Port of Miami - eariest appointment time/how early can we get there?

[HelenaCruiser2012]

Hi everyone, DH and I secured an arrival appointment time of 10:30 - 11:00 am for our 9/4 Symphony cruise out of Miami.  What's the earliest appt time they offer?  Just wondering if I had stayed up to check in at 12:01 am if we could have gotten an earlier time.  Also I understand that we can't check in earlier than our designated time, but can we arrive at the port earlier (maybe 9:30) and just hang out until our time slot?

 

Thanks!

 

[poocher]

That’s as early as I’ve seen.  Remember the ship gas to be cleared of the previous passengers before you can board.

[Biker19]

6 minutes ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

Also I understand that we can't check in earlier than our designated time, but can we arrive at the port earlier (maybe 9:30) and just hang out until our time slot?

Sure. 

[HelenaCruiser2012]

OK thank you both!

[BND]

We had 10 am on EN out of Baltimore last week.  It does depend on the ship and what time it's leaving.  For our cruises that left at 4, first check in was 11.  For last week on EN, ship left at 3.

Edited July 31, 2022 by BND

[bonsai3s]

1 hour ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

Hi everyone, DH and I secured an arrival appointment time of 10:30 - 11:00 am for our 9/4 Symphony cruise out of Miami.  What's the earliest appt time they offer?  Just wondering if I had stayed up to check in at 12:01 am if we could have gotten an earlier time.  Also I understand that we can't check in earlier than our designated time, but can we arrive at the port earlier (maybe 9:30) and just hang out until our time slot?

 

Thanks!

 

That's pretty early. Yes, you can show up at 9:30 and hang out.

As previously stated, the ship has to be cleared of all passengers...next, the b2b passengers are processed. Then new passengers are checked-in. Happy sailing!

[HelenaCruiser2012]

Appreciate all of the info, thanks!  Been awhile since we cruised, really looking forward to being on Symphony!

[Surfguyxxx]

Never saw a 10:30 time; always thought they started at 11.  Have fun.

[NCreadyforfun]

We just returned from Symphony out of Miami. They have changed their boarding procedures and it's wonderful! We got off of our shuttle and we were on the ship within 30 minutes (our arrival was noon). It's the smoothest embarkation process I've ever seen! The other ports should really take notice.

[lovescats5]

We flew a red eye to Miami in March and got to the pier about 8:30.  It was a zoo with the debarkation of the guests leaving.  We did, however, talk to 2 Royal people and they pointed us in the direction of where Star Class would be checking in.  Once there it was only  few minutes before someone came and put tags on our luggage and took everything on board and escorted us to the lounge.  So, I guess the moral is you can arrive early but be sure to stay out of the way of the passengers getting off.  Some of them are in a hurry and not very careful how they handle their luggage.  It was an easy embarkation though.  You will be good when ever you arrive.

 

[sandebeach]

17 hours ago, Surfguyxxx said:

Never saw a 10:30 time; always thought they started at 11.  Have fun.

We had a 10:30 check in time two weeks ago on Symphony. 

[Surfguyxxx]

30 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

We had a 10:30 check in time two weeks ago on Symphony. 

Good to know; thanks.

[Ret MP]

I haven't cruised out of the Port of Miami, the new terminal, since before the pandemic.  However, I believe that the new Royal terminal is probably the most organized and easiest to us of all and "arrival times" don't mean too much.  Now, I doesn't know if they are doing pre-checks at the terminal door or not.  That seems to be the main hang up at terminals that have the pre-terminal entry checks.  But, my experience was a fantastic one.  That's saying a lot for me because I really dislike Miami as a whole.  When we cruise out of Miami, we stay in central west Broward (Ft. Lauderdale/Dania (I-95 & Griffin Road) County.  

In any case, I believe you will enjoy Royal's terminal in Miami.  

[HelenaCruiser2012]

All good info, thanks!  We're flying down the day before -- hopefully anyway, unless our flight is cancelled, then if we can't get on a later flight we'll be driving from NJ to Miami.  Good to hear how Miami handles embarkation, we thought it was easy when we sailed NCL out of NYC too (and a very easy drive up the Turnpike for us).  I'm sure we'll be ready to get to the port early but thanks for the reminder that others will be disembarking too.  Nervous about the pre-cruise testing 2 days before though and have started wearing masks in crowded places again even though we both had covid in May.

 

One more question, where/when can we print our luggage tags?  

 

Thanks everyone for your help!

[Ret MP]

8 minutes ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

All good info, thanks!  We're flying down the day before -- hopefully anyway, unless our flight is cancelled, then if we can't get on a later flight we'll be driving from NJ to Miami.  Good to hear how Miami handles embarkation, we thought it was easy when we sailed NCL out of NYC too (and a very easy drive up the Turnpike for us).  I'm sure we'll be ready to get to the port early but thanks for the reminder that others will be disembarking too.  Nervous about the pre-cruise testing 2 days before though and have started wearing masks in crowded places again even though we both had covid in May.

 

One more question, where/when can we print our luggage tags?  

 

Thanks everyone for your help!

I'd like to give you an authoritative answer for that.  But, as usual, there just isn't consistency with that.  Some have said they got their tags right after or soon after being able to check in/final payment.  My experience, as I remember it, was a week or two after final payment time.  But, not to worry, you'll get them in plenty of time.  If you don't, not to worry, again, the porters at the terminal will make them for you.  But, I understand the desire for milestones and accomplishments leading up to something as exciting as a cruise on a great ship on a great cruise lines.  I love hitting all the little milestones along the way, seems like taking small steps, accomplishments.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 8/1/2022 at 2:24 AM, NCreadyforfun said:

We just returned from Symphony out of Miami. They have changed their boarding procedures and it's wonderful! We got off of our shuttle and we were on the ship within 30 minutes (our arrival was noon). It's the smoothest embarkation process I've ever seen! The other ports should really take notice.

Every RCI port, at least the ones in Florida, follow the same embarkation process. As long as you show up during your check-in window, you literally never stop walking from the time you park your car at the port (if applicable) to when you board the ship. When I sailed on Harmony a few weeks ago out of Port Canaveral, I was on the ship 22 minutes after parking my car. Debarkation is also excellent at RCI terminals. 

Edited August 3, 2022 by PhillyFan33579

[Ret MP]

14 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Every RCI port, at least the ones in Florida, follow the same embarkation process. As long as you show up during your check-in window, you literally never stop walking from the time you park your car at the port (if applicable) to when you board the ship. When I sailed on Harmony a few weeks ago out of Port Canaveral, I was on the ship 22 minutes after parking my car. Debarkation is also excellent at RCI terminals. 

I hope that is what is going on NOW!  It wasn't like that not too long ago at Canaveral.  

Are they allowing people to enter and be seated in the waiting area?  If the ship is late will the line outside be allowed to go into the terminal and be seated until it's time to check-in or embark or stand outside in the elements?  Did you actually see anyone show up that were an hour or two early and were they sent away and told to come back at the appropriate time or were they allowed to check-in?

[BND]

On 8/1/2022 at 10:06 AM, Surfguyxxx said:

Good to know; thanks.

NM

Edited August 3, 2022 by BND

[karena1]

On 7/31/2022 at 12:49 PM, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

Hi everyone, DH and I secured an arrival appointment time of 10:30 - 11:00 am for our 9/4 Symphony cruise out of Miami.  What's the earliest appt time they offer?  Just wondering if I had stayed up to check in at 12:01 am if we could have gotten an earlier time.  Also I understand that we can't check in earlier than our designated time, but can we arrive at the port earlier (maybe 9:30) and just hang out until our time slot?

 

Thanks!

 

10:30 is the earliest.  We are normally there by 10:15, get checked in, and then wait until the start to board, which is normally around 11 or shortly thereafter.