Check-in concerns, Why?

[RTShaker]

I don't want to stir up anything, but am truly curious as to why so many people seem to be concerned about when check-in opens for their sailing. There have been numerous threads with the same check-in date  question. Is it because it used to be 90 days? Is it just habit? You can check in up to almost the sail date, so am I missing something?

[cbfb]

You can pick your time slot for arrival once it opens up. Early times go fast! 

[gerelmx]

The earlier boarding, the less crowding of people at lunch in the ocean view

[RTShaker]

21 minutes ago, cbfb said:

You can pick your time slot for arrival once it opens up. Early times go fast! 

 

16 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

The earlier boarding, the less crowding of people at lunch in the ocean view

I guess since I haven't cruised since the pandemic start, this didn't cross my mind. I'm still in the "get there when you get there and get on board" mentality. May have to think about that for the next one.

[zitsky]

37 minutes ago, RTShaker said:

 

I guess since I haven't cruised since the pandemic start, this didn't cross my mind. I'm still in the "get there when you get there and get on board" mentality. May have to think about that for the next one.

 

You want to take it easy.  Some people want to get on board and start enjoying what they paid a lot of money for.  I have no status, and am not in a suite, so not sure I'll get an early time.

[Jeremiah1212]

This has always been a thing. Well before arrival times were implemented. I chalk it up to excitement? There's really no need to complete a few fields, print luggage tags and get those coveted eDocs (that you don't need at all) three full months in advance. But some people get absolutely fired up about it. 

 

With loosening COVID restrictions I could absolutely see the arrival times going by the wayside sooner than later. 

[dateacher]

2 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

You want to take it easy.  Some people want to get on board and start enjoying what they paid a lot of money for.  I have no status, and am not in a suite, so not sure I'll get an early time.

Without any status or suite, we got 10:30 am for our March 18 sailing.  I did put it on my calendar at the 45 day mark and stayed up until midnight.   I like to spend time on the ship and not in the lobby of the hotel.

[Laurab23]

We come by bus at a set time so don't want a later arrival time. If we got there too early would they make us wait outside at Bayonne?

 

Laura

[lola2013]

4 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

You want to take it easy.  Some people want to get on board and start enjoying what they paid a lot of money for.  I have no status, and am not in a suite, so not sure I'll get an early time.

Neither your status nor the type of stateroom you have impacts the boarding time you get.  As others have said, some people (us included) like to begin our vacation as early as possible.  Once the check-in date opens, we are online and trying to get an early boarding time.

[jelayne]

4 hours ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

With loosening COVID restrictions I could absolutely see the arrival times going by the wayside sooner than later. 

I sure hope they keep the scheduled arrival times.  No crowds pushing and shoving to get to the shortest line, no lines to go through security and the OV isn't jammed.  It is open for those boarding at 11:30 and those boarding a 2.  Overall a more pleasant start to the cruise.

[lexmiller]

We have always gotten to the port when it worked for us (which is always no later than 11am) and never once did anyone ask when our arrival time was.  The idea is to stagger arrivals to keep lines short and manageable, yes, heard.  But at the same time, there has never been a problem if we are (very) early.  The port check-in system in our experience, pre and post covid, has been handled very well - no matter which time you come and never was there a problem if you are not at your assigned time because no one checks and the system runs well even when congested.  Perhaps others have had different experiences though.  Just wanted to share ours!

[zitsky]

30 minutes ago, lexmiller said:

We have always gotten to the port when it worked for us (which is always no later than 11am) and never once did anyone ask when our arrival time was.  The idea is to stagger arrivals to keep lines short and manageable, yes, heard.  But at the same time, there has never been a problem if we are (very) early.  The port check-in system in our experience, pre and post covid, has been handled very well - no matter which time you come and never was there a problem if you are not at your assigned time because no one checks and the system runs well even when congested.  Perhaps others have had different experiences though.  Just wanted to share ours!

Other posters mention waiting in long lines when early.  I will try to find a post.

[oceancrusin]

It's been so long since I've cruised, thanks COVID, I can't even remember what's required for the online checkin. LOL

[phoenix_dream]

Many people want to come early because they have an early flight arrival or they need to check out of their hotel and have nowhere else to go. 

[Arizona Wildcat]

7 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Many people want to come early because they have an early flight arrival or they need to check out of their hotel and have nowhere else to go. 

No need to leave almost every motel until 11am. People simply want to "get their money's worth" and a seat in Oceanview.  Boarding with reduced capacity is easier and shorter lines.  

Want a relaxed boarding?  Try 1:30 or 2pm.  No lines.  Walk right on.  Have a local lunch with a glass of wine or a beer.  A few $$ well spent.

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, lola2013 said:

Neither your status nor the type of stateroom you have impacts the boarding time you get.  As others have said, some people (us included) like to begin our vacation as early as possible.  Once the check-in date opens, we are online and trying to get an early boarding time.

I don’t know for sure but I’d guess if one is in Iconic, Villa , PH etc and requested early boarding, they would be accommodated.  

[zitsky]

57 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

No need to leave almost every motel until 11am. People simply want to "get their money's worth" and a seat in Oceanview.  Boarding with reduced capacity is easier and shorter lines.  

Want a relaxed boarding?  Try 1:30 or 2pm.  No lines.  Walk right on.  Have a local lunch with a glass of wine or a beer.  A few $$ well spent.

That’s a really good idea and I may try it.  I need to get over the shame of not being first.  😭

[canderson]

55 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

I don’t know for sure but I’d guess if one is in Iconic, Villa , PH etc and requested early boarding, they would be accommodated.  

Depending upon what you mean by 'early', that's how it already works.  Be first in line with a suite and you'll be the first aboard as soon as the ship is cleared for boarding.

[sunlover33]

On 3/10/2022 at 11:50 PM, Arizona Wildcat said:

No need to leave almost every motel until 11am. People simply want to "get their money's worth" and a seat in Oceanview.  Boarding with reduced capacity is easier and shorter lines.  

Want a relaxed boarding?  Try 1:30 or 2pm.  No lines.  Walk right on.  Have a local lunch with a glass of wine or a beer.  A few $$ well spent.

Absolutely agree. In Barcelona we drop off luggage then take a taxi to out favourite tapas bar, wander back  through las Ramblas to the ship, by which time staterooms are available and snooze until we embark. Great way to start a holiday. 

[chemmo]

I confess to be one of those desperate to get on the ship asap!

 

Where possible we book hotels with port views and will get up really early to see the ship dock! 4am is not unknown for us to be watching on Marine Traffic!

 

We always book higher suites so no worries about queues at any time or avoiding a busy cafe but we simply want to get on board asap and start our cruise! That free fizz on boarding may not be great but who cares? To me it will be the best drink I have had since the last cruise!

 

We still feel that same wonderful buzz on boarding we got on our first cruise many, many years ago!

 

PS. We are usually more or less the last guests off the ship too….

[chemmo]

On 3/11/2022 at 12:30 AM, LGW59 said:

I don’t know for sure but I’d guess if one is in Iconic, Villa , PH etc and requested early boarding, they would be accommodated.  

When the shoreside concierge contacts higher suite guests about two weeks prior to cruising they ask for your estimated arrival time. As with all suite guests your boarding is ‘anytime’ but with higher suite guests you are generally escorted through.

[upwarduk]

On 3/10/2022 at 6:29 PM, zitsky said:

have no status, and am not in a suite, so not sure I'll get an early time.

You will get the earliest time available when you check in.

Last summer, I got just that, the earliest time 12 noon.

We were not in a Suite.

[LB_NJ]

On 3/10/2022 at 5:00 PM, Laurab23 said:

We come by bus at a set time so don't want a later arrival time. If we got there too early would they make us wait outside at Bayonne?

 

Laura

Absolutely.  Saw that recently on an Anthem boarding.  However, if you miss your boarding slot you may have to wait until everyone else boards. 

 

There are other cruise lines that are strict about boarding times so Celebrity may decide to keep the rules permanently.

[canderson]

2 hours ago, LB_NJ said:

Absolutely.  Saw that recently on an Anthem boarding.  However, if you miss your boarding slot you may have to wait until everyone else boards. 

Since they started with 'slots', general rule is that whenever you arrive, if there are others waiting with earlier slots, they board ahead of you.  Especially on 'low count' cruises, that has meant short lines and some early boarding.  Have never heard that a somewhat late arrival for an X cruise slot required waiting until those with even later slots boarded first.  

 

Similar to boarding at airports.  If I'm in group 2 and 3s are boarding, I'm able to board immediately.

[sanger727]

On 3/10/2022 at 6:50 PM, Arizona Wildcat said:

No need to leave almost every motel until 11am. People simply want to "get their money's worth" and a seat in Oceanview.  Boarding with reduced capacity is easier and shorter lines.  

Want a relaxed boarding?  Try 1:30 or 2pm.  No lines.  Walk right on.  Have a local lunch with a glass of wine or a beer.  A few $$ well spent.

 

Yes and No. Checkout is usually 11 so if you shuttle or uber straight to the port, an 11:30 check in time is ideal. With 1:30 or 2 you have to deal with luggage, not a huge bother but less easy. For me personally, getting up at 6 am is sleeping in. By check out time I've had my leisurely morning, coffee, walk around time. I'm plenty ready to board by 11.