Sydney sightseeing on Embarkation day - Carnival Splendor

[168G]

I read somewhere we can drop off luggage starting at 8:30am.  Is this still the case?  Realistically, when can we start boarding?  Once boarded and drop off our hand carry luggage int the room, are we allow to leave the ship with our sailing card?  We were thinking maybe we will hit some museums near by, up the Argyle stairs to walk part of the bridge and maybe check out Pylons before coming back to the ship.  Is this doable?

[cruiser3775]

You might be better to leave your luggage at Bounce at Circular Quay, and do some sightseeing in the morning. It was fairly chaotic at the OPT, with one group disembarking and another trying to get onboard. Better to only go through that once, I think.

[MicCanberra]

Unless it has changed recently, once boarded  you cannot get back off. You can normally drop off bags from 9am and boarding normally starts closer to 11am. Perhaps drop your bags  explore and check in later.

[Jean C]

My experience has been that if Sydney, for example, is a port of call as part of a longer cruise and itineraries overlap, then once boarded, you are able to leave the ship, just the same as those passengers already on board can disembark and re-board as part of their port of call visit. We did this a few years ago when boarding in Auckland, we boarded, settled in and then left the ship to get some more supplies.

 

You would need to know the vessel's prior itinerary options to see if this is the case.

 

If the port is a complete changeover day, ie everyone on board disembarking and a completely fresh group of new passengers embarking, then you will not be allowed to leave the ship after boarding.

[gbenjo]

ABF rules say that, once on board, passengers cannot leave the vessel,  Splendor normally has an early sailing time ie. 4pm  so you would need to be aboard  about an hour or 90 minutes before sailing. If you can drop your luggage off at 8:30 am or so you would have around five hours to do your sightseeing, staying reasonably close ish   to the OPT would be a good idea. Everything you say you want to do is close by so you should be ok. Confirm check in times at the terminal before you leave just in case.
 

[sayaguru]

I would drop bags and explore. You can also leave bags at City Extra restaurant Circular Quay for $8 a bag, if you want to leave them earlier.. 

 

[arxcards]

13 hours ago, 168G said:

I read somewhere we can drop off luggage starting at 8:30am.  Is this still the case?  Realistically, when can we start boarding?  Once boarded and drop off our hand carry luggage int the room, are we allow to leave the ship with our sailing card?  We were thinking maybe we will hit some museums near by, up the Argyle stairs to walk part of the bridge and maybe check out Pylons before coming back to the ship.  Is this doable?

- 8:30 seems about right for luggage drop, maybe a bit earlier.

- Priority/faster to the fun boarding can be chosen from 11am, general boarding times can be selected via your online check-in 14 days prior from 11:30 onward.

- As mentioned, once you are on you are ready to sail.

 

No probs, drop all your non-essential luggage at 8:30, explorer and board after the crowd at 3pm. You have chosen some things to so that are nearby, and in sight of the ship for much of your exploring. That is a good 6 hours of sightseeing.

 

[Hogbay]

On 12/18/2023 at 8:45 AM, 168G said:

I read somewhere we can drop off luggage starting at 8:30am.  Is this still the case?  Realistically, when can we start boarding?  Once boarded and drop off our hand carry luggage int the room, are we allow to leave the ship with our sailing card?  We were thinking maybe we will hit some museums near by, up the Argyle stairs to walk part of the bridge and maybe check out Pylons before coming back to the ship.  Is this doable?

Yes you can drop of your luggage around 830 .early bording was 1015 am Key and suite after b2b . No leaving the ship once you board ,domestic or international, rooms available around 1pm so no not possible. Drop bags and sightsee and be back a OPT before one hour of sailing . Deadline about 3pm but check