A check in time of 1030-11:00 or as you said around 1:00 or 2:00pm will be the least crowded times. On embarkation day it's near impossible to avoid the crowd. After lunch drop your carry on off in your cabin and go out and get the layout of the ship. Come back to your cabin and unpack your luggage. Go check out the deck party, before you know it, it will be early evening and time for dinner ( if you have early or YTD ). We are platinum, and arrive early. I enjoy sitting around the Lido deck having lunch and a few drinks while people watching. And have my cruise ritual, a Guys Berger.