Boarding Time Thoughts

[awhitleycrew]

We are leaving out of New Orleans, June 27, 5 days on Valor.  We live about 8 hours away and plan to drive straight to the cruise (yes it's nerve wracking).  Our past 2 cruises we had FTTF out of Galveston so we boarded early.  I am wondering if we should pick a later boarding time for this cruise so #1 we don't have to leave so early, #2 gives us extra time to arrive, and #3 maybe it won't be so crowded.

I know most people try to get the earliest time available but I wanted to hear from others that pick the later times and your pros and cons for this.  Hope that makes sense!

Praying we all pass the COVID tests and this actually gets to happen!  Haven't cruised since January 2020. 

[scrotser]

We NORMALLY pick the earliest we can get, because we are ready to start vacation!  🙂  That said, we normally arrive the night before.  You make very valid points for picking a later arrival time, and if I were in your shoes, I'd likely do it.  Do you want to stress yourself (trying to rush to port early) for just a few extra hours time?  Take it easy and don't start your vacation stressed.  Just my opinion!   Enjoy your trip. 🙂 

[vp1]

Just our experience after 50+ cruises:

 

If you want to be one of the first people on the ship, check in on-line just after midnight the first day that check in is available - you can probably get the "10:30 AM" slot.  You'll arrive with hundreds of other people (SOME of whom have the earliest check in times, some of whom are trying to beat the system...).  Probably wait outside the terminal for a while, then wait in the X-ray line, then wait in the line to check in at the counter, then wait in the "holding area" until your group is called, then you can walk onto the ship (and wait another hour or two on the ship until your cabin is ready).  I'm not criticizing this system, just sharing our observations having done it many times.  These days, unless you are a suite guest, you'll simply wait with everyone else who has the same boarding time.  You get a few hours of "ship time" ahead of the the people with the later check in times.  (Of course some things like the stores, the casino, etc. aren't open until the ship sets sail in the early evening...)

 

For various reasons, we have also had the "1:30" (or later) check in time.  No lines - no waiting.  Walked right into the terminal, walked right through X-ray, walked up to the (empty) counter and walked right onto the ship (and right to our cabin).  There is something to be said for waiting a couple of hours for the crowds to clear - particularly if the cruise is longer than just a few days and a few hours of added "ship time" really doesn't make much of a difference.  I'd say that if you're not a fan of crowds (and waiting), just arrive in the early afternoon - even if you have an earlier check in time.

~Bob

[csm5986142]

Actually, your situation is the only time we have chosen a later arrival appointment (when we can drive to port).  We usually fly/stay in a hotel the day before the cruise, so we prefer an early arrival appointment (since we don't have a car and are sitting in a hotel with our luggage, we might as well head to the port).

But like you said, on the rare occasion we can drive to the port, we build in extra time for traffic, unintentional stops, (we actually got stuck behind a parade once), etc. 

It's just so nice not to be rushed, not arrive when the huge crowd in the waiting area.  Those are my best memories of walking into a fairly quiet terminal and moving quickly through the process and onto the ship.

Have a great trip - I'll be watching for your thoughts afterwards.  We are doing Valor/New Orleans for the first time in November.  

Edited June 12, 2022 by csm5986142

[vswan]

We've arrived after the crowds twice for cruises. Once was this past year when we had an earlier check-in time, but the bus from airport to cruise port had already left and we had to wait for the last bus of the day. Although I like being on the ship for lunch, etc., I have found getting to the port later in the day after all of the main crush of people to be very relaxing and a great way to start the vacation.

[mz-s]

When my wife and I drive in we usually have about a 4 hour drive. We usually select an arrival appointment (crucially not a boarding time) around 1 or so. This allows us time so we don't have to leave when it's still dark outside, and if we hit traffic or whatever we're still in good shape.

 

It works out well in my view. Usually by the time we board, our room is ready so we can meet our steward and all that, hit up muster, and grab lunch. We've boarded early too - usually do that when we came in the night before or had an early flight. Both are valid ways to do it. Whatever works best. The ship leaves at the same time either way.

[awhitleycrew]

Thanks all!  Hubby and I discussed it and I think I am going to shoot for the 1pm boarding time.  We can actually sleep some the night before.  We checked Google maps and it's actually a 7 hour drive but we are calling it 8 to be on the safe side.  

Last time we had early boarding we ran into traffic at the Galveston parking area due to a train and then when we got to our cabins (both had FTTF) only one was ready.  So, it was kind of a hurry up and then wait kind of day. haha

Regardless, we are getting excited to finally be able to cruise again!!!

[sgttami]

I prefer 2:00-3:00 for boarding because there's no crowds  and it's only a short time before the ship sails. 

[ldubs]

We also prefer later boarding times to avoid the crowds.  I learned a long time ago not to stress over being among the first on the ship.      

[ray98]

I am well over trying to be the first on board.  There is nothing pleasurable for me anymore about it.  People everywhere dragging luggage around because they can't go to their cabin yet.  All the bars and restaurants are packed.

 

I now look for 1pm or so.  I board as the throng has dispersed, drop my bags and go grab lunch as a now near empty Lido. 

[mexicobob]

7 minutes ago, ray98 said:

I am well over trying to be the first on board.  There is nothing pleasurable for me anymore about it.  People everywhere dragging luggage around because they can't go to their cabin yet.  All the bars and restaurants are packed.

 

I now look for 1pm or so.  I board as the throng has dispersed, drop my bags and go grab lunch as a now near empty Lido. 

I agree and do the same thing. Except grab a good lunch on land before getting on the ship. 

[Badfinger]

We drive from San Antonio to Galveston.  An easy 4 hours with two stops along the way.  Sleep in until 7:00, get up and have a good breakfast, tidy up the house, load up the bags and head to the port for our 12:00-12:30 check-in.  Leaves plenty of time for an unexpected traffic issue or flat tire, but with Google Maps easy to monitor traffic and re-route as needed.   I figure our vacation starts as soon as we wake up , and last thing I want to do is start if off in a big rush.  

[Amy Paperlady]

16 hours ago, awhitleycrew said:

 We checked Google maps and it's actually a 7 hour drive but we are calling it 8 to be on the safe side. 

 Well, yeah--Google doesn't get hungry or have a bladder 😉

[cruizergal70]

I never step foot inside the terminal until 1 pm or after.

[BoozinCroozin]

There is lots to do right by the terminal if you arrive early. Drop your bags off, park, then hit up a place to sight see or grab NOLA lunch, then board when it is less crowded. We checked in early. Wound up waiting 3 hours to get onboard. Luckily we were at the front of the line and got through quickly. We sat for about 2.5 hours. Others wound up standing in line, wall to wall people, for 2.5 hours.

[mowogo]

21 hours ago, mexicobob said:

I agree and do the same thing. Except grab a good lunch on land before getting on the ship. 

And that times perfectly for a early dinner Guy’s.

[1kaper]

We sailed out of Galveston the end of March.  I didn't get up to check in early plus I was doing a race the morning of sailing, so I got the last check in time available. 
We arrived to a huge amount of traffic in the area.  Our driver said she is from Galveston and hadn't seen it that bad.  People trying to get into parking lots and the port.  When we got dropped off there was a huge line that snaked back and forth all the way inside the terminal and outside.  It did move pretty steadily though.  Still took over an hour to get on board and a huge line behind us. 

[ultrafighter]

1 hour ago, 1kaper said:

We sailed out of Galveston the end of March.  I didn't get up to check in early plus I was doing a race the morning of sailing, so I got the last check in time available. 
We arrived to a huge amount of traffic in the area.  Our driver said she is from Galveston and hadn't seen it that bad.  People trying to get into parking lots and the port.  When we got dropped off there was a huge line that snaked back and forth all the way inside the terminal and outside.  It did move pretty steadily though.  Still took over an hour to get on board and a huge line behind us. 

We had a similar experience in Galveston (semi) recently.  Zero relief with the later arrival time.

[Hoosierpop]

On 6/12/2022 at 7:57 PM, awhitleycrew said:

Thanks all!  Hubby and I discussed it and I think I am going to shoot for the 1pm boarding time.  We can actually sleep some the night before.  We checked Google maps and it's actually a 7 hour drive but we are calling it 8 to be on the safe side.  

Last time we had early boarding we ran into traffic at the Galveston parking area due to a train and then when we got to our cabins (both had FTTF) only one was ready.  So, it was kind of a hurry up and then wait kind of day. haha

Regardless, we are getting excited to finally be able to cruise again!!!

NOLA port is quick boarding (unless maybe there is something delayed with the disembarkation) so picking a later time is fine. 

[ledges1]

I got to the terminal at 12:30 in NO and the line was out the door and down the street. It did move fast. 

[habc]

I try for a later time. 

 

Unfortunately I got there early for my last cruise...it was almost 2 hours from when I arrived at the teminal until I stepped foot on the ship!

 

Everyone and their brother wants to be first on! The same people want to be the first off!

 

I try for late check in and hang out on the ship until they kick me off

[hapytobehr]

On 6/12/2022 at 2:52 PM, awhitleycrew said:

We are leaving out of New Orleans, June 27, 5 days on Valor.  We live about 8 hours away and plan to drive straight to the cruise (yes it's nerve wracking).  Our past 2 cruises we had FTTF out of Galveston so we boarded early.  I am wondering if we should pick a later boarding time for this cruise so #1 we don't have to leave so early, #2 gives us extra time to arrive, and #3 maybe it won't be so crowded.

I know most people try to get the earliest time available but I wanted to hear from others that pick the later times and your pros and cons for this.  Hope that makes sense!

Praying we all pass the COVID tests and this actually gets to happen!  Haven't cruised since January 2020. 

Just bear in mind that it is your CHECK-in time not boarding.

 

Enjoy your cruise

[vaders501]

We are sailing on the Vista on Saturday out of Galveston. I was late checking in and ended up with a boarding time of 1pm. Does anyone know how early they start boarding now in Galveston?

[mexicobob]

On 6/14/2022 at 10:06 AM, habc said:

I try for a later time. 

 

Unfortunately I got there early for my last cruise...it was almost 2 hours from when I arrived at the teminal until I stepped foot on the ship!

 

Everyone and their brother wants to be first on! The same people want to be the first off!

 

I try for late check in and hang out on the ship until they kick me off

I do the same thing. 

[jsglow]

Interesting discussion.  When we fly, which represents 90% of our cruises, we always check in early.  No sense sitting around our budget motel room staring at each other.  But when driving to ports, a late arrival makes the day more relaxing for sure.