Embarking Poll - When Do You Arrive?

[WestchesterCruiseFan]

I was reading a post in here on CC and it got me thinking. A lot of you seem to arrive early to get on the ship on Embarkation day. I thought it would be fun to post a poll and see how many of us arrive super early, early, after boarding is scheduled to begin and those who are running on the last minute.

 

I'd love to hear the logic behind your answers. For example, for me, I will be selecting "On Time" - I usually get to the pier around 2:30 or 3pm...I have yet to wait in any type of line and I'm on the ship within 10 or 15 minutes of giving my bags to a porter.

 

So let's hear what you all have to say :D

[hank56]

Just in my nature to be early I guess. Times that I have been early were spent enjoying the atmoshpere surrounding the pier. Also like to board as early as possible, once on board you're on your cruise :D

[BillOh]

Depends on when my flight arrives and how fast the RCI transfer goes.

[CoronaCpl]

We try to get there between 10-1130 so we can get on the ship in time for our lunch hour. Hate to see all that food go to waste! And it is better than hanging around a hotel lobby/room or the airport until the Orange Card recommendation of 2pm.

[raina*faith]

I don't take any chances, I arrive at least by 10AM. My entire crew may grumble, but they are glad that they are not in line at noon behind everyone else with a number higher then 1!!

[raina*faith]

i'm just an early bird!!

[nanfromatlanta]

We like to be among the first to board.

[Murphy]

We shoot to arrive between 11:30 and noon. I'm not one to really like to wait for boards, and found that most times the boarding process begins around noon. We like to board, walk around, have lunch and then head to our cabin when the rooms open at 1:00pm.

[wraithe]

I like to arrive between 10 and 11, that way the lines are short, in my experience, the food is hot in the 'Jammer, and the lines at the wine package purchase table are short as well. On a new ship, gives me time to look around, on Grandeur, just gives me time to sigh in relief that I'm back onboard and look forward to the upcoming cruise.

[sea-cruise]

We usually arrive at 11 a.m. which is allows us to book reservations at the specialty restaurant as soon as we board, and it allows us to have lunch before the Windjammer (or other lido restaurants on other cruiselines) get too crowded.

[Sue L]

I am not happy until I can be in view of the ship, it is better for all concerned that we get there around 11. I don't care if I have to wait to board if I can see the ship then everybody is happy!!!!:D

[nanfromatlanta]

We like to get our vacation started as soon as possible!!

[JeffKoz]

We are always there 10:30-11:00, even if we have to wait in the lobby, we can still see the ship. We enjoy getting on board, having lunch, a nice frozen concoction and then checking the ship out (dining room table, casino, spa).

 

My wife will make her hair appointment for the main formal night (captain's party night). We also enjoy doing the little "scavenger hunt" they do where they draw for prizes about 3:00 (not sure if every ship does that, but the smaller one's we sail usually always do it).

 

Getting on board early makes the vacation start that much sooner...even if we are sitting at the dock...

[ckrobyn]

I'm the lunatic that turns up at the port by 9:30am :eek: I watch the other passengers disembark...while I sip my coffee knowing that soon I will be onboard!

[katiel53]

We like to get to the port between 10:45 and 11AM. The wait isn't usually that long and we are among the first to board. Last time we had to wait about 10 minutes for boarding to start. The wedding parties went on and we were in the next few to board.

 

I love getting to the ship and being excited and getting onboard. As soon as we are onboard, our vacation starts. Yippee!!!

 

Katie

[kingsgirl]

Reading all these posts have made my stomach flip flop as though i'm just about to get on the ship!!

 

I have only gotten on early once at around 10-11 am when we were with a wedding party.

[Merion_Mom]

All Good Little Cruise Critics know that the earlier you board, the more vacation you get!

 

I would arrive around 11, but I can't persuade my kids to get their butts out of bed, packed and ready to go until a little after 11, so we usually arrive around 11:30.

 

Except for our very first cruise, when we didn't know better (and it was Miami, the worst departure port for backups), we have been out of our vehicle and on the ship in under half an hour, every time.

 

On our latest cruise, on the Enchantment for New Year's, we ENTERED a cab at our hotel at 11:15 and were IN THE WINDJAMMER at 11:45!!! :eek: :) :)

[critterchick]

It depends. If we're sailing from LA, one or both of us might have to work in the morning so we don't board until 2:30 or 3:00, which still gives us time to grab a snack, check out our dining room assignment and have a look around before the dreaded muster drill. If we've stayed overnight in a hotel, we usually board around one. I'd rather not have to lug my carryon bags around until the cabin is ready.

[SheilaSailAway]

Hey fellow cruisers!

 

We usually fly in the morning of the cruise, we drop our carry-ons off to one of the porters for RCI, and go get our passes and get onboard. Bags are usually there by 1-2. Sometimes we will drop them into our cabin and get out of the cabin stewards way. My DH has to get to the 'Jammer ASAP...lol

 

Planning to sail away in a few days, can't wait!

 

Happy Sails to you all!!!

[glgolfer]

We drive to all the ports in Florida and get there between 1030 and 1100 to ensure getting a decent parking place in the garage.

 

When we fly, it's always a day of two early. If thru RCI, whenever they get us there. If our own air, then around 1100 or so.

[nlcentralchmps03]

We shoot to arrive between 11:30 and noon. I'm not one to really like to wait for boards, and found that most times the boarding process begins around noon. We like to board, walk around, have lunch and then head to our cabin when the rooms open at 1:00pm.

You can count on me being there at 10:30 sharp :D

[isujim]

Is meeting the ship the day before on a tug an answer??:D

[cruisindoggie]

Always at 11, we were first on the Serenade last year. (no prizes for first)

[digital_curator]

On both our cruises we arrived at 11:45.

 

In Miami, we left the hotel at 11:30, were at the pier by 11:45, walked right on and were in our cabin by 12:00.

 

In NJ, we came from the airport. There was a much larger crowd in the terminal and they didn't start to board 'til noon. We were bus #17 but were still on by 12:30 or so (rooms weren't ready 'til 1:00).

 

Seems to be a good time- don't have to wait around too long and still onboard before the crowds (never had a problem with seats at the Windjammer, spa reservations, etc.)

 

Interesting polll question!

[wrp96]

My first few cruises I arrived sometime after 2pm, 2 times it was after 3pm, because I came directly from the airport (did not know to fly in a day early). Those were the cruises where I waited the longest!! I now show up at the pier as early as possible, usually a little after 11am. My last few cruises I have either walked directly onto the ship as I arrived, only once did I have to wait and that was only 15 minutes.