Not Happy with Assigned Boarding Time

[REDSTRIPETYPE]

Yesterday was the first day we were allowed to complete boarding passes for our Nov 22 cruise on the Beyond.

Upon completion we were asked to select a boarding time and the earliest was 1:30 t0 2:00.

 

Kinda disappointed that this is the earliest available esp since we completed docs as early as possible.

 

Is it possible to change to earlier?

What happens if we show up earlier...will we have to sit and wait?

What happens if traffic is heavy and we are later than 2:00?

[Purplsmurf]

Not sure why yesterday would’ve been the first time, as check in starts 45 days prior to sailing. Unfortunately you checked in too late and earlier times have already been taken

[Crazy planning mom]

Delete

Edited October 24, 2023 by Crazy planning mom

[lv2cruisgrl]

Keep checking back sometimes people cancel and earlier times open up.

[lv2cruisgrl]

1 minute ago, Crazy planning mom said:

This is also the first sailing after the transatlantic.  Perhaps that could be a factor.

We are on Beyond Nov 13, caribbean.  We got a noon arrival but I went online the second it opened just after midnight.

[DesertRat46]

Never tried boarding early, but have often waited until an hour past the "assigned" time and found the lines shorter. Depending on the port, can enjoy a nice lunch ashore and board when assigned or later,

[CruisinShips]

Show up when you want...you will be far from alone in that...either they let you board, or you wait a little while.

[mcatmcat]

Boarding what? 
 

just arrive early and board early. 

[kywildcatfanone]

At least my experience last week in FLL was they didn't check anyone's arrival times.  We actually did arrive about 15 minutes before our suggested time of 11:30, and no one looked at our times, and we just went to the back of the line and waited. 

 

go when you want, the only restriction you will likely see if just when they actually start the boarding process.

[Smmessineo]

Boarded  Equinox on Sunday. Had the 1130-12 time., got there at 1045. Went right in . No checking. Of course, had to wait in the big room after check-in before boarding started at 1115. 

[rj59]

I show up at noon, if possible, regardless of assigned times. In FLL on Apex, that meant everyone waiting had already boarded, and it took me 15 minutes from entering the terminal to getting on the ship. 

[Pennstatedj]

We checked in at 1045 for a 1130 time. There were no lines. That was Fort Lauderdale and ship was full. Somewhere else boarding might be strictly enforced.  Onboard officer said ship is full the rest of the year. It showed on sea days. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

We arrived at 10:45 for an 11:30 boarding time at FLL.  Nobody asked about our boarding time.  We checked in and then sat in a holding area until the benches filled up.  Then we were escorted on the ship as a group.  Got on board in approximately 25 minutes from curb to martini bar.

3 hours ago, Purplsmurf said:

Not sure why yesterday would’ve been the first time, as check in starts 45 days prior to sailing. Unfortunately you checked in too late and earlier times have already been taken

Our check in didn't open at the 45 day mark.  For whatever reason, it was delayed a week.  I checked every day but finally got a notification from our Roll Call that it had opened.  

[mauimary]

We used to be always on the earlier 11-1130 boarding time. The last three cruises we have done we switched it up and now prefer 1300-1330.  Hard to believe I know but the result has been we get out of our Uber then show our docs and up we go.  No lines.  This was Fort Lauderdale in April.  We are doing this again on our two Nov cruises.  No sense waiting in line with the early birds and the wished they were earlybirds!   Now the late bird gets an easy table and still plenty of food at the buffet and not just the leftover crumbs!  . No crowds at the buffet and no longer searching for that illusive hidden in the corner table. 
 

Edited October 24, 2023 by mauimary

[volk904]

Back in Feb we arrived 60 min early and walked right on the ship. They use the times to space arrivals but boarding goes so fast now unless they are backed up I don’t think they check times. I always go early.  

Edited October 25, 2023 by volk904

[doghog]

8 hours ago, REDSTRIPETYPE said:

Yesterday was the first day we were allowed to complete boarding passes for our Nov 22 cruise on the Beyond.

Upon completion we were asked to select a boarding time and the earliest was 1:30 t0 2:00.

 

Kinda disappointed that this is the earliest available esp since we completed docs as early as possible.

 

Is it possible to change to earlier?

What happens if we show up earlier...will we have to sit and wait?

What happens if traffic is heavy and we are later than 2:00?

You selected a check in time, not a boarding time. 

[NMTraveller]

9 hours ago, lv2cruisgrl said:

We are on Beyond Nov 13, caribbean.  We got a noon arrival but I went online the second it opened just after midnight.

Midnight for what time zone?  Your own time zone or Miami time or ship time zone?

Edited October 25, 2023 by NMTraveller

[DaKahuna]

3 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Midnight for what time zone?  Your own time zone or Miami time or ship time zone?

 Ships departure port time zone.  For example, sailing out of Florida midnight Eastern time or 9 pm Pacific time. 
 

[Baynanno1]

I wish I had a photo that was the chaos at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney on 19 October, when about half the passengers arrived before the ship had even been cleared for boarding.

Quite unlike 3 previous Sydney departures which were quite orderly as people stuck at least close to their assigned times.

Ignoring one's assigned time as has been suggested by several here predisposes to potential chaos which assigned times are designed to avoid.

** By 1pm, anyone whose boarding time was later, was removed from the queue.

Edited October 25, 2023 by Baynanno1
additional information

[CruisinShips]

6 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

I wish I had a photo that was the chaos at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney on 19 October, when about half the passengers arrived before the ship had even been cleared for boarding.

Quite unlike 3 previous Sydney departures which were quite orderly as people stuck at least close to their assigned times.

Ignoring one's assigned time as has been suggested by several here predisposes to potential chaos which assigned times are designed to avoid.

** By 1pm, anyone whose boarding time was later, was removed from the queue.

It happens.  Usually people show up when they choose and there are no real issues in my experience.

[rcrabb1513]

I know there is a large number of folks who want the earliest check in time but we try for the 1:00pm window. We don't have to bust our butts to get up and get going on embarkation day. The long lines have evaporated and we breeze through the check in process and most times our rooms are available when we board the ship. We can drop our carry on bags in the room, do the e-muster and the throngs in the food venues have all left for their cabins leaving it quiet for us.

[mauimary]

19 minutes ago, rcrabb1513 said:

I know there is a large number of folks who want the earliest check in time but we try for the 1:00pm window. We don't have to bust our butts to get up and get going on embarkation day. The long lines have evaporated and we breeze through the check in process and most times our rooms are available when we board the ship. We can drop our carry on bags in the room, do the e-muster and the throngs in the food venues have all left for their cabins leaving it quiet for us.

We’re with you!  That’s exactly what we have found. 

[jelayne]

On of the least desirable part of cruising for years was the check in process and long lines. The assigned boarding times made for a smooth boarding process without the long lines.

Last cruise we had 11:30-12 and arrived at 11:25 to find the terminal very crowded and a fairly long line.  Got checked in and asked check in staff why such a line, reply “seems lots of them ignored the boarding time”.  

We were sent to a large waiting area where we waited for almost 30 minutes before our section was called to board.  There was a long line to board so after arriving at our assigned time we actually set foot on the ship at 12:50.

 

I’m going to miss the assigned boarding time when we would arrive at the pier on time and be on board in under 15 minutes.

[scidee]

People arriving whenever they want  and expeting to cut line is just another sign of our  "ME Society".  Do what is convenient  for you and don't worry how it could inconvenience someone else.  The rules are for others and not for you.  I understand that if you have a later checkin time and an early flight you may not want to hang around the airport a few hours, but find something else to do or sit and wait until it's your time or the line is gone.  Assigned times are for reason.  Respect the time and respect the other passengers.

[ebockelman]

5 hours ago, jelayne said:

On of the least desirable part of cruising for years was the check in process and long lines. The assigned boarding times made for a smooth boarding process without the long lines.

Last cruise we had 11:30-12 and arrived at 11:25 to find the terminal very crowded and a fairly long line.  Got checked in and asked check in staff why such a line, reply “seems lots of them ignored the boarding time”.  

We were sent to a large waiting area where we waited for almost 30 minutes before our section was called to board.  There was a long line to board so after arriving at our assigned time we actually set foot on the ship at 12:50.

 

I’m going to miss the assigned boarding time when we would arrive at the pier on time and be on board in under 15 minutes.

Give feedback on the post-cruise survey. Celebrity should be enforcing arrival times. I've sailed other lines that won't even let you enter the terminal building far ahead of the arrival time.