How does boarding work - ship stays in port first night?

[Bewer]

Does anyone know how boarding/check in works when the ship stays in port on embarkation day? I'm trying to find out how late the check in staff work.

[cynalan]

On our cruise out of Venice last year, we boarded at about 2:00 to rid ourselves of our luggage. We then headed out to Venice to wander and have a local dinner. We returned to the ship at about 10:30 without problem. When the ship is in port, it is my understanding that there is always someone manning the gangway. After all, we are there to enjoy our vacation. This ship is not a "prison" :)

[ECCruise]

I think the OP was asking how late the check-in staff works, not the gangway staff, which is totally different. It varies by embarkation port--the ONLY way you will know for sure (well, probably) is to contact Celebrity directly rather than ask on here.

[Bewer]

I think the OP was asking how late the check-in staff works, not the gangway staff, which is totally different. It varies by embarkation port--the ONLY way you will know for sure (well, probably) is to contact Celebrity directly rather than ask on here.

 

You are correct, I was asking how late the check in staff work. We will be embarking from Hong Kong next year. Thanks for your advice. I will try contacting Celebrity tomorrow.

[OCruisers]

I'd also be interested in this. We've never been on a ship that stayed over the first night in a port. It would be nice to know for flight schedules ....

 

LuLu

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[DebbieMacG]

I saw check in staff in a tent on the pier in Venice with laptops at about 8pm I'm not sure how much later they were there.

[RickT]

My wife boarded one year at midnight. Not sure if it made a difference but I boarded in the afternoon (we flew in from different countries). There was a small station set up inside the ship for those people who hadn't already checked in. The only difference I recall is that there was no one to take your luggage.

 

You might want to call Celebrity to confirm. I think we called and made a note that she would be arriving very late.

[bubbachief]

I saw check in staff in a tent on the pier in Venice with laptops at about 8pm I'm not sure how much later they were there.

 

Did you notice if there were luggage handlers there that late? If not, does anyone know if there a problem of taking your own bags on board?

[TommyD3]

We embarked in Hong Kong on the Millennium in April. We flew Delta from the US and arrived 30 hours late with NO luggage. It was mid morning on the second day. There was no one to take the luggage - NBD for us since Delta had lost it. There was no check in staff in the terminal. We walked onto the ship and had to wait 15-30 minutes for an officer to come and escort us to guest relations. I am sure it would have been the same in the middle of the night. The life boat drill was at the end of the second day prior to setting sail.

 

The bottom line is you can check in any time during the two day period, it just might take a bit longer if it is after the normal first day check in period.

[miched]

If you went thru the whole check in process and then left the ship do you have to go thru the same process to get back on board if people are still checking in, or is there a separate line?

 

 

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[RickT]

If you went thru the whole check in process and then left the ship do you have to go thru the same process to get back on board if people are still checking in, or is there a separate line?

 

No, when the regular check in is happening, you do not need to go through that line, you can simply board the ship as you would normally.

 

As far as luggage handlers, my guess (and personal experience) is that if you try to board outside of standard times then you are most likely on your own with your luggage (my wife had to take hers on board with her). That being said I would hope that if you require assistance, someone would be able to bring your bags to your room.

[cynalan]

If you went thru the whole check in process and then left the ship do you have to go thru the same process to get back on board if people are still checking in, or is there a separate line?

 

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No, you will have your sea pass card for the second go round.

[Bewer]

I phoned Celebrity today. Bottom line is they can't really give me an answer - the process can differ from port to port. However he did say probably you could check in late (after normal check in stops) but as a previous poster said luggage would probably have to be handled yourself. He advised that I phone again three months before sailing for more definite advice.

Thanks everyone for your help.