Delay boarding Independence of the Seas

We are hearing that Independence of the Seas arrived in Port late this morning after 8 o'clock. They are still trying to clear all the passengers off of the ship and we are being told there are still 200 people on board that need to leave before we can board. Hoping to have more information soon.

Update: we are now being told that Customs and Border Patrol still have to clear 200 passengers off the ship before we can begin boarding. Wedding party is being allowed to board because their ceremony was supposed to happen at 12:30 on the ship.

Update: 100 passengers still waiting to be cleared to leave. They hope to start boarding in about 20 minutes. 4000 pax stand-in outside in the sun.

Thanks for the updates, I hope you manage to get on board soon.

Being told there are 11 people left on the ship and once they leave we will start boarding. Hopefully in the next few minutes.

Do you know what's causing the delay? I have friends on this sailing.

See first post but basically the ship got in late for some reason.

Boarding has begun! There are still hundreds maybe thousands outside that haven't checked in yet though. My guess is we will not sail away at 4:30 as planned.

It is a nightmare here. Thousands of us standing outside in lines that are not moving.

Not exactly an ideal way to start a vacation. Let's hope that this is the only hiccup and you will soon be sailing on a wonderful cruise.

Yeah cruise definitely not getting off to a great start. From outside looks like practically ever pax is outside waiting. I'm normally patient and any day cruising is better than a day at work but my bladder has been rather full for a couple hours now in the heat so I'm hoping they plan on some OBC to ease its pain.

I am so sorry for all of you. This happened to us last January. No fun at all.

Wishing you a wonderful vacation.....happy cruising.

Captain just announced sail away will be at 6:30 or 7:00 sincerely they are still loading luggage and supplies for cruise. They need to do an OBC to make up for the inconvenience in my opinion.

I think you folks are getting greedy by asking for OBC for a couple hours delay. Unless you are joking.

No not joking. 3 hours in the sun with no bathroom not wanting you to leave line no one offering water or information is not good customer service imho. Now that we have finally got up they have taken all the food up. No porter at all had to hand carry all luggage. Just not impressed with RCI I can take the delay but at least tell me why point me toward a bathroom and give me some water

Part of it is because debarkation is a total nightmare on Independence.

I wonder if they would still charge you for the full day for the drink package??

Part of it is because debarkation is a total nightmare on Independence.

Embarkation isn't much better. No towels in the room called housekeeping they told me they would bring some before 10 pm. We bought the drink package no tumblers in the room no one in the bar area wants to give me any because they say it's in the room. Worst customer service ever on a cruise. Tried to order simple cruise drinks no one knows how to mix them. Hopefully it gets better but I'm done with RCI I think.

We were watching the Port Everglades webcam and wondered why Independence of the Seas was still there. Thanks for the updates. Hope the cruise gets better.

We were watching the Port Everglades webcam and wondered why Independence of the Seas was still there. Thanks for the updates. Hope the cruise gets better.

looks great in the twilight, wish I was there.

Part of it is because debarkation is a total nightmare on Independence.

Yep, they think it's bad now wait until they get off.

Yep, they think it's bad now wait until they get off.

You mean try to get off!

When we started a 5 day cruise out of Tampa a few years ago, fog delayed our boarding by six hours. We were among the first on the ship at Just after 5:00pm. We got a $25 OBC.

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Captain just announced sail away will be at 6:30 or 7:00 sincerely they are still loading luggage and supplies for cruise. They need to do an OBC to make up for the inconvenience in my opinion.

I agree, we all should get OBC for reading this thread:rolleyes:

I am also on this sailing its almost 7 still in port and no luggage. I have never started a cruise out like this. What a waste of a first day.