boarding our cruise?

[thefog]

Can our family just show up at the terminal and just wait to board?

[poocher]

Any reason you can’t check in on line and select a boarding time?

[cynt]

Yes.

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

You can certainly show up at the terminal, but might not be able to get inside if it's not your assigned check-in time. Sometimes they are very strict with check-in times and sometimes they're not, but in any event, you would be waiting outside until the first general check-in group (i.e. not suites, The Key etc.)  

[island lady]

If you don't mind standing in line outside (with no place to sit) for hours...sure.  

[PhillyFan33579]

I can only address Florida ports, but waiting outside most of the year can be very uncomfortable due to heat and humidity. The best thing to do is show up during your check-in window. If you do that, odds are really good you will be on the ship within 15-20 minutes of arriving at the terminal. 

[MeHeartCruising]

12 hours ago, thefog said:

Can our family just show up at the terminal and just wait to board?

 

Royal Caribbean prefers you to purchase passage on the cruise first.  If you just show up, they may not let you on.  

 

Har Har Har.  Sorry.  I couldn't pass up on this one.  

Edited August 22, 2022 by MeHeartCruising

[Janet524]

It's been my experience on the 5 cruises I've taken since they started up last July that they have been fairly strict about boarding times.  If you arrive before your scheduled time they do not allow you in the terminal regardless of the weather.  In February we saw a number of people waiting outside in the cold wind and rain in Baltimore because they showed up an hour before their time slot.

[Starry Eyes]

If you are thinking of showing up before your scheduled arrival window, you may want to specify the ship&embarkation port.  People on recent cruises from that port can then share their experiences to give you the closest approximation to your boarding day.

Or do you mean can you show up without doing on line checkin?