DShock Posted May 22, 2018 #1 Share Posted May 22, 2018 For years we would always follow the same routine, arrive at pier around 10:45, get inside the terminal and wait until time to board. Then we would board and wait for our cabin to be available (1:30). Last time we changed it up, arriving at 1:30. We breezed through, boarded with no crowds, and immediately went to our cabin, which was ready. It was nice to be able to drop our carryon bags and get our passports in the safe before going to eat. From our experience last time it seems we are in the minority but that was just the one time we did it that way. On our upcoming Allure cruise we plan to arrive at 1:30 as well. How many people are late boarders? And if so what time do you like to arrive at pier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tin can Posted May 22, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 22, 2018 Done a bit of both. We have arrived later and whilst it's nice to go straight to the cabin to freshen up I always feel a little cheated and missing out on something. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARandomTraveler Posted May 22, 2018 #3 Share Posted May 22, 2018 We arrived around 2-ish last time. We’ll probably do the same this time, but both cruises are out of San Juan and they don’t leave until 8pm, so I don’t know if 2 really counts as late boarding. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheInnocentAge Posted May 22, 2018 #4 Share Posted May 22, 2018 Day 1 is one of my favorite days on the ship, so we are usually onboard by 10:00 - 10:30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfaeric Posted May 22, 2018 #5 Share Posted May 22, 2018 We've been arriving to step on board ~1pm for many years now. Really nice- so that we can drop our stuff off, and really wander around the ship. Lines for checking in tend to be much shorter at that time, too. Much less stress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OCSC Mike Posted May 22, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 22, 2018 We like to be among the first on the ship (after suites, weddings, etc.) so we arrive around 10:30 and Diamond has given us enough priority that we usually don't wait very long at all. I can really only speak to Port Canaveral in the summer though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacMarauder Posted May 22, 2018 #7 Share Posted May 22, 2018 I'm a late boarder too! With young kids it works really well because they can get naps in before you board. I also like going directly to our room to drop things off which you can't do if you show up early. I understand people are excited to get on the ship but you have the whole week, no reason to fight through crowds just to get on a couple hours early (IMHO of course!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BillOh Posted May 22, 2018 #8 Share Posted May 22, 2018 . It was nice to be able to drop our carryon bags and get our passports in the safe before going to eat. From our experience last time it seems we are in the minorit We will remain early borders, but we always arrive at the port the day before, so we have minimum carry on as we put everything in our checked bags and only the bare minimum in our carry ons so there is no requirement to rush to a room as soon as it opens, and we manage to find something to do, people to find, or things to see. Now if I lived 5 minutes from a port and have sailed a ship 30 times, I'd board later. Coming up on Enchantment next fall, we will get to the hotel the day before and be some of the first on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShock Posted May 22, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted May 22, 2018 We always do b2b's or longer so we do not feel the rush to board. I'm curious if anyone ever boards later than 2:00 PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarpeCerevisi Posted May 22, 2018 #10 Share Posted May 22, 2018 Lately I’ve been boarding around 12:30 or 1:00 because I always only have carry-on luggage, no matter how long the cruise (21 Day B2B is my record) and thus can drop my bags in the cabin soon after boarding. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag19 Posted May 22, 2018 #11 Share Posted May 22, 2018 For us the earlier the better! Want to start my vacation as soon as possible! Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eeyore1962 Posted May 22, 2018 #12 Share Posted May 22, 2018 My hubby and I drive to the port, so we normally board around 10:30 AM. I love having all that extra time to relax around the pool deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelinmoma Posted May 22, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 22, 2018 This time we are taking a city tour prior to boarding. We will probably arrive around 1PM. I absolutely hate waiting in lines, so I would much rather do something fun and arrive later when the lines have died down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmetto Pilot Posted May 22, 2018 #14 Share Posted May 22, 2018 As early as humanly possible. I paid for that first day, lets get it started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cynt Posted May 22, 2018 #15 Share Posted May 22, 2018 I arrived late for the 1st time in March 2017. There were 10 of us so it worked out great arriving at 1ish. I must admit I enjoyed no lines and walking straight on and dropping off my bags before eating lunch. I'll still arrive early but I'm not going to stress about early arrival like I use to. Arriving after 1 is ok with me. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvscruising2007 Posted May 22, 2018 #16 Share Posted May 22, 2018 We like to arrive at the port between 12:30 and 1:30. I like to be able to drop off luggage in the cabin. We unpack the carry-on and head to the Windjammer for lunch. Much easier for us because DH uses a cane. On our next cruise we will be driving to the port so we may get there earlier as check out from the hotel is 11am. Either way the sound of the first ping is great at any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Teeara Posted May 22, 2018 #17 Share Posted May 22, 2018 The earlier the better for me. I want to be among the first onboard the ship so I can eat and then get out to take photos while the ship is still relatively empty (since everyone else is still boarding and eating). Then when the cabins open up we head up to unload and take some pix there before heading out for more exploring. Back to the cabin at 3 to start unpacking our luggage (it is usually waiting for us when we first arrive) so we will be done by the muster drill. Then off to muster drill and then to our sailaway spot. What we like most is unpacking earlier in the day so we aren't up late unpacking. My first cruise we were up until 1 a.m. Never again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitsmom Posted May 22, 2018 #18 Share Posted May 22, 2018 We usually arrive the day before so we get to the port around 10:30 a.m., we check all bags except 1 small rolling carry on with our 2 bottles of wine and meds. Now that we are Platinum, we get checked in quickly. However, we are cruising this July with 3 other couples (2 couples are Newbies) that are only Gold & Pre-Gold. We like to roam around the ship and see where everything is, grab a drink, then eat some lunch. Usually by then, our room is ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted May 22, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 22, 2018 As early as humanly possible. I paid for that first day, lets get it started. This ^^^^^ Have a very light breakfast at home. Bigger lunch on board. A couple of drinks before the room is open. Then either explore, or we may "nap" a bit. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icesk8rReedy Posted May 22, 2018 #20 Share Posted May 22, 2018 It depends on the cruise line. With Carnival, we do the faster to the fun program and board early. With RCCL, we wait until last minute. We are going out of San Juan on our next one and since it doesn't leave until late, not sure what we will do between hotel check out and boarding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSOTall1 Posted May 22, 2018 #21 Share Posted May 22, 2018 Day 1, I get there when people are still getting off the boat, partially because we take an early flight in the morning. No worries about bags since we leave them at the dock to be delivered. Just pack a small carry-on with sunblock and a bathing suit. In my opinion, day 1 is day 1. The earlier you're there, the earlier you start your vacation and start mingling with your fellow (earlybird) cruisers in the terminal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShock Posted May 22, 2018 Author #22 Share Posted May 22, 2018 Day 1, I get there when people are still getting off the boat, partially because we take an early flight in the morning. No worries about bags since we leave them at the dock to be delivered. Just pack a small carry-on with sunblock and a bathing suit. In my opinion, day 1 is day 1. The earlier you're there, the earlier you start your vacation and start mingling with your fellow (earlybird) cruisers in the terminal. I agree totally, unless you are on the ship for b2b's or more, then there is no rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreadpirate3 Posted May 22, 2018 #23 Share Posted May 22, 2018 We were not at check in until after 12 in December, and I liked the more laid back atmosphere. Got on board, ate a snack at Sorrento's and our cabin was ready. Will probably do that for the next two trips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sp1402 Posted May 22, 2018 #24 Share Posted May 22, 2018 I like to get there at 1pm so the room is ready & I can drop off my stuff before grabbing lunch Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMurph Posted May 22, 2018 #25 Share Posted May 22, 2018 We now prefer arriving around 12:30. Boarding is a breeze, we have our first drink of the cruise & by then the cabins are open. Drop off the carry on and then explore the ship and enjoy sail away. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, because I am in vacation mode as soon as I leave the house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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