Earliest Check-In Time Port Canaveral For Meraviglia?

[amygutman]

Good morning - 

 

We are in the YC for a March Meraviglia 3 night sailing. The MSC representative said the 1500 check-in time is not accurate as "you are in the YC so you can board as early as 0930". 0930 seems a bit early to me re: the last sailing's disembarcation. We were thinking 1030-1100 would be more likely. When we did the Seashore out of Miami, we boarded at 1100 and were swept directly to our room.

 

We only live 45 minutes from the port (and hitting Kennedy Space Center the day before the cruise), so the earlier on the ship the better - if we only have 3 nights on the ship I want to make every second count! Can anyone advise please?

 

Warmest, Amy

[Mutumbojimbo]

We were not in Yacht Club, but on our recent Meraviglia cruise, we arrived at around 10 and I think boarding started a little after 11:00. I'm sure the YC passengers boarded first, but the last debarkation times on our cruise were 9:30, I think. So it's hard for me to believe that anyone could board much before 10:30.

[Two Wheels Only]

There are so many factors that make it virtually impossible to guarantee an early boarding time especially as early as 9:30a (won't happen). 

 

We've also done Meraviglia out of Port Canaveral and even though we were able to pass most of the lines, the ship still needed the "all clear" before guests could board (escort by butler). 

 

You original plan of 10:30-11:00ish is probably best. 

[Morgsmom]

Yes, you can arrive at 9:30 but 10:30 -11:00 is likely the time you will be boarding.  You will then be brought to Top Sail to be given "THE TALK" 🙂 (lol) and a welcome drink.

 

[NorthernCouple]

1 hour ago, Morgsmom said:

Yes, you can arrive at 9:30 but 10:30 -11:00 is likely the time you will be boarding.  You will then be brought to Top Sail to be given "THE TALK" 🙂 (lol) and a welcome drink.

 

Ok, I'm curious. What is the topic for "THE TALK"? I hate to ruin the surprise but....

or is this like fight club...1st rule of the Yacht Club is....

Edited March 10, 2023 by NorthernCouple

[Gatordad1967]

I've been on 3x, never got the talk

 

[Nashna]

They just introduce you to the concierge and the officer in charge of the YC, and give you an introduction to the services such as the restaurant and Top Sail lounge hours, they will offer you drinks and advise you of the status of your room.  

[Morgsmom]

Lol!  That’s usually when they have the talk about Ladies and Gentleman acting like Ladies and Gentlemen 🤣🤣🤣

[NorthernCouple]

46 minutes ago, Morgsmom said:

Lol!  That’s usually when they have the talk about Ladies and Gentleman acting like Ladies and Gentlemen 🤣🤣🤣

 

Honestly, I expected:

1. Close the door behind you.
2. Wear pants/skirt/shorts/dress/bathing suit.
3. Don't barf on the carpet.
4. Don't pee in the pool.
5. Keep your kids under control.
6. Don't fall overboard.
7. Be nice to the staff, but not too nice (don't hit on staff). (perhaps this should be #1)

 

Except for #1, your statement seems to cover it.

 

Did I miss anything?

[kelleherdl]

Here’s just a partial list of the things that can go wrong to delay commencing new passengers boarding beyond 10:30.  
 

1. Medical emergency on the ship or dock. Port operations come to a standstill.

(this one really causes havoc with luggage offloading)

2. Delayed ship arrival.  Screws up all sorts of timing, but is actually pretty rare.

3. IT breakdown at gangway, slowing exiting guest disembarkation.
4. Same thing if IT ashore for CBP clearance gets backed up

5. Any sort of Coast Guard, PHS or CBP inspection.

6. Disembarking passengers who refuse to obey the orders to leave the ship on time.

 

and the most frustrating of all to ship’s crew, port staff and passengers

 

7. A back-to-back passenger who is nowhere to be found, who ignores their letter on back-to-back procedures and completely infuriates their fellow passengers, crew and everybody waiting in the terminal. 😟

Edited March 10, 2023 by kelleherdl

[amygutman]

On 3/10/2023 at 10:45 AM, Mutumbojimbo said:

We were not in Yacht Club, but on our recent Meraviglia cruise, we arrived at around 10 and I think boarding started a little after 11:00. I'm sure the YC passengers boarded first, but the last debarkation times on our cruise were 9:30, I think. So it's hard for me to believe that anyone could board much before 10:30.

Makes sense...thank you!

[amygutman]

On 3/10/2023 at 11:10 AM, Two Wheels Only said:

There are so many factors that make it virtually impossible to guarantee an early boarding time especially as early as 9:30a (won't happen). 

 

We've also done Meraviglia out of Port Canaveral and even though we were able to pass most of the lines, the ship still needed the "all clear" before guests could board (escort by butler). 

 

You original plan of 10:30-11:00ish is probably best. 

Thank you - I always find your posts to be very useful, and we appreciate you!

[amygutman]

On 3/10/2023 at 1:47 PM, Morgsmom said:

Yes, you can arrive at 9:30 but 10:30 -11:00 is likely the time you will be boarding.  You will then be brought to Top Sail to be given "THE TALK" 🙂 (lol) and a welcome drink.

 

Not..."THE TALK".... Oh dear sweet lord. I hope it's not the same one I just gave my 13 yo son about dating. 😁

[amygutman]

On 3/10/2023 at 2:50 PM, NorthernCouple said:

Ok, I'm curious. What is the topic for "THE TALK"? I hate to ruin the surprise but....

or is this like fight club...1st rule of the Yacht Club is....

Maybe...you don't take about "The Haven" when in "The Yacht Club" ...😇

[amygutman]

On 3/10/2023 at 4:24 PM, Nashna said:

They just introduce you to the concierge and the officer in charge of the YC, and give you an introduction to the services such as the restaurant and Top Sail lounge hours, they will offer you drinks and advise you of the status of your room.  

Cool...anything but an in-person muster drill (oh yeah...I said it!)

[amygutman]

On 3/10/2023 at 5:29 PM, NorthernCouple said:

 

Honestly, I expected:

1. Close the door behind you.
2. Wear pants/skirt/shorts/dress/bathing suit.
3. Don't barf on the carpet.
4. Don't pee in the pool.
5. Keep your kids under control.
6. Don't fall overboard.
7. Be nice to the staff, but not too nice (don't hit on staff). (perhaps this should be #1)

 

Except for #1, your statement seems to cover it.

 

Did I miss anything?

[amygutman]

On 3/10/2023 at 6:26 PM, kelleherdl said:

Here’s just a partial list of the things that can go wrong to delay commencing new passengers boarding beyond 10:30.  
 

1. Medical emergency on the ship or dock. Port operations come to a standstill.

(this one really causes havoc with luggage offloading)

2. Delayed ship arrival.  Screws up all sorts of timing, but is actually pretty rare.

3. IT breakdown at gangway, slowing exiting guest disembarkation.
4. Same thing if IT ashore for CBP clearance gets backed up

5. Any sort of Coast Guard, PHS or CBP inspection.

6. Disembarking passengers who refuse to obey the orders to leave the ship on time.

 

and the most frustrating of all to ship’s crew, port staff and passengers

 

7. A back-to-back passenger who is nowhere to be found, who ignores their letter on back-to-back procedures and completely infuriates their fellow passengers, crew and everybody waiting in the terminal. 😟

I actually anticipate #7 - we are on a weird "three-fer" cruise...days 1-4 Port Canaveral to Ocean Cay then back (our leg), then days 5-11 out into the bahamas again and Mexico. You can do Days 1-4, Days 5-11, or the full days 1-11. Based upon reading other postings, I bet the differences between passenger groups will be fascinating and I am certain there will be passengers wh ohave no idea when to board or get back on the ship