Best time to board?

[eirbear]

Sorry if this has been asked before but the search function is not working on my phone. 

 

First time cruisers here. We are sailing tomorrow from Palma on MSC. Cruise boarding cards say that boarding is from 1pm to 7pm. When is the best time to arrive to try and avoid big ques. We are staying in a hotel near the port so we are flexible about when we can head down.

 

Thanks  

[paul929207]

Early there will be lines, so to avoid them probably 4 or so. Most will want to board early to begin their cruise.

[trish1c]

If your goal is to avoid the lines, 3-4 sounds like the sweet spot.  With embarkation, there are always likes; it's a necessary evil.  

[Essiesmom]

I would be there the earliest that is comfortable for you.  There will not be big crowds to embark, as your ship is embarking/debarking guests at every port on your itinerary.  I suspect the largest number will board in Genoa, or Naples...But folks on the MSC board here might be able to tell you that.  EM

[Hlitner]

We have found that boarding times are a trade-off.  For example, we normally prefer to board early (before noon) because this allows us to enjoy lunch on the ship and use the afternoon as another "sea day."     On the other hand, boarding later generally means shorter lines and more time ashore...which can be a good thing in many ports.

 

But after more than forty years of extensive cruising our general philosophy is we want to be among the first on a ship and the last to disembark at the end of the cruise.   "Why would we book a cruise and then try to minimize our time on the ship?"

 

Hank

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Boarding a few hours after it starts is usually a good idea. Less lines. If you are doing carry on, not many ships the rooms are not ready till after 2:00 PM or even later. We always go to the room and if stopped just tell them we are dropping the luggage off and leaving. Never said no.

[Sancho_proudfoot]

On 5/5/2019 at 8:50 PM, twodaywonder said:

Boarding a few hours after it starts is usually a good idea. Less lines. If you are doing carry on, not many ships the rooms are not ready till after 2:00 PM or even later. We always go to the room and if stopped just tell them we are dropping the luggage off and leaving. Never said no.

 

On some lines (RCL) they close the watertight doors, effectively closing off the corridors until ALL rooms are available. There is then an announcement, and ALL rooms can be accessed.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

You are correct. However with a little mussel they can be opened.

[SRF]

Of course, the rules do not apply to you.  You are special.