What happens to early arrivals?

[us833624]

Our flight arrives at Fiumiccino airport at 7:30am, Sept. 6th and we expect we will be met to transfer us to Civitavecchia. Will we have to wait around the airport? If not, and we arrive early (before boarding time) at Civitavecchia, is there anything to do to kill time?

 

TIA,

Ian

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Are you using a HAL transfer?

If so -- the rep will meet you and direct you to where they want you to stay before boarding the bus for the transfer.

You may wait a couple of hours until other planes arrive before you are transfered to the ship.

They have it all worked out.

[taxmantoo]

If not, and we arrive early (before boarding time) at Civitavecchia, is there anything to do to kill time?

 

TIA,

Ian

 

You have to help the staff clean up the ship from the previous week's cruise !

[catl331]

If not, and we arrive early (before boarding time) at Civitavecchia, is there anything to do to kill time?

Are you using a HAL transfer bus? By the time you get your baggage and wait for the bus fill up it will probably be close to 9:00a. Then it is about an hour drive to the port. HAL doesn't want arrivals coming in too early, as they still have to take care of getting departing passengers on their buses and on the way to the airport, so they may stall a bit.

 

In Copenhagen (which has a much shorter distance from airport to pier) we had to wait on the bus at the pier about 1/2 hour before the driver could get a parking space to let us off! You shouldn't have too long to wait in the terminal before they start checking people in.

[RuthC]

I generally take HAL transfers, and have never had to wait an inordinate amount of time to board the bus and leave. Certainly it was never anything close to two hours! :eek: Twenty minutes to a half hour, maybe.

Think about how long it will take to leave the plane, gather your luggage, clear Customs and Immigration. It's going to be a while.

If you're on a HAL transfer, the rep will have a manifest and will check your name off. (S)he will keep track of people, then lead them to the bus.

By the time the bus arrives at the port, it will be close to time to check in and board.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We had a situation similar to what Op might have with arriving at 7:30 AM.

We arrived early -- 7 AM -- hardly anyone there -- had luggae by 8. HAL rep showed up at 9 and informed the 6 of us waiting that we couldn't leave to board the bus until 2 more flights arrived -- which they did by 11. We got to the pier at 1:30.

[lka1012]

You have to help the staff clean up the ship from the previous week's cruise !

 

I was going to say that!

[sail7seas]

They can control passenger flow with those people using HAL transfers. With people arriving on their own, they get there when they get there but for the buses, they try to have them pull up when there isn't a long line waiting to check in. The drivers are told to kill time to move right along. n that respect, IMO, it is to your advantage. Being comfortably seated is better than standing in a long line waiting to check in.

 

 

[us833624]

Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge with this newby cruiser! I knew that the title I used would start some funny replies!:D

 

Looking forward to meeting on the Noordam (or on the bus), 9/6!

 

--Ian

[Pipers mom]

Hi Ian

I see you're on the Noordam, leaving on September 6. Feel free to join us on the Roll Call thread!

[jhannah]

To answer your other question, there is nothing to do at the port. It's strictly industrial, and a long walk to any shops (which wouldn't be open that early anyway.)

[jsmc4]

I have a similar situation. Does anyone think it would be possible for us to use the port shuttle and go into town for a wine run before getting on the ship?