Early Embarkation?

[adakat]

My cruise e-docs say that the earliest boarding time is 12:30pm. Since we are driving to the port (Fort Lauderdale) on the morning of embarkation, I was hoping to arrive by 11:30am. Will that be a problem? Has anyone experienced an earlier embarkation than the actual scheduled boarding time?

[UpstateCruizer]

My cruise e-docs say that the earliest boarding time is 12:30pm. Since we are driving to the port (Fort Lauderdale) on the morning of embarkation, I was hoping to arrive by 11:30am. Will that be a problem? Has anyone experienced an earlier embarkation than the actual scheduled boarding time?

 

We arrived at the port in FLL around 9:30am in April. Absolutely no problem~! We were escorted to the security area where we put our carryons through the xray and walked straight over to the check in gals. Very friendly and welcoming staff. It took just a few minutes to process all of our info and we were handed our S&S cards and instructed to have a seat in the "blue chairs". We were onboard by 11:45 :)

 

I think they tell people earliest embarking is 12:30 to keep from having mobs of people showing up at 9:00am trying to all get on at once. They do call it early embarking for those that get there earlier. Once the blue chairs were all filled they put a hold on those clearing security until they began to escort us up to the ship :)

[momofzeke]

Yes, 11:30 will be great for you. I always try to arrive at port between 11 and 11:30.....and we usually get onboard shortly after noon. The sooner you get on that ship, the sooner your vacation begins! :D

[GoofyDog]

Actually, in my case, vacation will begin at 1 pm on 11/26 as that is my time off on Wednesday and then Turkey Day, then travel day!

 

Vacation begins in my estimation when you leave work for the last time and don't have to be back for X # of days!

 

My wife is Platinum and we are planning on arriving shortly after 11 am. I would take it we can board very shortly after that on the Liberty?

[pcvtmom]

We've been on 11 Carnival cruises, and we've always been on board well before the brochures tell you that you can. 11:00-11:30 is a great time to arrive. You'll probably be on board by noon.

[CruisinCrow]

Sometimes the cabins aren't ready until 12:30 but that's ok. You can still get some lunch and explore the ship.