Boarding times in San Juan

[Saliaris]

Was wondering how the boarding times were in San Juan, because I'm seeing mixed reviews of being able to get on fairly quickly to having to wait the usual 30mins-1hr. The reason why I'm asking is because I'm debating getting FTTF for the sole reason of wait times on embarkation, and possibly quick access to the stateroom. My girlfriend and I are getting in to San Juan around 2:30 and have a check in time of 4-430 so I don't know if the staterooms would be ready by then. Her and I were thinking of exploring San Juan before the boat leaves (but that's up in the air atm, we may just stay on and explore the ship). Thanks in advance for any advice!

[kingston13]

The rooms will be ready then and you shouldn't have a wait

[WhiteOptima]

The lines are pretty long and I don't know if I would waste my money on FTTF. We had Priority and only had 3 check in people and the rest were for normal boarding and many were on way before us. You can drop your stuff off to your room and go back out and be back on the boat by 9pm.

[hollyisu]

When we cruised out of San Juan we dropped our bags with the porter around 11. I don’t believe they had started check-in yet. We carried a small backpack with our documents, passports, camera, and iPad with us. We spent the whole day exploring old San Juan. It was our favorite day of the cruise. We checked in pretty close to the last possible minute. No lines then...walk right in.

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

Last time we walked on at noon when boarding started, dropped the bags in the room, had lunch. Got back off and explored more, boarded again around 8 pm.

 

 

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[Saliaris]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Looks like we'll just wait out any line that we encounter and go out and explore after dropping off bags.

[Saliaris]

Wrong thread....

Edited March 14, 2018 by Saliaris
Posted in the wrong thread, if an admin sees this, could they remove it please. Sorry.

[salty dingo]

Last time we walked on at noon when boarding started, dropped the bags in the room, had lunch. Got back off and explored more, boarded again around 8 pm.

This sounds like what we will do also. Flying in the night before, so we will hang out at the hotel until it is time to drop off the bags, check in, get lunch on the ship, and get off the ship as soon as we can get everyone fed and motivated.

 

This is not a cruise where I expect to be on the ship very much... every day we are in port!

[Karysa]

We are flying in to San Juan the afternoon before our cruise and plan on checking in to the hotel and taking a taxi to Old San Juan to explore and have dinner. If we make debarkation day a beach day how late are we allowed to board the ship? We depart at 9 but I have read here on cc that the Fascination has the Muster drill around 8:30. Thanks for any help you can offer.

[ellell]

Our check in time is much later than expected, 4:30. Can we check in earlier? This is our first time sailing from San Juan. I was planning on doing a bag drop off and lunch on the ship . We are guest of the casino, does that allow priory boarding? Thanks for this thread and the advise!

[evandbob]

San Juan's late evening departure time almost eliminates the need for FTTF.  There are no tender ports on the southern itinerary as well, so FTTF 's benefit seems limited to Guest Services priority line.

 

Whenever I've flown to a cruise in San Juan, I was able to fly in the morning of the cruise non stop from New York.  I would arrive in SJU around 11AM or noon, taxi to the ship and immediately board and bring my luggage to the cabin as a Diamond or Platinum.  Others may not have this convenience and will feel more comfortable coming a day or two early.

 

If someone is a casino guest, there is usually a "priority" embarkation, after wedding guests, Diamonds & Platinums, then FTTF's, and right before Zone numbers are called.

[CruzinKristin]

Will you get your S&S card at check in or will they be in the room mailbox?

[cindik]

We just got off the Fascination. Sign and Sail cards were given at check-in.

[PatandStu]

Verify which pier your cruise line departs from. If it’s the Pan American pier, then it’s a $15 taxi ride back to Old SAN Juan.

Our hotel will hold our bags while we explore. When we’re ready, we’ll head back to the hotel, grab our bags and taxi to the pier. 

Pat 

[Aplmac]

On 12/9/2018 at 1:08 PM, CruzinKristin said:

Will you get your S&S card at check in or will they be in the room mailbox?

.

You will be getting your S&S card at check-in

or you won't be getting past The Doink! Machine, to even get on board!!

 

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Photo shows boarding on a Royal Caribbean ship

but you get the picture...

[Aplmac]

On 12/10/2018 at 8:16 AM, cindik said:

We just got off the Fascination.

Sign and Sail cards were given at check-in.

.

Of course they are! Nowhere else.

 

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Here's a photo of your ship

arriving at Bridgetown, Barbados