Ft Lauderdale embarkation--when do embarkation crowds thin out?

[CalTexCruiser]

We have a cruise departing Ft Lauderdale at 4pm.

 

For the experienced Princess cruisers out there, when do the embarkation crowds generally thin out?  

 

If we arrive at 1:30pm, would that still be too early?

 

We'd like to time it so we can check in and walk on without any lines.

[voljeep]

3 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

We have a cruise departing Ft Lauderdale at 4pm.

 

For the experienced Princess cruisers out there, when do the embarkation crowds generally thin out?  

 

If we arrive at 1:30pm, would that still be too early?

 

We'd like to time it so we can check in and walk on without any lines.

at 1:30 - you may be the only people in line and get a personal escort onboard - j/k about the personal escort - but you will be walking the whole time, or very little waiting to get medallion, thru security, etc

[PacnGoNow]

21 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

We have a cruise departing Ft Lauderdale at 4pm.

 

For the experienced Princess cruisers out there, when do the embarkation crowds generally thin out?  

 

If we arrive at 1:30pm, would that still be too early?

 

We'd like to time it so we can check in and walk on without any lines.

Agree, good timing.  I would say by 1pm, it will be thinned out.  Most people want to get OB and have lunch. 

[startedwithamouse]

After 1pm. 

[reedprincess]

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

We have a cruise departing Ft Lauderdale at 4pm.

 

For the experienced Princess cruisers out there, when do the embarkation crowds generally thin out?  

 

If we arrive at 1:30pm, would that still be too early?

 

We'd like to time it so we can check in and walk on without any lines.

In my experience, at Port Everglades, "crowds" or lines are done by 12/12:30. By 1, you'll basically be the only ones there - you'll walk right in and through security, etc.  

[CalTexCruiser]

Thanks all for your replies.   1pm or later sounds great.

 

I tried the strategy of arriving at 1:30pm when embarking in SF on Ruby Princess, but still waited 3 hours in line.  But that was a perfect storm of lots of covid patients on board waiting to get off, a crappy terminal (Pier 39 which should never be used as an embarkation/debarkation port), and rainy weather.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Embarkation from Port FLL just before pandemic in 2020, approximately 2:00pm:

 

[Steelers36]

9 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

We have a cruise departing Ft Lauderdale at 4pm.

 

For the experienced Princess cruisers out there, when do the embarkation crowds generally thin out?  

 

If we arrive at 1:30pm, would that still be too early?

 

We'd like to time it so we can check in and walk on without any lines.

At that time, the terminal will be so empty you may wonder if the ship left already.