Check In Time Assignment

[Rebels82]

We have been given Group F Check In Time of 2:20 for our Sojourn cruise 11/17 out of Miami.

Do we have to wait until then to Check In? We are all for following rules but will need to do something between hotel Check Out and Cruise Check In. Thanks.

[jjb415]

Ignore your assigned check-in time.  It's never been a problem showing up when convenient for you.

[Donyb]

We also. have been assigned Group F for 11/17. It is good to know that perhaps we can get on earlier as we will be arriving by bus and are due to be there about 12:30.

[braidmacd]

We recently had a 2pm check in in Barcelona. Showed up at 11:30 was checked in and on board by 12:30.  Nothing is guaranteed though

[TootyJane]

It shouldn’t be a problem. The worst thing that could happen is you wait in line. 

[Covepointcruiser]

Once we have to check out of our hotel we will move to the port.   Hopefully Seabourn will provide a place to wait.

[frantic36]

1 hour ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Hopefully Seabourn will provide a place to wait.

 

I would think that a place to wait at the port would be under the authority of the port? Seabourn can ask but they request isn't always in their control. 

[Bell Boy]

It's just been announced approx  9th November on a fb cruise forum - The source is a well known TA/cruise specialist known to many of us on here.

 

"Seabourn will 'shortly' no longer be providing Auto assigned check-in times" .

 

[aliaschief]

Showed up 1.5 hours ahead of time two weeks ago in Montreal and was onboard 10 minutes later.

[markandjie]

The hand wringing over check-in time has always confused me. We've never paid any attention to it and never had an issue. Can't figure why folks get so wrapped around the axle on this. I mean, as long as you don't show before embarkation begins you're gonna be fine. 

[johng75370]

5 minutes ago, markandjie said:

as long as you don't show before embarkation begins you're gonna be fine.

Or after it's ended 🙂

[markandjie]

5 minutes ago, johng75370 said:

Or after it's ended 🙂

 

Well... On our last cruise we were delayed a day so embarked the following day at the next port, so it can be done! Have to say it's the fastest our bags ever made it to our room... 😆

[cruiseej]

On 11/10/2023 at 1:39 PM, markandjie said:

The hand wringing over check-in time has always confused me. We've never paid any attention to it and never had an issue. Can't figure why folks get so wrapped around the axle on this.

 

Because most people generally want to/try to follow the rules. 😀

 

The assigned check-in times were a direct byproduct of the safety precautions when cruising cautiously resumed after the pandemic shutdown. There were extensive documentation checks, and in many ports, on-site testing by port authorities and waiting for results. Assigned times were needed to spread out people arriving and not having too many in the waiting area at a time. Those procedures no longer exist, and thus the assigned boarding times, which many had learned they could ignore, are no longer needed. 

[firsttimers68]

Our check in time keeps getting changed, we have now been pushed back to 3pm!

[Mr Luxury]

Just now, firsttimers68 said:

Our check in time keeps getting changed, we have now been pushed back to 3pm!

I wouldn't worry unnecessarily about this.

[firsttimers68]

1 minute ago, Mr Luxury said:

I wouldn't worry unnecessarily about this.

It's fine, just slightly irritating to receive constant emails in last few days from Seabourn. We will arrive around 1pm and see how it goes. It is a much needed holiday!

[whirldcruzrs]

On 11/8/2023 at 10:03 PM, Covepointcruiser said:

Once we have to check out of our hotel we will move to the port.   Hopefully Seabourn will provide a place to wait.

There has always found there is a place to wait but recently no need as we always were able to board upon arrival. These are cruise ship terminals so they accommodate the ships by providing waiting areas.  

[mcmarya]

If it is no longer necessary to assign check-in times very soon, why is now any different?  Since we will arrive at the airport around noon, we don't plan to wait until our 3 pm assigned time to show up.  A year ago we arrived at the airport about 1 1/2 hours before our assignment.  So, we found a place to park ourselves for 30 or 40 minutes and finally decided it might be more comfortable to wait at the pier.  When we arrived, we did not see another soul--I think it was around 1 or 1:30 pm.  We asked where everyone was and were told most were already on the ship.

[Covepointcruiser]

Our check in for the Ovation is at 2:30, but we must leave the hotel at 12 pm.    We will see what they do with us at the pier.   I am sure they will take checked luggage but do they want us to wander around with our carry ons?   Is there a reason for the late check in for the Ovation in Lisbon?

[mcmarya]

I expect that what happens at the pier in terms of waiting or even any enforcement? of check in times depends on the location.  Our experience was in Miami and will be in Miami again.  YMMV.  It's not like 3,000 passengers need to get on the ship. 

[Dunnedg]

Just off Quest. We were allocated a 1.50 check in time and given a strict warning, if we arrived early we would be denied boarding. Our agent arranged a pick up for us from our hotel at 12.30 and he arrived early. We were at the port at 12.45. There was only a couple of other people ahead of us and we walked straight on and were told every suite was ready. No comment about us being early. 
It works both ways. I remember having to queue a while in the past because everyone arrived at the same time. Of course with so few people to board it is nothing like the queues for a mega ship.