Shore excursion return time

[Lavs]

Hi guys, Im a first time cruiser and am a bit confused about the return time at ports of call. According to NCL, we are supposed to be back onboard atleast 2hrs prior to departure. However, many shore excursions return about an hour prior to departure.

 

Can anybody please clarify. Thanks :)

[Shmoo here]

Hi guys, Im a first time cruiser and am a bit confused about the return time at ports of call. According to NCL, we are supposed to be back onboard atleast 2hrs prior to departure. However, many shore excursions return about an hour prior to departure.

 

Can anybody please clarify. Thanks :)

It's RECOMMENDED that you be back onboard 2 hours before departure. However, ship's excursions often return after that time (but still prior to departure).

 

Mostly they're trying to make sure there's no big long lineup of people who wait until the last minute(at departure time), delaying departure.

 

As long as you're onboard by the specified time, you can return when it works best for you. But allow for delays boarding.

[CruiserBruce]

Virtually every cruise line requires you to be on board 30 minutes prior to sailing for port stops. The "2 hours" is only for the first day, when you first board. You need to be onboard earlier that day for TSA (1 hour) manifest requirements and life boat muster requirements.

[cb at sea]

The "2 hour" thing is for the initial boarding day...you must board 2 hours prior to sail away.....at ports of call, you need to be on the ship 39 mins before sail away.

[SRF]

CBP (not TSA) requires manifest 90 minutes before sailing.

[rkacruiser]

If you are taking a ship sponsored shore excursion and the tour runs late and returns you to the pier after the "required" time to board, don't stress. The ship will wait until all of their tour guests have returned before sailing.

 

If you are being an independent tourist, my "rule of thumb" is to be on board 60 minutes, at least, before I need to be.

[OCruisers]

The "2 hour" thing is for the initial boarding day...you must board 2 hours prior to sail away.....at ports of call, you need to be on the ship 39 mins before sail away.

 

Per sbove .... That's for your initial boarding day!

[Lavs]

Thanks guys! Just wanted to be sure before confirming my private shore excursions.

[zqvol]

Hi guys, Im a first time cruiser and am a bit confused about the return time at ports of call. According to NCL, we are supposed to be back onboard atleast 2hrs prior to departure. However, many shore excursions return about an hour prior to departure.

 

Can anybody please clarify. Thanks :)

 

The two hour time is for initial departure, it DOES NOT apply to ports of calls. NCL's normal rule is that passengers be back on board or in line to board 30 minutes prior to sailaway from the port of call.

[zqvol]

It's RECOMMENDED that you be back onboard 2 hours before departure. However, ship's excursions often return after that time (but still prior to departure).

 

Mostly they're trying to make sure there's no big long lineup of people who wait until the last minute(at departure time), delaying departure.

 

As long as you're onboard by the specified time, you can return when it works best for you. But allow for delays boarding.

 

This is completely inaccurate. NCL requires you to be on board or in line t board 30 minutes prior to sailing from ports of call. They do not recommend that you be back on board 2 hours prior to departure. (This does not apply to initial sail away.)

[Z'Loth]

Depending on how far away from the ship you are on a port day, you may want to set an alarm one to two hours prior to port departure to ensure you get back to the ship on time and avoid being featured on the "Pier Runners" channel. Remember to go by ship time, not shore time.

[JTBCruiser]

If you are taking a ship sponsored shore excursion and the tour runs late and returns you to the pier after the "required" time to board, don't stress. The ship will wait until all of their tour guests have returned before sailing.

 

If you are being an independent tourist, my "rule of thumb" is to be on board 60 minutes, at least, before I need to be.

 

On an independent tour our rule is to be back at least 90 minutes, no issues to date. We thoroughly research tours on TripAdvisor and CC. If a tour company causes pax to miss the ship, they won't stay in business very long. Plan for the unexpected and you should be fine.

[Bonnie J.]

Private tour operators want to make sure you are back long before you have to be. They don't want to get a reputation their tours are ever late returning to the ship. They would lose business if they got you back late!

[Keith1010]

As others have said you do need to be back on board at least 30 minutes prior to the sailing from each port.

 

First port of call you have to Embark by a certain time which varies by cruise line.

 

If you are on a private excursion or just out on your own do be careful getting back. Remember that a traffic jam or even a traffic accident or breakdown could cause you to miss the ship.

 

So I would error on the side of getting back sooner rather then later.

 

Keith

[Yukonjake]

Private tour operators want to make sure you are back long before you have to be. They don't want to get a reputation their tours are ever late returning to the ship. They would lose business if they got you back late!

 

I've seen private operators even advertising on their websites that "no guest on our tours has ever returned late to their ship.".