What to do with luggage?

[CRUISE BUG BIT HARD]

I have a question for the veteran cruisers. We are cruising out of Ft Lauderdale for the first time next month. Our cruise documents state boarding begins at 1:30 but we will have to check out of our hotel by eleven. What do we do with the luggage for 2 1/2 hours? Can we go to the port drop of the luggage and come back later to board?

Thanks in advance

Suzanne

[suzeyQ]

You may very well be able to board well before 1:30. Usually, if you arrive at the pier around 11:00'ish, they'll allow you to board shortly after that, despite what the documents say.

[Cotton]

Most all my cruise info says boarding begins at 1pm; however, I'm always at the terminal by 11am, and around noon I have already put my carry-ons in my cabin and am having lunch.

[Big Al B.]

In any case, I believe that you can give your luggage to the porters early.

[Happy ks]

Another alternative is to ask for late checkout, or to have your bags held at the hotel while you are doing other things. I like to check in early, but sometimes it's nice to see a bit of the port town you're sailing out of.

 

When we cruised Alaska in 2004, we took a private tour of Vancouver the morning before boarding. They picked us up early at the hotel, 4 hour tour and dropped us off at the port around 1-2pm, it was lovely.

[springtxbill]

Go to the ship at 11 and you should be able to board when you get there.:)

[Tony2000]

Just head to the ship around 10:30. When you get there give luggage to the porter and head for the line. You should be on board well before 12:00.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Nearly every cruise line allows you to arrive at the port around 11.

 

Ft Lauderdale security is very tight. If you drop off your luggage and decide to tour around for a few hours, you will have to go through security again. Then you need to have handy (again) your cruise documents. With so many ships in Ft Lauderdale on the weekends, it can be very busy there - lines to go through security can be long.

[CRUISE BUG BIT HARD]

Thanks everyone for your answers.

Suzanne