What arrival time should I pick?

[ksignorini]

Our cruise departs at midnight. My choices for arrival times are from 11:30am to 5:00pm.

 

On my last cruise (different cruise line) I knew what time our rooms opened up and picked an arrival time to match. How can I find out what time our rooms open up on this cruise so I can pick a good arrival time?

[Georgia_Peaches]

What ship/cruise itinerary?  Why is the departure time midnight?  On a typical 4 pm departure itinerary, rooms open by 1pm...perhaps earlier in the Haven. If 3 hours before departure is typical for stateroom

 availability then 9 pm could be a target time?  Personally. I would board ASAP regardless of room availability. You might get a more definitive answer with a little more info. 

[Outerdog]

The arrival time is really a suggestion. Pick whatever time you like.

 

Cabins generally ready around 12:00 to 1:00 pm.

[OHRiverRats]

I always choose the earliest arrival and the latest departure times available. Neither are hard and fast, but I want to be on the ship as long as possible! 🍺🍹🎉😉

[beerman2]

As we always fly in the day before, the option is sitting at hotel or being at port. The port wins every time. 

 

Seeing the hustle and bustle at the port is part of the cruise experience.

 

Watching the ship come alive , lunch, drinks are good reasons to be early also.

[ksignorini]

OP here. So yeah, it actually leaves at 11:59 PM. Midnight. Weird, right? But the first port is a slow 7 hours away (just around the corner) so I can see why they leave so late.

 

I've been on a few cruises and I do like the getting there early, but I'll be with two septuagenarians and a handful of kids. I want the option of getting to the rooms as soon as possible once we're there. Also, the scooter for my mother will be in the room waiting for her--and she'll be a lot more comfortable if she doesn't have to walk too much (even the boarding is going to take a toll on her).

 

As I mentioned in the original post, boarding times are 11:30am - 5:00pm.

 

I wonder if NCL could tell me directly?

[Sauer-kraut]

Pick the 11:30 and show up around 1pm

Edited May 24, 2019 by Sauer-kraut

[ksignorini]

1 hour ago, Sauer-kraut said:

Pick the 11:30 and show up around 1pm

 

Do they usher "lates" on quicker?

[Von & John]

17 hours ago, ksignorini said:

OP here. So yeah, it actually leaves at 11:59 PM. Midnight. Weird, right? But the first port is a slow 7 hours away (just around the corner) so I can see why they leave so late.

 

I've been on a few cruises and I do like the getting there early, but I'll be with two septuagenarians and a handful of kids. I want the option of getting to the rooms as soon as possible once we're there. Also, the scooter for my mother will be in the room waiting for her--and she'll be a lot more comfortable if she doesn't have to walk too much (even the boarding is going to take a toll on her).

 

As I mentioned in the original post, boarding times are 11:30am - 5:00pm.

 

I wonder if NCL could tell me directly?

 

You might check w/ your Mom to see if she would be comfortable with a wheel chair escort on to the ship...

NCL Special Needs Dept can arrange this for you...

Is there anything the group would like to see/do in the Port City, prior to boarding?

[ksignorini]

8 hours ago, Von & John said:

 

You might check w/ your Mom to see if she would be comfortable with a wheel chair escort on to the ship...

NCL Special Needs Dept can arrange this for you...

Is there anything the group would like to see/do in the Port City, prior to boarding?

 

That's a good idea. We may find something to do, but honestly, the cruise is the thing.

[sverigecruiser]

On 5/23/2019 at 4:09 AM, ksignorini said:

Our cruise departs at midnight. My choices for arrival times are from 11:30am to 5:00pm.

 

On my last cruise (different cruise line) I knew what time our rooms opened up and picked an arrival time to match. How can I find out what time our rooms open up on this cruise so I can pick a good arrival time?

 

In case they start to enforce the times it't better to pick an early time. I doubt that they will tell anyone arriving late that they can't cruise but they might say to someone arriving early that they have to wait.

 

Right now the time doesn't matter.