Boarding time

[cdn.cruiser]

We are scheduled to board the ship at 1:30 p.m.

is it possible to arrive earlier and check in?

[jean87510]

7 minutes ago, cdn.cruiser said:

We are scheduled to board the ship at 1:30 p.m.

is it possible to arrive earlier and check in?

You will probably get those who say to show up whenever.  I think you have a great boarding time especially if you are driving to port or can get a late check out from hotel.  Here's why.  You can drop your carryon items in room.  Lunch won't be crowded as everyone will be in cabins or at bars.  Check-in will be less people and take a quicker time.  If going on a non Oasis or Quantum class, no need to get the shows and specialty restaurants booked.  

We tend to prefer to just stay at our assigned time and make it around 1pm so we don't have the pandemonium.  But of course if it's easier for you then go ahead and try it as it doesn't appear many ports are enforcing the times.

[TheDawg79]

Yes it’s possible, but it is ultimately up to the folks at the pier if they will let you in early or not. Mostly they don’t really care anymore, but some HAVE been made to wait. It seems to be somewhat port specific on how much they enforce this. 

[DallasGuy75219]

50 minutes ago, cdn.cruiser said:

We are scheduled to board the ship at 1:30 p.m.

is it possible to arrive earlier and check in?

It's possible but not guaranteed. Check-in time (not boarding time) may or may be enforced on any given sailing depending on several factors, such as how full the ship is (especially with third and fourth beds occupied), whether that morning's debarkation went smoothly and on time, whether embarkation started on time and is going smoothly, and sometimes just who is in charge or working that day.

 

But if you choose to show up early and are made to wait until your assigned check-in time, please don't complain, because you were warne that could happen.

[cdn.cruiser]

What is the difference between check in time and boarding time? I thought they were the same.

[doghog]

10 minutes ago, cdn.cruiser said:

What is the difference between check in time and boarding time? I thought they were the same.

Nope. Check in time is your scheduled time to arrive at the embarkation port. Boarding time is when you are allowed to board the ship.

[DallasGuy75219]

6 minutes ago, cdn.cruiser said:

What is the difference between check in time and boarding time? I thought they were the same.

Check-in time is the time you enter the terminal to check in. Boarding time is when you actually board the ship and is not assigned

 

If you're among the first to check in you will probably have to wait in the terminal until boarding begins.  If you check in later, there's a point at which check-ins slow down and people can board as soon as they check in.  Somewhere between those and you could be waiting behind hundreds or thousands of people who checked in before you to board before you.

[smokeybandit]

Is it possible? Yes. Is it guaranteed? No.