What time can we board our ship?

[Realmomma]

Booked a cruise in July  for Southern Caribbean. Sailing time is 8.30pm. What time can we start checking in. Don't really want to stay longer in hotel but may need to for bags etc. Thanks 

[Essiesmom]

With a sailaway that late, I am assuming you are sailing from San Juan?  Sometimes you need to give us a little more info...

 

If it is San Juan (or anywhere, for that matter), you will still be able to check in at the usual times, or at least by noon.  You can always check out of your hotel and ask if you can leave bags there for later.  Or you can drop off bags earlier at the pier and go sightseeing.  EM

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.  There are lots of places here for information.  There are boards here for each cruise line, and they are not links to the cruise line websites.  they are sub-forums where people wo sail that line share experiences, advice, and ask more questions.  You might want to visit the one for your cruise line.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, Realmomma said:

Booked a cruise in July  for Southern Caribbean. Sailing time is 8.30pm. What time can we start checking in. Don't really want to stay longer in hotel but may need to for bags etc. Thanks 

Your "final documents" should list your embarkation time and location. 

[zqvol]

It depends on the cruise line, but even with a late sail away you can usually board around 11:30.

[paul929207]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. 

 

You may want to repost this in the section for your cruise line. Some are a little faster or slower in processing embarkation.

[Realmomma]

28 minutes ago, paul929207 said:

Welcome to Cruise Critic. 

 

You may want to repost this in the section for your cruise line. Some are a little faster or slower in processing embarkation.

Thank you 

[RKSue]

7 hours ago, Realmomma said:

Booked a cruise in July  for Southern Caribbean. Sailing time is 8.30pm. What time can we start checking in. Don't really want to stay longer in hotel but may need to for bags etc. Thanks 

 

While some cruise lines will leave you board around 11:30 it really will depend on the cruise line. Some give you times to check in to reduce the amount of people in line at any given time.  If the ship has cruisers that are doing B2B and your in the US youll have to wait until all guests have departed the ship. Sounds strange I know but there is a holding area for B2B cruisers. The coast guard requires the ship have all passengers leave the ship. If your not in the US then I dont know what the requirements might be. Best to either call the cruise line directly or your TA. Of course the time should be listed on your ticket. Also if your staying in a mini suite or suite the boarding time is earlier than standard boarding time.

[Flatbush Flyer]

7 minutes ago, RKSue said:

.....The coast guard requires the ship have all passengers leave the ship......

You may have your US federal agencies mixed up.

[cb at sea]

Most lines start boarding around 11am.  Carnival is about the only one that makes you wait unless you pay a fee to get there early.