I've checked-in can I now get off the ship to sightsee?

[guardia]

Once you've checked-in for your cruise on departure day, can I then get off the ship to do some sightseeing?  Leaving from Fort Lauderdale and thinking of checking-in first and then going to have lunch with non-cruising friends.   Never did this before so was wondering if it's even permitted.

[urbanhawk]

In the past you were able to do this, as long as you reboarded an hour before departure. Not sure if this is the same now, due to all the other changes.

Happy cruising!

[LHT28]

better to do the lunch & sightseeing before checking in IMO

Just be at the port at least 2 hrs ahead  of sailing

of course now they may have scheduled boarding times to keep the social distance  aspect  but maybe not an issue in Florida

[zekekelso]

I think we need a pinned “answer” at the top of every forum. “Who the hell knows.” Rules change every day, the lines are doing a terrible job updating their websites. What’s allowed not might now be allowed tomorrow. (In case you can’t tell, I’m feeling a bit frustrated.)

 

What you’ll almost certainly be able to do is drop your bags off, then lunch with your friends. Happy cruising.  

[Essiesmom]

If you are sailing on a line that does COVID-19 testing at checkin, I think it would not be allowed.  Why not have breakfast with them instead?  EM

[cruisemom42]

If your sailing is anytime soon, I'm willing to bet it is not allowed. On at least one of the Celebrity threads re: their restart in Florida (Fort Lauderdale), they were not allowing passengers off the ship once screened and checked-in.

 

In normal times, yes it would be possible.

[ontheweb]

It was not only allowed, but expected, in San Juan where the ship did not depart until late. But, who knows now in the new Covid affected world.

[sanger727]

I've also done this before in a city that had a late departure time. But, agree with the other posters that who knows in a post covid world. I would just drop your bags off, sight see and have lunch with your friends, and then return to check in and board.

[navybankerteacher]

It depends on the port - is there anything worth seeing in the few hours which might be available?

[Lois R]

15 hours ago, zekekelso said:

I think we need a pinned “answer” at the top of every forum. “Who the hell knows.” Rules change every day, the lines are doing a terrible job updating their websites. What’s allowed not might now be allowed tomorrow. (In case you can’t tell, I’m feeling a bit frustrated.)

 

What you’ll almost certainly be able to do is drop your bags off, then lunch with your friends. Happy cruising.  

I agree, I think the only person/persons who have an answer to the question is the cruise line (whichever line the poster is sailing)....and depending on when they are sailing, the cruise line may not have a definitive answer until 1 or 2 days before sailing.