarding time at Port Everglades. We don't have a problem with it, but we were wondering if this a new procedure? We have previously sailed on an Alaska and a Caribbean cruise with Princess and don't remember receiving a specific boarding time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weedpindle Posted March 2, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Many threads on this exact subject. If you read them, they all say don't pay attention to boarding time. Show up when you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted March 2, 2018 #3 Share Posted March 2, 2018 They are trying to spread out when people arrive, but it is not enforced in any way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted March 2, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 2, 2018 is the 12:30 time when boarding starts?, or is it your specific time based on cabin location? if based on cabin location, you may want to consider a new TA if they didn't explain that it is only a guideline... do you have any kind of priority boarding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishywood Posted March 2, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 2, 2018 As already mentioned if your TA actually used the phrase "assigned boarding time" they are grossly unfamiliar with Princess, which does no such thing. Only a suggested time for checking in based on your cabin deck. Unless there has been a specific notice of delayed boarding (due to a deep cleaning or a government inspection scheduled for that day) just show up as you always have done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybenny Posted March 2, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Boarding usually starts between 11-12. Your boarding time is a suggestion. Arrive when you want. You are boarded in terms of when you arrive, not your suggested time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mevs904 Posted March 2, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Thanks, everyone. As I mentioned, we are not concerned with the time. I think that I just used the term "assigned" and our TA did not imply that it was mandatory, but she did say that it was based on our stateroom location. We've booked our two prior Princess cruises with her before and her service has been excellent. It was just that neither of us remember receiving a time before. We will be staying at the Disney resort at Vero Beach the night before so this time works well for us. I can certainly understand Princess's desire to spread out the arrival of embarking passengers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukonjake Posted March 2, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 2, 2018 As already mentioned if your TA actually used the phrase "assigned boarding time" they are grossly unfamiliar with Princess, which does no such thing. Only a suggested time for checking in based on your cabin deck. Unless there has been a specific notice of delayed boarding (due to a deep cleaning or a government inspection scheduled for that day) just show up as you always have done. From my Princess itinerary: "To help facilitate a smooth start to your voyage we have implemented a progressive cruise check-in schedule. Please arrive at your time check-in time listed below. ... Please do not arrive prior to the start of cruise check-in as your cabin will not be ready." Other posts here on CC suggest that if you arrive before your staggered check in half hour, they will not check you in and you will have to cool your heels. If you arrive AFTER your assigned half hour, fine and dandy, welcome aboard. So, confusion seems to abound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted March 2, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 2, 2018 We have always arrived before our scheduled time (via Princess transportation, if that matters), and we have never been required to wait to enter the terminal or to check in. For 2 cruises, we were there before boarding started; obviously we were required to wait until they began boarding and boarded those in the elite lounge. And Princess will allow you to take your carry on bags to your cabin even if the steward has not finished preparing it for you. You can drop your stuff and go to lunch; cabin will be finished when you return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukonjake Posted March 2, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 2, 2018 We have always arrived before our scheduled time...' date=' and we have never been required to wait to enter the terminal or to check in... And Princess will allow you to take your carry on bags to your cabin even if the steward has not finished preparing it for you. You can drop your stuff and go to lunch; cabin will be finished when you return.[/quote'] That's great to know. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alimariecruisin Posted March 2, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 2, 2018 It's never been enforced on any of our cruises. We go when we want around 10:30-11am and are on board before noon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted March 2, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 2, 2018 The times are suggestions, not requirements Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted March 2, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 2, 2018 (edited) Other posts here on CC suggest that if you arrive before your staggered check in half hour, they will not check you in and you will have to cool your heels. If you arrive AFTER your assigned half hour, fine and dandy, welcome aboard. Not once in 25 Princess cruises have I seen this. On Disney, yes. Never on Princess. For one thing there is a lot more room inside the terminal than outside. Doors open around 11 and if you get there before 9:30 they might not have porters available to drop off luggage. Edited March 2, 2018 by LeeW more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmoger Posted March 2, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 2, 2018 From my Princess itinerary: "To help facilitate a smooth start to your voyage we have implemented a progressive cruise check-in schedule. Please arrive at your time check-in time listed below. ... Please do not arrive prior to the start of cruise check-in as your cabin will not be ready."Other posts here on CC suggest that if you arrive before your staggered check in half hour, they will not check you in and you will have to cool your heels. If you arrive AFTER your assigned half hour, fine and dandy, welcome aboard. So, confusion seems to abound. Have never experienced this. No one has ever asked us where our cabin was located prior to letting us check-in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagsfan Posted March 2, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 2, 2018 We sailed the same itinerary same ship last April. We ignored the suggested time and showed up at 10:30. We checked in quickly with zero problems. I like to get to the terminal before things start backing up. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JF - retired RRT Posted March 2, 2018 #16 Share Posted March 2, 2018 From my Princess itinerary: "To help facilitate a smooth start to your voyage we have implemented a progressive cruise check-in schedule. Please arrive at your time check-in time listed below. ... Please do not arrive prior to the start of cruise check-in as your cabin will not be ready."Other posts here on CC suggest that if you arrive before your staggered check in half hour, they will not check you in and you will have to cool your heels. If you arrive AFTER your assigned half hour, fine and dandy, welcome aboard. So, confusion seems to abound. You read those comments on the Princess boards?? In the 4+ years I've been on CC, I've seen maybe 3 or 4 comments that boarding times had been enforced in a European port. Never happened in Fort Lauderdale, San Pedro, Dallas (now sadly gone) or San Francisco...these are the ports I've sailed from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted March 2, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Your TA didn't know Princess's M.O. then. She should've known you can show up before your assigned time or afterwards. Check-in stops about 90 mins. prior to the ship leaving so make sure you're there before then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alimariecruisin Posted March 3, 2018 #18 Share Posted March 3, 2018 From my Princess itinerary: "To help facilitate a smooth start to your voyage we have implemented a progressive cruise check-in schedule. Please arrive at your time check-in time listed below. ... Please do not arrive prior to the start of cruise check-in as your cabin will not be ready."Other posts here on CC suggest that if you arrive before your staggered check in half hour, they will not check you in and you will have to cool your heels. If you arrive AFTER your assigned half hour, fine and dandy, welcome aboard. So, confusion seems to abound. Actually no confusion for those of us who have cruised Princess many times...we just ignore that email, it really isn't true...only new cruisers seem to believe it...like I did the first time we got it! lol So, no worries, go when it fits for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted March 3, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 3, 2018 It’s just a suggestion. On the Royal Princess this year I was told to arrive at 2 p.m. I was actually on the ship at 12:10 p.m. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted March 3, 2018 #20 Share Posted March 3, 2018 They aren't enforced .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knbcruisers Posted March 3, 2018 #21 Share Posted March 3, 2018 We are on this same cruise and got the same email. I expect to ignore this as I am aiming to be onboard for lunch in the MDR!! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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