Current embarkation policy

[MR_T]

Hi All, 

 

we’ve done a number of celebrity cruises from Florida but the last one was a couple of years ago so just wondering if things have changed regarding arriving early for embarkation, 

 

We just received an email saying not to arrive early as you could be turned away so just wanted to ask what’s actually happening when people arrive a little earlier than their allocated time? We have 11.30 but generally like to get to the port around 9.30/10am and just wait, for us it’s all part of the start of the cruise and would rather wait there vs at the hotel sitting around waiting to leave, we really want to be on the ship as early as possible so for us getting there early is all part of the experience. 
 

Anyone with recent early arrival experience it’ll be great to hear from you 😊 

 

ps - we are not in the retreat so their turn up anytime isn’t relevant - thanks 

[CruiseRQA]

I think it will depend on how many people show up on time and how many early.   If it isn't too crowded they may let you board early.   If they are taking people only by the schedule you may have to wait but I don't think they will throw you out onto the street!

[kathynorth]

 For our past couple of cruises out of Miami and FLL the earliest scheduled time we could get was 11:30. We tend to arrive a little early, but no-one was allowed in the building until 11. We were processed, then needed to wait until 11:30 boarding. 

[jelayne]

Our experience also was the terminal did not open until 11.  

[mahasamatman]

58 minutes ago, MR_T said:

We just received an email saying not to arrive early as you could be turned away

 

They say that to scare people. They don't enforce it.

[NutsAboutGolf]

4 minutes ago, mahasamatman said:

 

They say that to scare people. They don't enforce it.

Was going to say the same yet idk exactly when the terminal doors open

[hcat]

The ship has to be cleared..before the next group can actually start boarding.

 

We have waited outside in baking sunshine and pouring rain...If they don't let you in,  come prepared. Not everyone can be first!

[NutsAboutGolf]

33 minutes ago, hcat said:

The ship has to be cleared..before the next group can actually start boarding.

 

We have waited outside in baking sunshine and pouring rain...If they don't let you in,  come prepared. Not everyone can be first!

Was this 2021?  There’s a big difference between waiting inside or outside the terminal

In 2021, they had Covid rules where they had to keep the masses outside

[Baynanno1]

Please stick close to your allocated time - it is allocated to avoid the chaos of everyone wanting to be first on board which we experienced recently when hundreds arrived well before boarding even started.

[Ferry_Watcher]

In Seattle (Alaska cruises), Celebrity passengers are checked in when they arrive.  Terminal doors usually open just after 10 AM.  FYI, the 4,800 passenger RCI Ovation of the Sea is also at Pier 91 on Fridays, so it can be a bit chaotic, but just head to the side of the terminal that you see the Edge (new this season in Seattle!)

[CruiseRQA]

One of the funny things about cruising to me is how people rush to the terminal to get on the ship as early as possible and then line up to get off it as soon as possible.    

[Lena11033]

4 minutes ago, CruiseRQA said:

One of the funny things about cruising to me is how people rush to the terminal to get on the ship as early as possible and then line up to get off it as soon as possible.    

 

I always think the same in the airport, everyone's waiting at the gate and they are calling zones but everyone in like zone 6 is lining up before they even call zone 1.

Then standing to get off the plane before the door has even opened so everyone is standing up like a sardine.

[hcat]

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Was this 2021?  There’s a big difference between waiting inside or outside the terminal

In 2021, they had Covid rules where they had to keep the masses outside

 

Has been  over many yrs of cruising.,diff ports, diff terminals diff cruise lines.

 

Cunard once had a bad computer failure..kept us outside in Brooklyn in July for several hrs,. Check in was done manually.... A storm delayed return of the ship we were to board...in NJ..We were in the orig terminal for hrs..not enough seats..or bathrooms,,They finally brought in catered food..

.Other snafus, glitches along the way...

When access is ready, they let folks in,,. Most times you luck out.. but sometimes not..

 

Folks who have airlines arriving early with no place to go, I can understand,  but others should wait their turn, and not create clogs. 

[Mirage]

Just off the Apex FLL yesterday, upon embarkation a week ago, we had 12:00pm. Others with later time were waiting outside terminal. Entered terminal 25 at exactly 12:00pm was on board by 12:15 pm in cabin, Fastest ever, efficient easy.

 

You mileage may vary.

 

Mirage

[hcat]

1 hour ago, Mirage said:

Just off the Apex FLL yesterday, upon embarkation a week ago, we had 12:00pm. Others with later time were waiting outside terminal. Entered terminal 25 at exactly 12:00pm was on board by 12:15 pm in cabin, Fastest ever, efficient easy.

 

You mileage may vary.

 

Mirage

Looks  like the staggered times are helping efficiency.  Hope so.

 

 Wonder what the last time slot is?

Hope Concierge Class guests can make it to the lunch on time.

[LB_NJ]

Depends on the port.  In Tampa they would not allow us to drop off luggage before 11am.  Couldn’t even get close to terminal.

 

Ask in the Florida departures forum.

[MR_T]

Just a quick update, 

 

Arrived at the port at 10.04, bags dropped at the porters right away, waved through the doors and straight through bag scanners & checked in right after and now sitting in the waiting area ready to board. Took around 5 mins from getting out the cab,

 

Only issue (for us) is they make you take the next available seats so no social distancing anywhere although there’s loads of seats in the hall… not a major issue but would rather to be a little more spaced out…